Pain in pets is often misunderstood. Many animals instinctively hide discomfort, making it easy for pain to go unnoticed until it has been present for a long time. This is especially true for chronic, low-grade pain that develops gradually.
• Why pets are so good at hiding pain
• The myth of “I’d know if my pet was sore”
• Why slowing down is often a pain signal
• Conditions commonly associated with pain in older pets
• Why pets may keep eating despite chronic pain
• Subtle signs of long-term discomfort
• Behaviour changes that shouldn’t be ignored
• Why stoic pets are often the most affected
00:00 Why pain in pets is often missed
00:05 Myth 1 – “I’d know if my pet was in pain”
00:12 Why animals hide discomfort
00:19 Myth 2 – “They’re just slowing down with age”
00:28 Conditions that commonly cause pain in older pets
00:40 Myth 3 – “They’re eating, so they’re fine”
00:53 Myth 4 – “Pain is dramatic”
01:03 Subtle signs of chronic pain
01:16 Behaviour changes to watch for
01:27 Why investigating small changes matters
01:32 The good news — how much we can help
I’m Dr Ebeneze from Takurua Vets, here to bust some myths about pain in pets.
Myth number one — if my pet was in pain, I would know about it.
The reality is our pets are really good at hiding their pain. If they lived out in the wild, showing pain would make them weak and vulnerable. So they learn to cope and adapt, and they just carry on like nothing’s wrong.
Myth number two — my pet is slowing down because he’s getting older.
That slowing down might actually be a sign of pain. While ageing itself doesn’t cause pain, it often comes with conditions that do — things like osteoarthritis, dental disease, spinal disease, and even some organ dysfunction can cause significant discomfort for older pets.
Myth number three — my pet is still eating, so he must be fine.
The reality is many pets with chronic pain, especially low-grade pain, will continue eating as normal.
Myth number four — pain is dramatic.
In reality, chronic pain often presents very subtly, especially when it develops slowly over time. You might notice your pet sleeping more, moving less, not jumping like they used to, licking a specific area, or showing changes in behaviour.
That can include becoming snappier with children or other pets in the household.
Any subtle change in your pet’s behaviour is worth investigating. Many of the pets we diagnose with pain are the brave ones — the stoic, quiet, “good” ones. And the good news is there is so much we can do to help them feel better.
If your pet is slowing down, moving differently, becoming quieter, less tolerant, or simply not quite themselves, our team can help you work out whether pain may be part of the problem.
Learn how better pain recognition and a more thoughtful clinical approach can improve the way pets experience care.
Read more about the subtle signs of discomfort and why pain is so easily overlooked in dogs and cats.
Learn how calmer handling and a more considered clinic experience help pets who are painful, anxious, or hard to assess.
Learn why noticing subtle change, thinking carefully, and communicating clearly all matter when symptoms are not obvious.
Read the companion guide for subtle pain signs, arthritis, mobility changes, weight and daily comfort planning.
