What are the benefits of pet behaviour therapy?

Every pet owner wants to believe that their furry friend is the most loving, kind-hearted animal on the planet. But the reality is that just like humans, there are all sorts of animal personalities floating around.

If you’ve noticed your pet is displaying behaviours like howling when you leave the house or biting when you walk them, as well as signs they are struggling to cope with everyday life, then it may be time to book them in for pet behaviour therapy. Here’s why it can be an extremely valuable process for both owners and pets.

Understanding pet behaviour therapy

Because every pet personality is different, there are various types of pet behaviour therapies that can support your furry friend.

“Understanding your pet’s behaviour allows you to grasp what your pet needs, and to further understand your pet and their personality,” says Bianca Santucci from Barking with Bianca. “This allows you to learn and develop together and, in doing so, you can build a stronger bond knowing what your pet needs and what area they need assistance in.”

Different types of therapy training can be beneficial in many ways – not only in preventing any potentially negative behaviours, but also making your home a happier, healthier place.

“Forms of therapy can vary in many ways,” Santucci says. “It could be behavioural-based therapy such as obedience training, it could be therapy for focusing on basic training for puppies, or it could be training for aggression. There are also things like grooming therapy, which is for pets who have had bad experiences with groomers. There is even therapy to assist with your pet’s mental health.”

Benefits of pet behaviour therapy for dogs

Behaviour therapy for pets has come a long way in recent years – so much so that there are separate types of therapy for dogs and cats. That means you can give your furry family member the special attention they deserve.

“For dogs with mental health disorders, behaviour therapy can help them learn to regulate their emotions and stay calm,” says Dr Jacqui Ley, Registered Specialist in Behavioural Medicine. “When a dog is calm, they can listen to others (dogs and people) and react appropriately to the situation.”

For example, Dr Ley says that some dogs can very quickly become over-excited when given a chance to meet and play with other dogs. But this can be off-putting for the other dog and even spark an aggressive response. By helping the ‘pet patient’ learn to be calmer, they have the opportunity to make more positive interactions with other dogs.

“Other dogs need help learning how to manage when they feel anxious,” Dr Ley adds. “They may use aggressive behaviour or be very clingy with their owners. By teaching them – through games and puzzles to solve problems – these dogs build self-efficacy. They are then better able to react in positive and healthy ways to challenges.”

Benefits of pet behaviour therapy for cats

Pet therapy for cats follows many of the same principles to tackle mental health disorders, according to Dr Ley, but the process is altered to match the cat’s unique behaviour. As cats are a very different species to dogs, the games are generally played in shorter sessions and their play spaces may also be elevated which provides them the autonomy to retreat when seeking solitude.

“Another difference in how cat cases are managed is to discuss with owners the normal behaviour and special needs of cats, and then implement changes to meet these needs,” Dr Ley says. “This may involve providing separate feeding areas for multi-cat households, separate litter trays that are regularly changed, and more resting places. Cats do a lot of things alone – when cats rest, they rest with their preferred friends.”

Whether it’s for a dog or a cat, the ultimate goal of behavioural therapy for pets is to help them learn how to feel safe and in control of their emotions so that they can respond appropriately to their environment.

Positive effects on pets’ wellbeing

Just like their owners, pets can suffer from mental health issues in many different ways. From past traumas to present-day issues, to environmental or breed-related problems, Santucci says there are many forms of mental health that can affect your pet in different ways.

“Both cats and dogs are affected with mental health,” she says. “They can have signs of being unhappy, irritated and scared. There are also situations where pets can be medicated for their mental health or behavioural issues, which can also change the demeanour of the pets’ behaviour, and most behaviourists may consider other forms of therapy to replace the medication.”

The good news is that with the correct course of behavioural therapy and ongoing management of their behaviour, both Santucci and Dr Ley say that therapy can have an incredibly positive effect on the wellbeing of our pets.

Emotional and mental health benefits

“By doing therapy for our pets, this increases behavioural changes,” says Santucci. “It increases happiness in the animal, it settles their energy levels down, and it allows them to be free and enjoy their lifestyle. In other words, they can be a happier and healthier pet.”

Because we all want our pets to be happy and healthy – and to enjoy their day-to-day lives with us – investing in pet behaviour therapy can do wonders for their emotional and mental health needs.

Improved quality of life

Behaviour therapy might seem like a big step, but it can really help owners understand and effectively manage their pets’ actions (and reactions). As you learn how to interpret and respond to your pet’s behaviour appropriately, it can create a sense of accomplishment and confidence, promoting a more fulfilling companionship between you both.

For a pet undergoing behaviour therapy, the benefits are too many to count – it can reduce their stress or anxiety levels, it can provide them with structured training and positive reinforcement, and it can ultimately help them develop the ‘right’ behaviours – no matter what they are facing.

This, in turn, will lead to a well-adjusted pet with a higher quality of life. The strengthened bond between you and your pet, coupled with a more predictable and supportive environment, will undoubtedly mean an improved quality of life for everyone in your home.

We understand that doing behaviour therapy for pets – as well as other annual vet costs – can be expensive. That’s why having the right level of pet insurance could help protect your bank balance as well as your furry friend’s health. Start comparing pet insurance with Choosi today or call 1300 462 487 to find out more.