Animals suffer from ailments throughout the course of their lives. While many of the illnesses may not be serious, the animal equivalent of a stuffy nose, for instance, many threaten the long term health of an animal, even if that animal has been well-cared for and disease free up to that point.
Animals suffer from afflictions the same way humans suffer. They become ill and tired and have trouble eating. They expel fluids sometimes, including through vomiting and other ways. They suffer with poor eyesight and diseases that cause them to become thin and bony. They suffer from illnesses like tumors or cancer. And yet we love them.
It’s estimated that 70 to 80 million dogs and 74 to 96 million cats are owned in the United States. Those are 70 to 80 million of man’s best friends and 74 to 96 mill