Published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association on July 19, 2024, a study led by **Lori R. Kogan** and colleagues examined how **brief pain-related educational materials** affected U.S. dog owners’ interpretations of canine behavioral changes and their decisions to seek veterinary care.
The researchers surveyed 367 dog owners and found that, following a short educational intervention, participants reported significantly increased concern about behavioral signs that might indicate pain. This translated into a greater intention to seek veterinary help in **all three pain-related behavioral scenarios** assessed.
Participants also evaluated a modified version of the **Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale**, with 89% finding it useful for identifying their dog’s pain and describing it to veterinarians. However, some barriers to veterinary visits remained, including **cost, convenience**, and stress on the dog during appointments.
The findings emphasize that even **very brief educational resources can meaningfully shift owner perceptions**. Recognizing behavioral cues linked to pain can lead to **quicker intervention**, ultimately improving canine welfare. This has implications for how veterinary professionals and public campaigns might better equip owners with the tools needed to act on early signs of discomfort in their pets.
Source: Kogan, L. R., Currin-McCulloch, J., Brown, E., & Hellyer, P. (2024). Dog owners’ perceptions and veterinary-related decisions pertaining to changes in their dog’s behavior that could indicate pain. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.07.001
