Animal behavioral problems

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...

Dogs roll on dead animals and other stinky materials as a part of their territorial behaviors. As with much canine behavior, rolling around in dead animal remains is an activity we may struggle to comprehend. We may think they just enjoy filth, but there are reasons behind this action, some of which...

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...

Cats can be scared of their human guardians for various reasons that can be environmental, behavioral or physical. It is very important to distinguish between a cat that is scared all of a sudden and a new cat being scared when they enter the home. It is common for a cat to be scared when they enter any new environment,...

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...

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,...

A cat biting our ankles is a relatively common occurrence, partly because of their size. When we walk along the room and they are on the floor, our ankles are an easy target for them to attack. They don't usually cause much damage to the ankles themselves, but this behavior can be dangerous as it provides...

We're sure that playing with your dog 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

A dog eating feces is not necessarily a problem, as long as it is infrequent and the feces itself causes no significant health issue. Frequent consumption of feces is serious health issue and eating feces which is contaminated with pathogens can be cause life-threatening diseases. The consumption of poop...

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...

Cats may engage in the behavior of knocking or throwing things on the floor for various reasons. It can be influenced by their natural instincts and behavioral traits. It can equally be influenced by the level and quality of care they receive. Although many guardians think cats do not need training, they...

If a dog won't eat unless we are around, it can be a problem. Although it may simply be a force of habit, they might have issues with feeling unsafe, poor education or even separation anxiety. Diet is the foundation of canine health and a dog's approach to food is a reflection of their well-being. If...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

There are some very clear signs that can tell you that your dog is suffering from stress. Do you know how to spot them? If you think your best friend might be suffering from stress and anxiety, we suggest that you keep reading this AnimalWised article. We'll go over the 10 signs that your dog is stressed...

When we talk about Roborovski hamsters, we all think of their tiny size and cute appearance. Many people adopt this little rodent without being well informed, taking it home without having done any research. For this reason, it is not surprising that many people receive a small bite if they are not well...

The reasons why cats paw at their water before drinking are mostly related to their natural instincts. Despite millennia of domestication, cats maintain many of the instincts of their wild counterparts. This includes how they interpret their environment and providing themselves with feelings of security....

Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety when their owners leave them home alone. Such anxiety can cause dogs to bark endlessly, urinate and even wreck the entire home. This AnimalWised article talks about using the Kong for separation anxiety. However, remember that you should go to an ethologist...