One of the most common things experienced pet owners will tell you is that cats and dogs are very good at hiding their pain. The stronger their bond to you, the more they may hide it, too, for fear of upsetting you. However, it can be tricky to ensure they receive the care and treatment they need when they can’t communicate what is going on in their lives. As a pet owner, you don’t want your inability to spot pain to lead to worsening conditions, as this, in extreme cases, can lead to the loss of your beloved pet. But how do you know if something deeper is going on in their lives?
We’ve detailed some of the signs that your pet may be in pain in the blog below:
How do you know if your dog is in pain?
Dogs are quite social creatures. This means that the early stages of pain, be it from a limb, disease or an infection, usually impact them socially first. Look for signs of decreased sociability or changes in how they interact. If they are whimpering, growling, groaning or yelping when they normally do not, this could indicate that something is not right. If you have a play or food-driven pet and this suddenly changes, too, it could be an indicator that something is not in alignment with them. Be mindful that decreased eating should be addressed immediately, as organ failure can happen quickly in pets that are losing weight rapidly. Don’t leave it up to chance. An appointment with a vet is a necessary cost to ensure they are back to full health in no time.
As for physical pain in dogs, you can typically look for signs, such as decreased movement. If they’re suddenly refusing to go up and down stairs or are panting more intensely after moving, you may want to get them checked. They may also excessively lick or chew a spot on their body that is in pain. So, keeping them under close watch can guarantee you catch pain before it worsens.
How do you know if your cat is in pain?
On the opposite end of the spectrum, while some cats are quite sociable, they are not typically defined as social creatures. This means you need to look for very different signs to identify if they’re in pain. Some of the clearest signs are hiding and reduced activity. You should also check their litter box habits. Are they going to the toilet more or less? Have they become messier? Are they not making it to the litter box? These signs can indicate that something internal is not functioning as it should.
While the above are the most common signs, they’re not the only ones. Look out for excessive licking, hissing, reduced agility and a loss of appetite. As with dogs, a loss of appetite should be addressed immediately, as it can result in long-term repercussions and, in some cases, preventable fatalities.
The PetNest team is here to help.
We always recommend consulting a vet to give your pet the best chance of feeling better again in no time. However, while you wait for your appointment, we welcome you to reach out to our team or shop our range, as we have countless supplies, such as pet-calming sprays and pet-calming tablets, which can help reduce tension and angst in your furry friend.
