09/06/2026
This month, among other things, is Animal Pain Awareness Month!
As veterinary professionals, we get asked a lot about whether or not we think our patients are in pain. It's more difficult as a pet parent to assess for this than it is as a human parent.
When animals are in pain, they may not necessarily cry like they do in the movies. Sometimes, their symptoms of pain can be really subtle - they might shiver or tremble, pant more often, limp, overgroom or lick incessantly the area that they are painful in, pace around the house because they can't get comfortable, and have a reduced appetite.
They also may become less social with the family, find a quiet hideaway so that they won't get bothered by guests or other more exuberant pets in the house, resist being petted or groomed, and spend more time on the floor rather than on a couch or bed that they would usually lay on (because it hurts to jump up onto the furniture).
If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, consider having them checked over! Symptoms of pain may be subtle, but that doesn't mean that they don't exist.
