As a veterinarian, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with pet parents about everything from itchy ears to chronic kidney disease. But one topic that still gets blank stares, or nervous chuckles, is mental health. Specifically, the idea that our pets might need a mental health checkup, too.

We’re finally having real, meaningful conversations about mental health in humans. So why aren’t we doing the same for animals?

The truth is, mental health isn’t just a human issue. I’ve seen anxiety in rescue dogs who flinch at every sudden sound. I’ve met parrots who pluck out their feathers from boredom and stress. And I’ve treated cats who compulsively groom until they’re raw because they feel out of control in their own environment.

Animals feel. And that means they can suffer emotionally, even when everything looks fine on the outside.

Animals Get Anxious, Too

It’s easy to miss the signs of anxiety in pets. After all, they can’t tell us how they’re feeling. But they can show us, if we know what to look for.

Some signs are obvious: a dog shaking uncontrollably during a thunderstorm or refusing to be left alone. Others are more subtle: a cat who hides more than usual, a bird who screams incessantly, or a guinea pig who stops eating when its environment changes.

Anxiety in animals can be chronic or situational, and it often goes hand in hand with behavioral issues. Unfortunately, those behaviors, destructive chewing, vocalization, urinating outside the litter box, are often treated as problems to “fix,” rather than symptoms to understand.

I always urge my clients to consider the root cause: What might be stressing your animal out? Is your home loud or chaotic? Have there been any changes in routine, people, or other animals? Does your pet get enough mental stimulation?

Enrichment is Not a Luxury, It’s a Necessity

Many of us know that dogs need walks, cats need scratching posts, and parrots need toys. But true enrichment goes much deeper than that.

Enrichment means providing opportunities for your pet to engage in natural behaviors: hunting, foraging, climbing, sniffing, solving problems, exploring new spaces. It’s not just about exercise; it’s about curiosity, autonomy, and stimulation.

Here are a few things I recommend to my clients, depending on species:

• Dogs: Scent work games, puzzle feeders, hiking on varied terrain, sniffaris (yes, that’s a thing!).
  
• Cats: Window perches, vertical climbing spaces, food puzzles, interactive play sessions.
  
• Birds: Rotating toys, foraging opportunities, daily flight time, music or sound enrichment.
  
• Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets): Tunnels, cardboard mazes, digging boxes, safe outdoor playtime.
  

When animals don’t get enough enrichment, they can become bored, frustrated, or even depressed. And in some cases, this lack of stimulation can manifest as chronic stress or illness.

Emotional Wellness Impacts Physical Health

We sometimes talk about the mind-body connection in people, but it’s just as real in animals. Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, suppressed immune function, poor digestion, and even inflammatory diseases.

I’ve treated dogs with chronic gastrointestinal issues that resolved once their separation anxiety was addressed. I’ve seen cats with urinary problems that only cleared up after we reduced household stress and introduced calming enrichment.

Mental health is physical health. And when we prioritize our pets’ emotional well-being, their whole body benefits.

So What Does a Mental Health Checkup Look Like?

During a standard wellness exam, I now make it a point to ask a few key questions:

• Has your pet’s behavior changed recently?
  
• How does your pet handle alone time, visitors, loud noises, or new environments?
  
• What kind of daily mental stimulation or play do they receive?
  
• Do they seem anxious, bored, withdrawn, or overly hyper?
  

Sometimes the answer leads to a simple change, adding a food puzzle or more consistent routine. Other times, we need to dig deeper. That might involve a referral to a behaviorist, trying supplements or pheromone diffusers, or even considering short-term anti-anxiety medications.

But the goal is always the same: to make sure your animal isn’t just surviving—but truly thriving.

Mental Health Is Part of the Big Picture

As pet owners, we’re often focused on the tangible: the right food, the right harness, the next vet visit. But emotional wellness needs to be part of the picture, too.

Our pets are complex beings. They form attachments, experience fear and joy, and can feel lost or overwhelmed, just like us. They deserve the same compassion and care when it comes to their mental well-being.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through years of practice, it’s this: a mentally well pet is a healthier, happier, and more connected companion.

So next time you schedule your pet’s checkup, don’t be afraid to bring up their behavior or emotional state. They may not be able to ask for help, but they rely on you to notice when something’s off.

Let’s start talking about pet mental health like it matters, because it absolutely does.