Like humans, there can be many causes for pain in dogs. However, without being able to pinpoint the cause of pain, the difficulty lies in determining if your dog is in pain then deciding what to do about it. The checklist and guide below should provide help in how to know if your dog is in pain and what to do about it.
Summary
Checklist of how to know if your dog is in pain
This list below, while not exhaustive, provides a comprehensive checklist of the most common symptoms of a dog in pain.

More subtle, less apparent signs may include changes in the appearance of your dog’s eyes, tail position, or drooling. While dogs are unable to speak, a dog whining or a dog whimpering in sleep can vocalize pain issues.
For a non-professional, it is likely difficult to determine the underlying cause for your dog’s pain. However, a list of some of the causes may help recognize symptoms. Causes of pain fall into two broad categories: acute and chronic. Acute pain is sudden and intense, like an injury, which can be obvious while chronic pain may concern internal organs or arthritic conditions that may be harder to determine and typically last longer than three months.
Acute and chronic pain
Acute pain in dogs
Acute pain in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from sudden injuries to internal illnesses. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Trauma: This is the most common cause of acute pain in dogs, and can include sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, bruises, contusions, lacerations or wounds.
- Muscle tears: These can occur from overexertion or sudden movements, and can cause localized pain and difficulty moving the affected muscle.
- Arthritis: While arthritis is typically a chronic condition, flare-ups can cause acute pain. Signs of arthritis can include stiffness, limping, difficulty getting up or down, and reluctance to play.
- Bloating: This is a life-threatening condition that can cause acute abdominal pain. Signs of bloating include a distended abdomen, vomiting, drooling, and difficulty breathing.
- Pancreatitis: This is an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe abdominal pain. Signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy.
- Gastric torsion (stomach twist): This is a condition in which the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood supply and causing severe pain. Signs of gastric torsion include drooling, excessive licking, vomiting, and abdominal distention.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs): These can cause pain when urinating or blood in the urine.
- Kidney stones: These can cause severe abdominal pain and difficulty urinating.
- Ear infections: These can cause pain in the ear and head shaking.
- Skin conditions: Allergies, bites, and stings can all cause pain and itching.
- Dental issues, including tooth abscesses, gum disease, and broken or infected teeth.
- Insect bites or stings.
- Cancer Tumors can press on nerves or organs.

Chronic pain in dogs
- Osteoarthritis (OA): This degenerative joint disease tops the list, affecting up to 40% of dogs. It’s more prevalent in older dogs but can occur in any age due to factors like breed, weight, and injuries.
- Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD): This condition involves herniated disks in the spine, causing pain and neurological issues, primarily affecting long-backed breeds like Dachshunds.
- Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCL): Similar to ACL tears in humans, this ligament tear in the knee joint is common in athletic dogs and causes significant pain and limping.
- Dental disease: Severe infections or dental abscesses can cause significant pain and discomfort.
- Chronic pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can lead to ongoing abdominal pain and other digestive issues.
- Cancer: While not as common as other causes, certain cancers, especially bone or nerve tumors, can cause chronic pain in dogs.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD): This progressive condition can cause various symptoms, including chronic pain, as the kidneys lose function.
- Neurological conditions: Diseases like epilepsy or nerve damage can manifest as chronic pain in some dogs.
What to give a dog for pain?
In a nutshell, there are few option for what you can safely give a dog without advice from a veterinarian . By the number of web searches, it’s obvious that many dog owners are seeking quick-cheap remedies for their dogs in pain. However, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) cautions to not give a dog human pain relievers or even prescriptions that may have been prescribed for another pet. A review of web searches revealed that many dog owners request information on using baby aspirin for dogs. However, even low dose baby aspirin could harm your dog.
How to help a dog with pain
If you notice any signs of pain in your dog and there appears to be no appropriate solution, it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately. Remedies that you can administer yourself are very limited, which may include treating a surface wound that is not infected. Another option may include giving your dog cannine aspirin (shown below) for temporary relief. In any event, it should be kept in mind that early diagnosis and treatment of underlying issues can help to prevent further complications and ensure your dog’s recovery.
Cannine aspirin that is safe for dogs is available from Chewy, click on link below.

Chewy connect with a vet
A growing source of information for pets is the Chewy Connect with a Vet program, which offers free advice via chat from on-staff veterinarians for anyone with a Chewy account. There is no obligation to set up a Chewy account. Just click on the link below for access. Connecting with a vet via Chewy could provide quick peace-of-mind for pet parents.

If your dog needs a prescription medication, you can get 20% off your first pharmacy order using promo code RX20.
Final thoughts
Pain in dogs can represent a serious underlying condition that should not be taken lightly. Most importantly, you should not give your dog either an over-the-counter or prescription medication without the advice of a veterinarian.
About the author
Arthur Frentzel is a generalist researcher and writer, researching and authoring hundreds of articles covering diverse categories such as automotive, genealogy, investing, economics, and pets. In recent years, he has published 56 articles on the Seeking Alpha international investment portal and remains as a contributor. For his love of pets, he has dedicated his research and writing to the pet category.
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