Phobic Disorders In Cats and Dogs

Phobias or fear for small things is common in many pets. Many dog and cat owners face this stressful situation from small noise to roaring thunder. There are many reasons and components behind the fear factor in a pet. The innate reaction or inherited behavior such as the fear for predatory animals is not a disease.

The lack of appropriate socialization to the surroundings may lead to phobias in cats and dogs. The pets watch every situation with a fear in their mind because of unfamiliarity.  An experienced and pet loving owner easily identifies the phobic disorders in his pets.  

When there is a stimulus associated with fear, a dog keeps the tail between the legs and puts down the body and head.  The upper, back neck hair becomes straight. The phobic animals give instinct reaction of fight or flight with the presence of a stimulus.  The pets run away and hide themselves to escape from the frightful situation.  

There is another dangerous reaction of fight. Sometimes the pet attacks the object of fear and if becomes successful, it continues to do the same action.  The pet owners play a major role in the treatment of such phobic disorders. The care and affection of the pet owners may really bring out tremendous changes in their pets.  

Factors of Fear:  

Fear of any noise:

Fear of loud sound is the common fear found in pets. The general motivation of fear includes noises such as roaring thunder, noise of train or sound created by loud appliances.  It is easy to identify the problem, but not very easy to control and correct the pets.  The treatment requires lot of time and creative ideas.

Fear of new people:

The pets without adequate socialization to people at a younger stage show fear for new people even it becomes older. Unfamiliar person or a person with new appearance may induce fear in the pets. If the pet has any shocking experience with a person, there is a chance for the pet to develop fear for that person.  

Fear of other animals:

If the kitten or a puppy is not well socialized to other animal species around the area, it will experience a fear for other animals even after growing up. The pet owners need to take proper care for young pets and need to socialize them to avoid such fears.  

Fear of new places:

The common places of fear include halls with shiny and slippery floorings, crowded places and veterinary hospitals. A pet with limited exposure also develops a fear for new and different environment.  

Treatment Plans For Phobias:  

The initial step to treat phobias in pets is to understand the stimulus and the time of occurrence.  The second step is to teach relaxation methods at the time of stimulus.  

Slowly and steadily, socialize the pets with the surroundings and new people with care and appreciation. The phobic disorders are completely ruled out with the help and understanding and love of pet owners.