Blog: Is My Pet Painful?

Animals, just like people, feel pain.  Although certain conditions and illnesses can be incredibly painful, it is still very difficult for some people to realize when their pet is experiencing pain.  This is not because the Pet Parent does not care about whether their pet is in pain, it is because many animals have developed ways to hide pain.  While this behavior may help an animal in the wild, it only acts to prolong suffering in our pets.  How is a Pet Parent to know that their pet is hurting if they can not say, “I am hurting” and what can be done about it?

There are certain conditions that we expect to be painful because we know that they are painful to people.  If an animal is dealing with a painful condition, pain control should be considered.  Examples of conditions that are painful are:

• Infection, inflammation or injury to any part of the body
• Kidney disease or organ dysfunction
• Dental disease
• Arthritis
• Pancreatitis
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Sprains, Strains, and Fractures
• Cancer
• Surgical procedures
• Ear and skin infections
• Enlarged anal glands
• Urinary tract infections

Dogs and cats often show their pain in different ways.  The following is a list of signs that may indicate pain in dogs and cats:

• Lethargy or decreased activity
• Reluctance to move, difficulty jumping or getting around
• Changes in posture, stiff posture or gait
• Hiding, quiet or submissive behavior, or decreased social interaction
• Whimpering, crying, howling, growling, hissing, tail flicking, grunting, panting
• Aggression, guarding of an area of the body
• Chewing, licking or rubbing of an area of the body
• Not grooming an area of the body
• Decreased appetite or drinking
• Changes in urination or defecation habits

If your pet is showing any of these signs, or if you feel your pet is painful, it is very important to contact your veterinarian.  Conditions that cause pain can be serious and should be addressed to help prevent unnecessary suffering. Over-the-counter medications that are used to control pain in people should not be used for dogs and cats.  Many of these medications are not safe and can cause severe side-effects, including death.  Your veterinarian will have medications that are safe to use for your pet’s specific condition.  Your veterinarian will also work with you to help identify the cause of pain in your pet and discuss options for your pet’s health care.