Companion Animals

Companion Animal Pain Management: Advances in 2026

A review of advances in companion animal pain management during 2026, including new drugs, diagnostics, and clinical approaches.

Key Facts

Monoclonal antibody therapies targeting nerve growth factor are transforming arthritis pain management in dogs and cats
Gabapentinoids are increasingly used for neuropathic pain in companion animals
Multimodal pain management combining pharmacological and physical approaches improves outcomes
Digital pain assessment tools and owner-reported outcomes are improving pain monitoring between visits

Welfare Considerations

Pain management in companion animals has advanced significantly in recent years, with new drug classes, better diagnostics, and improved understanding of species-specific pain responses. The welfare benefit of these advances depends on veterinarian adoption and owner awareness.

What You Can Do

Discuss multimodal pain management with your vet if your pet has a chronic painful condition
Learn to use validated pain scoring tools to monitor your pet between veterinary visits
Advocate for pain management training to be prioritised in veterinary education