How to Tell if Your Dog Is in Pain: Signs to Know

When it's an emergency

Contact your vet straight away, or an emergency vet if they are closed, if your dog:

• Cries out, shakes or can't settle, and seems to be in severe pain
• Has a swollen, hard belly, or is retching without bringing anything up
• Won't put any weight on a leg, or a limb is at an odd angle
• Has had an accident, such as being hit by a car or a fall, even if they seem fine
• Is breathing with difficulty, has pale or blue-tinged gums, or has collapsed
• Can't walk properly, is dragging their back legs, or cries when their back or neck is touched
• Has a painful eye, especially if it is closed, cloudy or bulging
• Is straining to wee and passing little or nothing

Pain is never something to "wait and see" if it is severe or comes with any of these signs.

Why dogs hide pain

Dogs are good at carrying on despite discomfort. Excitement, a walk or a visitor can make a painful dog seem perfectly normal for a while, and many dogs will still wag their tail and greet you even when they hurt. Long-term pain, such as from arthritis, often creeps up so slowly that owners put the changes down to "just getting older".

This means it helps to look for small changes in your dog's everyday behaviour, rather than waiting for obvious crying or limping.

Signs of pain in dogs

Movement and posture

• Stiffness, especially after resting or first thing in the morning
• Limping, or shifting weight off one leg when standing
• Reluctance to jump into the car, onto the sofa, or to climb stairs
• Slowing down on walks, lagging behind or wanting to turn back early
• A hunched or tucked-up back, or a low head carriage
• Standing or sitting in an unusual position, or lying down carefully and slowly
• The "praying" position, with front legs on the floor and bottom in the air, which can signal tummy pain

Behaviour

• Restlessness, pacing or getting up and down repeatedly
• Difficulty getting comfortable or sleeping
• Hiding, seeking more attention than usual, or becoming clingy
• Grumbling, growling, snapping or flinching when touched, especially in a normally easy-going dog
• Less interest in play, toys or other dogs
• Not wanting to be groomed, picked up or have a particular area touched

Face and body

• Panting heavily when not hot or exercising
• Squinting, half-closed eyes or a worried expression
• Ears held back or flattened
• Trembling or shaking. Our guide to why dogs shake covers other causes.
• Licking, chewing or nibbling at one area

Eating and toileting

• Reduced appetite, or dropping food while eating, which can suggest mouth pain
• Difficulty squatting to toilet, or accidents indoors
• Straining or reluctance to pass faeces

For a broader guide to canine signals, see understanding dog body language.

Sudden pain or long-term pain?

	Sudden (acute) pain	Long-term (chronic) pain
How it starts	Usually obvious, often after an injury or illness	Gradual, over weeks or months
Common signs	Crying, limping, guarding, restlessness	Stiffness, slowing down, irritability, sleeping more
Examples	Cuts, sprains, tummy pain, ear infections	Arthritis, dental disease, back problems
What to do	Call your vet the same day, or immediately if severe	Book an appointment to discuss

Chronic pain is very common in older dogs and is often underestimated. Our guide to arthritis in dogs explains how it is managed, and dental disease is another frequent hidden cause of discomfort.

What to do if you think your dog is in pain

1. Keep them calm and comfortable. Let them rest somewhere quiet and soft, away from busy household traffic and boisterous pets.
2. Handle them gently. Even the sweetest dog may snap if they are hurting. Approach calmly, don't press on painful areas, and keep children away.
3. Ring your vet. Describe what you have seen, when it started and anything that might have triggered it.
4. Do not give human painkillers. Common human pain medicines can cause serious harm to dogs, including stomach ulcers, kidney damage and liver damage. Even medicines that are safe for people in small doses can be dangerous for dogs. Only give pain relief prescribed by your vet for your dog.
5. Restrict activity. Avoid walks, jumping and stairs until your vet has seen your dog, unless they advise otherwise.
6. Take a short video. Pain signs such as limping or restlessness often disappear in the consulting room. A clip recorded at home can be really useful.

Making life easier for a dog with ongoing pain

If your vet confirms your dog has long-term pain, they will discuss a plan with you. Alongside any treatment they prescribe, simple changes at home often help:

• Non-slip rugs on hard floors
• A supportive, padded bed in a warm, draught-free spot
• Ramps or steps for the car and sofa
• Shorter, more frequent walks rather than one long outing
• Keeping your dog at a healthy weight, which reduces strain on joints

Our guide to caring for a senior dog has more ideas.

Keep track of the small changes

Because pain often shows up as subtle shifts, a record of your dog's everyday life is surprisingly useful. Noting appetite, how far they walk, how easily they get up, how they sleep and any changes in mood gives you something concrete to share with your vet, and helps you judge whether treatment is working. Petopedia lets you log food, water, weight and behaviour, so trends that are easy to miss day to day become much clearer over a few weeks.