Pets do not always show pain in obvious ways. A dog may move more slowly, hesitate on stairs, pant, lick one area, or become quiet. A cat may hide, stop jumping, change grooming, or show facial tension.
The Glasgow Pain Score Calculator helps organize visible signs. It can make a vet discussion more specific because you are describing what changed instead of only saying your pet seems off.
What to write down
| Observation | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Limping, stiffness, avoiding stairs | Shows physical comfort |
| Posture | Hunched, tense, guarded | Gives visual clues |
| Appetite | Eating less, chewing differently | Can connect to pain or dental issues |
| Sleep | Restless, changing position often | Comfort affects rest |
| Mood | Withdrawn, irritable, clingy | Behaviour can reflect discomfort |
| Touch response | Pulling away, flinching, guarding | Helps locate sensitive areas |
Use the score as a conversation starter
A pain score does not replace an exam, but it helps you organize your notes. Use the calculator result with examples from home, such as when the sign happens and how often.
For cats, the Feline Grimace Scale can help you observe facial cues. If the concern may involve teeth or gums, Pet Dental Scoring can help you record visible dental signs.
Bring useful details
Bring the score, photos or videos if available, medication or supplement lists, food changes, and a timeline. Mention whether the change happened suddenly or gradually.
Use examples instead of general labels
Saying a pet seems painful is important, but examples make the conversation clearer. Mention whether your dog hesitates before jumping, whether your cat avoids the couch, whether appetite changed, or whether grooming has decreased.
Try to describe when the sign happens. Morning stiffness, pain after play, trouble after stairs, or discomfort during handling can each point to different patterns.
Photos and videos can help
If it is safe and natural, record a short video of the movement or behaviour that concerns you. A short clip of walking, sitting, jumping, or resting posture can be more useful than a long explanation.
Pair the video with the pain score and a written timeline. This gives the veterinary team a clearer view of what happens at home, where many signs are easier to see.
Make the timeline clear
A simple timeline can make a pain discussion much easier. Write when the change started, whether it was sudden or gradual, what makes it worse, what seems to help, and whether it changes during the day. This gives the score more context.
Also include any recent events, such as a fall, long hike, grooming visit, dental concern, new food, or medication change. These details may not be the cause, but they help build a clearer picture.
Include normal behaviour too
Do not only record the difficult moments. Mention what your pet can still do comfortably, such as eating, walking, jumping, grooming, or sleeping. This helps the score show both limits and strengths.
Note: Pain scoring helps organize observations, but pain concerns should be discussed with a veterinarian.