Treatment may involve
- Environmental modification (e.g. enrichment)
- Psychological intervention (e.g. behaviour modification and training)
- Chemical intervention (e.g. use of medicines or dietary modifications)
- Physical intervention (e.g. massage, physiotherapy or surgery)
For the patient
A number of strategies may be employed to modify behaviour. These include
- prevention
- increasing behavioural competition
- redirecting the behaviour
- altering the perception of stimuli affecting the behaviour
- altering the processing of information relating to the problem
These techniques are not equivalent in terms of their effectiveness, appropriateness or impact on the patient's well-being. Treatment aims to provide the most effective programme that meets the requirements of the owner, whilst safeguarding animal welfare. Accordingly there is one other important part to treatment, namely:
Counselling and support for the clients and others associated with the pet