How to Tell if Your Pet Is in Pain (They're Very Good at Hiding It!)

If there's one thing our dogs and cats are exceptionally good at, it's hiding when something doesn't feel right. Your dog may still greet you at the door, your cat may continue lounging in their favorite sunny spot, and both may keep eating and drinking even when they're experiencing discomfort.

Unfortunately, just because our pets aren't crying, limping, or showing obvious signs of distress doesn't mean they're pain-free.

Animals instinctively hide signs of pain for a variety of reasons. In the wild, showing weakness can make an animal vulnerable, and some of those instincts remain in our pets today. As a result, pain can be easy to overlook, especially when it develops gradually with age or a chronic condition.

At Willowbrook, we believe recognizing pain early is an important part of helping pets live happier, healthier, and more comfortable lives. The good news? Once you know what to look for, you can often spot the subtle signs that something isn't quite right.

Subtle Signs of Pain in Dogs and Cats

Pain doesn't always look like pain. Sometimes, it looks like a change in personality, a new habit, or a little less enthusiasm for the activities your pet once loved.

Changes in Behavior or Personality

One of the earliest signs of discomfort may be a change in your pet's usual behavior. A normally friendly dog might become irritable when approached, while a social cat may start spending more time alone. Your pet might growl, hiss, pull away, or become unusually sensitive when you touch a particular area of their body.

Other behavioral changes can include:

• Becoming less interested in play, walks, or interaction
• Hiding more often or seeking out quiet places
• Restlessness, pacing, or difficulty settling down
• Becoming unusually clingy or seeking more reassurance
• Reacting negatively to being picked up, groomed, or handled

These changes can have many causes, but pain is always worth considering when your pet's behavior changes unexpectedly.

Difficulty Moving, Jumping, or Climbing

Mobility changes are especially common in pets experiencing joint pain, arthritis, muscle soreness, or other orthopedic conditions.

In dogs, you might notice a reluctance to jump into the car, climb stairs, go on longer walks, or get up after resting. Your dog may seem stiff first thing in the morning or slow down during activities they previously enjoyed.

Cats can be even more subtle. A cat that once leaped effortlessly onto the counter may begin using a chair or lower surface as a stepping stone. They may stop jumping onto their favorite windowsill, avoid stairs, or have trouble getting into and out of the litter box.

Don't assume these changes are simply a normal part of aging. While older pets are more likely to develop arthritis and other painful conditions, there are many ways veterinary teams can help improve their comfort and mobility.

Changes in Grooming Habits

Cats are famously meticulous groomers, so changes in grooming can be an important clue.

A cat experiencing pain may stop grooming certain areas because twisting or bending hurts. This can lead to a greasy, unkempt coat, mats, or dandruff. On the other hand, some cats repeatedly lick or chew at a painful area, potentially causing thinning fur or irritated skin.

Dogs may also lick a sore joint, paw, or other area of discomfort more frequently than usual.

If you notice excessive licking, patchy fur, or a decline in your pet's normal grooming routine, it's worth scheduling a veterinary examination to investigate the cause.

Changes in Eating, Drinking, or Bathroom Habits

Pain can affect everyday activities, sometimes in ways that are easy to miss.

Dental pain, for example, may cause a pet to drop food, chew on one side of their mouth, eat more slowly, avoid hard treats, or seem interested in food but hesitate to eat it.

Other possible clues include:

• Eating less or showing less enthusiasm for meals
• Flinching when chewing or resisting having their mouth examined
• Straining or changing posture when urinating or defecating
• Avoiding the litter box because climbing into it or squatting is uncomfortable
• Having accidents in the house despite previously reliable habits

These symptoms can also indicate medical conditions unrelated to pain. Changes in urination, especially straining or producing little to no urine, warrant prompt veterinary attention. Inability to urinate is an emergency, particularly in male cats.

Facial Expressions and Body Language

Pets communicate a great deal through body language, and learning their normal expressions can help you recognize when something is wrong.

A dog in pain may pant when they haven't exercised, tremble, hold their body stiffly, tuck their tail, or repeatedly shift positions. They may also have difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position.

Cats may crouch with their backs hunched, keep their heads lowered, squint their eyes, hold their ears rotated outward, or appear unusually tense. A cat that stops stretching out comfortably or consistently sits in a tightly hunched position may be signaling discomfort.

Look for changes in your pet's normal posture and expression rather than relying on one sign alone. Small differences can become meaningful when they persist or occur alongside other symptoms.

Changes in Sleep and Daily Routines

Does your pet seem less excited about their morning walk? Have they stopped greeting you at the door? Are they sleeping more, waking frequently, or changing their favorite resting spots?

Pain can interfere with sleep and make everyday activities less enjoyable. Pets experiencing discomfort may also avoid slippery floors, hesitate before lying down, or struggle to get comfortable after resting.

Because these changes often happen gradually, it's easy to adjust to them without realizing how much your pet's routine has changed.

A helpful habit is to periodically ask yourself: "Is my pet still doing the things they used to enjoy, and are they doing them as comfortably as before?"

Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain: What's the Difference?

Not all pain develops in the same way, and understanding the difference can help you know when to seek care.

Acute pain often appears suddenly following an injury, surgery, or other medical problem. You might notice limping, vocalizing, guarding a body part, or an abrupt change in behavior.

Chronic pain develops or persists over time. It may be associated with arthritis, dental disease, spinal conditions, or other ongoing health concerns. Chronic pain can be particularly difficult to recognize because pets often adapt their behavior little by little.

For example, a dog with arthritis may gradually take shorter walks, while a cat with joint discomfort may slowly stop jumping onto furniture. These changes can look like aging or a loss of interest when the underlying issue is pain.

Both acute and chronic pain deserve attention. If your pet is suddenly unable to stand, has experienced significant trauma, is struggling to breathe, or appears severely distressed, seek emergency veterinary care. Never give your pet human pain medication unless specifically directed by a veterinarian, as common medications can be toxic to dogs and cats.

Modern Pain Management: Helping Pets Feel Their Best

The good news is that veterinary pain management has advanced significantly. Today, veterinarians have a range of tools to help pets recover from injuries and procedures, manage chronic conditions, and maintain a better quality of life.

The best approach depends on your pet's age, health, diagnosis, activity level, and individual needs. Often, the most effective plan combines several treatments rather than relying on just one.

Medication and Individualized Treatment Plans

Veterinary-prescribed pain medications can play an important role in reducing discomfort and improving mobility. Depending on the condition, your veterinarian may recommend anti-inflammatory medications, other pain-relieving medications, or additional therapies tailored to your pet.

Because dogs and cats process medications differently, treatment should always be selected and monitored by a veterinary professional. Never use leftover medication from another pet or change a prescribed dose without checking with your veterinarian.

Weight Management and Exercise

For pets with joint pain or arthritis, maintaining a healthy weight can make a meaningful difference. Extra weight places additional stress on joints, while appropriate, consistent activity can help support strength and mobility.

Your veterinarian can help you determine an appropriate diet and exercise plan. Depending on your pet's condition, this might include shorter, more frequent walks, controlled activity, or other low-impact movement.

At home, simple adjustments can also help. Consider adding nonslip rugs, ramps or steps, supportive bedding, and easily accessible food, water, and litter boxes.

Rehabilitation and Supportive Therapies

Veterinary rehabilitation may help pets improve strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility. Depending on the pet and condition, a treatment plan may include guided exercises, therapeutic movement, massage, or other rehabilitation techniques.

These therapies can be especially useful for some pets recovering from surgery or injury and for those managing chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Your veterinarian can help determine which options are appropriate and how they may fit into a broader pain management plan.

Laser Therapy: A Noninvasive Option for Pain Management

One treatment you may hear about at Willowbrook is therapeutic laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation.

Therapeutic laser treatment uses specific wavelengths of light directed at targeted tissues. The light interacts with cells to influence biological processes involved in inflammation, tissue repair, and pain signaling.

For some pets, laser therapy can be a useful addition to a comprehensive treatment plan, particularly when managing certain musculoskeletal conditions or supporting recovery after surgery or injury.

What Can Laser Therapy Help With?

Depending on the diagnosis and individual treatment plan, therapeutic laser may be considered for:

• Osteoarthritis and certain other sources of joint discomfort
• Muscle soreness and some soft-tissue injuries
• Recovery following certain surgical procedures
• Selected wounds or other conditions where supporting tissue healing is appropriate

Research and results vary by condition, treatment protocol, and individual patient. Laser therapy is not a cure-all, and it may not be appropriate for every pet or every source of pain.

How You Can Help Your Pet at Home

You know your pet better than anyone, and the small changes you notice can provide valuable information to your veterinary team.

Here are a few ways to help:

• Keep a journal. Record changes in activity, appetite, sleep, behavior, and mobility.
• Take videos. If your pet limps, struggles to stand, or moves differently at home, a short video can help your veterinarian assess what you're seeing. Pets sometimes behave differently in the clinic.
• Make everyday life easier. Provide nonslip surfaces, accessible resting areas, and easy access to food, water, and litter boxes.
• Schedule an examination. Don't wait for obvious signs of pain before discussing persistent changes with your veterinarian.
• Follow your treatment plan. Give prescribed medications as directed and keep recommended follow-up appointments so your pet's comfort and progress can be reassessed.

A More Comfortable Life Starts With Noticing the Little Things

Our pets may not be able to tell us when something hurts, but they often give us clues. A shorter walk, a missed jump, a change in grooming, or a little less enthusiasm for everyday activities may be more than a sign of getting older.

Recognizing these changes early gives us an opportunity to investigate the cause and explore ways to improve our pets' comfort. With modern veterinary pain management, individualized treatment plans, and supportive options such as therapeutic laser therapy, there may be more ways to help than you realize.

At Willowbrook, we're here to help you recognize the signs, understand your options, and make informed decisions about your pet's care.

Have you noticed changes in your pet's behavior or mobility? Contact Willowbrook to schedule an appointment and discuss a pain assessment. Together, we can work toward helping your furry family member feel more comfortable and enjoy more of the things they love.