Definition of animal abuse

Here is the definition of animal abuse. Is animal abuse animal cruelty? Google couldn't find a definition for "animal abuse".

Lets start with the word "abuse":

Abuse means mistreatment, to treat badly. It also covers maltreatment which means cruel or inhumane treatment.

Animal abuse is probably wider than animal cruelty. Animal abuse includes animal cruelty but animal cruelty is more specific.

Animal cruelty falls into one of these categories, normally: neglect, intentional cruelty or sexual abuse (the latter is relatively rare).

So a definition of animal abuse might be:

"To treat an animal in a manner that is counter to the animal's fundamental needs and requirements".

or it might be:

"To treat an animal in a manner that causes discomfort, pain or ill health."

You might merge these two:

"To treat an animal in a manner that causes discomfort, pain or ill health and that is detrimental to the animal's fundamental needs and requirements."

This is my definition of animal abuse as Google couldn't find one. If you like it or find it useful by all means use it but it would be nice if you gave a link to this website.

Definition of animal abuse to Animal Cruelty