How do I know if my dog is in pain? The silent signs pet parents miss

The signs of pain that dog owners miss most often don’t look like pain at all: yawning, lip licking, following you from room to room, restless nights, and walks that get a little shorter. This plain-language guide from Tether explains what these “silent signs” are, why they’re so easy to overlook, and what owners can do about them. The guide draws on a 2026 Utrecht University study of 530 dog owners. When a dog had obvious, movement-related pain, 97% of owners judged pain likely. When the signs were quieter, only 53% did. The guide covers: The six places silent signs show up: body language, closeness, rest, grooming, posture and face, and daily habits “Look-alike” signs: behaviors such as yawning, lip licking, turning away, and freezing that owners often read as stress rather than pain Why eating and tail wagging don’t rule out pain The link between pain and behavior problems, including new growling, guarding, and reactivity A simple weekly at-home check against a dog’s individualized baseline, plus what to bring to a vet appointment A three-tier guide to when to act: wait and watch, call tomorrow, or go now An overview of The Ruff, Tether’s collar-mounted monitor, which tracks movement, rest, breathing, and vocalizations around the clock against each dog’s own baseline This guide is educational. It does not diagnose pain or replace a veterinary examination.