If you have an adult dog, it’s recommended they visit the vet once every year. Of course, if anything goes wrong, you should up that number.
Just as humans can differ in health problems from individual to individual, the same goes for our canine friends. While 1 dog you’ve had barely needed to go to the vet, another may potentially have to be a regular patient.
At the first sign of discomfort or pain, you should make a vet appointment. But are you wondering about how to tell if a dog is in pain?
In this article, we’ll give you some great advice on how to tell if a dog is in pain.
Shaking and Trembling
If your dog is cold, they might shake and tremble to warm up. But if you’ve noticed them doing this frequently and the weather’s not very chilly, then it might be a sign that your pet is in pain.
Not only is this a sign that they have pain somewhere, but it can also point towards something more serious, such as poisoning. If the shaking and trembling are accompanied by vomiting, then it’s most likely that your dog’s eaten something they shouldn’t have.
In this case, you need to make a vet appointment right away. They’ll be able to prescribe medications that not only help with the discomfort, but will also get the poison out of their system quickly and safely.
Limping
Have you noticed a change in your pup’s gait? Are they favoring some legs over others? Does a leg seem stiff?
These are all signs that there’s something wrong in their joints. For younger dogs, this can mean they’ve injured themselves, perhaps from being too rambunctious and jumping off a ledge that was just a little too high. You’ll need a vet visit to get an x-ray so you can rule out any broken bones.
For older dogs, limping and stiffness are symptoms of things like arthritis. Like with humans, canines wear out their bones and joints with age, which can cause some pain in later life.
To strengthen their bones, you might want to consider joint care for dogs. These are supplements that are filled with rich nutrients and vitamins to give great bone support. They’re similar to the supplements the elderly take to help their bones too!
Difference in Breathing
It’s normal for your pooch to pant after they’ve had some physical activity. But if you hear your pet panting heavily without any exercise, this can be a sign of pain.
On the other hand, shallow breathing can also be a red flag. Shallow and quick breaths can indicate painful breathing, so you want to get their lungs and heart checked out at the vet.
Change in Appetite
We’ve all felt it before: a toothache or headache that was so bad, we just didn’t have an appetite. So maybe we’ve skipped a few meals just because we weren’t feeling well.
This can happen in our 4-legged friends too. They may seem to act fine, but maybe you’ve noticed that their food and water bowls are fuller than usual. They’re not hounding you for treats as much either.
This can definitely be a sign that your pooch isn’t feeling their greatest. The pain can be anywhere in the body, including the gums and teeth, which can prevent them from eating properly.
Any changes in appetite warrant a trip to the vet so you can get to the root cause of the pain.
Lower Energy Levels
If you’re in pain, you probably don’t want to do much. The same goes for your dog.
If they’re normally all over the place and chomping at the bit, you’ll quickly notice a difference in their energy levels if they’re in pain. Your dog might sleep more, stay in their dog bed for longer, and have trouble sleeping (which can contribute to lower energy levels).
Again, you’ll want to take your pup to the vet to find out what exactly is wrong.
Restlessness
On the other hand, a dog in pain might be restless.
The pain and discomfort might be too much for them, so they might pace around. Your canine friend might also keep sitting and getting up, as well as readjust their position frequently.
These are all signs that your dog just can’t get comfortable, no matter what they do. A vet will be able to examine them and narrow down what’s wrong with Fido.
Changes in Behavior
Is your pup usually very friendly and doesn’t bark much? Then you might be shocked when all of a sudden, they become standoffish. Your dog might avoid interaction with you, have more vocalizations, and even try to bite you when you attempt to pet them.
Understand that your pooch isn’t feeling 100% and you might be trying to touch an area that’s incredibly painful to them. This might actually be helpful, as you’ll be able to get an idea of where their pain is coming from.
Make sure to tell the vet all the details on how your pet’s acting. This can help immensely in figuring out what’s causing your dog pain.
Know How to Tell If a Dog Is in Pain
Now that you know how to tell if a dog is in pain, you’ll feel better about your pet’s quality of life. When you can spot those tell-tale signs promptly, it’ll enable you to get your dog to a vet ASAP to figure out what’s wrong. Not only will this help your pooch lead a healthier and longer life, but it’ll also give you some peace of mind.
So make sure to be vigilant about how your dog’s acting and feeling. With swift action, many ailments and injuries can be quickly healed!
Did you like this article on how to tell if your dog is in pain? Then make sure you read our other blog posts for more helpful pet information!
