7 Warning Signs That Your Dog is in Pain

As a dog owner, the safety and wellbeing of your pet is a top priority. But of course, dogs and humans don't share the same language – so it can be difficult to tell when your dog is in pain.

Some of the signs a dog is in pain are easy to spot, such as limping or a visible wound. But other signs of pain may be more difficult to identify.

In this post, we'll take a look at 7 of the most common warning signs a dog is in pain. Keep an eye out for these to make sure your buddy doesn't suffer in silence.

1) Constant Grooming

It's normal for dogs to groom themselves, but if the behavior becomes compulsive and excessive it could be a sign of pain. Pay particular attention if your dog starts to obsessively lick a localized area of his body. Dogs will often lick where it hurts, even if the pain is internal.

If your dog starts grooming excessively – especially if he's paying close attention to one area of his body – it's a good idea to take him to the veterinarian for a checkup. 

2) Being More Vocal 

One of the signs a dog is in pain is increased vocalization. Is your dog making more noise than usual? If so, he could be trying to tell you that he’s in pain. 

Look out for a sudden increase in whining, growling, barking, or other kinds of vocalization. And if your dog is being more vocal than normal, check him over to see if you can identify any areas of his body that may be in pain. 

Always be sure to inspect your dog's body for painful areas as gently as possible to avoid causing further harm.

3) Loss of Appetite

Most dogs love to eat, so a disinterest in food can be a warning sign of pain. If your dog is in pain he may have difficulty eating or moving to where his food bowl is. 

Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of serious illness such as liver and kidney conditions, dental disease, and even cancer – so it's best not to take any chances. If your dog is refusing to eat, take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. 

4) Aggression 

Sudden changes in a dog's behavior can indicate pain – and aggression is no exception. If your dog is usually docile and friendly, but suddenly becomes aggressive, there's a good chance that he's in pain. 

If your dog is showing signs of aggression take extra care when examining him for injuries. Some dogs may snap at their owners when they're feeling threatened and in pain. 

5) Panting 

Panting is a normal canine behavior that's often a sign of exertion. You've probably noticed that your dog will pant heavily after intense exercises such as running after a ball or toy. If your dog is panting heavily even though he's not been exercising, it's most likely a sign of stress. And the underlying cause of his stress could be pain. 

Although it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for heavy panting, if it occurs suddenly and unexpectedly it should be a cause for concern. So, if your dog is panting heavily we recommend a visit to your veterinarian. 

6) Difficulty Moving 

Difficulty moving can be a sign of conditions such as arthritis or hip pain. An injury may also be the underlying cause. Keep an eye out for signs that your dog has problems with his mobility such as a reluctance to climb stairs, jump in and out of the car, or run around outside.

A lack of fluidity in your dog's movements is another warning sign of pain. Dogs in pain will tend to move around quite slowly and can often appear stiff and lethargic. They may walk with a limp, or have trouble laying down and getting back up again. 

7) Other Behavioral Changes

Earlier in this post, we talked about sudden behavioral changes that often indicate pain, such as excessive grooming, aggression, and a loss of appetite. Now, let's take a look at other some other behavioral changes that could be indicators that your dog is in pain. 

Changes in Sleeping Patterns

Any change in regular sleeping patterns could be a sign that your dog is in pain. Dogs will sometimes sleep more in an attempt to rest and heal the painful area. But some dogs may sleep less due to the intensity of the pain. 

Unexpected Accidents in the House

Dogs in pain often have difficulty moving around, laying down, and getting up out of their bed. This can result in accidents in the house. If your dog is well house-trained but suddenly starts to urinate and defecate in the house, make sure not to rule out pain as the underlying cause. 

How to Help a Dog in Pain

So, now you know some of the warning signs a dog is in pain, what can you do to help your dog if he’s suffering? 

There are a lot of supplements out there that can be a more natural alternative to pain pills, such as coconut oil for dogs, fish oil and even some cannabinoids for dogs that can make a big difference.

One of the first things to do if your dog is in pain is limit his exercise and give him enough time to heal. Place your dog's bed in a quiet, low-traffic area of the house so that he can rest and recuperate. It's especially important to provide a comfortable dog bed that's the correct size and supports his whole body. 

BuddyRest orthopedic memory foam dog beds are the perfect choice for dogs suffering from pain. We've consulted with multiple veterinarians to make sure we recommend the best beds and these offer superior comfort, support, and pain relief by redistributing weight evenly across the entire surface of the bed.

Finally, as we've mentioned throughout this post, it's important to visit your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog is in pain. It is often difficult to identify the source of your dog's pain at home, so it's always best to consult a veterinarian who can diagnose the pain and advise you on the correct course of treatment.

This article originally appeared on SitStay.com 

4 Dog Ailments You Can Manage With CBD Oil Products

There is a new, natural product hitting the shelves of pet stores and websites that have the ability to help manage multiple ailments dogs commonly suffer from. And you might find it surprising that this product is derived from marijuana! Not to worry, these are not the kinds of psychoactive cannabis products your parents warned you about in middle school. Rather, our four-legged friends can benefit from CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in the stalks and stems of hemp plants.  The same hemp oil that has become popular among humans for its health benefits, is also now a highly effective natural treatment for illnesses in your dogs. Let's look at four specific dog illnesses that could become better managed with CBD oil.

1. Pain and Arthritis

2. Seizures

There are many reasons why dogs can suddenly experience seizures including head injuries, anemia, cancer or a stroke. Regardless of the cause, it is never easy to watch your dog experience a seizure and more so, feeling helpless to getting a seizure to stop.
Studies have shown that a small amount of CBD oil has the ability to stop a seizure as well as reduce the frequency of future seizures. Rather than rely on drugs that bring horrible side effects, CBD is an all-natural product. Now you can avoid causing potential damage to your dog's vital organs from drugs like potassium bromide or phenobarbital.

While it's important to pay attention to proper CBD dosing, science shows an 84% decrease in seizures for all breeds. It still pays to work with a veterinarian that understands proper administering to avoid potential overdosing.

3. Anxiety

Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety or noise phobia? Unfortunately, anxiety in dogs isn’t just annoying and distracting but can also lead to aggression. Thankfully, similarly to humans, one of the most common reasons dogs can benefit from CBD oil is for anxiety purposes.  When CBD is ingested, it enters a dog’s endocannabinoid system and specific receptors are activated. One of the benefits of the endocannabinoid system is its ability to send communication between other systems in the body. When a dog is given CBD, receptors “speak” to one another allowing your pet feel calm.

4. Allergies

Has your dog recently been obsessively licking his paws, shaking his head, or scratching his coat? If so, there is a good chance he is reacting to allergies. Regardless of the cause of irritation (environmental factors, food allergies, hormone imbalances, etc.) the symptoms of skin inflammation are all the same. Some common side effects of prescription allergy medicine include sedation, constipation, and inappetite arguably leaving your pet worse off than before. Luckily Cannabidiol, which has natural anti-inflammatory properties, reduces allergic reactions as well as calm obsessive behaviors like paw licking.

It is always recommended to consult your veterinarian prior to administering CBD to your pet.

The CBDistillery™ was founded by a group of Colorado natives with a strong belief that people have a right to the highest quality, fairly priced hemp derived CBD. We aim to provide more than just exceptional products and service, we are on a mission to provide hemp derived CBD to all through the #CBDMOVEMENT, by providing access to education, research, and testimonials.