Sometimes, it can take days before an owner realizes that their four-legged friend is feeling ill or injured. Because your pet can’t tell you when they’re in pain, it’s important to observe their behavior regularly. It’s essential to know the signs of pet pain to ensure you can take your furry friend to the animal hospital promptly.

How To Spot If Your Pet is Hurting

1. Lack of Appetite

While pets have their own eating habits, it’s not normal for them to skip multiple meals and leave their bowls full. In both dogs and cats, a lack of appetite is typically a sign that something is wrong. If your pet hasn’t eaten in days, try feeding them something bland like cooked, plain chicken and rice and make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

2. Guarding Behavior

If your pet is typically loving and affectionate, but they suddenly seem aggressive, it may be a sign they are in pain. Cats may hide under furniture and hiss or claw at you if you come near them. Dogs may refuse to move from a spot, growl, or even snip at their owners when in pain. 

3. Noisiness 

If your cat or dog is particularly noisy, they may just be trying to tell you something. Cats may meow excessively, raising the volume and length of the noise to indicate that something is wrong. Dogs may howl, bark, or whimper as a way to get your attention. If your pet is loud at unusual times of the day, it could indicate that they feel pain at that moment. Make sure to observe this behavior, as veterinarians at the animal hospital may ask you about their regular and irregular patterns to determine the root of their pain. 

Your four-legged friends deserve the best care for optimal pet wellness. Pet Health Clinic in Daleville, VA, provides warm, welcoming service. This animal hospital combines modern and advanced technology in their medicine, and they treat each client and their furry loved ones with care and consideration. To make an appointment at this animal hospital, call (540) 992-4550 or visit their website to view a list of services.