Signs of Pain in Dogs and Cats: Small Changes Worth a Vet Visit

When you share your home with a pet, you get to know their little routines. Your dog follows you from room to room, or your cat settles into your lap when you sit down in the evening. So when something changes, even slightly, you notice.

Maybe your dog has started pausing at the stairs before following you up. Your cat still comes over for attention, but stays beside the couch instead of jumping into your lap. It’s easy to wonder whether they’re tired, getting older, or simply doing something different. But changes in familiar activities can also be signs of pain in dogs and cats, even without an obvious injury or crying.

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, established by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. So this month, we’re taking a closer look at how pets show discomfort, what you can watch for at home, and when to call your veterinarian.

At Small Miracles Animal Hospital, we’re here to help you make sense of those changes. If you’ve been wondering whether something is bothering your pet, that’s a good reason to get in touch.

How Can You Tell If Your Pet Is in Pain?

One of the most useful things you can do is pay attention to what’s normal for your pet. Think about how they usually move around the house, settle down to rest, eat, groom themselves, and spend time with your family.

A change in those habits is important to discuss with your veterinarian. Pain is one possible explanation, but illness, stress, and other problems can affect behavior, too. Describing what you’ve noticed helps your vet understand what has changed and decide what to check.

Signs of Pain in Dogs

First, let’s talk about some common signs of pain in dogs. Limping may be an obvious sign that something is wrong, but other changes can be less noticeable. Your dog may still join you for a walk or get onto the couch, even though those activities seem harder than they used to. Just like with humans, the signs of pain and discomfort can sometimes come on gradually and/or be subtle at first, so watch for: 

• Difficulty getting up or laying down: Your dog takes longer to stand after lying down.

• Changes in movement: They seem stiff, limp, or walk differently than usual.

• Trouble with stairs or furniture: They hesitate at steps or struggle to get onto the couch.

• Less interest in activity: They’re less willing to go for walks, run, or play.

• Changes in temperament: They seem unusually irritable or begin showing aggression.

• Panting: Panting is not just a sign of being hot but can indicate other issues such as pain.

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These changes can occur with osteoarthritis in dogs, a disease that affects the joints. Your veterinarian will need to examine your dog to determine whether arthritis, an injury, or another condition is causing the problem.

Signs of Pain in Cats

Cats are excellent at hiding pain: this is an evolutionary survival instinct, as showing weakness could make them more vulnerable to predators. Even at home, signs of discomfort can be subtle, such as jumping less, grooming less, or spending more time alone. Pain in cats can be especially easy to miss when the changes happen gradually. Your cat may even start avoiding a favorite perch or become less interested in being brushed.

Watch for changes such as:

• Different jumping habits: Your cat hesitates before jumping or stops getting onto favorite furniture or perches.

• Changes in grooming: Their coat looks less cared for or begins to develop mats.

• Less activity or interaction: They play less, hide more, or spend less time with the family.

• Sensitivity to touch: They pull away or object to brushing, petting, or being picked up.

• Appetite changes: They show less interest in food.

• Not resting comfortably: They can appear to want to sleep, but not be able to. For example: perhaps they are in a loaf position, but are not actually sleeping

Arthritis can also make getting into the litter box difficult, so if you suspect this might be the case, a box with a low entrance may make it easier for your cat to get in and out comfortably. If your cat starts having accidents, though, it’s important to have them checked rather than assuming the box is the problem. Urinary disease and other conditions can also cause changes in bathroom habits.

If your cat repeatedly strains to urinate but produces little or no urine, seek veterinary care immediately. This can be a sign of a urinary blockage, which is a potentially life-threatening emergency.

Could My Pet Be in Pain Without Crying?

Yes, a pet can be in pain without crying or making much noise at all. Cats in particular may show discomfort through changes in their behavior, so it helps to look at how your pet is managing everyday activities.

If they’ve gradually stopped doing things they used to enjoy, bring it up with your veterinarian. You don’t need to wait for yelping or a noticeable limp to ask whether something could be hurting. Think about humans: we only cry out if we have sharp sudden pain or such severe pain that we are incapacitated. We talk to one another about our pain. Dogs and cats can't talk to us: so verbal cues are few and very significant if they are crying out.

Is My Pet Just Getting Older or Could It Be Arthritis?

It’s understandable to associate slowing down with getting older. But when your pet becomes stiff or has trouble moving around, it’s worth finding out why. Arthritis is one possibility and an examination can help your veterinarian determine what’s going on.

Pain can also come from dental disease, spinal problems, and other conditions. And pain isn’t just limited to older pets: chronic joint pain can affect younger pets, too.

Not sure what to say - or even doubting whether it’s pain or just a new preference for your pet? Try describing the change in terms of something your pet used to do: “She used to jump onto the bed every night, and now she stays on the floor.” That gives your veterinarian a clearer picture than saying she’s getting older or slowing down.

Looking for more ways to support your pet as they age? Check out our senior pet care tips.

What Should I Record Before the Appointment?

A few notes can make it easier to explain what you’ve been seeing. A short video may help, too, especially if what you’re noticing doesn’t happen all the time or your pet gets nervous during vet visits. Pets may behave differently in an unfamiliar setting, which can make signs of pain harder to spot. A video lets us see how your pet moves and behaves at home, where they’re more comfortable.

If you’ve noticed changes or what seems like it might be pain, here are some useful things to note, before your vet visit:

• What changed and when you first noticed it.

• Whether it happens every day or comes and goes.

• Which activities seem difficult.

• Any changes in eating, grooming, sleep, or bathroom habits.

• All medications and supplements your pet takes.

If you can safely record your pet moving around on their own, try to include their whole body in the video. Don’t ask them to repeat a movement that seems uncomfortable just to capture it. Whatever information you already have is enough to start the conversation, so don’t put off calling while you gather more.

When Does My Pet Need Emergency Care?

Some signs need immediate attention. Seek emergency veterinary care right away if your pet:

• Is in severe pain.

• Has difficulty breathing.

• Collapses.

• Suddenly cannot stand or walk.

• Repeatedly strains to urinate but produces little or no urine.

• Physically unable to walk or stand, or dragging their back legs.

These are among the signs that your pet needs urgent care. Don’t wait for a routine appointment.

For new limping, stiffness, reduced activity, or other concerning changes, call your veterinarian promptly and describe what you’re seeing. The team can help determine how soon your pet needs to be examined. You can also call if you’re unsure whether a change requires emergency care.

What Can I Give My Dog or Cat for Pain?

When your pet seems uncomfortable, it’s natural to want to help right away. Always check with your veterinarian before giving pain medication, including anything you already have at home.

Human pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and other human pain relievers can cause serious harm to pets when used without veterinary direction. Acetaminophen can be fatal to cats and should never be given to them. Leftover medication prescribed for another pet may also be unsafe for the pet you’re trying to help.

If you’ve already given your pet a human pain reliever without veterinary instructions, or they’ve accidentally swallowed one, contact a veterinarian or animal poison service immediately.

How Can Small Miracles Help Treat My Pet’s Pain?

Once we understand what is causing your pet’s discomfort, we can talk through the treatment options. Our services at Small Miracles include Solensia injections for cats, NSAIDs such as Onsior or Metacam, dental care, Gabapentin for pain control, and soft tissue surgery. We also offer digital X-rays, which may help us investigate the cause of pain when imaging is appropriate.

Solensia Injections for Cats With Arthritis Pain

We offer Solensia, a once-monthly injection to control pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats. It is given under the skin at the veterinary clinic.

Solensia contains frunevetmab, a monoclonal antibody. That means it is a specially designed protein that attaches to a specific target in the body. In this case, the target is nerve growth factor, a protein involved in arthritis pain. By blocking its effects, Solensia can help reduce that pain.

For families who struggle to give their cat daily medication, a monthly injection may be a helpful option. Solensia is intended to manage arthritis pain; it does not rebuild damaged joints or cure arthritis.

Your veterinarian will review your cat’s health history and current medications, discuss possible side effects, and help you decide whether it is an appropriate treatment. Follow-up appointments allow us to assess whether it is helping your cat move and manage everyday activities more comfortably.

Is There a Similar Arthritis Injection for Dogs?

Librela is a once-monthly injection approved to control osteoarthritis pain in dogs. It contains bedinvetmab, a different monoclonal antibody that also targets nerve growth factor. Solensia is for cats, and Librela is for dogs; the two products are not interchangeable.

Ask our team about treatment options for your dog and whether a monthly injection is worth considering. Librela has potential side effects, including serious reactions, so your veterinarian will review your dog’s medical history with you and discuss whether it’s the right choice for your pup. 

Sometimes, there is also the possibility of being able to treat with NSAIDs, gabapentin and amantadine orally. Your vet will discuss the best options for your pet’s specific situation.

Treatment Depends on What Is Hurting

Arthritis injections - like Solensia and Librela - are intended only for arthritis pain. A pet with a painful tooth, an injury, or another problem needs care suited to that condition. This is why it’s so important that your veterinarian looks at all of the evidence and carefully evaluates what the root cause of the pain is likely to be. 

How Can I Help My Pet Stay Comfortable at Home?

Making everyday activities easier can help pets who have trouble getting around. Ask your veterinarian which adjustments would suit your pet. They may suggest:

• Adding secure, nonslip rugs where your pet regularly walks.

• Providing a comfortable bed they can get into easily.

• Placing food and water where they can reach them comfortably.

• Giving cats a roomy litter box with a low entrance.

• Using stable pet steps or a ramp to make access easier, if appropriate.

For cats, keeping food, water, and a litter box on the same level of the house where they spend most of their time can reduce trips up and down the stairs. You can also provide litterboxes on every floor so they have easy access to the bathroom. Cat Friendly Homes offers additional suggestions for making your home easier for your cat to navigate.

Making your home easier to get around can help your pet feel more comfortable, but they may also need treatment for whatever is causing the pain. Your veterinarian can explain which options make sense for your pet, whether that’s medication, help reaching a healthy weight, or exercises suited to their needs. At follow-up visits, we’ll talk about how they’re doing at home and whether their treatment needs adjusting.

Concerned About a Change in Your Pet?

If your pet seems less comfortable doing things they used to do easily, we’d like to hear about it. Whether you’ve noticed trouble with the stairs, changes in grooming, or a new reluctance to be picked up, sharing those details can help us understand what your pet needs.

Call Small Miracles Animal Hospital in Strongsville at (440) 234-7773, or contact our team to ask a question or schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you care for your furry family member. 🐾