How will a dog act if it's in pain?

Dogs are notoriously good at hiding signs of pain, which is great as a survival tactic in the wild but not so good for the owners of domesticated dogs wanting to ensure their dog’s quality of life and wellbeing. As a descendant of wild wolves, our domesticated dog breeds are practiced at hiding signs of pain and discomfort, but there are still some important clues you can look for. General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite. On touch or inspection: Licking lips, flinching, turning head, moving to avoid touch, crying or vocally reacting, panting, increase in respiratory or heart rate, warmth of area, redness of area, swelling of area. It’s important to consider that often only a few of these behaviours are seen when an animal is in pain, and whilst they may be noticeable in an acutely painful condition, in more progressive or chronically painful conditions, these behaviours may be much subtler. You can monitor your pet to see: Do certain behaviours become common after exercise? Are behaviours more pronounced in the morning or evening? Are you more likely to see these behaviours after a longer walk at the weekend rather than a shorter one during the week?

If you spot any unusual behaviour, it could be a sign that they're in pain. Common behavioural signs of pain include a lack of interest in playing, walking or going outside, a lack of energy or depression, a reluctance to be touched or handled, toileting indoors, excessive licking where they feel pain, irritability or growling, whimpering or howling. Physical signs of pain may be easier to spot, especially if your dog is normally active. These include limping, a slower walk than normal or refusal to walk, a reluctance to lie down or difficulty getting up, difficulty jumping on furniture or using the stairs, difficulty eating. Chronic pain in dogs is ongoing pain that can affect your dog's day to day activities. Chronic pain can be caused by conditions such as arthritis and dental issues. As dogs get older, they are more likely to be affected by chronic pain.