Overview
- UK outlets on Thursday amplified a TikTok by Alex the Vet explaining that some dogs and cats repeat signs of illness to gain attention.
- He says the behavior often starts after a real injury or sickness that brought extra care, which teaches the pet to use those cues again.
- Common repeats include a limp or low energy, with clues such as an inconsistent limp or a pet that still sprints to the food bowl.
- He urges owners to rule out medical causes first because animals, especially cats, often hide pain and real disease can look similar.
- If a vet finds no illness, he recommends more attention, a steady routine, and added play or enrichment, which many owners said helped.