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Medicating pets - Y/N?
This is a fairly long article in the NYT about pet behaviour and the increasing tendency of prescribing psycho-influencing medications. Some think this is the best, others not. This paragraph struck me in particular:
"Modern owners are increasingly trying to “sterilize” pet ownership, he adds, trying to pharmacologically control dogs so that they don’t act like dogs. “What people want is a pet that is on par with a TiVo, that its activity, play and affection are on demand,” he says “Then, when they’re done, they want to turn it off.” "
I haven't had time to properly read & digest it - it's that long - but I plan to re-read it tonight and post my thoughts.
"Modern owners are increasingly trying to “sterilize” pet ownership, he adds, trying to pharmacologically control dogs so that they don’t act like dogs. “What people want is a pet that is on par with a TiVo, that its activity, play and affection are on demand,” he says “Then, when they’re done, they want to turn it off.” "
I haven't had time to properly read & digest it - it's that long - but I plan to re-read it tonight and post my thoughts.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bridget on -
This is interesting to me too. My opinion is that there are pets who probably need medication, but that there are also probably a lot of pets who just need more exercise, or more attention. Giving drugs in lieu of exercise and attention is wrong, and is of course, a symptom of our instant gratitude, have it your way society.
I've been working with a cat that has a chronic spraying problem. He's been on Prozac, and worked with an animal behaviorist. As an intuitive communicator, I had a long talk about the spraying with him. He thought he was doing a good job protecting his mom's stuff. She was always so worried about it, and spent so much time cleaning it, and there were these other cats outside in the neighborhood, see. We came up with some other ideas for "protection", like walking around the house and ensuring that the windows are closed. I check in from time to time, and he's doing much better than he was.
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Permalink Reply by Jill and Riley on -
I totally agree with Bridget. I think most behavioural problems come from when a dog is either not socialized or they just don't get enough excercise. I know that my pet dogs do get into trouble when I don't walk and excercise them enough and I know that when I clean up garbage or fill up a hole, that it really is my fault too. Very interesting!
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Permalink Reply by Sunday (craziest get a straight jacket dog/cat person) on -
Let's not forget about inbreeding! That can and has caused a whole slue of problems. Also, I find that the miscommunication between human and canine can lead to huge behavioral problems. So many people get a dog and don't research the breed and expect a hunting or digging dog to act like a Maltese!
hugs
Sunday
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Permalink Reply by Becca Seitz on -
Don't worry, it's not just dogs! We want to do this with our children as well! We get rid of their recesses and then are TICKED when they won't sit still or focus for hours on end. As a culture we seem to have started hating anything that either takes training (we're instant gratification types) or don't want to deal with the reality of having a pet or a kid. Gosh darn it, we're going to have to get off our butts, out from in front of the TV and spend the time to get to know and enjoy our pets and children. It's so much easier to just give a pill and turn them all into lifeless, personality-less zombies. How sad. :( I quite enjoy my spunky little girls (one furry, one naked).
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