Vet Wellness 2025: How to Recognize Pain in Dogs and Cats Before It Gets Worse 🐶🐱

Your pet can’t say “it hurts”—but they’re still talking to you. From small shifts in behavior to changes in sleep, movement, or bathroom habits, pets often show signs of pain in subtle ways. As Dr Duncan Houston, I’ve seen firsthand how early recognition of these signs can make a huge difference in a pet’s comfort and quality of life 🩺🐾.

In 2025, veterinary medicine has more tools than ever to manage pain in pets. But the first—and most important—step is you: knowing what to look for 👀.

🧠 Behavior & Personality Changes

You know your pet better than anyone. So when their behavior changes, pay close attention. Pain can cause shifts in:

• 🤝 Decreased interest in affection or social interaction
• 😾 Irritability or aggression, especially when touched
• 👀 Loss of curiosity or hiding from people and other pets

Pets may also withdraw from activities they used to enjoy—like cuddling, playing, or even lying in their favorite spot. These signs often reflect discomfort or chronic stress 😔.

🐕 Physical Appearance

Visual clues can offer insight into your pet’s well-being. Look for:

• 🔁 Repetitive licking or chewing of a specific area
• 🧶 Matted or unkempt fur (often from reduced grooming)
• 👁️ Squinting, blinking, or uneven pupils
• 📉 Unexpected weight gain or loss

Some pets may also appear tense or develop a hunched posture due to musculoskeletal or internal pain 💢.

🍽️ Changes in Eating and Drinking

Appetite is a sensitive pain indicator:

• 🐶 Enthusiastic eaters who suddenly hesitate at mealtimes
• 🐱 Pets pawing at their mouths, rubbing their faces, or drooling
• 🦷 Slower chewing or difficulty swallowing—often linked to dental pain

Even if appetite seems normal, a pet eating more slowly or appearing less excited about food can indicate discomfort 🍲.

🔊 Vocalization & Sounds

Some pets are more “talkative” when in pain. Common vocal changes include:

• 🗣️ Whining, crying, or whimpering
• 😿 Growling, howling, hissing, or spitting
• 🔁 Persistent or unusual vocalizing

If your pet becomes noisier—or quieter—than usual, consider that it may be trying to express distress 🧏‍♂️.

🏃‍♂️ Activity, Movement & Mobility

Changes in physical function are often the first signs of chronic pain:

• 🛌 Reluctance to rise, jump, climb, or run
• 🦵 Limping or favoring a leg
• 💨 Panting excessively on walks
• 🧍 Stiffness or unusual posture (hunched back, lowered head)
• 🛏️ Restlessness or altered sleep positions

Senior pets are especially likely to be dismissed as “just slowing down”—but many are actually experiencing undiagnosed pain 🧓🐾.

🚽 Bathroom Habits

Pain can disrupt your pet’s toileting routines:

• 🚫 Accidents indoors (dogs) or outside the litter box (cats)
• 😣 Straining or crying when urinating or defecating
• 📉 Reduced or excessive elimination frequency

In cats, these signs can reflect arthritis, bladder pain, or constipation. In dogs, they may point to joint discomfort or abdominal issues 💩.

😿 Why Cats Hide Pain So Well

Cats are masters at concealing discomfort. Evolutionarily, this helped them avoid looking vulnerable in the wild. But for today’s pet owners, it means subtle signs are critical 🔍.

Key pain signs in cats include:

• 🧹 Changes in grooming behavior (over- or under-grooming)
• 🚽 Altered litter box usage
• 👩‍👧 Withdrawal from human contact or hiding
• 🥩 Eating less or avoiding certain textures

Don't ignore even minor behavior changes in your cat. Discuss them with your vet early ⏳.

🎂 Geriatric Pets: It’s Not Just Age

Many older pets develop arthritis, dental pain, or internal issues. Sadly, some owners accept signs like:

• 🛏️ Sleeping more
• 🥣 Eating less
• 🚷 Avoiding stairs or the backyard

as “just old age.” In reality, these changes are often treatable. Pain relief can help older pets regain energy, appetite, and mobility 💪❤️.

🩺 What to Do if You Suspect Pain

• 📞 Schedule a veterinary exam immediately
• 🧾 Keep a symptom diary (appetite, behavior, mobility, sleep)
• 💬 Share videos of abnormal behavior with your vet

Today’s pain management options include:

• 💊 Medications and anti-inflammatories
• 🧘‍♀️ Physical therapy and massage
• 🦴 Joint supplements
• 🧊 Ice or heat therapy
• 🔆 Environmental modifications (ramps, orthopedic bedding)

📲 Ask A Vet: Help When You Need It Most

If you’ve noticed changes in your pet and aren’t sure whether it’s pain, reach out to AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app. You’ll get fast answers and connect with a licensed veterinarian who can guide your next steps 🐾📱.

✅ Final Thoughts: You Know Your Pet Best

In 2025, you have the tools and resources to help your pet live a pain-free life. Whether it’s a limp, missed meal, or personality shift—trust your instincts and speak up 🧠🐕.

Your pet depends on you to recognize discomfort and be their voice. Together, we can make their golden years more comfortable, and their daily life more joyful 🐾❤️.