When your dog or cat is in pain, you’ll do anything to help them find relief.

This could be why it’s so common for well-intentioned pet parents to give meds made for people, with a whopping 50% of pet poisoning incidents involving human medications according to the Pet Poison Helpline. In honor of Pet Pain Awareness Month, learn how to tell if your dog or cat is in pain and what you can do to safely help your pet feel better.

Signs Your Pet Is In Pain

Pain can be acute, meaning sharp and sudden, or chronic, affecting your pet over time on a daily basis. Acute pain tends to be easier to notice. Your pet may yelp or suddenly start limping after an injury. Chronic pain tends to gradually worsen, making it potentially go unnoticed until it becomes more severe.

All pets show signs of pain differently. Cats in particular are known to instinctively hide their pain. Dogs can be more vocal, but they, too, can show only subtle behavioral changes even though they’re hurting.

These warning signs can mean that your pet is in pain:

1. Vocalizing

Sometimes, but not always, a dog or cat will yelp when they’re in pain. Or, they may groan upon getting out of bed, or whine when you pet a painful part of their body. Purring, while usually an expression of contentment in cats, can sometimes indicate pain.

2. Changes in gait or posture

Limping is a common sign of a painful joint or pulled muscle. A hunched over posture can indicate abdominal pain or gastric distress, for example, from gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), or bloat. A tucked or lowered tail that’s normally held high, too, can also indicate that your pet is feeling unwell.

3. Changes in appetite

Dental or gastrointestinal pain can lead to poor appetite in pets. Other pains, too, can affect your pet’s eating habits. For example, arthritis pain can make it difficult for your pet to reach down to eat out of their bowl.

4. Excessive licking or grooming

Dogs and cats sometimes lick or over groom painful body parts as their way of massaging at an ache. The licking will typically be concentrated to a painful body part, and there may be redness or hair loss at the affected site.

5. Grumpiness

Changes in temperament can be an indicator that your dog or cat is in pain. They may growl or snap when you touch a painful part of their body. Or they may seem less playful and approach you for attention less often, instead hiding away and spending more time alone. Conversely, some pets become unusually clingy when they’re not feeling well.

6. Exercise intolerance

Pain can change your pet’s activity levels in unexpected ways. They may seem energetic at the beginning of their daily walk, but seem tired more quickly than usual. This is often seen in senior pets that are thought to be naturally slowing down with age, but are actually experiencing treatable pain due to osteoarthritis or another chronic illness.

What To Give Pets for Pain

Pets can’t tell us where it hurts or how severe their pain is. That’s why it’s important to see your veterinarian if you have not yet determined why your pet might be in pain. For known causes, you can often treat mild aches and pains at home.

For dogs, Nutri-Vet Aspirin Chewable Tablets are great to have on-hand in your dog’s first aid kit. They’re specially formulated to deliver a safe dose of aspirin to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Both dogs and cats can take homeopathic T-Relief tablets to relieve pain and inflammation. Another homeopathic remedy is Yucca Intensive, which can be given for immediate or long-term pain relief for dogs and cats.

Heat and cold therapy can also provide immediate pain relief at home. Use a warm compress to help increase circulation and reduce inflammation in pets with chronic pain. For acute injuries, a cold compress is best.

When To See A Veterinarian for Pain

It’s not uncommon for pets to experience mild, acute pain that can be treated at home. But if your pet is in distress, if there’s bleeding, bruising, or if you’re unsure where the pain is coming from, you should seek emergency veterinary care.

In pets with chronic pain, like those with osteoarthritis, pain management is possible. See your veterinarian for pain medication options that work best for their health condition, are least likely to cause side effects, especially if your pet needs long-term pain relief.

Along with medications, there are many therapies that can help treat chronic pain, including massage, physical therapy, acupuncture, and laser therapy.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.