Seven Warning Signs That Your Dog Is In Pain
As a dog owner, the safety and wellbeing of your pet is a top priority.
But of course, dogs and humans don't share the same language – so it can be difficult to tell when your dog is in pain.
Some of the signs a dog is in pain are easy to spot, such as limping or a visible wound. But other signs of pain may be more difficult to identify.
In this post, we'll take a look at 7 of the most common warning signs a dog is in pain. Keep an eye out for these to make sure your buddy doesn't suffer in silence.
1) Constant Grooming
It's normal for dogs to groom themselves, but if the behaviour becomes compulsive and excessive it could be a sign of pain. Pay particular attention if your dog starts to obsessively lick a localised area of his body. Dogs will often lick where it hurts, even if the pain is internal.
If your dog starts grooming excessively – especially if he's paying close attention to one area of his body – it's a good idea to take him to the veterinarian for a checkup on hot spots.
2) Being More Vocal
One of the signs a dog is in pain is increased vocalisation. Is your dog making more noise than usual? If so, he could be trying to tell you that he’s in pain.
Look out for a sudden increase in whining, growling, barking, or other kinds of vocalisation. And if your dog is being more vocal than normal, check him over to see if you can identify any areas of his body that may be in pain.
Always be sure to inspect your dog's body for painful areas as gently as possible to avoid causing further harm.
3) Loss of Appetite
Most dogs love to eat, so a disinterest in food can be a warning sign of pain. If your dog is in pain he may have difficulty eating or moving to where his food bowl is.
Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of serious illness such as liver and kidney conditions, dental disease, and even cancer – so it's best not to take any chances. If your dog is refusing to eat, take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
4) Aggression
Sudden changes in a dog's behaviour can indicate pain – and aggression is no exception. If your dog is usually docile and friendly, but suddenly becomes aggressive, there's a good chance that he's in pain.
If your dog is showing signs of aggression take extra care when examining him for injuries. Some dogs may snap at their owners when they're feeling threatened and in pain.
5) Panting
Panting is normal canine behaviour that's often a sign of exertion. You've probably noticed that your dog will pant heavily after intense exercises such as running after a ball or toy. If your dog is panting heavily even though he's not been exercising, it's most likely a sign of stress. And the underlying cause of his stress could be a pain.
Although it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for heavy panting if it occurs suddenly and unexpectedly it should be a cause for concern. So, if your dog is panting heavily we recommend a visit to your veterinarian.
6) Difficulty Moving
Difficulty moving can be a sign of conditions such as arthritis or hip pain. An injury may also be the underlying cause. Keep an eye out for signs that your dog has problems with his mobility such as a reluctance to climb stairs, jump in and out of the car, or run around outside.
A lack of fluidity in your dog's movements is another warning sign of pain. Dogs in pain will tend to move around quite slowly and can often appear stiff and lethargic. They may walk with a limp, or have trouble laying down and getting back up again.
If mobility is an issue a natural product like these advanced mobility chews may go a long way! these contain turmeric which is an anti-inflammatory that is very strong helping pain vanish.
7) Other Behavioural Changes
Earlier in this post, we talked about sudden behavioural changes that often indicate pain, such as excessive grooming, aggression, and a loss of appetite. Now, let's take a look at other some other behavioural changes that could be indicators that your dog is in pain.
Changes in Sleeping Patterns
Any change in regular sleeping patterns could be a sign that your dog is in pain. Dogs will sometimes sleep more in an attempt to rest and heal the painful area. But some dogs may sleep less due to the intensity of the pain.
Unexpected Accidents in the House
Dogs in pain often have difficulty moving around, laying down, and getting up out of their bed. This can result in accidents in the house. If your dog is well house-trained but suddenly starts to urinate and defecate in the house, make sure not to rule out pain as the underlying cause.
