Back
Could they be faking it? It’s a question I find myself asking in the vet hospital constantly. So are dogs and cats capable of an Academy Award winning performance just to get extra attention?
Well, here’s the rather amusing answer as to whether as pet parents, we get played!
Obviously, as their everything, we need to take every initial sign of sickness or injury seriously. And certain signs of illness like vomiting, diarrhoea, skin diseases or weight loss are ‘unfakeable’. It’s really not worth taking the risk.
But what about the others? You know, the ones that seem just a little too convenient…
In the vet hospital, I’m occasionally presented with a collection of signs that don’t quite make sense. And research now proves that pets can and do risk it all for one big reward; your attention.
Here are the most common pretend issues:
- Limping (dogs especially)
- Unidentified pain (both)
- Loss of appetite (both)
-
Toileting changes (cats especially)
How does faking become a thing?
Dogs and cats are often smarter than we realise. And they both exhibit something called ‘single event learning’. That’s where one moment (like a thunderstorm…or a real injury) shapes how they react from that point onward. And our typical response to an illness or injury is sympathy, attention and treats.
So when uncertainty appears in your bestie’s life (like you being away, you being abnormally stressed or a change in their routine), their response can be to go back to what has brought them attention and stability before. An injury or illness.
So the big question is…
How can you tell fake from real?
- Inconsistency: Yep, they’re not Meryl Streep. They do break character and move without that limp or discomfort when they think you’re not looking.
- Treats: This is my go-to in the vet hospital. Find their favourite treat and see if they’ll take it. For most illnesses, a loss of appetite is the key sign. If they’re still happy to take as many treats as you’ll offer, this may be pretend.
- History: If they’ve had some routine changes recently and could be in need of attention, this could definitely be forcing them into a fake!
If you think you have been played, try to find the message hidden in the performance.
Both dogs and cats live for (and love) a routine with plenty of time for them. Do your best to keep that routine and they’ll probably reward you with fewer sickies…and unnecessary vet visits.
