Signs of pain in dogs every dog owner should know

Dogs are stoic animals and due to their wild beginnings, are less likely to show obvious signs of pain like humans. Still, there are some pain behaviours you should watch for.

Remember: Every dog is different

Just like humans, some dogs may have a lower pain threshold than others, and some may be more inclined to show pain and distress. This may depend on their surroundings, relationship with other people and animals in the household, breed, age, and other disease processes occurring at the same time.

Signs of pain in dogs to look out for

Limping

Limping is a sign of pain anywhere from your dog’s toenail to their shoulder or hip. It is a classic sign of osteoarthritis but also occurs with things such as torn nails, fractures, dislocations, sore muscles and bone cancer.

Hunched back

A hunched back help your dog protect their abdomen from stretching, their spine from having excessive pressure, and their hips from assuming a normal position.

Dropped tail

If you notice your dog’s tail sits between their legs and is not wagging or being held up as normal, this could be pain in the tail, spine or hips, or just your dog showing overall discomfort and unhappiness.

Reluctance to go up and down stairs or furniture jump on furniture

If your dog stops jumping on or off furniture and/or becomes reluctance to go up or down stairs, this is a red flag when it comes to discomfort. It could indicate pain anywhere on the body but is typically seen with spinal and limb pain.

People often only notice this behaviour when their dog starts to toilet inside the house, as they are too hesitant to go downstairs to toilet outside.

Reduced appetite or slower eating

When you aren’t feeling well, sometimes you just don’t feel up to enjoying things you would normally, such as eating. If in pain, your dog may stop eating all together, may eat less, or take longer to finish their food.

Vocalising and panting

Any kind of whining, whimpering, panting or yelping can be a sign of distress in a dog. Take note of the circumstances in which it is occurring.

Trembling and shaking

It’s easy to mistake this as a sign of cold in dogs, as they will shiver when cold. Take note of their environment and other behaviours as, if it doesn’t make sense for them to be cold, they could be in pain. 

Excessive licking

Dogs tend to lick excessively at a single spot to soothe the area and help relax themselves, similar to a dog licking her puppies. Excessive licking at a foot, joint, muzzle or anus are the most common areas seen, however excessive licking anywhere can indicate pain.

Lethargy or hiding away

Your dog may be laying down more, has become less interested in playing with toys, you or other pets in the house. This isn’t because they don’t want to, but because they are feeling physically uncomfortable and are restricting their own movements to help healing.

Aggression

Aggression can be a self-preservation tactic in dogs. They don’t want you near while they are weak, vulnerable, and anticipating your touch that may cause more pain. Take note of this behaviour, especially if it’s sudden aggression in a dog that is not typically aggressive.

How to help a dog showing signs of pain

Veterinary advice is strongly recommended so your vet can localise the pain and address it appropriately. However, if you cannot get to a clinic for a clinical examination immediately, there are a few things you can do in the meantime.

Respect their space

Give your dog space, especially if they are showing signs of aggression or discomfort when you touch certain areas. If they are repeatedly reactive to you touching their leg, then do not continue to touch it. This is making them more painful, more reactive, and slows down any healing.

Let them rest

Do not take your limping dog for a walk to ‘stretch out’ and ‘warm up’ the leg. Depending on the issue, this will most likely make the situation worse and delays any healing.

Do not give them medication before consulting your vet

Please refrain from giving any medications (even if previously prescribed for the same dog). This can pose a risk to the wellbeing of your dog and cause further issues.

Seek veterinary advice

As soon as possible, have a veterinarian assess your dog in person so appropriate medications and advice can be given.