September is Animal Pain Awareness Month

Can you tell if your pet is in pain? Would you or do you know the signs? Animals are really good at hiding pain. Here is some information to help you be able to identify pain in your pet.
Just because our pets can’t verbally say when something is wrong, doesn’t mean they aren’t trying to tell us in other ways.

As responsible pet owners, it’s our job to pay attention to all that our cats, dogs, and other cuddly creatures are letting us know about their health and comfort.

Fortunately, just as there are certain signs that indicate when a pet is ill, there are quite a few easy signals that can help us detect when our pets are in pain.

Pets feel pain the same way we do, but they don’t always show it in the same way. A pets pain can become evident through physical symptoms, behavioral changes and/or mobility issues. These might be subtle, so stay vigilant and never be afraid to ask your vet about anything that might signal that your pet is in pain.

Physical Symptoms

When a pet is experiencing pain, you might notice slight physical changes or how they carry their body. Here are a few physical signs that your pet may be in pain:

• Tight or twitching muscles
• Shaking or trembling
• Arched back
• Holding their head below their shoulders
• Panting

Behavioral Changes

A pet that is in pain tends to behave differently than usual. Just like us, animals tend to be crankier when they are experiencing pain. Here are a few behavioral signs that might indicate that your pet is experiencing pain:

• Not wanting to be touched
• Excessive licking
• Excessive vocalization
• Restlessness
• Aggression
• Mobility Issues

If a pet has sustained an injury or is dealing with arthritis, you may notice changes in their mobility. Here are common signs of pain in pets that affect their mobility:

• Limping
• Walking slower or refusing to walk
• Reluctance to jump or use stairs
• Reluctance or inability to lie down or get up

Pain may have any number of causes — some easy to fix, others more serious — but knowing there is a problem can help us find the source as soon as possible, We are here for you friends! Call us today to schedule an appointment and together we can discover how to get your cuddly best on the path to recovery!