Vet Insights 2025: When Pets Are Harmed for Attention—Understanding Munchausen by Proxy 🐾🧠

It’s a difficult and painful topic, but one that demands our attention—especially in veterinary medicine. In rare but tragic cases, individuals may intentionally harm pets to gain sympathy, attention, or even drugs and money. This behavior often falls under the category of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) or malingering by proxy—serious psychological disorders that have devastating consequences for animals 💔.

As a veterinarian, I want to help bring awareness to this issue, educate pet owners, and equip veterinary professionals and the public to recognize warning signs and take appropriate action 🚨🐶.

🧠 What Is Munchausen Syndrome?

Munchausen syndrome is a mental health disorder where a person fabricates, exaggerates, or induces illness in themselves to gain attention from medical providers or emotional support from others.

When the behavior involves causing illness or injury in another—such as a child or pet—it’s called Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP). In these cases, the perpetrator seeks attention or sympathy by portraying themselves as a devoted caregiver while covertly causing the illness 😞.

🐾 MSBP in Pets: A Rare but Real Concern

While most research around MSBP focuses on children, pets can also be targets. Sadly, some individuals harm their animals to fulfill a psychological need for attention, control, or validation 🧪🐕.

In a U.K. study involving 1,000 veterinarians:

• 🩺 448 cases of non-accidental injury were reported
• 🐾 6 were believed to be intentional harm due to MSBP
• 🔍 3 additional cases showed suspicious patterns suggesting deliberate injury

In one particularly disturbing case, a man who claimed his dogs had been poisoned by neighbors was later convicted of trying to poison his child—and was suspected of harming other pets as well 😢.

🚩 Warning Signs of MSBP in Pets

Recognizing MSBP can be difficult. The following red flags may indicate a pet is being intentionally harmed or fabricated symptoms are being reported by the owner:

• 🔁 Repeated unexplained illnesses with inconsistent or non-correlating clinical findings
• 🏥 Frequent, unnecessary veterinary visits or changing clinics often
• 📈 Symptoms reported only by the owner with no visible evidence
• 😷 Illness improves when the pet is separated from the owner
• ⚠️ History of unexplained illness or death in other pets or children in the household

Veterinary staff should approach such cases with professionalism, empathy, and discretion, keeping the animal’s welfare as the top priority 👩‍⚕️🐾.

💊 Malingering by Proxy: Seeking Drugs or Funds

In some cases, individuals may invent or induce symptoms in pets not for emotional attention, but for a tangible reward—such as:

• 💉 Obtaining opioid pain medications for personal use
• 💸 Soliciting donations through social media for fabricated veterinary bills

This is referred to as malingering by proxy, and it’s a growing concern in areas dealing with opioid addiction and fraudulent online fundraising. Perpetrators may exaggerate or fabricate stories of trauma, illness, or rescue, complete with fake diagnoses or misused images 💻🔍.

🌐 Munchausen Syndrome by Internet (MSI)

A newer manifestation of attention-seeking behavior is called Munchausen Syndrome by Internet (MSI). In these cases, individuals create dramatic or emotional narratives online—often in support groups or social media forums—to receive attention and sympathy 🧠💻.

MSI may involve:

• 📱 Posting exaggerated or fabricated stories of pet suffering
• 📸 Using stolen images of real animals to support false claims
• 👥 Creating “sock puppet” accounts to support their narrative and reinforce sympathy

While MSI does not involve physical harm, it manipulates the emotional energy of others and erodes trust in legitimate cases of need ⚠️.

🧑‍⚕️ What Should Vets and Pet Owners Do?

📝 For Veterinary Professionals:

• 🔎 Document suspicious patterns carefully
• 📤 Share concerns discreetly with colleagues or behavioral specialists
• 📞 Consider reporting to animal welfare authorities or mental health support services when appropriate

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For the Public and Pet Owners:

• 🐾 Watch for behavioral or physical signs of trauma in pets
• 📱 Be cautious with fundraising posts—verify legitimacy before donating
• 🧠 Report suspected abuse to animal protection organizations or authorities

📞 Where to Report Suspected Pet Abuse

In the U.S., report animal abuse or suspicious behavior to:

• 📞 Your local animal control agency or humane society
• 📢 National Link Coalition for connections between child and animal abuse (nationallinkcoalition.org)

📲 Ask A Vet: Get Help if You Suspect Something's Wrong

If you're concerned about unexplained illnesses in your pet—or suspect abuse or psychological manipulation in a pet owner—reach out. At AskAVet.com or on the Ask A Vet app, licensed vets are available to support you with discretion, empathy, and medical clarity 🐶📱.

✅ Final Thoughts: Compassion Without Compromise

Harming pets for attention—whether for sympathy, validation, or material gain—is a heartbreaking reality we must acknowledge in 2025. While rare, these situations require sensitivity, education, and swift action to protect animals from harm 🧠🐾.

As animal advocates, let’s remain alert, act with integrity, and always prioritize the well-being of our animal companions 🐕❤️.