Can Pets Have PTSD?

As pet parents, we all want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect our beloved companions’ wellbeing. But after a traumatic event, it can be hard to know where to start. Can pets get PTSD the way people do, and if so, how can we help them heal?

The wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January have brought out the best in the pet community. Animal lovers eagerly stepped up to help by adopting and fostering pets affected by the fires. One local veterinarian opened an empty hospital to care for dozens of pets, while a Los Angeles shelter rescued more than 800 displaced animals. These acts of kindness are a wonderful reminder of how communities can work together to protect the most vulnerable among them, and at the same time, the road ahead is long. Now that the fires are contained, it’s time to both rebuild and care for those most affected — human or otherwise.

Most mammals share the same basic brain structure, which means that traumatic events can affect non-human animals in much the same way as people. “The triggers can be different for different species due to many years of evolution and the need to avoid different dangers, says Ori Stollar (DVM, DACVB), a behavior specialist with Massachusetts Veterinary Behavior Service. “But any trigger that causes severe fear or any emotional or physical stress has the potential to cause trauma.”

Can pets have PTSD?

Just like with humans, science has found that companion animals sometimes respond fearfully to triggers after experiencing extreme physical injury, disease, caretaker behavior, loud noises, and traumatic events like natural disasters. But veterinarians might hesitate before labelling these responses “PTSD.”

Although we know that pets can internalize trauma, the term “PTSD” is generally a human term. Veterinary medicine does not have its own DSM-5, Stollar points out, so veterinarians might hesitate to label a pet’s behavior as such. Still, he says, several studies have revealed behavioral changes in pets that mirror those seen in human PTSD — like anxiety, hypervigilance, and increased aggression. 

“Not every pet with these behaviors has PTSD,” Stollar says, “but they might help us diagnose this condition if a comprehensive history is available and might also indicate the triggers that might lead to it.”

How can I tell if my pet is traumatized?

Sometimes, it’s hard to know how to care for an animal that’s struggling emotionally — we can’t exactly ask our pets for a list of triggers. Still, veterinarians do have a few tools to better understand what’s going on with fearful pets.

“There is progress being made with using techniques such as fMRI to monitor the brains of living animals without causing physical trauma to them,” Stollar says. And outside of that, monitoring dogs’ and cats’ behavior can also reveal a lot about their state of mind. 

For instance, experts might ask pet parents to fill out questionnaires to explore how their dogs and cats interact with their environments — effectively mapping out how they respond to stress. (Common body-language signs that an animal is distressed can include hiding, lip licking in dogs, low or flat ears in cats, and more.) In some studies, Stollar adds, scholars have observed animals trying to perform a task or solve a problem to find out if they are more optimistic or pessimistic. 

If you believe that your pet is dealing with trauma, the best thing you can do is watch for a change in behavior. This applies to dogs, cats, horses, and all other animals. 

“It might be something very easy to notice,” Stollar says — like a dog or cat becoming more aggressive to humans or other animals. They might become less sociable or begin avoiding specific people, locations, or situations. They might become hypervigilant or more reactive to their surroundings than they have been in the past. 

In other cases, Stollar says, the signs are more subtle. Your pet might change their eating habits, either by eating less or by eating at a different pace than usual. Pets who used to graze throughout the day might start wolfing down their food all at once, and those who used to chow down immediately might begin taking their time. Their sleep patterns might change as well. 

More often than not, Stollar says, cats are a little harder to read than dogs — “unless the change is presented as increased aggression.”

“Many cats tend to avoid people and hide more when traumatized,” Stollar says, “and many cat owners might regard it as normal cat behavior. So, my advice would be that any behavior change, especially a sudden one or one that follows a traumatic event, should be addressed by going to the primary care veterinarian to rule out a medical issue, and then to a reward-based trainer with experience in this type of issues or a veterinary behaviorist.”

What should I do if my pets exhibit signs of trauma?

If you know your pet’s triggers, avoid them as much as possible. 

For instance: If your dog can’t stand loud noises, don’t take them to loud venues and celebrations. If your cat suffered an extreme illness that required a specific diet, avoid reminding them of that experience by steering clear of foods that might taste or smell similar. 

“Because every pet is different, there is no ‘one size fits all’” solution, Stollar says, “so knowing what the triggers are and avoiding them is a great first step.” 

In some cases, pet parents can create positive experiences around old triggers to make them less stressful. In those cases, however, it’s best to move slowly and, when appropriate, work with a trainer to avoid scaring your pet even more. 

“Sometimes, the pet will be able to bounce back without us having to actively do anything,” Stollar says, “but if the behavior persists, then you should try to address it and prevent it from worsening.”

When should I see a vet?

Early treatment is always better than waiting, Stollar says. In some cases, anti-anxiety medications might be necessary to help your pet live peacefully and without fear. 

If you’re familiar with gentle, rewards-based training methods, counterconditioning, desensitization, and environmental enrichment, you can try some work at home to see if your pet’s unease improves. At the same time, Stollar cautions, “behavior issues can get worse fast — especially if they lead to physical danger to the pet or others around, if the pet parent is not skilled, then he or she should seek help as soon as possible.” 

The sooner a qualified professional begins treatment, the better your pet’s prognosis will be.