September is Animal Pain Awareness Month: Recognizing and Relieving Pain in Pets

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to helping pet owners understand how pain affects their furry family members and what we can do to support them. We know pets can’t tell us when they’re hurting—but with awareness and veterinary care, we can make sure they don’t have to suffer in silence.

Why Pain Awareness Matters

Unlike people, pets often hide their discomfort. This instinct comes from their wild ancestors, who concealed weakness to stay safe from predators. While your dog or cat may not complain, pain still takes a toll on their health, happiness, and quality of life.

Urgent care visits for pain are common, whether from injuries, arthritis flare-ups, or sudden illness. Knowing the signs of pain can help you act quickly to get your pet the relief they need.

Common Signs of Pain in Pets

Pets show pain in different ways. Some signs may be subtle, so it’s important to watch closely for changes, such as:

🐾 Dogs:

• Limping or difficulty standing up

• Whining, restlessness, or irritability

• Licking or chewing at a painful area

• Avoiding play, walks, or stairs

• Decreased appetite

🐾 Cats:

• Hiding or decreased interaction

• Less grooming, or overgrooming a painful spot

• Reluctance to jump or climb

• Change in litter box habits

• Flattened ears, squinting, or subtle behavior shifts

Common Causes of Pain

Pets can experience both acute pain (sudden, from an injury or illness) and chronic pain (ongoing, often from conditions like arthritis). Some of the most common causes include:

• Arthritis or degenerative joint disease

• Dental disease

• Soft tissue injuries or sprains

• Ear or skin infections

• Cancer-related pain

  
  

How We Can Help

At Lifeline Veterinary Urgent Care our urgent care team is trained to recognize and manage pain quickly. Depending on your pet’s needs, we may provide:

• Veterinary-approved pain medications

• Anti-inflammatories

• Recommendations for long-term pain management and follow-up with your primary care veterinarian

We’ll also help you understand safe ways to keep your pet comfortable at home, since over-the-counter human pain medications can be dangerous for pets.

Take Action This Month

Animal Pain Awareness Month is the perfect reminder to check in with your pet’s comfort level. If you’ve noticed any signs of pain, don’t wait—your pet deserves relief, and timely care can prevent problems from getting worse.