Ethology is the objective and scientific study of animal behaviour, which emphasises patterns under natural conditions, viewing behaviour as an evolutionary adaptive trait. It is a rapidly growing field. Understanding ethology is crucial in animal training; considering the natural behaviour of different species or breeds allows trainers to select the animals best suited for a specific task. Furthermore, it enables them to encourage naturally occurring behaviours while discouraging unwanted ones.
Veterinarians at Hospital Veterinario Las Tablas, in Madrid, focus on the prevention and treatment of disorders linked to the management, behaviour, nutrition, and genetic selection of pets. Many anomalous behaviours shown by companion animals are associated with underlying pathologies. For instance, dogs may show aggression towards family members due to joint pain, epilepsy, or endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism. Similarly, cats may urinate outside their litter box or develop alopecia on the abdomen due to urinary stones.
Handling issues—where respecting an appropriate socialisation period and weaning is vital—as well as the introduction of a new pet into multi-cat households, hygiene training in puppies, separation anxiety, feline stress, environmental enrichment, noise desensitisation, and phobias… all these alterations are the focus of this specialism and require a consultation with a veterinary ethologist.
