Is My Animal in Discomfort

Unlike humans, animals cannot physically say the words, that they are in pain or experiencing discomfort. It is not very common for an animal to yelp or scream out in pain. This is why it is important to be able to read their body and notice changes within their normal behaviour.

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When an animal is in discomfort or painful, they will often try and avoid things that they believe will increase that feeling. This behaviour can be misinterpreted and be branded as the animal being naughty.

Click the titles for links to pages about pain related behaviours: Small Animals, Horses, Farm Animals.

Here are some made up case studies, that have been put together using industry experience. 

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Dog Example:

3 year old dog will not stop licking your face whenever you go to stoke or groom their back legs. Said dog will also try and walk away from you when they see a brush in your hand. Dog has un-diagnosed hip dysplasia.​​

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Horse Example:

​12 year old horse refuses go in a true outline and engage abdominal muscles and bunny hops in canter. When jumped, said horse will either refuse or thrash tail about post landing. Horse has un-diagnosed sacroiliac dysfunction.

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Cat Example:

8 year old cat refuses to use the litter tray in the tiled kitchen and keeps having accidents in the carpeted living room. Said cat has un-managed arthritis and does not feel comfortable walking on tiled floor, due having to brace more and their previous slip injury.

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Farm Animal Example:

7 year old cow refuses to walk to the crush for TB testing and spends more time laid down compared to others. Said cattle has sub-clinical (symptoms are not clear enough to point to condition) laminitis.​

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These examples are to create food for thought and how pain may show in your animals.