Beyond Companionship

Why understanding pet mental health matters more than ever.

Mental health has been a major focus of human well-being for years, and it’s obvious that pets have a positive impact on the mental health of their owners, offering companionship, unconditional love and a calming presence that helps reduce stress and anxiety. In recent years, there has been increasing awareness of the value of emotional support animals for people diagnosed with depression, anxiety or PTSD. While the benefits of pets to our mental health and behavior have been widely studied, the behavioral – or mental – health of pets has not. That may change, thanks in part to two reports published earlier this year.

A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior even caught the attention of the national news media when it reported that 99.1% of dogs in the U.S. exhibit at least one problematic behavioral issue. The study titled “The Prevalence of Behavior Problems in Dogs in the United States” was part of the Dog Aging Project that surveyed more than 43,000 owners of dogs of various breeds and ages. It covered four large categories, including separation and attachment issues (No. 1 with 85.9% of dogs displaying some form of separation anxiety); aggression (No. 2 at 55.6%); fear and anxiety (No. 3 at 49.9%); and house soiling a distant fourth.

In June, pet insurer Trupanion released data showing a steep rise in anxiety-related claims for dogs and cats over the past six years – a 93% increase nationally. In 2023 alone, they received over 25,000 anxiety-related claims. The findings are part of their truInsights initiative that analyzes claims data from more than two million insured pets to identify pet health trends.

With pets much more engaged in our daily lives than they were just a few decades ago, there is much more opportunity for even minor problems to cause an issue. Since behavior problems are one of the top reasons pets are surrendered to shelters, it’s important to address those issues early. Owners of both puppies and kittens who received behavioral counseling at their first veterinary appointment reported significantly fewer undesirable behaviors than those who didn’t.

Tools and tips

For fearful, stressed or aggressive pets, just getting them to the clinic may pose a huge challenge for pet owners, so they may avoid regular wellness checks and vaccinations to the detriment of their pet’s health. Pets that have a negative experience at the veterinarian are likely to be fearful and distressed at their next visit, further impeding care and compliance. Owners can feel confident that their vet visit will be a more positive one at clinics that have received Fear Free Certification (or AAFP Feline Friendly Certification) and promote the fact that they use humane, low-stress handling techniques.

Cats are famous for disappearing at the first sight of a cat carrier, followed by the battle to get them inside it, and then the anxiety of the car ride. Clinic staff should take a proactive approach to overcome this major obstacle to vet visits. You can recommend products to stop the stress before it starts, such as pheromone sprays for the carrier, calming supplements, and mild sedation for cats with extreme anxiety. Staff can explain and demonstrate these products during the appointment and even make a short video for their website or social media page.

Sit in the waiting room of a veterinary clinic and you’ll probably notice that less than half of dogs enter the practice calmly, and most show signs of behavioral stress in the waiting room. The longer the wait, the higher the anxiety. For some dogs, a jar of healthy treats on the counter may be all it takes to get their tails wagging. For others with more serious fear and anxiety, pre-appointment medications may be the answer.

Treatments from several medication classes have been used off-label to lessen acute situational stress in both dogs and cats, including gabapentin, trazodone, alprazolam and OTM dexmedetomidine (Sileo from Zoetis is an FDA-approved oromucosal gel for dogs with severe noise aversion.) Casozepine is a milk-derived, nonsedative alternative for pet owners who prefer a nonpharmaceutical option. It’s typically given for two days prior to an appointment to help lower stress levels. For pets where low-stress environments and handling isn’t enough, behavioral medications can improve vet visits for pets and their owners and decrease the risk stressed animals may pose to veterinary staff.

Animal health professionals are encouraged to consider anxiety as a growing chronic condition. Signs can vary widely and might include behavior changes, excessive grooming or vocalizing, hiding or withdrawing, a change in appetite, cats eliminating outside the litter box or dogs urinating or defecating inside the house. When a change in behavior is sudden, the cause may often be medical, so veterinarians should do a thorough exam to rule out pain, urinary, digestive or other issues before determining the issue is behavioral.

The data from the Dog Aging Project study highlights the need for better communication between pet owners and veterinarians to understand, identify and address behavior problems before they escalate. Discussing the variety of products you carry that help to treat or modify these issues provides an opportunity for revenue growth, and helps your clinics ensure happier pets and owners and more loyal customers.

Dawn Singleton-Olson has more than 25 years of experience in the animal health industry, including distributor sales, manufacturing, practice management and as a zoo supervisor. She is a volunteer, fundraiser and board trustee for several humane organizations and the Omaha (Neb.) Police Mounted Patrol.

A responsible party

The Dog Aging Project survey cited a study that found that 98% of veterinarians consider themselves a responsible party to help solve animal behavior problems, but only about half currently ask about behavior during appointments. These study results provide some great talking points in conversations with your clinics about how they currently address behavior issues and how they can help strengthen the human animal bond with their patients.

Photo credits:

istockphoto.com/GlobalP

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