Canine Pain Assessment Scale
Learn how to recognize signs of pain in dogs and determine whether your dog may require monitoring, veterinary evaluation, or emergency care.
🐕 Canine Health Assessment Tool
Canine Pain Assessment Scale
Learn how to recognize signs of pain in dogs and determine whether your dog may require monitoring, veterinary evaluation, or emergency care.
Why Dogs Hide Pain
Dogs often conceal discomfort as a natural survival behavior. Subtle changes in movement, posture, appetite, energy level, or behavior may be the first indicators that something is wrong.
🐕 Behavior
Changes in attitude, interaction, or activity level.
🚶 Mobility
Changes in movement, posture, or willingness to exercise.
🍽 Appetite
- Reduced food intake, water intake, or interest in treats.
Pain Assessment Scale
Select the description that most closely matches your dog’s current condition.
0–1
Green
Comfortable
- Normal behavior
- Normal mobility
- Normal appetite
2–3
Light Green
Mild Discomfort
- Slight stiffness
- Minor behavior changes
- Occasional hesitation
4–5
Gold
Moderate Pain
- Reduced activity
- Visible discomfort
- Protective behavior
- Changes in posture
6–7
Orange
Significant Pain
- Reluctance to move
- Persistent limping
- Decreased appetite
- Difficulty resting
8–10
Red
Severe Pain
- Unable to get comfortable
- Crying or vocalizing
- Refusing movement
- Signs of distress
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Abdominal distension
- Blue or gray gums
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Sudden inability to walk
- Suspected poisoning
