Category: Behavior

Is your cat aggressive, urinating outside the box, and exhibiting other behaviors of which you’re not a fan? “How do you fix cat behavior problems?” is a question asked by many pet owners. While it may seem impossible to change the conduct of your feline family members, there are often simple options, such as adding an extra litter box, which will make a difference. If not, a professional can usually help you get your misbehaving cat back on track.

 Common Problems. Simple Solutions. 

Some of the most common complaints from cat owners include:

Urinating in Inappropriate Places 

If your cat has started urinating outside the box, try adding an extra litter box. As a general rule, you should have at least one box per cat plus one additional one. Even if you only have one cat, adding a box may help the problem. You should also be sure that you are scooping your cat’s litter box at least once per day and replacing litter monthly. If this behavior started suddenly, it is likely due to a medical condition such as a urinary tract infection or potentially a blockage. See the vet right away. Usually once the infection clears up, the behavior will stop. 

Scratching Furniture 

Cats are going to scratch, so it’s up to you to provide plenty of appropriate options. Put a scratching post in each area of the house where your cat spends time. If they don’t seem interested, sprinkle some catnip, or use catnip spray, to entice them to use the scratching posts rather than your favorite sofa. You can also put soft vinyl nail caps on your cat if they continue to scratch furniture.

Aggressive Behavior 

If the aggressive behavior began suddenly, there is a good chance the cause is a medical issue. When cats are in pain, it often manifests as aggression, so a trip to the vet should be the first order of business. If the vet doesn’t find anything wrong, she may be able to refer you to an animal behaviorist. Introducing a new pet can also bring about sudden aggression. Proper introductions can go a long way in helping the two cats get off on the right paw.

Partying All Night 

If it seems like your cat waits until your REM cycle is fully realized to start embarking on loud antics, you’ll need to find a solution that helps to redirect his playtime to more appropriate hours. Try feeding the biggest meal just before bedtime, as cats like to sleep after a good dinner. Also, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them active throughout the day, and try to engage in play with them, so they will be ready for a nap at night.

If your cat is behaving badly, a solution can usually be found. If the home remedies don’t work, turn to your vet for guidance. In most cases, you’ll be able to curb the behavior you don’t like. 

If your dog is trained and relaxed when left alone, it may be okay to leave your dog alone overnight. It is important that if you are gone for an extended period of time that your dog has the ability to go to the bathroom as needed. Generally speaking, your pet shouldn’t be alone for more than 4-6 hours without a break. It your dog experiences anxiety when left alone or is not trained to spend time alone in the house, it is advisable to hire a pet sitter to stay with your dog.

Tips For Leaving A Dog Overnight With A Sitter 

Spending the night away from your pup for the first time can be a little anxiety-inducing. Try these tips to make both you and your dog feel more comfortable:  

• Meet with the Dog Sitter in Advance: This is especially important if your dog is nervous around strangers. Have the dog sitter come to your house while you are there to meet your dog. This will make your dog more comfortable when the sitter comes to stay and give you peace of mind that your dog will be in good hands.
• Tire Him Out: One of the best things you can do before leaving your dog is to exercise him. A nice run or brisk walk before you leave will tucker him out, reduce anxiety and make him more likely to snooze while you’re gone.
• Provide Fun Toys: Treat puzzles and chew toys will help pass the time and keep him stimulated.    

Leaving your dog overnight may be an option for very well-behaved and relaxed dogs. If this doesn’t sound like your pup, you should have someone come over to spend the night with your dog. This will not only give you peace of mind, but also bring comfort to your pup while you’re away. 

There are both commercial and DIY sprays that can help stop your dog from peeing on the carpet. Of course, not all will be effective with every dog, and some dogs will continue to urinate on the carpet no matter what you spray. In those cases, you may find that retraining your dog is a better option.

Commercial and DIY Sprays 

A quick internet search will yield all kinds of options for DIY sprays including everything from lemon juice and water to essential oils. Unfortunately, some of the suggestions include items that could be harmful or irritating to your pet, such as ammonia and certain essential oils. That’s why it’s a good idea to ask your vet before exposing your pet to any ingredients you’re not sure about.

Another option is commercial sprays. Some quality commercial sprays work in two ways:

1. They contain enzymes that completely eliminate the urine odor and
2. They contain ingredients, such as cinnamon and lemongrass, which discourage further urination in that spot. 

Those commercial sprays are often quite effective not just because of the ingredients the dogs find unpleasant, but also because they eliminate the urine scent. If that scent remains, dogs are much more likely to urinate there again. It can even attract your other household pets to urinate in that spot.

That’s why, no matter what kind of spray you choose, it’s important to thoroughly clean any accidents and use an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate the scent. It can be difficult to do this with carpet since the odor can become trapped in the fibers. If the rug has been saturated, you may have to replace it to fully get rid of the scent.

What about Retraining? 

If your formerly housebroken dog has started urinating in the house, retraining may be an option, but first you need to figure out if there is a medical reason for the behavior. Diabetes, kidney disease, and bladder stones are examples of medical conditions that can cause inappropriate urination.

Once a medical condition has been ruled out, try going back to the beginning with housetraining including feeding on a regular schedule and letting the dog out every 30 minutes. Remember that it can take up to six months to fully housetrain a dog.

Also worth noting: If the accidents only happen when you’re at work—especially if you work long days—it could be because your pet has trouble controlling his bladder for that long. Consider hiring a dog walker, installing a doggy door, or asking a neighbor to let the dog out at some point during the day. 

You can calm your dog’s anxiety naturally by ensuring your dog gets plenty of exercise, extra playtime, and massages. How well the natural remedies work will depend on the severity of the anxiety and will vary by dog.

Natural Anxiety Remedies

Whether your dog suffers from separation anxiety or behavioral anxiety, finding a solution that calms your pet is a must. No good pet owner wants to see their dog suffer, but reluctance to start your dog on prescription anxiety medication is understandable. If you prefer a natural way to calm your dog’s anxiety, here are a few things to try:

• Exercise: Make sure your pet is getting plenty of exercise. Take him on at least two 30-minute walks each day. If he’s an active pup, make sure he has the opportunity to run off some energy every day as well.
• Keep His Mind Busy: Dogs get bored, and that can contribute to anxiety. Keep him occupied by committing to teach him a new trick each week. This not only provides mental stimulation, but it’s also a chance to spend more quality time together.
• Play Calming Music: Music can be as calming to dogs as it is to humans. Try playing some classical music when you’re away.
• Calming Products: Calming collars, shirts, and diffusers provide relief for many pets. These products can be found at most pet supply stores. 

Other options, such as oils and massages are also natural alternatives to medicine. If none of these methods work for your pet, talk to an animal behaviorist who may have additional solutions to try before medication becomes necessary. 

It can take several weeks to several months for a cat to get used to a new kitten—and even longer for them to become “friends.” Some cats will learn to tolerate a newcomer, but may never be interested in playing or napping together. In other cases, the cat will take to the kitten right away. Each cat’s personality is different, so it’s hard to know what to expect when a new pet is introduced to the home.

Proper Introductions: The Best Chance for Success 

Putting two cats together and expecting them to get along can actually have the opposite effect. Instead, you’ll want to take the time to broker a proper introduction. Doing so gives you the best chance of the cats learning to get along.

To properly introduce cats, you’ll want to implement four steps:

• Isolation: Put the kitten in a room with their food, litter, and toys. That will be the kitten’s home for a few days. Place the resident cat’s food bowl just outside the door.
• Introduce through Sight and Scent: Swap the cats blankets, so they get used to each other’s scents. Prop the door open so the cats can see each other, and put one cat in a carrier and put the carrier in a room with other cat.
• First Meeting: Place your resident cat in the room with the kitten. Stay close by to break up a scuffle, if necessary. Limit the first few meetings to 10 minutes or so.
• Increase Length of Time Together: Slowly increase the amount of time the cats are spending together. If the older cat gets aggressive, give it a day or two before going back to the prior step and trying again. 

To further increase the chances of success:

• Don’t expect your current cat to share—it’s not a strong suit of felines. Instead, purchase more litter boxes (the standard is one per cat plus one additional box), another set of food bowls, bed, toys, etc…for the new kitten.
• Spend lots of time playing with the cats together and giving them treats and attention.
• Don’t rush things. It can take some cats months to warm up. If they are tolerating each other, consider that a success. 

Several foods, such as blueberries, sweet potatoes, turkey, oily fish, and whole brown rice may help in calming dogs down, but those foods alone will not fix the problem of an anxious dog. That being said, maintaining a healthy and well-balanced diet is important to your dog’s health and mental wellness, so you should discuss your dog’s diet with your vet if you’re not sure you are providing all the nutrients your pet needs.

Calming An Anxious Dog 

A change in diet won’t be the cure-all to your dog’s hyperactivity or anxiousness, but there are other things you can try to calm your dog such as:

• Increasing Exercise: Some dogs need plenty of exercise, and will be uncomfortable and anxious if they don’t get it. Provide the opportunity for at least two 30-minute walks per day on average. If your schedule won’t allow it, consider hiring the services of a dog walker.
• Calming Products: Some pet owners find success in the use of calming shirts, collars, and diffusers.
• More Playtime: Many dogs are social, so they need lots of interaction with their people. In addition to walks, toss a ball around for a bit or find other ways to play and interact with your pet.
• Background Noise: Playing classical music or keeping the television on can help to calm dogs. 

If your best efforts don’t bring the desired results, or if the anxiety is severe, contact your vet or an animal behaviorist who can work with you to help your dog be happy, healthy, and calm.  

Offering to pay an extra deposit or a non-refundable cleaning fee may help to convince your landlord to let you have a cat. If you live in a rental with several units and a no-pet policy, you may have a harder time convincing the landlord than if you lived in a single-family rental. That’s because if he lets you have a cat, he may feel he needs to allow everyone to have a cat. Still, there are some things you can try.

Ways To Get A Pet Waiver

Getting a pet waiver in a no-pet property is tough, and it really depends on the mindset of the landlord more than anything else. Understanding the reasons landlords don’t want pets on the property can help. They are usually trying to avoid:

• Noise (less of a problem with cats than with dogs)
• Odor
• Damage
• Fleas 

When you go to present your case to the landlord, be prepared to alleviate his concerns by telling him that as part of the agreement you will:

• Ensure the cat always has effective flea treatment
• Pay a non-refundable cleaning deposit
• Keep the litter box clean
• Address any odor complaints immediately 

Cats As An Emotional Support Animal

If your cat is an emotional support animal (ESA) or service animal, your landlord must legally allow you to have your cat in the house with you. You’ll need to get a letter from your therapist or other medical professional to present to your landlord in this scenario.

What NOT To Do 

As much as you want a cat, you should never sneak a cat into the rental. If you get caught (and you’ll probably get caught,) you could be faced with the decision of having to immediately rehome the cat or move. That’s not fair to the cat and would be heartbreaking for you. 

 

Dogs do not get tired of barking necessarily, but a tired dog may bark less. All dogs bark, and there are many different reasons that a dog uses his voice including fear, alarm, as a form of greeting, and even boredom. While you can’t expect a dog to be silent, excessive barking is a problem. A dog who exhibits this behavior is not likely to stop just because he grew tired of barking. Instead, you’ll have to pinpoint the cause for the behavior and work on ways to address it.

Reasons for Excessive Barking

If your dog barks incessantly, it can be a problem for you, your neighbors, and the dog. The good news is that most excessive barking issues can be resolved if properly addressed. Some reasons your dog may bark nonstop include:

• Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety is a condition that cannot be ignored. Some pet owners hope it will go away on its own, but it doesn’t. Instead, if left untreated, the condition gets worse over time. Treatment options vary based on the severity of the anxiety, but a good first step is to talk to your vet. You can also read more about separation anxiety here.
• Loneliness/Boredom: Dogs are pack animals, and they aren’t meant to be alone. A dog that is left alone in the yard or house all the time may bark just because he is lonely and bored. In such cases, spending lots of time with his humans, getting a dog sitter while you are out for the day, or taking him to doggy daycare may be all it takes to correct the problem.
• Stress: There are many reasons a dog may feel stress, and all of them can lead to excess barking. Calming collars, shirts, or diffusers may provide a solution for mild stress. More severe cases may require medication or behavioral therapy. 

As mentioned above, dogs won’t get tired of barking, but a tired dog may bark less. Make sure your pet gets plenty of playtime and exercise as this alone could help to curb constant barking. 

Cats may poop on the floor because of a medical condition, stress, or because the litter box is dirty. If the behavior started suddenly, have a vet rule out a medical problem first and then take note if anything significant has happened in the cat’s life, such as a new pet entering the home or the loss of a companion. Whatever the cause, most litter box issues can be solved, but it may take time and patience.

Common Reasons for Litter Box Issues 

Reasons your cat stops using the litter box generally fall in three categories: medical, stress, and environmental.

Medical

Diabetes, intestinal problems, and thyroid issues are common medical issues that can cause litter box issues. Any time your cat starts going outside of the box, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with the vet to rule these and other conditions out.

Stress

While most dogs are more equipped to go with the flow, cats get stressed out very easily. Stress can be triggered by a small change, such as rearranging the furniture or by a significant event such as the death of a companion cat. As the stress is alleviated, the behavior often stops on its own. If not, you may have to ask for advice from an animal behaviorist.

Environmental

Cats don’t like using a dirty litter box, and many don’t like sharing. Try adding additional boxes (a good rule is one per cat plus one additional box), and always make sure the boxes are clean. You can also try adding additional boxes in new locations and removing the lids from covered boxes. 

Sadly, some pet owners rehome their cats over a litter box issue rather than searching for a solution. There are many possible ways to curb the behavior from resolving a medical problem to changing the environment. It may take time to find what works for your pet, but it’s worth the effort.  

If your dog is lying down while eating, it could be due to a medical condition that makes it painful to bend his neck down to the bowl. If it’s a tall dog, it could simply be uncomfortable to stretch his neck down to reach a bowl on the floor. If the behavior started suddenly, you should schedule a visit with your vet to rule out an underlying medical condition.

What To Do Next If Your Dog Eats Lying Down 

As mentioned above, if your dog suddenly starts to eat lying down, you should bring him to the vet to rule out problems such as arthritis or joint pain. If you suspect discomfort may be the issue, you can try to curb the behavior by purchasing a raised bowl that makes it easier for your pet to eat standing up.

If there is no medical condition, is it really a problem if dogs eat lying down? Not usually. In the wild, dogs are often seen lying down why eating prey and domesticated dogs often enjoy a treat lying down.

While eating meals in that position isn’t common, it’s not necessarily cause for concern once a medical condition is ruled out.