The holidays are full of sparkle, laughter, travel, and to-do lists a mile long. As joyful as this season can be, it often means busier schedules and less time for everyday routines. In the middle of the holiday rush, it's easy to overlook one very important family member: your pet.

Have you ever walked into a veterinary clinic, had your pet whisked gently away, and wondered who all those smiling, scrub-wearing professionals are? You might recognize your pet's veterinarian, but chances are there’s another key person working hard behind the scenes (and sometimes right beside you). 

Has your dog seemed a little more reserved lately,  or is your cat less interested in playing with their favorite toys? It can be easy to attribute these changes to aging or mood, but pets are experts at hiding discomfort. The good news is that there are plenty of subtle signals that can provide clues that your pet may be experiencing pain, and many treatment options to help alleviate this discomfort.