Signs of Pain in Cats and Dogs

Laurie Anne Walden, DVM

In cats and dogs, chronic (long-term) pain causes subtle behavior changes that can be mistaken for normal effects of aging. Pain can also cause unwanted behaviors like house soiling. Don’t assume that changes in behavior, activity, or mood result from aging, anxiety, or human emotions like resentment or anger. Your pet could be in pain instead.
 
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in older animals but can go undetected, especially in animals like cats that are biologically programmed to hide their pain. Signs of acute pain (caused by injury) are easier to spot. Whatever the cause of your pet’s pain, recognizing the signs is the first step to helping your pet feel better.
 
If you think your pet may be in pain, consult a veterinarian. Never treat an animal’s pain with over-the-counter medications, herbs, supplements, or other remedies without checking with your veterinarian first. Many over-the-counter pain remedies, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve), are toxic or even fatal to dogs and cats. Your veterinarian can suggest safer and more effective measures for your pet.
 
Signs of Pain in Cats

• Decreased activity level, playing less
• Decreased interaction with the family or other pets
• Resistance to being petted
• Hiding
• Vocalizing when being petted, picked up, or otherwise touched
• Meowing or crying more than usual
• Decreased appetite or change in food preference
• Irritability, grumpiness, aggression
• Decreased grooming behavior: matted fur, flaky skin, or flaky claws
• Increased licking or over-grooming (possible evidence of pain in that area; for example, a bald belly sometimes indicates bladder pain)
• Urinating or defecating outside the litter box (may indicate discomfort getting into the box)
• General stiffness, difficulty stretching
• Reluctance to move
• Difficulty jumping up and down, inability to jump as far as usual
• Difficulty going up or down stairs
• Abnormal gait (walking differently than normal)
• Limping
• Hunched posture
• Holding the head stiffly or lower than usual

 
Signs of Pain in Dogs

• Stiffness when rising after lying down
• Difficulty going up or down stairs
• Running or jumping less than usual
• Avoiding slippery surfaces
• Decreased activity level, playing less
• Decreased interaction with the family or other pets
• Decreased appetite or change in food preference
• Aggression
• Reluctance to move
• Resistance to being brushed or petted
• Licking or chewing a part of the body
• Urinating or defecating in the house
• Change in sleep habits
• Panting at rest
• Whimpering or whining
• Limping
• Abnormal gait
• Hunched posture
• Holding the head stiffly or lower than usual

 
More Resources
15 Signs of Pain in Dogs (PDF, American Animal Hospital Association): https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/pain-management/painmgmt_15signs.pdf
 
How Do I Know if My Cat Is in Pain? (American Association of Feline Practitioners): https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/signs-symptoms/know-cat-pain/
 
How to Tell if Your Dog Is in Pain (PDF, American Animal Hospital Association): https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/pain-management/painmanagement_dogs_web.pdf
 
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez

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