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How can I tell if my dog is in pain?

By Sorin Vasiliu6 min read

Look for change, not just noise. A dog in pain often moves, sits, eats, sleeps or reacts to touch differently from usual, and many do it without a sound. You know your dog's normal better than anyone, so you're the one most likely to notice when it shifts.

Why pain is easy to miss

Many owners assume a dog in pain will come looking for help. That isn't always the case. AKC explains that many dogs minimize outward signs of pain, an instinct inherited from wild ancestors for whom showing weakness was risky. VCA describes the same instinct to hide or mask pain.

The Merck Veterinary Manual says dogs in pain often cry or whimper. But many stay quiet even when the pain is significant, AKC says, and Merck adds that a dog in pain might still wag its tail and greet people.

So ask "is my dog doing anything differently?" rather than only "is my dog crying?" The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) says as much in its 2022 pain guidelines: owners know their dogs' normal behavior, and changes from it suggest pain.

Signs to watch for

The table groups the signs that AKC, VCA, Merck and AAHA describe. One sign on its own doesn't prove pain. Merck notes that some, like eating less or poor grooming, show something is wrong without always meaning pain.

SignWhat it can look like
Moving differentlyLimping, slower walks, less stamina, balking at stairs, jumping onto furniture or getting into the car
Getting up and lying downStruggling to stand or lie down, getting up and down again, pacing, never quite settling
PostureHead held low, back arched, weight shifted off one leg, sitting with the back legs off to one side, a "tucked up" belly (AAHA links this to belly pain)
Face and breathingHeavy panting while resting, a tense face or grimace, a blank stare, half-closed eyes
One spotLicking, chewing or biting the same place, again and again
AppetiteEating or drinking less
SleepSleeping more or less than usual, restless at night
MoodWithdrawing, hiding, irritable, growling when people or pets come close, lashing out when handled, or clingier than usual
TouchEars back or looking away when one area is touched, pulling away, objecting to being brushed or, for small dogs, picked up
House trainingAccidents, because getting up or squatting hurts
ShakingTrembling, sometimes mainly in the back legs
SoundsGroaning when getting up or lying down, whining, yelping when a sore spot is touched

Sudden pain and slow pain

Acute pain comes on quickly. AKC links it to injuries and illnesses such as a broken bone, a strained muscle or an ear infection. AAHA says it's usually the more straightforward kind for owners and vets to assess.

Chronic pain builds slowly. AKC names arthritis, gum (periodontal) disease and cancer as common causes, and says older dogs are more likely to have it. Merck describes it as pain that lasts longer than healing should take, or that comes from an ongoing disease like arthritis.

AKC says owners sometimes mistake slow changes for normal aging, and that chronic pain should never be dismissed as part of it. VCA notes that old age is not a disease, but says some changes in older dogs may come from pain. Flagging stamina on walks, it notes, is often mistaken for old age. Some owners only realize their dog was in pain once it's treated and the dog goes back to things it had given up.

AAHA's guidelines add that owners tend to watch for sudden pain rather than gradual change, may explain signs away and delay acting for several months, and that chronic pain can develop even in young dogs.

When to call the vet

AKC draws the line this way:

  • Sudden or severe pain, significant trouble moving, or signs of distress: seek emergency veterinary care right away. Don't wait and see.
  • Gradual changes: book an appointment as soon as possible, and describe what you've noticed so the clinic can judge how urgent it is.

If you're not sure, VCA's advice for older dogs is short: when in doubt, have it checked out.

Don't reach for your own medicine cabinet. Before giving a pain reliever meant for people, the FDA says, stop and call your veterinarian. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns that even some human medicines sold without a prescription can make pets very sick or even cause death. AKC adds that many medications safe for people can be dangerous for dogs. Give nothing without your vet's guidance.

What to write down for your vet

Many dogs behave differently at the clinic than at home, AKC notes, so what you saw matters. Merck says describing how your dog acts around the family is very important when the vet assesses chronic pain. AKC suggests detailed notes, plus photos and videos. AAHA's guidelines say owner photos and videos are useful when pain comes and goes, or only shows during activities that can't be repeated in the exam room.

A useful note covers:

  • The date you first noticed the change
  • What you saw, in plain words ("stopped twice on the stairs")
  • How long it's been going on
  • What seems to bring it on or make it worse
  • Anything else that's changed, like appetite or sleep
  • A short video of the moment, such as getting up or taking the stairs

What to include in a pet medical record covers the rest of the record, and how to keep a pet diary covers the habit.

If you want the notes in one place, a dated Health Episode entry in the Tamadoggo pet journal app holds what you saw, with up to three photos on the free plan. Keep the video on your phone for the appointment. The app doesn't diagnose anything. It just means you're not relying on memory in the exam room.

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