Learn to Recognize the Signs During Animal Pain Awareness Month
During September, Compassion Animal Hospital recognizes Animal Pain Awareness Month by teaching pet parents how to recognize signs of pain in cats and dogs.
Recognizing when a pet is in pain can be extremely difficult. In the wild, predators choose to target animals that appear sick or weak. Our pets evolved to instinctively mask signs of illness and injury, including pain. Although it’s difficult to spot, you can learn to detect subtle signs.
Learn to Recognize Pain in Your Pet
Signs of Pain in Cats & Dogs
- Behavior Changes - Behavior changes, like unusual aggression or appetite loss, are the most common indicators of pain. You might also notice changes that occur in their daily routine, thirst, energy level, playfulness, bathroom habits, or other behaviors.
- Appearance - Your pet's appearance might change. Look for swelling, redness, lumps, bumps, and changes to their skin or coat.
- Mobility - Limping, lameness, or reluctance to move about and play indicate pain.
- Isolation - Cats and dogs who are in pain might attempt to isolate themselves, become less social with people and other household pets, and exhibit a reluctance to be touched.
- Heart Rate - When in pain, pets will have an elevated heart rate.
- Vocalization - Whimpering, howling, yowling, or other excessive vocalization might also occur as a result of pain.
- Eyes - Look for squinting and/or pupil dilation or contraction.
Signs of Pain Unique to Cats
- Grooming Changes - An overall decrease in grooming can indicate general illness, pain, or discomfort, but cats that are injured tend to groom their wounds excessively.
- Purring - Although cats sometimes when they're comfortable, they also purr in order to comfort themselves. If your cat purrs more than usually, this could indicate discomfort.
Signs of Pain Unique to Dogs
- Panting - Excessive panting or fast, shallow breathing can indicate pain and other discomforts in dogs.
- Posture/Gait Change - A change in posture or in the way a dog walks might indicate pain.
- Trembling - Dogs experiencing significant pain often tremble.
Schedule a Preventative Care Appointment and Health Screening for Your Woodland Park Pet
The best way to deal with pain in pets is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. With a strong focus on wellness and preventative care, our veterinarian at Compassion Animal Hospital recommends scheduling pets for regular checkups. This will help us detect signs of illness, age-related disease, or other health problems and begin treatment before they progress far enough to cause your pet any pain. If your pet already has an acute or chronic condition, we’ll work with you to establish a safe and effective pain management plan. To learn more, contact our Woodland Park veterinarian today.
