'It is never possible to know exactly how someone else is experiencing pain and no one thing helps everyone who has chronic or long term pain. We do know however, that mood and pain are closely linked, and just like us dogs may experience heightened pain perception when they are stressed or anxious. That's why we must ensure when building a new lifestyle for a dog with pain, we must not only look at their physical abilities, but ensure they have plenty of opportunities to enjoy their days. Including fun time isn't just a luxury, it's part of the therapy and should be part of any lifestyle management plan'.  

Life for dogs with pain 

In my work as a Galen Myotherapist in Newcastle upon Tyne I offer more than simply canine massage. Part of my role is also to help support owners to build a lifestyle that supports their dog's comfort, movement and emotional wellbeing. One recurring theme I hear in sessions is the feeling that a dog's world has become smaller, walks are shorter, hikes are out and any high energy activities trigger flare ups. for some dogs this means missing out on doing things there loved and enjoyed. 

In building a a lifestyle for a dog with long term pain we are often focused on what can they do, what can they manage to ensure their pain is well managed. However, it is just as important to ensure they are able to do some things they enjoy as it is to get medication right, or trying complementary therapies such as canine massage. 

Ensuring dogs are enjoying their days is not just about fun, it’s also a natural pain reliever! 

Enjoyment as a pain reliever

We all experience pain at some point, and I'm betting that most of us have experienced going out and laughing with friends, or enjoying a movie and for that time almost forgetting how much we hurt. In both humans and dogs pain and mood are closely linked. This is because pain is not just felt through the body, it is a complex experience which is processed through the brain's emotional centres, including the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (Mills et al., 2014). Research shows that difficult emotions such as fear and stress can actually increase perception of pain, while positive experiences such as play, exploring and bonding can reduce it (Mellor, 2016; Mills et al., 2014). 

When dogs are having enjoyable experiences they aren't just having fun, they are releasing hormones and endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine which help regulate mood (Mellor, 2016). This doesn't just result in the dog feeling happy, but also helps to increase resilience to pain (Formenton, 2017). Therefore, engaging in activities your dog enjoys is an essential part of their management plan. 

How to increase joy for a dog with limited mobility

So how can you make sure your dog is still having fun despite their pain? Well, the first thing is to redefine what we think of as fun. Many of us define fun as running, rough play and high impact games like fetch, however, research has found that dogs are happiest when they are relaxed and at ease, with calmness, relaxation and contentment being clear indicators of wellbeing (Arena et al., 2019). 

1. Get out and explore

Dogs with chronic pain often can’t manage long walks, but that doesn’t mean exploration has to stop. Allowing dogs to sniff and take in their surroundings, even on short outings, can significantly increase positive emotions. Rossi et al (2018) found that dogs encouraged to explore novel environments showed reduced levels or cortisol and increased levels of oxytocin. Try changing walking routes or visiting new places of interest. For dogs who struggle with mobility, a dog buggy is a great way to offer environmental stimulation without physical strain. 

2. Enrichment and Play

Research has shown that mental stimulation can be just as rewarding as physical exercises (Gaines et al, 2008). Create mini scent adventures at home with treat searches, scent boxes or foraging games. Use cardboard boxes, towels, snuffle mats, and treat dispensers to provide stimulation in safe, low-impact ways.

3. Low Impact Sports 

Although some dog sports may be unachievable for dogs with long term pain, not all sports have to be. It is well documented that scentwork helps increase dogs optimisim, emotional state and overall well being (Duranton and Horowitz, 2019). There are different types of scentwork and it is possible to develop a training routine to suit your dogs needs (little and often may work well). Other sports such as Hoopers may also be possible for some dogs, and as long as dogs are not pushed beyond their abilities may encourage some natural movements.

4. Massage 

Massage can increase endorphin levels, promote relaxation, and support emotional wellbeing. Dogs often respond with visible signs of pleasure and calm during sessions (Coppla et al. 2006). 

5. Be present

Caring for a dog with chronic pain can be exhausting. But simply sitting with your dog, engaging in gentle play, or just being near one another has measurable benefits. Dogs value our presence deeply.Research as found that when dogs and humans interact both show increases in oxytocin and overall positive emotional states (Marshall-Pescini et al 2019).

A blog by Liz McCormick - Liz is a Galen Myotherapist working with dogs improve musculoskeletal health of dogs in and around Newcastle upon Tyne. Need help? Contact. 

References 

Arena, L., Wemelsfelder, F., Messori, S., Ferri, N. and Barnard, S., 2019. Development of a fixed list of terms for the Qualitative Behavioural Assessment of shelter dogs. PLOS ONE, 14(10), p.e0212652. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212652

Coppola, C.L., Grandin, T. and Enns, R.M., 2006. Human interaction and cortisol: can human contact reduce stress for shelter dogs? Physiology & Behavior, 87(3), pp.537–541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.12.001

Duranton, C. and Horowitz, A., 2019. Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 211, pp.61–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.12.009

Formenton, M.R., Pereira, M.A.A. and Fantoni, D.T., 2017. Small animal massage therapy: a brief review and relevant observations. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 32(4), pp.139–145. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2017.10.001 

Gaines, S.A., Rooney, N.J. and Bradshaw, J.W.S., 2008. The effect of feeding enrichment upon reported working ability and behavior of kenneled working dogs. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 53(6), pp.1400–1404. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00879.x

Marshall-Pescini, S., Schaebs, F.S., Gaugg, A., Meinert, A., Deschner, T. and Range, F. (2019) ‘The role of oxytocin in the dog–owner relationship’, Animals, 9(10), p. 792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100792

Mellor, D.J., 2016. Updating animal welfare thinking: Moving beyond the “Five Freedoms” towards “A Life Worth Living”. Animals, 6(3), p.21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani6030021 

Mills, D.S., Karagiannis, C.I. and Zulch, H., 2014. Stress—its effects on health and behaviour: A guide for practitioners. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 44(3), pp.525–541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.01.005

Rossi, A., Parada, F.J., Stewart, R., Barwell, C., Demas, G. and Allen, C., 2018. Hormonal correlates of exploratory and play-soliciting behavior in domestic dogs. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, p.1559. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01559