Prey animals (rabbits, rodents, birds, horses) and even predators (cats) hide illness.
| Problem | Potential Medical Causes | Primary Behavioral Diagnosis | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Canine aggression | Pain (hip dysplasia), hypothyroidism, brain tumor | Fear-based, possessive, or territorial aggression | | Feline inappropriate urination | Urinary tract infection, chronic kidney disease, diabetes | Litter box aversion, inter-cat aggression, anxiety | | Compulsive tail chasing | Epilepsy, neuropathic pain | Canine Compulsive Disorder (e.g., acral lick dermatitis) | | Pica (eating non-food items) | Anemia, pancreatic insufficiency, dietary deficiency | Boredom, anxiety, or normal exploratory behavior (in puppies) | zoofilia abotonada anal con perro
Without behavioral literacy, these signs are dismissed as quirks. With it, they become early warning systems. Prey animals (rabbits, rodents, birds, horses) and even