The Five Domains Model is a tool caretakers use to assess an animal’s welfare. The first four domains, which are nutrition, environment, physical health, and behavior, contribute to the fifth domain, which is an animal’s mental state.1 Beyond emphasizing the prevention of negative experiences for each domain, such as hunger, pain, and an inability to exhibit normal species-specific behaviors, the Five Domains Model also promotes positive experiences for each domain, such as a balanced diet, preventive medical care, and an environment that allows for the exhibition of normal species-specific behaviors. As the veterinary clinic is one of the first stops for owners upon welcoming pets into their households, veterinary professionals can take this opportunity to educate owners about both physical wellness and behavioral wellness to comprehensively address a pet’s mental state. Pet owners’ woes A survey from last year revealed that an estimated 59.8 million U.S. households own dogs, and an estimated 42.2 million households own cats.2 As these numbers increase each year, pet parents anticipate the benefits of pet ownership. Unfortunately, however, behavior is one of the top reasons cited for relinquishment to a shelter.3 When owners were surveyed about their post-adoption experience, those with pets that had behavioral concerns reported a significantly more difficult adjustment period than those with pets that did not have behavioral concerns.4 The survey reported that chewing, digging, or scratching at objects were the most common behavioral problems for dogs. Similarly, scratching objects, high energy levels, and house soiling were the most common behavioral problems reported for cats. One study found that puppy owners who received behavioral counseling at their first veterinary appointment reported significantly fewer undesirable behaviors than those that did not.5 Another study demonstrated similar findings among kitten owners.6 The undesirable behaviors reported in these studies included high energy levels, mouthing people, house soiling, and aggression. The advice offered by veterinarians included discussions about behavioral ontogeny throughout puppyhood and kittenhood, provision of environmental enrichment, body language education, house training, and habituation to staying home alone. The role of behaviorists There are currently less than 100 board-certified veterinary behaviorists in North America. Given the number of pets relative to the number of practicing veterinary behaviorists, their caseload is focused on troubleshooting problematic behaviors presently displayed by pets versus preventive care. Family veterinarians can provide new pet owners with that preventive behavioral counsel to decrease the likelihood of problematic behaviors from arising and subsequently improve the retention rate of pets in homes. This can include counseling on pet selection for prospective owners, a comprehensive discussion about the expectations of pets’ medical and behavioral needs, and instruction on breed-specific outlets. Part of the fourth domain, and as a result, part of a pet’s overall mental state, is the ability for pets to exhibit normal species-specific behavior. Most of the aforementioned behavioral problems reported by owners post-adoption are normal canine and feline behaviors: chewing, digging, mouthing, scratching, and high energy. For example, it is inappropriate to match owners with a mouthy puppy or a high-energy kitten if they are likely to deem those behaviors problematic. It may also not be appropriate to own certain breeds in specific environments, such as herding breeds in bustling cities with frequent quick-moving triggers. A more spacious environment is more suitable for sporting dogs that require ample opportunity for aerobic exercise. Canine breeds that are more likely to dig (e.g. terriers and small hounds) should have the ability to exhibit this species-specific behavior, such as through puzzle feeders, burying rawhides, and filling kiddie pools with water and favored toys. Appropriate outlets for dogs that mouth and chew include lick mats and flirt poles. As scratching is a normal species-specific behavior for cats, prospective owners should be counseled about the importance of providing scratching posts, cat trees, and/or cardboard boxes. Additionally, appropriate outlets for the nocturnal hunting behavior of cats can include puzzle feeders and play time immediately prior to bedtime. Prospective cat owners should be advised on appropriate litter box hygiene, including recommendations for the litter box’s size and location, the litter substrate’s depth, and the cleaning schedule.7 Finally, the importance of socialization during the critical period of sensitization, the juvenile period, and social maturity should be emphasized. This includes positive experiences with not only specifics, but also other potential triggers, including adults, children, babies, noises, novel environments, and handling, in a safe and low-stress manner. Dogs enrolled in puppy socialization classes and reward-based training were less likely to be surrendered than controls.8 Further, as dog training is unregulated, veterinary professionals should counsel owners on scientifically sound, humane options. While interviews with the prospective trainer should ultimately be recommended, owners can be pointed toward trainers with an education in learning theory, psychology, and applied behavioral analysis. Dr. Vanessa Spano, a senior veterinary behaviorist at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in Manhattan, New York City, provides specialized care for patients with behavioral disorders or psychological trauma. Photo courtesy Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. A look at the specialty Some of the more common reasons family veterinarians refer to veterinary behaviorists are for cases involving fear, aggression, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, compulsive disorder, house soiling, and pathophysiological irritability, for purposes of risk assessment and counsel of psychopharmacology. Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVBs), however, are required to gain experience in much more than just psychopharmacology. In addition to primary responsibility for a minimum of 400 behavior cases, passing of case reports, and having first authorship of a scientific paper published in a peer-reviewed journal, DACVBs must have completed coursework, including learning theory, ethology, neurology, and animal welfare before acceptance to sit for the two-day board certification examination. A veterinary behaviorist counsels owners not only on psychoactive medications when indicated but also on other critical parts of a comprehensive plan, including environmental and safety management after having performed a functional behavior assessment, in addition to behavior modification. While psychoactive medications can improve quality of life by offering anxiolytic relief and a potential decrease in the frequency and intensity of problematic behaviors, they do not teach patients anything about coping in their environments. A successful behavior modification protocol to teach patients healthy coping mechanisms involves collaboration between the DACVB and an approved trainer. When indicated, psychoactive medications should restore a healthier neurologic environment to facilitate the learning process by promoting synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation. It is well-documented that using psychopharmacotherapeutics, in conjunction with behavior modification, correlates with increased adoption rates and higher satisfaction post-adoption.9,10 A pillar of being able to provide for an animal’s mental state positively involves behavioral wellness and treatment. Despite behavior problems being a top reason for relinquishment to shelters and a well-known risk factor for abuse and neglect,11 veterinary behaviorists are often used as a last resort. It is not uncommon for pet owners to be placed on a waitlist during a dire time of need due to the shortage of specialists in the college. To counter this, veterinary schools are increasing the required behavior medicine coursework, and the number of residents enrolling with the ACVB increases yearly. A combined effort among the family veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, and approved trainer is integral to meeting a pet’s Five Domains. Vanessa Spano, DVM, DACVB, is a senior veterinary behaviorist at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in Manhattan, New York City. She is the head of the Behavior Service and the only board-certified diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in NYC. Dr. Spano has a special interest in shelter medicine, as well as the behavioral effects of trauma sustained in patients from cruelty cases, and has authored peer-reviewed literature. To learn more about Spano and to refer patients or request vet-to-vet consultations, visit www.amcny.org/behavior. References Mellor, D.J., Beausoleil, N.J., Littlewood, K.E., et al. 2020. The 2020 Five Domains Model: including human-animal interactions in assessments of animal welfare. Anim. 10: 1870. 2024 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook. Veterinary Economics Division. ISBN: 979-8-9877127-5-7. Salman, M., Hutchison, J., Gaille-Ruch, R., et al. 2000. Behavioral reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats to 12 shelters. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 3: 93 – 106. Lord, L.K., Reider, L., Herron, M.E., et al. 2008. Health and behavior problems in dogs and cats one week and one month after adoption from animal shelters. JAVMA. 233: 1715 – 1722. Gazzano, A., Mariti, C., Alvares, S., et al. 2008. The prevention of undesirable behaviors in dogs: effectiveness of veterinary behaviorists’ advice given to puppy owners. JVB. 3: 125 – 133. Gazzano, A., Bianchi, L., Campa, S., Mariti, C. 2015. The prevention of undesirable behaviors in cats: effectiveness of veterinary behaviorists’ advice given to kitten owners. JVB. 10: 535 – 542. Cooper, L.L. 1997. Feline inappropriate elimination. Vet Clin N Am (Sm Anim Pract). 27: 569 – 600. Duxbury, M., Jackson, J. Line, S., et al. 2003. Evaluation of association between retention in the home and attendance at puppy socialization classes. JAVMA. 223: 61 – 66. Abrams, J., Brennen, R., Byosiere, SE., 2020. Trazodone as a mediator of transitional stress in a shelter: Effects on illness, length of stay, and outcome. J. Vet. Behav. 36, 13 – 18. Eagan, B.H., van Haaften, K., Protopopova, A. 2023. Daily gabapentin improved behavior modification progress and decreased stress in shelter cats from hoarding environments in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. JAVMA. 261, 1305 – 1315. McMillan, F.D., Duffy, D.L., Zawistowski, S.L., Serpell, J.A. 2014. Behavioral and psychological characteristics of canine victims of abuse. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 18: 92 – 111.
