Paper: "Risk factors for relinquishment of dogs to an animal shelter"

For decades, veterinary medicine and animal behavior existed in separate silos. Veterinarians focused on physical health—setting broken bones, fighting infections, and performing surgeries—while animal behavior was left to trainers and zoologists. Today, a paradigm shift has occurred. Modern veterinary science recognizes that physical health and behavioral health are fundamentally intertwined.

The leading cause of premature death in companion animals is no longer infectious disease; it is behavioral issues. Dogs are surrendered to shelters and euthanized due to aggression, anxiety, and destructive behaviors. Cats are relinquished for litter box avoidance and scratching. Understanding animal behavior is no longer a "soft" skill—it is a core clinical competency required of every veterinary professional.

This guide explores the deep intersection of animal behavior and veterinary science, from the underlying neuroscience to clinical applications, species-specific behaviors, and the future of the field.

A behavior is only a "problem" if it is abnormal for the species, or if it is a normal behavior occurring at an inappropriate time/intensity. A cat scratching the sofa is normal; a cat scratching until its paws bleed is abnormal. A dog barking at the mailman is normal; a dog pacing and panting for 6 hours due to separation anxiety is abnormal.

Paper: "Early life experiences and the development of behavioral disorders in companion animals"