Behavioral problems of Pets
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Throwing a stick for a dog to retrieve must be one of the earliest games humans played with their canine counterparts. This is because dogs seem to have a natural fascination with wooden sticks and will often search them out on walks. It is common for them to chew on sticks seemingly to pass the time,...
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Recently adopted puppies or adult dogs may urinate after you scold them for inappropriate behavior, which can be surprising and distressing to their new owners. This behavior is called submissive urination and occurs when a dog pees in response to fear or anxiety. This is more common in puppies that...
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The reason why we neuter our cats is primarily for the benefit of both the individual cat and the larger feline population. In addition, there are certain benefits to us as cat guardians. Stopping spraying, marking and urinating outside of the litter box is one of the most practically beneficial in terms...
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There are many ostensibly odd behaviors cats make which have important reasons behind them. We may think a cat biting us is a sign of aggression, but it will depend on the context and how they bite. When a cat is hissing at us, batting at us with their paws and then bites us, we can assume this is problematic....
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It is common to hear of terms such as ‘hyperattachement’ or ‘pathological dependency’ when we talk about dogs. In the domestic environment, human guardians are the canines' reference figure on whom they most rely. Felines have always been seen as being much more independent, but this is not true. They...
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Although domestication has led to companion dogs having a greater sense of security than their wild counterparts, it is important their retain the ability to be scared. When a dangerous or threatening situation arises, dogs use their natural instincts to protect themselves on both physiological and psychological...
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Any aggressive behavior in a dog needs to be looked at in context. We need to examine the events which have led up to the aggression, the well-being of the dog, their usual personality, and any pertinent information which can help us understand the reason for this behavior. Dogs can vocalize through barking...
When you go for a walk with your dog, their safety is of the utmost importance. This doesn't only mean keeping them safe from traffic or other dangers they may encounter. It also requires us to curtail their behavior if it puts them in jeopardy. One of the most common issues is when our dog encounters...
Not all dogs have the same sensitivity to noise. Some can sleep through a storm and others will become agitated at the smallest sound. Their reaction will depend on various factors, but there are some sounds which are more likely to disturb their peace than others. Especially in built-up urban areas,...
While recording it can make good social media fodder, having your cat round around the house like crazy is often disruptive. They can knock over items, disturb our sleep or generally cause a stressful atmosphere. More importantly, it can make us worry about the wellbeing of our cat. These sudden attacks...
Cats are generally calm animals, but they are also very territorial and do not hesitate to use their claws or teeth when they feel it necessary to defend themselves, protect their property, or secure their territory. Even between cats living in the same household, conflicts can occur because of differences...
Our dogs use their mouths to interact with their environment and communicate with those within it. While they use vocalizations to communicate their emotions, wants and intentions, they can also use it in other ways. If a dog bites us when we pet them, it is easy to think they are simply aggressive. Often...
Age affects dogs in various ways, both physically and emotionally. For many of us, the tired old dog is a cliché. Once a canine reaches a certain stage, they will spend all their time lazing around the home and often sleeping for longer periods. Once a dog reaches an advanced age, they will start to sleep...
When we adopt a dog into the family, especially if they are a puppy, we need to expect a certain level of pee. Before they are toilet trained, young dogs will urinate around the home indiscriminately. Sometimes that means while we are playing with them on our lap, on our couch or simply when we are standing...
Neutering your cat provides many benefits. Not only does it prevent unwanted pregnancies, but the procedure safeguards both male and female cats from certain health issues. Behavioral problems are also avoided, especially those related to reproductive behaviors. While both male and female cats will...
When we adopt a cat into our home, we will need to expect a certain amount of disruption. Our couch arms will become scratching posts, anything not glued down is at risk of a swipe and we are likely going to find hairs in places we didn't know could get hairs. When they are being litter trained, we can...
We may be aware that cats have different vocalizations, but each sound they make can have more than one interpretation. For example, meowing can mean they are petitioning for something they want, but it may equally be a simple expression of affection. With purring, we usually think of it as a sign of...
Some of us see a dog licking someone's face as a beautiful expression of love for our canine best friends. Others see it as a fast track to intestinal parasites. Whatever we think of this behavior, it is more important to understand what the dog means to convey with it. Since dogs use their body language...
In movies, when someone is trying to break into an old warehouse or similar restricted area, it is common to see a scene where they encounter vicious guard dogs. This dog will be portrayed as one of only a few breeds, one of which is often the Doberman Pinscher. Certain dog breeds gain public visibility...
When your dog barks at other dogs, it can be frustrating and stressful for both you and your pet. Dog barking is a normal behavior, but it can become a problem when it occurs excessively or inappropriately. Understanding why your dog is barking at other dogs and how to address the behavior can improve...
Various studies have suggested that Chihuahuas show more aggressive traits than other dogs more commonly associated with aggression, such as the Pitbull. Despite these apparent aggressive tendencies, they are not considered potentially dangerous dogs, a categorization which can have legal repercussions...
It can be difficult to tell if your dog has excessive thirst. Many dogs will naturally drink a lot of water or at least lap a lot out of their bowl. When we look at the context, it can help us to know whether their drinking habits are abnormal. If they are drinking a lot of water on a hot day or do so...
You may be aware that dogs will eat grass from time to time and throw up afterwards. It is a common behavior that can occur in healthy dogs, but it is poorly understood. Some animal behaviorists see it as a form of mild pica, where the eating of grass has no specific purpose. Others believe there are...
When a cat comes back from the veterinarian, it is common for them to be a little shaken up by the experience. The stimuli of the car ride, being in a waiting room with other animals, and the physical manipulation can be very stressful. In the case of being spayed, their stress can be even more acute....
Cats are animals that can be prone to anxiety. Since felines can be prey for numerous predators, they are very alert to their environment and are ready to flee at a moment's notice. While this is a normal and healthy response, some cats can have high levels of anxiety which cause problems in the domestic...
Dogs seem to have a predilection for sleeping on top of our clothes, something which can be frustrating. Whether it's because it leads to wrinkly sweatshirts or dog hair seemingly infused into the fabric, it is a behavior we may want to discourage. Whether they are clean or dirty clothes, it is a common behavior...
Dog bite levels can cause varying degrees of damage to a person or animal. Our puppies will often nip at us playfully as they are exploring their environment and testing their boundaries. This is a normal part of canine development and something we often find amusing. Compare this to a vicious attack...
While dogs will lick you as a sign of love and affection, a dog that won't stop licking you all of a sudden might have an ulterior motive. Even when the purpose is affection, it can be a sign the dog is insecure and needs more reassurance than normal. Such insecurity can stem from various factors in their...
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...
A rabbit digging on the floor can seem like an odd behavior since there is nowhere for them to go. The reasons for this behavior are to do with their natural bunny instinct. Rabbits in the wild dig burrows to live underground, allowing them better protecting from both predators and the elements. Larger...
Dogs will bite for various reasons, but there is an important distinction to make when determining the cause. Firstly, we have to look at whether the dog has recently been adopted or if they have lived with you for a long time. We also need to look at whether the dog was provoked or if the bite came out of...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a behavioral disorder which results in a dog carrying out repetitive behaviors which serve no meaningful purpose. These behaviors are known as stereotypies and they can manifest in almost infinite ways. It is not known the extent to which a dog is able to obsess. For...
Let's face it, dogs are curious creatures. One minute they're chasing squirrels, the next, they're nose-deep in a patch of pebbles, completely entranced. This fascination with stones, while sometimes perplexing, is a common canine quirk. But, what drives this rock obsession? Is it a primal urge for prehistoric...
Dogs love couches, beds, and other soft furniture for the same reason we do. They are comfortable places to rest. If we allow our dog on the furniture, there are few things as cozy as curling up on the couch with a beloved dog. This doesn't explain why some dogs will rub themselves excitedly against...
When we see the many unsavory places our dog likes to put their tongue, having our hands licked is not always the most pleasant sensation. Some of us find it unhygienic, while others will happily let them lap away to their heart's content. The act of a dog licking our hands is not wrong in and of itself,...
In spite of the fact that dogs are usually celebrated as loyal companions to humans, some dogs may display aggression towards their guardians or caregivers. This issue shouldn't be underestimated, as it can harm both the dog and the person involved. Understanding the causes of this aggression, which can...
Witnessing our dogs thoroughly enjoy playtime, particularly during their youthful years when they possess boundless energy, brings us immense joy. However, there may be instances when we observe peculiar behaviors in our beloved canines that raise concerns, particularly if they seem linked to complex...
It is common for cats to become scared at a loud noise, especially if they are not expecting it. For some, this may mean climbing up the curtains or retreating to their safest hiding spot. The hair dryer provides a particularly fearful stimuli since its noise can fill up a room. Some cats will have no problem...
Introducing a new dog to a household can be a big adjustment for both the new dog and the existing dog, and it can often take some time for them to get used to each other's presence. Dogs are social animals and like any other social animal, they have the potential to engage in conflict and aggression....
It is common for many of us to assume a cat biting a guardian is a sign of aggression. As with all feline communication, we need to look at the context of the situation to understand what they are trying to say with their actions. The reasons a cat bites our hand or any part of our body will depend...
Dogs use their mouths similarly to how we often use our hands. With an inability to manipulate their environment well with their paws, they use their mouths to explore their environment. For this reason, it is common to see them nibbling on almost anything that crosses their path. There is a difference...
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...
Cats don't tend to have the same gluttonous reputation as dogs. Although it will all depend on the individual animal, they will often be satisfied with their regular diet. They will meow when it is time to be fed and can come running at the sound of a rustling treat packet, but they will also leave food in...
When dogs fight, it is not necessarily to do harm, but only to ensure dominance. Whatever the cause, it is always very unpleasant to witness a fight between two or more dogs, especially if your beloved dog is one of the participants. The best way to solve the problem in such cases is to learn to read...
It has always been believed that rivalry between dogs and cats is a natural thing. Surely you have heard more than once the expression "they quarrel like cats and dogs" to describe two people who fight often. But is it true that these two animals hate each other? When two animals as different as dogs...
Even though rabbits make fantastic pets, their behavior can sometimes be confusing to new owners. If you have ever had a rabbit as a pet at home, you have probably seen it running in circles around you, tracing a path between your legs. This behavior, also known as circling, is common in domestic rabbits.
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Animals exhibit many behaviors which we know are related to their development. Sexual maturity is an important factor in how an animal behaves, especially since it can affect their hormone levels. One of these behaviors is mounting. As a male dog is reaching sexual maturity, they will start to undergo changes...
When your cat bites and scratches you, do you take it personally? Since our forms of communication with our cats are limited by our difference in species, it can be difficult to know what this behavior means. For many of us, the first thing we think might be they are angry or have a problem with us. At...
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....
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...