Signs Your Pet May Be in Pain — and What to Do Next

A normally social dog who starts withdrawing, or a gentle cat who begins growling or hissing when touched, may be reacting to pain rather than a personality shift. Animals that hurt often become either unusually quiet and reclusive or uncharacteristically irritable and defensive. This is one of the most reliable early indicators owners can observe, because it represents a clear departure from an individual animal's baseline.

Pay attention to reactions when you touch specific areas of the body — flinching, snapping, or vocalizing during handling points to localized discomfort. Understanding your pet's normal temperament is what makes these shifts meaningful, so consistent daily interaction matters.

Pain often shows up in how an animal holds its body. A dog may stand with an arched back, shift its weight frequently, or be reluctant to lie down and get back up. Cats in pain sometimes adopt a hunched, tucked posture with elbows turned out and eyes partially closed — a posture veterinarians associate with active discomfort.

Limping is an obvious red flag, but subtler mobility changes matter too: hesitating at stairs, refusing to jump onto furniture a pet previously enjoyed, or moving more stiffly after rest. These postural cues can reflect musculoskeletal pain, internal discomfort, or injury. See our guide to recognizing pet emergencies if your pet suddenly cannot bear weight or shows signs of trauma.

A pet that suddenly loses interest in food — or approaches its bowl, then backs away — may be experiencing oral pain, nausea associated with internal discomfort, or pain that makes the physical act of eating difficult. Dental disease, for instance, is a common source of chronic pain in both dogs and cats that owners frequently miss because pets learn to adapt rather than stop eating altogether.

Watch for dropping food, chewing on only one side, drooling more than usual, or pawing at the mouth. Appetite changes lasting more than 24–48 hours warrant a call to your veterinarian, especially if accompanied by other signs on this list.

Both over-grooming and under-grooming can indicate pain. A cat that stops grooming a normally clean coat may be too uncomfortable to twist into grooming positions — often a sign of arthritis or injury. Conversely, a pet that obsessively licks or chews a specific area of its body is often drawing attention to a source of pain or irritation beneath the surface, even when the skin looks intact.

Dogs in pain sometimes lick their paws excessively or bite at their flanks. Cats may over-groom their abdomen if experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort. Reviewing body language signals in pets can help you interpret whether these behaviors are pain-related or stress-driven.

Shallow, rapid breathing in a resting animal — without exercise or heat as a cause — can indicate pain or respiratory distress. Some dogs pant heavily when hurting even in cool environments. Cats rarely vocalize pain loudly, but sudden yowling, whimpering when touched, or whining during normal activities are meaningful signals that should not be dismissed as behavioral quirks.

Increased vocalization during activities that were previously comfortable, like being lifted or walking, is particularly telling. Because animals are wired to mask vulnerability, any consistent auditory or breathing change deserves investigation rather than a wait-and-see approach.

If you observe two or more of these signs, or notice a single dramatic change, contact your veterinarian. Describe what you observed specifically: when it started, how often it occurs, and whether anything seems to make it better or worse. This information helps the vet triage urgency accurately.

Do not administer human pain medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin to pets. These are toxic to many animals and can cause severe organ damage or death. Only use medications explicitly prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for your specific pet.

While waiting for your appointment, keep your pet calm and comfortable, limit physical activity, and avoid manipulating the painful area. For guidance on which situations require immediate rather than scheduled care, review our article on recognizing true pet emergencies.