We all know what acute pain looks and feels like. This is the broken leg, or the post op neuter/spay, or the bite wound, and even the dreaded porcupine quills in the face. Ouch! But do you know what chronic pain is? The signs are slower onset, more subtle and hence more difficult to recognize.
Common Signs of Pain in Dogs
Decreased social interaction
Anxious expression
Submissive behavior
Refusal to move
Whimpering
Howling
Growling
Guarding behavior
Aggression; biting
Decreased appetite
Self-mutilation (chewing)
Changes in posture
Common Signs of Pain in Cats
Reduced activity
Loss of appetite
Quiet/loss of curiosity
Changes in urinary/defecation habits
Hiding
Hissing or spitting
Lack of agility/jumping
Excessive licking/grooming
Stiff posture/gait
Guarding behavior
Stops grooming/matted fur
Tail flicking
Weight loss
