Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Itching in dogs is not linked to anxiety or aggression behaviors
By Klinck, Mary P et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Association of pruritus with anxiety or aggression in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A survey of 238 dogs aged 1 to 8 years found that itching (pruritus) did not seem to be linked to anxiety or aggressive behaviors. The dogs were divided into two groups based on their itching scores, but there was no significant difference in behavior between those that itched and those that didn't. However, dogs treated with glucocorticoids (a type of steroid) showed more sensitivity to loud noises and thunderstorms compared to those not on the medication. This suggests that while itching and behavior issues can occur together, treating the skin condition alone may not resolve any behavioral problems.
People also search for: dog itching and anxiety · glucocorticoids side effects in dogs · why is my dog scared of thunderstorms
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between pruritus and anxiety-related and aggressive behaviors in dogs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. ANIMALS: 238 dogs between 1 and 8 years old. PROCEDURES: Information including a score for general degree of pruritus (visual analogue scale from 0 to 10) and frequency of anxiety-related and aggressive behaviors was collected via a survey distributed to clients at 3 privately owned practices. RESULTS: Median score for pruritus was 2.4. Dogs were assigned to 2 groups on the basis of pruritus score (nonpruritic [0 to 2.4] and pruritic [2.5 to 10]). There was no significant difference between pruritic and nonpruritic dogs with regard to aggression or with regard to reactivity to being alone; to thunderstorms or noises; or to unfamiliar people, animals, or objects. Post hoc analysis revealed significantly more reactivity to thunderstorms or noises in dogs treated with glucocorticoids (18/37 [49%]) than in those not administered glucocorticoids (57/197 [29%]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An association was not detected between pruritus and aggressive, anxious, or fearful behavior in dogs. There was greater reactivity to thunderstorms or noises in glucocorticoid-treated dogs. These findings do not preclude the possibility of a relationship between certain dermatoses or pruritic conditions and behavior. However, a concurrent behavioral abnormality cannot be assumed to result from a dermatosis and be expected to resolve with treatment of only the skin disease. Dogs with behavioral disorders and pruritic disease require primary treatment of both conditions. Additional studies to examine the effect of disease and glucocorticoids on canine behavior are warranted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18828721/