Identifying pain: The enigmatic ways pets show—and hide—pain

Unfortunately, our pets can’t just tell us when they hurt. Of course, there’s no doubt when it’s dinner time, right? But the truth is, dogs won’t always express pain by whining, and cats—they’re masters at hiding pain. If you don’t pay attention to the little clues that indicate your pet is hurting, you may miss when your pet needs your help.

The sad dog
Don’t think that a dog whining or crying is the only indicator that a dog might be in pain. In fact, dogs will rarely whine or cry unless they are in severe pain. So, look for these other signs to recognize when your dog may be experiencing pain:

• A decrease in appetite
• Trembling
• Has a sad or tense “look” on his face like he is in pain
• Not using a leg
• Avoiding stairs
• Not greeting you as usual
• Crouching
• Taking a long time to urinate or deficate
• Excessively panting

The obscure cat
Cats are good at hiding their pain. So, if you notice your cat acting grouchy, flattening his ears back, really crouching up his body position, or—especially—hiding, it may be a good indication that your pet is experiencing pain.

Here are some other indicators:

• Not being able to jump up on a bed or counter
• Any issues with the litter box
• Not grooming or not wanting to be groomed
• A decrease in appetite
• Aggressive behavior when touched

If you suspect that your pet may be experiencing pain, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Source: Janice Huntingford, DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CVPP, CCRT, CAVCA