Know your pet’s usual activities and energy levels. Be alert
to changes in behavior or habits indicating that pain is present. Veterinarian
James Clarkson suggests watching for the following to help identify pet pain.
Start with the obvious signs of vocalizing, whimpering, and
limping. Harder to distinguish signs, but signs that are more common may be one
or more of these:
- Lack of appetite
- Body position is abnormal
- Posture is pensive or hunched
- Activity level has decreased
- Handling your pet elicits a response that isn’t typical
- Acting withdrawn, self-isolating or hiding
- Movement is painful so they have accidents in the house
- Shakes or shivers
