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When an injured animal arrives at a veterinary hospital, the visible problem is usually the first thing we notice—a wound, fracture, injured eye, tumour or difficulty walking. But behind every visible injury is something we cannot easily see: pain.Animals cannot tell us where it hurts or how severe the pain is. Instead, they communicate through changes in their behaviour, movement, posture, appetite and response to people. At Help in Suffering (HIS), rescued animals can arrive with traumatic injuries, infected wounds, fractures and other serious conditions. In 2024–25, HIS attended 9,782 rescue calls, rescued 7,742 animals and provided 12,500 hospital and OPD treatments. Recovery is not only about treating the visible injury. It also means managing pain and helping the animal regain strength and normal behaviour. 1. Why Is Pain Difficult to Recognise in Animals? An animal cannot tell us, “I am in pain.” Instead, veterinarians look for changes such as: Limping or avoiding weight on a limb Reduced movement Loss of appetite Unusual posture or restlessness Withdrawal from people Reacting when a painful area is approached Distance from people Sudden

A street dog may not be able to tell us what it is feeling in words, but it is communicating all the time. The position of its ears, the movement of its tail, the way it holds its body, where it looks, and even how close it chooses to stand can tell us a great deal. Learning to understand street dog body language is not just about getting closer to animals. It is about knowing when to give a dog space, when an interaction is safe, and when a dog may be frightened, stressed, or in need of help. For people and dogs who share the same streets, this simple understanding can make everyday interactions safer and more compassionate. Dogs Communicate Through Their Whole Body When people try to understand a dog, they often look only at the tail. But a wagging tail does not always mean that a dog is happy. To understand what a dog is communicating, it is important to look at the whole dog rather than focusing on just one signal. Pay attention to: Ears Eyes