Vets in Glasgow on How to Spot Chronic Pain in Dogs & Cats
September 15, 2025
If your pet was in pain, you’d notice straight away – or would you? Chronic pain, unlike sudden acute pain, can develop slowly and linger for weeks, months or even years. It’s often the result of ongoing conditions like arthritis, dental disease or spinal problems, and because the changes are gradual, they can be easy to miss.
During Animal Pain Awareness Month, our team at Avenues Vets want to help you spot the signs that something might not be quite right with your dog or cat. If you’ve noticed any changes in your pet’s behaviour, it could be more than just ‘getting older’ or ‘having an off day.’
Worried your pet could be hurting? Book an appointment with our vets in Glasgow so we can give them a top to tail check-up.
Why pets hide pain
In the wild, showing weakness could mean losing access to food or safety – and our pets have inherited that same survival instinct. With chronic pain, the signs are often even harder to spot because they develop gradually. Your dog might walk more slowly over months, or your cat might start jumping onto lower surfaces instead of their usual spots. These small adjustments help them cope, but they also make it easier for ongoing pain to go unnoticed.
Our vets at Avenues Vets often find that owners only realise the extent of their pet’s discomfort once treatment begins and the difference in mobility or mood is clear.
The signs to look out for
Chronic pain can be especially difficult to recognise because it builds slowly over time. When you see your pet every day, gradual changes can be easy to overlook – what starts as a slightly shorter walk, or a little extra rest can turn into a significant loss of mobility or enthusiasm.
Our vets in Glasgow recommend watching for these subtle but important signs:
- Reluctance to jump, climb or walk as usual
- Limping, stiffness or slowing down on walks
- Changes in grooming – less, more, or just in one spot
- Withdrawn or grumpy behaviour
- Pacing, panting or restlessness
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
In cats, particularly, pain can be incredibly well hidden. Simply going outside less or hesitating before jumping up might be your only clue.
What causes chronic pain?
Some of the most common causes of ongoing, long-term pain in pets include:
- Arthritis or degenerative joint disease
- Long-standing dental problems
- Chronic injuries or mobility issues
- Spinal conditions such as intervertebral disc disease
- Ongoing internal conditions like bladder inflammation or kidney disease
Chronic pain doesn’t just affect mobility – it can impact mood, appetite, and overall quality of life. Because it tends to creep in slowly, owners might put changes down to “just getting older,” but with the right treatment plan, many pets regain comfort and energy.
The good news is that, once identified by our vets at Avenues Vets, pain can often be treated or managed successfully, bringing real improvements to your pet’s wellbeing and happiness.
Don’t wait and see
Chronic pain rarely improves on its own – in fact, it often worsens if left untreated. Even small, gradual changes in your pet’s movement, behaviour, or energy can be early signs of something that needs attention. Acting now means we can identify the cause, create a long-term management plan, and help your pet stay as comfortable and active as possible.
Book an appointment to talk to our vets in Glasgow or call us now on 0141 643 0404. We’re always happy to help, because no pet should have to live with ongoing pain.
