I just finished editing and sending out our spring newsletter and wanted to share one of the segments from there. I think it will be helpful to all pet parents so bookmark this info if needed.
It is difficult to notice signs of pain unless you understand how subtle it can be. There are some common changes in behaviour and body language that help us identify the signs so we can address it more quickly and improve our pet’s life. This is broken up into cats and dogs but there are some similarities that you may notice.
How to Recognize Pain in Cats
I recently took a mini-course with Pet Sitters International Pet Pro educational program and it was all about recognizing pain in our feline companions. Since cats can also be prey as well as predator in the wild they will not show pain until it is extreme. This behaviour is just part of their natural instinct for self preservation. But there are some common signs we can look for to help us figure out if our cat is suffering.
Common signs include changes in their regular routine such as:
- eating noticeably less than usual
- drinking noticeably more than usual
- a change in their grooming habits (looking less clean in appearance or unable to reach certain areas OR overgrooming a particular spot)
- more napping, and less moving around
- less jumping, hunting, and playful behaviour
- increased irritability or aggressive behaviour, may no longer want to be held or groomed or be near other family members
- changes in their litter box habits (going outside of the box, accidents where they nap, amount of pee*, change in appearance of poop)
* If they are NOT peeing it is an emergency and requires a vet visit asap!
Signs in your cat’s body language include:
- they sit with a hunched back and a lowered head, rather than a relaxed lounging position
- they carry their tail lower than usual when walking
- limping or hesitation to put weight on a particular leg
- they paw at their mouth, smack their mouth, drool excessively, or start to vocalize while eating
- they may grimace or have a furrowed brow, glazed or vacant stare, enlarged pupils and may flatten their ears
- panting
- they walk with their elbows out, stiffly, or their tail is to one side (not swinging naturally side to side)
- they walk or jump up stairs with a ‘bunny hop’ rather than normal steps
50% of cats over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease
60% of cats over 4 years of age and 90% over 10 years of age
have Osteoarthritis
Further resources if you want to learn more:
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dental-disease-in-cats & degenerative-joint-disease-in-cats
https://www.catredflags.com/
https://chirrupsandchatter.com/
How to Recognize Pain in Dogs
Dogs have similar signs of pain, as cats do. Their level of activity will be most noticeable since we typically walk and play with our dogs daily. However, it may be a slow process and not a drastic change which is easier to spot.
Common signs include changes in their regular routine such as:
- eating noticeably less than usual
- drinking noticeably more than usual
- may no longer want to be petted or brushed, particularly in a certain spot
- more napping, and less moving around
- restless and unable to sleep through the night or find a comfortable spot
- less jumping, running, and playful behaviour
- may hesitate to go up or down stairs and may have difficulty getting off the couch or chair
- avoidance of walking on slippery floors and/or a fall on a slippery floor
- increased irritability or aggressive behaviour, may no longer want to be next to you or approached by other family members
- changes in their potty habits (no longer able to hold their bladder for your whole work shift or overnight, accidents in the house and where they sleep)
- licking one spot to the point of removing fur or causing skin damage
Signs in your dog’s body language include:
- they have difficulty laying down and/or getting up, takes a while to get in a comfortable position (they will do circles again and again until they get more comfortable)
- limping or hesitation to put weight on a particular leg
- they paw at their mouth, drool excessively, chew more slowly or frequently drop food while eating
- they may grimace or have a furrowed brow, hold their ears down or back, have a glazed or vacant stare, or partially close their eyes
- excessive panting
- they may put more weight on their front legs when standing up and/or pull themselves up by their front legs instead of using their back legs to push themselves up
- their nails may show signs of wear if they are unable to easily lift their foot when walking
- unusual or increased amount of vocalizations (whining, howling, groaning)
80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease
25% of dogs experience Osteoarthritis
Further resources if you want to learn more:
https://www.vetdepot.com/dog-pain-management.html
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dental-pain-in-dogs & arthritis-in-dogs
https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/pain-management/painmgmt_15signs.pdf