Companion Animals

Companion Dog Osteoarthritis Pain Recognition

Osteoarthritis is extremely common in older dogs, often causing significant chronic pain that goes unrecognised by owners.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 20% of adult dogs
Dogs often do not cry or vocalise despite significant joint pain
Subtle signs include reluctance to climb stairs, reduced activity, and stiffness after rest
Weight management is one of the most effective treatments for osteoarthritis welfare
Multi-modal pain management including NSAIDs and physiotherapy improves outcomes significantly

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain from unrecognised osteoarthritis causes prolonged welfare harm in many dogs. The tendency for dogs to hide pain means owners frequently underestimate their dog's discomfort. Routine pain assessment at annual health checks, pain scoring, and weight management are cornerstones of osteoarthritis welfare.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise subtle signs of joint pain in your dog
Ask your vet about pain assessment tools for older dogs
Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce osteoarthritis progression