Which sign suggests a dog might be in pain?

• A. Normal appetite and activity
• B. Bright, alert demeanor
• C. Whining or vocalization when touched
• D. No change in movement

Answer: (C)

Pain in dogs often shows up as a protective or distress response to touch. When something hurts, a dog may vocalize, whine, or yelp to signal that contact is uncomfortable. Whining or vocalization when touched is the clearest indicator among the options because it directly ties the distress to a physical stimulus.

The other signs point toward a comfortable state: normal appetite and activity suggest the dog isn’t experiencing significant pain, a bright and alert demeanor implies general well-being, and no change in movement implies no obvious pain-related limitation. While some cases can be more subtle, the presence of vocalization in response to touch is the strongest and most informative sign of pain in this context.