Spotting if pain is affecting behaviour.
If your dog or cat has become irritable, snappy, grumpy, withdrawn, or anxious — and it feels like a personality change that’s come from nowhere — it’s always worth asking whether pain or an underlying health condition could be part of the reason.
As both a vet and a behaviourist, I’m passionate about maximising both your pet’s physical and emotional comfort.
The pain and behaviour connection
Research reviewing veterinary behaviour cases in cats and dogs has found that pain may be a contributing factor in up to 80% of cases. Cats and dogs can’t tell us when something hurts, and discomfort doesn’t always look the way you’d expect. Instead of limping or crying out, a pet in pain might simply become quicker to react — less tolerant of being touched, handled, or approached; more reactive to other animals or to noise; more withdrawn, or more prone to growling, hissing, snapping, swiping or biting.
They may suddenly change routines and patterns that have been the same for years. Dogs may refuse to go for walks, and cats may start going to the toilet outside of their litter tray.
This doesn’t mean every behaviour change is pain-related — but it does mean physical health always needs proper assessment.
Some ‘red flags’ I look for
- A sudden change in temperament or increased grumpiness.
- Growling, hissing, snapping or biting when touched, groomed, or handled.
- Behaviour changes that started after an injury, illness, or a visit to the vet.
- A change of appetite, thirst, sleep, play, toileting or willingness to exercise.
My whole health approach
Because I’m a vet, I bring a medical eye to behaviour work. In every case, I consider how physical health factors may be influencing the behaviour, and I work with you — and with your own vet — to identify when further investigation or treatment may be warranted, alongside the behavioural support itself.
I have up-to-date knowledge of how physical problems can influence a pet’s behaviour and many years of experience treating complex and painful conditions in both dogs and cats.
What this looks like in practice
I start by reviewing your pet’s medical and emotional history, so nothing gets missed. From there, an in-depth consultation will further explore your pet’s behaviour and its causes, including whether the physical picture needs further investigation.
A sick or painful animal will struggle to learn a new way of thinking or behaving. Therefore, my packages are designed to support you for several months because I know from experience that it can take time to rule out and treat medical problems.
Frequently asked questions
Can pain cause aggression or reactivity in dogs or cats? Yes. Discomfort can lower a pet’s tolerance and change how they respond to being touched, approached, or handled.
Can pain cause house-soiling in cats? Yes, Pain and medical problems are among the most common causes of this behaviour concern.
How do I know if my pet’s behaviour is pain-related? Sometimes it’s hard to know for certain, but I firmly believe that behavioural and physical health shouldn’t be considered separately.
Isn’t it normal for an older cat or dog to become more grumpy or anxious and exercise less? It’s certainly a common pattern, and one that many people simply put down to normal ageing. However, any behavioural changes in your pet as they get older should be explored and addressed as soon as possible, particularly if pain could be playing a part.
Will you work with my own vet? Yes. Working on veterinary referral means I’ll work alongside your vet, particularly when further medical investigations and treatments for pain might be needed.
