If your dog has ever run headfirst into a wall or piece of furniture, you may have wondered – do dogs feel head pain like humans do? Getting a clear answer to this question is important for any dog owner.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Yes, dogs absolutely feel pain when they hit their heads, just like humans do. Their brains register head pain signals just like ours. But dogs don’t express or localize pain like we do.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about head pain in dogs, including: signs your dog is in discomfort after a head injury, key differences in headache sensation for dogs versus humans, potential injuries and illnesses that may cause a dog head pain, and how to best respond when your pup bumps their head.
Anatomy Differences: The Dog Brain and Pain Experience
Less Developed Neocortex Than Humans
Dogs have a less developed neocortex compared to humans. The neocortex plays a key role in higher functions like reasoning, consciousness, and language. Since dogs have a smaller neocortex, they likely experience pain differently than humans.
Similar Neurochemical Pain Transmission Pathways
However, dogs do have similarities with humans when it comes to neurochemical pathways for transmitting pain signals. They have opioids, endorphins, and other neurotransmitters that modulate pain. So while their subjective experience may differ, the basic biology is comparable.
Fewer Pain Receptors, Lower Evoked Reaction
Studies show dogs have fewer pain receptors compared to humans, especially in their paws and tails. Dogs also show less behavioral reaction to painful stimuli. For example, dogs tolerate electric shocks that would cause humans to yelp in pain.
How to Recognize Head Pain Behaviors in Dogs
Changes in Vocalizations
Dogs experiencing head pain may vocalize more through whining, yelping, or crying. These vocalizations tend to increase when touching the head or neck area. Dogs may also grunt or moan when moving their head or neck.
If your previously quiet canine companion begins vocalizing for no apparent reason, it warrants an examination for possible head discomfort. Contact your veterinarian if vocalizations persist or suddenly change.
Changes in Facial Expressions
Subtle changes in your dog’s facial expressions can indicate head discomfort. Their eyes may appear more sunken, and they may squint or show tension around their eyes and muzzle. Some dogs may excessively lick their nose or lips.
Ear positioning can also signal distress, with ears folding back against the head. Pay attention to deviations from your dog’s normal relaxed facial expressions. These could reflect underlying pain related to a head injury, dental issue, neurological problem, or other health condition requiring veterinary attention.
Changes in Appetite or Thirst
Several studies, including a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, link decreased appetite and thirst to pain in dogs. Dogs with head discomfort may seem disinterested in food, even their favorite treats.
They may no longer eagerly anticipate mealtimes or drink less water than usual. These appetite and thirst changes could result from nausea, impaired swallowing, altered sense of smell or taste, or other effects of head pain.
Monitoring your dog’s food and water intake can help catch underlying medical issues early.
Changes in Activity Level
Head pain often reduces a dog’s normal activity levels. Your once energetic pup may now spend more time sleeping or lying down. They may seem hesitant to go for walks, play fetch, or participate in other physical activities they previously enjoyed.
This lethargy frequently associates with discomfort, illness, or injury. Dogs may also bump into walls or furniture, stumble more often, or have difficulty with stairs when vision or balance is impaired by conditions affecting the head or brain.
Contact your veterinarian if you notice any unusual changes in your dog’s energy, movement, vision, or coordination.
Changes in Posture or Gait
Changes in the way a dog holds themselves while standing, sitting or moving can indicate head pain. A dog may carry their head lower, arched to one side, or with stiffness or trembling. Your dog’s gait may seem unsteady or stilted.
They may resist movements that involve flexing or extending the head and neck. Some dogs assume strange postures like stretching their neck or tilting their head to alleviate intense discomfort. Subtle postural or gait changes can signal injury, inflammation, or neurological issues requiring prompt medical care.
Track your dog’s normal carriage and movements so you can identify when something seems off.
Causes of Head Pain in Dogs
Head Trauma or Concussions
Dogs can suffer head trauma or concussions from things like falls, car accidents, or rough play. Concussions happen when the brain bumps up against the inside of the skull, causing swelling, bruising, and bleeding.
This can lead to severe head pain, as well as issues like confusion, loss of coordination, vomiting, and seizures. Head trauma is serious and needs prompt veterinary attention. Mild cases may be treated with rest and medication, while more severe concussions require hospitalization and monitoring.
Dental Issues
Toothaches and dental diseases like periodontal disease, tooth fractures, or abscesses can definitely make a dog’s head hurt. The roots of carnivore teeth are long and go deep into the bones of the mouth. So inflammation around the tooth roots can cause pain that feels like it’s inside the head.
Signs include chewing or pawing at the face, reluctance to eat, and yelping when the mouth is touched. Dental x-rays help identify the problem tooth, and treatment usually involves extracting it. Antibiotics and pain medication also help with the ouch factor!
Ear Infections
Ear infections are a common cause of head shaking and head tilting in dogs. The infection and inflammation put pressure on the sensitive nerves inside the ear canal, causing pain. Dogs with ear infections often cry when the head or ears are touched. They may also scratch obsessively at their ears.
Treatment includes cleaning the ears, medication to kill the infection, and pain control if needed. Stopping the pain lets healing begin.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition where fluid builds up and increases pressure inside the eye. This extremely painful pressure can cause headaches, eye injuries, and eventual blindness if left untreated. Symptoms include redness, cloudy eyes, enlarged pupils, and squinty eyes.
Dogs may rub their eyes excessively or act restless. Medicated eye drops can often effectively control glaucoma. But if medicine doesn’t work, surgery may be needed to relieve the pressure and pain.
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors put pressure on the sensitive nerves inside the skull, resulting in severe headaches. Depending on the tumor type and location, dogs can show neurological signs like seizures, circling, weakness, and behavior changes. Vomiting, restlessness, and vocalizing as if in pain are also common.
Some brain tumors can be removed surgically or treated with radiation therapy. But sadly the prognosis is poor in many cases. Medication to reduce swelling and pain is imperative for quality of life.
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It’s often caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. The swelling and irritation trigger intense headache pain, along with fever, neck stiffness, appetite loss, and seizures.
Aggressive treatment with antibiotics or antifungals is needed to beat the infection. Steroids and pain medicine also help reduce the inflammation pressing on the nerves. With quick veterinary care, many dogs recover fully from meningitis.
Responding to Head Injuries in Dogs
Check for Symptoms Requiring Urgent Care
If your dog hits their head hard enough to cause concerning symptoms like loss of consciousness, seizures, neck pain, vision problems, difficulty walking or standing, vomiting or diarrhea, take them to the vet ER immediately.
These can indicate serious issues like brain swelling, skull fractures or spine injuries needing prompt treatment.
Restrict Dog’s Activity for Recovery
Allow at least 2 weeks of restricted activity for your dog to heal after a head injury causing swelling or bruising. Take short, gentle leash walks only initially. Increased activity too soon risks further head trauma or bleeding.
Follow your vet’s specific recovery instructions carefully regarding acceptable levels of activity over time.
Monitor Your Dog Closely
Check on your dog at least every 2 hours the first 48 hours after any head injury causing noticeable swelling or sensitivity. Note symptoms suggesting complications like vomiting, lethargy, balance issues or seizures requiring urgent vet care.
Even mild head bumps deserve close monitoring the first day or two.
Apply Cold, Not Heat, to Bruises
Applying a bag of frozen peas or an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the bruised area for 10-15 minutes every few hours can provide pain relief and control swelling initially after a head bump. Avoid using heat, which increases blood flow and swelling.
See your vet if swelling or sensitivity persists more than 48 hours despite cold therapy.
Speak to Your Vet About Pain Medication
For significant headache or pain after a head injury, speak to your vet about suitable over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers. Some human medicines like ibuprofen can be toxic for dogs. Avoid giving any medication without vet approval first.
Short-term medication may aid your dog’s comfort during recovery.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has helped explain that yes – dogs absolutely feel pain signals when they hit their heads or have head injuries. While they may express pain somewhat differently than we do, head impacts and injuries can still cause dogs significant discomfort.
Pay close attention to behavior changes after your dog bumps their head to pick up on pain signals. Seek prompt medical care for any concerning symptoms like vomiting, vision issues, or loss of balance. With appropriate rest and monitoring, many minor head bonks will resolve on their own.
But don’t hesitate to ask your vet about pain relievers to keep your canine comfortable while they heal.
