Pet Talk: How To Know If A Dog Or Cat Is In Pain

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• How To Know When Cats And Dogs Are In Pain

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  As many seasoned pet owners know, cats and dogs are very, very good at hiding pain.

  According to Dr. Sandi Sawchuk, a clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, it largely comes down to natural preservation instincts. For example, if an animal in the wild is limping or showing signs of discomfort, “you’re going to be someone’s lunch because you’re going to get picked out of the herd pretty quickly,” Sawchuk said. “So, dogs and cats … even though they’re not in that type of environment, do the same thing.”

  Even though it can be tricky, there are ways to determine if a pet is uncomfortable, said Sawchuck — and if they think it’s the case, she said they should talk to their veterinarian.

  “There’s lots of things we can do,” she said. “Everything from medications and supplements to physical therapy, massage, acupuncture … all kinds of things we can do to really make our pets have a much happier, healthy life.”

  Here are some of her tips for recognizing pain and discomfort in cats and dogs, respectively:

  Cats

  Starting with older cats, Sawchuk said that for cats 12-years-old and up, 90 percent of them probably have some type of arthritis. However, very few cats limp or show any changes like humans or a dog would. The signs to watch out for can be slight.

  “Sometimes, it’s just subtle things like not being able to jump up on the counters as easily or being a little more hesitant, maybe having a little trouble manipulating the litter box,” Sawchuk said.

  In some cases, cats that are uncomfortable will groom excessively over a joint that may be bothering them, Sawchuk said. The exact opposite — a lack of grooming, resulting in matted or greasy fur — may also be a sign: “That tells me that they’re pretty uncomfortable,” Sawchuk added.

  Another thing — don’t count on purring as a sign that a cat isn’t having pain, she said.

  “It may be a method that cats use to make themselves feel more comfortable and relaxed,” she said.

  Dogs

  Dogs that are in discomfort when they’re young will vocalize often, “kind of like a baby crying,” Sawchuk said. However, they tend not to do that as they get older. Much like cats, they tend to begin to hide their pain.

  Owners should watch for difficulty performing certain actions — for example, perhaps their dog is having trouble getting up and down, or are slower on stairs. Watching body language is also key, such as for monitoring whether a dog’s ears go back when they get up, or if their pupils are dilating.

  Other possible signs of pain for a dog include hiding, decreased appetite, and being reluctant to move, according to the American Animal Hospital Association.