Recognizing pet pain: the subtle signs owners miss

Quick answer: Notice changes in posture, movement, appetite, grooming, sleep, or behavior. One concerning change can justify a call; do not wait for two or three signs. Give pain medicine only as prescribed for this pet, and seek urgent care for severe pain, breathing difficulty, collapse, or inability to urinate.

Pain may be subtle or obvious, and similar signs can have different causes. Record changes and contact the clinic rather than waiting for the next annual examination.

Posture changes

• Hunched back, especially in cats.
• Tucked belly.
• Reluctance to lie down on a particular side.
• Difficulty settling into a comfortable position.
• Standing with weight shifted off one leg.

Movement changes

• Slower or hesitant climbing of stairs.
• Stopping at the bottom of stairs before going up.
• No longer jumping onto a favorite spot.
• Limping (obvious) or subtle gait differences (intermittent).
• Stiffness after rest, especially first thing in the morning.

Grooming changes

• Decreased overall grooming, especially in cats.
• Over-grooming or licking a single area (often the painful spot).
• Matting in places previously well-kept.
• Hair loss from over-licking.

Behavior changes

• Increased hiding.
• Becoming clingy when previously independent.
• Irritability when touched in a particular spot.
• Snapping or hissing where the pet previously did not.
• Loss of interest in favorite activities.
• Sleeping more or less than usual.
• Vocalizing more, especially at night.

Eating and drinking changes

• Decreased appetite or refusal of favorite foods.
• Dropping food from the mouth (possible dental pain).
• Approaching the food bowl and walking away.
• A change in drinking can indicate several medical problems and warrants veterinary advice; it is not a specific pain test.

Litter box and bathroom changes

Changes in urination or stool can have medical causes. Repeated straining with little or no urine is an emergency. See changes in the litter box.

Cat-specific pain signs

The Feline Grimace Scale assesses several facial features for acute pain. This short list is not a substitute for the tool’s training or veterinary assessment:

• Ears flattened or rotated outward.
• Squinting or partial eye closure.
• Muzzle tension and changes in whisker position; in the scale, straight whiskers moving forward can accompany pain.
• Head held lower than normal.

What NOT to do

• Do not give human pain medications — acetaminophen is potentially fatal in cats; ibuprofen and naproxen are dangerous in both species.
• Do not assume the pet will “walk it off.”
• Do not push or palpate a suspected painful area without vet guidance.
• Do not punish behavior changes (snapping, hiding) that are pain responses.

When to call the vet

• Any persistent or concerning change from your pet’s usual behavior; you do not need to collect several signs before calling.
• A single significant change (refusing meals, sudden lameness, hiding all day).
• Any vocalizing when touched.
• Visible swelling or wound.
• Trouble breathing — emergency.

How Driyu can help

Pro health observations can help you record what changed and when. Keep clinical details private and show the relevant information to your vet; Driyu does not diagnose pain or alert the clinic automatically.