As pet owners it’s obvious when we feel pain because we have a tendency to complain about whatever it is that is bothering us. We stepped on a Lego brick in the middle of the night or maybe we’ve been working in the garden. Whatever the reason, for our pain, we are able to vocalize it everyone around us or even to the doctor if necessary.
Dogs, however, aren’t so good at communicating to their owners when they feel pain but it’s clear that when we look at them, that something hurts. Even though our dogs might limp or cry out in pain, their symptoms aren’t nearly as obvious as ours when it comes to hurting.
Today we are going to talk about ways that we, as pet owners, can determine if our pets are in pain. Here are things to look for:
Excessive Vocal Sounds
When our dogs are in pain they may try to be tough about it, but when we hear them cry out for no particular reason, they might be hurting somewhere in their body. A dog that is hurting might whine, whimper, yelp, growl, snarl or possibly even howl. If this is outside the norm for your dog, you might want to investigate as to why your pooch is acting this way.
Excessive/Constant Grooming
Dogs that are in pain my often lick their paws excessively in an attempt to ease their pain. When a dog is hurt his first instinct is to clean and care for his wounds by licking them. If your dog has a visible injury then it’s pretty clear as to why he is licking himself, but if not, his pain is most likely internal. If dogs’ have eye pain they’ll lick their eyes as well to try to make themselves feel better.
Changes in Sleeping, Drinking and Eating
If your dog is normally a voracious eater and suddenly he quits eating then there might be a problem and the same goes for drinking if he leaves his water bowl full throughout the day.Have you noticed him sleeping more? Dogs that are in pain tend to sleep more than dogs that are well. If you notice any of the above three changes in your dog it might be time to call your veterinarian for an appointment.
Changes in Breathing
If your dog is panting even though he’s been inside the house this should be taken as a sign that he’s having difficulty breathing. Do his breathes seem fast or slow? Any changes in breathing are reason to take notice that your dog might not be feeling well.
Changes in Eyesight
Dogs that are suffering from eye pain might begin to squint or you may also not that your dogs’ eyes appear to look smaller. If he has pain in another part of his body the opposite will appear to be true. His pupils may appear to look larger.
Restlessness
When your dog is in pain it might be difficult for him to sit or even lie down long enough to rest. If you notice that your dog is sitting or lying in an unusual position or they seem to have trouble sitting still, then this is an indication that he might be in pain.
Withdrawing
Dogs that are in pain often want to be alone away from others and some may even hide.
Affection
While some dogs withdraw from their owners, other might seek attention. They may find that being around their owners makes them feel better.
Aggression
When your dog is injured or in pain he may go into ‘protective mode.’ He may want you to stay away because he’s worried that someone might hurt him. If your normally happy dog starts to growl or put his ears back he might be in pain. Something is worrying him and it’s up to you to find out what that is. On the other hand, dogs that are normally hyper or aggressive might suddenly regress. If this happens, once again, your dog might be in pain.
If you suspect that your dog might be in pain, the best thing for you to do is to gently touch your dog. If he cries out when you touch one of his paws then you know he doesn’t feel well. This will help you generalize the pain but as you touch your dog, be cautious. Dogs that normally don’t bite might react aggressively to your touch.
If you’re able to determine that your dog is in pain, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian for an appointment. He or she will help you determine what may or may not be wrong with your dog.
Today we would like to thank www.cesarsway.comfor helping us with this post. Be sure to check out their website to learn expert tips on dog training, dog safety, and more.
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