Reading Your Pet’s Body Language: Subtle Clues They’re in Pain

Your dog no longer runs to the door to greet you. Your cat avoids her favorite sunny window ledge. Maybe your pet hesitates on the stairs or flinches when touched. Many families chalk these changes up to “just getting older,” but in reality, they’re often early signs of pain.

At Emergency Pet Hospital of Glendora, we know that pain doesn’t just affect a pet’s body. It changes their mood, mobility, and quality of life. The good news? Recognizing the clues early can restore comfort and joy.

Why Pet Pain Matters More Than You Think

Pain can be acute (sudden and obvious) or chronic (slow-building and easy to miss). Because animals instinctively hide discomfort, owners may not realize something is wrong until it becomes severe. This ability to mask symptoms is a survival mechanism that helps wild animals avoid appearing vulnerable to predators. Unfortunately, it means pets often suffer silently while owners assume nothing is wrong.

This is why small changes matter. Hesitating before jumping, skipping meals, or spending more time alone can be just as important as dramatic limping or crying out. Left untreated, pain can lead to muscle wasting, behavioral changes, and even permanent health issues.

Some of the most common conditions that cause pain in pets include:

  • Arthritis and orthopedic injuries
  • Dental disease
  • Post-surgical discomfort
  • Cancer
  • Eye conditions like glaucoma and dry eye
  • Chronic infections in hidden places like ear and anal glands

Even mild pain needs veterinary attention to prevent long-term complications.

Safety First: Handling a Pet in Pain

When pets are hurting, even the sweetest animals may react defensively. Pain can trigger protective instincts, and a sudden movement or touch on a sore spot can cause them to bite or scratch.

Safety tips for families include:

  • Use a soft muzzle for dogs during transport or handling if you need to lift or move them.
  • For cats, a towel wrap can limit movement and prevent scratching while still allowing gentle restraint.
  • An Elizabethan collar (cone) may protect both you and your pet by preventing sudden snapping if you touch a painful area.

Taking these precautions keeps both you and your pet safe while ensuring they still receive the urgent care they need.

Recognizing the Subtle Signs of Pain

Because pets rarely cry out until pain is severe, subtle changes in daily behavior are often the earliest clues.

Changes in Posture and Movement

  • Limping or lameness
  • Stiffness, reluctance to jump, or hesitating on stairs
  • Arched back, hunched posture, or difficulty rising

Behavioral Shifts

  • Skipping meals or eating less eagerly
  • Sleeping more than usual, or restlessly pacing at night
  • Grooming more or less than normal, or licking one area obsessively
  • Withdrawing from family interaction or hiding
  • Irritability or aggression when handled

Vocal and Facial Clues

  • Whining, yelping, or growling with movement
  • Cats may purr excessively when hurting
  • Subtle cues: squinting, ears pulled back, tight jaw

Understanding the Grimace Scales

Veterinary teams use “grimace scales” to interpret facial expressions of pain. Small shifts in ear angle, whisker tension, or eye squinting can reveal significant discomfort.

Cat Pain: A Special Challenge

Cats are especially skilled at masking pain, so the Feline Grimace Scale is an important tool. It evaluates:

  • Ear position (forward vs. flattened back)
  • Eye squinting or partially closed lids
  • Whisker angle (pushed forward or drooping back)
  • Head position (lowered vs. upright and alert)

Even subtle changes can indicate a cat is hurting. Owners should not dismiss these small signs, as cats often hide serious illness until it is advanced.

Pain Isn’t Always Obvious: Real-Life Examples

Not all painful conditions present in the same way. Sometimes, what looks like a minor issue can hide a much bigger problem. Noticing the pain early- and treating the cause early- can prevent major complications.

  • A cat bitten on the paw may limp for a day or two before an abscess forms. By the time swelling is visible, infection has already taken hold.
  • A dog struck by a car may appear alert and mobile immediately afterward, only to develop worsening pain or internal injury hours later.
  • A kitten with a broken tail from a door accident may act withdrawn, hide more than usual, or hiss when lifted.
  • Foxtails or grass awns can sneak between a pet’s toes, create a small puncture, then heal on the outside. Meanwhile, infection can spread deep inside the leg without outward signs.
  • Dense fur can mask bruising, swelling, or puncture wounds, delaying recognition of an injury.
  • Even broken bones can sometimes appear as nothing more than a slight limp or reluctance to put full weight on a leg.

Because pets instinctively hide weakness, these subtle signs can easily be overlooked. Any change in posture, gait, or daily behavior should be taken seriously. Prompt evaluation by a veterinarian prevents infections, hidden injuries, and fractures from becoming life-threatening emergencies.

How We Diagnose Pain in Pets

At Emergency Pet Hospital of Glendora, our team combines careful exams with advanced diagnostics to pinpoint the source of discomfort.

  • Bloodwork, urinalysis, and parasite testing help rule out systemic disease.
  • Digital radiographs reveal fractures, arthritis, or hidden injuries.
  • Ultrasound allows us to assess abdominal pain or soft tissue injury.
  • Echocardiograms are useful when cardiac disease is suspected.
  • CT imaging may be used for complex or unexplained pain.

Because adrenaline and cortisol release can mask symptoms during a veterinary visit, we encourage owners to take videos at home. If your pet limped, cried, or struggled to move at home but seems “better” at the clinic, we believe you. Your observations are essential.

Many painful pets also require sedation or anesthesia for diagnostics. Not only does this allow for accurate imaging and sampling, it keeps the experience safe and stress-free for both patient and staff.

Treatment Options: Relief Tailored to Each Pet

Managing pain requires an individualized plan based on the cause and severity.

Medications

Veterinarians may prescribe pain-relieving drugs such as NSAIDs, gabapentin, or tramadol. For chronic arthritis, monoclonal antibody injections like Librela for dogs or Solensia for cats can provide breakthrough relief.

Surgery

Some conditions, such as fractures, cruciate ligament tears, or advanced dental disease, require surgical correction for lasting comfort.

Physical Rehabilitation

Structured exercise, stretching, and hydrotherapy improve mobility and reduce stiffness. Learn more about veterinary rehabilitation.

Complementary Therapies

Options like acupuncture and laser therapy promote circulation, reduce inflammation, and aid healing.

Why Early Treatment and Preventive Care Matter

Ignoring pain does not make it go away. Early treatment prevents chronic pain syndromes, reduces anxiety and irritability, and protects long-term health.

Routine wellness exams play a critical role in catching issues early. Regular dental care prevents oral pain from advanced disease. For senior pets, more frequent checkups allow earlier intervention before pain becomes severe.

Prevention also means making smart adjustments at home:

  • Orthopedic bedding and heated pads for arthritic pets
  • Pet ramps or stairs to reduce joint strain
  • Short, frequent walks instead of long outings
  • Regular nail trims for stability
  • Harnesses or slings for mobility support

Proactive care keeps pets more comfortable, prevents emergencies, and reduces the need for intensive treatments later.

Don’t Let Your Pet Suffer in Silence

No pet should have to live with untreated pain. By recognizing the body language of discomfort and acting quickly, you can restore your pet’s comfort and even save their life.

If your pet is showing signs of pain, call us at (626) 702-2436 or contact us online. At Emergency Pet Hospital of Glendora, our experienced team provides diagnostics, treatment, and emergency care to help your pet feel like themselves again.