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Fears, phobias and anxieties in pets are becoming more common as our pets try, often in vain, to keep up with the pounding pace of the computer age and the shrinking back yard.
There was the Abyssinian with agoraphobia that was too scared to go outside. The Beagle with brontophobia was showing a very a serious and common anxiety, and then there was the panic attack Poodle that was uncontrollable in the clipping salon and the Terrier with the toe-nail-trim terror. Both of these had post-traumatic stress. Poor pets!
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What type of fears do pets develop?
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A fear of thunder (brontophobia for the technophiles), of storms and of loud noises, is very common in dogs. Many dogs look like a hairy blancmange when exposed to thunder, gunshots, nailing guns and other similar and sudden noises. With their acute hearing, dogs are much more sensitive to such noises than us comparatively deaf humans.
A behavioural problem known as a Separation Anxiety is also very common. Dogs show this anxiety when they are away from their owners. Their owners may be at work during the day or in bed at night. Such dogs often bark or howl relentlessly. They may be destructive or they may escape continually.
Some dogs fear men and some fear women. People wearing hats are often viewed with anxiety by many dogs too. They find the unusual profile disturbing.
Then there is the terrifying visit to the v-e-t. Many dogs and cats totally lose their composure when in a veterinary surgery. It can be associated with pain that may have occurred in previous visits but the unusual smells and the presence of other animals also contribute to the arousal of fear. The same applies to dogs and cats that are fearful in grooming parlours.
Cats show anxieties and fears too but often in a more subtle way. An alien cat roaming through your back yard may upset the apple cart for your puss. This is especially so if the alien cat is spraying urine. If your cat is skulking around the house, hiding under furniture and showing reluctance to go outside, or if it is spraying or urinating inside, look for a marauding moggy or two in your backyard.
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How do fears develop?
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Some studies show that some breeds are more prone to phobias, however fears and phobias develop for a number of reasons. Most fear reactions are learned. Phobias can develop from a single, horrific experience or from continued exposure to the fearful stimulus. Owners may actually reinforce the phobic and fearful behaviours when trying to calm the animal down, thus inadvertently rewarding the fearful behaviour. Being unfamiliar with an event or situation and then being forced into it can cause the fearful behaviour.
Any stimuli that the animal has not been exposed to during its sensitive developmental period (up to 3 months old) may provoke fear in the future. Fearful behavior can also be the result of an early, unpleasant experience, or just perceived by the animal as unpleasant, like a veterinary visit. Puppy Pre-Schools and Kitty Kindys are an important way of ensuring a peaceful exposure to unusual stimuli.
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What can be done to treat fears, anxieties and phobias?
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There are two broad approaches to the treatment of fears, anxieties and phobias. One is to use behaviour modifying techniques such as progressive desensitisation and the other is to use medication. Often the two are combined.
Progressive desensitisation involves exposing your fearful pet to a very mild form of the stimulus that upsets it but in such a manner that your pet remains calm and happy. After many exposures at this level, the stimulus is presented in a ‘stronger’ manner. The pet is induced to remain calm and happy at this level before progressing to the next.
Some dogs and cats are so overcome with fear that they cannot learn to accept challenging situations like this. Their fear swamps their ability to think logically. For such pets, medication is being used more frequently nowadays. A range of ‘target’ medications is available that specifically reduce anxieties without causing other unwanted side effects.
If your dog or cat is fearful and you would like some help to solve that problem, please contact your veterinarian.
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Dr Cam Day BVSc BSc MACVSc is a veterinary surgeon, an animal behaviour consultant and media presenter. In 1995 he qualified as a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in the discipline of Animal Behaviour and is one of only 15 veterinarians with this qualification in Australia. He works full time in animal behaviour management in Queensland, consulting with dog, cat and bird owners on a daily basis as well as appearing on air as Brisbane’s radio Pet Vet, and writing for various magazines.
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