Your puppy may be really good at masking their pain…or they might be the sort who yelps in anticipation of pain that hasn’t even occurred yet. Either way, your young dog’s behavior changes in the face of pain. Learning to recognize behavioral signs of pain is important for early intervention in pain-causing conditions.
Dogs sometimes have obvious signs of pain, such as limping, but some indications of pain can be subtle.
Changes to appetite
A dog may be reluctant to eat if they have gastrointestinal pain, back/neck pain that prevents them from lowering their head to the food bowl or pain in their mouth. Excessive drooling may also indicate pain in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract. Some dogs experiencing pain may overeat as a form of self-soothing.
Changes to elimination habits
Dogs with musculoskeletal pain, such as arthritis, may struggle to posture to eliminate. Your dog may be defecating without squatting, for example. Although you may think of arthritis as an old dog issue, young dogs with old injuries, infections or developmental conditions (e.g., hip dysplasia) may have arthritis. Sprains, strains and fractures can also cause musculoskeletal pain.
A dog with urinary tract pain may have accidents in the house or repeatedly posture to urinate while they’re outside.
Hiding or self-isolation
If your usually social dog is spending a lot of time hiding under the table or in rooms on their own, they may be in pain.
Reluctance to play
A sudden decrease in playfulness should be investigated as a potential indication of pain.
Hunched posture
A dog with back or abdominal pain may have a hunched posture.
Increased aggression
Increased tendency to growl or attempts to bite should be investigated as indicators of pain.
Increased anxiety
A dog in pain may pace, whine, struggle with being alone or become destructive.
If you’re concerned that your young dog may be experiencing behavioral changes due to pain, contact your VCA care team for an evaluation. Your veterinary team will examine your puppy and perform necessary diagnostics to determine if pain is present and, if so, where the pain is originating from. It’s possible for some behavioral indications of pain to overlap with behavioral changes due to other issues, such as anxiety. Your VCA care team is happy to help you tease out the cause of your puppy’s behavioral changes.
