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All pet owners should learn to recognize the obvious and the not-so-obvious signs of pain.
“Do you think Spot is in pain?” “Is Fluffy suffering?” Those are common enough questions in a veterinary office and no pet owner wants to allow their pet to feel pain. But the simple truth of the matter is that it is not always easy to tell if your dog or cat is hurting or not.
Pets Can Hide Their Pain
Today, I’d like to share with you an article from AnnArbor.com about what to do if you suspect your pet is in pain but hiding it. I’m going to summarize some parts of the article here for you but you really should go read the article yourself. It contains a great deal of useful information.
One of the points made in the article is that many animals will hide their pain. In my experience, this is very true. And doubly so for cats. I also think it is worth noting that pets do not simply slow down because they are aging. Age is not a disease. If your senior dog or cat is less active, it is likely because there is something wrong and that something may very well be that he is suffering from arthritis pain or some other type of pain.
What Are the Signs of Pain in Animals?
As noted in the AnnArbor.com article, the most obvious signs are crying, whimpering, growling and limping. However, you would be surprised how many pet owners I see that do not believe that their dog is limping because he is in pain. The fact is an animal that is not painful does not limp (assuming that there are no anatomical abnormalities that result in an abnormal gait). If your dog or cat is limping, it is because his leg hurts. There are many reasons the leg may hurt but the bottom line is that your pet is in pain!
But what happens when your pet’s symptoms are not so obvious. Here are some the not-so-obvious signs that your pet may be in pain, according to the AnnArbor.com article (and quoted directly from the article):
- Decreased activity level
- Changes in behavior (pets many times with act withdrawn)
- Accidents in the house (because they don’t want to get up/out due to painful mobility)
- Shivering
- Excessive grooming/licking (pets with arthritis do this commonly, or those with stomach pain)
- Abnormal body position (not lying down naturally or favoring a part of the body)
- Pensive posture; not erect, stiff-backed
- Decreased appetite
- Their behavior isn’t what you’d expect when you go to touch them.
- Isolating themselves (cats more so will hide under a bed)
If in doubt about whether your pet is in pain or not, it is preferable to err on the side of caution and assume that he is painful. Consult your veterinarian for the most appropriate method of pain relief for your pet. But remember, there is no reason your pet should have to be in pain and no excuse for allowing pain to continue for him.
Photo Courtesy of lisatozzi/Flickr.com
About Lorie Huston, DVM
Lorie Huston is a veterinarian, pet health and pet care expert, professional writer, blogger, social media and blogging consultant, and SEO strategist.
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