A dog who stops jumping into the car. A cat who no longer sleeps on the favorite windowsill. A pet who seems “grumpy,” hides more, or has accidents outside the litter box.
It is easy to file these changes under getting older. But pain in pets is often quieter than we expect. Cats especially are good at masking discomfort, and chronic pain can creep in slowly enough that families adapt without realizing it. Recent AAHA pet-owner guidance on recognizing pain in cats makes a simple point that applies broadly: your observations at home are one of the most important tools your veterinary team has.
For pet owners, the practical takeaway is this: if your pet’s daily habits have changed, don’t wait for a dramatic limp or cry. Ask your local veterinarian for a pain assessment and a written plan.
Pain often looks like behavior
Pets rarely point to the sore spot. Instead, pain may show up as a change in routine.
For dogs, that might mean slowing down on walks, hesitating on stairs, refusing to jump, lagging behind, or otherwise showing changes in activity and mobility. For cats, it may look like changes in the way they walk, jump, run, play, use stairs, or respond to handling.
AAHA’s pain-management resources emphasize that chronic pain assessment works best when the veterinary team combines a physical exam with owner observations. That matters because your pet may act differently at the clinic than at home. A cat who freezes on the exam table may not show the awkward jump you see every morning. A dog who perks up around new people may briefly mask the stiffness you notice after naps.
This is where a relationship with a local independent veterinarian can be especially helpful. A team that knows your pet over time has more context: what “normal” looks like, what has changed, what medicines your pet has taken before, and what your budget and daily routine can realistically support.
Bring examples, not guesses
You do not have to diagnose your pet. You just have to describe what you see.
Before the appointment, write down three to five specific changes, such as:
- “She no longer jumps onto the couch.”
- “He pauses halfway up the stairs.”
- “Her walk looks different than it used to.”
- “He seems uncomfortable with handling.”
- “The litter box accidents started after we moved the box downstairs.”
Short videos can help, too. Record your pet walking, rising from sleep, climbing stairs, jumping, or using the litter box area. These everyday clips can give your veterinarian a clearer picture than memory alone.
AAHA’s chronic pain guidance also points to structured questionnaires for tracking pain over time. For dogs, tools such as the Canine Brief Pain Inventory or Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs questionnaire may help veterinary teams measure changes in activity and comfort. For cats, pain tracking often depends heavily on home behavior and follow-up questions. The exact tool matters less than the habit: observe, write it down, reassess, and adjust.
Please do not reach into your medicine cabinet
When a pet seems uncomfortable, it is natural to want to help right away. But human pain relievers can be dangerous for dogs and cats.
The FDA warns pet owners not to give pain medicine from the household medicine cabinet unless a veterinarian specifically tells them to. Ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and acetaminophen are not “one-size-fits-all” medicines for pets. Cats are especially vulnerable to some drugs because they cannot break them down the way people do, and even dogs can suffer serious side effects from the wrong drug, dose, or combination.
A safe pain plan may include medication, but it should be chosen for your pet’s species, weight, age, medical history, lab work, and other prescriptions. Your veterinarian may also recommend weight management, joint support, exercise changes, physical rehabilitation, environmental changes, dental care, or follow-up testing.
Ask for the plan in plain language
A good pain conversation does not have to be technical. Try asking:
- “What signs make you think my pet may be in pain?”
- “What are the safest options for this pet?”
- “What side effects should I watch for?”
- “When should I expect improvement?”
- “When do we recheck or change the plan?”
- “Are there home changes that would help?”
For a cat, home changes might be a lower-entry litter box, steps to a favorite resting place, softer bedding, or food and water stations on the main floor. For a dog, it might be traction rugs, shorter but more frequent walks, ramps, nail care, or avoiding weekend overexertion after a quiet week.
The Main Street Paws takeaway
Pain care is not just about a prescription. It is about noticing your pet’s real life and building a plan that fits it.
If your pet is slowing down, avoiding stairs, missing jumps, or acting unlike themselves, call your local vet. Bring the details. Bring a video if you can. Ask what relief could look like and how you will measure progress.
Independent local practices are built for this kind of ongoing care: the slow changes, the follow-up calls, the practical adjustments, and the trust that grows from knowing your pet as an individual. That relationship can turn “maybe it’s just age” into a clearer, kinder plan for comfort.