Would you know if your pet was in pain?
- Julie Garreau
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 12
Research shows that despite our love for our pets, many pet owners cannot tell when their animals are in pain. Our pets can be experts at hiding pain and often suffer in silence.
Hiding pain is a behaviour animals developed in the evolutionary process to protect themselves from predators during times of injury or sickness. Even though they’ve been domesticated for thousands of years, dogs and cats have preserved this trait to some extent.
As a result, most of the animals that experience pain, don’t receive the treatment they need.
The common signs of pain in dogs and cats
It is important to consider that these signs of pain may not always be noticeable - our pets may communicate only a few of these behaviours when they're in discomfort or pain. In cases of sudden, intense pain, the signs tend to be more apparent, whereas in long-term or gradually developing conditions, the symptoms can be much more subtle and harder to detect.
A reduced appetite is a common sign of pain in dogs and cats and can be indicative of various underlying health issues. No matter the cause, if your pet refuses to eat for more than a day or two, it’s essential to consult a veterinarian, as prolonged refusal of food can lead to health complications.
Have you noticed any changes in your pet’s behaviour? Pain can cause them to be more irritable, aggressive, or reactive to their surroundings due to emotional arousal and physical discomfort. These behavioural changes are not intentional but are instinctive responses aimed at self-protection.
Your pet might show changes in their body language, such as altered posture or facial expressions. You may observe tense muscles, faster breathing or heart rate, shaking or trembling. Your pet may also exhibit signs of emotional distress, such as heavy panting, crying or vocally reacting.
Changes in the way your pet walks or moves can be a clear sign that they’re in pain. Limping, stiffness after rest, or a reluctance to move, jump, or play - especially if these are out of character - are all important indicators. Pain often shows up in subtle ways, and reduced mobility is one of the most common. If your pet seems hesitant to engage in their usual activities, it’s likely because something is hurting.
On touch or inspection, you may notice signs like swelling, warmth, redness, twitching or tense muscles, flinching, or an unexpected reaction when touched. Repeated licking or scratching at a particular spot can also indicate discomfort or pain.
In cats, changes in the grooming habits can be cause for concern. Excessive grooming may reflect stress or anxiety, as it's a common self-soothing method. On the other hand, a lack of grooming might indicate that pain or illness is preventing your cat from comfortably reaching or cleaning certain areas of its body.
How can you alleviate your pet’s pain?
Remember: pain delays healing. Pain unchecked leads to a cascade of problems, causing the frequent release of stress hormones and worsening your companion's life quality.
So, what can you do if your pet is in pain?
Look for changes in your pets normal state, learn the signs of pain, take a video or write it down, and share it with your pet’s veterinarian and other healthcare professionals.
1. Prevention is key. Be proactive, you can help prevent pain with regular visits to your animal healthcare professional. Good nutrition, dental checks, optimal body condition, and regular exercise will go a long way to a healthier pet.
2. Never ignore signs of pain. By recognising pain quickly and seeking treatment as soon as possible, alongside your vet, we can determinate the underlying cause of their discomfort and prevent the problem from worsening. Never give your pet pain medications meant for people or another pet, as there can be life-threatening consequences.
2. Create a calm environment. Stress and anxiety can amplify pain. And chronic pain can cause anxiety and depression, which is somewhat a vicious circle. According to a recent study by Scientific Reports, dog guardians can transfer the feelings of anxiety and stress to their pets.
3. Lifestyle changes. If your pet suffers from chronic pain, it is important to create an environment in your home where your pet feels safe and comfortable. This can include nonslip rugs, an easy access to food bowls and litter boxes, a soft bed to cushion their joints and a ramp to get in and out of the car.
4. Complementary therapies for alleviating pain. There’s more to pain relief than medication. Depending on the underlying cause, laser therapy, acupuncture, osteopathy, hydrotherapy or physical therapy can be complementary options for alleviating your pet’s pain. Pain management is a team effort, the need to work with allied professionals is paramount to the successful outcome of any treatment program.
Can osteopathy reduce your pet’s pain?
Osteopathy offers a non-invasive and natural approach that can be beneficial for your pet experiencing discomfort or pain. It emphasises a holistic approach that prevents, diagnoses, and manually treats restrictions in mobility by addressing the root cause of the health issues. This hands-on approach improves overall well-being, restores function and speeds up recovery by using precise adjustments to help the body's capacity to heal and regulate itself.
Just like us, dogs and cats can suffer from various musculoskeletal issues, including joint stiffness, spinal restrictions, and muscle spasms. Your animal osteopath can play a vital role in managing various age-related conditions, supporting your pet’s postoperative rehabilitation and enhance their overall recovery process.
Pain assessment tools
Pain assessment in dogs and cats involves tools that range widely, from functional signs evaluated by owners and physical signs detected by clinicians to physiological signs measured by researchers.
Find below a few useful tools to help you assess your pet’s pain:
BEAP Pain Scale for Cats and Dogs – A structured scale designed to assist in evaluating the severity of pain.
Facial Expressions of Pain in Cats (Training Manual & Fact Sheet) – An easy-to-use tool for identifying acute pain in cats based on changes in facial expressions.
Common Signs of Pain in Dogs and Cats – A general guide to help you recognise behavioural and physical indicators of discomfort.
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