| Behavioral Sign | Possible Medical Cause | | :--- | :--- | | Aggression when touched | Orthopedic pain, dental disease, ear infection | | House-soiling (cat) | Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus | | Polyphagia (eating constantly) | Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s), diabetes, malabsorption | | Lethargy, hiding | Any systemic illness, pain, or fever | | Night waking, disorientation (senior pet) | Canine/feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (similar to dementia) |
| Drug Class | Examples | Indications | Onset | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | SSRIs | Fluoxetine (dog/cat), Sertraline | Generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, aggression | 4–8 weeks | | Tricyclics | Clomipramine | Separation anxiety, compulsive disorders | 3–6 weeks | | Azapirones | Buspirone | Feline anxiety (non-sedating) | 2–4 weeks | | Benzodiazepines | Alprazolam (short-term) | Noise phobias, panic disorders | 30–60 min | | Behavioral Sign | Possible Medical Cause |
