These vary and different animals react differently. Very rarely do animals yelp or groan unless their pain is severe. The following are common indications of pain: unusually aggressive / protective, not excited about going for a walk or greeting visitors f they normally grooming, guarding or tensing if you touch a part appetite of their body, restlessness, panting, reduced or heights as they normally would, not going up or do, licking parts of their body or repetitively l Change in behaviour – not as interactive, hiding, l Change in movement – not jumping onto furniture Our pets often hide their pain or cope a lot better with pain than us humans do! With chronic pain that is progressive, it's often difcult to see the signs when you live with your pet and see them every day as changes may be subtle. If in doubt, a vet check can be invaluable to identify whether pain is present and what is causing pain. SIGNS OF PAIN down stairs or reluctant to as they normally would, slowness getting up and down to rest, not managing to easily squat or cock their leg to urinate, stiff when moving or lame / limping, not managing to walk for as long, reluctance to go l Be mindful of obstacles that are difcult to navigate through the dog / cat door MANAGEMENT OF MUSCULO-SKELETAL PAIN l Ensure that exercise meets your pet's needs – for sway-back, have areas where the muscles have such as stairs, platforms, heights, slippery more towards 1 side, stand with an arched spine or cause pain, gentle and low impact and on a l Raise their feeding bowl so that they don't need to will provide a good grip as they walk the appropriate time that doesn't over-exert them or to minimize these such as ramps and matting that accessible on which they can comfortably get up wasted, limp? and move Pets often have to navigate in environments that amplify their pain. It helps to think of being in their “paws” and what they need to contend with regarding the following: l Change in posture and muscling – do they sit bend their necks down surfaces, dog and cat doors and create strategies l Provide soft and warm bedding that's easily PAIN & YOUR PET