Veterinary Behavior Support

If you are struggling with your pet’s behavior problem, you are not alone. Behavior concerns are very common among our companion animals, yet access to appropriate resources to address behavior problems is limited.

There are specialists in many areas of veterinary medicine, including behavior, oncology, cardiology, and ophthalmology. Specialists complete several years of additional training in their area of specialty to provide advanced care to their patients. Dr. Anna Delabar provides specialty behavior care at Kindred as a resident of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

Behavior problems are very challenging for a family to manage. If left untreated, or if mismanaged, there can be significant impacts on the whole family unit, including reduced quality of life, impaired human-animal bond, feelings of isolation and emotional distress for family members, safety concerns for people (including children) and other animals, disruption of the family unit by rehoming or relinquishing the pet to a shelter or rescue.

The following are reasons a pet would benefit from a referral behavior support:

Canine

• Aggression (directed towards people, children, or other animals): displays of aggression (growling, barking, lunging), resource guarding, inter-dog aggression/fights, bite history (biting, nipping, mouthing, etc)

• Anxiety: easily aroused, excessive barking or pacing, inability to relax, separation or confinement distress

• Fears and phobias: fear of people, animals, situations, objects, storm or noise phobia

Feline

• Inappropriate elimination

• Aggression: directed towards people and other animals

• Destructive behaviors

• Fear and anxiety: “shy” cats who tend to hide a lot

Miscellaneous

• Puppies and kittens displaying any of the above listed behaviors

• Current research strongly suggests young animals rarely “outgrow” these behaviors.

• Referral for appropriate intervention as soon as possible is recommended for best possible outcome.

• Pets who continue to experience behavior issues despite the family working with multiple trainers for support

• The previous use of pharmacological intervention (medications) without success

• Pets who experience distress during veterinary visits and husbandry, including grooming and nail trims: distress while traveling, hiding, trying to escape, aggression (growl, bite, scratch, etc)

• Aging care for senior dogs and cats

• Families expecting a child: for guidance through this transition, bite prevention and safety

• New pets (whether purchased from a breeder or adopted)

• Guiding introductions to current pets to prevent conflict