Animals less likely than us to show pain

Q: How can you tell when an animal is in pain?

A: What may seem like a simple question is actually a very complex one. Recognizing pain in animals can be difficult.

In human medicine, pain can be assessed both subjectively and objectively. Sometimes, it is as simple as asking the patient "Are you in pain?" This option is not available to veterinarians and pet owners.

Just because a pet is not moaning or crying out does not mean it is not in pain. Pets feel pain the same way humans do, based on physiological and neurological studies. However, unlike humans, animals are quite long-suffering and less likely to express their pain vocally or physically. This is because animals instinctively try to mask their pain since to do otherwise can make them vulnerable to predators.

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