Words that help.
Labels that do not diagnose.
Compulsive behavior
A clinical description for a repeated behavior that disrupts normal life; assessment is needed. A repeated action alone does not establish the diagnosis.
Context
What was happening around the episode. A shared context is not proof of a cause.
Displacement behavior
An action appearing in a context such as conflict or arousal. The label is not a medical clearance.
Enrichment
Opportunities for appropriate physical, social and mental activity. It is support, not a substitute for assessing discomfort or illness.
Onset
When the behavior was first noticed. It may be earlier than the first recorded entry.
Observed start
You saw the episode begin. If you arrived later, record that the start was missed.
Measured duration
A duration you timed. Do not present a rough estimate as measured.
Unknown
Information you do not have. Keeping it visible is more useful than guessing.
Veterinary behaviorist
A veterinarian with specialist behavior expertise. Ask your veterinary team about the appropriate referral.
QA event
A marked test request used to check site functions, excluded from visitor and app-click reporting.
Clinical context: VCA, AAHA and the evidence desk.