We’ve all heard it.
“My dog has separation anxiety.”
“My cat’s being aggressive.”
“My horse just won’t settle.”
So we label the issue, reach for a training tool, or even medicate — and hope it’ll go away.
But what if these “behavioural problems” aren’t the root issue?
What if they’re a symptom of something deeper — and the very system we’ve trusted to fix them is part of the problem?
Because here’s the hard truth:
Most behavioural issues are not behavioural at all.
They’re physical. Emotional. Environmental. Or trauma-based.
And until we address the why, we’re only ever suppressing the message — not solving the problem.
Behaviour Is Biology in Motion
Your animal’s behaviour is an output — not a random event. It’s the result of what’s happening in their nervous system, their gut, their energy body, and their environment.
They don’t just “act out.”
They communicate. And often, it’s a cry for help.
Let’s look at what’s often going on underneath that “problem behaviour”:
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Chronic stress from early trauma or poor handling
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Pain or inflammation (even subtle gut discomfort can cause reactivity)
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Toxic burden from vaccines, medications, and chemical exposure
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Poor diet causing blood sugar crashes and neurological tension
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Emotional disconnection from their guardian
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Overwhelm from artificial environments, noise, EMFs, confinement
Yet how often are animals labelled “difficult” or “disobedient” — instead of being heard?
What Conventional Approaches Miss
There are some great behaviourists, but often in mainstream behaviour training, the focus is usually on:
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Suppressing the unwanted behaviour
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Teaching obedience via commands or control
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Applying labels like “dominant,” “anxious,” “aggressive,” or “stubborn”
But what’s missing is a genuine curiosity:
“Why is this happening in the first place?”
Here’s what I see in my consults far too often:
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Dogs prescribed calming meds without any assessment of gut health or liver overload
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Cats labeled “antisocial” when they’re actually reacting to mold or EMFs
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Horses punished for “napping” or “spooking” when they’re simply in pain or dysregulated
You can’t override a dysregulated nervous system with a training collar.
And no amount of commands can balance a gut-brain axis that’s inflamed and overwhelmed.
The Gut-Brain-Behaviour Link
Here’s a fact that gets ignored way too often:
Over 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut.
If your pet’s microbiome is compromised by kibble, antibiotics, chemicals, or chronic stress, guess what? Their mood, regulation, and resilience take a huge hit.
They may be:
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More reactive
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Prone to separation stress
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Quick to startle or shut down
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Chronically hyper-alert
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Prone to obsessive or compulsive behaviours
This isn’t “bad behaviour.”
It’s a physiological response to a dysregulated internal state.
What Your Pet Might Be Trying to Say
Let’s reframe some of the common behaviours we see as “problems”:
| Behaviour | What It Might Really Be (Just a FEW examples) |
|---|---|
| Barking, pacing, whining | Gut discomfort, nervous system overdrive, unprocessed stress |
| Resource guarding | Chronic insecurity or trauma from past deprivation |
| Reactivity to other animals | Overload, pain, or a hyper-vigilant sympathetic nervous system |
| “Disobedience” | Lack of trust, confusion, or emotional shut down |
| Hiding, excessive grooming | Nervous system dysregulation, toxins, anxiety, or skin/gut irritation |
Ask This First: “Is My Animal’s Body in Balance?”
Before you blame your animal for their behaviour, ask:
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Are they eating species-appropriate, real food?
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Are they detoxing properly — or is their body overwhelmed?
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Are they in pain, even subtle?
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Are they constantly exposed to noise, EMFs, stress?
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Do they feel safe, understood, and connected?
Because connection heals.
And when the body is balanced, the behaviour often shifts naturally.
My Holistic Approach to Animal Well-being
Every animal is unique, but my first priority is always to understand the full picture. Here’s a brief overview of how I typically approach a case:
1. 🧠 Comprehensive Review
I begin by gathering all available information:
- Health history (if known)
- Current diet, supplements, exercise, and daily routine
- Environment, household dynamics, other animals or humans present
- Potential toxin exposure (flea treatments, cleaning products, etc.)
- Emotional stressors within the home
2. 🚫 First, Do No Harm
I look for quick wins — identifying and reducing exposure to known toxins or stressors. Often, just removing a harmful trigger can bring immediate relief.
3. 🥦 Gut Health, Nutrition & Supplement Audit
A healthy gut supports everything else. I assess the animal’s diet for species-appropriateness and balance, then review current supplements to ensure they’re safe, effective, and necessary. Making recommendations to address gaps.
4. 💢 Pain & Discomfort Check
Unaddressed pain is a major source of behavioural and health issues. If pain is suspected, it must be addressed holistically or medically.
5. 😌 Stress & Nervous System Support
Supporting the nervous system is foundational for healing. I have a full range of tools to address this, working with the human guardian too.
6. 🧹 Detox & Environmental Balance
Detoxification is often overlooked. I help safely reduce toxic load by:
- Minimising EMFs, mould, and chemical exposure
- Supporting detox organs with proven supplements
Encouraging structured, filtered water to ease the body’s burden.
7. 💞 Emotional Safety & Family Communication
Emotional well-being and family dynamics matter deeply:
- Observing body language and improving communication
- Creating predictable, calming routines
- Supporting the human guardian’s nervous system too — animals are deeply affected by our emotional state
This is just the foundation — every animal and family is unique, and we’ll always work at a pace that feels right for both of you. One of the strengths of my approach is having a wide range of tools to draw from, allowing me to create a tailored plan that addresses the physical, emotional, and environmental factors affecting your animal’s well-being. It’s never about doing everything at once — in fact, pushing too fast (like initiating detox before the body is ready) can cause more harm than good. True, lasting healing takes patience, but the results are always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Animals don’t misbehave.
They respond — to their environment, their past, their pain, their person.
“Bad behaviour” is often just unhealed biology or unspoken emotion.
Instead of suppressing it, let’s listen to it.
Because when we stop pathologising and start understanding, we don’t just fix behaviour — we create connection, trust, and lasting wellbeing.
Need Support?
If you’re navigating behaviour issues and want to get to the root, I offer holistic consultations that blend science, energy, emotion, and practical tools to help you and your animal heal together.
📩 Learn more & book here:
👉 www.catherineedwards.life/holistic-consults
Let’s rewrite what “problem behaviour” really means.
With love & truth,
Catherine
🌿 @catherine.edwards.life