Signs of Discomfort
Signs of Discomfort in your Dog
Signs of Discomfort in your Dog
A happy healthy dog is generally interactive, fun, playful, enjoys life and is of course a little cheeky at times.
A happy healthy dog is generally interactive, fun, playful, enjoys life and is of course a little cheeky at times.
Although indicators of stress may not always be visible to the untrained eye, there are noticeable behaviours which may highlight a cause for concern.
As humans, dogs experience both emotional and physical stress. Below we have outlined some possible indicators of pain and discomfort in our canine companions.
Physical
• Stiffness in morning/after exercise
• Fidgeting /not getting comfortable e.g. they don’t stay sitting/lying down.
• Skin flinching
• Tiring easily on walks
• Excessive continuous barking
• Excessive licking or chewing their body or legs in area of referred pain (if medical condition/allergies are ruled out)
• Sensitive to touch e.g. doesn’t like to be stroked/groomed
• Struggling up and down stairs/in out of car
• Unable to bare weight on one or more limbs
• Looking old before their time
• Stretching far more frequently
• Groaning when lying down
• Changes in pattern of their coat
• Change of positions when toileting or with difficulty
• Postural changes
• Intermittent Lameness (not diagnosed or responding to treatment)
• Fidgeting /not getting comfortable e.g. they don’t stay sitting/lying down.
• Skin flinching
• Tiring easily on walks
• Excessive continuous barking
• Excessive licking or chewing their body or legs in area of referred pain (if medical condition/allergies are ruled out)
• Sensitive to touch e.g. doesn’t like to be stroked/groomed
• Struggling up and down stairs/in out of car
• Unable to bare weight on one or more limbs
• Looking old before their time
• Stretching far more frequently
• Groaning when lying down
• Changes in pattern of their coat
• Change of positions when toileting or with difficulty
• Postural changes
• Intermittent Lameness (not diagnosed or responding to treatment)
Emotional
• Nervous/anxious
• Less tolerant
• Showing aggression
• Not looking their happy self
• Lack of interest in food/people/exercise
• Destructive behaviour
• Hiding/reclusive/protective of own space
• Sleeping more