Is My Pet in Pain?

September is recognized in veterinary medicine as Animal Pain Awareness Month, making this a timely opportunity to talk about something pet owners often struggle to recognize: pain does not always look like crying, limping, or an obvious injury. AAHA has historically included Animal Pain Awareness Month among its September client-education themes.

Dogs and cats can continue eating, walking, greeting their families, and performing normal routines while experiencing discomfort. Often, the earliest clue is simply that your pet is doing something differently.

Pain Can Look Like a Behavior Change

Pets cannot tell us where something hurts, and many instinctively minimize signs of vulnerability. This is particularly noticeable in cats, but dogs can hide chronic discomfort surprisingly well too.

Instead of waiting for vocalization, watch for changes from your pet's normal behavior.

A dog that used to jump onto the couch but now waits to be lifted may be uncomfortable. A cat that once slept on a favorite high perch but suddenly chooses the floor may be avoiding a painful jump.

Other subtle changes can include:

• Taking longer to stand after sleeping

• Hesitating before using stairs

• Walking more slowly or shortening walks

• Reluctance to jump into the car

• Sleeping more or changing sleeping locations

• Hiding or spending less time with the family

• Becoming unusually clingy

• Irritability when touched or picked up

• Reduced grooming—or excessive licking of one area

• Difficulty getting comfortable

• Decreased interest in toys or play

• Changes in appetite or litter-box habits

One sign alone doesn't prove that a pet is painful. A new pattern or combination of changes, however, deserves attention.

It's Not Always “Just Getting Old”

Slowing down is commonly attributed to aging.

Age itself, however, isn't a diagnosis.

An older dog struggling to rise could have osteoarthritis, spinal discomfort, muscle weakness, neurologic disease, or another problem. A senior cat that stops jumping may have arthritis, but dental disease, urinary disease, abdominal discomfort, or other conditions can also alter behavior.

Sometimes owners notice the improvement only after treatment begins: “I didn't realize how uncomfortable she was until she started playing again.”

That is one reason changes in mobility and behavior are worth discussing during senior wellness visits.

Pain Isn't Always Orthopedic

When people think of pain, limping and arthritis often come to mind. But discomfort can originate almost anywhere in the body.

Dental pain may appear as slower eating, dropping food, chewing on one side, avoiding hard treats, or becoming less interested in meals.

Abdominal pain may cause restlessness, a hunched posture, decreased appetite, hiding, or reluctance to be handled.

Urinary discomfort can cause repeated trips outside or to the litter box, straining, accidents, or licking around the urinary opening.

Eye pain may cause squinting, tearing, redness, light sensitivity, or rubbing at the face.

Back or neck pain may show up as stiffness, reluctance to lower the head, difficulty jumping, trembling, or suddenly avoiding stairs.

The location of the behavior doesn't always identify the source, which is why an examination can be useful.

Cats Can Be Especially Subtle

A painful cat may not limp dramatically or cry.

Instead, you may notice that your cat no longer jumps onto the kitchen counter, chooses a lower piece of furniture, stops grooming the lower back, has difficulty stepping into a high-sided litter box, or becomes less tolerant of handling.

Even changes that seem behavioral can have a medical component.

Before assuming that a cat has simply become “grumpy,” consider whether discomfort could be contributing.

When Pain Should Be Evaluated Urgently

Some discomfort can be evaluated during a routine appointment, but certain signs warrant prompt or emergency assessment.

Seek veterinary attention promptly for severe or sudden pain, inability to stand or walk normally, a swollen or painful abdomen, repeated unproductive retching, difficulty breathing, major trauma, inability to urinate, sudden paralysis or weakness, or significant eye pain.

For less dramatic changes—such as gradually decreasing activity, stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump, or altered behavior—keeping notes or short videos at home can be extremely helpful.

Pets sometimes behave differently at the hospital, and a 15-second video of how your dog rises from bed or how your cat approaches the stairs can provide useful information.

Never Give Human Pain Medication Without Veterinary Guidance

This is an important safety point.

Do not give your dog or cat ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or another human pain medication unless your veterinarian has specifically instructed you to use that medication for that individual pet.

Some human medications can cause serious toxicity in pets, and cats are particularly vulnerable to several commonly available drugs.

Veterinary pain management should be tailored to the patient, underlying condition, other medications, and factors such as kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal health.

What Happens During a Pain Evaluation?

There isn't a single blood test that answers, “Is my pet hurting?”

Instead, evaluation usually begins with history and physical examination. Your veterinarian may assess gait, joints, spine, muscles, mouth, abdomen, eyes, skin, and other areas depending on the symptoms.

Additional testing may include bloodwork, urinalysis, X-rays, ultrasound, or other diagnostics when appropriate.

The goal isn't simply to suppress a symptom. It is to identify why the pet is uncomfortable whenever possible and then choose an appropriate management plan.

A Practical Habit: Watch What Your Pet Stops Doing

One of the easiest ways to recognize gradual pain is to periodically think about your pet's normal activities.

Ask yourself:

What could my pet comfortably do six months ago that they hesitate to do today?

Jump onto the bed? Chase a toy? Climb stairs? Groom normally? Finish a walk? Use the litter box comfortably?

Those small changes can provide valuable clues.

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog isn't crying. Could they still be in pain?

Yes. Vocalizing is only one possible sign. Many painful dogs remain quiet and instead show changes in movement, posture, sleep, appetite, interaction, or activity.

Is slowing down normal in a senior pet?

Senior pets commonly become less active, but a meaningful decline should not automatically be attributed to age. Arthritis and many other painful conditions become more common as pets get older.

Why does my cat hide when something hurts?

Hiding can be a nonspecific sign of illness, stress, or pain. A sudden change in where or how much your cat hides is worth paying attention to, particularly when accompanied by appetite, mobility, grooming, or litter-box changes.

Can I bring a video of my pet's symptoms?

Absolutely. Videos of limping, difficulty standing, unusual movements, coughing, or behavior changes at home can be very useful because the behavior may not occur during the examination.

The Takeaway

Pain doesn't always announce itself.

Sometimes it looks like a dog standing at the bottom of the stairs instead of climbing them. Sometimes it is a cat quietly abandoning a favorite windowsill. Sometimes the only clue is that a familiar personality or routine has changed.

For pet families in McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano, and Fairview, noticing those small changes early can help uncover treatable sources of discomfort and protect quality of life.

If you've noticed a new change in your pet's movement, activity, appetite, sleep, grooming, or behavior, you can learn more about Petvise Animal Hospital at www.petvisevet.com.