How Do I Know if My Pet is Painful?

Pain medications (analgesics) are often prescribed with a broad
dosing range, and you will be asked to adjust the dose according
to your pet’s level of discomfort. By providing adequate pain
control for your pet, their recovery may be improved and
accelerated. Unfortunately, it is hard to objectively judge the
severity of pain in any animal, be it a human, a cat, or a dog.
Ultimately, your knowledge of your pet’s usual behaviors and
habits makes you the best judge of their comfort level.

We have listed below some of the more common signs of pain or
discomfort that may be observed in cats and dogs. It is
important to note that pain thresholds differ dramatically
between individual animals, and pain perception depends on
species, breed, age, gender, time of day and individual
temperament. In general, younger animals tend to have a lower
threshold to pain. Older and debilitated pets may not show much
response to pain but feel it just the same.

Recognizing Pain in Cats

Cats in pain are more stoic than dogs and mask their pain more
effectively. However, there are many different behaviors a cat
may exhibit if painful or uncomfortable. Some of the more common
signs are:

 Loss or decrease of appetite

 Hiding or refusal/reluctance to move

 Refusal or reluctance to change body position (may stay
in a hunched position)

 Personality changes (increased affection, aggression,
or anti-social behavior)

 Changes in resting patterns (insomnia or increased
sleeping/lethargy)

 Excessive grooming (licking, chewing, or pawing) of
painful areas

 Guarding painful areas by scratching, biting, or
hissing when touched

 Flattening ears, or adopting an irritated/perturbed
expression

 Favoring painful areas (limping or avoiding bearing
weight on painful limbs)

 Changes in vocalization patterns (crying, growling,
purring, or change in the tone of vocalizations)

 Changes in voiding behaviors (how often and where
animals eliminate waste)

 Dilation of eyes, rapid or open-mouthed breathing, or
fever

Recognizing Pain in Dogs

Hunting and working breeds of dogs are generally more stoic and
resistant to pain than are toy and miniature breeds. There many
different behaviors a dog may exhibit if painful or
uncomfortable. Some of the more common signs are:

 Loss or decrease of appetite

 A fixed or staring expression

 Refusal or reluctance change body position (may stay in
a hunched or arching position)

 Excessive salivation or licking of the lips

 Personality changes (increased attention-seeking,
aggression, timidity, or anti-social behavior)

 Changes in resting patterns (insomnia or increased
sleeping/lethargy)

 Excessive grooming (licking, chewing, or pawing) of
painful areas

 Guarding painful areas by scratching, biting, or
growling when touched

 Favoring painful areas (limping or avoiding bearing
weight on painful limbs)

 Changes in vocalization patterns (whining or
whimpering, or change in the tone of vocalizations)

 Changes in voiding behaviors (how often and where
animals eliminate waste)

 Dilation of eyes, rapid breathing (panting), or fever

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin
any course of treatment without consulting your regular
veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every
12 months.