As we continue Animal Pain Awareness Month, we want to highlight an important topic: recognizing the signs of pain in dogs and cats. Both species, but especially cats, are skilled at hiding discomfort. While some signs of pain are obvious, others can be subtle, yet all may indicate that a trip to the veterinarian is needed. Identifying and addressing pain early is essential to maintaining your pet’s quality of life.

Before diving into the signs, it’s helpful to understand the difference between acute pain and chronic pain.

• Acute pain comes on suddenly and is usually short-term. It often results from an injury, illness, or surgical procedure.
• Chronic pain is more subtle and develops gradually over time. A common example is the ongoing discomfort caused by osteoarthritis.

While acute pain is typically easier to recognize, chronic pain can be much harder to detect. To help pet parents better identify when their pets may be in pain, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) has compiled a list of the most common signs. This resource is especially valuable for those who may not realize their pet is suffering.

Common signs of pain in pets include:

• Decreased activity such as unwillingness to accompany on walks or play, difficulty going up or down stairs, reluctance to jump onto as higher surfaces as normal (cats), slow to stand after laying down.
• Changes in their mood, personality and everyday behavior, such as being more anxious or fearful, becoming antisocial and distant, being grumpy and intolerant to other animals and people.
• Decreased appetite and interest in food.
• Over grooming or licking a particular areas on their body or in the environment.

IVAPM has also provided checklists for both dogs and cats that may help to determine if your pet is experiencing pain.

Being able to recognize when your pet is in pain is an important part of keeping them happy and healthy. Even subtle changes in activity, behavior, or appetite may be a sign that something isn’t right. Resources like IVAPM’s pain checklists can help pet parents spot these signs early and know when it’s time to seek veterinary care. By catching pain sooner rather than later, you can help ensure your dog or cat enjoys the best possible quality of life.