The New York Times had a really interesting article on “Pill Popping Pets.” I know that I feel better when I’m taking my Celexa and Abilify, so it only makes sense that animals could also benefit from the use of psychoactive drugs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/magazine/13pets-t.html

I know a couple dogs that could benefit from a doggie version of Atavan. I don’t know where you stand on the whole “medicating dogs” issue, but I can tell you that I am on antidepressants and they are a modern miracle. My quality of life has been greatly improved with the aid of antidepressants, so it completely makes sense to me that our four legged friends could benefit from the same medical technology that makes so many “human” lives better.

I would warn you to be careful with medications, like you are with yourself but I would say that if you have a dog with aggression or anger issues… if your dog cries a lot, whimpers or shows signs of being depressed… you may want to consider talking to your vets about some kind of doggie antidepressant or anti-anxiety pill. We have such a limited time with our pets on this planet, it only makes sense that we’d want that time to be as joy filled as they can be for both us AND our pets.

We feed them. We keep them warm, clean and healthy. It only makes sense that we’d want them feeling as emotionally and physically well as possible. Read the NY Times article if you want to learn more. It’s really interesting.

I’m curious if anyone else has any experience in this area? Have you put a pet on psychoactive drugs? What was your experience?