Vet Talk Your 'misbehaving' pet might be in pain

It is not uncommon for pets to be described as naughty.

- Ian Liang

Dr Ian Liang, a senior veterinarian with the Animal & Veterinary Service, says behaviour problems in pets can be caused by an underlying medical condition.

(PHOTO: ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICE)

From the cat that urinates and defecates outside the litter box to the dog that snaps for seemingly harmless reasons like being petted the list of bad behaviours goes on.

But such labels are rarely helpful when one is trying to understand why one's furry companions behave the way they do.

To truly address behavioural issues, one must probe further and identify the root causes of these behaviours, instead of just focusing on the outward behaviour.

An often-overlooked cause of behaviour problems is underlying medical issues. Behavioural and medical problems are closely interlinked and are two sides of the same coin.

In fact, changes in behaviour are often the first clue that an animal may be unwell.

For example, you may notice your usually friendly and outgoing labrador retriever becoming withdrawn, less energetic or suddenly aggressive towards family members.

Instead of dismissing this as “naughtiness”, further investigation may reveal pain or another medical issue driving the behaviour.

Pain-related medical conditions are a common culprit. Pain can manifest as aggression, increased anxiety or heightened reactivity.