“Pet psychiatry is still a relatively new thing, but it’s growing very fast, and we’re recognising that, as with humans, there are actual mental health issues with animals,” says Dr Jess Beer, an animal behaviourist and vet. “It’s not just simply about bad behaviour.”
While most people will automatically—and understandably—turn to a dog trainer to tame a misbehaving pooch, the veterinary world is fast realising that the problems often run far deeper than basic mischievousness; some may even be genetically predisposed to mental illness.
“Rather than thinking an animal’s not doing what you tell it to, let’s understand why it’s behaving that way and fix that. In a lot of cases, it’s through fear or anxiety. Unfortunately, there are a lot doctrines out there that try and control with punitive measures. But punishing an animal is not healthy, and can be quite abusive in some regards.”
Jess works with all manner of animals with behavioural issues including rats, rabbits and birds, though for obvious reasons she most commonly gets called about dogs and cats.
“Unfortunately, cats are very good at hiding when they don’t feel well, so chronic illnesses can sometimes go unnoticed,” says Jess. “Part of my preventative behavioural goal is to show people how to understand cats’ body language to recognise those signs sooner so we can intervene to take away the pain or discomfort. To make them feel happy.”
Initial consultations with Jess last one to two hours, when she will assess not just the health and behaviour of the animal, but its home environment too. Sometimes she will also work alongside trainers. “There’s no quick fix,” she says. “You can’t just dictate a plan to a family that doesn’t fit into their lifestyle. I provide a report with information on what I have diagnosed—is it a fear problem? Lack of socialisation?”
Medication may also be discussed—prescribing Prozac to pooches is a possibility!
However, prevention is without doubt the best approach. The longer certain ‘bad’ behaviours ensue, the greater the challenge to reverse them. “It’s vital to educate vets and trainers as well as members of the public, as to what they need to provide a new puppy or a cat. Obviously we have issues with dog bite incidences in New Zealand, and much of that can be prevented.”
Just as with young humans, Jess says that it’s about teaching animals the skills to cope and succeed. Fundamental to your furry friend’s happiness is a warm and welcoming environment for, just as with humans, traumatic upbringings will often result in psychological issues further down the road.
“You can’t keep a dog tied up in a backyard for a year then expect it to know how to behave in public,” explains Jess. “Much of it goes back to basic psychology and learning theory that applies to all species, what you call the ABC: the antecedent, which is when something happens and then a behaviour which occurs in response, followed by a consequence. This consequence will determine how the animal will behave in the future to that same antecedent or circumstance. All species respond in this manner, from clamshells to horses to humans.”
Jess says that contrary to popular belief, though cats are not necessarily solitary animals, they do like to have their own spaces and their own stuff, including litter trays, and water and food bowls. The way we carry ourselves is also key.
“Our pets can smell pheromones produced with various emotions,” says the vet. “And they read our body language and feed off it. We might be saying or thinking something different to what our body is doing which can cause anxiety or mistrust. So part of my job is teaching humans as well!”
Problems have been further compounded by indiscriminate breeders.
“Bulldogs are a prime example of physical issues,” says Jess. “But there are a lot of other breeds known for their anxiety issues that are still unfortunately being bred because they make a lot of money. Other breeders are not providing socialisation for puppies meaning you may end up adopting one that has been stuck in a cage at the back of someone’s farm for many weeks, as opposed to being raised in a family, and damage may already have been done.”
Speaking of families, Jess does encourage that pets and kids grow up together—but only if families realise the commitment that it does take. “It does have to be done seamlessly,” she says. “There are so many people that re-home their dogs after one or two years because a baby’s come along and they realise that they just don’t have time for the dog.”
Visit Dr Jess Beer at the Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic & Cattery for all pet behaviour enquiries or find out more at kiwivetbehaviour.net
