Category: Behavior

To stop your dog from licking everything requires identifying the reason for the behavior, which can be either medical or behavioral. From there you’ll be able to either treat the medical condition or work on behavior modification. It’s important not to rule out a visit to the vet—especially if the behavior started suddenly.

Tips for Stopping Excessive Behavioral Licking 

Unlike cats who gracefully sit in the sun and silently groom themselves, the sound of a dog’s sloppy licking is enough to drive even the most patient pet owners a little crazy.

If your dog is licking everything and your vet has ruled out fleas, allergies, or another medical cause, the reason could be as simple as boredom or because the act calms him. Other dogs lick out of habit, when they are anxious, or, in the case of licking their owners, out of affection. If you’d like to curb this behavior, try:

• Training: So many pet behavior problems can be solved by training your dog to obey the “leave it!” command. Work on this so when you see your dog start to lick, one simple command will put a stop to it.
• Ignoring: Your dog could be licking just for attention. Try ignoring the behavior completely.
• Playtime: If boredom is the cause, extra playtime and daily long walks could be the cure.
• Bitter Spray: If the rest fails, you can try spraying the areas he licks with an unpleasant tasting spray that is designed to stop dogs from chewing and licking. Note that some dogs find some of these sprays to be pleasant, so you might have to try more than one. 

Obviously, the above won’t work if the reason is medical. Dogs who lick themselves excessively may be dealing with fleas, allergies, parasites, GI issues, or infections. Some dogs lick so much that they lose hair and create hotspots.

If your dog is licking floors, furniture and other objects, another possible medical cause is nausea as the licking can help to soothe that feeling. Once the underlying cause is treated, the behavior will stop pretty quickly.

Whether the cause is medical or behavioral, if your dog is licking to the point that he is damaging his skin, you’ll want to see your vet right away. Fortunately, licking isn’t usually harmful and it’s fairly easy to stop through some trial and error. 

 

Your dog may be barking at the wall because he hears animals or pests scurrying about or because he is experiencing cognitive dysfunction. The latter is more likely to occur when the dog is older. If he only focuses on one area of the wall, pests are more likely the cause while those with a medical problem typically stare and growl at various places on the wall.

So It’s Not Ghosts? 

The internet is fun. It’s given us dancing babies, social media, and information about how to tell if your dog barking at the wall is due to paranormal activity he’s sensing. The truth is that it’s much more likely that he hears mice or other animals or that he has a medical condition. Here’s what you need to do if you dog is barking at the wall:

Set Up An Appointment With The Vet

Anytime your pet exhibits strange behavior, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment just to rule out any medical concerns.

Call The Pest Control Company

If your pet is barking because some uninvited guests have taken up residence in your walls, the behavior will cease soon after they are removed. Call a humane pest control company that will safely relocate your visitors.

Another possible reason your dog may bark at the wall, especially if he’s never done it before, is because he senses an outside threat. Whatever the cause, it’s important not to ignore unusual behavior in your pet. Whether he’s trying to warn you, detects pests, or is suffering from a medical condition, it’s vital to address the underlying cause of barking at the wall. 

When your dog eats too much it can lead to bloat, obesity, and, in puppies, skeletal issues. While it’s tempting to give in to those puppy dog eyes and feed your pet as much as they want, it’s not what responsible pet owners do. Instead, feed your pet according to proper guidelines so they maintain a healthy weight and stay on the path towards a long, happy life. 

Obesity In Pets 

While all overfeeding won’t result in such an extreme case of obesity, even being slightly overweight can diminish your pet’s health. Overweight dogs are more prone to develop:

• Heart problems
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Joint issues
• And more 

Bloat From Overfeeding 

Bloat is a dangerous condition and one potential cause is overfeeding. Food bloat occurs when the dog’s stomach gets too full, causing it to expand. This puts pressure on other organs and can cause the dog to have difficulty breathing, restrict blood flow to his heart, and cause tears in his stomach lining.

This condition is potentially life threatening, so see your vet immediately if you notice the following symptoms:

• A swollen stomach
• Pacing
• Restlessness
• Trying to vomit but not producing anything
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath 

How Much Should I Feed My Dog? 

Many pet owners who overfeed their pets aren’t aware of how much food is a proper amount. While most dog food packages have guidelines printed on them, the best way to be sure you’re feeding your dog a proper diet is to talk to your vet.

Just as with humans, a healthy diet for your dog is an important key to a healthy, happy, long life. 

When introducing a new cat into your household, gender is generally less important than matching energy level, age, size, and personalities.  

Things To Keep In Mind: 

• Cats don’t like change in general. Sure, you may get lucky and find that your cat is thrilled to have a new friend, but there is a better-than-average chance this won’t be the case. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get another cat, but it does mean you’ll have to be realistic with your expectations and take the time for proper introductions.
• Don’t force your new cat to share items. Purchase an additional litter box (it’s best to have one litter box per cat plus one additional box), bed, and bowls for the new cat, so everyone can have their own.
• Don’t just toss them together. Keep the new cat isolated for the first few days and feed your resident cat by the door. After a few days, open the door slightly so they can see other. Then, try a short meeting and slowly increase the time they spend together. This proper introduction provides a better chance for success. Check out our blog article Introducing a New Cat or Kitten to Your Cats for more guidance. 

Over time and with a little patience, it’s likely that your cats will learn to tolerate each other. It may take several months or even longer, but as long as they aren’t fighting with each other, it’s fine to let them move at their own pace. 

What happens to pets when owners die depends on whether or not the owner made some kind of plans for their pets. If not, the pets often end up at animal control. That’s why it is important for loving pet owners to make plans for what will happen to their pets after their death.

It’s In The Will

While you can’t legally leave your money and belongings to your pet, you can set up a pet trust that provides for your pet’s care after your death. In addition to the money left in the trust, you’ll also need to choose a caregiver. This is the person who will take custody of the pets and who will use the money in the trust for the pets’ care. 

If there is money left after the pets die, you can specify where the leftover money should go such as to another beneficiary, a charity, or the person who was the caretaker of the pets.

Using Rehome 

If a friend or family member of the deceased can temporarily care for the pet, the dog or cat can be posted on Rehome to find a permanent new home. Rehome is a peer-to-peer program that helps a pet go from one home right into another. Simply create a profile for your pet and it will appear on Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of adopters to see.  

Caring for pets is a big responsibility, so discuss it with them in advance to be sure it’s something they are willing to do. It’s also a good idea to name a backup caretaker in case the first is unable to fulfill the role.  

It is possible to all of a sudden become allergic to cats. Various types of allergies, including allergies to cats, can develop at any time throughout your life. The good news is that, in most cases, you and your doctor will be able to come up with treatment options that allow you to continue living with your cats without dealing with constant discomfort.

How Do I Know I’m Allergic? 

Symptoms of cat allergies include:

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Itchy, red skin
• Itchy, red eyes
• Cough
• Facial pressure 

And in the most severe cases:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Wheezing 

Of course these are the same symptoms you may have for many types of allergies, so don’t automatically assume the cat is to blame.

The best thing to do if you start to experience these or other symptoms is to make an appointment with an allergist. They will perform tests to definitively determine if you’re suffering from a cat allergy.

Do Cat Allergies Mean I Have To Rehome My Cat? 

In most cases, it will not. Many people who have pet allergies live with a cat…or multiple cats. Of course, that’s not a good idea for those with life-threatening symptoms, but such severe allergies are rare.

In most cases, you will be able to manage your symptoms with over-the-counter medicines or with prescription medications. You can also reduce exposure to dander by bathing your cat weekly, vacuuming daily with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, and installing an air filter on your HVAC system. Check out Tips to reduce allergies to pets for more information. 

To get an emotional support animal (ESA) letter for housing, you must ask your licensed therapist or other medical professional to write one for you.

Why You Need An ESA Letter 

While emotional support animals do not enjoy the same broad protections as service animals, there are two areas in which they are protected: housing and airline travel. Having a letter ensures that you’ll be able to meet the requirements to have no-pet policies waived and to find rental housing and bring your ESA on a plane with you.

Some landlords may not require the letter, but it’s better to have it just in case. For airline travel, all airlines require an ESA letter and some may even ask for vaccination records and other paperwork.

If a landlord refuses to rent to you once you’ve shown him your ESA letter, he is in violation of the law and you can file a complaint with HUD. Most rentals are included, but there are a couple of exceptions:

• Single family homes rented out without the help of a realtor.
• Buildings with four units or less in which the landlord lives in one. 

It is also of note that the landlord is not allowed to charge you a pet fee for your ESA even if other tenants are required to pay a pet deposit. You can, however, be charged for any damage caused by your ESA.

It shouldn’t be difficult to find a rental just because you have an emotional support animal, and the law is on your side. Know your rights, secure your letter, and you should have no problem finding the perfect rental. 

Punishing cats will often lead to more behavior issues and may make your cat fearful of you. It is not recommended. When your cat displays behaviors you don’t like, your first thought shouldn’t be punishing him. Instead, try to determine why your cat is engaging in the inappropriate behavior and take steps to correct it. For example, if the cat is scratching your furniture, provide several scratching posts throughout the house. Also, yelling or hitting are never acceptable punishments for cats and will never yield the desired results.

Tips for Changing Your Cats Behavior

Often, changing undesired behavior in your cat is as easy as changing the environment. Here are a few examples: 

• Scratching Furniture: Cats have to scratch. If they are scratching your furniture or walls, yelling at them to stop will be completely ineffective as it’s a thing they need to do. Instead of looking for ways to punish the cat, simply provide them with scratching posts. Place a post in all areas of the home where the cat spends time. When you observe him scratching furniture, redirect him to a nearby scratching post.
• Urinating Outside the Litter Box: Many cats will not go in a dirty litter box, and many cats don’t like to share. Some issues with urinating outside the box are as easy to solve as adding more litter boxes—as a general rule, you should have one litter box per cat plus one additional box—and keeping them clean by scooping at least once a day. Note: If a cat that has always gone in the box is suddenly urinating in inappropriate places, it could be due to a medical condition. Schedule a visit to your vet to rule out a urinary tract infection and other issues.
• Rough Play/Biting: When your cat plays rough or bites, you may be tempted to swat him on the nose or otherwise show him who is boss. This can lead to a fearful cat or a cat who feels like he needs to fight harder to protect himself. Instead, realize that your cat is very likely just playing. When he gets too rough, immediately stop playing and walk away. Also, provide toys that are appropriate for pouncing and “hunting,” so your cat will have a way to participate in these normal cat behaviors.

Yelling, hitting, and other physical punishments are not likely to make the undesired behaviors stop and will result in a fearful cat that doesn’t trust you. If you’re at the end of your rope, contact an animal behaviorist for advice tailored to your situation.   

Cats scratch furniture because it’s often at a height that allows them to stretch and because they find the rough fabric ideal. Scratching is a necessity for cats, so you can’t stop the behavior altogether. What you can do is try to redirect their scratching to appropriate objects, such as scratching posts. In the meantime, try adding corner guards and other barriers to protect your furniture.

Tips For Redirecting Your Cat’s Scratching 

While cats may not be as easy to train as dogs, it is possible to get a cat to scratch where you want. Here are some tips:

Scratching Posts 

You’ve probably seen those kitty condos covered in carpet. While those are a spot from which your cat can survey her kingdom or take a nap, the material is not ideal for scratching. Instead, choose scratching posts with a rough material, such as burlap or sisal. At least one of the posts should be three feet tall to allow your cat to fully stretch while scratching.

Where you place the scratching posts is just as important as the types of scratching posts you choose. Place a post near where your cat is already scratching (close to your furniture for example) and another near where he sleeps. If there are spots your cat frequents, you can place them there as well.

Introducing the Scratching Posts 

Show your cat the posts and make scratching noises on them. If you have a kitten, gently take his paws and make scratching motions with them. For older cats, sprinkle catnip to spark interest. Also, put some of your pets favorite toys near the post and spend time playing with them nearby.

Protect Your Furniture with Nail Caps 

Nail caps are in inexpensive vinyl product that is placed over cats’ claws which prevents damage from scratching. Some brave cat owners apply the caps themselves, but it’s much easier to have the vet do it. Once applied, they will last about four to six weeks.

It might take a while for your cat to use to the new scratching posts, especially if he’s gotten use to scratching your furniture. Every time you see him scratching your furniture, simply redirect him to the post. When you see him using the post, praise him. Over time, he’ll lose interest in the furniture. 

Signs that your dog swallowed something include vomiting after eating, bloated stomach, and refusing food. Some blockages are an emergency, but you should always visit your vet if you suspect your dog has swallowed a foreign object and they are displaying symptoms or acting abnormally. A bloated stomach in particular needs immediate attention, but any blockage caused by swallowing a foreign object could be life threatening.

Waiting For The Object To Pass Could Be Deadly 

It’s true that in some cases the object will pass safely, but you’re taking a big chance by waiting instead of visiting your vet. Sharp objects can pierce the bowel, toxic items can cause poison to spread, and string can become tangled around the intestine.

Another potential side effect is that a blockage can restrict blood flow and cause bowel tissue to die. This condition, called peritonitis, is often fatal.

Instead of taking chances, let a vet assess the situation and advise on the best course of action. The vet may be able to remove the object with an endoscope. In some cases, surgery may be required to safely remove the item.

Prevention Is The Best Medicine

Some dogs are cautious about what they eat while others just wolf down anything and everything: gravel, socks, pennies, etc…

It’s impossible to watch your dog 24/7, but you can help to prevent issues by keeping the areas he frequents free from objects he may swallow. Do a quick check of the yard every morning, and make sure trash, clothing, and other items in the home aren’t easily accessible.

When it comes to dog toys, choose tough toys that aren’t easily torn into many pieces. Also, supervise play time and once a toy it damaged, throw it away.

If you suspect your dog has swallowed something, get to the vet as soon as possible. The sooner treatment is given after your dog swallows a foreign object, the better his chances for a full recovery.