How to tell if your pet is in pain
Pets are remarkably good at hiding pain — an instinct left over from being prey animals or pack animals where showing weakness was risky. That means the signs are often subtle, and easy to miss until they've been present for a while.
Behavioral signs
Reduced interest in play, reluctance to jump or use stairs, changes in sleeping position, increased hiding (especially in cats), or sudden irritability when touched in a specific area are all common behavioral indicators of pain.
Physical signs
Limping, excessive licking or grooming of one area, changes in appetite or water intake, panting at rest, and a hunched or tense posture are worth paying attention to, especially if more than one appears together.
Facial and body language cues
In both dogs and cats, pain often shows in the face before anywhere else — squinted or partially closed eyes, ears held differently than usual, and tension around the mouth. These are easy to miss unless you already know your pet's normal relaxed expression well.
When to call the vet
Any sudden behavior change, especially combined with even one physical sign, is worth a vet call rather than a wait-and-see approach. Pain that's caught early is almost always easier and less expensive to treat than pain that's been masked for weeks.
Stress and pain can look similar from the outside — our calm-down toolkit covers how to tell general stress signals apart.
Get "Calm-down toolkit"
Educational content only. This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for professional veterinary, behavioral, or medical advice — always consult a licensed professional about your own pet's specific needs. Frolicy's articles are researched from publicly available sources and written with AI assistance; they are not written or reviewed by a licensed veterinarian or behaviorist. Frolicy and its owners aren't liable for outcomes from following this content. See our Terms of Use for full details.