Scientists are warning dog owners to pay closer attention to subtle changes in canine behaviour, as new research has highlighted 17 key signs of pain in dogs -- many of which, scientists found, are too easily overlooked.
The study, based on responses from 647 participants including 530 dog owners and 117 non-dog owners, examined how well people can recognise pain-related behaviours in dogs. Using an online questionnaire, participants were asked to assess 17 specific behavioural signs and evaluate three case scenarios involving dogs with different conditions.
The 17 signs identified in the research include: change in personality, hesitant paw lifting, fluctuating mood, reduced play, turning the head or body away, freezing, licking surfaces, lip or nose licking, yawning, air sniffing, increased blinking, increased grooming, increased scratching, coat changes, changed look, reduced activity, and other subtle behavioural shifts such as withdrawal or reduced sociability.
While some of these signs may seem obvious, the findings show that many are not widely recognised as indicators of pain. Participants were most likely to associate "change in personality," "hesitant paw lifting," "fluctuating mood," and "reduced play" with discomfort. These behaviours tend to be more noticeable and disruptive, making them easier to interpret.
However, more subtle behaviours -- such as "nose licking," "yawning," and "air sniffing" -- were consistently rated as unlikely to signal pain. These actions are often dismissed as normal or linked to stress, rather than being recognised as possible warning signs of underlying issues.
Crucially, the study found that dog ownership does not necessarily improve a person's ability to detect these quieter signals.
Although dog owners performed slightly better when identifying clear, movement-related pain -- such as limping or holding up a leg -- they showed no significant advantage over non-dog owners when it came to recognising more nuanced behavioural changes.
In some cases, non-dog owners were even more likely to associate behaviours like "turning the head or body away" and "freezing" with pain. Researchers suggest this may be because dog owners are more familiar with interpreting these actions as signs of fear or stress, rather than physical discomfort.
The research also tested how participants responded to real-life scenarios. In a case involving obvious pain linked to movement, most participants correctly identified pain as the cause. Dog owners scored slightly higher in this scenario, though both groups performed well overall.
In contrast, a scenario featuring subtle signs -- such as restlessness at night, increased attachment, shadowing family members, and shorter walks -- proved much more challenging. Only around half of participants recognised pain as a likely explanation, with no meaningful difference between dog owners and non-dog owners.
Experience played a role in improving awareness. Participants who had previously experienced pain themselves, or whose dogs had gone through a painful condition, were more likely to correctly identify subtle signs. This suggests that firsthand experience may heighten sensitivity to behavioural changes linked to discomfort.
The findings carry important implications for both animal welfare and public safety. Pain can make dogs more unpredictable and increase the risk of aggression. When early warning signs are missed, interactions with dogs -- even familiar ones -- can become more dangerous.
Researchers stress that many early indicators of pain are easy to dismiss. Small changes, such as increased grooming, blinking, or shifts in behaviour, may signal discomfort long before more obvious symptoms appear.
With dog ownership continuing to rise, the study highlights a critical need for better education around canine behaviour. Recognising both the obvious and the subtle signs of pain could lead to earlier intervention, improved welfare and safer interactions between dogs and humans.