By restyourpaws | October 27, 2025

Pain In Pets

Submitted by Rest Your Paws

For a PDF of this resource, click here.

Are You Worried Your Pet Is In Pain?

Animals are remarkably adept at hiding pain—a trait they evolved to avoid showing vulnerability. This makes it challenging to detect when a pet is suffering, especially since their signs of discomfort can be subtle or differ from those of humans. Monitoring your pet closely at home and noticing any small behavioural changes can offer crucial insights into their well-being. Although regular vet check-ups are essential—particularly in palliative care—pets often mask their pain at the clinic due to stress or distraction, making your observations at home invaluable for a complete picture of their health.

Animals are remarkably adept at hiding pain - a trait they evolved to avoid showing vulnerability.

This guide aims to help you identify signs of pain, from the subtle to the more obvious. Recognising small cues allows you to take proactive steps and discuss concerns with your vet, potentially leading to early intervention, reduced discomfort, and a better quality of life for your companion.

Types of Pain in Pets

Pain generally falls into two categories: Acute and Chronic.

Acute pain is sudden and sharp, often following an injury, surgery, or illness, and usually subsides as the condition heals. Chronic pain is persistent and may develop gradually, often linked to conditions like arthritis. Chronic pain can be harder to spot because it may appear as slow changes that seem part of aging. Pain can also fluctuate over time, with symptoms intensifying and easing.

To help assess pain, we provide two pain scales specifically for dogs and cats, covering both acute and chronic pain. Tracking these signs can guide adjustments in your pet’s care plan to better manage their comfort. Remember, pets’ pain tolerance varies, so even subtle changes can indicate that they need support. If you’re concerned, reach out to your vet or our team for guidance on assessing and managing your pet’s pain effectively.

Is My Pet In Pain?

Common Signs of Pain in Dogs

Dogs are very stoic and can hide pain well. Often, it is not until we trial pain or symptom relief that they improve and realise that they were struggling with discomfort. Many signs of pain in dogs are subtle, behaviour-based, and come on slowly, making it extremely difficult to identify.

Having trouble sleeping or getting comfortable at night
Difficulty rising and lying down
Reluctance to sit when asked
Excessive panting, whining or yelping
Limping and difficulty walking
Cautious on slippery surfaces
Withdrawing from the family, possibly showing signs of aggression
Reluctance to jump up on the couch, bed, into the car or use stairs
Reluctance to move their head left or right or raise it up
Difficulty crouching when toileting
Toileting accidents in the house
Restlessness – shifting weight from side to side
Reluctance to be touched, groomed, or picked up

Common Signs of Pain in Cats

Cats are extremely skilled at hiding pain or discomfort. They tend to exhibit only minor changes rather than obvious signs like limping. Pain in cats can be recognised through changes in behaviour and attitude, posture and facial expression rather than obvious signs like limping.

Behaviour and Attitude

Poor grooming, with a matted or flaky coat
Toileting outside the litter box
Stiffness or a “bunny hop” gait, struggling with stairs or jumping on furniture
Reduced appetite or only licking moist food
Reluctance to be touched, or aggression when handled
Laboured or rapid breathing (over 50 breaths per minute awake, or over 20 when asleep)
Tail swishing, ear flattening, vocalising, or swiping when touched
Restlessness and trouble getting comfortable
Withdrawal from family, loss of interest in usual activities
Focusing on painful areas by licking or chewing
Increased anxiety, fearfulness, or irritability
Unusual vocalisations like crying or growling

Posture

An uncomfortable cat will hold their body differently. Instead of appearing relaxed and loose, they may become small and tense, often crouching in a rigid, hunched posture with their head held lower than usual. Their front paws may also be tucked inward as they attempt to minimise movement and protect themselves.

Facial Expressions

Your cat will show signs of pain in its facial expression. You’ll notice their eyes becoming more squinted, flattening of the ears, tension in their muzzle, and bowed out whiskers.

Pain Scoring Tools

Pain-scoring tools help assess and track the presence and severity of pain in pets. While subjective, a common method involves identifying pain signs and rating them out of 10, with scales like the Feline Grimace Scale and the BEAP scale, assisting in this process. Although these tools provide helpful guidance, they should be used alongside a thorough veterinary exam and history. If you’re concerned about your pet’s pain, please consult your veterinarian or our team for guidance to enhance your pet’s comfort and quality of life.

The pain scoring tools we recommend are the Feline Grimace Scale, and BEAP Scales for Dogs and Cats. For a PDF containing instructions on how to use these tool, and versions of the tools you can print at home, click here.

For a full PDF of this resource, click here.

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