What should I do if my dog is in pain?

When our puppies hurt, seeing them like that can almost leave us just as sore. Not knowing what to do to help them can leave us feeling even worse, so here are a few tips for when your furry friend is in pain.

Recognising the symptoms

Chances are that you know your dog pretty well, meaning that you will know when their behaviour seems off. If they’re not their usual selves, it’s important to figure out why – if something serious is wrong, you might need to consider a visit to the vet.

Some subtle signs that your pup might be in pain can include being restless and refusing to lay down or sit with you, not responding when called, or having downturned, droopy ears and wide, worried looking eyes. If they’re acting like this, they may have an upset stomach or a sore paw – something to check out and examine further.

More obvious signs can include limping, licking or chewing a part of their bodies, whimpering or howling, and flinching, growling or biting when touched.

No matter what the level of their pain may seem, you should keep a close eye on your dog. As their owner, you have the responsibility to determine the seriousness of their discomfort and decide to take them to the vet or not.

Human versus dog remedies

It’s extremely important that you don’t give your dog pain medication without your veterinarian’s instruction. Though there are similarities in some human and dog medication, both the dosage and our metabolisms are vastly different. You should only give your dog medicine prescribed by your vet. 

Helping them out

If you notice your pup limping, for example, you may want to examine the sore paw before making a vet trip. They could have something stuck between their toes or a hanging nail that can be easily fixed. Or maybe their stomach is upset, which can show through infrequent vomiting, and instead a simple call to your vet clinic may help to determine the best course of action.

The best thing you can do for your pup is to listen to the advice given to you by your vet. When you call, tell them your concerns, mentioning every symptom you’ve observed from your pup. Follow any advice given, whether that means taking them to the vet or monitoring them for the next few hours.

After taking this advice, try and keep your furry friend comfortable. If the vet suggests keeping them home, take some steps to make your home quiet and relaxing, and don’t over-excite them. Keeping your pup hydrated is very important; you can give them ice cubes or bone broth, making sure not to force them to drink too much as it can make their discomfort worse.

The vet visit

If you’ve made the decision to get help for your pup, your veterinarian will give them the appropriate medication and schedule for their recovery. According to their diagnosis, different suggestions could be given for additional help, such as exercise or supplements. Make sure to continue to follow this advice, and update your vet if there’s any change in symptoms or behaviour.

Our pet’s health is entrusted to us, and we never want them to be in pain. With the help of a trusted vet, we can make sure that our furry friends are happy and healthy, and living their best lives by our sides.