We would like to think that we could immediately detect when our pets are experiencing pain; after all, we know everything about their daily habits, personality traits and idiosyncrasies. However, the fact remains that animals have an incredible ability to hide the fact that they are hurting. Animals (and especially cats) will do whatever they can to avoid looking weak, as this can lead to vulnerability. This instinct still exists today. Instead of displaying obvious signs of pain such as crying or limping, pain can display itself in very subtle ways.

If you can identify these subtle signs of pain, it can make a big difference in both your pet’s comfort level and overall health. Below are seven common signs of pain that are typically overlooked.

1. Changes in Behaviour or Personality

The first indication of pain that usually occurs is a change in your pet’s normal behavior. A pet that has always been friendly could become distant, or an extremely social pet could stop wanting to interact with you. Many times, this type of behaviour can be misinterpreted as “moodiness” or attributed to “aging”, however most of the time this behaviour indicates your pet is uncomfortable. When a pet is in pain, they may become less tolerant of being touched around their painful area. So, if your pet appears to be acting differently, it may be wise to schedule a pet health check to determine if there is something going on with your pet.

2. Reduced Movement or Reluctance to Be Active

Some pets with chronic pain will exhibit reduced activity. However, this does not mean that the pet is unwilling to move; rather, it may take longer for them to jump up into a vehicle or climb a flight of stairs. Cats may no longer jump onto the furniture or seek out higher areas in their home.

These changes are usually slow to develop and therefore, are frequently referred to as “laziness” or the pet simply being “older.” While some dogs will experience joint pain, muscle soreness or early stages of arthritic changes, many cats will experience joint pain or early arthritis, which often goes unnoticed.

3. Changes in Eating Habits or Water Intake

Changes in appetite in a pet are easier to identify than those caused by pain. Pain can result in more subtle changes in how a pet eats. A pet may be slower to eat, change its chewing pattern or drop food while eating. In addition to dental problems in pets, there are other common causes of pain such as arthritis.

Changes in a pet’s water intake are also a good indicator of an underlying medical condition, although it may occasionally accompany discomfort. It is very helpful to monitor the changes you see in your pet’s eating habits and water intake. This is one of the ways to help ensure the best possible health of your pet.

4. Altered Grooming Habits

The pattern of a pet’s grooming habits will tell you much about what your pet feels. Cats have a reputation for being very particular about their grooming; a disheveled or unkept coat could mean there is a problem with your cat. On the other hand, cats can over-groom, especially in areas where there is a problem. In addition to possible skin irritations caused by chewing and licking at sore spots, this can also cause hair loss. Similar problems can arise in dogs. The most common problems seen include persistent paw-licking or persistent chewing at a certain area of the body. This type of behavior is commonly investigated during pet consultations.

5. Changes in Posture and Movement

Pain can have a subtle effect on how a pet moves and postures itself. Stiffness in the legs when rising, hunching, and changes in the way your pet walks; these are all examples of how pain can affect a pet. Some pets will move their weight away from a painful area; some pets will lie in ways that are different from normal. A dog who has abdominal discomfort may appear stiff and not want to stretch. These are many times the first indications of pain that a veterinarian will assess.

6. More Talking Than Usual Or Less

Some pets talk more than normal because they’re in pain. Others will stop talking altogether. Cats may begin meowing more often at all hours of the day, but most commonly, this is noticed late at night. Your dog may whine, growl or bark in circumstances that were never the case before. This can be a response to pain or discomfort. Just like people, animals can show their discomfort through many different behaviours. And just like people, the earliest signs of discomfort are often first noticed by the owner.

7. Changes In How Well Pets Rest

Discomfort causes pets to have trouble sleeping. If you’ve ever had to wake your pet in the middle of the night and seen them struggle to get back into a comfortable sleeping position, you know what I’m referring to. Some pets will sleep much more than they normally would, and some pets will be awake a lot more than they normally would. Some pets may even refuse to go to places they’ve rested before. Your pet may choose new places to sleep to try and find a way to feel less uncomfortable. These changes are common subjects of conversation during regular pet checkups. They are especially common among older pets or pets that have a chronic condition.

Why These Changes Are Important?

Individual changes, such as skipping jumps or being quiet on an individual basis, are typically ignored by many pet owners. However, once a pattern develops or several signs develop at the same time, it may be a sign that your pet is experiencing discomfort.

Discomfort is caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to dental problems, arthritis, injuries, or internal diseases. Early detection of the above-mentioned symptoms will allow you to intervene sooner rather than later and will play a significant part in maintaining preventative veterinary care.

Conclusion

Even though our pets cannot directly advise us of their problems, they provide us with clues each day about their condition through behavioural changes. It is up to us to recognise these daily changes that fall outside of the norm for your pet’s regular behaviour.

The more aware we are of changes in our pet’s behaviour, how they move, how much food they eat, and how much they sleep, the better we will be able to determine what your pet may be feeling. These quiet signs are the earliest indicators that your pet needs additional care.