Veterinarians specializing in behavior to treat anxiety or aggression in pets.
Animal behavior is not a niche subspecialty; it is the lens through which all veterinary medicine should be viewed. A dog that bites during a rectal exam is not "dominant" but likely painful and terrified. A cat that urinates on the owner's bed is not "spiteful" but stressed. By embracing the principles of learning theory, emotional assessment, and low-stress handling, veterinary science can improve medical outcomes, reduce occupational risk, and honor the ethical obligation to treat the whole animal—mind and body.
A change in behavior is a vital sign. It should prompt a full medical workup before a primary behavioral diagnosis is assigned.
