Dog expert warns of 'subtle' signs your pet is in pain that shouldn't be ignored
17.05.2023 - 09:09
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
As much as we may want them to, our dogs cannot speak to us, so it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what they are thinking and feeling.
The animals have to rely on body language to tell us what's going on, which is why it's so vital that owners are clued up on what certain signals may mean.
And one animal behaviourist says that there's a 'subtle' thing dogs do that owners often miss, but it could mean that your furry friend is in pain.
Dog expert Anna Webb believes that these signs are simple to learn about, and they could help provide pets with a lot of relief.
She told the Mirror: "Dogs are masters at trying to disguise pain, so it's about observing your pet and getting to know them overtime to recognise when they are trying to tell you something in dog language."
It's rare that your dog will actually yawn when they're tired, although context is always important.
Very often it's your pet saying in dog language that they are uncomfortable.
If you catch them yawning while out on a walk, it may indicate they feel overwhelmed, in pain or stressed.
This is a compulsive behaviour that's often caused by stress or anxiety.
Pooches may chew or lick their paws when they have come into contact with harmful chemicals or allergies.
It could be a sign of an aching pain from arthritis, or they may have small painful cuts on their paw pads.
If your dog appears to be struggling to walk or climb stairs, it could be a sign that they're in pain.
They may also have a hunched back, low tail, pinned back ears or widened eyes.
All of these suggest they're having a bad day, but could also be caused by arthritis, a torn muscle, soft tissue damage or an infected graze.
If your dog licks their lips a lot when they aren't eating, or trembles when