Understanding the underlying factors that influence our pets’ behaviors can be the key to building stronger, healthier relationships with our dogs and cats. While trainers can play a role in basic training and addressing specific training and behavior issues, there are instances where more in-depth experience is required. That is when you may want to seek the advice of a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

Veterinary behaviorists are veterinarians with specialized training to assess and modify behavioral challenges from both a scientific and compassionate perspective.

Who Are Cat and Dog Behaviorists?

Veterinary behaviorists have extensive training to understand the behavioral conditions that affect pets. They have studied and applied scientific principles to understand and modify behaviors.

American College of Veterinary Behaviorists 

Those with a degree in veterinary medicine and vet license can become a behaviorist through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

Their official title is ACVB Diplomate, but they can go by Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, Veterinary Behaviorist, or Veterinary Behavior Specialist. These individuals go to veterinary school and complete a residency in behavior.  

This certification involves the most extensive and rigorous qualifications. Veterinary behaviorists combine their medical and behavior knowledge to treat dogs and cats with severe behavioral issues.

What Do Veterinary Behaviorists Do?

Thanks to their extensive training, veterinary behaviorists provide the most comprehensive care for behavioral issues.

Diagnosing behavioral disorders. Behaviorists can formally diagnose conditions such as anxiety, aggression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders in animals.

Developing treatment plans. Veterinary behaviorists create comprehensive treatment plans that may include medication, behavioral modification, and environmental changes.

Consultation and education. Dog and cat behaviorists work closely with pet owners, offering consultations and education about a pet’s specific needs and conditions.

Collaboration with trainers and behavior consultants. They often work with certified canine or feline behavior consultants and certified dog and cat trainers as part of a holistic team.

Prescribe medication. Some pets need to take medication to help normalize their behavior. 

Most veterinary behaviorists treat dogs and cats, but some can treat other animals beyond cats and dogs, including birds, horses, and zoo animals.

When Should You Call a Behaviorist?

While many everyday challenges can be addressed with a qualified trainer or consultant, there are specific situations where seeking a certified behaviorist is the right choice:

You should consider a behaviorist if your pet:

• Exhibits aggressive behavior toward people or other animals
• Shows signs of severe fear or anxiety, including destruction, urination, or excessive vocalization when alone
• Has obsessive or compulsive behaviors, like tail-chasing or over-grooming
• Is suddenly acting differently, and your vet has ruled out medical causes
• Fails to respond to standard training or behavior plans
• Displays reactivity or has trouble coping with environmental stimuli
• Needs medication to manage behavioral issues (in which case, a veterinary behaviorist is essential)

In these cases, behavior problems may be too complex or medically connected to be handled through training alone.

What to Look for When Choosing a Behaviorist

Veterinary behaviorists typically work at a veterinary school or specialist hospital.  Some do independent consults. Here’s what to look for:

• Verified credentials: Check for certifications from ACVB. If they’re a veterinary behaviorist, they’ll be listed as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
• Experience with your pet’s species and issue: Ask if they’ve successfully worked with similar behavior problems in dogs or cats.
• Collaborative approach: A good behaviorist will often work alongside your regular veterinarian and/or a certified trainer to create a customized treatment plan.
• Clear communication: Look for professionals who take time to explain their approach, set realistic expectations, and keep you involved throughout the process.

How Are Trainers and Behaviorists Different?

Certified trainers typically focus on teaching specific obedience skills through reinforcement techniques.

Certified behaviorists and behavior consultants will take cases pertaining to behavioral issues and help with management and behavior modification but cannot prescribe prescription medications.

Veterinary behaviorists combine medical knowledge with behavioral science to diagnose and treat psychological disorders and can prescribe medications to help with treatment. 

Why the Right Credentials Matter

Verifying a dog or cat behaviorist’s credentials is an important step in finding the right professional for your pet’s needs.

Be cautious of individuals who call themselves “behaviorists” without the requisite, high-level qualifications. There is no regulation for dog or cat training businesses, so anyone can use the behaviorist label.

Certified dog and cat trainers have their own unique credentials that are also suitable, depending on the type of behavior or training you’re looking for.

Cat and dog behaviorists play a vital role in the field of animal behavior. By understanding what they do, pet owners can make informed decisions about how to address and manage their pets’ behavioral issues with the greatest chance of success