Animal behavioral problems

A common issue for many cat guardians is the risk of being disturbed while we sleep. Especially if we want to let our cats have free reign of the home, it is fairly common for our feline to wake us when we sleep. Many cats can be active throughout the night and, even if they have good intentions, they...

When a dog becomes destructive, there is an obvious problem for the household. Whether they destroy toys, sofa cushions or any other household item, the result can be stuffing or other parts of the object strewn across the home. Not only does this create a mess, but there is always the worry they will...

Does your dog lift their leg and pee inside the house? It could be on any surface, place or object. This means your pet wants to make its presence known and wants to mark its territory. While this may be perfectly normal dog behavior, it is also normal for you to get frustrated and want to change this habit....

From the moment you decide to adopt a pet, it is necessary everyone in the home knows what to expect. Unfortunately, with both puppies and children, it can be difficult for them to understand limits and boundaries. For this reason, it is very important we consider what to do with both parties when the puppy...

If you have two or more cats, it is not always easy to get them to share. Even if you share the food evenly, you may find one cat gets greedy and eats the food of another cat in the home. Since cats oftenself-regulate how much they eat, this can become a tricky problem and you don't want to end up with...

It is in a cat's nature to like heights. They love to climb up on furniture, curtains and even climb up walls. While this might be exploratory and fun for a cat, it can be disruptive and destructive for others in the home. Understanding why cats like to climb will help us to prevent them from climbing...

The noise of a rabbit chewing on their cage bars is common to most every rabbit guardian. It is a very common behavior which doesn't necessarily pose a threat to their health. However, as with practically any behavior in rabbits, if we see them enacting a habit compulsively, it may mean there is a problem....

It is all too easy for society to consign a dog to a label of ‘aggression’. This can often lead to dogs being taken away from families and even put to sleep. Many of these dogs could live a long and happy life with a loving family if they are provided with understanding and education. To help understand...

It may provide a laugh on YouTube videos, but when we come home and see our dog has strewn garbage all over the floor, it can be a real pain. Not only do we have to clean up a mess, but it also leaves us with a worrying doubt. Since the garbage contains spoiled food and inedible objects, we should wonder...

Walking our dog is not only important for exercise. It is a vital opportunity to meet and interact with other dogs and people. Proper socialization is necessary for young dogs to be able to interact in a healthy way later in life. Just as important is the fact that dogs enjoy being around others, it is often...

As Konrad Lorenz, an Austrian zoologist and ethologist, once said, aggression in itself is just one more drive that an individual presents and that helps him survive. However, when a dog is aggressive with another dog this creates a poor quality of life and stress for the dog. Consequently, it is considered...

It happens to all of us at some point, we're taking our dog out on a walk and allow them to run free at the park. That's when our dog unexpectedly throws themselves on the ground and rolls in the poop of other dogs. At this point we tell them to stop but it leaves us wondering why they would do that. In this...

We may have understanding of why a dog licks their own feet. Licking helps to keep clean their paws, one of the dirtiest parts of their body. This might lead some to feeling a little offended since dogs are also known to enjoy licking human feet. If we assume this means we have dirty feet, we need to...

There are many reasons we adopt a cat into our family. Reciprocating affection with a beautiful animal is just one of them. One of our favorite ways to show our love is to pick up the cat and hold them in our arms. It brings us closer literally and metaphorically. Some cats really love being cradled in...

When a person sits on our lap, we hope it is someone we love and trust. It is no different with a dog. When our relationship with a dog is good, we love letting them sit on us because it allows us to be physically close while showing how emotionally close we also are. However, do we always know why the dog...

Cats are solitary hunters, which has caused some confusion when it comes to whether or not they are social animals. However, contrary to popular belief, cats are social animals that live with a community they trust and can play with. This is why they make such great companion pets. However, what do you...

Some people love to see a cat resting on the back of their couch. They look adorable in repose and they are close enough to keep us company. However, a cat's nature can often lead them to causing damage to the furniture with scratching, kneading the fabric of leaving their fur everywhere. While we may...

Cats are very clean animals that easily learn to use the litter box from a young age. That's why a cat pooping on the bed will surprise their companions. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain why your cat is pooping on your bed and the main causes and solutions to this behavioural problem....

There are so many factors which influence a cat's personality. Many of these most cutely affect them when they are young. This is the reason we see some kittens be shy and fearful, while others are curious and adventurous. But nothing is written stone. As cats develop and age physically, their experiences...

Is your dog scared of loud noises such as fireworks or thunder? Noise anxiety and noise phobia is common in dogs. Thankfully, there are ways to help our dog calm down and get over their fear of loud noises. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain why your dog is scared of loud noises and...

There is no doubt a dog licks you because they are expressing love and affection. It is a demonstration of attachment, highlighting their security in your presence and suggesting a strong bond between the two of you. As with any behavior, compulsive or excessive licking by the dog might indicate there is an...

Dogs communicate with us in many ways, one of them is by whining or crying. This behaviour usually indicates that something is wrong. However, what does it mean when a dog cries and whines at night? And, what can you do to help? In this AnimalWised article we're going to go through the different reasons...

Is your cat hissing and attacking your dog? Getting a cat and a dog to be friends can be tricky at first, but it isn't impossible. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain what you can do to help if your cat hates your dog.

Dogs communicate in many ways, dog wagging, whining, barking and even growling. These behaviours have different meaning as they try to communicate their different emotions to their caregiver. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about why your dog is growling at you, the meaning and how to stop...

When adopting a cat, we can often be blindsided by the many benefits of feline companionship. Too many people neglect to consider the nature of cats and how this can sometimes clash with our human routines. While we want to spend time with our cat, we also have other responsibilities to keep. However,...

A whining dog can seem like an annoying or frustrating problem, but there are many reason why a dog whines. Not all of them are problems. Like barking, growling and other sounds your dog emits, they are part of their vocalization. This means the dog is trying to communicate something specific to you. Since...

You may have observed your cat hiding, freezing at a certain spot or scrambling around to escape a certain situation. These are all common signs that your cat is feeling scared. So, what can you do as their caregiver to make them calm down and feel safe again? In this AnimalWised article we're going to...

Thunder storms can be scary for anyone. It's raining but every now and then we hear a loud sound of thunder and sometimes we can really feel it too. For dogs, this sensation is even stronger as they are very sensitive to sounds and even the static buildup in their environment. If your dog is scared...

Having your cat meow at night isn't uncommon, however it can be very troublesome for caregivers that need a good night sleep. There's a number of reasons why your cat won't stop meowing at night. Thankfully, there are also a number of solutions. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the reasons...

It can often happen that some of us decide to adopt a dog as a precursor to having a larger family. Although having a dog is a rewarding experience in itself, some may see it as helpful preparation for the responsibility of having a child. However, they may not always think of how the dynamic might change once...

Dogs are very social and alert animals that try to communicate with their caregivers through many ways. One of the many is barking. Dogs may howl or bark when they want our attention, when meeting someone new, etc. However, some dogs may bark at absolutely nothing, leaving us wondering what exactly is...

Cats can also be very affectionate, but they're known for being very playful. This is usually one of our favourite things about adopting a cat. However, if our cat suddenly stops playing, it's understandable that we begin to worry. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain why your cat won't...

One of the most troublesome behavior that a dog can do is urinating where they shouldn't. This situation is usually quite stressful for many companions. However, there are ways to train your dog to stop urinating at home. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain why you're dog may be urinating...

If you decide to adopt a bird as a pet, you will need to except some level of noise. Parrots in particular are vociferous animals. They will create levels of background noise as they try to communicate with others in their environment. Even birds which live alone will call to birds a distance away or...

Just as Stanley Coren has devised a ranking for dog intelligence, the veterinarian, canine behaviorist and trainer Dr. Ian Dunbar has a system to classify dog bites. Although the system is not infallible and there are variations, it is a good way to check the severity of the the injury. If you have been...

Dogs defecate. It is a fact of dog nature and something we need to be very considerate of as a canine guardian. Since humans have domesticated dogs, the responsibility of cleaning up their feces is firmly on us. Picking up their poop is not always the most pleasant part of caring for dogs, but it has various...

Most dogs will bound at the door when the slightest possibility of going for a walk presents itself. If the word ‘walk’ is mentioned or you pick up their leash, the dog often becomes very excited. This is because dogs want to explore their environment, smell new scents, mark their territory and meet...

While all dogs will have their own personalities, it is not uncommon for dogs to ignore people. With strangers, many dogs are reserved or are simply so strongly bonded to their guardian that they do not have interest in other humans. However, a dog ignoring their owner completely is not common and likely...

Anyone who has lived with a cat knows how extremely affectionate they can be as companions. They may also know that they can sometimes seem to give mixed signals. One minute you are enjoying a pleasant nuzzle, the next they are biting your hand and kicking you with their back legs. They may even wrap...

Rabbits are sensitive animals, but this doesn't prevent them from being loving companions. As long as we provide the right level of care, we should provide the possibility of a happy and healthy life. If the relationship between a rabbit and a human does degenerate, we are often alerted by signs of aggression....

Humans have different customs and personal preferences when it comes to interacting with others. Dogs are also individuals and will have certain quirks which make them unique. However, there are some basic behaviors which all able-bodied dogs should display. Smelling each other's butts is one such behavior....

Parrots are very intelligent and curious animals. They need to discover their environment and mentally challenge themselves. This is one of many reasons you may find them playing with different objects and making noise. However, what does it mean when they suddenly begin to bite you? In this AnimalWised...

A barking dog is a very common dispute between neighbors. Not only is the noise annoying, but it is disconcerting. Since dogs will bark at the sight of something they perceive as dangerous, it is understandable it might cause us to worry. Some dogs will bark incessantly regardless of what's going on around...

While taking care of a dog's coat is essential for their well-being, it is only part of their grooming requirements. Ensuring their nails are kept in good condition is also vital, especially in terms of mobility. Wild dogs will need to rely on hard surfaces in nature to ensure their nails are shorter,...

When we first invite an animal into our home, it is understandable it will take a while for them to adjust. While many people don't think rabbits can be trained, this is not the case. Litter training is possible and rabbits will go out of their way to pee in the same place if it is suitable for them. However,...

A dog biting our feet is something we hope will stop when they are a puppy. It is a very common occurrence when the dog is young. Even though nipping at our feet while we walk can provide a tripping hazard, there are important reasons why they bite us. Most dogs will be educated to stop inappropriate...

Although phrases such as ‘fighting like cats and dogs’ remain in our modern vernacular, cats and dogs can truly live in harmony. However, if we want to share our home with a cat and dog at the same time, certain guidelines need to be followed. Much of this has to do with socialization and the personal...

The hedgehog has gained much popularity as a pet, owed in part to their undoubtedly cute features. They are also relatively small, making them suitable for those who live in apartments. However, this doesn't mean they don't require an appropriate level of care. As with any companion animal, adopting a...

It's quite common to see a puppy or dog bite and chew their leash when you take them out for a walk. However this behavior may surprise you and leave you wondering why. It can also be quite uncomfortable when taking them out on a walk. For this reason, in this article of AnimalWised, we are going to...

Perhaps you have just welcomed a new dog to your home and they are afraid of you. Or maybe this behavior presented itself all out of a sudden. It's clear that having a scared and unhappy dog is not ideal for anyone in the household. This is why in this article from AnimalWised, we are going to help you...