How Veterinarians Assess Pain in Senior Pets

September 28, 2026

As dogs and cats grow older, changes in mobility, behaviour and daily routines can sometimes be mistaken for a normal part of ageing. However, these changes may also be signs of pain or discomfort.

Senior pets can develop conditions such as arthritis, dental disease, cancer, neurological disorders and other chronic illnesses that may affect their comfort and quality of life. Because animals cannot tell us where they hurt or how severe their pain is, veterinarians use a combination of physical examinations, behavioural observations, medical history and diagnostic testing to assess pain.

Understanding how veterinarians assess pain in senior dogs and cats can help families recognise changes earlier and seek appropriate veterinary support.

Pain assessment is particularly important for older pets because cats and dogs may behave differently when they are uncomfortable. Some animals become withdrawn, while others may become restless, irritable or unusually vocal.

A proper pain assessment helps veterinarians determine whether pain is present, what may be causing it, how significantly it is affecting the pet and which treatment options may provide relief.

Why Pain Can Be Difficult to Recognise in Senior Pets

Dogs and cats often hide signs of pain.

This behaviour has evolutionary roots. Showing weakness can make an animal vulnerable, so some pets instinctively minimise or conceal signs of discomfort.

As a result, a pet does not necessarily need to cry, whimper or limp before pain should be considered.

Subtle changes can be just as important.

A senior pet that:

Stops jumping onto furniture

Sleeps more than usual

Stops grooming

Becomes reluctant to climb stairs

Avoids being touched

Withdraws from family members

may be experiencing pain even if they remain quiet.

This is particularly important for cats, which can be extremely subtle when experiencing discomfort.

What Causes Pain in Senior Pets?

Pain can develop from many different conditions.

Common causes in older pets include:

Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in senior pets.

It can cause:

Joint stiffness
Reduced mobility
Difficulty standing
Reluctance to jump
Reduced activity
Changes in behaviour

Dental Disease

Dental disease can cause significant pain in senior pets.

Signs may include:

Difficulty eating
Dropping food
Bad breath
Excessive drooling
Pawing at the mouth
Reduced appetite

Cancer

Cancer can cause pain depending on its location, progression and effect on surrounding tissues.

Some cancers may produce very few obvious signs during their early stages even with senior pets.

Neurological Conditions

Conditions affecting the nervous system or spine may cause pain, weakness or changes in movement.

Injuries

Senior pets can still experience injuries, particularly if they have reduced strength, balance or mobility.

Internal Disease

Some internal diseases can cause discomfort, nausea or general distress even when there are no obvious external signs of pain.

The Veterinary History Is an Important Part of Pain Assessment in Senior Pets

Pain assessment begins before the veterinarian physically examines the senior pet.

The veterinarian will usually ask the family about changes they have noticed at home.

Questions may include:

Has your pet’s activity changed?
Are they sleeping more?
Are they reluctant to climb stairs?
Can they still jump?
Have they stopped playing?
Has their appetite changed?
Are they grooming normally?
Have they become more withdrawn?
Are they more irritable?
Have their sleeping patterns changed?
Have they started vocalising more?
Are they having difficulty toileting?

Families often notice these changes before they become obvious during a veterinary consultation.

For this reason, the owner’s observations for their senior pets are an important part of the assessment.

How Veterinarians Observe Behaviour

Veterinarians may observe a senior pet’s behaviour before touching them.

This can provide useful information about their comfort.

They may look at:

Posture

A pet that is uncomfortable may stand differently, arch their back or frequently change position.

Movement

The veterinarian may observe how the pet walks, turns, sits and stands.

Interaction

Changes in responsiveness or willingness to interact can provide additional clues.

Facial Expression

Pain can sometimes affect facial expression, particularly in cats.

Grooming

A reduction in grooming may indicate discomfort or reduced mobility.

Restlessness

Repeatedly getting up, lying down or changing positions may suggest that the pet cannot get comfortable.

Physical Examination

A physical examination allows the veterinarian to investigate possible sources of pain.

Depending on the senior pets and suspected condition, the veterinarian may assess:

Body condition
Muscle mass
Posture
Gait
Joint movement
Spinal movement
Muscle tone
Swelling
Areas of sensitivity
Abdominal comfort
Dental health
Skin and coat
Neurological function

The veterinarian will generally approach the examination carefully, particularly if the pet is elderly or already showing signs of discomfort.

Assessing Mobility in Senior Dogs

Mobility is an important indicator of wellbeing in older dogs.

A veterinarian may observe whether the dog can:

Stand comfortably
Walk normally
Turn around
Sit down
Rise from a resting position
Climb stairs
Jump when appropriate
Walk on different surfaces

The veterinarian may also ask the family about mobility at home.

For example, a dog may walk reasonably well inside the clinic but struggle considerably when getting out of bed in the morning.

This is why home observations are extremely valuable.

Assessing Mobility in Senior Cats

Cats require a slightly different approach because their signs of pain can be much more subtle.

A cat may not limp even when experiencing significant joint discomfort.

Instead, owners may notice:

Reduced jumping
Taking longer to climb
Using lower resting areas
Difficulty entering the litter tray
Reduced grooming
Increased hiding
Reduced play
Irritability when handled

Veterinarians may ask families whether their cat still jumps onto their usual furniture or favourite resting areas.

A cat that once jumped onto a high window ledge but now remains on the floor may be experiencing mobility limitations or pain.

Palpation and Joint Assessment

Veterinarians may gently feel different areas of the body to identify possible sources of discomfort.

This may include examining:

Joints
Muscles
Spine
Abdomen
Limbs
Neck
Hips

The veterinarian may gently move joints through their range of motion.

They are looking for changes such as:

Stiffness

Reduced range of movement

Swelling

Muscle loss

Sensitivity

Resistance to movement

A pet’s reaction can provide useful information, but a lack of reaction does not necessarily mean that pain is absent.

Changes in Muscle Mass

Muscle loss is common in ageing pets and can sometimes be associated with chronic disease or reduced activity.

A veterinarian may assess muscle condition throughout the body.

Loss of muscle over the back legs, spine or other areas can provide important clues about:

Reduced mobility
Chronic illness
Reduced activity
Nutritional problems
Neurological disease
Long term pain

Maintaining muscle mass is important because stronger muscles can help support joints and mobility.

Assessing Pain in Cats

Pain assessment in cats can be particularly challenging.

Cats may continue eating, using the litter tray and interacting with their family despite experiencing discomfort.

Veterinarians therefore look for a combination of physical and behavioural changes.

These may include:

Hiding
Reduced grooming
Reduced jumping
Changes in posture
Reduced interaction
Changes in facial expression
Irritability
Reduced appetite
Changes in litter tray behaviour
Increased sleeping
Restlessness

Changes that appear small individually can become more meaningful when several occur together.

Assessing Pain in Dogs

Dogs may provide more noticeable clues, although this varies considerably between individuals.

Possible signs include:

Limping
Stiffness
Difficulty standing
Panting
Restlessness
Whining
Reduced appetite
Reluctance to exercise
Changes in sleep
Irritability
Withdrawal
Difficulty climbing stairs

Some dogs remain remarkably quiet despite significant pain.

Therefore, veterinarians consider the whole pattern of behaviour and physical findings rather than relying on vocalisation alone.

Pain Scoring Systems for Senior Pets

Veterinarians may use structured pain assessment tools to help evaluate discomfort.

Pain scoring can involve observing:

Behaviour
Posture
Facial expression
Movement
Response to handling
Appetite
Interaction
Vocalisation

Some veterinary pain assessment tools have been developed specifically for dogs or cats and can help clinicians monitor changes over time.

These assessments can also help determine whether a treatment is improving comfort.

The Feline Grimace Scale

For cats, facial expression can provide useful information about pain.

The Feline Grimace Scale is one tool that has been developed to help assess acute pain in cats.

It evaluates facial features including:

Ear position
Orbital tightening
Muzzle shape
Whisker position
Head position

Facial assessment is not intended to replace a complete veterinary examination.

Instead, it can provide another piece of evidence when determining whether a cat may be experiencing pain.

Diagnostic Testing for Senior Pets

Sometimes a physical examination is enough to identify a likely source of pain.

In other cases, additional testing may be recommended.

Depending on the symptoms, this can include:

Blood Tests

Blood tests can help identify underlying diseases that may contribute to weakness, reduced appetite or changes in wellbeing.

Urine Testing

Urine testing can provide information about kidney function, urinary health and other conditions.

X Rays

X rays can help identify changes affecting bones and joints, including some forms of arthritis.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound can provide information about certain internal organs and soft tissues.

Advanced Imaging

In selected cases, veterinarians may recommend additional imaging such as CT or MRI.

The appropriate diagnostic approach depends on the individual pet, symptoms, age and overall health.

Why Pet’s Pain Assessment Is Not Based on One Symptom

There is rarely one single sign that proves that senior pets are in pain.

For example, reduced activity could be caused by:

Arthritis
Heart disease
Obesity
Muscle loss
Neurological disease
General weakness
Pain
Another underlying illness

Similarly, increased sleeping could be normal for an older animal or could indicate a significant health problem.

Veterinarians therefore combine history, physical examination, behaviour and diagnostic information.

How Owners Can Help the Veterinarian

Pet owners can provide valuable information by recording changes at home.

Consider taking short videos of your pet:

Walking
Getting up
Climbing stairs
Jumping
Eating
Playing
Interacting with family
Using the litter tray

A pet may behave differently in a veterinary clinic because of excitement, anxiety or unfamiliar surroundings.

A video recorded in the home environment can sometimes show behaviours that are not seen during the appointment.

Keeping a Pain and Quality of Life Diary for Senior Pets

A simple daily diary can help families identify gradual changes.

You might record:

Area	What to Monitor
Appetite	Eating normally or less than usual
Mobility	Walking, standing and jumping
Grooming	Normal grooming or reduced grooming
Sleep	Comfortable sleep or frequent restlessness
Behaviour	Normal interaction or withdrawal
Toileting	Normal habits or difficulties
Pain	Signs of discomfort
Enjoyment	Interest in favourite activities
Good days	Days where your pet seemed comfortable
Difficult days	Days where discomfort was more noticeable

This information can be particularly useful when assessing long term quality of life.

Pain Management for Senior Pets

Once pain has been identified, the veterinarian can discuss appropriate management options.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Possible approaches include:

Prescription pain relief
Anti inflammatory medication where appropriate
Weight management
Physiotherapy
Mobility support
Environmental modifications
Nutritional support
Joint support
Treatment of the underlying disease

Some pets benefit from a multimodal approach, where several appropriate strategies are combined.

Never give human painkillers to a dog or cat unless your veterinarian specifically tells you to do so.

Medications that are safe for people can be harmful to animals.

Environmental Changes Can Reduce Pain

Pain management does not always involve medication.

Changes around the home can make everyday activities easier.

For senior pets, consider:

Soft supportive bedding
Non slip flooring
Ramps
Accessible food and water
Low sided litter trays for cats
Keeping essential resources on one level
Warm resting areas
Avoiding unnecessary stairs
Providing quiet spaces for rest

These adjustments can help reduce physical strain and support independence.

How Pain Affects Quality of Life

Untreated pain can affect much more than physical comfort.

It can influence:

Sleep

Appetite

Mobility

Grooming

Social interaction

Play

Toileting

Mood

Independence

For this reason, pain assessment is also an important part of quality of life assessment.

A pet that is experiencing persistent discomfort may gradually lose interest in activities that previously brought them enjoyment.

When Pain Becomes Difficult to Control

Some chronic conditions can eventually become difficult to manage.

This does not necessarily mean that treatment has failed.

It may mean that the underlying disease has progressed.

At this stage, veterinarians may discuss:

Additional pain management
Palliative care
Changes to medication
Home care
Quality of life monitoring
Future end of life planning

These conversations can be difficult, but planning ahead can help families understand their options.

Pain Assessment and End of Life Decisions

When a senior pet has an advanced or terminal condition, pain assessment becomes especially important.

Families may need to consider whether their pet can still experience a reasonable level of comfort.

Questions may include:

Can my pet rest comfortably?

Can they eat and drink?

Can they move safely?

Can their pain be adequately managed?

Do they still enjoy interacting with us?

Are there still more comfortable days than difficult days?

If quality of life is declining despite appropriate treatment, a veterinarian can discuss whether palliative care or euthanasia may eventually be appropriate.

The purpose of these conversations is not to rush a decision.

It is to ensure that families understand their pet’s condition and can make decisions based on comfort, welfare and dignity.

Why Early Pain Assessment Matters

Recognising pain early can make a meaningful difference.

When discomfort is identified sooner, veterinarians may have more opportunities to:

Treat the underlying condition
Improve mobility
Adjust medication
Modify the home environment
Maintain muscle strength
Support appetite
Improve sleep
Preserve quality of life

Families should not assume that pain is simply an unavoidable part of getting older.

Ageing is natural. Persistent pain should still be assessed.

Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian

If you are concerned about pain in your senior pet, consider asking:

Could my pet be experiencing pain?

What might be causing the discomfort?

How severe do you believe the pain is?

Are there tests that could help identify the cause?

What treatment options are available?

What side effects should I watch for?

How will we know whether treatment is working?

What changes should prompt another appointment?

How can I monitor my pet’s quality of life at home?

These questions can help families participate actively in their pet’s care.

Supporting Your Senior Pet With Compassion

Senior dogs and cats deserve more than simply being monitored for disease.

They deserve to have their comfort, behaviour, mobility and emotional wellbeing considered as part of their overall care.

Pain assessment is an ongoing process.

A veterinarian may assess your pet during an appointment, but families provide an equally important perspective by observing what happens at home.

Changes in behaviour, movement, appetite, grooming or interaction should never be dismissed simply because a pet is old.

By working closely with your veterinarian, you can identify potential pain earlier, explore appropriate treatment and make thoughtful decisions about your pet’s wellbeing.

For many families, the goal is simple: to give their senior companion as many comfortable and meaningful days as possible.

When Your Senior Pet Needs More Support

If your pet’s health is declining and you are becoming concerned about pain, comfort or quality of life, speaking with your veterinarian can help you understand what your pet may be experiencing and what options are available.

If you eventually reach a point where your pet’s suffering can no longer be adequately managed, The Kindest Goodbye provides compassionate in home pet euthanasia for families who choose to say goodbye in familiar surroundings.

Our veterinarians provide gentle, unhurried care, allowing families time to understand what is happening and to say goodbye with dignity.

You do not have to navigate this difficult stage alone.

Considering In Home Pet Euthanasia?

If your senior pet’s pain or health is becoming increasingly difficult to manage, understanding your options can help you make informed decisions when the time comes.

At The Kindest Goodbye, our compassionate veterinarians provide gentle, unhurried in home pet euthanasia, allowing your beloved companion to remain in familiar surroundings with the people they love. If you are unsure about timing or simply want to understand what is involved, our team can provide compassionate guidance centred around your pet’s comfort, dignity and quality of life. Learn more about in home pet euthanasia and what to expect before, during and after the appointment.

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