Understanding Feline Behavior for Better Diagnosis, Stronger Bonds

Dr. Carlo Siracusa, professor of clinical animal behavior and welfare at the University of Pennsylvania, emphasizes that understanding feline behavior is crucial for accurate diagnosis, better treatment, and stronger human-animal bonds. Speaking at AVMA Convention 2025 and the World Veterinary Association Congress, he explained that pets depend entirely on owners and communicate needs through behavior, often signaling illness.

Research he presented includes the Feline Grimace Scale for pain detection and findings that cats with chronic inflammatory disease may purr or groom excessively as distress signals rather than signs of contentment. Senior cats with mild inflammation (“inflammaging”) also show behavioral changes that can affect problem-solving and owner communication. Siracusa stressed that behavioral science emphasizes empathy and should be integrated into Veterinary clinical reasoning. Recognizing subtle behavioral cues enables veterinarians to detect underlying health issues, improve client communication, and enhance both feline welfare and the human-animal relationship. He received the 2025 AVMA Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award.