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Dr. Courtney Prue, founder and lead veterinarian at Rest Your Paws, writes that pain is one of the most common and misunderstood factors affecting the quality of life in senior pets.
Our pets can’t tell us when something hurts, and often the signs will be subtle and easy to miss—but that doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering.
As pet owners, we share an unspoken bond with our furry companions built on unconditional love and comfortable daily routines. Yet, this same deep connection can sometimes make it difficult to recognise when our beloved pets are struggling. The animals that bring us such joy are remarkably stoic, often suffering in silence until their discomfort becomes unbearable.
Recognising the Signs
Understanding why pets conceal their discomfort is the first step to becoming a more observant guardian. In the wild, showing weakness makes animals vulnerable to predators, so evolution has equipped our pets with remarkable abilities to mask pain and illness. This survival instinct doesn't disappear simply because they're safe in our homes.
The early signs of pain are often missed or dismissed as ‘just getting older.’ At first, your older dog may simply be sleeping more. Maybe they aren’t as excited for walks or have started needing help getting into the car. But they’re still eating and still wagging their tail, just a bit slower and quieter.
Over time, these subtle signs might become harder to ignore. Your dog might begin limping after short walks or seem stiff after naps. They might stop jumping up on the couch, avoid stairs, or tense up when touched. Maybe they begin panting more, pacing at night, or retreating to quiet corners of the house.
We hear it all the time: “Oh, he’s just slowing down.”
But the truth is, around 80% of dogs over the age of eight, and cats over twelve, suffer from painful osteoarthritis. Many are simply too sore to move like they used to.
A Real-Life Story: Mia’s Journey
Wanting to get the best care possible for Mia, Megan contacted Rest Your Paws to organise a full at-home consultation with one of their experienced vets, Dr. Anna.
During this visit, Dr. Anna took blood and urine samples, recommended new medications to help Mia’s condition, and provided Megan with rehabilitation exercises designed to help build Mia’s strength.
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| Megan and Tim with their Labradors |
Through regular phone calls and emails, Dr. Anna guided them through new challenges as they arose—such as how to deal with an eye infection—and a follow-up home visit allowed her to adjust Mia’s plan and ensure she stayed comfortable.
When Mia’s health continued declining and the time came to discuss palliative care and at-home euthanasia, Megan knew she could turn to the full support, compassion, and guidance from Dr. Anna and the Rest Your Paws team to do what was best for Mia’s quality of life.
When Mia’s health continued declining and the time came to discuss palliative care and at-home euthanasia, Megan knew she could turn to the full support, compassion, and guidance from Dr. Anna and the Rest Your Paws team to do what was best for Mia’s quality of life.
Assessing Your Pet’s Pain and Quality of Life
When a family comes to us, we guide them through a pain scoring tool and Quality of Life Assessment. For many, it’s the first time they can see the full picture, not just as isolated behaviours, but as a consistent pattern of discomfort.
With that clarity, they can make informed choices: starting additional treatments and medications, palliative care, or preparing for a peaceful goodbye. Either way, they feel empowered to act with compassion, rather than uncertainty.
When a family comes to us, we guide them through a pain scoring tool and Quality of Life Assessment. For many, it’s the first time they can see the full picture, not just as isolated behaviours, but as a consistent pattern of discomfort.
With that clarity, they can make informed choices: starting additional treatments and medications, palliative care, or preparing for a peaceful goodbye. Either way, they feel empowered to act with compassion, rather than uncertainty.
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is, “I’ll know it’s time when they stop eating.”
While appetite changes can be a sign of declining health, they are often one of the last things to go. If you wait for this one sign alone, you may miss the window where you could have prevented your pet’s suffering.
While pain is a major indicator of declining quality of life, it's not the only factor to consider.
A comprehensive Quality of Life Assessment examines three key areas: physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Try writing down the top five things your pet loves to do. When they can no longer enjoy most of them, it may be time to talk to your vet about their comfort and next steps. If you’ve started noticing changes, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional advice.
Rest Your Paws has many online resources, including a downloadable Pain Scoring Tool to help you track how your pet is feeling over time. This can be especially helpful when symptoms are subtle or seem to fluctuate.
Understanding Palliative Care and Euthanasia
One of the biggest misunderstandings I encounter in my job is around palliative care for pets. Unlike human palliative care, which often focuses on extending life while managing symptoms, veterinary palliative care prioritises comfort and quality of life above longevity.
- Physical considerations: Your pet's ability to breathe comfortably, eat and drink normally, move around independently, and sleep restfully. Are they reluctant to be handled? Do they struggle to find comfortable positions?
- Emotional factors: Mental stimulation, personality changes, anxiety levels, and overall happiness. Has your once-social pet become withdrawn? Are they showing signs of frustration or distress?
- Social elements: Interactions with family members and other pets, their ability to maintain normal routines, and their engagement with their environment.
Rest Your Paws has many online resources, including a downloadable Pain Scoring Tool to help you track how your pet is feeling over time. This can be especially helpful when symptoms are subtle or seem to fluctuate.
Understanding Palliative Care and Euthanasia
It's about reducing symptoms, improving comfort, and maintaining dignity for whatever time remains—not about pursuing treatments that might extend life at the expense of wellbeing.
This is perhaps the most important misconception about euthanasia. Gentle euthanasia (from the Greek eu ‘good’ and thanatos ‘death’) is not a harmful or distressing act. It’s a peaceful, pain-free process that allows your pet to pass in their sleep, surrounded by love.
There is no ‘perfect time’ for this decision, and seeking one often creates unnecessary pressure and confusion for you and your family. Instead, there's a window where euthanasia becomes appropriate to prevent suffering. Making this decision before suffering occurs, while emotionally challenging, is the kindest gift we can offer our companions.
Remember that you're not alone in this journey. Veterinarians trained in palliative and end-of-life care are available to help you interpret symptoms, assess quality of life, and navigate these difficult decisions. We're here to provide professional guidance, support, and most importantly, to give you permission to prioritise your pet's comfort over your own wish for them to hold on.
This is perhaps the most important misconception about euthanasia. Gentle euthanasia (from the Greek eu ‘good’ and thanatos ‘death’) is not a harmful or distressing act. It’s a peaceful, pain-free process that allows your pet to pass in their sleep, surrounded by love.
There is no ‘perfect time’ for this decision, and seeking one often creates unnecessary pressure and confusion for you and your family. Instead, there's a window where euthanasia becomes appropriate to prevent suffering. Making this decision before suffering occurs, while emotionally challenging, is the kindest gift we can offer our companions.
Remember that you're not alone in this journey. Veterinarians trained in palliative and end-of-life care are available to help you interpret symptoms, assess quality of life, and navigate these difficult decisions. We're here to provide professional guidance, support, and most importantly, to give you permission to prioritise your pet's comfort over your own wish for them to hold on.
At Rest Your Paws, we believe it’s one of the greatest acts of love you can offer a companion who has given you their all.
written by Dr. Courtney Prue, from Rest Your Paws, August 2025, for Australian Dog Lover.
For more information, visit https://restyourpaws.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restyourpawsau | Instagram: @restyourpawsau
About our writer
After years of working in traditional veterinary clinics, Dr. Prue identified a need for more comprehensive end-of-life support for pets and their families. As a certified hospice and palliative care veterinarian, she focuses on improving a pet's comfort and dignity in their final stages of life.
Her goal is to empower pet owners to make informed decisions and ensure a peaceful, loving farewell for their beloved companions. She also works to raise the standard of end-of-life care within the veterinary industry by providing training and resources to other professionals.
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