Dogs are known as "man's best friend," but do we really know how to understand when they are feeling bad?
Veterinarians from Utrecht University have identified 17 key signs that indicate a dog may be experiencing pain – some obvious, others very subtle.
The most obvious signs include changes in behavior, a reluctance to put their paws on the ground, or a decreased desire to play. But there are also signals that are harder to interpret, such as nose licking, yawning, or sniffing the air.
The study, published in PLOS One, shows that only about half of dog owners are able to recognize signs such as restlessness at night or excessive clinging to their owner.
According to researchers, these subtle signs can be early warnings not only of pain, but also of aggressive behavior. A dog in pain may react unpredictably to situations that would not normally bother him.
The study involved 530 dog owners and 117 people who did not own dogs. They were tested for their ability to distinguish different signs of pain through questionnaires and various scenarios.
The results showed that people are better at distinguishing movement-related cues, such as limping. But sudden changes in behavior are often overlooked.
According to lead author, Dr. Ineke R. van Herwijnen, some of the signs that are often misunderstood are restlessness at night and constant seeking of proximity to the owner.
Even behaviors that may seem "fun," like licking the air, can be indicators of pain.
Surprisingly, the study showed that dog owners are not necessarily better than others at recognizing these signs. In some cases, they misinterpret them as stress or fear, rather than pain.
Experts advise that owners be more attentive to any unusual changes in their dog's behavior.
Often, behaviors attributed to boredom, disobedience, or stubbornness may actually have a physical cause – pain.
Early recognition of these signs can help treat the problem more quickly and improve the animal's well-being. /GazetaExpress/
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