Summary
Scientists are urging dog owners to notice small behavior changes in dogs as signs of pain, as new research identifies 17 such indicators. The study shows that many people, including dog owners, often miss these signs, which can lead to increased risks and misunderstandings regarding dog behavior.
Key Facts
- Researchers identified 17 signs that may show a dog is in pain.
- Some common signs include a change in personality, less play, and mood changes.
- More subtle signs like nose licking, yawning, and air sniffing are often overlooked.
- Both dog owners and non-dog owners find it hard to recognize these subtle signs.
- Dog owners were slightly better at spotting clear movement-related pain like limping.
- Experience with pain in either dogs or participants themselves improved detection of subtle signs.
- Noticing early pain signs can prevent dogs from becoming unpredictable or aggressive.
- The study suggests that more education on canine behavior is needed as dog ownership grows.
