Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Dogs (OCD)

Canine obsessive-compulsive disorder is similar to OCD in humans, meaning the act of repeating certain movements or establishing a certain behavior that repeats constantly (stereotypies).

OCD in dogs normally originates during their puppyhood, due to possible trauma or periods of confinement where the dog is prevented from socializing normally and/or discovering the world in its own way.

Let's go over the main causes behind OCD in dogs, as well as the most distinctive behaviors in this type of disorder. You'll be able to easily determine whether your dog has it.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has OCD?

Dogs with OCD tend to perform a series of repetitive, meaningless movements, such as constantly spinning in circles, excessively licking their paws, biting their tail, obsessively digging holes in the yard, etc. This is called stereotypy (similar to wild animals in zoos pacing around their cage).

Sometimes dogs lick their paws as a regular habit, which is a way of grooming themselves, and can even be a way of telling us they have some type of allergy if we notice their paws are red, or that something's stuck in them, for example. But… if your dog has no allergy or wounds and yet licks its paws all day, is that normal? No, your dog possibly has OCD.

Many dogs love spinning in circles, playing at biting their tail, or simply running around in a silly, different way. It's completely normal for a dog to spin in circles, especially if it's very young, but if your dog spins in circles obsessively many, many times a day, is that normal? No, it likely has OCD.

Both in dogs and cats, if a dog tends to bite the end of its tail to the point of removing the fur from that area, it may end up needing tail amputation surgery to prevent it from continuing to do so, since if it tears it off itself, it can be very painful for the animal. So this behavior needs to be watched closely.

The same happens with digging holes in the ground or any other habit performed in an exaggerated, compulsive way. Dogs can also suffer from obsessive disorders, so if you think your dog has OCD, it's because it likely does. A vet can confirm your suspicions after an exam and history.

Why Do Some Dogs Have OCD?

Canine obsessive disorder is simply the result of some trauma suffered in puppyhood, or bad living habits. It can also develop in puppyhood or youth from a lack of stimulation, whether long walks, mental and/or physical training… It's a natural way the dog's brain develops to channel that unreleased stress or anxiety.

Dogs that, for example, have been chained up since they were puppies without the chance to play, run, or properly socialize with other dogs have a much higher chance of developing obsessive behavior (OCD) than dogs that have had a normal puppyhood.

Dogs that have been mistreated as puppies, or that simply weren't able to develop properly at a mental/social level because their owners didn't know how to train them properly, are also more prone to developing OCD.

The same happens with dogs that have, for example, been in kennels or shelters — when conditions aren't suitable, they can end up developing obsessive behaviors that let them channel their distress, anxiety, and/or stress.

Treatment to Cure OCD in Dogs

There's no standard treatment to cure or treat OCD, since each dog will have developed its obsessive-compulsive behavior as a result of a different past problem.

That's why it's essential to contact a canine ethologist or trainer, as well as check with our vet. It's usually the ethologist who investigates the dog's problem and tells us what type of therapy we should follow to cure its anxiety and, therefore, its OCD.

The vet can help by prescribing medication if the ethologist considers it appropriate. Normally, in cases of OCD, the ethologist always has the final say on treatment, since they're the one who has focused more on studying this type of problem.

At home, what we can do is create what's known as environmental enrichment. This means providing our animal, besides long walks, with an environment that mentally stimulates it. Whether with strategic toys like Kongs (putting different things inside), food bowls with obstacles to get the food, or different scents.

We can play with all its senses and stimulate them. Dog parks with obstacles and challenges are a very good option to help it burn off energy. If, after keeping all this up over time, it still has OCD, the most advisable thing is to see the professionals mentioned above.