Dogs don’t always make it obvious when something hurts.

A dog that is experiencing significant discomfort may continue eating, walking around the house, or greeting their family as usual. Some dogs instinctively hide weakness, while others show only subtle changes that are easy to mistake for aging, tiredness, or a temporary change in mood.

That makes it important for dog owners to know what changes to watch for.

Limping, reluctance to climb stairs, changes in appetite, excessive licking, unusual restlessness, altered posture, withdrawal, or sudden behavior changes can all be clues that something is wrong. AAHA notes that changes in normal behavior are among the most useful things owners can monitor when assessing possible pain.

Here are 11 conditions that can cause significant pain or discomfort in dogs, along with signs that may deserve veterinary attention.

1. Arthritis and Joint Pain

Arthritis is a common cause of chronic pain, particularly in older dogs, although joint problems can affect younger animals too.

A dog with painful joints may not cry or whimper. Instead, you might notice that they:

• Take longer to stand up
• Move more slowly
• Avoid stairs
• Hesitate before jumping
• Stop playing as much
• Become stiff after resting
• Avoid slippery floors
• Walk differently
• Become less interested in longer walks

These changes can be easy to dismiss as simply “getting older.”

However, reduced mobility or a change in how your dog moves deserves attention. Arthritis can be managed in many ways, including weight management, appropriate exercise, rehabilitation, environmental modifications, and veterinary-prescribed medications when appropriate.

2. Dental Disease

Dental disease is one of the most commonly overlooked sources of pain in dogs.

A dog may continue eating even when their mouth hurts, which can make dental problems particularly difficult to recognize at home.

Possible warning signs include:

• Persistent bad breath
• Red or swollen gums
• Excessive drooling
• Dropping food
• Chewing on one side of the mouth
• Difficulty eating
• Pawing at the mouth
• Reluctance to chew toys
• Loose or damaged teeth
• Facial swelling

AAHA notes that many pets hide dental pain, allowing periodontal disease to progress before owners recognize a problem. Untreated dental disease can cause chronic oral pain, infection, and damage to the structures supporting the teeth.

Regular veterinary dental examinations and appropriate at-home dental care are important parts of prevention.

3. Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally, which can lead to instability, inflammation, pain, and eventually arthritis.

It is more commonly associated with larger breeds, but any dog can potentially be affected.

Signs may include:

• Difficulty getting up
• Reluctance to run or exercise
• Hind-leg stiffness
• Limping
• Reduced activity
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• An unusual gait
• Reluctance to jump

Some dogs show only mild changes at first.

If your dog is having difficulty with normal movement, your veterinarian can perform an examination and determine whether further testing, such as imaging, is appropriate.

Treatment depends on the individual dog and can involve weight management, controlled exercise, rehabilitation, medications, and sometimes surgery.

4. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

Intervertebral disc disease, or IVDD, involves problems affecting the discs between the vertebrae of the spine.

Depending on the location and severity of the problem, IVDD can cause anything from back or neck pain to significant neurological impairment.

Possible signs include:

• Reluctance to jump
• Avoiding stairs
• A stiff or hunched posture
• Crying when moved
• Difficulty walking
• Weakness
• Unsteady movement
• Dragging a limb
• Difficulty standing
• In severe cases, inability to walk

Dogs with long-backed body structures, including Dachshunds, have an increased risk of certain disc problems.

A sudden change in mobility, severe pain, or weakness should be treated as a veterinary concern rather than something to monitor casually.

Severe spinal problems can require urgent treatment, and some dogs may need surgery depending on the neurological findings.

5. Ear Infections

Ear infections can be extremely uncomfortable, but a dog may initially show only small behavioral changes.

Watch for:

• Frequent head shaking
• Scratching at an ear
• Redness
• Unpleasant odor
• Discharge
• Sensitivity when the ear is touched
• Holding the head differently
• Increased irritability

Ear problems can have different underlying causes, including allergies, parasites, foreign material, yeast, or bacteria.

Simply cleaning the ear repeatedly may not solve the underlying problem.

A veterinarian can examine the ear canal and determine what is causing the inflammation or infection before recommending appropriate treatment.

6. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and can cause significant abdominal pain.

Dogs with pancreatitis may develop:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal discomfort
• A hunched posture
• Reluctance to move
• Dehydration

Some dogs may simply seem unusually quiet or uncomfortable.

Pancreatitis can range from relatively mild illness to a serious condition requiring intensive veterinary treatment.

Because vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy can have many different causes, a veterinarian should determine what is actually happening rather than assuming pancreatitis based on symptoms alone.

7. Cruciate Ligament Injuries

The cranial cruciate ligament helps stabilize a dog’s knee. Injury or degeneration of this ligament can cause significant pain and lameness.

A dog with a cruciate ligament problem may:

• Suddenly begin limping
• Avoid putting weight on one rear leg
• Sit differently
• Struggle to stand
• Stop running
• Avoid stairs
• Become reluctant to jump

Some dogs develop these problems gradually rather than from one obvious accident.

Because continuing to use an injured limb can worsen joint damage, persistent lameness should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Treatment depends on factors such as the dog’s size, activity level, severity of the injury, and overall health. Options can include controlled activity, rehabilitation, medications, and surgery.

8. Gastrointestinal Blockages

Dogs sometimes swallow objects they shouldn’t.

Toys, clothing, bones, pieces of plastic, rocks, and other objects can become lodged in the digestive tract.

A gastrointestinal obstruction can become a medical emergency.

Possible signs include:

• Repeated vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Restlessness
• Drooling
• Difficulty passing stool
• Changes in bowel movements
• A painful or tense abdomen

Some dogs with an obstruction may initially show only mild symptoms.

If you know or strongly suspect that your dog swallowed a foreign object, don’t wait for symptoms to become severe. Contact a veterinarian promptly for guidance.

Never attempt to make your dog vomit unless a veterinary professional specifically tells you to do so.

9. Skin Allergies and Dermatitis

Itchy skin can cause much more discomfort than many owners realize.

Dogs experiencing allergies or dermatitis may repeatedly scratch, lick, chew, or rub their skin.

You may notice:

• Constant scratching
• Licking the paws
• Chewing the legs
• Red skin
• Hair loss
• Recurrent ear problems
• Scabs
• Skin odor
• Thickened or darkened skin

Possible triggers include environmental allergens, fleas, food-related reactions, and other conditions.

Persistent itching can also lead to secondary skin infections, making the problem even more uncomfortable.

Instead of simply treating the itching at home, it’s important to determine the underlying cause with veterinary help.

10. Urinary Tract Problems

Urinary tract infections and other urinary conditions can cause painful urination.

A dog may not obviously appear to be in pain, but you may notice changes such as:

• Urinating more frequently
• Straining to urinate
• Passing only small amounts
• Having accidents indoors
• Licking the genital area more frequently
• Blood in the urine
• Changes in urine odor
• Acting uncomfortable while urinating

Urinary symptoms aren’t always caused by a simple infection. Bladder stones, inflammation, anatomical problems, and other conditions can produce similar signs.

A veterinarian may need to examine a urine sample to determine the cause.

A urinary emergency warning

If your dog repeatedly tries to urinate but produces little or no urine, seek veterinary care immediately. A urinary obstruction can become life-threatening.

11. Glaucoma and Other Painful Eye Problems

Eye problems deserve prompt attention because some conditions can cause severe pain and permanent vision loss.

Glaucoma, for example, involves increased pressure within the eye.

Possible warning signs include:

• Squinting
• Eye redness
• Excessive tearing
• Cloudiness
• An enlarged-looking eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Rubbing or pawing at the eye
• Sudden changes in vision
• Bumping into objects

A painful eye should never be ignored.

Some eye conditions can progress rapidly, so contact your veterinarian promptly if your dog’s eye suddenly becomes red, cloudy, swollen, painful, or visibly different.

How Can You Tell If Your Dog Is in Pain?

Pain doesn’t always look like crying.

In fact, behavioral changes may be among the earliest clues.

According to AAHA, possible signs include reduced activity, limping, reluctance to move, changes in appetite, restlessness, unusual vocalization, withdrawal, altered posture, excessive licking, and changes in normal behavior.

Watch for changes such as:

Your Dog Stops Doing Things They Normally Enjoy

A dog that suddenly stops playing, walking, jumping, or interacting may be uncomfortable.

They Become More Withdrawn

Some dogs respond to pain by seeking solitude or avoiding physical contact.

They Become More Irritable

A normally gentle dog may growl or react differently when touched if a particular movement hurts.

Their Posture Changes

A hunched back, unusual sitting position, or difficulty getting comfortable can provide important clues.

They Keep Changing Positions

Pacing, repeatedly lying down and getting back up, or struggling to settle can indicate discomfort.

Their Appetite Changes

A sudden decrease in food intake can accompany pain or illness, including dental and gastrointestinal problems.

They Lick or Chew One Area Repeatedly

Dogs may repeatedly focus on a painful or irritated part of their body.

When Should You Call the Veterinarian?

If you suspect your dog is experiencing pain, contact your veterinarian rather than trying to diagnose the condition yourself.

Seek prompt veterinary attention for symptoms such as:

• Sudden severe pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse
• Seizures
• Inability to stand or walk
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• A swollen or painful abdomen
• Repeated attempts to urinate with little or no urine
• Sudden vision changes
• Serious injury
• Significant bleeding

Labored breathing is particularly important because it can accompany serious medical conditions and warrants immediate veterinary attention.

Never Give Human Pain Medication Without Veterinary Advice

One of the most important rules for dog owners is to avoid giving human pain medication unless a veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so.

Medications that are safe for people can be dangerous for dogs, and the appropriate medication and dose depend on the individual animal.

AAHA specifically warns owners not to administer pain medications intended for people or another pet because serious or life-threatening consequences can occur.

Instead, call your veterinarian and explain what you’re seeing.

Your Dog’s Normal Behavior Is Your Best Clue

Because dogs can hide obvious signs of discomfort, knowing your dog’s normal behavior is extremely valuable.

Pay attention to how your dog normally:

• Walks
• Eats
• Sleeps
• Plays
• Climbs stairs
• Jumps
• Greets people
• Interacts with other animals
• Responds to touch
• Uses the bathroom
• Settles down at home

When something changes, don’t automatically assume it’s simply aging or a personality change.

A short video of your dog’s unusual movement or behavior can also be useful during a veterinary appointment, especially if the behavior doesn’t occur in the clinic. AAHA’s chronic pain guidance notes that owner-recorded videos can help veterinarians assess problems that aren’t easily reproduced during an examination.

Final Thoughts

Dogs don’t always make pain obvious.

A dog may continue wagging their tail, eating meals, or greeting their family while quietly dealing with joint disease, dental problems, spinal issues, skin irritation, abdominal pain, urinary problems, or another medical condition.

That’s why small changes matter.

If your dog becomes less active, starts avoiding stairs, stops playing, changes eating habits, repeatedly licks one area, develops an unusual posture, or behaves differently from normal, take the change seriously.

You don’t need to determine the diagnosis yourself. Your job is simply to notice that something has changed and seek appropriate veterinary advice.

Recognizing pain early can help your dog receive treatment sooner and may make a meaningful difference in their comfort and quality of life.

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