What Are the Treatments for Dogs With OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is normally associated with humans, but dogs can develop the disorder as well. The symptoms of OCD include non-stop barking, spinning or pacing, eating inedible items and tail-chasing, among other irregular behaviors. Sometimes the behaviors stem from a history of abuse or continuous exposure to a stressful environment, but OCD can also be inherited. Several different treatment methods are commonly used to address canine OCD.

  1. Desensitization

    • Desensitization is a type of behavior modification that makes a dog less sensitive to the triggers that cause it to demonstrate obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) explains that desensitization starts by exposing the dog to a less-threatening version of what upsets it, thereby making the thing less frightening. For example, if the dog's abnormal behavior is activated by a fear of vacuum cleaners, the owner can show the dog the vacuum without turning it on. As the dog becomes accustomed to the machine, the owner can systematically desensitize the dog by moving the vacuum around without turning it on, by operating it on low power, and by gradually working up to operating the vacuum at full capacity. The final goal is to make the dog comfortable around the vacuum.

    Counterconditioning

    • According to the ASPCA, counterconditioning is often used with desensitization. The goal of counterconditioning is to replace a fear reaction with a pleasant emotion. For example, if the dog is afraid of vacuum cleaners, the owner can offer the dog a delicious treat whenever the vacuum cleaner is running. Soon the dog begins to associate the sound of the vacuum cleaner with the treat rather than with the negative emotion.

    Environmental Changes

    • Drs. Gary Landsberg and Lowell Ackerman, veterinarians and writers for the DermaPet website, suggest making changes to the dog's environment to prevent or reduce the episodes of obsessive behaviors. For example, they note that adding additional exercise sessions to the dog's daily routine may help, as well as providing it with a variety of entertaining toys to keep it distracted. They also indicate that some dogs are interested in pet videos. These environmental changes may offer it enough stimulation to keep it from resorting to obsessive routines.

    Medication

    • Drs. Landsberg and Ackerman recommend the drugs clomipramine or fluoxetine to treat obsessive compulsive disorder. They suggest using medication in combination with behavioral therapy and environmental modification for the most effective results.

      According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the brand name of clomipramine is Anafranil, and it is categorized as a tricyclic antidepressant. The medication is commonly used as a treatment for OCD in humans.

      The National Center for Biotechnology Information explains that fluoxetine is marketed as Prozac. It is a type of medication called an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) that works by increasing the brain's amount of serotonin, a mood elevator. These medications work by reducing the amount of anxiety in pets.