It is becoming increasingly common for us to be asked about behavior issues in pets. What is probably most important for us to remember is that they are animals and don’t think like us. So when we throw them into our life situations we shouldn’t be surprised when their behavior is not always predictable or appropriate. They don’t see the situation in the same manner as we do.
Situations such as a new home, a family member leaving the home, traveling, a new pet, an unfriendly neighbor, constant visitors, etc. are all stresses to a pet that may be acted out in any number of ways. It is important to remember for both your sake and the pet’s, that misbehavior does not in any way suggest that the pet is bad, just that they are doing a behavior that is bad. Our goal, be it with training or
medication, is to change the behavior without breaking the spirit or changing the personality.
With behavior counseling our goal is to first identify the cause of the
behavior—what might be going on in the pet’s mind that makes it act out in this manner? Is it fear, aggression, protectiveness, pain, dementia, illness, confusion, blindness, loss of hearing, nervousness, anxiety, or, the more and more common, separation anxiety (I’m left home alone, oh my, what shall I do?!)?
So when is it necessary to intervene with medication?
For the average pet with fears, we intervene when the pet cannot cope with the fear. Many pets disappear and hide when presented with a fear issue, be it storms, the mailman, or guests to the home. If the animal acts protected and safe where it is hiding, it has found its means of coping. If the animal is still trembling and agitated in its hiding, or runs all over in a nervous manner and cannot settle down at all, we recommend medical therapy. They are not coping.
For the average pet with anxiety or obsessive behavior (incessant licking, nonstop barking, pacing, separation anxiety, overprotectiveness, etc), we recommend treating when their issue consumes them, both in time and thought. Commonly nothing distracts them from their issue, and a good share of the day is
occupied with this behavior. The issue owns them and their behavior is the result.
What does medication therapy look like?
If medical therapy is necessary we have three basic avenues to pursue.
- L-Tryptophan: An amino acid supplied in the form of a vitamin. L-Tryptophan is a natural calming ingredient that will often take the edge off of an anxious pet and allow it to deal more logically with its situation. L-Tryptophan is often in combination with other natural calming agents such as chamomile and valerian.
- Natural pheromones: Pheromones are the “good” subliminal scents that animals have on their bodies that other pets can perceive and we cannot. If we increase the animal’s exposure to these happy scents again their mood may improve.
- Actual medications: Medications to treat depression in humans are often very helpful to us to treat pet behavior. The bulk of human depression medications improve mood by improving the balance of good chemicals in the brain, thereby improving mood. Other medications that are helpful fall in the tranquilizer category, that by producing tranquility, the behavior may be subdued or eliminated.
Any or all of these areas may have to be explored to achieve a cure. But first, try to identify the perceived stress that has prompted this behavior.
If you have additional questions please call.