Reasons a Healthy Pet Can Be in Pain Without Expressing It

By Jen Newton

Congratulations! You are fortunate to own and have the companionship of a healthy pet. They seem active and healthy without a care in the world. You think there could be nothing wrong. Stop! Please take a moment to think about how animals are programmed by nature.

To protect themselves from predators, animals naturally hide their pain. It's a trait that has been inborn since the beginning of time. Your seemingly healthy pet may be suffering even though he isn't showing obvious signs. Observing your pet's behavior is vital to managing your pet's health.

Watch how your pet acts and behaves. There are numerous indicators that their health isn't what it should be. Since they are used to, and for the most part, quietly dealing with pain they will in fact make an effort to conceal or minimize the effects of any pain they feel.

If your pet shows abnormal chewing habits, he may have a dental disorder or a mouth tumor. Additional signs include weight loss, bad breath, or excessive face rubbing. A loss or thinning of hair could be another sign of internal distress. A normal, healthy pet should not show any of these signs.

As strange as it sounds to some pet owners, your pet needs to have their teeth checked routinely. They get cavities and gum diseases just like we do. Neglecting this can lead to infections and pain that becomes very difficult to treat once it advances to a certain point.

Good health is directly influenced by your weight and eating habits. Animals as well as humans carrying excess weight have an increased chance of physical illnesses and damage. Weight gain due to lack of exercise also can be a signal of arthritis pain. Joint disease is the most common cause of pain. Pets that limp may be reluctant to go up or down stairs, exercise, or play.

Your pet will experience greater pain from joint diseases if they are overweight. Just helping them lose a few pounds can take pressure off their sore joints and allow them to function better. You can find a number of excellent pet nutrition products designed to be tasty but low-calorie. These will help.

The lack of verbal expression does not mean that your pet is not experiencing pain. Minor behavioral changes can be cause for alarm. Being aware of normal healthy pet habits can help you and your veterinarian assess and treat your pet's pain. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose, treat, and manage pain. If you observe any change in your pet's behavior, be safe and make an appointment with your veterinarian. - 29895

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