Do you think your pet may have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?  Both cats and dogs can show symptoms of OCD.  It appears to occur in about 5% of pets.  The most common behaviors in dogs are obsessive licking and tail chasing, spinning  The most common behaviors in cats are wool sucking (a compulsive, misdirected form of nursing behavior), and incessant grooming. 

If your dog has OCD, it can interfere with his quality of life and health.  It can also cause stress in the household.  Cats that chew or suck on wool and other fabric can move on to swallowing it, causing dangerous obstructions. 

OCD is found in dogs who are stressed, anxious, or bored.  It can be a part of your pet’s genetic make-up and some breeds are more susceptible to having OCD. 

Cats do not handle change or stress well.  If you find your cat is suffering from OCD, try to limit the amount of changes that occur in his day.  Make sure you stay on schedule with his feeding and keep it in the same place.  The same with the litter box--clean on a schedule and keep it in the same place.  

It is best with your pet to create a solid foundation for their health.  If you have read my articles this will not be new information for you. 

1. Make sure their diet is balanced and appropriate for your pet.  Again, if you are not feeding raw in the diet, I would consider this.  Nutrition plays a key role in your pet’s behavior and the way they feel.  Cats are true meat eaters.  They utilize little to no carbs in their diet and they need a high-moisture diet.
2. Make sure you pet is getting plenty of exercise.  For a dog, especially a large one, going for a walk once a day is not going to be enough.  It is a great bonding experience for you and your pet, but it is not going to do anything to get his heart rate up and expel excess energy.
3. Eliminate or keep chemicals to a minimum.  This means vaccinations, flea and heartworm treatment, etc. It is important to keep their immune system strong.

If you believe your pet may have OCD, it is best to get this confirmed with your vet to rule out any other problem that could be occurring.  Your vet may want to prescribe something like Prozac or Zoloft.  This should only be done in server cases.  If your dog or cat is diagnosed with OCD, I would highly recommend that you seek the advise of a Holistic Vet to see what your alternative treatments are.  

Here are some things you can do to relieve some of the anxiety and stress of OCD. 

DOGS:

Get your dog playing, moving and thinking.  You can play fetch; take long, brisk walks; go hiking and/or swimming; get involved in agility, tracking or other sports; create mind games for your dog, like hiding his food, using toys that make him work for it, or use obedient training tricks to make him focus on you and what you want him to do.  If you like to roller blade or ride your bike, this is great exercise for your dog.  I know here in Washington when the weather gets bad, it’s hard to get out with your dog.  I am a strong proponent of a treadmill and believe it has worked well for my beagle who has anxiety issues.  If your dog likes to play with other dogs, putting him in daycare a couple times a week can be beneficial for both of you.   

CATS:

Provide an assortment of toys.  Cats like to play in paper bags and boxes.  I have seen people make tunnels out of emptied cases of pop boxes.  A good scratching post is great for your cat to get up on, play in or even feel secure to take a nap on and of course they like to scratch.  The treat balls, like SlimCat can be very entertaining for your cat.  If your cat is alone, you may want to consider leaving the TV on or playing some music in the background.  Spend time playing with your cat.  Laser pointers can be a great source of entertainment for both you and your cat.  

For both cats and dogs, you can look into providing pheromones.  We usually have the plug in for cats, but can also look into ordering products for dogs.  

OCD is not something that will go away by itself and will get worse if not take care of.  It is important that you are proactive in whatever treatment you decide best for your pet. 

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