That perception of pain in pets is challenging and that pain affects quality of life were both appreciated by owners in the study. Healthcare professionals, college graduates, and respondents who had previously experienced surgery on themselves or their pet reported an elevated appreciation of the need for pain control and the need to be informed about the level of pain expected from a procedure. This group also felt it important that a board-certified anesthesiologist perform anesthesia. High-school–educated respondents were less likely to appreciate the need for analgesics after surgery. In general, owners lacked an appreciation for the need to treat medical conditions such as aural infections with pain medications.
Studies such as this underscore the need to educate pet owners on pain perception. Common beliefs, such as a pet cannot be in pain because it is still active or that pain helps ensure a pet will rest, persist. It is essential for veterinarians to provide owners with information that clarifies signs of pain in pets.