Placebo effect in pets

[Catherine]

Quote:I totally agree with getting advice from the vet re: pain treatment, and using it, if signs of pain are present, or if in the vet's estimation, the animal may well be in pain (such as after surgery or on other occasions.)

I think this is the whole point of the article. We can perceive the animal is better because of something we have done. We see a pain free pet because we believe the pet is pain free. That may not be the truth. It would be better to have a vet  assess the situation and take their advice. Also our pet might want to appear pain free because they sense that is what we want. Either way it would be better to do something to be sure our pet actually is pain free.

It isn't easy to evaluate the effects of medications. Evaluating the effects of veterinary medications is much more complicated.
Our relationship to our pets adds another layer of confusion to the issue.