Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Chronic Pain Recognition Advanced

Advanced approaches to recognising and assessing chronic pain in dogs, including validated scales, behavioural indicators, and owner education.

Key Facts

Chronic pain in dogs is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated
Dogs mask pain as a survival behaviour, making recognition challenging
The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale is validated for acute pain in dogs
Behavioural changes including reduced activity, altered posture, and changed social interaction signal chronic pain
Osteoarthritis affects up to 20% of dogs over 1 year and is a major source of chronic pain

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain is a major and underacknowledged welfare problem in dogs. Unlike acute pain, chronic pain often presents subtly through reduced activity, changed behaviour, and altered interaction rather than vocalisation. Validated assessment tools and owner education about chronic pain indicators are essential for ensuring dogs receive appropriate treatment for conditions like osteoarthritis and cancer.

What You Can Do

Learn the subtle behavioural signs of chronic pain in dogs
Request a chronic pain assessment if your dog shows reduced activity or changed behaviour
Advocate for routine chronic pain assessment at veterinary check-ups for senior dogs