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Reduced activity

Reduced appetite

Decreased water intake

Increased sleep

Decreased interest in social interaction

Decreased play behavior

Decreased grooming behavior

There will be some variation in how rapidly these behavioral changes set in and in the degree to which they appear, depending upon the pathogen involved. Some diseases will cause a rapid and severe onset of lethargy and anorexia, while others may develop more slowly, and the behavioral signs may be less obvious. The status of each individual’s immune system may also affect the degree of illness experienced and thus the degree of behavioral change.

An animal’s coat can provide important clues regarding its health status. Grooming behavior has evolved in mammals to serve a variety of purposes, depending upon the species. These behaviors may spread natural body oils throughout the coat, contributing to coat health and thermoregulation, as well as effectively decreasing ectoparasite loads (Hart 2011). Saliva contains a variety of antibacterial and wound‐healing substances, so that the predisposition for animals to lick body parts and wounds is likely an evolved behavioral tool for decreasing the incidence of infection (Hart 2011). When animals fail to practice normal self‐grooming behavior, it should serve as a warning sign that something is wrong.