How can you tell if your dog is in pain? It’s a question every owner has had to ask themselves, but it’s not always easy to answer. Some signs of pain can be fairly obvious, while others can be harder to spot. Different signs and symptoms in dogs can also have different causes, such as a specific injury or a longer-term chronic condition.
The good news is, knowing your dog as well as you do, you’ll be perfectly placed to spot any changes in their movement or behaviour that could suggest they’re in pain. And spotting these signs is the first step towards getting them the help and support they need to get back to a peaceful, pain-free life.
Is excessive licking a sign of pain in dogs?
Excessive licking, chewing or grooming is one of the more obvious ways to spot when your dog is experiencing some pain, as it’s a common way that they try to soothe the area.
Noticing which part of the body they’re focusing on could give you some idea of what’s causing the pain or, at the very least, where it’s located. They may be licking a wound which is hidden by fur. Or, if there’s no obvious source of pain, they could be trying to soothe sore muscles or joints. Excessive licking could even indicate a more chronic problem, like arthritis, so understanding how to spot the signs of arthritis in dogs could help you decide if that’s cause.
If you haven’t seen your dog engaged in excessive licking, chewing or grooming, you may still have noticed signs like:
- wet paws
- irritated skin or hair loss
- wet spots where they’ve been sitting.
These could all suggest your dog is doing some excessive licking at other times, which is a good reminder you may need to keep an eye out for further signs of pain.
Is a dog panting a sign of pain?
Dogs pant for lots of reasons, including regulating temperature or simply because they’re excited. However, panting can also be an early sign that your dog is in pain and one that can often appear before more obvious symptoms such as limping or whining.
So, how can you tell if your dog’s panting is a sign of pain? Important things to look out for are:
- Excessive panting with no obvious cause (such as exercise or heat)
- Panting at unusual times (such as when they seem otherwise relaxed)
- Sudden, severe panting
- Fast, shallow breaths
Is a dog drooling a sign of pain?
Excessive drooling can be a sign of pain dogs for various reasons. Like excessive panting, it could be a sign of additional stress and anxiety, which could be caused by physical pain. But it could also indicate a more specific, localised pain in their mouth, teeth or even their stomach. If it’s accompanied by any changes in appetite, or vomiting and an upset stomach, it’s more likely to be caused by a digestive issue.
As with all potential signs of pain in dogs, you might need to look for additional symptoms to work out what’s causing excessive drooling. Make sure to consult your vet if you do notice your dog drooling more than usual and have any concerns.
What is silent pain in dogs?
Unfortunately, not all signs of pain in dogs will be as easy to spot as excessive licking or panting. Their loyal nature means they may still try to be their running, jumping, tail-wagging selves, even when they are in pain. As pack animals, it’s also natural for them to try and hide weakness, so their evolutionary instinct might also lead them to try and disguise pain from their owners.
We call this ‘silent pain’ in dogs, which generally refers to chronic pain, potentially without any obvious signs or cause, that could be affecting your pet’s quality of life. To make sure we’re picking up on this silent pain, we need to look out for any subtler changes in movement and behaviour.
How does a dog move if they’re in pain?
Watch out for: shaking, limping, walking slowly or being reluctant to walk, jump or rise
If you notice any changes in the way your dog moves, they could be a sign or symptom of pain. Once again, some of these could be obvious and some more subtle.
If your dog is shaking or trembling, that could be a sign of muscle pain, joint stiffness or, in extreme cases, something more serious like pancreatitis or kidney problems. Of course, it could also be they’ve just come back from a walk in the cold, so it’s important not to panic! If you notice shaking or trembling without an obvious cause, or it’s a new habit for your dog, it’s probably a good idea to check whether it’s being caused by pain. As always, consult your vet if you have any concerns.
More subtle changes in movement could be harder to spot, such as:
- Limping
- Slowing down on walks
- Being reluctant to walk at all
- Being hesitant to jump up
- Being a little slower to get up or down
These can all be signs that these movements are causing your dog some pain. Again, it’s important not to panic, as there could be lots of causes, both temporary and longer-term, many of which can be treated or managed. It’s all about noticing recurring signs, investigating potential causes and then talking to your vet if you’re at all worried.
Does a dog’s posture change if they’re in pain?
Certain types of pain can cause your dog’s posture to change as they adjust their stance to try to ease it. They may become more hunched, or they may adopt what’s known as the ‘prayer’ posture (front legs on the ground, rear end in the air). This posture could suggest they’re suffering from abdominal pain, as it stretches the area out.
How does a dog behave if they’re in pain?
Look out for: low energy, excessive or interrupted sleep, not wanting to play, hiding or even aggression
Being in pain can affect behaviour in dogs, just as it can in humans. And just like in humans, it can affect every dog differently, so it’s important to watch out for anything that feels unusual in the way your dog acts.
If pain is affecting their sleep or general energy levels, you might notice they seem a bit more reluctant to walk or play. Equally, if pain is stopping your dog from sleeping comfortably, you might notice them sleeping more during the day as they attempt to recharge and heal.
On the other hand, restlessness can also suggest your dog might be in pain. If they’re pacing back and forth or taking a particularly long time to settle, it could be because they can’t find a position that’s comfortable for them.
In some cases, you may notice a more pronounced change to your dog’s personality. If they’re usually quite social but they’ve started hiding away or being antisocial, that could be a sign that something is wrong physically. Aggressive behaviour, particularly if they react when you’re trying to touch a particular part of their body, can also indicate an area that’s causing them some pain.
Whether you notice subtle changes in behaviour or more extreme changes in their personality, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet to help you find the cause, as it could be physical or psychological.
How does a dog sound if they’re in pain?
Listen out for: excessive whimpering, yelping, howling or even growling
While it’s essential to understand silent pain in dogs and recognise the subtle changes in movement and behaviour that could indicate physical distress, it’s also important to remember not all dogs will suffer in silence!
It might sound obvious (literally), but listening out for unusual amounts of whimpering, yelping or howling could help you notice if your dog is in pain. In some cases, they might even start growling. This could be because your dog is trying to put you off touching the affected area.
Key takeaways
There are lots of different signs that your dog could be in pain, ranging from the obvious to the harder to spot. If you do notice any of the signs on this handy checklist in your pet, it could be a sign they’re in pain. If you’re at all concerned, please consult your vet.
Five potential signs and symptoms of pain in dogs
- Excessive licking, panting or drooling
These are common, fairly visible signs your dog could be in pain. - Changes in the way your dog moves
Such as shaking, trembling, limping, walking slowly or being reluctant to walk, jump or rise. - Changes in your dog’s posture
Hunching or adopting the ‘prayer’ posture (legs out front, bum in the air) could indicate pain. - Changes in your dog’s behaviour
Energy levels, sleep, restlessness, socialising and even aggression can all be impacted by pain. - Your dog becoming more vocal
Excessive whimpering, yelping, howling or growling could all be them trying to tell you they’re in pain.