How do you know if your dog has pain?

Does your dog have pain? They can't tell you and they probably won't show you. so how do you know?

 

Does your dog hurt?

Sometimes, dogs hurt. It’s not fun, but it’s true. Your dog could have all kinds of health and behavior issues caused by experiencing pain that's not addressed. Since they can't tell you, you need to use your detective skills to figure it out.

Like us, dogs get headaches, achy joints, flares from old injuries, stomach troubles, or something serious……….but they can’t tell you where the problem is. And they can’t tell you how to make it better. You have to identify issues and decide what to do. 

 

Dogs often get more active in warmer weather, leading to over use of painful joints. Knowing how to help when your dog hurts can make all the difference.

 

Since they can’t tell you, you'll have to figure it out.

If you pay attention, your dog will often give you clues that reveal what's going on. The way your dog acts, looks, and other nonverbal communications can help increase understanding of the situation. If you notice

 

• irritability
• poor appetite
• limping, favoring, guarded movement
• not wanting to do activities that they usually want to do
• dull, rough coat
• isolating

Your dog may need some help to feel better. The vet is a good place to start. You should always check with them once you notice something is wrong to rule out serious issues that are sources of pain and hopefully resolve them.

Once you and your vet have addressed and resolved any possible serious issues, you may or may not have found a way to relieve your dog’s pain. At least, you’ll be able to feel confident that you haven't missed anything important.

Do you know if your dog is in pain? Here are some ideas to help manage that pain.

 

What if the pain isn’t going away?

So, now that the more serious problems are hopefully taken care of, how do you know if your dog is still in pain? Many issues result in chronic pain, like arthritis, hip dysplasia, or old injuries. If your dog is having ongoing discomfort, you’ll often see the signs I listed above.

If your vet has prescribed medication, that can help. But it isn’t always enough. Or the side effects of the medication might rule it out as an option. If your dog still needs something to provide relief, you might need to consider some alternative treatment options.

Over the years, we’ve had some rescue dogs with various issues and have been trying some alternative therapies. These are some of them.

• CBD oil has been helping with hip dysplasia and arthritis pain. The doses can be increased quite a bit to reach a level of relief and it’s relatively inexpensive to buy.
• Cold laser therapy has been providing some relief, although it takes some time and consistency. Our dogs don’t always like to lie still for it, making it a bit more difficult to complete. And buying a quality cold laser is pricey! Read more about cold lasers here.
• Reiki is a form of energy healing that can help. I got trained in it through an online course in a couple of months and at a reasonable cost, so it’s fairly accessible. Read my post about Reiki for more information. I have been able to help relax our dogs and relieve their pain in many instances.
• Acupressure, acupuncture, and chiropractic care have also been helpful in relieving pain. The dogs really seem to enjoy it and feel better afterward.

There are quite a few therapies out there that sound promising. I’ll be doing some more research and trial in the future. I’ll let you know what my experience is and my opinion of how it works.

 

 

Watch for the nonverbal cues to identify a problem. Then you can help relieve your dog's pain.

Other ideas for pain management

We’re always looking for new ways to help our dogs. 

Magnetic therapy is supposed to improve circulation, thereby assisting in healing and easing pain. 

Joint supplements offer some promise.

Herbs and other natural options also have potential.

Chronic issues tend to pop up from time to time.  Being ahead of it can help keep your dog happy and much more comfortable. I’d love to hear about your dog and the therapies you’ve found to help with discomfort or pain. Tell me about it in the comments, below.