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(as of Mar 01, 2025 12:07:49 UTC – Details)
The “fur-and-feathers Oliver Sacks” (New York Times), pioneering veterinarian Nicholas Dodman recounts his “riveting stories” (Judith L. Rapoport, MD, author of The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing) of treating animals with all-too-human problems in this “fascinating read for anyone who wants to know how the animal mind works” (Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs).
Internationally renowned veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman breaks new ground with the practice of One Medicine, the profound recognition that humans’ and other animals’ minds and emotions work in similar ways.
Racehorses with Tourette’s Syndrome, spinning dogs with epilepsy, cats with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, feather-plucking parrots with anxiety, and a diffident Bull Terrier with autism—these astonishing cases were all helped by One Medicine. Traditional treatments did not cure the behaviors because they treated the symptoms as disorders of the body, rather than problems of the mind. “This book itself is powerful medicine,” writes Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus. “Compelling…Dodman injects empathy into a world where sympathy previously reigned,” praised Publishers Weekly.
“With much charm and compassion” (Susan Richards, author of Chosen by a Horse), Pets on the Couch raises our understanding of our pets’ complex interior lives and mental abilities, leading to a greater appreciation of them and the bonds we share.
ASIN : 1476749035
Publisher : Atria Books; Reprint edition (July 11, 2017)
Language : English
Paperback : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 9781476749037
ISBN-13 : 978-1476749037
Item Weight : 9.6 ounces
Dimensions : 0.87 x 5.51 x 8.27 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book informative and interesting. They appreciate its exploration of animal behavior and emotional issues. The writing is easy to understand and inspiring. Opinions differ on the advice provided, with some finding it helpful and providing new treatment ideas, while others feel it provides misguided or wrong advice.
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Lee –
A must read for pet owners!
Dr. Dodman has contributed so much to the care of animals with behavior problems and he writes very well about his various patients and the outcomes of their treatment. Really fascinating.
Vicki Hendricks –
Vet Medicine That Goes Down Easy
This book is a combination of veterinary medicine with interesting anecdotes told in a clear, friendly, and humorous voice. I enjoyed trying to diagnose my cat’s psychological problems, although dogs are mostly the patients here. I have read another book and articles about One Medicine but this is the most readable. It seems to be an idea that is finally taking hold. I bought this book for both of my sisters.Pets on the Couch: Neurotic Dogs, Compulsive Cats, Anxious Birds, and the New Science of Animal Psychiatry
L. Fouquette –
Important ways of looking at “behavioral” problems in animals.
I learned a lot from the book. It’s primarily about using medications for dogs with behavioral problems which are rooted in neurological or medical conditions. The author tries to be fair in how he presents his opinions, often noting when studies don’t support his hypotheses. It’s not meant to be an academic treatise, so it’s a little short on actual research, but pretty well-supported for a general public book. He didn’t oversell medication as the first treatment option. He emphasized behavioral intervention (better environment, better training, etc.) when and where appropriate. The cases were very interesting, involving all sorts of animals, not just pets. I learned a fair amount about the behavior of horses.My only resistance was that he tends to think animals have more complex emotions than I think they do. I absolutely believe animals have the same primary and some secondary emotions as people (fear, anxiety, affection/bonding, joy, etc.). But, I don’t think they feel guilt or other emotions that require sophisticated cognition. But, that played a relatively minor role in the book.I would highly recommend this book to people with animals in their lives. I think it provides an important way to think of problematic animal behavior, and I think Veterinarians should be more familiar with medications for what are sometimes identified as “behavioral” problems.
Bright Eyes –
Nic Dodman Hits It Out of the Park
Fascinating as always. Interesting case studies. I had not heard of OneMedicine before reading this. We need more of this info; there are too many lost opportunities to help animals suffering with severe behavior problems. Behavioral medicine has a long way to go to receive the attention that disease and injuries do. Gains are being made! This type of information pushes that forward because now the “average” companion animal person creates the demand for it.
Joan E. O. Brien –
“Pets on the Couch” is a book that Sheds Light on the Emotional Problems of companion Animals”: A MUST READ
Dr. Nicholas Dodman has written another book that will capture the hearts of pet lovers. He has outdone himself with his new book. This is not a book about “lazy” pets- couch potatoes. This is a book that explores the many aspects of animal behavior and how emotional problems can be expressed by “unwanted” and difficult behavioral issues and the new medicines that are being used to help animals who are deeply distressed.The book is beautifully written and the author’s love for animals and keen desire to help them ring through in every chapter. It is very hard to put this book down in fact. I recommend it highly for animal lovers who are interested in “One Medicine” to which the author subscribes. We are not that different than out companion animals- emotionally or physically- It is a must read.
Jill –
Very insightful and informative!
This book changed the way we lived with a challenging dog.
Liz –
Could have been great but disappoints
This book was written by a professor of animal pharmacology, and consists largely of a series of vignettes related to animals treated with human medication.Some of the stories are entertaining, and some (such as the discussion of thyroid disease) I found both interesting and instructive. Before going on–I am a clinical neurosurgeon who thus knows something about medicine and the human brain (but I am not a veterinarian), and I am also a long term dog owner who thus knows something about dogs (but not much about other species of animals). I found this book frustrating because it could have been great but was not. The author wastes the first quarter of the book by spending much of his time attacking the straw warrior statement that “non-human animals do not have feelings”. Although this perception might have been true at the time the author first began his practice, I believe that most people in the US would oppose this statement now–and so the large amount of time he spends trying to refute this statement becomes annoying. Even worse, he offers the stark alternative of “One Medicine” which he states repeatedly should be applied as a single rule to both humans and other animals–this statement is not only wrong, but deeply dangerous!! Please do NOT feed your dog onions, chocolate, raisins, or grapes–all of these foods might be wonderful for you but will poison your dog! Conversely, please do NOT try to use your dog’s/cat’s anti-tick and flea medicine on yourself–these medications are neurotoxic to humans! Although it is certainly true that animal testing has helped greatly in the development of new medications for humans and that many animal species benefit in the same ways from the same medications, the concept of “One Medicine” is simply false. Just look back at the thalidomide disaster in the 1950s, when it was thought that animal testing could provide the simple solution for development of human drugs. The fact is that humans and other mammals (and other species) share much of the same genetic code and thus many of our neural and other pathways are similar but not necessarily identical. Yes, humans surely can learn much from other species to the benefit of all! But “One Medicine” is absolutely NOT the right approach. The author of this book is both knowledgeable and intelligent–and I believe that he actually knows that his premise is false. His afterward provides a more nuanced approach. that, if used throughout the book, might have produced a more balanced and interesting read. Another of my annoyances with the book was that at least in the first half of the book the author seemed to want to use drugs to treat everything. A polar bear who was pacing repetitively back and forth in a tiny cage without anything else to do was given anti-depressants, as was a dog who was not given sufficient exercise or interesting tasks. My goodness! It is nice to know that antidepressants might improve things for these poor animals (and yes, I guess that maybe such success might tell us something about human depression), but surely a good veterinarian should approach a bad environment as a primary problem to fix! The second half of the book seems more nuanced and includes some environmental and behavioral suggestions, but the book overall is both disorganized and contradictory. I cannot recommend this book to anyone other than to someone who might want to skim it for some nice vignette. It is disorganized and the stated premise is false, although the author is clearly knowledgeable and intelligent enough to know that his premise is not quite right. Some of the vignettes are nice.
MRS H M GREGORY –
This was a present for my niece who requested it as she is studying animal psychology. So quality of paper, cover is good but cannot comment on contents.
Michael Cammarata –
gave as xmas gift.
Lady Justine –
Simply phenomenal. Reminded me of how much we have to learn from our animals and how infinitely connected we all are.
Jacqueline F-W –
I HAVEN’T QUITE FINISHED THE BOOK YET, BUT SO FAR WOULD GIVE IT 5 STARS.
MC –
Super