A cat with severe arthritis will rarely limp in front of a stranger (the vet). Instead, she exhibits behavioral clues: hesitancy to jump, urinating outside the litter box (because climbing the sides hurts), or aggression when touched near the spine. A veterinarian who ignores behavior might treat a "litter box aversion" with a urinary diet, missing the osteoarthritis entirely.
: A collaborative approach recognizing that human health is closely linked to the health of animals and our shared environment. Educational and Research Pathways Animal Behaviour | Journal | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier zoofilia perro abotona mujer y la hace llorar better
If you notice a sudden change in your pet’s demeanor, consult your veterinarian to rule out medical causes before assuming a behavioral problem. A cat with severe arthritis will rarely limp
If behavior can signal disease, then behavior can also prevent it. This has given rise to the most humane arm of modern veterinary science: preventive behavioral medicine, also known as “environmental enrichment.” : A collaborative approach recognizing that human health
When we finally learn to listen—to the flick of an ear, the tension in a jaw, the hesitation before a jump—we realize that animals have been telling us exactly what hurts, and what they need, all along.