Dogs with chronic enteropathy and low disease activity show signs consistent with compromised emotional health compared to matched healthy control dogs.

Dogs with chronic enteropathy show significantly compromised emotional health indicators compared to healthy controls.

This cross-sectional case-control study examined the relationship between chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs and emotional health indicators. Fifty dogs with CE were matched with healthy controls and assessed from June 2022 to August 2023 using questionnaire-based evaluations. Disease activity was measured using the Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index and fecal scoring. Emotional health was evaluated through the Positive and Negative Activation Scale and behavioral assessments in specific situations. Dogs with CE demonstrated significantly higher negative activation scores (0.48 vs 0.33) compared to healthy controls. Clinically relevant scores (≥3) for displacement behaviors were observed in 5 of 7 situations, with relative risks ranging from 3.19 to 13.64. Additionally, dogs with CE were 1.92 times more likely to show distress signs when owners prepared to leave. These findings suggest a meaningful association between gastrointestinal disease and compromised emotional well-being, indicating that integrated veterinary approaches addressing both physical and psychological health dimensions may be beneficial for CE management.

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