How to Assess if Your Dog Is in Pain: Signs & Symptoms

It is distressing to realise that your dog might be in pain, but identifying this early is crucial to ensure they get the help they need promptly. Dogs cannot tell us when they are hurting, so awareness of common signs and symptoms is essential for responsible pet ownership.

Veterinary professionals use several standard approaches and pain scales to assess the severity of pain in dogs. These scales help communicate and quantify pain, guiding treatment decisions. As a dog owner, understanding the typical signs of pain and how discomfort may manifest can help you recognise when to seek veterinary advice.

Signs Your Dog Is Not in Pain

• Your dog appears content, relaxed, and comfortable, showing normal behaviour and alertness.
• They rest peacefully without signs of distress or discomfort.
• If recovering from injury or surgery, they do not focus on or attend to the affected area.
• Their posture is normal, without stiffness, tension, or guarding any body part awkwardly.

Signs of Mild Pain in Dogs

• Your dog may be a little restless while settling to rest and may take longer to settle than usual.
• They show slightly reduced responsiveness to commands or appear a bit distracted.
• They may glance at or react slightly to the site of an injury or surgical area, perhaps flinching if touched.
• There may be mild stiffness or tension in their body posture.

Recognising Moderate Pain

• Dogs with moderate pain often cannot rest comfortably and display awkward or fidgety behaviour.
• Whimpering, quiet crying or vocalisations may occur.
• They frequently look at, lick, or try to disturb a wound or painful site.
• Posture changes such as a tucked tail, hunched back, drooping ears, or furrowed brows can be present.
• The dog may withdraw socially and respond reluctantly or not at all to commands.
• They might display defensive behaviour when touched around the painful area.
• Body tension and stiffness are usually evident.

Signs Your Dog Has Moderate to Acute Pain

• Highly unsettled and unable to settle to rest, possibly groaning or crying when moving.
• Protective and fixated on the site of pain, with attempts to bite or obsessively lick the area.
• Marked pain response to touch with yelping, snapping, or alternatively, lack of response if pain is overwhelming.
• Body may be extremely stiff and tense, possibly with tremors.
• Reluctance or inability to move normally.

Indicators of Severe Pain

• Continuous vocalisation such as howling or groaning, or complete silence due to shock.
• Minimal awareness of surroundings and unresponsiveness to stimuli.
• Aggression when touched, potentially causing serious bites.
• Extreme guarding of painful areas with stiff or limp body posture.

How Vets Assess and Manage Pain in Dogs

Veterinarians commonly use validated pain scales like the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (GCMPS) to evaluate your dog’s pain based on behaviours and physical signs. These include assessing vocalisation, posture, mobility, reaction to touch, and general attitude. The score obtained helps guide effective treatment planning, whether medication, surgery, or other interventions.

Early recognition and professional assessment mean better management of your dog’s pain and a quicker recovery. If you suspect your dog is uncomfortable or behaving unusually, contact your vet promptly for guidance and support. Responsible dog ownership includes being attentive to these subtle cues and acting with care.