Behavior (animal)

Behavior is the observable set of actions an animal performs, and in pets it is the main window owners and veterinarians have into comfort, stress and illness.

Dogs and cats cannot describe how they feel, so changes in behavior are read as signs. Common examples are pacing, panting, hiding, trembling or vocalizing during storms or fireworks, reluctance to jump or climb stairs with joint pain, changes in appetite, sleep or house training, and new aggression or withdrawal. Some changes are normal responses to the environment, while others point to pain, anxiety, cognitive decline in older animals or a medical illness that needs a veterinary examination.

Veterinarians assess behavior through the owner's history, direct observation, physical examination to rule out medical causes, and validated questionnaires and scales for anxiety, pain and cognitive dysfunction. Behavior is also the usual outcome measure in veterinary research, including studies of cannabinoids in dogs, which remain few and early. Any sudden or persistent behavioral change in a pet is a reason for veterinary consultation rather than home experimentation.