Vets calling for action as new research reveals Australian dog owners may be unaware their pets are suffering osteoarthritis pain

Zoetis Australia

Sydney, Australia – Monday 25 July 2025 - New research has revealed that low awareness of osteoarthritis pain symptoms in dogs may be leaving them to suffer in silence despite their owners’ good intentions. The Australian consumer research¹ commissioned by Zoetis Australia highlights that while 85% of dog owners feel anxious about their dog being in pain, over a third of them (34%) wait until symptoms are obvious before acting on their dog’s health.

While 90% of the surveyed dog owners were able to name at least one sign or symptom associated with canine osteoarthritis, a quarter (25%) of respondents revealed that they consider pain to be a normal part of life for most dogs.¹ This latest insight suggests dog owners’ perception of their dog’s pain has the potential to delay interventions that can alleviate suffering and improve quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is a condition that leads to pain and progressive degeneration of the affected joints.⁴ It occurs when cartilage, which cushions the joints at the end of the bones, breaks down. This can cause pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility due to bone-on-bone contact.⁵ Without appropriate treatment, osteoarthritis can impact a dog’s ability to do the things they enjoy, such as walk and play.

According to Dr Graham Lauridsen, a Veterinarian and Director of Tropical Vets from Atherton in Queensland, the research findings highlight a critical need for more vigilance about detecting and treating osteoarthritis pain as early as possible.

“There are common misconceptions that may be impacting our dogs’ quality of life. Firstly, there is the perception that osteoarthritis is an older dog’s disease. Secondly, some people believe that seeing dogs ‘slow down’ is a normal part of their ageing, but it could be due to osteoarthritis pain. Just like humans, dogs can also struggle with the pain associated with this condition. However, they can’t tell us when they’re in pain, so it’s up to us to recognise the signs as early as possible,” said Dr Lauridsen.

Approximately two in five (40%) dogs are living with osteoarthritis pain,² but Australian vets report that only 25% of their canine patients are formally diagnosed with osteoarthritis, while they suspect this disease is present in an additional 24%.³While there is evidence of underdiagnosis of osteoarthritis in dogs, this is not due to a lack of care from dog owners. Most (71%) Australian dog owners consider their dog a member of the family, and the majority (70%) also agree that pain affects a dog’s life as much as a human’s.¹

With close to half of Australian households (48%) having at least one dog,⁶ vets are urging dog owners to be aware and recognise the early signs of osteoarthritis pain to ensure the quality of life of thousands of beloved pets is preserved.

“The best thing we can do for our dogs is learn how to recognise the signs of pain. If you notice your dog lagging on walks, limping after walks or exercise, having difficulty jumping or climbing stairs, or they are a little slower to get up, they may be telling you they are in pain. If you’re unsure, it is always recommended to seek your vet’s advice,” said Dr Lauridsen.

The new research also revealed that vets are among the most trusted information sources about osteoarthritis pain management and treatment options. Four in five (81%) respondents trust their vet’s advice about new and innovative treatments.¹

Dr Megan Lui, Associate Director - Veterinary Operations Companion Animal at Zoetis Australia, emphasised the importance of vets and dog owners working as a team to discuss clinically proven treatment options that will help manage each dog’s osteoarthritis pain.

“While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many ways we can help our pets live a better, pain-free life. Your vet is your best source of support if you suspect an issue with your dog’s health. It is through open conversations throughout your dog’s life that we can discuss osteoarthritis diagnosis, early intervention, pain management and treatment that is right for them,” said Dr Lui.

ENDS

This media release was distributed by Palin Communications on behalf of Zoetis Australia. For all media enquiries, please contact:

Karina Durham

Palin Communications

0402 307 056 | [email protected]

Maitreyi Kulkarni

Palin Communications

0413 712 977 | [email protected]

References:

YouGov. (2025). Zoetis Australia consumer research survey, osteoarthritis and joint pain in dogs. [data on file]
Wright A., et al. Identification of canine osteoarthritis using an owner-reported questionnaire and treatment monitoring using functional mobility tests. Journal of Small Animal Practice (2022),1–10 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.135001
Bio’sat -Study Report about osteoarthritis in 7 countries January 2025
Johnston SA. Osteoarthritis: joint anatomy, physiology and pathobiology. Vet Clin N Am Small Anim Pract 1997;27:699-723.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Osteoarthritis. Available at https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/osteoarthritis (accessed July 2025)
Animal Medicines Australia. (2022). Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people. Available at AMAU008-Pet-Ownership22-Report_v1.6_WEB.pdf (animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au (accessed July 2025)

About Zoetis

As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock producers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $9.3 billion in 2024 with approximately 13,800 employees.

About the YouGov survey

On behalf of Zoetis Australia, YouGov conducted an online survey between 13-16 June 2025. The survey results are comprised of a nationally representative sample of 1,011 Australian dog owners aged 18 years and older. The survey was designed in collaboration with Palin Communications and Zoetis Australia. Following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender, and region to reflect the population estimates of dog owners.