| If you see this... | It might be a medical issue... | Not just stubbornness | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Hiding under the bed (Cat) | Chronic pain (osteoarthritis) or hypertension | "Being antisocial" | | Growling when touched (Dog) | Intervertebral disc disease or tick paralysis | "Dominance" | | Eating poop (Dog) | Malabsorption issues or pancreatic insufficiency | "A bad habit" | | Pacing/Howling at night (Senior pet) | Canine cognitive dysfunction (Dog dementia) | "Just getting old" | Veterinarians have a simple rule of thumb. If your pet exhibits a behavioral change that persists for two weeks or more , it is a medical problem until proven otherwise.
But if you simply say, "He is being naughty," we might miss the cancer growing in his hip. zooskool the record
If you tell me, "He has started sleeping in the bathtub and cries when jumping off the couch," I know exactly which X-rays to take. | If you see this
A 4-year-old labrador started snapping at toddlers. The owner thought he was jealous. The vet found a torn cruciate ligament. The dog wasn't aggressive; he was terrified a toddler would bump his sore leg. Science-Based Solutions: Bridging the Gap So, how do you use this information at home? If your pet exhibits a behavioral change that
Have you noticed a weird new habit in your pet lately? Start a "behavior log" (date, time, what happened before) and share it with your vet at your next visit. It is the single most powerful diagnostic tool you have.
Before a blood test shows an infection, or an X-ray reveals arthritis, your pet’s behavior has already changed.
We often think of veterinary medicine as "fixing broken bones and treating infections." But as any experienced veterinarian will tell you, behavior is the first vital sign of health.