The Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI) is a structured, validated tool for assessing and quantifying chronic pain in dogs, most commonly associated with osteoarthritis. Designed by Anna Hielm-Björkman at the University of Helsinki, it is intended for use by veterinarians and, more importantly, dog owners. It consists of 11 owner-observed prompts covering mood, willingness to play and walk, ability to jump, etc. Responses help characterise a dog’s current pain impact and can help to detect subtle changes over time. The HCPI supports evaluation of treatment or rehabilitation plans, enabling timely adjustments to improve comfort and function. Overall, it is a practical, evidence-based resource for understanding and managing canine chronic pain.

How to complete the questionnaire: For each prompt, select the option that best reflects your observations about your dog. Each selection is scored on a 0–4 scale and contributes to a total score out of 44, where higher totals generally indicate greater pain impact. When all of the prompts have been completed, the final score is calculated and can be used to assess the degree of pain. The responses recorded and overall score can also be saved, printed, or shared.

Interpreting the results: Use the total score as a quick guide to your dog’s chronic pain status. In validation studies, healthy pain-free dogs consistently score low on the pain index. Research has found that dogs without chronic pain almost always score ≤11, while dogs with pain, such as that from osteoarthritis, score above 11. Some veterinary guidelines further categorise the HCPI ranges into bands: 0–11 = No perceivable pain, 12–22 = Mild pain, 23–28 = Moderate pain, 29–33 = Severe pain, and 34–44 = Debilitating pain. Repeating the assessment over time and comparing it to your initial baseline can show how your dog is responding to medication, rehabilitation, weight management, environmental changes, or supplementation. A consistent decrease in the total score (or movement to a lower severity band) usually indicates an improvement in the condition.