Pets with OCD

It's Health and Wellness Wednesday!

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD  is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals" however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.

But did you know that pets can have OCD as well? It can be characterized by obsessive licking, chewing, or spinning. Talk to your vet if you suspect your pet may have OCD.