Osteoarthritis affects a large proportion of adult and senior dogs, causing chronic pain that is often underrecognised and undertreated, with effective management options available.
Canine arthritis is a silent welfare crisis. Dogs with painful joints slow down, stop enjoying walks, struggle to rise and sleep more - but owners often attribute these changes to normal ageing. Veterinary assessment, appropriate pain relief, weight management, physiotherapy and home adaptations can transform the quality of life of arthritic dogs.