Animals ARE Sentient Beings

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This summer, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) adopted a “Sentient Beings Position Statement.” It reads:

The American Animal Hospital Association supports the concept of animals as sentient beings. Sentiency is the ability to feel, perceive or be conscious, or to have subjective experiences. Biological science, as well as common sense, supports the fact that the animals that share our lives are feeling, sensing beings that deserve thoughtful, high-quality care. The care that is offered should provide for the animal’s physical and behavioral welfare and strive to minimize pain, distress, and suffering for the animal.

For those of you who take time out of your day to read a veterinary blog, this statement probably seems self-evident. But let me tell you, I still run across many owners who would look at this as whole lot of mumbo-jumbo. Thankfully, there aren’t too many adherents to the “animals don’t feel pain” camp left, but appreciation of animal suffering is still pretty low.

What really gets me going is when people equate pain and suffering. Yes of course, pain can induce suffering, but suffering can also be intense in the absence of pain. All too often, I have conversations with owners about whether or not it’s time to euthanize, institute hospice care, or ramp up a pet’s treatment protocol. It goes something like this:

Owner: “Do you think he’s suffering, doc?”

Me: “Yeah, I do. He hasn’t eaten in a week, can’t get out of his bed without assistance, and seems very depressed.”

Owner: “Well, sure, but is he in pain?”

Me: “No, I don’t think so, but he’s still suffering.”

Owner: Blank stare.

Arrg! In a case like this, I almost don’t care about pain. Pain I can treat. It’s the big picture that I’m most concerned about. If animals are sentient beings (as I believe they are), they have the ability to “perceive or be conscious” as well as to “feel.” Therefore, if you take away the pain and the animal is still inappetent, weak, and depressed, you haven’t fully dealt with the “distress and suffering” they are experiencing.

Put yourself in the animal’s shoes, so to speak. Imagine that you couldn’t eat or get up to go to the bathroom; you took no joy from your interactions with people, animals, or your surroundings; and you had a wicked headache. Are you suffering? Yes. Now take away the headache. Are you still suffering? Maybe marginally less so, but the answer is still yes.

I know, I’m preaching to the choir here, but maybe someone who isn’t a regular reader of this blog will stumble upon this post when researching a sick pet’s condition. If that’s your situation, remember, suffering is not limited to pain. An animal’s ability to perceive goes far beyond pain, and any distress that results from a declining quality of life also needs to be addressed.

Dr. Jennifer Coates writing for Pet MD

About Post Author

Dr. Jennifer Coates

Dr. Coates is a veterinarian based in the other “Sunshine State” – that's Colorado to the rest of you – where she lives and plays with a varied range of animals.
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RickRay
11 years ago

When I was suffering from kidney stones ( 6 weeks of torture and 4 visits to the hospital ), my 10 yr. old cat would come and lay on me or sit on my lap looking up at me with concern in her eyes. Yes, just because they can’t speak our language doesn’t mean they don’t communicate concern. We need to reciprocate that concern for them. Anyone who doesn’t think animals are sentient beings should not have any pets, or kids.

11 years ago

I totally agree. Only last night, we had to take Kiko, our 13 y/o Yorkie, to the 24-hour pet clinic. He was coughing loudly and often. I know he had to be suffering because he was unable to sleep and had to be under stress.

Fortunately, the attending vet was able to examine him and give him medication to allow him to sleep all night. He also checked his heart and lungs and said they sounded OK but recommended an X-Ray examination this week to be sure.

This morning he is coughing again, but not as much and seems a bit better after his morning walk.

What is significant is our other Yorkie acted very concerned when we cam back from the vet last night. He stayed very close to Kiko for a while and stood by while he got his drink of water. I feel they are concerned about each other and show the same feelings as we would for a family member that wasn’t feeling well.

Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

I’ve had animals all of my life, and I know they have feelings, just like us, but different in many ways. My pommie, Nikki, had a persistent cough but I can’t remember what they called it. She lived about 15 years and then we had to let her sleep. That cough just got worse and worse, especially when she was excited, which was always.

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