Identifying Pain For Dogs and Cats

Do you know how to tell if your pet is in pain? September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, so we’ve put together a brief list to help you identify pain for both dogs and cats.

What if your dog or cat could tell you if they were in pain? As humans, we have the advantage of being able to describe our aches and pains, but dogs and cats don’t have it quite so easy. As owners, we know that our pets can suffer from pain just like we do, but we may not be able to tell right away or know what to look for. Sometimes it’s easy to notice, for example, if your dog suddenly starts limping. But not always. For example, cats are especially adept at hiding pain. While signs vary widely, here are some behaviors to look out for.

 Signs of Pain In Dogs

  • Less playful or social
  • Reduced activity
  • Reduced appetite
  • Submissive behavior
  • Whimpering or howling
  • Guarding behavior
  • Aggression, biting, or growling
  • Self-mutilation
  • Changes in posture or gait

Signs of Pain in Cats

  • Reduced activity
  • Loss of appetite
  • Less playful
  • Reluctance to jump up or down
  • Repeated grooming – especially in one area
  • Changes in posture or gait
  • Avoiding physical contact or hiding
  • Stops grooming
  • Tail flicking, hissing, or spitting

 

Our pets can experience pain for a variety of reasons whether it’s acute, which happens suddenly due to injury, surgery, or illness or chronic, which is persistent over time due to conditions like arthritis or more serious diseases. The exact reasons can be complex, so if you suspect your dog or cat is experiencing pain, the first step is always to talk to your veterinarian. Your vet will examine your pet to help determine the cause of it and provide treatment suggestions and may prescribe a pain reliever to manage their symptoms.

VetRxDirect offers a variety of medications for both dogs and cats. Learn more about these to popular medications, or visit website.

Onsior Pain Medication for Cats at VetRxDirectOnsior, robenacoxib, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) designed to relieve pain and inflammation in cats. This medicine is commonly prescribed for cats recovering from surgery, soft-tissue injury, or cats with certain types pain. Onsior comes in small, flavored tablets.

 

 

 

OstiLox Pain Medication at VetRxDirectOstiLox, meloxicam, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation for dogs. This medication is prescribed for dogs with discomfort caused by osteoarthritis or other joint problems. OstiLox comes in a flavored liquid.

 

 

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