In their daily interactions with their pets, many owners think they know their animals’ every gesture and nuance. Yet dogs and cats tend to hide pain with surprising skill, especially when its origin is orthopedic. However, behavior almost always reveals what the animal cannot express directly. Identifying these early signs is essential care and can make all the difference in the quality of life of your four-legged companions.
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Among the most common signs are discreet changes in routine, often imperceptible in daily life. Reluctance to get on the couch, hesitation about taking stairs, or suddenly abandoning your favorite games can signal discomfort in your joints or spine. Even behaviors that seem merely temperamental, such as irritation to touch, withdrawal, or loss of appetite, can be associated with pain. In cats, the subtlety is even greater: many begin to sleep more, avoid high heels or reduce the frequency of their grooming, leaving their coat less clean.
Marta Da Matta, specialist in veterinary surgery and orthopedics, explains that these behavioral signs must be taken seriously, especially when they appear progressively and persistently.
“Orthopedic pain rarely manifests itself openly. The animal’s body adapts and its behavior tries to compensate for what hurts. Therefore, small changes in the routine are valuable indicators for the attentive owner,” he explains to GLOBO. She points out that many cases come to the office at an advanced stage because the owner thought the animal was simply calmer or less willing.
According to the veterinarian, the ideal is to observe patterns and not isolated episodes. “When a dog begins to avoid stairs every day or a cat stops jumping to its favorite places, it deserves investigation. The pain directly interferes with the emotional well-being of the animal and affects its relationships with the family,” explains Marta. The impact on behavior ranges from more hunched postures to finding quieter places to rest, as a form of self-protection.
Early diagnosis is essential to prevent the progression of joint diseases, spinal injuries or structural problems requiring more complex treatments. “In addition to the clinical examination and behavioral assessment, imaging tests make it possible to determine the origin of the pain and indicate the most appropriate treatment, which may include physiotherapy, weight control, adjustments to the environment and, in some cases, surgical intervention,” specifies the specialist.
For guardians, learning involves observing the animal more sensitively and understanding that behavior is a form of language. A dog who no longer plays like he used to may not be disinterested. A cat that isolates itself may no longer be nervous, but rather uncomfortable. As the specialist points out, “the animal always tries to communicate what it feels. It’s up to us to learn to listen before silent pain transforms into obvious suffering.”
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