When a pet develops anxiety, reactivity, irritability, restlessness, fear, or other behavior changes, the first question I ask is not always, “How do we stop the behavior?”
I wonder, why is this happening?
Of course, there are situations where the connection may be more obvious like a history of abuse, trauma, poor socialization, or a frightening experience can absolutely influence how a pet responds to the world.
But what about the pets without an obvious explanation?
In this episode, I’m sharing how I approach behavior differently as an integrative veterinarian and why I often look beyond training alone.
We’ll talk about:
How pain can show up as irritability, reactivity, avoidance, sensitivity to touch, or changes in personality
Why orthopedic discomfort, spinal restriction, or musculoskeletal tension may be worth investigating, even in younger pets
When therapies such as veterinary chiropractic, manipulation, rehabilitation, acupuncture, or other bodywork may be part of the bigger picture
The relationship between inflammation and the brain, mood, and behavior
Why I want to know exactly what a pet is eating, including treats, chews, supplements, and highly processed foods
How gut health and the gut-brain connection may influence behavior and nervous system function
Why nervous system regulation matters for pets who seem constantly “on,” easily startled, unable to settle, or chronically anxious
Sometimes the behavior is the symptom.
And when we start looking at the whole pet, we may find opportunities to support them that would otherwise be missed.
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