Veterinary Pain Management Market By Product Type (Drugs {NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs), Opioids, Local Anesthetics, Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists, Others}, Devices {Laser Therapy Devices, Electromagnetic Therapy Devices, Radiofrequency Therapy Devices, Ultrasound Therapy Devices, Cryotherapy Devices}), By Application (Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain, Post-surgical Pain, Cancer Pain, Injury or Trauma, Neurological Disorders, Dental Pain, Others), By Route of Administration (Oral, Injectable, Topical, Transdermal, Others), By Animal Type (Companion Animals, Livestock Animals, Equine, Others), By End User (Veterinary Hospitals & Clinics, Animal Rehabilitation Centers, Animal Research Institutes, Homecare Settings, Academic Institutions, Others), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

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What trends will shape this market in the coming years?

The Veterinary Pain Management market accounted for USD 2.38 Billion in 2024 and USD 2.55 Billion in 2025 is expected to reach USD 5.02 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 7.02% between 2025 and 2035. The veterinary pain management market is oriented toward creating and supplying animals with medications, therapies, and tools to deal with pain. It consists of both acute and chronic pain medicines that are caused by surgery, trauma, arthritis, and so on in pets and livestock. The market includes pharmaceutical products, such as non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines and opioids, and non-pharmaceutical solutions, such as laser therapy and acupuncture. It is spurred by the growing number of pet owners and the exposure of more people to issues of animal welfare and veterinarian practice improvement. The growth is also facilitated by regulatory factors and the need to treat companion animals.

What do industry experts say about the market trends?

"Animals instinctively hide pain to avoid appearing vulnerable. Pet owners must learn to recognize behavioral changes—like withdrawal or reluctance to play—so pain isn't dismissed as aging."

• Dr. Mike Petty, DVM, Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner & Acupuncturist

"Chronic pain in dogs isn't just physical—it's deeply emotional. Addressing both the sensory and emotional components is key to managing conditions like osteoarthritis and cancer pain."

• Dr. Ralph Harvey, Professor of Anesthesia & Pain Management, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

Which segments and geographies does the report analyze?

What are the key drivers and challenges shaping the market?

Rising pet adoption increasing demand for veterinary healthcare and services

The need for veterinary healthcare providers, including pain management, has increased significantly as a result of the recent pet adoption movement. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that pet ownership by U.S. households gradually increased over the last decade, with approximately 70% of households having a pet in 2021. This increase implies that more animals will need periodic exams, surgery, and management of chronic diseases, including arthritis and cancer, which is usually accompanied by pain management.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have stated that the problem of chronic pain in companion animals is increasingly becoming an issue, and better methods of relieving the pain at an advanced level must be found. This is also precipitated by further interest by pet owners in animal welfare and the new veterinary pain medications. Further, the increasing market is reinforced by the growth of veterinary infrastructure, including special pain management clinics. All of this makes the role of veterinary pain management in the enhancement of the quality of life of pets and market development critical.

Growing awareness about animal welfare boosting pain management solutions uptake

The veterinary pain management market is growing at a fast pace, and the development is characterised by an awareness of animal welfare and the need for better quality of life for animals in pets and farm animals. With the increasing number of pets, the owners are more educated and find it suitable to spend their money on proper pain-alleviating treatment to make their pets comfortable when undergoing surgery, chronic disease, or injury. Moreover, improvement in animal medical care and medicine has come with more specific and less harmful pain medications.

Governments and institutions of learning are also on the same trend: in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved several veterinary pain relief medications, which provides evidence of regulatory dedication to animal welfare. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also points out the acknowledgement and management of pain as a very important aspect of veterinary medicine.

Further, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) also encourages pain management among countries, which further validates the support of policies. All these combine to drive the development of the market, as it creates both innovation and acceptance of the field of pain management therapies within the veterinary field.

Lack of skilled professionals hindering proper pain management implementation

The veterinary pain management market is experiencing major restraints in the form of a lack of skilled professionals who are trained regarding the right pain assessment and management methods. This disparity is a constraint to the popularisation of advanced protocols of pain management in the veterinary field. A report on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) indicates the necessity of more education and training programmes, as most veterinarians believe they are not properly trained in pain management, with less than 20-30% of them being satisfied.

BLS personnel of the U.S. Department of Labor predict that veterinary specialties will grow faster than all veterinary occupations, which portrays the sporadic proficiency inconsistency. Their unspecialised knowledge influences the quality of looking after the animals and hinders the use of newer pain relief techniques that are easier and more effective. This lack of professionals, along with poor continuing education avenues, does not facilitate an effective pain management approach in veterinary clinics, which in turn holds back the market growth.

Emerging telehealth services expanding access to pain consultation services

Growth in telehealth services provides a potential to the veterinary pain management market because people can have access to specialised pet pain consultation, particularly those in rural or underserved regions. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reported that almost 40 per cent of US households possess a pet, many of which experience chronic pain, including arthritis or pain after an operation, and such conditions demand professional assistance.

Telehealth will allow veterinarians to perform an immediate pain assessment and adjust treatment plans remotely, saving on travel constraints and enhancing round-the-clock treatment. Moreover, the USDA reveals that approximately one out of five people living in rural America is located further than 10 miles from the nearest veterinary clinic, an aspect that telehealth can address.

Like other educational facilities, such as the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, telemedicine has been capable of achieving high levels of care delivery in chronic pain scenarios and ensuring a higher level of convenience for pet owners. This change enables a healthier animal welfare and contributes to the expansion of veterinary pain management products and services due to the increased demand, which is provided with the help of telehealth technologies.

Strategic collaborations enabling product portfolio expansion across international markets

Expansion of product portfolio in the veterinary pain management market at an international level has great potential through strategic partnerships of veterinary pharmaceutical companies and research institutes. Working in collaboration with universities and state research laboratories allows companies to use advanced scientific research and make new pain relievers, thus enhancing the well-being of animals all over the world.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) enthusiastically contribute to the study of veterinary research, which improves such therapeutic options as pain management, and the level of governmental interest in animal health increases markedly. Moreover, partnerships allow reaching a variety of regulatory systems and veterinary requirements in other areas, accelerating the certification process and meeting the specific needs of the local markets.

As 90+ million households keep pets in the U.S. alone (American Veterinary Medical Association), and more and more people around the globe learn about animal pain treatment, such alliances are essential to scaling the solution to the growing demands in both the companion animal and the livestock spheres. This strategic positioning is not only focused on expanding products, but it also aims to enhance informed innovation that seeks to be inspired by scientific and government support.

What are the key market segments in the industry?

Based on the product type, the Veterinary Pain Management market is classified into Drugs and Devices. In the veterinary pain management market, drugs take the top position in the category compared to devices. This is mainly attributed to the huge application involving pharmaceutical solutions like NSAIDs, opioids, and local anaesthetics, which are effective in controlling pain among different animal species. Medications provide more focused, systemic relief, can be used without direct supervision or intervention, and have well-documented findings and medical practices advising their application. Comparatively, devices, although valuable, can most of the time be used in a niche or procedural setting, and drugs are the most preferred option for normal pain management in veterinary practice.

Based on the application, the Veterinary Pain Management market is classified into Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain, Post-surgical Pain, Cancer Pain, Injury or Trauma, Neurological Disorders, Dental Pain, and Others. Osteoarthritis and joint pain are leading application segments in the veterinary pain management market. This is because the prevalence of chronic joint disorders in ageing pets and livestock has been high, and the treatments need to provide continuous pain management. Osteoarthritis causes chronic anguish and a decrease in mobility, so pain management is a critical aspect of animal welfare and well-being. Consequently, a huge percentage of pain management products used in veterinary practice, and most of them are drugs, are aimed at treating inflammatory- and joint-disease-related pain and osteoarthritis.

Which regions are leading the market, and why?

The North American Veterinary Pain Management market is growing steadily based on the rising pet population, animal health awareness, and the development of veterinary techniques. The US has a huge market share in the region since it has an established veterinarian infrastructure and a large amount of spending on pet health care. Pharmaceutical as well as non-pharmaceutical pain relief solutions like the NSAIDs, opioids, laser therapy, and acupuncture are in demand. The greatest percentage of the demand is related to companion animals, such as dogs and cats, although more attention is also being paid to livestock welfare.

The presence of regulatory support and increasing investment in the veterinary research industry enhances the innovation of pain management solutions. Moreover, product development and visits to veterinary services are related to the presence of chronic illnesses such as arthritis and post-surgical pain in animals. Digital channels and telemedicine are also gaining power in supporting pet care and pain management consultation all over North America.

The Asia Pacific veterinary pain management market is rising in sales, attributed to awareness of animal welfare, which is on an upward trend, as well as pet ownership in countries such as China, India, Japan, and Australia. The increase in demand for superior treatment facilities for livestock and other pets, as well as the progress in veterinary care facilities, are driving factors in the market. Moreover, the growing livestock business and the increase in the use of pain management treatments are also promoted by the livestock-growing industry and government programmes of animal health improvement.

Nevertheless, the growth of the market is slightly inhibited by the inaccessibility of vet services in the countryside and the absence of knowledge of the common practices of pain management. New trends that are rising involve creating new pain relievers and increasing preference for painless methods of treatment. In general, the APAC region may be said to offer major opportunities to veterinary pain management companies that are interested in innovating and widening their presence.

What does the competitive landscape of the market look like?

The veterinary pain management market is a competitive one, with the market leaders being a small number in the sense of Zoetis Inc., Elanco Animal Health, Merck and Co., Boehringer Ingelheim, and Ceva Santé Animale. Such companies utilise the maximum capabilities in research and development to come up with innovative pain management solutions that comprise both non-pharmaceutical and pharmacological therapies. The current trends are associated with the diversification of Zoetis into the new field of analgesic treatment and the introduction of critical acquisitions to the product range of Elanco in the field of pain treatment.

The appearance of Merck remains reinforced with more partnerships, which aim at enhancing post-operative care in animals. Contributing to the diversified treatment, smaller, individualised companies such as Assisi Animal Health and Multi Radiance Medical have launched non-invasive treatment machines. Overall, the evolution of the market is high, and players follow the solution of growing demand in effective pain management of companion and farm animals, and innovation and union are the main competitive strategies.

Veterinary Pain Management Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Which recent mergers, acquisitions, or product launches are shaping the industry?

• In March 2025, veterinary pharmaceutical firm Loyal received FDA acceptance of the Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness (RXE) section for LOY-002, a drug designed to support healthy aging in senior dogs. This marked significant progress in veterinary geriatric pain management.
• In April 2024, PetVivo exhibited its SPRYNG™ OsteoCushion™ device for canine arthritis. PetVivo continued to promote this device at clinical forums, showing ongoing visibility in veterinary pain device innovation.

Report Coverage:

By Product Type

• Drugs
  • NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs)
  • Opioids
  • Local Anesthetics
  • Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists
  • Others
• Devices
  • Laser Therapy Devices
  • Electromagnetic Therapy Devices
  • Radiofrequency Therapy Devices
  • Ultrasound Therapy Devices
  • Cryotherapy Devices

By Application

• Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain
• Post-surgical Pain
• Cancer Pain
• Injury or Trauma
• Neurological Disorders
• Dental Pain
• Others

By Route of Administration

• Oral
• Injectable
• Topical
• Transdermal
• Others

By Animal Type

• Companion Animals
• Livestock Animals
• Equine
• Others

By End User

• Veterinary Hospitals & Clinics
• Animal Rehabilitation Centers
• Animal Research Institutes
• Homecare Settings
• Academic Institutions
• Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Zoetis Inc.
• Elanco Animal Health Incorporated
• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• Bayer AG
• Ceva Santé Animale
• Vetoquinol SA
• Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC
• Norbrook Laboratories Ltd
• Assisi Animal Health
• Chanelle Veterinary Limited
• Virbac
• IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
• Eltech K‑Laser SRL
• Multi Radiance Medical

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)