It’s never too hard to identify when a human is in pain or discomfort. Let’s say that your joints are stiff and causing you a lot of pain. You can easily communicate this to a doctor who can then help you find a solution for the pain. Or, for example, if you have a blinding headache, you will most likely complain to those around you or have painkillers to numb the pain.
Unfortunately, dogs can’t communicate in the same way. So even if your dog is in pain, you may never be able to tell unless you’re aware of the signs.
If your dog is whining all the time or limping, it may still be possible to tell that he is in pain. If not, though, you may have to really focus if you want to assess whether or not your dog is in pain.
Here are 8 signs that your dog is in pain.
While a dog in pain will try to be as tough as he can be, generally, a pup in pain will make noises that will let you know that something’s up. For example, if your pup is in pain, he is likely to whine, whimper, bark, and growl more than usual. He may even howl when the pain becomes too much to bear.
Sometimes when a dog is in pain, he will lick his paws in an attempt to make himself feel better. In fact, when a dog is hurt, his first instinct will be to clean his wounds.
If the wound is external and obvious, then this isn’t surprising. But even when the wound is internal or psychological, a dog will most likely still lick himself just to feel better.
If your pup has pain in his eyes, he will probably lick his paws then place them on his eyes to stop them from burning.
This is a bit tougher to notices, but it’ll help you better understand your dog’s condition if you’re able to pick up on these subtle signs. If you suddenly notice your pup excessively indulging in self-grooming, consider taking him to the vet.
Just as humans sleep a lot more when they are in pain, both physical and psychological, similarly, dogs too will sleep more when in pain. On the flip side, your dog could also stop sleeping altogether.
If it’s not the sleeping patterns, you’ll definitely notice a change in the eating habits of your precious pup. Your dog might not want to eat at its set mealtimes or may eat just a bit and then leave the rest of its bowl. Dogs love to eat and will never pass up an opportunity to chow down on some delicious food. So, if you notice that your dog isn’t eating like it used to, it’s time to take it to the vet.
If your pup is breathing heavily all of a sudden, even though it hasn’t done any heavy exercise, or if its breaths seem too shallow or too fast, it’s possible that your pup may just be in pain.
Not being able to breathe properly is an obvious indication that your dog might be experiencing some form of abdominal pain.
Frequent squinting is a major sign that your pup is experiencing a fair amount of pain. Another sign that involves the eyes is that your pup might start licking its paws and then rubbing its eyes in an attempt to stop the pain (mentioned earlier in this article). If the pain in the eyes is too severe, your dog’s eyes may start to look bloodshot.
Difficulty when it comes to sitting or lying down is a sure-fire sign that something is wrong with your pup. If it seems as though he is unable to sit or lie down properly, it’s an indication that he is injured or in pain.
One of two things will happen when your dog is unwell. Firstly, he may try to hide from you. This is his way of trying to be strong and tough. Secondly, he may do the complete opposite. Your dog may want to be around you even more than ever. You’re his source of comfort, so he’ll try to be around you as much as he can in an attempt to feel better.
Generally speaking, when an animal is in pain, it has a tendency to act out and get overly aggressive. This isn’t because it doesn’t like you or anything; it’s just a natural defense mechanism. Your dog is effectively trying to protect himself from further harm.
Your dog may bark at you more often, bite anything that comes in its way, and even growl excessively.
However, here’s where things get a bit murky. Dogs don’t just become aggressive as a result of physical pain. Sometimes, behavioral problems have a lot to do with this behavior.
One thing that you can do if you start noticing your dog being aggressive is to check his body for the source of pain. If the dog starts howling when you press a particular spot on his body, it is obvious that your dog is in pain, and you’ve located the source of its discomfort.
If you ever suspect that your dog is in pain, it’s best not to wait around. Instead, take your pup to a vet immediately. Only a pet can check your dog properly and diagnose the problem at hand.
Be vigilant, and take your pet to a vet immediately when you notice these 8 signs that your dog is in pain!
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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