How can I tell if my dog is in pain?
Look for a change from your dog's own normal: posture, movement, appetite, mood, or reaction to touch. Veterinary guidelines say dogs adjust their behavior to minimize pain, so the signs are often quiet.
The short version
- Veterinary pain guidelines say dogs change posture, movement, and demeanor to minimize pain. A wagging tail does not rule pain out.
- Chronic pain is mostly detected at home. WSAVA calls owner assessments the mainstay of chronic pain assessment in dogs.
- Write down dated observations and take video. Veterinarians use questionnaires such as the CBPI and LOAD to track them.
- Do not give human pain relievers. FDA says to talk to your veterinarian before giving a pet any medication.
Dogs rarely announce pain. Veterinary pain guidelines say the most reliable sign is a change from your dog's own normal behavior, and that a dog can look calm or even friendly while hurting. We are not veterinarians. This article reports what veterinary bodies say, so you know what to watch for and what to tell yours.
Do dogs really hide pain?
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) pain management guidelines put it this way: "Dogs adjust their demeanor, behavior, posture, and movement to minimize pain." The same guidelines add that loss of appetite and unusually calm behavior can be subtle signs of pain.1
The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that dogs may wag their tails and greet people despite being in pain.4 So a wagging tail at the door does not rule anything out.
Body measurements do not settle the question either. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) pain guidelines say heart rate and blood pressure have been linked to acute pain in dogs but are unreliable, because stress and fear change them too.3 That leaves behavior as the main evidence, and you see more of your dog's behavior than anyone.
What signs do veterinary pain guidelines list?
The WSAVA guidelines list these behavioral signs of pain in dogs:3
- A change in posture or body position
- A change in demeanor
- Vocalization
- An altered reaction to touch
- Altered interaction with people, such as less interaction or aggression
- Altered mobility, such as lameness or reluctance to move
- Reduced appetite
None of these signs is specific to pain, and none tells you the cause. They are reasons to ask a veterinarian, not a diagnosis.
How is long-term pain different from sudden pain?
Guidelines assess the two differently. Sudden (acute) pain is usually scored in the clinic. AAHA names the Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale and the Glasgow short-form Composite Measure Pain Scale, and says they are for clinic use.1
Long-term (chronic) pain is mostly detected at home. WSAVA states that "owner assessments are the mainstay of the assessment of chronic pain in dogs" and groups what to assess into four areas: mobility, activity, pain, and mood.3 The Merck Veterinary Manual says owner observations are essential for catching the subtler signs of chronic pain, such as changes in attitude or in how the animal interacts with family members.4
Both sets of guidelines flag the same trap. Owners often see the change but explain it away. WSAVA notes that owners may not connect behavior changes with chronic pain.3 AAHA says owners can detect pain by comparing normal and abnormal behavior, but may put the signs in context and delay action for several months.2
Which questionnaires do veterinarians use?
Veterinary teams use structured questionnaires to turn home observations into something they can track. According to AAHA, the most widely used are the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI, 11 questions) and Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD, 23 questions). AAHA also describes a sleep-focused questionnaire called SNoRE, and a client-specific measure built around activities your own dog no longer does normally.2 The Merck Veterinary Manual also names the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index.4
These tools do not diagnose anything. They give you and your veterinarian a shared record to compare over time. You can ask your clinic whether it uses one.
What can you observe at home?
Observation only. Do not press on, stretch, or test a sore area. Drawing on the areas the guidelines name, here is what is worth writing down:
- How your dog gets up after resting, and how it lies down
- Stairs, jumping into the car or onto the couch, and any new hesitation
- Appetite compared with last month
- Sleep: settling, and restlessness at night
- Reaction to being touched or groomed in a particular spot
- Interest in walks, play, and greeting the family
Date each note. AAHA points out that when pain comes and goes, or shows up only during certain activities, photos or videos taken at home and reviewed by the veterinarian provide useful information.2
Check tonight
After your dog has rested for at least 30 minutes, call it from across the room and watch it get up and walk to you. Take two minutes. Note one thing: is this how it stood up and moved six months ago? Write down the date and what you saw. Do not touch or handle the dog for this check.
What should you not do?
Do not give your dog a human pain reliever. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says a pain reliever meant for people may not be safe in dogs, because the drug may last longer, be absorbed faster, and reach higher blood levels. FDA's advice is plain: do not give any medication to your pet until you talk to your veterinarian.5
When to call your veterinarian
The American Veterinary Medical Association lists "obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety" among the situations that need immediate veterinary consultation or care.6 For quieter changes, book a visit rather than waiting to see if they pass. Tell your veterinarian:
- Exactly what changed, and the date you first noticed it
- Whether it is constant or tied to certain activities or times of day
- Changes in appetite, sleep, or mood
- That you have video, if you do
Then ask: "Could this be pain? Is there a pain questionnaire I can fill in so we can track it?"
Quick answers
Do dogs hide pain?
Veterinary guidelines say yes, in effect. The AAHA pain management guidelines state that dogs adjust their demeanor, behavior, posture, and movement to minimize pain, and the Merck Veterinary Manual notes dogs may wag their tails and greet people despite being in pain.
What are the signs a dog is in pain?
The WSAVA pain guidelines list changes in posture, changes in demeanor, vocalization, altered reaction to touch, altered interaction with people, altered mobility such as lameness or reluctance to move, and reduced appetite. These signs are a reason to see a veterinarian, not a diagnosis.
Can I give my dog ibuprofen or another human painkiller?
No. The FDA says pain relievers meant for people may not be safe in dogs and advises owners not to give a pet any medication until they have talked to their veterinarian.
Sources
- American Animal Hospital Association (2022). 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Acute and Perioperative Canine Pain Assessment
- American Animal Hospital Association (2022). 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Chronic Pain Assessment in Dogs
- WSAVA Global Pain Council (Journal of Small Animal Practice) (2014). Guidelines for Recognition, Assessment and Treatment of Pain
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Recognition and Assessment of Pain in Animals
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Get the Facts about Pain Relievers for Pets
- American Veterinary Medical Association. 13 Animal Emergencies That Require Immediate Veterinary Consultation and/or Care
Written by the Tailwise editorial team from the sources above. We are not veterinarians, and this article is not veterinary advice. If something here matches what you see in your dog, talk to your veterinarian.
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