behaviour 6 - Assessing Emotional Health in Dogs and Cats

When is behaviour considered problematic

Incompatible with life in domestic context (defined by caregiver, vet staff, law enforcers)

When do emotional disorders arise

Emotional response not proportional/appropriate to situation

Behavioural response not justified/acceptable in reaction to emotional response

Behavioural response abnormal intensity/duration

When is behavioural medicine approach warranted in general practice

Preventative situations

Reports of concerning behaviour

Physical health issues + emotional involvement (CS, response to treatment)

What to identify when assessing emotional health

Emotional motivation

Influences on motivation (genetics, history, present environment, physical health)

Emotional arousal

Emotional resilience

What to investigate in behavioural history taking

Triggers (from caregiver+ unproblematic), behavioural signs

Aim of history taking

To see if animal is emotionally stable - when does it feel uncomfortable, recovery time, limits

Info to take for history

Questionnaire, time line, house plan, behaviour maps, household security, neighbouring animals, frequency of interactions

Potential social stressors

Intraspecies relationships, unfamiliar things, humans, different species

Passive conflict examples

Inhibition + avoidance - staring, posturing, distance

Appeasement - leaning, licking

Qs to ask after history taking

Enviroment (physical, social) meeting needs, evidence of frustration + emotional conflict + inappropriate learning

Which emotional motivations, triggers