INTRODUCTION

Obsessive compulsive behaviours in animals, known as stereotypies, are a major cause for concern for owners, a disruption to harmonious coexistence in the home and a hindrance to the welfare of the animals themselves.

The canine obsessive compulsive disorder is similar to OCD in people, that is to say, the act of repeating certain movements or establishing a certain behaviour that is constantly repeated without any specific purpose, and without being able to stop doing it.

TYPES OF COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOURS IN PETS

Some compulsive behaviours in pets include the following:

• Excessive paw licking
• Hair pulling
• Self-mutilation
• Biting cage bars (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters...)
• Excessive barking
• Circling around
• Excessive sniffing
• Chasing their tails
• Smashing everything within reach (destructive behaviour)
• Digging holes incessantly (dogs)
• Licking the ground, glass, furniture or humans almost as if hypnotised
• Riding things non-stop
• Licking genitals to the extreme (ulcers)
• Climbing and falling all the time (hamster in barred cage)
• star gazing syndrome (hamster)
• Compulsive cleaning
• Walking in circles
  
  

CAUSES OF COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOURS IN PETS

Compulsive behaviours (OCD) can have a number of triggers:

• Inappropriate experiences as puppies (early weaning, poor socialisation and interaction with other dogs, people or environment).
• Hyperexcitability.
• A weak bond with their owner or family, as well as inconsistency or inconsistency in their upbringing, especially when they are puppies or young.
• Boredom, lack of cognitive and sensory stimulation.
• Lack of play.
• Lack of or little interaction with the owner or family.
• Lack of physical exercise, appropriate to each type of dog.
• Absence or alteration of routines, which can lead to a state of confusion and instability in the dog.
• Living in unhealthy conditions.
• Inadequate facilities
• Genetics
• Traumatic experiences, mistreatment.
• The dog's own character; there are breeds in which there is a greater predisposition to compulsive behaviour.
• Neurological problems
  
  

CONSEQUENCES OF COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN PETS

The consequences of compulsive behaviour (OCD) can be various:

• Acral licking dermatitis (ALD).
• Sores and sores, mainly on the paws, genitals and tail.
• Constant bleeding on paws and tail (resulting from biting or licking behaviour of sores and wounds).
• Skin and coat alterations, usually accompanied by intense hair loss.
• Alopecia
• FOOD PROBLEMS: lack of interest in food or obsession with food and water consumption.
• BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS: the dog may be more aggressive, anxious or tense than usual, hide to avoid physical contact with people or other animals, startle at common household stimuli, isolate itself for long periods of time or for several days.
  
  

HOW TO DEAL WITH COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOURS IN PETS?

Compulsive behaviours have a guarded prognosis and the treatment plan does not always achieve the expected success. Although in a study by Overall, in most cases a considerable reduction in both intensity and frequency of the behaviour was achieved, which may make the animal's life more viable, and less so for the owner [4]. However, if the compulsive behaviour is emancipated, i.e. it occurs independently of the stimulus that originally provoked it, the prognosis is poor.

The treatment plan consists of:

• Pharmacological therapy.
• Modification of the environment (elimination of source of conflict/stress/frustration, increased mental stimulation, walking routines, exercise, feeding, obedience).
• Correction of owner management (avoidance of punishment, involuntary reinforcement, handling).
  
  

CONCLUSION

When we detect compulsive or unhealthy behaviour in our pet, it is essential that we look for the cause of it and take the necessary steps (including the services of an animal mental health professional) if necessary to avoid greater evils. These behaviours may seem funny in principle, but they hide a very serious problem.