Many pet owners fail to recognise signs of pain in their animals, leading to delayed treatment and prolonged suffering. Education in pain recognition is a high-impact welfare intervention.
Failure to recognise pain in companion animals leads to prolonged suffering that is entirely preventable. Pet owners are with their animals daily and are best placed to notice subtle behavioural changes indicating pain. Education using validated pain assessment tools, combined with veterinary guidance on what to watch for, empowers owners to seek treatment earlier and significantly reduces the duration of pain experienced.