The Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Veterinary Behaviourists at Second Nature Behaviour only see pets following a vet referral from the pet’s primary care vet, but why is this? Here’s why an animal behaviourist vet referral is so much more than a formality.
A UK vet’s code of conduct requires them to offer referrals for cases needing advanced expertise—and many behaviour cases fall into this category. However, the referring vet is not only responsible for ensuring that the people they refer to are suitably qualified, as the entire Second Nature Behaviour team is, but also retains overall responsibility for the patient. This is what makes an animal behaviourist referral different from simply booking an appointment — it’s a clinical safeguard.
Teamwork is the dreamwork
The referring vet can confirm that your pet appears fit and well and that it is safe for them to be treated by a Clinical Animal Behaviourist. Following this, the vet referral to Second Nature Behaviour is straightforward, but it remains a two-way process. Communication between the vet and the animal behaviourist following referral is collaborative and ongoing.
One of the benefits of having a Clinical Animal Behaviourist from Second Nature Behaviour help you is that they take the time to thoroughly examine your pet’s medical and behavioural history, listen to your concerns, and observe your pet.
With years of experience observing animals, they may recognise a behavioural pattern that could indicate a medical condition. Or, in some cases, a pattern of medical problems noted in a pet’s medical history, such as gastrointestinal upsets, can mirror or align with a pattern of other behaviour changes. However, Clinical Animal Behaviourists are not qualified to diagnose or treat medical conditions; only a vet can do that.
But why would a Clinical Animal Behaviourist be so concerned about a pet’s physical health when they are there to help with behaviour issues?
Medical health and behavioural health are interconnected
Many people believe that behavioural health issues are separate from medical health issues, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
We’ve known for a long time that many medical conditions in people are closely linked to mental health problems. For example, people with skin conditions like eczema or allergic skin disease are more likely to suffer from anxiety, and people with anxiety can experience pain more acutely.
Well, animals are no different. In many pets, behavioural changes are the first sign of pain, endocrine or hormonal disease, neurological issues, sensory or cognitive decline, gastrointestinal disease, and other conditions.
Recently, a Border Collie we were helping was diagnosed with painful hip dysplasia at the age of two and a half. She had never been lame, had always been fine on walks and at the vets, enjoyed playing with her toys and ball, and had eaten her food happily. Physically, she appeared well. Her caregivers sought help because she had begun snapping at other dogs during walks and growling at family members if they sat next to her on the sofa.
During her comprehensive behaviour assessment, the behaviour team, including the veterinary behaviourist, noted subtle changes in her gait while walking and trotting, and she was referred back to her primary care vet. Her vet diagnosed her hip problem on X-rays and started her on a pain relief plan. She is now sleeping better, growling less, and her training is progressing rapidly.
By working as part of a team led by your pet’s primary care vet, the Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Veterinary Behaviourists at Second Nature Behaviour can ensure that your pet gets the best care possible.
But what if your pet has a clean bill of health and just needs their behaviour issue addressed, would the referring vet ever be needed then?
When medication becomes part of the picture
Not every patient has both medical and behavioural problems, but may still need the input of the primary care vet. This is the case for pets whose anxiety or arousal is so high, either generally or in certain unavoidable situations, that medication is needed to support their emotional well-being.
A Clinical Animal Behaviourist may recognise when medication could support a pet’s emotional wellbeing, but only a vet who has the pet under their care can recommend and prescribe the appropriate treatment. This is one of the key reasons an animal behaviourist vet referral matters — it keeps the prescribing vet in the loop from the start. In addition, some patients may have underlying health issues unrelated to their behaviour problems that could influence which medicines are most suitable. By working with a vet who has recently examined the pet and is up to date with their clinical history, the safest and most suitable medication can be selected.
An example of this was a Springer Spaniel we supported who was frightened by loud noises. His noise phobia was so severe that he was struggling both outside on walks and inside at home. By working with his primary care vet, we identified a combination of medications that both improved his quality of life and enhanced the Clinical Animal Behaviourist’s management and training plan.
When difficult decisions have to be made
Very occasionally, a pet may have a mental health problem so severe that they do not respond to any combination of medication, management or training. In these cases, it is critical for a caregiver to have the support of both the Clinical Animal Behaviourist and their primary care vet, who is familiar with their pet’s medical and behavioural history, to help guide them on what is best for their pet’s welfare.
As this article has illustrated, the animal behaviourist vet referral process isn’t just a formality — it’s a core safeguard for animal welfare, professional ethics, and clinical accuracy. Accepting only pets referred by their primary care vet is standard across reputable, professional behaviour services.
Our goal at Second Nature Behaviour is always to ensure your pet receives the most compassionate, comprehensive care possible — and working closely with your vet is the best way to achieve that.
For more information or to find out how we can support you, please get in touch with us.