29/04/2026
Omdat hij het doet, zegt niet dat hij het werkelijk kan!
โก๏ธDOGS IN PAIN STILL RUN, PLAY, AND KEEP GOINGโก๏ธ
Not a week goes by without a client saying:
โBut my dog canโt be in painโthey stillโฆโ
โข Play ball
โข Go for walks
โข Do agility
โข Run and play with the grandchildren
โข Compete in sports
โข Jump on the sofa
โข Chase squirrels
โข Act โnormallyโ
โฆand this is one of the biggest misconceptions we see in canine rehabilitation.
๐พ Dogs in chronic pain often continue to perform normal activities
Unlike humans, dogs are incredibly stoic. Pain behaviours are often subtle, gradual, and easily dismissed as โjust getting olderโ or โslowing down.โ
Many dogs with musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, compensatory strain, or soft tissue dysfunction will still run, play, and remain activeโbecause movement is instinctive, routine, and often driven by adrenaline, excitement, or habit.
They do not always cry, whimper, or limp.
In fact, by the time obvious lameness appears, pain may have been present for weeks, months, or even years.
๐ฌ Common subtle signs of pain include:
โข Slower to rise after rest
โข Reluctance to jump into the car
โข Hesitation on stairs
โข Reduced stamina on walks
โข Behavioural changes or irritability
โข Changes in posture or weight shifting
โข Licking joints or limbs
โข Difficulty settling comfortably
โข Reduced performance in sport or exercise
โข โGood days and bad daysโ
Pain is not always loud. Often, it is silent compensation.
Early recognition mattersโbecause chronic pain changes movement patterns, increases compensatory strain, and can significantly affect long-term mobility and quality of life.
As therapists, our job is not just to treat painโbut to help owners recognise it.
Because โtheyโre still playingโ does not always mean โtheyโre pain free.โ