Our dogs can experience pain just like we do, but they often show it very differently. Many dog owners expect yelping, limping, or other obvious signs that something hurts.
But dogs often show discomfort and pain through subtle changes in behavior, posture, activity level, or social interactions. It can be difficult to notice these symptoms unless you know what to watch for, and are often dismissed as normal aging or personality changes.
Many dogs live in pain for months or even years before it's recognized, simply because the signs don't look like pain at all. Noticing pain early is one of the best ways to improve your dog's comfort, mobility, and long-term well-being.
This article will help you understand the common signs of pain in dogs, as well as those subtle symptoms that you might not know about. And we'll talk about when to call your veterinarian, common causes of pain, and how to support your dog at home as they heal or manage a chronic condition.
Table of Contents
Why Pain Is Hard to Diagnose in Dogs
Dogs instinctively mask pain and are very good at not showing discomfort. In the wild, showing weakness makes an animal vulnerable, and our dogs still have that survival behavior. Some breeds are naturally stoic, while others might be a bit more dramatic. But all dogs can hide discomfort well if they feel threatened.
This makes it difficult for veterinarians to diagnose pain. Which means that pain in dogs is often under-diagnosed and under-treated.
If you think your dog is in pain, it's crucial that you work with your veterinarian to identify what might be going on. Advocate for your dog. If you notice anything that you think could be pain-related, but are told that there's nothing going on, it can be worthwhile to request a pain medication trial.
Two Types of Pain in Dogs
There are two main categories of pain: acute and chronic pain.
Acute pain is most often related to an injury, surgery, or trauma. It has a sudden onset and is likely to have more obvious symptoms.
Chronic pain in dogs develops gradually and is often mistaken for normal aging. It's common with arthritis, dental disease, spinal changes, and long-standing inflammation. This type of pain is sometimes called "silent pain" because the signs are subtle and easy to miss.
Both types of pain should be addressed with the support of your veterinarian. And recognizing chronic pain early allows for better treatment and a much better quality of life for your dog as they age.
Common Causes of Pain in Dogs
Many different conditions can cause pain for your dog. Some of the most common include:
- Musculoskeletal conditions: Arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), cruciate ligament injuries, luxating patella, muscle strains, and spinal disease. These usually cause slow, progressive changes in movement and behavior.
- Dental issues: Fractured teeth, abscesses, gum disease, and tooth root infections often go unnoticed because dogs hide mouth pain well. You might notice changes in eating habits or increased irritability and aggression as signs of this pain.
- Internal illness or disease: Pancreatitis, bladder infections or stones, gastrointestinal inflammation, or tumors can cause restlessness, pacing, or quiet withdrawal.
- Skin and ear conditions: Chronic ear infections, hot spots, or painful skin lesions can cause flinching, head shaking, or irritability.
- Eye problems: Such as glaucoma, uveitis, or corneal ulcers.
- Anal gland issues: Infected, impacted, or ruptured anal glands.
- Post-injury or surgical pain: Even with good pain control, recovery from surgery or injury may involve discomfort that needs monitoring or medication adjustments.
Physical Signs of Pain in Dogs
Pain affects how your dog moves, rests, eats, and breathes. Many of the following symptoms start subtly, especially in older dogs.
Changes in Mobility and Movement
A dog in pain may begin to move differently long before they stop walking or start limping. You may notice:
- Stiffness when getting up or lying down
- Slower walking pace or shortened stride
- Hesitation or refusal to jump on furniture or into the car
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Limping or shifting weight off a painful leg
These gradual mobility changes are some of the most common early indicators of discomfort.
Posture and Body Positioning
Dogs, like us, will adjust how they hold their bodies to reduce discomfort. Look for:
- A hunched or arched back
- Tucked tail
- Avoiding certain positions
- Reluctance to roll over
- Holding the head or neck rigid or low
- A "downward dog" yoga pose or "play bow" — with front elbows on the ground and rear in the air
A dog that suddenly avoids resting on one side or struggles to get comfortable is very likely experiencing pain.
Facial Expression, Breathing, and Heart Rate
Changes in your dog's facial expression, breathing patterns, and heart rate can also signal pain. Some dogs pant even when they aren't hot, tremble during rest, or show tension around their eyes and mouth. They may have wide eyes or be squinting more than usual.
Dogs in pain will often have an increased heart/pulse rate. The rate often noticeably speeds up when the painful area is touched or moved. Take a pet first-aid course, ask your veterinarian or one of the clinic technicians to show you how to check and measure your dog’s heart and/or pulse rate, or check out this video that explains how to check your pet's vital signs:
Changes in Eating, Drinking, or Potty Habits
Changes in how your dog is eating or drinking can be a sign of dental pain, spinal discomfort, or abdominal issues.
Watch for:
- Dropping food from their mouth or chewing only on one side
- Eating more slowly or refusing harder treats
- Straining to urinate or defecate
- Having potty accidents indoors, when previously potty trained
- Pacing or seeming restless when trying to eliminate
Vocalizing
Not all dogs in pain will vocalize with whining or yelping, but those that do may cry out when moving, or groan during position changes. If your dog makes a new sound during routine handling, it should always be taken seriously.
Behavioral Signs of Pain in Dogs
Behavior changes are often the earliest and most overlooked indicators of pain in dogs. While these symptoms may appear common, they are easily misunderstood.
Pain can also interfere with training and behavior modification, making dogs appear stubborn, anxious, or reactive when discomfort is actually the root cause. It's important to always rule out pain or medical issues as a cause or contributing factor in behavior issues, because if pain is not treated, all of the training in the world won't have much success.
Becoming Quiet or Less Social
Dogs who are hurting often withdraw from daily life and routines. You may see your dog:
- Spending more time alone
- Avoiding play or stopping play sooner than normal
- Greeting less enthusiastically
- Sleeping more than usual
These dogs may appear tired, bored, or disinterested, when discomfort is the actual cause.
Irritable or Aggressive to Touch
A normally friendly dog may become anxious or even try to snap or bite when being touched because they are in pain — or even just anticipate pain if the issue has been treated. For example, a dog with chronic ear infections may become defensive when someone reaches toward their ears, even when no active infection is present. Dogs in pain will often move away from petting, react negatively to grooming, or become protective of certain areas of their body.
If you have more than one dog at home and there is a sudden increase in resource guarding or other aggression between them, that can also indicate pain or an underlying medical condition. It's important to have a veterinary check along with connecting with a certified dog trainer or behavior consultant for support to address the aggression before it escalates.
Decreased Enthusiasm
A dog who used to run to the door for walks, but now lags behind or stays in their bed, is giving you important information. Pain often causes dogs to lose interest in toys, stop engaging in games, or take much longer to warm up to an activity.
Changes in Sleep Patterns
Sleep disruptions are extremely common when dogs are in pain. Difficulty settling, frequent position changes, restlessness at night, or choosing hard floors instead of their bed can all indicate discomfort. It can be helpful to set up a pet camera to monitor your dog's sleep patterns overnight to see if they may be showing these symptoms.
PRO TIP: A wearable activity monitor, like the Maven Pet Health Tracker or the Fitbark 2 Activity Monitor, can help you detect problems early by allowing you to see and track changes in your dog's behavior and activity levels.
If such changes are noticed and they persist, or are accompanied by other concerning signs, then you'll know that it's time to head to the vet for a checkup and to see if your dog may be in pain.
When You Should Call Your Veterinarian
Immediate Care Needed
Some pain symptoms need immediate veterinary attention. Contact an emergency veterinarian right away if your dog suddenly can't walk, is in severe distress, has trouble breathing, has a painful or distended abdomen (a sign of bloat and potential GDV), collapses, or experiences sudden hind end weakness.
Non-Emergency Care Needed
Other signs of pain warrant prompt but non-emergency treatment. This includes gradual mobility decline, new stiffness or limping, reluctance to jump, appetite changes, increased irritability, restlessness, or meaningful changes in sleep, interaction, or enthusiasm for regular activities. These patterns often indicate chronic pain, which should be treated to better your dog's quality of life.
If you're unsure whether you should take your dog to the vet, it's best to go ahead and do it. You know your dog better than anyone, so if you feel something is off, it might be worthwhile asking your veterinarian for a pain medication trial to see if it affects your dog's comfort and behavior.
How to Monitor Your Dog's Pain at Home
Tracking your dog's behavior helps your veterinarian understand what's happening between clinic visits. A simple log of appetite, activity level, walk tolerance, sleep quality, and reactions to touch can reveal patterns that are easy to miss in real time.
Short video clips are extremely useful. Recording your dog walking, climbing stairs, rising from rest, or hesitating to move certain ways helps your veterinarian assess mobility and posture more accurately than a brief in-clinic exam on its own.
If your dog has a chronic condition like arthritis, tracking good days and bad days can help gauge how well treatment is working and whether adjustments are needed.
Pain Management and Treatment for Dogs
Prescription Pain Medication
Many dogs experience significant improvement with a multimodal approach to pain management. Veterinarians often start with medications such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like carprofen or meloxicam), or additional drugs that target nerve-related or chronic pain (such as gabapentin).
You may see over-the-counter products marketed as "dog aspirin" or "pet-safe" aspirin, but these are generally not recommended without veterinary guidance. Aspirin is an NSAID, and while it can reduce pain and inflammation, it also carries significant risks for dogs. It can irritate the stomach and intestines, increase the risk of ulcers or bleeding, and interfere with kidney function, especially in older dogs and those with underlying health conditions. It can also interact dangerously with other medications. Because safer and more effective pain control is available, aspirin should only be used if specifically directed by your veterinarian.
Human medications should never be given to your pets unless your veterinarian specifically prescribes them. Human pain medications can be toxic to dogs.
Dog Supplements for Joint Pain
Beyond prescription medications, evidence-based supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin, or green-lipped mussel can help support joint health.
Fish oils contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to minimize and relieve joint pain, and they can be a good part of a multi-pronged approach to pain management. Liquid formulations make for easy dosing, but you can also cut off the top of capsules and squirt the fish oil liquid onto your dog's food.
You can use "human" fish oils for your dog; just be careful. When selecting a fish oil for your dog, read the label carefully and make sure it does not contain xylitol, a natural sugar substitute that is fine for people but highly toxic to dogs.
There are also specific joint supplements that can help dogs with arthritis, as well as some specially formulated diets for joint pain.
There are prescription joint/mobility diets specifically formulated to help arthritic dogs. These include Hill’s Metabolic + Mobility and Royal Canin Joint Support dog foods. Speak with your veterinarian to see if such a diet might help your dog.
The arthritic support joint supplements recommended below are all made by reputable and reliable companies, and have all been used successfully to manage arthritis in many dogs. Every dog and every situation is different, so it's tough to say which one any particular dog will respond best to.
However, given the research, starting with one of these supplements is a good first step. Like the fish oils recommended above, it's always best to give a joint supplement for at least a couple of months to know whether it's helping your dog.
When combined with appropriate medical treatment, supplements can often play a meaningful role in ongoing pain management for aging dogs. Get more info on supplements that help with dog mobility and joint health here.
Lifestyle Changes
Small changes at home can make a notable difference for your dog's pain. Ramps help reduce jumping onto and off furniture, non-slip mats improve stability on hard floors, and orthopedic beds support sore joints. Controlled exercise and frequent, but shorter, walks help maintain mobility without overexertion. "Motion is lotion" is as true for our dogs as it is for us. Find more ways to make your dog's environment easier to navigate here.
Rehabilitation therapies, including physical therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and laser therapy, can be particularly effective for many chronic conditions.
Weight management is also essential for pain management. Even modest weight loss reduces pressure on joints and can significantly improve comfort for your dog.
Supporting Your Dog and Treating Their Pain
Pain affects both physical and emotional health for your dog. Gentle enrichment activities, predictable routines, and comfortable resting spots can all help your dog feel more secure while you're treating their pain. Give them extra time to transition between activities and offer reassurance when they seem unsure or uncomfortable. Your observations and support play a key role in their treatment and recovery. With the right diagnosis and pain management plan, many dogs regain mobility, confidence, and enjoyment in their daily lives.
Pain in dogs is common, especially as they age, but it is highly treatable. Many dogs live comfortably for years when pain is recognized and addressed early. If your dog is showing changes in movement, behavior, appetite, or activity, schedule a veterinary examination. Early detection and treatment can make a life-changing difference for your dog.
