Fido On the Couch
A pet’s problem isn’t always caused by a medical condition. Sometimes, our furry friends have a problem between their ears. In veterinary terminology, we refer to these animals as being “a little cuckoo.” (Not really.)
Behavior problems are as serious and often as debilitating as any medical condition. In dogs, I often see behavior disorders such as Panic Attacks, Phobias, Separation Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Licking, Pacing, and Rhythmic Barking.
Cats may manifest Tail Mutilation, Excessive Grooming, Paw Shaking, and Wool Sucking—just to name a few unusual behaviors in the long list of feline compulsive disorders.
Behavior problems are serious because they do affect the pet’s quality of life as well as your own, and most healthy pets that are relinquished to animal shelters are given away because of behavior problems. With fewer than 30% of all animals in a shelter finding a new home, the odds are not good for a pet in the pound.
As a veterinarian, I put Fido and Fluffy on the couch every day and try to figure out if a particular disorder is the result of a behavior problem or an underlying medical condition. In some cases, pets can have a medical condition that causes a behavior problem.
For example, I see many dogs and cats that have chewed on themselves until their skin is raw and bleeding. Why? Often it is because they have allergies or fleas. Occasionally, it is because they are reacting to a change in their routine (new pet or baby in the house, owner has a different work schedule, etc.) And sometimes, the pet is just “wound a little too tight.”
There is a difference between pets with a “problem behavior” and pets with a “behavior problem.” Pets with a problem behavior do not follow the rules of the household. They get on the kitchen table or in the trash, they scratch or bark when they shouldn’t and so on. Though problem behaviors vary from pet to pet and household to household, it is usually the Owner that needs to be taught how to correct the problem behavior.
Pets with a behavior problem are in a completely different league. They are reacting to their environment or situation in a way that is destructive, inappropriate, excessive, or just downright strange. Unlike problem behaviors, pets with compulsive disorders cannot “help” but act in their own peculiar way. Most behavior problems are not directly the result (or fault) of the Owner’s actions or inactions.
Just as people handle different situations in different ways, pets also vary in how much stress they can endure, how much instability they can handle, or how they will react to an annoying or unsettling situation.
Once your veterinarian has determined that your pet has a behavior problem and not an underlying medical condition, then it is time to decide how to treat that disorder. Sometimes we will try and help the animal “cope” with whatever stressor has triggered the behavior.
Occasionally, veterinarians may prescribe some “pet prozac” for your dog or cat. Still other times, avoiding the stressful situation might be the best bet.
Being a pet psychologist isn’t easy—most of my patients refuse to answer any questions about their behavior problems. When I’m stumped, I will often ask for input from veterinarians who are Board-certified in animal behavior, as well as dog trainers and other animal experts.
The first step to helping your pet with a behavior problem is recognizing that there is a problem. After that, allow your pet’s doctor to help you determine the underlying cause and potential treatments for that behavior disorder. Besides improving your pet’s quality of life, you will also improve your own!
