It is not uncommon for a dog in pain to suffer in silence. Fortunately, there are ways to tell if your dog is in any form and pain including at-home remedies to provide relief.
Dogs are not that vocal about their pain like humans. Unless you accidentally step on the poor mutt’s tail and they yowl in disapproval, in many cases, a dog in pain will show its discomfort through unusual behavior.
As a pet parent, you must be alert when your dog starts behaving differently. Finding the problem early will make it easier to find relief for your dog. Moreover, if the pain is a symptom of an underlying health condition you can treat your dog early before it escalates to something worse.
Dog in Pain Causes
Dog pain can either be mild or chronic. The pain may be topical or internal and can be sudden or develop over time. Whichever the case, it is important to address the pain immediately to avoid any further complications.
Here are common causes of pain and inflammation in dogs;
- Joint or bone issues
- Back pain
- Dental pain
- Injury to soft tissues
- Infections in the skin, ear, or urinary tract
- Stomach pain
- Post-surgery pain
- Pain from organ failure eg kidney failure
How to tell if a dog is in pain
Since your dog in pain is not likely to air his issues to you, it is best to check for these signs of pain in your dog.
1) Withdrawing behavior
A dog in pain is likely to keep to himself. He may avoid contact with people or stop running out to greet you at the door. You may also notice your dog hiding most of the time, especially under chairs, inside closes, or somewhere secluded where they cannot be found easily.
Your dog hiding is not such a bad thing. In the wild, animals would hide when they are in pain to recuperate and prevent other predators from eating them. Dogs in pain would do the same at home.
2) Aggression
Some dogs do get aggressive when in hiding. They will growl if you try and touch them or show disapproval in other ways.
3) Restless or Fidgety
You may notice your dog pacing about in the same place or sitting and standing a lot. Fidgeting may also be accompanied by whining which can be an indication that your dog is in pain.
4) Unusual grooming
When you live with your pooch long enough, you eventually learn their grooming habits. So when Fido starts licking or nibbling on himself more than usual, chances are pacifying the pain he feels. A dog in pain
5) Trouble walking
You may notice your dog limping if the pain is in their leg. The pain could be from an injury, a swollen paw, or the onset of arthritis. Besides limping, your pup may have problems climbing high areas like the stairs or going uphill during your evening walks.
6) Shaking
Shaking accompanied by other symptoms like whimpering or restlessness could mean your pooch is experiencing pain. It’s not uncommon for a dog in pain to shake as a symptom of underlying diseases like kidney or pancreatic disease. Swallowing foods toxic to dogs like chocolate or foods sweetened with xylitol.
7) Panting
Do dogs pant when in pain? Yes, a dog in pain can pant heavily. Slow shallow breathing could also indicate pain especially if the breathing is excruciating for the dog.
What Can I Give My Dog For Pain?
Now that we have answered the question ‘How do I know if my dog is in pain?’ we can now look at how to comfort a dog in pain.
Before you give your dog something for their pain, you must first take them to the vet. A thorough medical examination will help identify the cause of the problem and rule out any underlying diseases.
Also, do not rush to your medicine cabinet looking for a solution for relieving pain in your dog. Not all human medications for pain relief are safe for dogs. These over-the-counter may not have the right dosage to combat pain and they can trigger other side effects.
This is why going with vet-approved options is the best.
When treating pain in dogs, you have various options to choose from;
- Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs or NSAIDs
- Pet health supplements
NSAIDs prescription medication
Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs NSAIDs are over-the-counter drugs used for treating stiffness, swelling, and joint pain in humans. NSAIDs can be used on dogs too as long as you know the options that are safe for dogs.
Vet-approved NSAIDs for treating short-term pain in dogs include;
- Meloxicam
- Firocoxib
- Grapipant
- Carprofen
- Deracoxib
Also, consult a professional vet doctor to help expand the list of safe NSAIDs for dogs.
Do not give your dog acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or any pain and inflammation drug from your medicine cabinet that you are not sure of. These drugs can cause nasty side effects to your dogs.
Also, note that a dog in pain may react differently to NSAIDs with possible mild side effects along the way. But nothing to worry about.
Pet supplements for pain relief
Supplements are not painkillers per se, but they offer a long-term solution for combating chronic pain in dogs. Joint supplements are mostly recommended for addressing joint pain in dogs.
Also, these vitamins help in mild and chronic pain control, especially pain that is affecting your dog’s skeletal structure.
Vitamin D
Ideal for long-term management of chronic pain. A Mayo Clinic study discovered that increasing vitamin D in diet can help lower chronic pain in humans, and subsequently dogs.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B is great for managing back pain in both dogs and humans. The most recommended B vitamins for dog pain are vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and vitamin B16.
Niacin
Vitamin B3 or Niacin can help manage chronic arthritic pain in dogs. This special vitamin assists in joint lubrication which helps in reducing arthritic pain and stiffness.
Omega-3
Omega 3 is another beneficial healthy fat that helps manage arthritic inflammation. Besides helping reduce pain, Omega 3 can also boost your dog’s energy levels and reduce fatigue.
Why your dog needs Bullyade for pain relief
Bullyade has all the necessary vitamins and minerals to manage acute to chronic pain in dogs. Bullyade is rich in vitamins B and D and Omega 3 fatty acids.
Also, Bullyade is rich in other vitamins and supplements that can help a dog suffering from heat exhaustion, diarrhea, distemper, or parvovirus. Read the full benefits of Bullyade joint supplement.
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