How To Help A Dog Or Cat Who's Hooked On A Compulsive Behavior

[Bonkers]

  Great article written by Kim Campbell Thorton that discusses various measures that can be taken to help break the cat or dog from compulsive disorders.  "Licking, chewing, spinning, tail-chasing and running after shadows or beams of light can be normal behaviors in dogs and cats, but in some cases they become repetitive and harmful.  When normal behaviors become repetitive or sustained and don’t seem to make any sense, a dog or cat is often diagnosed with compulsive disorder. Common repetitive behaviors in dogs include licking to the point of causing a wound known as a lick granuloma, tail-chasing or spinning to the point of exhaustion, and chasing shadows or light rays. Cats are known to suck on wool, groom excessively or chase their tails."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27329468/

[Perseus]

Bonkers, this is an interesting article that I read something similar to about a year ago.  One of the listed "problems" that caused the compulsive disorder sometimes in the article I read, was being an only cat or only dog in the household.  The article went on to say that cats and dogs need to be with "their own kind" and be able to socialize amongst other cats and dogs or they can develop these obsessive disorders.  When pet parents only have one cat or one dog, the chances of them developing an obsessive disorder was greatly increased over those parents that had at least two cats or two dogs.  Something to keep in mind if you're going to have pets, maybe two would be the best for the pet.

After all, it doesn't cost much more to feed one more mouth, does it??  I'm using that line on my husband right now since I'm thinking about getting another kitten.....

[GreyGhost]

I  have been thinking about adding another dog to my clan. I know the hubby wouldn't mind. I just have to make sure I am ready. I'm always on the look out though.