"Recently Clingy" is a Red Flag - Is That "Affection" Really a Sign of Love? Why Many Pet Owners Miss Their Dogs' Pain

Dogs cannot express "pain" in words. This is why owners try to interpret changes in their expressions, gait, and gestures to detect any abnormalities. However, the latest research indicates that this "interpretation" is not as simple as one might think. A study conducted by a research team from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, among others, examined how well 530 dog owners and 117 non-owners could recognize signs of pain in dogs. The results showed that while many people could recognize obvious signs of pain, such as abnormal gait or limping, subtle signs like restlessness at night or following family members around were harder for even owners to detect.

Interestingly, the assumption that "because I own a dog, I should be able to tell" did not translate into an advantage. The study found that dog owners were not significantly better than non-owners at recognizing subtle signs of pain. Particularly, behaviors like following family members around or increased attachment were more often interpreted as "anxiety" or "clinginess" rather than pain. In cases of subtle pain, while some people did see nighttime restlessness as a sign of pain, behaviors like chasing after family members or appearing dependent were less likely to be associated with pain.

These results might be hard for many owners to hear because when we see changes in our dogs, we tend to first explain them as "personality" or "mood." "Maybe they're restless because of age," "They're just a bit more sensitive," "They're clinging because they want attention." While these interpretations are natural, they can delay the discovery of pain. The research team points out that reactions like turning the head or body away or freezing are often interpreted by owners as signs of stress or fear. In other words, "pain" and "emotional responses" are not clearly separated in the owner's mind.

On the other hand, there is hope. The study found that owners whose dogs had previously experienced painful illnesses, accidents, or treatments were more likely to recognize changes in appearance or decreased play as signs of pain. It was also shown that people with personal experiences of pain were more likely to interpret subtle changes like blinking or yawning as signs of pain. Experience enhances sensitivity to noticing small changes in dogs. Conversely, for owners without such experience, "learning as knowledge" becomes important.

So, what changes should we actually look for? Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine lists signs of pain such as changes in posture, stiffness or limping, difficulty standing up or climbing stairs, restlessness, decreased activity, changes in vocalization, withdrawal, increased clinginess, reluctance to be touched, persistent licking of specific areas, irritability or aggression, and excessive panting at rest. The American Animal Hospital Association also advises not to overlook decreased appetite, reluctance to move, personality changes, increased vocalization, and abnormal breathing. In other words, pain manifests not only in extreme forms like "unable to walk" or "screaming" but also as a disruption in the daily atmosphere.

Moreover, overlooking pain does not just prolong the dog's suffering. The original article emphasizes that delayed recognition of pain significantly harms the dog's welfare and increases the risk of behavioral problems and even aggression. Cornell University explains that dogs in pain may react negatively to contact they would normally tolerate, growl, or become aggressive. Dismissing a suddenly irritable dog as merely a training issue is risky. First, there needs to be a perspective that considers physical discomfort.

This theme resonates widely because the same pattern is repeated in the world of social media. A 2024 study analyzing 190 popular dog videos on video-sharing sites found that stress behaviors in dogs were frequently observed during scenes of human "expressions of affection" like hugging, petting, and playing. Yet, viewers reacted positively, and the videos garnered much support. The point is that cute behaviors and whether the dog is comfortable are separate issues. We tend to reinterpret the dog's signs to fit the story we want to see.

In fact, in online pet owner communities, there are frequent responses to posts like "My dog suddenly clings to me" or "They become restless and pace at night," suggesting "first suspect pain or illness and see a vet." On Reddit's dog-related forums, multiple comments suggest that sudden clinginess might indicate pain or that behavioral changes are signs of health issues. Regarding nighttime pacing or panting, there are prominent voices recommending consulting a vet, considering not only pain but also cognitive decline or other illnesses. While social media reactions tend to be emotional, on this topic, "see a vet quickly" outweighs "cute."

Of course, the reason a dog clings to its owner is not only due to pain. Cornell University states that the background of anxious behaviors often involves factors other than simple "personality," explaining that in separation anxiety, dogs tend to want to be in the same room as their owner, and in cognitive dysfunction syndrome, panting, pacing, and restlessness, especially at night, can occur. Therefore, it is important not to self-diagnose and conclude, "This is clinginess," or "This is aging." To distinguish between pain, anxiety, aging, or internal diseases, an examination is necessary.

There are three practical measures that owners can take. First, note "since when," "in what situations," and "what has changed." The distance of walks, stairs, appetite, sleep, reactions when touched, and nighttime behavior are important materials. Second, take videos. Some dogs may not show their usual behavior due to tension or excitement in the examination room, so recording gestures at home can be helpful. Third, do not give human painkillers on your own. The US FDA states that animal NSAIDs have side effects and should be administered under veterinary supervision, and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine warns that many human painkillers are toxic to dogs and cats.

The original article also mentions the need for a system to confirm theoretical knowledge before keeping a dog, as stated by a representative of the German Animal Welfare Federation. It may sound a bit strict, but looking at the research results, there is some truth to this claim. Love for dogs alone does not allow for accurate reading of their pain. Rather, confidence in "understanding my dog" can lead to overlooking subtle signs. What is needed is not special techniques but a perspective that sees small changes as "a possible SOS from the body" rather than "a personality issue."

Dogs are stoic. Therefore, when they appear clearly in pain, they may already be in a rather severe state. Behaviors that seem like clinginess, restlessness at night, not playing, or slight reluctance to be touched—these ambiguous changes might be early signs. Before dismissing them as cute gestures, take a moment to think. That few minutes of awareness could shorten the dog's suffering.

[Source URL]
Refer to the German Animal Welfare Federation's views and mentions of the 2024 study.
https://www.fehmarn24.de/welt/hundebesitzer-erkennen-schmerzen-bei-ihren-tieren-oft-nicht-zr-94248055.html

Primary research paper. Refer to confirm core facts such as the number of subjects, the weakness in recognizing subtle pain signs, and the impact of experience.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0344512

Press release article summarizing the research content. Refer to confirm key points regarding the paper's title, publication date, nighttime restlessness, and "clinginess."
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1121364

Cornell University's explanation of canine pain signs from a veterinary perspective. Refer to descriptions of posture, activity level, increased clinginess, aggression, panting, etc.
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/recognizing-pain-dogs

American Animal Hospital Association's explanation of pet pain signs. Refer to supplement information on decreased appetite, personality changes, vocalization, and abnormal breathing.
https://www.aaha.org/resources/whats-wrong-common-pet-pain-signs/

Overview of the 2024 study analyzing 190 popular dog videos, showing how humans often overlook stress signs in dogs. Refer to organize the context of "misreading" in the SNS era.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159124000546

Cornell University's explanation of anxious behavior and cognitive decline in dogs. Refer to confirm that nighttime pacing and panting can occur due to factors other than pain.
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/anxious-behavior-how-help-your-dog-cope-unsettling-situations

Example of SNS reaction 1. Refer to confirm reactions suggesting pain or health issues and recommending a vet visit in response to sudden "clingy behavior."
https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/1o0fequ/my_dog_keeps_trying_to_get_my_attention_and_is/

Example of SNS reaction 2. Refer to confirm reactions suggesting "behavioral changes warrant a vet visit" in response to sudden clingy behavior.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/1q3h5lj/why_is_my_female_dog_suddenly_so_clingy/

Example of SNS reaction 3. Refer to confirm reactions recommending vet consultation for nighttime pacing, considering not only pain but also cognitive decline.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogowners/comments/1rh51zs/dog_pacing_at_night/

Supplement on safety. Refer to confirm that animal NSAIDs require veterinary supervision and that many human painkillers are harmful to dogs.
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-pain-relievers-pets
https://vetmed.illinois.edu/pet-health-columns/keep-human-medications-away-from-pets/