How to tell if my pet's behavior is anxiety or obsessive compulsive?

Question

What is the difference between an anxiety behavior and an obsessive compulsive one? My pit mix was abused by a past owner and has severe behaviors that could be considered both of these things (based on what personal research says). Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered

Jenny, DVM · Accepted Answer

Obsessive behavior is something learned over time. They do it out of habit. How the behavior came about can be different from pet to pet. Boredom, stress or anxiety can induce a behavior then it just becomes habits, even after the starting factor is resolved. So they can go hand and hand. I would talk to you vet about what his problems are, because they do make medication that can help stress and anxiety and depending on what the obsessive behavior is, you may be able to break the cycle

How to tell if my pet's behavior is anxiety or obsessive compulsive?

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