Pet owners may think it is adorable when their dog chases its tail or their cat suckles for comfort. But when these activities are persistent to the point that it disrupts their daily routines, it may be a sign that your pet has a more serious issue.
In humans, obsessive- compulsive disorders (OCDs) are developed when people experience obsessive thoughts, leading to repetitive, and often unhealthy, behaviors known as compulsions. Dogs and cats can also be affected by OCDs, even though they present slightly differently than the human version.
“OCDs are displayed more as compulsive behaviors in companion animals because it’s unknown whether pets truly ‘obsess,’” said Dr. Ashley Navarrette, a clinical veterinarian at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “There has been research that compulsive behaviors are familial and, therefore, rooted in genetics, but any dog or cat can experience compulsions because they are derived from ‘normal’ behaviors, persisting for a long period of time or serving no purpose.”
