Pain Recognition in Dogs: A Guide for Owners

Dogs routinely mask pain as an evolutionary survival strategy, making pain recognition a critical skill for owners and veterinarians seeking to identify and address animal suffering.

Key Facts

Dogs rarely vocalise when in pain, making owner and veterinary pain recognition challenging
The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale is a validated tool used in veterinary practice
Subtle behavioural signs of pain include reduced activity, reluctance to jump, and changes in posture
Facial expression changes including the brow action unit are detectable signs of pain in dogs
Chronic pain is consistently undertreated in companion animals compared to acute pain

Welfare Considerations

The evolutionary tendency of dogs to mask pain creates a significant welfare gap: many dogs live in chronic discomfort unrecognised by owners and clinicians. Subtle signs including changed gait, reduced activity, altered posture, and diminished engagement with play are frequently attributed to ageing rather than pain. Systematic pain assessment using validated scales, combined with owner education about normal versus pain-indicating behaviour, substantially improves welfare outcomes by enabling earlier intervention and treatment.

What You Can Do

Learn the subtle signs of pain specific to your dog's normal behavioural baseline
Request pain assessment using a validated scale at every veterinary visit for older or at-risk dogs
Trust your instinct if your dog seems less like themselves — pain is a common underlying cause
Advocate for pain management to be central to all veterinary treatments, not an afterthought