Pets can’t tell us with words, but there should be some warning signs
Pets can be exceptionally good at hiding when they’re in pain or hurt; it’s down to a deep-coded survival instinct to protect themselves from predators who could take advantage during their weaker state. But, humans who care for pets should take note of some warning signs that aren’t always physical and harder for pets to hide.
Animals experiencing pain might not show or deal with it in the same way that humans would often handle the situation. For one thing, it’s going to be nearly impossible for a dog to tell you what might be hurting them.
A vet from Pet Health Club has claimed that there should still be some red flag signs that responsible owners can pick up on and book a visit to the vet. Sometimes, even if the injury is physical, the warning signs about an animal in distress won’t always be visible.
It’s important for good owners to know when something isn’t quite right with their dog’s habits and behaviours, as these can often be the result of something hurting them. The expert said: “You might find your dog starts to move strangely, this might be limping, walking oddly and generally struggling with their mobility. Sometimes they might struggle to get up or lie down, and they can get a bit restless.
“Your dog’s behaviour might suddenly change, and they could suddenly show signs of aggression. If your dog does this, try to keep a note of when it happens and what is going on at the time, because this can help your vet understand what could be triggering it, which can include potential causes of pain.”
The vet claimed that dogs who are feeling pain may not be as willing to come up and socialise with people, even if they’re usually quite friendly and willing to play with anyone. If something is causing them pain, dogs may start to distance themselves and seek out a quieter spot around the house to rest and limit the pain.
The expert added: “[Dogs] sometimes lose their appetite, they can have issues with toileting, and you might find they start to tremble. Your dog might start becoming more vocal, they can bark or whine more than usual, trying to tell you something is wrong.”
If your dog does show any of these signs of pain, it is really important to speak to your vet as soon as possible. Untreated pain has a chance of getting worse over time if the cause isn’t something minor or temporary.
In other animal habits, cats might be prone to stealing your spot on the sofa or in bed when you get up – and there’s a reason for it. It can sometimes be hard to understand what your cat is thinking about, but there’s some logic to their ‘sneaky’ behaviour that is actually quite heartwarming.
Taking to TikTok, a vet called Dr Mark West has revealed that cats nabbing your seat on the sofa or your place in bed is actually one of the many ways they demonstrate their affection for their owners. He said: “If your cat keeps stealing your spot on the sofa or your side of the bed, stop laughing. Because this is not cute behaviour. It is one of the most emotional things your cat will ever do.
“When your cat looks at you, they don’t see someone who feeds them, they see their safe place, their territory, their anchor in the world,” Dr Mark said. “To your cat, that spot is not just somewhere to sit, it is your spot. And when they choose it, they are choosing you.”
