Your dog won't tell you they're hurting. They can't. And unlike humans, dogs don't show pain the way we expect. No wincing. No complaining. Just subtle changes that are easy to miss or dismiss as "getting older."

Studies suggest that over 80% of dogs over age 8 have some degree of osteoarthritis. Most of their owners don't know it. The dogs have learned to cope, and the owners have learned to accept the slow changes as normal aging.

But "normal aging" and "chronic pain" aren't the same thing. Pain can be managed. Comfort can be improved. The first step is recognising the signs.

Why Dogs Hide Pain

This behaviour comes from their wolf ancestors. In the wild, showing weakness makes you a target for predators and competitors. Injured animals get left behind. So dogs evolved to mask pain as long as possible.

Your dog isn't being stoic or brave. They're running ancient survival software that tells them to act normal no matter what. By the time pain overrides this instinct, the problem is usually advanced.

This means you can't wait for obvious signs. You need to watch for subtle changes in behaviour, movement, and routine.

Behavioural Signs of Chronic Pain

Reduced Activity

The most common sign, and the most often missed. Your dog used to bound up the stairs. Now they walk. They used to greet you at the door. Now they stay on their bed. They used to play for 30 minutes. Now they stop after 10.

These changes happen gradually. You adjust your expectations without realising it. But if you think back to how your dog behaved a year or two ago, the difference becomes clear.

Reluctance to Jump or Climb

Dogs with joint pain avoid movements that hurt. Getting into the car becomes hesitation. Jumping on the couch becomes waiting to be lifted. Stairs become something to avoid or take slowly.

If your dog used to do something easily and now avoids it, pain is the likely reason.

Changes in Sleep

Dogs in pain often sleep more during the day. Activity hurts, so they avoid it. But they may also sleep poorly at night, shifting position frequently, getting up and resettling, or panting.

Restlessness at night is a red flag. Dogs don't have insomnia. If they can't settle, something is wrong.

Personality Changes

Pain changes behaviour. A friendly dog may become withdrawn. A patient dog may become irritable. A social dog may avoid interaction.

Watch for: snapping when touched (especially around hips, back, or joints), growling when approached while resting, avoiding being petted, decreased interest in family activities.

Loss of Appetite

Some dogs in chronic pain eat less. The discomfort suppresses appetite. Others may have trouble eating if the pain affects their neck or jaw position.

Weight loss without diet change warrants a vet visit. It can indicate pain or other health issues.

Movement Signs of Chronic Pain

Stiffness After Rest

Classic arthritis sign. Your dog struggles to get up after sleeping or lying down. The first few steps are slow and stiff. After moving around for a few minutes, they loosen up and move better.

This "warming up" pattern indicates joint pain. The stiffness returns after any period of rest.

Limping or Favouring a Leg

Obvious when severe, easy to miss when subtle. Watch your dog walk away from you on a flat surface. Do they land evenly on all four legs? Does their head bob (indicating front leg pain) or their hip drop (indicating back leg pain)?

Intermittent limping counts too. If they limp after exercise but not before, that's pain.

Changed Gait

Dogs adjust their movement to protect painful areas. Watch for: shorter stride length, bunny-hopping with back legs, swaying hips, stiff or stilted movement, reluctance to turn quickly.

Compare videos of your dog now versus a year ago. Changes in gait often happen so gradually that you don't notice until you see the comparison.

Difficulty with Positions

Dogs with back or hip pain struggle with certain positions. Squatting to defecate may be difficult (watch for accidents or incomplete elimination). Sitting may look awkward, with legs splayed to one side. Lying down may involve multiple attempts to find a comfortable position.

Physical Signs of Chronic Pain

Muscle Loss

When a limb hurts, dogs use it less. Over time, the muscles in that leg shrink while the opposite side stays normal. This asymmetry is visible if you know to look for it.

Run your hands over your dog's thighs and shoulders. Are they equal on both sides? Significant difference indicates chronic favouring of one side.

Licking or Chewing

Dogs sometimes lick or chew at painful areas. Constant attention to a joint, paw, or spot on the body can indicate underlying pain. The skin may become discoloured, wet, or develop a hot spot.

This behaviour is often mistaken for allergies or boredom. If the licking focuses on joints or the spine, consider pain as a cause.

Panting When Not Hot or Exercised

Panting is a stress response. Dogs in pain often pant even when resting in cool conditions. If your dog pants at night, during rest, or without obvious reason, pain may be the cause.

Changes in Posture

A hunched back can indicate spinal or abdominal pain. A tucked tail may indicate hip or lower back discomfort. A lowered head position can indicate neck pain. Shifting weight frequently while standing suggests discomfort.

What to Do If You Suspect Chronic Pain

Get a Proper Diagnosis

Start with your vet. They can examine your dog, assess joint range of motion, and recommend imaging (X-rays) if needed. A diagnosis tells you what you're dealing with: arthritis, disc disease, soft tissue injury, or something else.

Don't skip this step. Different conditions need different approaches. Knowing the cause helps you choose the right treatment.

Discuss Pain Management Options

Pain management for dogs has come a long way. Options include:

NSAIDs: Drugs like carprofen (Rimadyl) or meloxicam (Metacam) reduce inflammation and pain. Effective but carry risks with long-term use, especially for the gut, kidneys, and liver.

Other medications: Gabapentin for nerve pain, tramadol for moderate pain, amantadine for chronic pain states.

Supplements: PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) works through different pathways than NSAIDs and is safe for long-term use. Joint supplements like glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids provide additional support.

Physical therapies: Hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture. These can reduce pain and improve mobility without medication.

Make Environmental Changes

Small changes make a big difference:

• Orthopedic bed with supportive foam
• Ramps for getting into cars or onto furniture
• Non-slip mats on hard floors
• Raised food and water bowls
• Keeping nails trimmed (long nails affect gait)

Manage Weight

This is the single most important thing you can do. Every extra kilogram puts more stress on painful joints. Studies show that weight loss alone can significantly improve mobility in arthritic dogs.

If your dog is overweight, work with your vet on a weight loss plan. Even losing 10% of body weight makes a measurable difference.

Maintain Appropriate Exercise

Rest isn't the answer. Controlled, regular exercise maintains muscle mass, joint mobility, and mental health. The key is consistency without overdoing it.

Short, frequent walks beat long occasional ones. Swimming is excellent (easy on joints, builds muscle). Avoid high-impact activities like ball chasing or jumping.

Why PEA Is Worth Considering

For dogs with chronic pain, long-term management is the reality. And long-term NSAID use carries real risks: gastrointestinal problems, kidney damage, liver issues.

PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) offers an alternative. It's a compound dogs produce naturally in their own bodies. It targets pain and inflammation through different pathways than NSAIDs, and it doesn't carry the same organ risks.

PEA isn't a fast fix. It takes 2-4 weeks to build up in the system. But for ongoing management, it's safe for indefinite use. Many owners use PEA as daily baseline support, keeping NSAIDs for flare-ups when faster relief is needed.

Read our complete guide to PEA for dogs for detailed information on how it works, dosing, and what to expect.

The Bottom Line

Dogs hide pain. By the time you notice obvious signs, they've usually been uncomfortable for a while. Learning to spot the subtle signs early gives you more options and better outcomes.

If your dog shows any of the signs in this article, talk to your vet. Pain management has improved dramatically. Your dog doesn't have to just "live with it."

And remember: slowing down isn't inevitable aging. It might be treatable pain. The difference matters.