Having lived around humans for thousands of years, dogs are masters at reading our emotions and body language. But we don’t always return the favor, especially when it comes to noticing that our dogs are in pain. And make no mistake, dogs do feel pain. They just don’t always show it the way we do. Pain and discomfort can severely impact your dog’s quality of life, so it’s important to learn how to read the signs and intervene when your dog is suffering.
Some dogs are incredibly stoic while others might whimper and whine at the first sign of the nail trimmer. It all depends on their personality. And maybe their breed. Research on pain tolerance between breeds showed that there are differences, at least as far as the perception of veterinarians and the public goes. For instance, Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, and American Staffordshire Terriers were rated to have very low sensitivity to pain while Whippets, Maltese, and Chihuahuas were considered to have high sensitivity. Although there isn’t yet any physiological basis for these perceived differences, it makes sense as different breeds were developed for different purposes. For example, a Mastiff with high pain sensitivity wouldn’t have been terribly effective as a big-game hunter or war dog, two jobs they were historically used for.
Whether your dog is stoic or gives Broadway-worthy dramatics, how can you be sure when they’re experiencing pain? You might expect your dog to solicit help from you when they aren’t feeling well. After all, they have no problem asking for a walk or treat. As useful as that would be, it just doesn’t work like that. Most dogs downplay their pain. After all, it makes a wild animal vulnerable to aggression or predation if they show signs of weakness, and dogs have inherited that instinct. You need to watch for subtle signals, which means truly knowing your dog’s baseline behavior and activity levels. The signs of pain might be physical, behavioral, or a combination, so be alert to anything out of the ordinary.
Physical signs of pain in dogs can be obvious, like limping, or more subtle, like simply not going as far as usual on your daily walks. Some of the physical signs your dog is in pain include:
Just as with people, pain can make dogs cranky, so watch for changes in your dog’s behavior. Learn to read your dog’s body language, so you can spot signs of stress associated with pain. For example, your dog might pull back their ears or look away when you try to pet a painful area. Or they might tuck their tail, lick their lips, or yawn when you pull out the leash. All of which indicate your dog feels anxious about the experience. Other behaviors to watch for include:
Dogs also communicate pain with vocalizations. Watch for groaning or grunting when your dog moves, particularly when lying down or getting up. They might also yelp when you touch a tender spot on their body. Whining and whimpering are sounds of distress. You might also hear your dog howling more than usual. And finally, watch for growling when people or other pets approach your dog. That could be your dog’s way of preventing any interactions they anticipate might be painful.
When you see signs of pain in your dog, the first thing to determine is whether the situation is critical. This is usually obvious as the signs are more severe or seem to come out of the blue. Pain with sudden onset, also known as acute pain, can result from injury, like a broken bone or strained muscle, or illness, like an ear infection. Don’t take a wait and see approach. Your dog is suffering, and the situation could be more serious than it looks. Part of being a responsible dog owner is taking your pet to an emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible so treatment and pain relief can begin.
Chronic pain in dogs is pain that has been going on for a while. It might look more subtle and sneak up on you. For example, you might only realize your dog has been sleeping more than usual after a few weeks go by. Illnesses like arthritis, periodontal disease, or cancer can cause this type of pain. It’s also common in senior dogs, but don’t just dismiss it as normal aging – it isn’t. Again, your dog needs a trip to the veterinarian, but in this case, you likely don’t need the emergency clinic. However, when you book the appointment, be sure to explain the signs your dog has been exhibiting, so the clinic can determine how quickly your dog needs to be seen.
There are ways you can help your vet diagnose the source of your dog’s pain. First, keep a detailed record of what you’ve noticed. For example, does your dog avoid stairs all the time or only after getting up from a nap? Or how long have they been picking at their food? Second, try to photograph or videotape the behavior of concern. Dogs often behave differently at the clinic than they do at home, so providing the vet with details will help them understand how your dog is feeling.
While you wait for your vet appointment, modify or stop any activities that seem to trigger pain. For example, if your dog doesn’t want to go for a walk, simply take them out for bathroom breaks. Or provide a ramp or stairs to help them in and out of the car. But don’t give your dog any medications without prior instruction from a veterinarian as many human drugs are dangerous for dogs. Once your vet has zeroed in on the problem, they will discuss treatment options with you which could range from laser therapy to acupuncture to dietary supplements. The important thing is to identify signs of pain promptly because the sooner your dog’s pain is managed and treated, the better their quality of life will be.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.
