Changes

*Medication to reduce compulsiveness (sometimes to reduce underlying emotional problems such as fear of anxiety).

*Medication to reduce compulsiveness (sometimes to reduce underlying emotional problems such as fear of anxiety).

'''The use of medication for these conditions is sometimes controversial''' because it may be regarded as merely reducing the incidence of unsightly behaviour that is an expression of the animal’s attempts to cope with wholly-unsatisfactory living conditions. However, the use of medication is absolutely justifiable if it enables the animal to engage in normal behaviour in an enriched environment. In this situation, the drug is being used to facilitate rehabilitation and restore normal motivation and decision making. Medications such as clomipramine and fluoxetine, which are anxiolytic and anti-compulsive, are most useful where their use will enhance the animal’s response to environmental improvement.  

'''The use of medication for these conditions is sometimes controversial''' because it may be regarded as merely reducing the incidence of unsightly behaviour that is an expression of the animal’s attempts to cope with wholly-unsatisfactory living conditions. However, the use of medication is absolutely justifiable if it enables the animal to engage in normal behaviour in an enriched environment. In this situation, the drug is being used to facilitate rehabilitation and restore normal motivation and decision making. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs, such as clomipramine and fluoxetine, which are anxiolytic and anti-compulsive, are most useful where their use will enhance the animal’s response to environmental improvement.  

'''Attempts to physically prevent compulsive behaviour or punish the animal, are inappropriate and ineffective'''. Compulsive behaviour forms part of the animal’s '''coping strategy''' so that preventing one expression of compulsion just forces the animal to find other opportunities. For example, using flavour or odour aversion to deter [[Feline Pica|pica]] related to one type of material, such as wool, will merely encourage the cat to find something else to suck or chew instead. The motivation to carry out some kind of related compulsive behaviour remains. Punishment may increase stress that contributes to the problem.

'''Attempts to physically prevent compulsive behaviour or punish the animal, are inappropriate and ineffective'''. Compulsive behaviour forms part of the animal’s '''coping strategy''' so that preventing one expression of compulsion just forces the animal to find other opportunities. For example, using flavour or odour aversion to deter [[Feline Pica|pica]] related to one type of material, such as wool, will merely encourage the cat to find something else to suck or chew instead. The motivation to carry out some kind of related compulsive behaviour remains. Punishment may increase stress that contributes to the problem.