Animal behavioral problems

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 your ankles‘. Many guardians are concerned about this habit. Not only is it practically dangerous, but appears to be a possible symptom of aggressiveness. In general, a cat that chases ankles of its owners is simply...

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...

The Yorkshire terrier is a small dog that is easily trained, it is not usually an aggressive dog. However, if they have received a bad education in the first months of life or have suffered a traumatic experience, they can become an aggressive dog that is difficult to treat. If you have noticed a change...

Dogs can bark for many reasons, but when they do so when home alone it is because they are suffering from separation anxiety. When a dog is very dependent on their owner, they feel very alone when their owners leave the house and try to call them back by endlessly barking until they return. It's important...

A fairly common problem that dog owners need to resolve is pica: the consumption of things that aren't part of a dog's diet. For example, it's not uncommon to see a dog eating socks, shoes or plastic toys. Pica is a compulsive disorder that not only ruins your possessions but can also endanger your dog:...

A dog is considered man's best friend. The bonds that dogs are able to create with people are hard to break, because they provide company and a loving and unconditional loyalty that is almost impossible to compare with other forms of affection. However, who has not got angry with their a dog, whether...

Although there are extraordinarily docile cats, there are others who are nervous and even aggressive in the face of new situations, such as visiting the veterinarian. If, in addition, the cat has experienced such a trip before, and gone through relatively painful experiences in the process (such as...

There are many relaxation techniques that we can use to reassure and calm a dog. They can be used as an extra in behavior modification therapy, as a tool to improve certain situations or to help your dog enjoy a moment of calm and quiet with us. In this AnimalWised article we will explain 3 relaxation...

Introducing our dog to friends and family is something that every owner should be able to do, however, some dogs can show insecurity and even fear when they approach unknown people and even people they have previously seen. If this is your case, it will be important to consider going to a specialist...

Cats are animals that love to hide, especially in boxes, although they do not always do it for fun or in search of tranquility. There are some situations that will annoy your cat, even causing them stress, such as the arrival of strangers in your home. Knowing why cats hide when people visit will not...

Getting rid of your dog's fear of fireworks is not always going to be possible. When we talk about traumas or fears, performing a systematic desensitization process with a professional can be very effective. But when we talk about phobias, the process can be lengthy and may even be impossible to treat....

It is no secret that cats are very neat animals, they do not only keep themselves spic and span but they also like to keep the places where they spend time tidy, such as their beds, litter boxes, feeders and other areas of the house. With this in mind, at AnimalWised we know that when a cat decides...

If you have witnessed your dog eat feces, you should know they are exposing themselves to various health problems that can encourage the appearance of bacteria or parasites in the gut, among many other problems. It is not only a problem that we find disgusting, it can also have serious consequences to our dog's...

Pit bulls are one of the most popular breeds exploited for dog fighting. For this reason, more and more people get the impression that they are dangerous. In this article from AnimalWised, we will go through whether pit bulls are violent breeds, how to avoid dog fights and lastly, how to safely make...

The American pit bull terrier, or simply the pit bull, is a very well known breed. They are regularly considered to be one of the most aggressive dogs, often bought to reinforce security at home. But the truth is that they aren't responsible for this social controversy. Rather, they have been the victims...

Do you feel a sudden prodding on your face or wake up ten minutes before the alarm clock rings? If its your favorite furry friend that's waking you up every single morning and won't let you rest the amount of time you'd like to, you may be asking yourself why this may be, if you should worry or not, and...

If you have decided to adopt or foster an adult cat but you cannot socialize them with fellow cats or dogs, you have came to the right place. In this AnimalWised article we will tell you all the factors that influence the socialization of cats and your best options to integrate them into your home. When...

Anyone who shares their life with a cat will have experienced the following scenario. You are quietly doing something and suddenly your feline has pulled down what you left on the table. You ask yourself: Why do cats throw things to the ground? Is it simply to annoy us? Do they want our attention? In...

Many people wonder why their pets eat when they are with family, but as soon as their humans leave, they stop. What happens in the minds of dogs that make some lose their appetite? This is not an uncommon behavior, but that doesn't mean it is always healthy. Remember that diet is the foundation of...

Dogs can be destructive simply by being their lovely canine selves. If they hear the feed bag being opened, its easy enough for an excitable dog to knock something over in their haste to eat. They often don't know their own strength and can damage something while playing. It is important to distinguish...

To a cat, a hanging cable or wire is an enticing toy. The same goes for cords, rubber bands, ropes and ribbons - any hanging household item! For your cat it is the best distraction to play and do its thing with them. Your cat is probably a specialist in munching through electrical cords. They will have...

We know that cats are independent creatures. Yet, studies from experts in feline behavior have suggested that cats can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. And although it is not known for sure what can cause it, some say that it may be due to genetic and environmental factors. Cats with separation...

Stress is an adaptive mechanism intended to ensure survival in dangerous situations. However, it can also be a disease with serious physical and behavioral repercussions. The cat is especially susceptible to pathological stress. This is because they feel the need to exercise full control over their...

Dogs can be possessive with their toys: this is not a problem when they simply try to avoid us when we attempt to take them away, but it can become worrying when dogs growl or threaten to bite when approached. In that case, the dog is sending us a clear message: "This is mine, take another one". When...

Dogs are generally very social animals who enjoy the company of other pets and people. However, a dog may become aggressive because of certain circumstances: this is a very serious behavioral problem that may jeopardize its safety and that of people. If your dog is aggressive with people, you should look...

Did you know aggressiveness is one of the most common problems in domestic cats? Although we must not make the mistake of associating cats with aggression, as they are usually quiet pets, we must remember that cats are not as sociable as dogs. A cat does not see why it should accept another cat: in...

While this breed is generally a sweetheart which can bond well with many types of family, Shiba Inu biting is a relatively common problem. If you have recently adopted a Shiba Inu and have noticed some biting issues, you will want to know how to stop my Shiba Inu biting me. In order to explain how to...

When faced with their dog suffering from separation anxiety, many people resort to adopting a new puppy to keep the other dog company in order to rectify the problem. Perhaps this was the reason why you adopted a puppy. What many people don't expect is for the adult dog to reject the new member of the...

Does your dog jump on people? Sometimes our pet can become overexcited and show a total lack of control by pouncing on us to welcome us: although we may like this situation or find it funny, it is important to stop them from doing it. It is one thing to have our dog jump on us, but another to have them jump...

Dog training sessions are a pleasure for dogs, especially if we work with positive reinforcement. But sometimes, depending on the techniques used or some other factors, some problems may emerge. Ideally we should work these small details so to improve our communication with the dog, get to know it better...

During pregnancy, we start asking ourselves all kinds of questions; if we have a dog, those questions will concern our future life with our pet. The fact is that we can't possibly know how our pet will react to the arrival of a baby, and how it will act if we can't spend as much time with it as we did...

We usually think that dogs, being naturally sociable animals, are always going to get along well with other animals. For this very reason, many families decide to welcome another dog into the household. Just like people, however, dogs can not get along with one another. When this happens, dogs living together...

Many people love Yorkshire Terriers but prefer to have another breed, as it's often said that Yorkies are very loud dogs who bark all day long. While it's true that Yorkshire Terriers are excitable dogs with a tendency to express their emotions by barking, it doesn't mean that their image is accurate. Yorkshire...

Unfortunately, there are too many cases of animal abuse. This has long-term consequences for the animal, even when it is rescued in time. Mistreated dogs are usually abandoned or removed from their so-called carers after someone makes an official complaint. Even more like other pets, these dogs need to find...

Is your dog scared of other dogs? When it sees other dogs, do its ears go down? Does its tail go between its legs? Does it cower and want to run away, or growl at the other dog to try and intimidate it? Fear is a necessary and vital emotion: It allows animals to react in the face of danger, but if fear...

Many people like to have domestic rats as pets. Normally, these animals display the same gentle and affectionate behavior towards people as does any other pet; after all, rats are very intelligent animals. However, sometimes pets bite, no matter the species. There are different types of bites that...

Does your dog misbehave? Do you not know what to do when it doesn't pay attention to you or breaks something? All these situations are more common than you think, and many people go through the same during their dog's training process. Even though dogs are not always well behaved, telling a dog off...

Even though schnauzer dogs are excellent companions in pretty much all respects, it's true that they can occasionally become somewhat destructive. If has happened to you too, pay attention to our tips below to know what to do the next time it happens. We will give a general overview of the best care for schnauzer...