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Updated 06 October 2004, 18.08 
When people are really upset, they can go and see a special doctor called a psychiatrist, but what can you do if your pet suddenly seems unhappy?
Well, Britain now has it's first animal psychiatry professor whose job it is to counsel pets that have an emotional problem.
Apparently around 15,000 UK pets get sent to psychiatrists every year to try to cheer them up.
But what do you think? Do you have a pet that could do with some counselling? Or do you think that it's a really stupid idea?
Let us know!
Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.
 NO WAY what are they? I mean they're animals - they won't even understand you. Betsy, 11, Derby
If the animal looks like it is going crazy, then have they ever considered that maybe the animal is not being as well looked after as it should be. I dunno... What next? Ali, 10, Ipswich
I think that if your pet is unhappy, you should make sure you're looking after it properly and should try to cheer it up yourself because I'm sure a lot of pet owners that are having a bad day talk to their pets which makes you feel better so I think you should return the favour. Kate, 13, Belfast
My budgie is so boring he doesn't do anything!! So this is different sort of counselling instead of being naughty to make him at least do something! Gina, 11, Bristol
I don't think my pets would need counselling. If they have any new or unusual behaviour, I'd take them to the vet to check if they had a behavioural or hormonal problem. That's one thing vets are for! My pets are often happy and get along fine most of the time! Natasha, 12, Liverpool
I think that giving your pet counselling is a good idea. All my cat does is eat, drink and sleep and she never plays with her toys, although she seems happy, but I bet that after a bit of counselling she'd play with them every day. Kristina, 11, Wiltshire
A good dose of TLC should do it! If that doesn't work, give it treats attention and things it might want. If that doesn't work then you could try just letting them be by themselves for a bit. This always works with my cat, Jazz. They can get annoyed with you fussing over them and they might want some peace. Last option must be to take them to a vet. They could be ill without you realising it! Laura, 13, Carcavelos
What reason does a pet have to be unhappy ? It's a crazy idea! David, 13, Cardiff
It's pathetic. A counsellor communicates with you, helps you think of a way to help yourself and then asks how it went a couple of weeks later - I know several people who have had one (or more!). How is anyone going to do that with an animal? Emma, 13, Reading
'And how are you this week...' 'Woof!' How can you talk and counsel an animal? We don't even speak the same language! Clemmie, 12, Chalfont
My dogs are always happy and always wagging their tails! Elsa, 11, Nottingham
Sometimes my dogs are unhappy. I do all I can to cheer them up but nothing ever works. That's why I think pet counselling is a good idea.
Ambrya, 10, Killeen
I think that's a really stupid idea because how can a pet tell a person how they are feeling? It's totally weird!!!!.
Jenny, 15, Bristol
I think it's a good idea because some pets are timid and need help. My cats are fine though.
Pippa, 10, Castlemorris
Hilary Duff's dog had counselling in L.A.'s but the problem was she was carrying it around to much in her Louis Vuitton bag. My friend's dog used to be horibble but then they sent it to counselling and now the dog's wonderful.
Christie, 11, San Diego
I like the idea of people caring for their pets, but how can animals tell u how they are feeling?
Elisabeth, 11, Bishops Stortford
Animals shouldn't need counselling, if they were looked after properly they wouldn't be unhappy.
Flora, nine, Dover
The pet industry has gone waaay too far. They're just doing this to make money! Not to cheer up your pet!
Liz, 12, Leamington Spa
This world is getting too silly if you need to counsel pets! How could you communicate, find out what is wrong and then sort out the problem with dogs?
Lilian, 15, London
Animals shouldn't need counselling, if they were looked after properly they wouldn't be unhappy.
Kayte, 13, Swansea
My dog is always happy! I think it's a stupid idea because sometimes pets can look unhappy but they're not really! Also, it's just making people fork out loads of money!
Zoe, 13, Dundee
Although this sounds weird, I think the only reason pets may need counselling is because they have been abused in the past and need help to trust again.
Harriet, 13, Suffolk
My cats get upset a lot.
If a pet gets upset, just give it treats and plenty of TLC! if this doesn't work, take it to a vet.
Tabi, 11, Aylesham
I have four birds and sometimes they act a bit....... stupid. But it really depends on your pet - if you have a dog and every other day he's sad and on the other days he's really hyper then.... that dog needs a psychiatrist.
Laura, 12, USA
Some animals. I mean, my dog Fred is always growling!
Fiona, 13, Plymouth
No! My dog is perfectly happy! If your pet is unhappy, instead of forking out hundreds for someone to play with your pet. you should just play with it and give it TLC!
Lou, 11, Milton Keynes
Counselling a pet? That's a daft idea! What next, manicuring dogs' nails? Oh, I forgot, they already do that!
Vaidehi, 13, Walsall
It's bit strange, but then they are doing lots of odd things in our days!
Sophie, 13, East Sussex
Pet counselling?? They are animals, it's a waste of money! How could anyone counsel an animal?
Steph, 14, Wolverhampton
I saw on this programme that a happy dog sleeps 20 hours a day and a hyper dog isn't a happy one! I've got a dog, cat and four guinea pigs. None need counselling, it would be good if they could stop your cat going to the loo in your living room! My dog is scared when you sing happy birthday though. WEIRD!!!!!
Eliza, 11, York
Yeah, and how are they supposed to do that..dogs don't even talk....well, not our language anyway.
Anna, 13, Cardiff
I think it's a great idea. My pets are often looking a bit down, all five of them.
Juliette, 13, Cardiff
I think that this sounds like a crazy idea! Animals are animals, come on!!
Joseph, 14, Adelaide
That's such a scam! If you look after your pet properly then it should be fine. They are animals not humans and they sleep most of the time anyway!
Lucy, 13, Croydon
I think that pet counselling is a really good idea coz they have all the same feelings and needs as us! they should be happy as well!
Ellie, 13, Newton Abbott
It's a good idea, but to give counselling you need to know the problem. Who can actually understand what your pet is thinking? I don't really think it will work that much.
Rick, 13, London
How can you counsel an animal? I know they show their feelings, but they can't tell you wot those feelings are!!
Leighann
, 14, Solihull
I've got a dog and most of the time he seems really happy. I think that pet counselling could be a good idea though if you've got an unhappy pet.
Jemma, 12, Southampton
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