Behavioral Euthanasia
No pets should be euthanized for aggression without first considering these solutions:
- Investigating the underlying etiology, instigating factors, and/or context leading to the aggression
- Veterinary investigation into possible medical causes
- Behavior modification training
Behavioral euthanasia is not limited to aggression. Pets may be suffering mentally from issues such as separation anxiety, phobias, self-harm, vocalization/yowling, fear of the dark, and nighttime restlessness. They may also have cognitive dysfunction, problems inappropriately eliminating in the house, and other behaviors that disrupt the harmony at home and the human-animal bond. In all of these cases, euthanasia should be considered only after exploring other treatments.
House-Soiling Cats
Cats who are urinating or defecating outside their litter boxes are often suffering from underlying medical causes. Behavior modification and retraining both must be employed prior to considering euthanasia. You may also consider alternative placement in a working or barn cat program.
Fear/Anxiety
A research team at Ghent University, Belgium, recently found that anxious dogs have measurable differences in their brains linked to their anxiety. Learn more about their findings and potential treatments in their published study.
Local Help for Pets with Behavioral Issues
- Sally Said So Professional Dog Training
- Janna Joyner with Symbio Dog Training
- Valerie B. Olszyk Pet Behavior Help
- Small Animal Behavioral Medicine Service, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine (currently not accepting new patients, but will do a consultation with your veterinarian)