13 Signs of Pain in Dogs and What to Do
No dog owner wants to sit by while their dog is experiencing pain. If your dog requires medical attention or treatment, you want to make sure that you're getting it for them. The problem is that pain in dogs isn't always easy to detect.
An estimated 20% of all dogs will develop chronic pain as a result of diseases like osteoarthritis. Just about every dog will experience temporary pain as the result of an injury or treatable disease or parasite.
What are the signs that your dog is experiencing long-term or temporary pain? What can you do to help them achieve pain relief?
Our goal is to provide owners with the tools and insight they need to manage their dog's health. Read on for 13 signs that a dog is experiencing pain and what you can do about it.
1. Excessive Licking
Licking is an instinctual habit that dogs associate with healing. If your dog is excessively licking one spot, you may discover that they have a flesh wound. If they're excessively licking their legs and paws and you can't locate a wound, it's possible that they have arthritis or some other form of joint pain, and the excessive licking is an attempt to "heal" the pain.
2. Excessive Vocalization
Many dogs, especially younger dogs that are not accustomed to experiencing pain, will vocalize more than normal when something is wrong. Excessive whimpering, whining, or yelping may indicate that your dog is in pain, especially if it's not meant to communicate anything discernible (such as wanting to go outside). Some dogs may also yelp when you touch or get close to a sore area, which can help you to narrow in on the pain point.
3. Restlessness
Dogs spend about 50% of their day sleeping and you've probably grown accustomed to your dog's typical snoozing habits. However, pain and pain-related anxiety can disrupt this normal schedule, causing your dog to stay awake more than normal. Some dogs may exhibit more acute restlessness by pacing around or tossing, turning, and relocating in an attempt to get comfortable.
4. Growling, Snarling, or Biting
Aggressive behavior is always alarming in dogs, especially if they don't normally show signs of aggression. This type of behavior can indicate that a dog feels fearful or threatened based on something in their environment, but it can also indicate that they are experiencing some form of pain. If your dog is suddenly growling, snarling, or biting when you try to approach or pet them, it's a sign that something is wrong.
5. Avoidance of Cuddling
There is a less alarming way that your dog's reaction to your attempts to pet them indicates pain: avoidance. If your dog tends to come running when you call and snuggle up on the couch or lean in for pets, a sudden change in behavior might tell you that they're experiencing discomfort. It's possible that the pressure of your hands or body increases joint or muscle pain, which is why they're backing off.
6. Muscle Twitching
The occasional muscle twitch isn't anything to worry about, as it's often a way to alleviate an itch. However, consistent muscle twitching isn't something you should ignore. Some dogs twitch or shake when they're anxious, but your dog might have torn or strained a muscle if the twitch is new, isolated to one area, and constant.
7. Changes in Mobility
Arthritis and other joint pain in dogs can make normal movement much more difficult. Dogs that once loved to run, jump, and take stairs with ease may start to slow down and avoid rigorous movement. Because changes in mobility can indicate a number of things (including heat exhaustion or stomach upset), it's always important to get a diagnosis from your vet.
8. Excessive Panting
Panting is a normal way for dogs to regulate their body temperature when they're hot. Excessive panting, on the other hand, is a warning sign that your dog is in some form of distress. Dogs have a tendency to pant when they're feeling anxious, experiencing heat stroke, digesting something toxic, or feeling pain.
9. Arched Back
When your dog suddenly changes her posture, it's important to take note of how she's holding her body. If a dog arches their back and appears to suck in their belly, it can mean one of two things. They either have gastrointestinal pain or they have pain in their spine caused by a pinched nerve, slipped disc, or other spinal injuries.
10. Fear or Uneasiness
While some dogs do exhibit aggressive behaviors when they're uncomfortable, others don't have it in their nature and instead show signs of fear. If your dog is trembling, cowering, or moving in a slow, low fashion, something has caused them to feel fear or uneasiness. While this could be something environmental, it could also be a sudden change in their health.
11. Changes in Appetite
Some dogs are more ravenous eaters than others, and a change in appetite can indicate anything from a health problem to a sudden dislike of the food you provide. A good way to rule out the latter is to offer your dog something you know they love, like a treat or a bite of chicken. If your dog is turning their nose up at everything you offer them, it's worth consulting your vet and getting to the root of the problem.
12. Blinking or Squinting
Joint, muscle, and gastrointestinal pain aren't the only things that can slow your dog down. If you notice that your dog is blinking at a rapid pace, keeping one eye shut, or squinting, it's time to check their eyes. In most instances, this behavior indicates that they have something caught in their eye that they can groom or flush out, but if the behavior is ongoing, they may have eye pain that requires treatment.
13. Vomiting or Drooling
When your dog is drooling more than normal or vomiting (especially if that vomit is acidic-looking), some form of gastrointestinal pain is often the culprit. These symptoms often coincide with the consumption of a toxic substance, heat stroke, or stomach viruses. The good news is that treating these symptoms can lead to quick relief and recovery.
What to Do About Pain in Dogs
Unfortunately, dogs and other animals often try to hide their pain in response to an instinct that visible pain will make them vulnerable to predators. With this list, you can spot early signs of pain. The question is, what should you do next?
As always, the first thing to do is consult your vet. Depending on the symptoms your dog is presenting, your vet may suggest running a number of tests in order to provide a proper diagnosis. Many types of pain in dogs will go away in response to simple treatment.
What if your dog is experiencing ongoing pain? What if your vet diagnoses her with a disease or illness that doesn't have a cure? At that point, the goal is to provide proper pain management.
Pain Management for Dogs
It's not always easy to navigate pain management for dogs. Many pain medications come with their own serious side effects or react poorly with a medication your dog is already taking.
That's where Breed Genetics comes in. Our mission is to create quality supplements that can aid in symptom management and health improvement without causing unwanted or worrisome side effects.
Breed Genetics offers supplements that can improve mobility by targeting and lessening joint, muscle, nerve and bone pain as well as speeding up post-treatment recovery. We are also working on supplements that will improve gut health, and improve overall wellness for all breeds.
Common Sources of Pain in Dogs
Knowing a little bit more about common causes of pain in dogs can help to assuage your mind and prepare you for the type of treatment your dog may need. These common causes include:
arthritis
cystitis
slipped disc
torn ACL
pancreatitis
stomach bugs or consumption of toxic substances
bone cancer
Only your vet can provide a thorough diagnosis of the source of your dog's pain. They can also help to develop a treatment plan that will alleviate or lessen the pain your dog is experiencing. Talk to your vet about Breed Genetics as part of your dog's supplemental care.
Talk to Your Vet About Breed Genetics
If any of these signs of pain in dogs sound familiar, it's time to consult your vet. Finding the right treatment can give your dog a better quality of life and prevent worsening outcomes from occurring.
While you talk to your vet, ask them about Breed Genetics. Take a look at our shop to see what we have available and consult your vet about whether or not our products are the right supplements for your dog. Breed genetics supplements are sold exclusively on our website or through your veterinarian.