It is widely accepted that the presence of pain can be associated with behavioural change and research has shown that between 23 % and 82 % of behavioural presentations to referral services in veterinary behavioural medicine are found to have a pain component. Grumpy behavioural responses may be readily associated with pain but it is important to remember that growling, hissing or biting are not the only ways in which patients can communicate that they are in pain. This presentation will consider the wide range of behavioural changes that can be seen, discuss how these relate to the physical, emotional and cognitive components of pain and consider how recognising these changes can improve detection and management of pain in veterinary patients.