Stereotypes or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are among the most frequent behavior problems in our pets. Although a certain amount of repetition is inherent in canine behavior, the development of obsessive behaviors represent a risk to the he alth of our furry friends, as they often lead to self-mutilation.
In general, obsessive-compulsive disorder and stereotypies in dogs find their origin in different behavior problems, but they can also appear as a symptom of certain pathologies. To learn how to prevent and recognize OCD in your furry dog early, we invite you to continue reading this new article on our site about obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs (OCD) or stereotypies:
What are stereotypes?
The stereotypes are usually defined as movements, postures or sounds that are executed repeatedly, generally with a high degree of "ritualization". They can be present in humans, domestic animals, and captive wild animals.
In humans, stereotypies can be shown through simple movements such as a slight and constant rocking of the body or a repetitive gesture with the hands, for example. However, these records usually become more complex over the years, becoming true rituals. In more advanced cases, this obsessive ritualism makes it impossible to perform daily tasks and directly interferes with the quality of life of those affected.
In animals, stereotypies can have certain pathological causes, occasionally being related to diseases that cause acute pain or affect functions sensory of dogs. For example: a dog may obsessively ride her toys, other dogs, or her guardian's leg to relieve discomfort from conditions affecting her hip or urinary tract. However, in most cases, obsessive behaviors find their origins in different behavior problems
Are stereotyping and OCD the same thing?
Not necessarily stereotypies may appear as temporary nervous tics, triggered by certain contexts of transient stress or anxiety. In these cases, they do not always involve self-mutilation or pose a risk to the animal's he alth, and may disappear when the stress in their environment decreases.
However, in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder, these diverse stereotypes usually appear at an early age, during the puppy or puppy stage. in the early years of adulthood. In addition, they tend to be prolonged and progressively intensify, generally becoming self-destructive.
In general, an animal with OCD gradually adds various stereotypes to its behavior, as its physical and mental he alth declines. Among the most frequent stereotypies in dogs with OCD, we must mention tail chasing (turning on its own axis), frantically licking and biting.
Causes associated with OCD in dogs
Unfortunately, the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs is often related to a history of physical and/or emotional violenceMany rescued furry arrive at the shelters with well-marked stereotypes, either because they have suffered numerous physical, cognitive or emotional abuses, because they were born and formed their character in a negative environmentor after being abandoned on the streets. Obsessive behaviors can also appear as a consequence of sedentary lifestyle , low mental stimulation, poor (or absent) socialization, orlong confinement
All animals need to exercise their bodies and minds daily to remain physically and mentally he althy. A dog that is left alone for many hours, that experiences a sedentary routine and lives in an unstimulating environment, can develop a series of behavioral problems derived from the accumulation of tension, stress and/or boredom. In addition, they must be properly socialized to learn to relate to their toys, other people and other animals.
As we mentioned before, there are pathological causes that are associated with the development of obsessive behaviors. Therefore, we should not ignore the signals that our dog transmits to us through his body language.
Symptoms of OCD in Dogs
OCD in dogs needs to be diagnosed early to prevent repetitive behaviors from becoming self-destructive. Therefore, it is essential that guardians are always aware of any change in the behavior of their pets and do not hesitate to immediately consult their trusted veterinary in the event of any abnormal observation.
The first visible signs of stereotypies in dogs consist of an intensification of certain behaviors inherent in canine nature. Although canine behavior contains a certain "natural dose" of repetition, the obsessive execution of certain attitudes or daily habits is considered pathological, since it harms the well-being of the animal and puts its physical and mental he alth at risk.
If our dog suddenly starts barking, sniffing, licking, biting, tail chasing, digging, mounting or scratching excessively, we may be facing a disorder picture obsessive-compulsive Certain characteristic symptoms of separation anxiety may also appear, such as chewing or destroying furniture, household objects and the belongings of their guardians, as well as urinating and defecating in unusual places. In addition, most dogs with OCD tend to be more anxious or tense than normal.
When stereotypies are not diagnosed and treated early, the behaviors intensify and we observe the emergence of the following symptoms:
- Acral lick dermatitis (ALD).
- Wounds and sores, mainly on the legs and tail.
- Habit of intense licking or biting of sores and wounds.
- Constant bleeding from paws and tails (derived from biting or licking of sores and wounds).
- Alterations in the skin and coat, generally accompanied by intense loss of hair.
- Eating problems: the dog may show a lack of interest in his favorite foods or treats, or become obsessed with the consumption of food and water.
- Behavioral problems: the dog may be more aggressive, anxious or tense than usual, hide to avoid physical contact with people or other animals, startle in the face of common household stimuli, isolate himself for long periods of time. periods of time or over several days.
Treatment of stereotypies in dogs
We must understand that stereotypies generally appear when the animal already has a high emotional disturbance, which reveals a generalized imbalance. For this reason, the treatment of OCD is a slow and gradual process that aims to balance not only the body of the affected animal, but fundamentally its mind.
A dog with OCD must have all the patience and dedication of its guardians to recover. It will be our responsibility to assume the commitment to offer a positive environment and a he althier lifestyle to our best friends. In general, these dogs will have to undergo behavior modification sessions and may even need to be "re-educated" and "re-socialized" in order to overcome insecurity, regain their self-esteem, and learn to express themselves positively through he althy behaviors.
To do this, it will be essential to be accompanied by canine psychology and ethology professionals through sessions of modification behavior In addition, if the dog has wounds or lesions, these should be treated immediately at the veterinary clinic to prevent the development of infections.
Stereotypies and OCD in dogs: is it possible to prevent?
Prevention is key not only to prevent our pets from developing stereotypes that are harmful to their he alth, but also to reduce the likelihood that they will return to relapse into these obsessive behaviors as an escape valve against a sedentary routine or poor preventive medicine. Below, we summarize the main guidelines on how to prevent obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs:
- Create a positive and he althy environment, where our dog can develop self-confidence.
- Use positive reinforcement in your education, and never use physical or emotional violence.
- Provide adequate preventive medicine: visits to the vet every 6 months, respect their vaccination and deworming schedule, adopt reinforced hygiene habits, etc.
- Maintain a balanced diet, taking into account your age, weight, size and also your special needs;
- Perform physical exercises regularly, to maintain good he alth and avoid symptoms associated with stress or boredom.
- Socialize your dog from puppyhood, preferably from the first 6 months of life.
- Know and respect the 5 freedoms of animal welfare.
