A cat that no longer jumps to a favourite window perch or greets you from the top of the stairs may be telling you more than you realize. Small changes like these are easy to dismiss as normal aging, especially when they happen gradually. However, they can also be early signs that your pet is living with discomfort.
September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, a reminder that pain in pets is often subtle and can appear in ways many families do not expect. Some pets become less active, others grow quieter, and some simply change their daily habits. Learning how to recognize those signs can help you know when it may be time to schedule a veterinary visit.
For families in Chilliwack, Sardis, and nearby Fraser Valley communities, late summer often means more activity, more time outdoors, and a return to familiar routines after busy weekends away. That makes this a good time to notice whether your dog or cat is moving, resting, or behaving differently than usual.
Why Pain in Pets Is Easy to Miss
Pets do not explain discomfort the way people do. Instead of pointing to what hurts, they often communicate pain through posture, movement, grooming habits, or behaviour changes.
In cats, pain is especially easy to overlook because many felines become quieter rather than dramatic. A cat may stop jumping onto the couch, hesitate before using the litter box, or spend more time hiding. Dogs may slow down on walks, struggle to get comfortable, or seem less interested in activities they normally enjoy.
According to the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, pain in animals can be difficult to recognize because the signs are often mistaken for aging or normal changes in routine.
Common Signs of Pain to Watch for at Home
Pain can affect pets in different ways depending on the cause. Joint problems, soft-tissue injuries, dental pain, inflammation, or underlying illness may all lead to noticeable changes.
Some common signs include:
- Moving more slowly than usual
- Hesitating before jumping, climbing, or using stairs
- Stiffness after resting
- Limping or favouring one leg
- Hiding more often
- Sleeping in unusual places
- Showing less interest in play or family interaction
- Changes in appetite or grooming
- Irritability when touched or picked up
- Repeatedly licking one area
Cats may also show pain by sitting in a hunched position, jumping less often, or avoiding places they once enjoyed. Dogs may fall behind on walks, avoid getting into the car, or seem reluctant to stand after lying down.
The American Animal Hospital Association notes that behaviour changes are among the important clues that a pet may be uncomfortable.
Subtle Changes in Cats Deserve Special Attention
Cats are very good at masking discomfort, which means the warning signs may look minor at first. Rather than crying out or showing an obvious limp, a cat may quietly adjust how they move through the home.
A cat experiencing discomfort may:
- Stop jumping onto counters, beds, or cat trees
- Take longer to enter or leave the litter box
- Groom less, especially along the back or hips
- Seem withdrawn or less social
- Growl, flinch, or avoid being touched
- Sleep more and play less
These changes do not always have the same cause, but they may suggest that something is affecting your cat’s comfort or mobility. If the behaviour continues or becomes more noticeable, a veterinary assessment can help determine what may be happening.
The AAHA Senior Care Guidelines explain that dogs and cats can show pain through changes in mobility, daily habits, and interaction with their environment.
Keep Track of What You Notice
One of the most helpful things you can do at home is observe patterns. Consider when the change began, whether it happens every day or only after activity, and whether your pet is eating, sleeping, grooming, and moving normally otherwise.
Short videos can also provide useful context. You might record your cat approaching the litter box, stepping onto a chair, or walking across the room. For a dog, a video showing how they stand, walk, or use the stairs may help demonstrate changes that are less noticeable during an appointment.
These details can make it easier for your veterinary team to understand what your pet is experiencing, particularly when the signs are subtle or inconsistent. Avoid repeatedly touching a sore area or encouraging your pet to perform a movement that appears uncomfortable.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian
If your pet has been moving differently, acting withdrawn, showing stiffness, or avoiding normal activities, consider scheduling an examination. A change that lasts more than a day or two, keeps returning, or gradually becomes worse should not be ignored.
Prompt veterinary attention is especially important if your pet:
- Cries out suddenly or repeatedly
- Cannot stand or walk normally
- Stops eating
- Has trouble breathing
- Seems severely lethargic
- Has obvious swelling or an injury
- Shows sudden behavioural changes alongside signs of pain
Do not give human pain relievers to your pet unless a veterinarian has specifically instructed you to do so. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that medications intended for people can be dangerous for dogs and cats. Medication prescribed for another animal may also be unsafe for your pet.
How Veterinary Care Can Help
Pain management starts with understanding the cause. During an examination, your veterinarian may assess your pet’s mobility, check for tenderness, and look for underlying conditions that could be affecting comfort and movement.
Vedder Mountain Veterinary Clinic offers In-Clinic Diagnostics to help evaluate a range of health concerns. Diagnostic tools such as radiography and laboratory testing may provide useful information when a pet is showing signs of pain or reduced mobility.
For some pets, Laser Therapy may be considered as part of a broader pain-management plan. The clinic offers therapeutic laser treatment for several painful or inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, degenerative joint disease, strains, sprains, and post-surgical discomfort. The veterinary team can determine whether this service is appropriate after evaluating your pet.
The 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats emphasize that pain-management plans should be individualized according to each patient’s condition and needs.
A missed jump, a slower walk, or a cat that suddenly prefers the floor instead of the windowsill may not seem significant at first. Still, quiet changes like these can offer meaningful clues about your pet’s comfort and mobility.
Recognizing possible pain early allows you to begin a conversation with your veterinarian and explore the care your pet may need. Paying attention to small changes can be especially valuable for senior pets and cats that tend to hide signs of discomfort.
If you have noticed changes in your pet’s movement, comfort, or daily habits, request an appointment with Vedder Mountain Veterinary Clinic. Our team can evaluate your pet and discuss whether services such as diagnostics or laser therapy may be appropriate.