Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with tissue damage. While that definition comes from medical science, its implications are deeply personal—for pets and the people who love them.
One of the greatest challenges in veterinary medicine is not treating pain once it’s obvious, but recognizing pain before it becomes severe or chronic. Pets are remarkably good at hiding discomfort, and long-standing misconceptions about animal pain continue to act as barriers to proper treatment.
If you have ever wondered if a change in your pet's behavior might mean something more, you are not alone and you are asking the right questions.
Pain Is Common—and Often Missed in Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets
Pain should be evaluated in every animal, at every stage of life. Acute pain (such as surgery or injury) and chronic pain (such as arthritis or dental disease) are both common in dogs and cats, yet pain remains under-recognized and under-treated in veterinary medicine.
Many loving, attentive pet owners are surprised to learn how easily pain can be missed, especially when signs develop slowly over time.
Pain can originate from many sources:
- Somatic pain: Musculoskeletal injury or trauma
- Visceral pain: Internal organs
- Neuropathic pain: Nervous system injury
- Psychogenic pain: Emotional and behavioral components
Pain doesn’t exist in isolation. It affects mood, behavior, and how pets respond to the world around them.
This is why changes like reduced playfulness, increased irritability, or reluctance to jump and climb are often some of the earliest signs of discomfort.
Misconception #1: “Animals Don’t Feel Pain Like Humans”
This idea is completely false!
All animals have sensory mechanisms to detect injury and pain, just like people do. Pain affects not only how an animal feels, but also their metabolism, hormonal systems, immune function, and emotional state.
The idea that animals feel pain differently has historically contributed to unnecessary suffering. Considering our current understanding of pain and the principles outlined in WSAVA pain management guidelines, no veterinarian should ever dismiss or minimize pain simply because it is not being outwardly expressed.
For pet owners, this means your concerns are valid - subtle changes in behavior, activity, or attitude matter, and careful pain assessment is a routine and essential part of responsible veterinary care.
Misconception #2: “Animals Tolerate Pain Better”
Every individual—human or animal—has a different pain tolerance. What is different is that animals are often very good at hiding pain, an instinct rooted in self-preservation.
A lack of obvious crying, limping, or vocalization does not mean an animal is comfortable.
In fact, some of the most painful conditions cause very subtle changes such as sleeping more, avoiding stairs, or just acting "quieter" than usual.
Misconception #3: “Pain Should Only Be Treated When It’s Obvious”
Waiting for clear signs of pain often means waiting too long.
Pain affects every body system and persists as long as it is allowed to continue. Untreated acute pain can transition into chronic, maladaptive pain, which is far more difficult to manage and can permanently affect quality of life.
Misconception #4: “Pain Ends When the Pet Goes Home”
Pain does not stop at hospital discharge. Follow-up instructions, home medications, and monitoring at home are just as important as the care provided in the hospital. Further, there should always be a plan for pain management at home.
Many painful conditions—and even routine procedures—require ongoing pain management at home. Assuming pain resolves simply because hospitalization has ended places pets at unnecessary risk for prolonged discomfort and delayed healing.
Addressing pain early does not mean something is "seriously wrong," it often means that discomfort can be managed more easily and effectively.
Misconception #5: “Pain Is Beneficial Because It Limits Activity”
Pain does not protect healing.
Animals in pain are often restless, anxious, and unable to rest properly. Prolonged pain leads to muscle loss, delayed recovery, and behavioral changes, all of which can worsen outcomes.
Misconception #6: “Young Animals Don’t Feel Pain”
Young animals absolutely feel pain—and often tolerate it less than adults.
Puppies respond to painful stimuli at birth. Their nervous systems are fully capable of sensing pain, but their muscles are not fully developed, meaning they may be unable to physically withdraw from painful experiences. The pain still exists.
Studies have shown that procedures such as tail docking without pain relief cause measurable physiologic harm to puppies.
Protecting young animals from pain is not about being overly cautious, it is about supporting healthy development and long-term well-being.
Misconception #7: “Anesthesia Equals Pain Control”
Anesthesia and analgesia are not the same thing.
Anesthesia prevents awareness and movement; it does not necessarily stop pain signals. Many anesthetic drugs do not provide pain relief on their own. This is why multimodal pain management, including local nerve blocks, is essential for surgical patients.
Sedation also does not equal pain relief. A drowsy animal can still be experiencing significant pain. This is why pain control should be thoughtfully layered before, during, and after procedures, not just assumed.
Misconception #8: “Pain Medications Mask Diagnosis”
Research comparing patients treated with opioids versus those not treated shows no increased risk of missed diagnoses when pain is appropriately managed.
Treating pain does not interfere with good medicine—it supports it.
Misconception #9: “Only Systemic Drugs Can Treat Pain”
While medications are important, systemic drug-free therapies can also play a valuable role in pain management, including:
- Local anesthetic blocks
- Heat and cold therapy
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Acupuncture
These alternative treatments can significantly reduce pain severity when used appropriately as part of a comprehensive plan.
Misconception #10: “Natural Means Safe”
Supplements and herbal therapies are often perceived as harmless. In reality:
- “Natural” does not mean safe
- Many mechanisms of action are not fully understood
- Proper dosing in animals is often unknown
These products should be used thoughtfully and under veterinarian guidance.
Many pet owners turn to supplements with good intentions, and discussing them openly helps ensure they are used safely and effectively.
Why These Misconceptions Matter
Taken together, these misconceptions quietly undermine a pet's comfort, recovery, and overall well-being - often without anyone realizing that it is happening.
Misunderstandings about pain remain one of the largest barriers to effective pain management in dogs and cats. The consequences include:
- Increased illness and complications
- Delayed healing
- Progression from acute to chronic pain
- Ethical and welfare concerns
As veterinarians, we have an obligation to recognize and manage pain appropriately—not only to treat disease, but to protect comfort and quality of life.
Our Approach to Pain Management at The Hometown Veterinarian
At The Hometown Veterinarian, pain is never treated as an afterthought. From routine wellness visits to surgery and long-term care, we believe pain should be recognized early, addressed thoughtfully, and managed proactively.
Our approach is rooted in evidence-based medicine, ongoing advanced training, and a deep respect for the fact that pets feel pain just as profoundly as the people who love them. By identifying pain sooner and treating it appropriately, we can improve comfort, speed healing, and protect quality of life at every stage.
Pain management isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what’s right.
VETERINARIAN'S OATH
Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.
If you have questions about pain in animals, you can call us directly at (641) 758-3333, or you can email us at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.