Animal behavioral problems

Cats maintain a strict grooming routine. It is not abnormal for them to carefully lick every square inch of their body they can reach to eliminate dirt and remove dead hairs. However, it is important to stay alert to any changes which may occur in their grooming routine. Although they may groom a lot, overgrooming...

We love our dogs so much they can do no wrong. We have accepted the responsibility to care for them, the responsibility which domestication asks of us. This involves cleaning up their mess and training them to defecate in suitable areas. It's the same responsibility guardians of other dogs have taken...

Like humans, cats have their own individual characters and personalities. However, it is one thing having a strong character and another being prone to aggressive behavior. Aggression in cats is actually is extremely. In fact, according to studies, aggression is the second most common feline behavior problem. The...

Our dogs display a wide range of emotion, many of which seem to make sense. When you grab the leash, they might explode in anticipation. When you feed them a treat, they are evidently happy. When there is an aggressive situation, you might see them look scared. However, sometimes we have to ask ourselves...

While any dog can exhibit aggression, male dogs have some specific concerns regarding their interaction with each other. The triggers to these conflicts may be similar in that genetic factors, trauma or inadequate socialization when a puppy can be indirect causes of fighting. Whatever the cause of these...

The popularity of rabbits as a pet ebbs and flows, but has increased significantly in the USA since 2001[1]. As this popularity grows, veterinarians need to be better able to treat the increasing population. However, the onus of responsibility lies on rabbit guardians who not only tend to their basic requirements,...

Regular readers of AnimalWised will know how much we love cats and work hard to maintain their well-being. However, when the cat in question is a stray cat or a neighbour cat, their presence isn't always as welcome. It's not that we don't want to share our space with cats, it's that a cat sees their...

If you share your life with a dog, you will notice that they have some particular personality traits or characteristics. Some of them may be typical to their breed, others may be completely idiosyncratic. How they relate to people outside of their family will also vary depending on the individual dog....

For dogs, licking is part of their habitual way of interacting with their environment. They do it to other dogs, other animals and even with we humans. Whether due to higher standards or a weaker immune system, licking in this way doesn't come naturally to us. When our dogs do it, their biological make...

Do you know what it means for a dog to be humanized? Well, it is a phenomenon that has lately become more frequent and popular. This concept revolves around humans transcending our way of seeing the world to our animals. Treating dogs like children, dressing them up in costumes and celebrating their...

As with much canine behavior, rolling around in dead animal remains is a dog activity we may struggle to comprehend. We may think they just enjoy filth, but there are reasons behind this action, some of which may reveal part of their canine nature. Sometimes the dog may also engage in eating the dead...

Educating our cats is not always the easiest. While they are not the egomaniacal monsters some make them out to be, they do often march to their own drum. While dogs may generally be more trainable than cats, this does not mean it is impossible to teach a cat a thing or two. Cats are social animals who will...

Have you noticed that your dog has recently been chasing shadows compulsively? If so, this behavior should not be ignored. At first it might seem fun or funny, but a dog that is excessively chasing shadows could be showing warning signs. Chasing shadows can occur as a result of serious stress and behavior-related...

Behavioral problems in dogs should not be something that is ignored. In fact, behavioral problems in dogs should be taken very seriously, as it in one of the main reasons behind dog abandonment. It is important that if you notice behavioral problems in your dog: you deal with them as soon as possible....

Canine aging is a natural process in which a dog’s organism undergoes morphological and physiological changes, which can also intervene in behavior. Like us, when dogs reach a certain age, they can experience certain changes when performing behaviors and actions. These changes favor the appearance of behavioral...

According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), up to 6.5 million animals are abandoned every year in the USA alone. One of the main reasons for abandonment is the aggressiveness these animals can develop either towards people, animals or other dogs. Many people with...

One of the most common patients in exotic animal veterinary clinics is the parrot. Whether they be a lovebird, cockatiel or macaw, they are prone to certain ailments. Some of these can be exacerbated by their living conditions, but it is not always easy to detect the signs. Common diseases include colibacillosis,...

One of the most common problems we face when talking about cats, is their nails. Often when playing or petting them you might find that they claw and/or get so excited that they scratch you. This scratching may be accidental, but sometimes it can be done on purpose. At times these scratches can be so...

Scratching is an innate behavior in cats. It is used to keep their claws in check, but it is more useful in the wild than it is for domestic cats. Domestic cats do not need to hunt or protect themselves as much as their wild counterparts. However, they still need their claws and declawing is not the...

It is common for a new cat adopted into a home to have some level of caution. They are entering into a new experience and simply might not have the confidence in security a more established pet will have. However, it is also possible a cat which has lived in a family for a long time begins to or persists...

A dog barking can prove to be a serious problem, both socially and physically. Not only can it keep you up at night, but it can cause severe problems for neighbors and surrounding people. In addition, this behavior can reveal important details about your dog's personality and emotional well-being. Barking...

One of the most important exercises in basic dog training is getting your dog to come when called. The reasons for this are not just because you may be impatient to get somewhere. It promotes good communication between dog and guardian, it helps them to coexist with you and other animals and it is fundamental...

Barking is the main form of canine communication. Even though barking is a behavior characteristic of the species, in some cases barking can become a problem. Barking, if excessive, can appear as a negative symptom or as a behavioral problem linked to insufficient or inappropriate training or education. Do...

Unfortunately, the mishandling of Pit Bulls by some dog owners has caused pit bull dogs and their fellow friends to suffer an unjustified bad reputation around the world. Although it is true that genetic inheritance does influence the temperament of a dog, its behavior will depend fundamentally on its...

Does your dog bark every time your doorbell rings? You should know that this is normal behavior in dogs. This behavior can however, also generate conflicting situations with some neighbors, so in many cases it may be necessary to stop this barking. We believe that there is no need for punishment, and promote...

There are many reasons a dog may need to pee. Of course, needing to empty their bladder is the most obvious one. However, the way a dog pees speaks a lot about their well-being and personality. As territorial animals, dogs will urinate in an area they want to dominate. This is controlled and is natural...

There are several reasons that can lead a cat to sleep in its litter box, such as: a stressful situation, the arrival of a new member to the home or the discomfort of its bed. Therefore, it is our obligation to analyze the situation, find the exact cause that motivates this change in their behavior and,...

If you share a home with a cat, you have probably already been surprised by an ’’attack on the ankles‘‘. Many owners are concerned about this habit as it appears to be a possible symptom of aggressiveness. However, in general, a cat that chases ankles of its owners is simply bored and doesn’t have another...

Playing with your dog, we’re sure,is one of your favorite activities, be it a puppy or an adult dog. Play not only strengthens the bond between canine and human, but also constitutes as good exercise for both, allowing for a way to take advantage of time spend together having fun. Sometimes a dog can start...

If you have adopted a hamster as a pet, you've likely seen it biting its cage from time to time. Even if you haven't seen it, you may have heard a hamster biting its cage at night, the metal bars reverberating the sound through your room. It is common practice for many hamsters, but it if it is done with...

Jealousy is not a personality trait reserved only for humans[1]. It is common to see many cats either gradually or suddenly become possessive over their human guardians. While some people may take this as a simple sign of affectionate attachment, a possessive cat can actually be a risk to themselves,...

People who are generally fearful or act cowardly in a given situation are called ‘scaredy-cats’ for a reason. Felines are known to become frightened at the drop of a hat. The cause can be seemingly innocuous stimuli such as dropping something on the ground or moving past them quickly. This isn't because cats...

Some cats are natural hermits. They somehow manage to find spaces in the house you have never even seen before, hiding away for naps or just some personal time. It's even common to spend all day calling their name just to find out they've discovered a cosy spot near the airing cupboard. However, some...

If it were up to some family members, they'd happily trade a brother or sister for more feline friends about the house. At least they don't take all the good cookies and hog the computer. They are affectionate, entertaining and full of personality. However, the more cats you have, the more responsibility...

We all know how curious cats can be. Pair this with an insatiable appetite for snacks and the kitchen can be the worst place to keep them in their place. It's not that we don't want our cats to be up high. Partly we need to keep them down for their own safety. Kitchens can be a place with sharp objects,...

If you have one or more cats, you've probably been through this situation: your cat is licking you quietly... and all of a sudden they bite you! What has happened? Don't they like the massage and petting you were giving them? Why do they engage in this conduct? In this AnimalWised article we will enter...

An aggressive ferret is a real problem for both them and us, their family. These pets are much appreciated around the world for their intelligence and restlessness, but in spite of that, sometimes this nice mammal can show hostile attitudes. To solve this problem, the fundamental thing is to understand their...

Digging holes in the ground is unfortunately a natural habit of dogs. Actually, it is also a natural habit for humans as we can often see when children are left to their own devices in the garden. Like humans, some dogs will do it more than others. Some may feel an imperative to dig everywhere, some may...

Cats have many virtues. They are very smart animals, and, in general, very affectionate. However, they may have unpleasant behaviors, such as biting and scratching, habits that certain cats and kittens tend to practice while playing with them. Although many cat owners tolerate these loving bites, it...

One of the more unpleasant surprises that we can find as cat owners is the evacuation of feces out of the litter box. The initial bewilderment turns into confusion and concern if this behavior becomes habit. In this AnimalWised article we will give you they keys to know all the possible reasons why a cat...