The short answer
If your dog is in pain, the first and most important step is a visit to your veterinarian. Pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis — arthritis, a torn ligament, dental disease, and an abdominal problem can all look like "he's just moving slow today," and each one needs a different treatment. Your vet can diagnose the cause and prescribe a pain medication made for dogs.
Do not give your dog human pain medication. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are toxic to dogs and can cause stomach ulcers, kidney failure, or liver damage. Aspirin is also risky and should only ever be given under direct veterinary instruction. The American Kennel Club and VCA Animal Hospitals are both clear on this. Call your vet, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, if your dog has already gotten into any of these.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. I'm not a veterinarian, so what follows is what I've learned from our own vets and from reputable sources — meant to help you have a better conversation with yours, not to replace it.
How do I know if my dog is in pain?
Dogs are good at hiding discomfort. It's instinct. So the signs are usually subtle and behavioral before they're obvious:
- Limping, stiffness, or trouble getting up — especially after rest
- Reluctance to jump on the couch, climb stairs, or go on the usual walk
- Panting or restlessness when it isn't hot
- Changes in appetite, or dropping food while chewing (often a dental issue)
- Licking or chewing at one spot repeatedly
- Withdrawing, hiding, or unusual grumpiness when touched
- Whining, growling, or yelping
A sudden change in a dog's normal routine is worth paying attention to. You know your dog's baseline better than anyone.
What will the vet actually do?
Expect an exam and, depending on what they find, x-rays or bloodwork to identify the source. Treatment usually falls into a few buckets:
Prescription medication
The most common option for pain and inflammation is a canine-specific NSAID — carprofen, meloxicam, grapiprant, and others. These are formulated and dosed for dogs and require monitoring, which is exactly why they're prescription-only. VCA has a useful overview of canine pain medications if you want to read up before your appointment.
Weight and activity management
For joint pain, extra weight is one of the biggest levers you control. The AVMA notes that keeping a dog at a healthy weight meaningfully reduces the load on arthritic joints. Controlled, low-impact exercise usually beats total rest for chronic arthritis — but ask your vet what's right for your dog's specific condition.
Supplements and adjunct therapies
Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin are commonly recommended alongside medication for joint support. Evidence varies by product and by dog, so run any supplement past your vet first — some interact with prescriptions.
Comfort at home
Orthopedic bedding, rugs or runners on slick floors, a ramp instead of a jump into the car, and food and water within easy reach all reduce day-to-day strain. Small changes, real difference.
Can a dog's chew habits cause pain?
Yes — and it's an easy one to overlook. Dental pain is one of the most common and most under-diagnosed sources of discomfort in dogs, and the wrong chew can cause a fractured tooth or a digestive blockage. If your dog is dropping food, chewing on one side, or suddenly avoiding a chew he used to love, get his mouth looked at.
This is the part I actually know something about. We started Bully Sticks Central because the chew aisle is full of products that are anything but simple. Our chews are 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and no rawhide — ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and 100% high-quality guaranteed. Rawhide is the one I'd flag hardest: it doesn't break down the way real meat does, which is where the blockage risk comes from.
If you're rethinking what your dog chews on, here's where to start:
- Single-ingredient chews — why one ingredient beats a long label
- Bully sticks — what they are and how to pick a good one
- Trachea dog treats — a softer option for dogs with sensitive teeth or older mouths
A chew doesn't treat pain. But the right chew avoids causing some, and that counts.
What about older dogs?
Arthritis is common in senior dogs, and it's chronic — the goal is management, not a cure. That usually means regular vet check-ins, ongoing medication, weight control, and adjusting the home so getting around isn't a struggle. Slowing down isn't just "getting old." It's often pain, and pain is treatable. It's worth bringing up at every appointment.
Talk to your vet
Everything here is general information from reputable sources. Your dog's pain has a specific cause, and only a veterinarian who can examine your dog can find it and treat it properly. If something seems off, make the call — earlier is always better and usually cheaper.
This post was last updated at July 23, 2026 06:53
