Pain in pets is difficult to perceive and recognising it presents a significant challenge for us, mere humans. Our animal companions have evolved to hide signs of vulnerability since being vulnerable in the wild can mean death for a dog or cat. This evolutionary adaptation makes it difficult for even the most attentive humans to recognise when their beloved pets are suffering. That’s why learning to identify subtle indicators of your pet’s discomfort can make a tremendous difference in your pet’s quality of life and treatment outcomes in the long run.
Why Early Pain Detection Matters
Small pains can become chronic pain and chronic pain that goes unaddressed can lead to:
- Decreased mobility and muscle mass
- Behavioural issues like aggression or withdrawal
- Reduced quality of life and depression
- Accelerated progression of underlying conditions
- Stress on other body systems and joints from compensation
General Signs of Pain in Both Dogs and Cats
Behavioural Changes
- Decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Reduced social interaction or withdrawal
- Increased irritability or aggression, especially when approached
- Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping more or restlessness)
- Unusual vocalizations (whimpering, growling, or crying)
- Excessive grooming or licking of a particular area
- Reduced appetite or changes in eating habits
Physical Indicators
- Altered posture or gait
- Reluctance to move, jump, or climb stairs
- Trembling or shaking
- Rapid or shallow breathing at rest
- Tensed body language
- Difficulty finding a comfortable position to rest
Pain in Specific Body Regions
Head and Mouth Pain
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Dropping food while eating or chewing on one side
- Head shyness or pulling away when approached
- Bad breath or drooling
- Reduced grooming in cats (uncomfortable to use tongue)
Neck and Back Pain
- Reluctance to turn the head
- Lowered head carriage
- Stiff, rigid movement of the spine
- Reluctance to look up or reach for treats/food
- Yelping or flinching when picked up
Abdominal Pain
- Tense, tucked abdomen
- Reluctance to lie on the side
- Guarding behaviour when the abdomen is touched
- Frequent changing of positions when resting
Joint and Limb Pain
- Favouring a limb (limping)
- Shifting weight frequently when standing
- Muscle atrophy in affected limbs
- Swelling or heat in joints
- Licking or chewing at painful joints
Early intervention for pain often leads to better pain management, slowed disease progression, and improved quality of life for your dog or cat. By becoming attuned to your pet's subtle signals, you can be their most effective advocate and ensure they receive timely, appropriate care. Dogs and cats can also show specific behaviours or expressions based on their species. You can sign-up below for my free detailed PDF guide to help you recognise and monitor pain in your dog or cat below.
Get my free detailed PDF guide to recognising and monitoring pain in your dog or cat here:
When to Seek Veterinary Care
Contact your veterinarian if you notice:
- Sudden onset of pain behaviors
- Progressive worsening of existing symptoms
- Pain that appears to affect your pet's quality of life
- Any significant changes in mobility, appetite, or behaviour
Working with Your Veterinarian
Prepare for your veterinary visit by:
- Being ready to describe specific changes rather than general observations
- Asking about appropriate pain management options for your pet's specific condition
You can learn more about creating a monitoring system in the free download noted above. If you have created this then be sure to also bring any documentation that you have recorded in a pain journal and any videos or pictures you have taken to document changes in your pet.
Remember that early intervention for pain often leads to better management, slowed disease progression, and improved quality of life. By becoming attuned to your pet's subtle signals, you can be their most effective advocate and ensure they receive timely, appropriate care.
If you are struggling with the ageing or illness of a beloved pet or you have recently lost your pet, you may be interested in my:
coping with the loss of your pet course
Affordably priced, you can move through the course at your own pace. To learn more about the course or to enroll you can click on the button below.