15 Signs Your Dog is Hiding the Pain

Is your dog suffering in silence? Over 65% of pet parents miss early signs of pain in their dogs, often attributing changes to “normal aging” or personality quirks. The truth is, dogs are masters at hiding pain, and by the time most pet parents notice obvious symptoms like limping, their pets may have been suffering for weeks or months.

As a pet parent, you’re your dog’s best advocate, and learning to recognize these early warning signs could literally save your dog’s life.

Why Dogs Hide Pain

It is your dog’s instinct to hide or mask their pain (VCA Animal Hospitals). In the wild, showing weakness makes animals vulnerable to predators and can cause them to lose their position in the pack. Even though your pampered pooch isn’t worried about wolves, this ancient survival mechanism remains hardwired into every dog’s DNA.

This evolutionary trait means your dog might be experiencing significant discomfort while still wagging their tail and greeting you at the door.

Research shows that behavioral changes such as increased fearfulness, prolonged recovery from stressful events, and reduced interest in social interactions often appear before obvious physical signs like gait changes or lameness (Malkani et al., 2024).

Key takeaway: Don’t wait for obvious signs like limping. The subtle changes you might dismiss as “personality quirks” could be your dog’s way of telling you they’re hurting.

15 Critical Signs Your Dog Is In Pain

Mobility and Movement Changes

1. Subtle Limping or Favoring One Leg Watch for slight hesitation when walking or a barely noticeable preference for one side. Lameness, altered gait, stiffness, and exercise intolerance are widely cited as predictors of chronic pain (Malkani et al., 2024).

2. Stiffness After Rest Pay attention to how your dog moves when getting up from their bed, especially in the morning. Difficulty rising or groaning when lying down are classic early warning signs.

3. Reluctance to Jump or Climb Stairs If your dog suddenly stops jumping on furniture or hesitates at stairs they used to bound up, this could indicate joint pain or muscle discomfort.

4. Slower Walking Pace Exercise intolerance is a key indicator of chronic pain. Notice if your dog takes longer to complete familiar routes or requests breaks during walks.

5. Changes in Sleep Position Dogs in pain often have trouble finding comfortable sleeping positions, leading to restlessness, pacing, or frequently changing positions.

Facial Expressions and Body Language

6. Pinned Back or Droopy Ears In cases of mild pain, ears are pointed backwards and may even be lying flat against the head/neck (Amazing Animal Minds, 2024). This often combines with raised eyebrows for a typical “sad” face expression.

7. Squinting or Half-Closed Eyes More severe pain is characterized by semi-closed eyes, tension in the cheeks, and vocalizations (Amazing Animal Minds, 2024). Don’t mistake this drowsy look for normal sleepiness.

8. Facial Grimacing A dog who is painful may pant excessively, even at rest. His facial expression may be described as a grimace (VCA Animal Hospitals, n.d.). Look for tense facial muscles and a generally “worried” expression.

9. Vacant Stare or Wide-Eyed Look Some dogs develop either a distant, vacant stare or conversely, a wide-eyed, alert expression when experiencing discomfort.

Behavioral and Personality Changes

10. Increased Aggression or Defensiveness Painful dogs who have previously been very friendly and gentle may begin to act completely out of character (VCA Animal Hospitals, n.d.). They may growl when approached or snap if touched in painful areas.

11. Withdrawal from Social Interaction Reduced interest in social interactions, toys, or play often appears before physical symptoms (Malkani et al., 2024). Your social butterfly might suddenly prefer solitude.

12. Changes in Appetite or Eating Habits Eating and drinking was found to be poorer in dogs with chronic pain compared to healthy dogs (Malkani et al., 2024). Watch for slower eating, leaving food behind, or complete loss of interest in meals.

13. Excessive Licking, Biting, or Scratching Self-oriented licking, excessive itching, and excessive biting of body parts were reported significantly more often in dogs experiencing pain (Amazing Animal Minds, 2024). This repetitive behavior may indicate localized discomfort.

14. House Training Accidents If your house-trained dog suddenly has accidents, pain might make it difficult for them to get outside or assume normal bathroom positions.

15. Vocalization Changes Many dogs will whine or whimper quietly in a rhythmic pattern when painful (Today’s Veterinary Practice, 2022). Listen for groaning when moving, soft whimpering, or unusual vocalizations.

Facial Expressions That Signal Pain in Dogs

Unlike cats, dogs don’t yet have a validated grimace scale, but facial expression changes are still important indicators (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2025). Current behavioral-based pain scales include facial changes such as:

• Droopy ears and arched eyebrows creating a “worried facial expression”
• Darting eyes or avoiding eye contact
• Tension in cheek muscles
• Excessive panting at rest
• Partially closed eyelids from discomfort or sleep disruption

Research shows that pet parents can accurately identify facial modifications associated with pain with proper education (MDPI, 2021). The position of ears (flattened ears) was identified with 76% sensitivity and 88% specificity as a fear/pain indicator.

Behavioral Changes Most Pet Parents Miss

These subtle signs are often the first indicators of pain but are frequently overlooked:

Energy and Activity Changes

• Decreased endurance for previously enjoyable activities
• Less enthusiasm for walks, play, or swimming
• Sleeping more than usual or difficulty getting comfortable
• Restlessness or inability to settle

Social and Emotional Changes

• Reduced tail wagging and greeting behaviors (Amazing Animal Minds, 2024)
• Increased fearfulness or anxiety in familiar situations
• Prolonged recovery from stressful events
• Seeking more attention or becoming unusually clingy

Daily Routine Disruptions

• Changes in eating speed or food preferences
• Difficulty with grooming or resistance to brushing
• Altered bathroom habits or timing
• Different sleeping locations or positions

Important note: Pet parents only seeking veterinary attention when physical signs of disease are evident may result in delayed treatment and reduced welfare (Malkani et al., 2024). These behavioral changes deserve immediate veterinary attention.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Immediate Emergency Signs

• Severe difficulty breathing or excessive panting
• Unable to stand or walk
• Crying out in pain when touched or moving
• Aggressive behavior that’s completely out of character
• Signs of shock (pale gums, rapid heartbeat, weakness)

Schedule an Appointment Soon (Within 24-48 Hours)

• Any combination of 2-3 subtle signs from the list above
• Gradual decrease in activity levels over several days
• Changes in eating, sleeping, or bathroom habits
• New reluctance to be touched or handled

What to Document Before Your Vet Visit

Keep a detailed pain diary including:

• When you notice the behaviors (morning, evening, after activity)
• What triggers them (getting up, stairs, being touched)
• How long they last
• What makes them better or worse

Take videos if possible – dogs often act differently at the vet’s office than at home. Recent research suggests that even brief education significantly increases pet parents’ likelihood of seeking timely veterinary care (Mondino et al., 2024).

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Pain

How do I know if my dog is in pain?

Look for 15 key signs including subtle changes in movement, facial expressions, and behavior. Behavioral changes like reduced social interaction and increased fearfulness often appear before obvious physical symptoms like limping.

What are the first signs of pain in dogs?

The earliest signs are often behavioral: decreased enthusiasm for activities, subtle changes in sleep patterns, mild stiffness after rest, and altered social interactions. These can appear weeks before obvious physical symptoms.

Do dogs hide their pain?

Yes, it’s instinctual. Dogs evolved to hide weakness to avoid predation and maintain pack status. Even domesticated dogs retain this survival mechanism, often masking pain until it becomes severe.

When should I take my dog to the vet for pain?

Don’t wait for obvious symptoms. If you notice any combination of 2-3 subtle signs for more than 24-48 hours, schedule a veterinary appointment. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.

Can I give my dog human pain medication?

Never give human pain medications to dogs without veterinary approval. Medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can be toxic to dogs and cause serious harm or death.

What does a dog’s face look like when in pain?

Pain faces in dogs include: pinned-back or droopy ears, squinting or half-closed eyes, tense facial muscles, excessive panting at rest, and a general “worried” or grimacing expression.

How can I tell the difference between pain and normal aging?

Pain is not a normal part of aging. While older dogs may move slower, any significant changes in behavior, appetite, sleep, or activity levels warrant veterinary evaluation regardless of age.

Are certain dog breeds better at hiding pain?

All dogs hide pain instinctually, but some breeds may be more stoic. Working breeds and certain flat-faced breeds might show less obvious facial expressions, making behavioral observation even more critical.

Emergency vs. Non-Emergency Pain Signs

Emergency Veterinary Care Required (Go Now)

• Inability to walk or stand
• Severe breathing difficulty
• Crying/screaming when touched
• Rigid, hard abdomen
• Pale or blue gums
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Severe, sudden aggression

Schedule Appointment Soon (24-48 Hours)

• Gradual decrease in activity
• Subtle limping or stiffness
• Changes in eating or sleeping
• Mild behavioral changes
• Reluctance to jump or climb stairs

Monitor and Document (But Don’t Ignore)

• Occasional groaning when moving
• Slightly slower walks
• Minor changes in sleep position
• Mild decrease in enthusiasm

Remember: When in doubt, err on the side of caution. You know your dog better than anyone, and observations by pet parents are essential for detecting subtle signs of chronic pain (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2024).

Professional Pain Assessment Tools

Veterinarians use several validated tools to assess dog pain:

• Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale (CSU-CAPS) – Evaluates facial changes, posture, and response to palpation
• Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (GCMPS) – Comprehensive behavioral assessment tool
• Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) – Pet-parent-completed questionnaire for chronic pain assessment

These tools help ensure objective pain evaluation and guide treatment decisions.

Advocating for Your Dog

Your dog depends on you to be their voice. Research shows that even very brief education can significantly increase pet parents’ concern levels and likelihood of seeking appropriate veterinary care (Mondino et al., 2024).

Action Items:

1. Start observing your dog’s baseline behavior – note their normal activity levels, sleep patterns, and social interactions
2. Take photos/videos of any concerning behaviors
3. Keep a pain diary if you notice any changes
4. Don’t hesitate to call your vet – early intervention leads to better outcomes
5. Share this guide with other pet parents in your community

Remember:

• Behavioral changes often appear before physical symptoms
• Pain is not a normal part of aging
• You are your dog’s best health advocate
• When in doubt, consult your veterinarian

By learning to recognize these 15 critical signs of pain in dogs, you’re taking an important step toward ensuring your furry family member gets the care they need, when they need it. Your vigilance and advocacy could literally save your dog from unnecessary suffering.

References

Amazing Animal Minds. (2024, August 19). Cracking the code of canine pain: What your dog’s behavior reveals about chronic pain. https://amazinganimalminds.com/cracking-the-code-of-canine-pain-what-your-dogs-behavior-reveals-about-chronic-pain/

Frontiers in Veterinary Science. (2025, March 4). How facial expressions reveal acute pain in domestic animals with facial pain scales as a diagnostic tool. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1546719/full

Malkani, R., Paramasivam, S., & Wolfensohn, S. (2024). How does chronic pain impact the lives of dogs: An investigation of factors that are associated with pain using the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11, 1374858. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1374858

MDPI. (2021). Current advances in assessment of dog’s emotions, facial expressions, and their use for clinical recognition of pain. Animals, 11(11), 3334. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3334

Merck Veterinary Manual. (2024, September 18). Recognition and assessment of pain in animals. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/therapeutics/pain-assessment-and-management/recognition-and-assessment-of-pain-in-animals

Mondino, A., Mönkkönen, C., Kooistra, H., Tuomainen, A., & Hielm-Björkman, A. (2024). Dog owners’ perceptions and veterinary-related decisions pertaining to changes in their dog’s behavior that could indicate pain. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(10), 1417-1424. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.02.0120

Today’s Veterinary Practice. (2022, February 18). Pain assessment in dogs and cats. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/diagnostics/pain-assessment-in-dogs-and-cats/

VCA Animal Hospitals. (n.d.). How do I know if my dog is in pain? https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/how-do-i-know-if-my-dog-is-in-pain