Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why is my dog in pain when picked up but seems otherwise fine?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Toy Poodle | Male | neutered | 1 year old | 13 lbs

My dog is 1 yr old. He suddenly cried and seems in pain when I picked him up. What could be the reason for this? I checked his body but I don’t see any cuts. He walks and eats normally but doesn’t have much energy to play. I’ve already made an appointment with his vet tomorrow at 7pm. I’m so worried.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 25th, 2018

Poor Moki! It could be that his back, neck, or spine is hurting him when you pick him up. He may not have much energy to play because he is painful Since he cries in pain when you do that, I would not pick him up for now, and don't let him play. Keep him as quiet as possible. It's great that you already made an appointment with the vet for tomorrow, and definitely keep it for him! I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog hasn't been moving as much, and sometimes he walks very slowly. This started a day ago, but he has gotten a little better as he ate and drank, peed and pooped, and can jump on the couch and go up/down the stairs. But, it seems that he only doe
Hello, The first thing that comes to my mind is chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain. Dogs with pain in these areas often hesitate to use stairs or jump on and off furniture. They may also want to lay around more and be generally less active. Pain in dogs can be similar to humans in that in can be caused by things like arthritis, disc disease, or a pinched nerve. It can also flare up and be worse at some times than at others, which may be why he vocalizes at some times and not at others. Anti-inflammatory drugs (a common one is carprofen) and nerve pain drugs (a common one is gabapentin) are commonly used to treat these conditions. I would recommend taking Gage into see a vet and be evaluated for chronic pain. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
It all started while we were playing fetch. He like normal, barked while playing but all of a sudden he just started yelping. We stopped playing. Now, my dog suddenly starts yelping when picked up from behind. He isn’t limping, he’s fine when I touch
Boba may have overdone it. Rest him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a leash, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog, who’s a maltese, was fine two days ago but yesterday she started to squeal whenever we’d pick her up. My grandma said she won’t eat and when I checked on her she was shaking, her tail was tucked, and her butt was kinda down like she didn’t wa
Poor Puppy. She could have pain in stomach, back, hips, or neck. She sounds pretty painful, and unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give her. Many human ones are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I'd take her into a vet today.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
At home we were replacing the carpets in our rooms and we were moving furniture,clothes, etc. When I went to pick him up he helped as if I hurt him.
Jojo could be just a little more anxious right now since there is so much going on in the household. On the other hand, he could be hurting somewhere like his neck/back. I would rest him and see if he continues to act painful. When you go to pick him up, make sure you don't startle him as this can also cause them to yelp. If he continues to act painful, I would have your vet take a look at him. Your vet will be able to do a thorough orthopedic and spinal exam to localize the pain. Your vet will also be able to do x-rays if needed. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog yelps when we pick him up under chest/belly , he eats and poops but won't drink water so I make his food extra soupy and he will eat n drink that fine , he also act scared an sketchy with shakeing sometimes, also licks his lips frequently. I
Poor Joey. The two possibilities here are that it hurts or that he scares him when you pick him up. I'd lean towards pain from your description, but keep fear in mind since your vet didn't find any pain. One area pain can "hide" during a physical exam is in the spine or neck - vet's don't always check this area carefully. I would recommend a recheck visit, since it's still going on with no changes to see if anything is different on physical exam this time, and ask if doing a trial of pain meds for around 5 days would be appropriate. If pain meds don't help, experiment with never picking him up to see if that makes him happier. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
So for the past few months my dog has started to yelp when he jumps off of the couch, or sometimes when he is playing. He could possibly be landing on his feet incorrectly? It happens maybe once a week. I've taken him to the vet and they have felt hi
Poor Cooper! From your description, my main concern is that Cooper may be experiencing some mild neck and/or back pain that flares up intermittently. At this point, I do recommend taking Cooper back to his vet for a repeat exam. Some dogs can be extremely stoic, even while experiencing pain, as a defense mechanism. Your vet will be able to thoroughly evaluate Cooper's back and neck to determine if he is showing any sign of discomfort and prescribe pain medication if necessary. Until you can take him to the vet, confine Cooper to a large crate or small room to prevent him from running, jumping or playing, as this can exacerbate any back injury or pain. I hope this helps and that he feels better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my dog of 6 years started gradually to have pain that he didnt let me to hold him , he start to shout from pain when im trying to lift him then i he couldnt go up staris and couldnot lift himself to any height no matter how low it was, then i noticed
Sorry to here that Kemo is having some troubles. There are many things that can cause pain in dogs. Some of them include trauma, degenerative diseases, inflammatory conditions, spinal issues, cancers, clotting disorders, and some others that are less common. In a small breed dog of about six years, my top two differentials would be some sort of traumatic event (that could have happened when you were not around) or an issue with the back. Many times when dogs are lifted and they yelp, it is a spinal problem causing some pretty severe discomfort. If you have ever had back pain yourself, you know just how uncomfortable this can be. Based on the severity and progression of the problems, I would say that Kemo definitely needs a visit to the vet sometime soon. They will be able to perform a thorough physical, and based on the findings, determine if x-rays are warranted. They will be able to target what part of the body requires x-rays. There are many medications available to treat in
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I've asked before, but I have a picture attached this time my puppy has been hunching over like this. Any reason why? I picked him up, and he yelped.
Sweet puppy! If he is yelping then I would be concerned about him being in pain. He looks like it may be neck or back pain. Make sure he is still eating and drinking. If he is in a lot of pain, he may not. There are no human meds you can give as most are toxic to dogs. I would recommend to have your vet examine him and see exactly where he may be pain and prescribe him some pain medications that are safe for him. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog acts like it's got a stomach ache and he's eating grass definitely did not get ahold of anything that he shouldn't have. He only eats dog food and also when I pick him up under his arms like I always have he Yelps, I've learned sense to not p
He may have back pain causing him to cry out and often they are hunched in the back. If he’s eating, drinking and otherwise fine watch him closely for any change and let him rest. If he’s worse or the pain isn’t going away then bring him in for an exam and treatment. They will probably do X-rays and bloodwork to diagnosis the reason for his pain. Then they can prescribe the appropriate medication and treatment. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Larry.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
All of a sudden my dog started yelping when you would pick him up at lightly push him. I'm pretty sure the chest area.
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Blue! Common causes of pain when small dogs are picked up are: neck and back pain for forelimb pain. If this is new and he is also jumping up less, shivering or tremoring and not using the stairs I would take him in to the Vet this week for an exam as that indicates pain. Other reasons for crying when picked up is arthritis or being scared or surprised. So try to go slowly and gently if he is otherwise acting normal. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Toys Dog Food Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Dog Health & Wellness Dog Treats & Chews Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Lift Harnesses & Wheelchairs Pain Meds & Arthritis Relief for Cats PetAlive Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Methocarbamol Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Prednisone Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Dogswell Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Well & Good Dog Pain Medicine & Relief HEALERS Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Methocarbamol Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Vet's Best Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Skout's Honor Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Prednisone Dog Pain Medicine & Relief
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored