Very often the signs a dog is in pain are overlooked.
Dogs are very good at hiding pain which sadly means that in many cases, owners are none the wiser.
In this blog, we’re going to look at the sometimes very subtle signs that a dog is in pain, so you’re clued up and tuned in to spot them and get your dog the support they need.
From subtle behaviours like being grumpy when being touched or groomed or behaving in ways which may be perceived as stubborn – there are a myriad of ways that pain can show up. And many of them are not well known enough for even your vet to spot.
How do dogs act when they’re in pain?
I’ve been a dog trainer and a dog walker for over a decade and in that time, the most common signs of pain from dogs that I’ve witnessed are behaviour changes.
Limps, hops and changes in gait are things that owners more easily recognise as obvious signs of pain. But more often than not, the signs of pain that are missed look more like a dog being stubborn, ‘naughty’ or suddenly starting or increasing a problematic behaviour.
“Musculoskeletal but also painful gastro-intestinal and dermatological conditions are commonly recognized as significant to the animal’s problem behaviour.
The potential importance of clinical abnormalities such as an unusual gait or unexplained behavioural signs should not be dismissed by clinicians in general practice, even when they are common within a given breed.”
Daniel Mills et al (Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs 2020)
Despite my years of experience seeing behaviour changes as the first signs of a dog in pain, and scientific research showing that up to 80% of dogs with behaviour problems are in pain… it can be hard for owners to accept or get to the bottom of the health problems behind the pain.
Vets are not trained in behaviour and with limited time for each consultation and difficulties getting a true display of a dog’s symptoms in a clinical environment, it’s key for owners to be prepared when visiting the vets to explore possible pain in their dog.
21 signs your dog is in pain
- Noise sensitivity
- Touch sensitivity
- Startle reflex
- Walk refusal
- Vocalisation – whining, barking
- Food intolerances/sensitivities
- Changes in appetite/fussy eating
- Changes in mood/temperament
- Changes in coat texture, colour or direction/patterns of fur
- Reactivity to dogs, people or movement
- Restlessness, pacing or inability to settle
- Disrupted sleep/sleeping more than usual
- Playing less
- Being grumpy/stubborn
- Excessive licking or scratching of their joints or areas of their body
- Guarding behaviours
- Changes in posture or gait
- Lameness, limping, hopping or skipping
- Sudden onset of new behaviours
- Panting (when not hot)
- Difficulty/hesitancy jumping on or off furniture
How to help your vet diagnose pain
Dogs are very good at hiding pain and in a consultation room it can be very difficult for your vet to get an accurate and full picture of your dog’s condition.
Your dog may be tense, full of adrenalin, or not moving/reacting in the ways you see at home or out on walks.
Some dogs won’t show any visible signs of pain or discomfort upon physical examination but this doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t underlying pain at play.
Keeping a diary of behaviour changes or symptoms your dog is displaying can help your vet to get a clearer picture of your dog’s wellbeing. Recording videos of your dog in their natural environment to demonstrate gait, posture and movement can be very helpful for your vet too.
If your dog’s scared of the vets or nervous, then coming prepared will also help you to remember everything you want to share when your focus is on supporting your dog in a scary environment.
What to ask for?
Typically, the best way to rule out pain is with a pain trial. Your vet can prescribe pain medication for a minimum period of 4-6 weeks so you can monitor whether it offers any relief to your dog and reduction in symptoms. To get a really good read on whether the pain medication is effective, I’d consider an 8-12 week trial.
Again, I recommend that you keep a diary during your dog’s pain trial so you can keep track of what can sometimes be a subtle reduction in symptoms as the painkillers take time to build up and take effect.
There are different types of pain, so some experimentation and patience with pain trials can be helpful.
Types of pain in dogs
- Acute
- Chronic
- Neuropathic
Often the first port of call for a pain trial is anti-inflammatory drugs, but if these have no effect it could be that your dog is experiencing neuropathic pain associated with nerve damage or gastro-intestinal or dermatological conditions.
Staying curious and being patient as you explore whether your dog is in pain is really important.
If you suspect pain and are struggling to pinpoint the cause via your vet, then seeing a canine physiotherapist may help you identify what’s going on.
If you’re local, then I highly recommend my vet Miriam at The Veterinary Wellness Centre in Musselburgh and Lisa, my canine physiotherapist in East Lothian.
To learn more about how pain affects dog behaviour, tap into this special edition podcast of Ruff Realities and Revelations where Deb and I explore different types of pain, how you can make simple adaptations to help and share great resources to help support you on your journey.
🎧 Listen to the podcast here 🎧
Let’s talk about canine arthritis
At least 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years old suffer from arthritis, therefore it is likely that your dog will develop arthritis in one or more joints at some stage in their life.
Canine Arthritis Management
But arthritis doesn’t just affect senior or ageing dogs. Arthritis affects 35% of ALL dogs over 1 year of age.
“Most canine patients do not vocalise their pain from arthritis, and many pet owners do not believe their pet is in pain if it does not vocalise.”
Fox and Mills
Canine Arthritis Management is a fantastic resource for anyone who has a dog with arthritis or who would like to learn more so they can support their dog and take measures to prevent/slow down the development of arthritis.
They have lots of free resources on their website, a free Facebook group, and a free course for owners: Is my dog in pain?
Non medical interventions for dogs in pain
“Overwhelming evidence now exists in human beings that therapeutic exercise is not only useful, but necessary to manage chronic pain.”
(Ambrose, 2015)
Alongside pain management from your vet, there are a range of integrative treatments that can help a dog in pain.
- Physiotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Chiropractic therapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Laser therapy
- TTouch
- Galen Myotherapy
- Weight management
- Home and lifestyle adaptations
In Conclusion
Pain and discomfort plays a huge role in dog behaviour. A lot of the time, pain gets completely overlooked because dogs are so good at hiding it. By the time we see the signs of obvious pain, it’s often very painful for the dog.
If any of the things we’ve discussed in this blog are ringing bells, please see your vet.
Don’t forget to keep a diary or make a note of symptoms and behaviour changes, and take video footage if you can to help your vet.
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