Are you familiar with identifying indications of pain in your beloved pets? Pain in pets can manifest in various ways, ranging from subtle to dramatic. Some pets are masters of disguise, while others express their agony overtly. In this discourse, we shall expatiate on signs of pain that you might notice in your furry companions, as well as preventive health measures to take.
Pets can experience pain similarly to humans. The distinction is that humans can easily communicate the need for medical attention or aid, whereas animals cannot express themselves as effortlessly. Being cognizant of common signs of pain can aid in observing your pet’s behavior and identifying when there is an underlying issue.
- Lack of appetite. When your pet is in any kind of distress, eating can be difficult and/or undesirable. It’s best to monitor this while continuing to encourage your pet to eat as best you can.
- Stress. Animals that are in discomfort, may also show signs of stress. Common signs are pacing, panting, drooling, vomiting, or whimpering.
- Neglect of hygiene. In some cases, if an animal is in pain, it will begin to ignore its coats and overall hygiene. It is very common for cats to display this behavior. Difficult to notice right away, but you will start to see your pet looking more dirty, oily, or developing a smell as this behavior continues.
- Whimpering, yelping, excessive barking/meowing, or growling are common sounds your pet may make when in pain. Your pet may do these to seek attention from you. Pay attention to normal vs abnormal behaviors of your pets so these signs are easier to detect in case of an emergency.
- Aggression. Sometimes when animals are in pain, they can resource to aggressive behaviors. This means they may growl, snap, bark, and even bite when pain is affecting them. This does not always mean your dog is aggressive, but it does mean they are strongly affected by the pain and they are trying to communicate that to you.
- Distancing themselves. It is common for animals to hide or separate themselves from the family or populated areas in your home when they are in pain. This behavior is especially prominent in cats.
If any of these signs are displayed in your pets, it is advised to consult with your veterinarian for professional advice.
Pain in your animals is something pet parents never want to witness. However, it is very important to know these signs and also know what to do with that information. Let’s go over what preventative health measures you can take in order to help keep your furry companion happy.
- Regular veterinary checkups. This can help your veterinarian keep records of your pet’s health, as well as provide more information if a problem were to occur.
- Owner awareness. To be the best owner you can be, it’s a great idea to keep track of normal vs abnormal behavior’s you have seen your pet display. This can help tremendously if your pet were to show an abnormal reaction or behavior due to pain.
- Alternative health maintenance measures. Animal care and wellness is a very wide field that is able to help your pet in many ways. Pain management or prevention can be assisted with animal massage, chiropractics, rehabilitation, and many more! Please speak to your veterinarian or animal health professionals about if this is a suitable option for your pets.
Remember that as pet owners, we are the best advocates for our pets. They cannot express themselves, so we must do our best to care for them.