How to determine if your dog is in discomfort

maheshwari giri
4 min readMay 24, 2023

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Do you know types of that your dog might be in discomfort but is unable to convey? These conditions usually happen when the dog senses danger or is in pain.

Our dogs frequently suffer in silence. Because dogs cannot communicate, detecting whether they are in pain due to an injury or an underlying issue can be challenging. However, several indicators can indicate pain in dogs, some more evident than others.

Signs that your dog is in discomfort

Individual dogs’ signs of pain and discomfort might vary significantly based on their experience, age, and surroundings. Some dogs have a high pain threshold, while others are far more sensitive. But make no mistake: dogs feel pain and exhibit indicators of discomfort.

Antisocial or aggressive behaviour

Dogs may slow down to greet you at the door, avoid touch, or become hostile. If your dog is hiding or acting strangely antisocial, it could indicate that they are in pain. Any apparent change in behaviour should be taken seriously. Antisocial is one of the major signs that your dog is in discomfort.

Whining or crying

Whining might be your dog’s way of expressing fear or anxiety. If your dog is pacing, trembling, or panting while whimpering, they are probably afraid or nervous about something. Perhaps a new visitor or resident in the house is making your dog uneasy, or they are concerned because someone has gone missing.

Dogs suffering from separation anxiety frequently engage in destructive behaviour while you are away. These desensitization and counterconditioning approaches can help you treat your dog’s separation anxiety. There are numerous calming treats and tools for dogs available.

Biting, growling, or snapping continuously

A disease or illness may be to blame if a dog who has never shown signs of hostility suddenly begins snarling, snapping, or biting.

In dogs, pain is a prevalent source of hostility. Your suddenly violent dog could suffer from an injury or sickness that causes significant agony and stress. Arthritis, bone fractures, internal traumas, different cancers, and lacerations are all possible causes of pain.

Other disorders may damage your dog’s brain, resulting in irrational hostility. Cognitive impairment, brain disorders, or malignancies can trigger aggression.

If your dog exhibits sudden, unexplained aggressiveness, consult your veterinarian before attempting to handle it as a behavioural issue.

You may be tempted to give your dog pain medicine, but you should not do this. If your dog is sick, you must determine what’s wrong with it before treating it. Biting and snapping are the most common signs that your dog is in discomfort.

Changes in their eating and sleeping habits

Sometimes we ignore the sleeping and eating patterns of the dogs, but it is how you can determine if you are in discomfort. Most dogs are voracious feeders, eagerly devouring meals or savouring numerous goodies. As a result, when a dog’s appetite suddenly changes, it cannot be exceptionally comforting for pet parents, mainly since canines cannot communicate their feelings to us.

Specific internal and environmental stressors, like in humans, might impact your pup’s feeding patterns and cause a loss of appetite. Dogs’ bodies change as they get older. Their sense of smell and taste deteriorates, which may alter their food preferences or reduce their excitement at meals.

Furthermore, because they exercise and move around less, older dogs may consume less energy, which may explain why they aren’t as hungry as they once were. If your dog is ill, he may have an appetite or endure pain when eating. Infections, as well as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems, can induce a decrease or lack of appetite.

If your dog has tooth or gum damage, eating may be difficult for them, prompting them to shun food.

Changes in their body and posture

When in agony, some dogs adopt a stiff and hunched attitude, while others embrace the “prayer” posture, in which front legs are on the ground.

When your dog suffers from abdominal pain, frequently adopt the “prayer” position to stretch this area out. Don’t assume your dog’s trembling or shaking is due to being cold or elderly. Both can be pain symptoms or a more severe condition such as poisoning, pancreatitis, or renal failure.

Walking slower or refusing to walk

A dog may move slowly due to pain, tiredness, or lacking vitality. If you observe your pet napping more frequently, responding slowly to stimulation, and showing no interest in foods or treats, he may have slow mobility due to various underlying conditions.

If your pet must move slowly due to an injury, monitoring his behaviour to evaluate the severity is advisable. Your pet’s movements may be restricted due to fractures, injuries, or injured ligaments.

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maheshwari giri
maheshwari giri

Written by maheshwari giri

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Hello Guys, This is Maheshwari. Our family raises Labrador And Other Dog Puppies for the past 13 years.

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