The Impact of Chronic Pain (Why Your Old Dog is Not Just Slowing Down and Your Cat isn’t Just Lazy)

It is a well-recognized fact that chronic pain is a leading health concern among people. In 2015, the National Institute of Health released data stating that an estimated 25.3 million Americans (or 11.2% of the population) suffer from chronic pain. It is one of the most common chronic health conditions and is the leading cause of long term disability. So with over 70 million dogs and 75 million cats in the United States, why do we have such a hard time recognizing and treating this familiar condition in our own pets?

Understanding and recognizing the signs of chronic pain in our pets is the first hurdle for many owners. When your dog suddenly starts limping out of the blue, it can be easy to associate that with sudden pain and seek veterinary advice. But when the signs are more subtle, like your dog slowing down on walks or your kitty struggling a little to jump on higher counters, it can be easy to overlook that your furry friend may be painful. It is easy enough for you to ask your friend for an Advil when you have a headache, but our pets don’t have this ability, so both owners and veterinarians need to be vigilant for signs that can indicate an animal is painful and provide appropriate treatment.

For dogs, slowing down as they get older can be normal to some degree; nobody expects them to maintain that boundless puppy energy for life. However, pain from injuries, arthritis, disease and cancers can take its toll. Your dog may be more reluctant to chase a ball that he was once obsessed with, or starts to pull up short on what were once long walks. Sometimes a dog that never had a mean bone in its body will suddenly snap when touched in a certain place. They may have accidents in the house, because pain can make them reluctant to get up and walk outside. Dogs can become restless, having difficulty with lying down, getting up and just generally getting comfortable; this can frequently be mistaken for senility or cognitive dysfunction, also seen in older dogs.

For our kitties, the signs of chronic pain can be even more difficult to identify. While small kittens can be bundles of craziness, adult cats frequently spend a large portion of their day sleeping, making it easy to overlook slight decreases in activity levels. Arthritis is common in cats, yet is frequently undiagnosed, largely due to cats’ amazing ability to mask signs. Up to 90% of cats over the age of 12 have radiographic evidence of arthritis. One of the most noticeable signs of pain in cats is increased difficulty jumping onto or down from high surfaces. Like dogs, they may show reduced activity, stiffness, changes in temperament, or going to the bathroom outside of the litterbox (especially if the box sides are high and difficult to step over.)

All pets will age, and with age there may come a natural decrease in activity level; however, it is our responsibility to evaluate our pets for pain, and treat them appropriately where it is found. You might be amazed at the increase in activity level you can see when your pet is feeling more comfortable and happy.