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Development and validation of a chronic pain perception scale for dogs: Structural validity and reliability
Maria Toscano Batista1, Catarina Lavrador2, Gonçalo da Graça-Pereira3
1Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
The Veterinary Record
|October 22, 2025
Summary
Caregivers can now better recognize chronic pain in dogs with osteoarthritis using the new Chronic Pain Perception Scale (CPPS). This tool aids early detection and improves communication between veterinarians and pet owners.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Behavior
- Pain Management
Background:
- Chronic pain affects 20-37% of dogs, primarily due to osteoarthritis.
- This pain leads to behavioral issues, impacting dogs and their owners.
- Early detection of chronic pain is crucial but lacks standardized assessment tools for caregivers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Chronic Pain Perception Scale (CPPS).
- To create a self-reported questionnaire for caregivers to identify chronic pain in dogs with osteoarthritis.
- To support research and clinical practice in canine pain management.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study to develop the CPPS questionnaire.
- Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to examine psychometric properties.
- Composite reliability was assessed to ensure the scale's consistency.
Main Results:
- The final CPPS has seven items across two factors: motor/sensory and emotional expression.
- Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good model fit in a smaller sample (SRMR=0.036, GFI=0.949, NFI=0.966, CFI=0.975).
- Despite some fit indices indicating potential issues (RMSEA=0.105), the scale shows promise.
Conclusions:
- The CPPS is a valid tool for caregivers to recognize chronic pain in osteoarthritic dogs.
- This scale can enhance veterinarian-caregiver communication for earlier pain detection and management.
- Limitations include a lack of sample diversity (mostly women with internet access) and potential generalizability issues across different languages and cultures.
