Category: Behavior

You can stop your indoor cat from escaping by distracting him before you leave or by adding barriers that make it hard for him to dash. It is also good to get yourself in the habit of always knowing where your cat is before you open a door so he can’t surprise you and dart out. Taking these steps will help your cat stay safely indoors without escaping.

Create A Barrier 

There are many different ways to create a barrier that will disable your cat from escaping. The right solution for you depends on your home. Here are some things you could try:

• Blocking the front door entrance: If there is a door you can close to keep your cat away from the door you will be exiting, this is an easy solution. Some homes simply do not have this option.
• Create a barricade: Choose something that your cat can not easily jump over or slip through. You can do this with 36″ or higher folding metal/wire dog exercise pens or extra-tall baby gates or playpens, like the walk through kind designed for stairs.
• Create a “kitty lock” door: If you’re lucky, your home may already have a hallway or entrance with doors you can keep closed, but you can also build one. If you have a front porch, you could build a second door around that. You could also install a secondary interior door. This may be a more expensive option, but it works 100% of the time as long as one door is closed before opening another. 

Allow For Safe Outdoor Time 

• A small investment in an outdoor enclosure gives your cat a safe space where he can enjoy fresh air and sunlight. Enclosures are available in many sizes and configurations, so it’s easy to find one that is perfect for your pet. Check out this article from one of our staff members who built her foster cats a “catio”!
• If you can’t take your cat outside, giving them a wall-mounted shelf by a window can be similarly effective. If you go this route, just make sure that you have secure screens – if you can push on a screen and pop it out, so can your cat. 

Distract and Dash 

• Try keeping treats by the door for when you are about to leave. Get your cat’s attention and throw the treats as far away from the door as possible. Then, slip out the door as quickly as possible.
• If your cat tries to escape when you are entering the house, you can also leave treats right outside of your door to give your cat as you are coming in. 

Keeping your cat safe is the first priority, which is why all cats should be microchipped and registered with up-to-date information. That way, should your cat escape, he’ll have the best chance of being reunited with you.  

How to stop your dog from whining at night depends on the age of the dog and whether this is a sudden behavior. When you first bring a puppy home, expect whining at night. He’s in a new place and hasn’t yet to figure out if it’s safe. Usually, a puppy will stop whining at night once he becomes comfortable in your home. For older dogs, you may have to change some things about the environment or the dog’s routine. Also consider a possible medical issue if the whining started suddenly.

Puppies! 

New puppies are a welcome addition. They are so cute and cuddly that nighttime whining seems a small price to pay—until you have to go to work with dark circles under your eyes. As mentioned above, most puppies will stop whining once they get used to you and to living in your home, but there are some tips that can help him feel more comfortable. Most of these tips will help with older dogs as well.

• Give your puppy or dog plenty of exercise before bed.
• Limit food and water starting about an hour before bedtime.
• Play soft, calming music.
• Work on proper crate training so he’ll view the crate as his safe place. Learn more about crate training here.
• Allow your dog to be in the same room as you. 

Sudden Changes In Behavior 

If your normally quiet dog started whining a lot, make an appointment with your vet. As with any sudden change in how your dog acts, sudden whining could be a sign of a medical condition. Since your dog can’t tell you when he’s not feeling well, it’s important to pick up on signals that something could be wrong.

No pet owner wants to hear their dog whine, but by implementing these tips, you can help them enjoy a peaceful night. 

The first step to calm an aggressive dog is understanding what triggers the aggression. It could be anything from pain to frustration or fear to redirected aggression. Just like some humans are more aggressive than others, the same is true for dogs—but one thing is true for all: No matter the size of the dog or the level of aggression, you must find effective ways to stop the behavior in order to protect your dog and the people and animals around him. While you work on finding a solution, keep your dog physically separated from any aggression triggers, other pets, children, and people until the issue can be addressed.

Reasons Dogs Are Aggressive 

In the wild, aggression is necessary for dogs’ survival. An aggressive dog isn’t bad, but that behavior does need to be modified. If you can figure out the reason for your dog’s aggression, you’ll be better able to find a resolution. Some of the reasons for dog aggression include:

• Protecting Himself or His Pack – Some dogs are extremely protective of the other animals and humans in their pack. While this is good in some circumstances, some dogs become aggressive if anyone even approaches their humans.
• Protecting His Den – Does your dog run along the fence line barking at passerby in a menacing way? Does the barking stop once the person is past your fence? That is your dog protecting his den. He’s not interested at all in the person—as long as that person moves along.
• Protecting His Food or Toys – Food aggression is common in dogs who didn’t get enough to eat at some point in their lives. A food-aggressive dog who is normally docile will turn into Cujo if anyone approaches him when he’s eating. This same type of possession aggression can also apply to favorite toys or beds.
• Redirected Aggression – If a dog can’t reach the target of his aggression, for example a strange dog being walked on a leash, he may turn on whatever dog or human he can reach. This type of aggression often comes as a shock as the dog may attack a dog he has lived with peacefully for years.
  Other reasons for redirected aggression include fear, predatory reasons, and sexual frustration. Another thing to keep in mind is that a normally docile dog who suddenly becomes aggressive could be in pain due to an undetected medical condition, so get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Once you figure out the reason for the aggression, you can begin to work with your vet or an animal behaviorist. It is important to note that if your dog displays low levels of aggression, like growling for example, correcting the behavior may lead to more aggressive behavior next time. This is because your dog realized he was punished for growling and could escalate to a more aggressive behavior in the future. Training can still be very helpful to work on mild aggression, but punishment may not be the solution.

Aggression is one of the top reasons pet owners rehome their dogs, but with the right intervention, you can put a stop to this behavior and keep your pet in your home. 

You can live with a cat if you are allergic, unless you have severe allergies. In fact, thousands of people with allergies do live with their feline friends. Some who only have mild symptoms just put up with the symptoms or treat them with over-the-counter medicine. Those with moderate symptoms often seek help from a doctor who may prescribe prescription medications.

Does A Cat Allergy Mean I’ll Be Allergic To All Cats? 

If you love cats and have allergies, you might be hoping you can find a cat to which you’re not allergic. So, is that possible? Not technically. Cat allergies are caused by pet dander and saliva, so if you’re allergic to cats, then you’re probably allergic to all cats.

But there is some good news.

Some breeds of cats produce less dander, which means they may only trigger very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. While no cat is 100% hypoallergenic, the following breeds are among those that make a good choice for people with allergies.*

• Sphynx
• Cornish Rex
• Oriental
• Devon Rex
• Russian Blue
• Siberian
• Bengal 

If you suspect you have a cat allergy, confirm it with an allergist. It’s possible to mistake a cat allergy for other types of allergies since the symptoms are so similar. Whatever the results are, don’t panic. In many cases, it’s possible to continue living with your feline family member.

*If you’re allergic and are considering adopting one of the cats listed above, it’s important to spend time around them first. This will avoid having to rehome a pet if it turns out they give you a worse-than-expected reaction. 

You cannot leave money to an animal in your will, but you can set up a trust to ensure they are taken care of after your death. The reason you can’t leave them money is because they are considered property, and you can’t leave property to other property. The good news is that the trust option allows you to make plans for your pet in which you can specify exactly how they are to be cared for.

Basics Of A Pet Trust 

In order to set up a trust for your pet, you’ll need to:

• Specify a dollar amount to be set aside for their care
• Write specific instructions for their care
• Choose a caretaker who will take custody of the pets upon your death 

The Money

To figure out how much to leave in the trust, you’ll need to estimate how much their annual care costs and multiply by the number of years they are likely to live. It’s better to overestimate here as you can also specify where any leftover money goes upon the pets’ deaths.

The Instructions

When it comes to writing instructions, you’ll want to be specific to ensure your pets get the same type of care you’re giving him now. This should include what type of food they get, how far to go with medical interventions, types of play and exercise they should get, etc…

The Caretaker

The most important decision is your choice of caretaker. This is the person the pets will live with, and they will access the money in the trust for the pet’s care. Choose someone you know you can trust and depend on to be kind to your pets for the rest of their lives. 

While you can’t make your pets rich by leaving them your money, you can at least ensure they are cared for in the manner you’d like. 

Reasons your cat won’t use the litter box include a possible medical condition, not wanting to share the box with another cat, stress, or because the box is dirty. If your cat has always been good about using the box and then suddenly stops, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. After ruling out medical issues, try adding additional boxes. Also, always make sure the boxes are kept clean. 

What to Do When Your Cat Stops Using the Litter Box

Cats don’t need to be walked and the litter box makes them pretty independent as far as using the bathroom, which is a real plus for pet owners who are away much of the day. Unfortunately, many cats will experience litter box issues at some point in their life. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior is key in order to stop it.

Medical Issues 

Some medical conditions that contribute to litter box avoidance include urinary tract infections, cystitis, and kidney stones. Make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible so if there is a medical concern, it can be identified and treated.

Dirty/Crowded Litter Box 

You can’t really blame a cat for not wanting to share a litter box with other felines. That’s why it’s a good idea to provide one box per cat plus one additional box. It’s best to have them in separate parts of the house. You should also scoop all litter boxes daily.

Stress

Possible stressors for your cat include not getting enough food, being bothered by other household pets, and lots of loud noise/fighting. As much as possible, reduce the things that may be causing stress to your cat. You can also try using stress-reducing collars and diffusers.

Additional Tips 

Cats are finicky, and sometimes it’s the smallest thing that puts them off of their litter box. Here are a few others things to try and some to avoid:

• In a new second litter box, try a different litter, as some cats may not like a certain scent or texture.
• If the box has a lid, remove it.
• Don’t stand by the box with a treat as cats don’t like to be bothered when going to the bathroom.
• Don’t yell at your cat and toss him in the litter box as this will create a negative association.
• Clean up messes thoroughly using a product with enzymes to neutralize pet odors. 

Litter box issues often have a resolution, but it may take some trial and error to figure out what works for your pet. If none of your tricks fix the issue, seek an animal behaviorist for personalized advice or check out this article about fixing litter box problems. 

 

You can be evicted for dog barking if the barking is causing a nuisance and disturbing the other tenants. What exactly nuisance barking entails varies by location. In some locales, city regulations may define it as 30 seconds of barking. Other places may not be so specific. It’s also important to note the wording on the lease. Even if it doesn’t specifically mention dog barking, it likely mentions noise and, of course, barking would be included in that.

Avoid Getting Evicted for Dog Barking 

Normally, the only time your landlord is going to be concerned about your dog barking is if another tenant complains. This makes sense, as your landlord has to ensure a comfortable, peaceful environment for all of his tenants.

The landlord has great discretion in how to deal with such complaints. If you’re lucky enough to have a landlord that is a dog lover, he may be more patient. 

Dogs bark and you won’t be able to stop it completely. That being said, part of being a good neighbor is finding a way to stop excessive barking. This could include: 

• Sending the dog to doggy daycare rather than leaving him home alone. 
• Crating him (if he is crate trained) or closing him in one room when you’re gone, so he won’t notice triggers such as someone walking by the window.
• Playing classical music or keeping the TV on to drown out trigger noises and to calm your dog.
• Talking to animal trainer or behaviorist for advice about how to curb barking. 

While you work on correcting the behavior, here are some steps you can take to avoid trouble with your landlord:

• Talk to the Complaining Neighbor: Tell him you’re sorry, that you’re working on it, and ask for patience.
• Talk to the Landlord: Tell your landlord that you’re aware of the issue and explain to him what steps you’re taking to correct it.
• Know Your Rights: If it comes down to you being evicted, he can’t just show up and kick you out or say you must immediately get rid of your dog. The landlord has to go through the proper eviction process. Know what that means in your state. 

Some people end up having to rehome their dog over such an issue, but that should be a last resort. If you can’t find a way to control the barking, then moving may be the best solution. Ask your landlord for more time to find a new place and consider renting a small house rather than an apartment.

If that’s not possible and rehoming becomes a necessity, you can find helpful resources on websites like Rehome where you can create a profile for your pet, get advice about screening adopters, and more. 

Dogs rip up toilet paper because the feeling of holding something down and ripping it apart reminds them of attacking prey in the wild. Another probable reason dogs rip up toilet paper is because they think it’s fun. Either way, this destructive behavior not only costs you money, but it can be dangerous for your pet, so pet owners need to find a way to stop it.

Why Chewing Toilet Paper Is Dangerous

You might not think swallowing a little toilet paper would hurt your dog—and you’d be right. A little won’t hurt them, but larger amounts can cause serious intestinal blockages that require surgery and other treatment. Such blockages can be life threatening. 

Tips For Stopping The Behavior 

If your dog rips up toilet paper, you can solve the problem by preventing his access to toilet paper. Keeping the bathroom door shut is the simplest way to do that.

Aside from prevention, you also want to make sure that your dog follows basic commands like “leave it.” This is important not just to save your toilet paper, but to prevent all sorts of troubles for your pet. If he doesn’t obey those basic commands, attending an obedience training class would be a worthy investment.

Dogs Just Want To Have Fun 

If you Google “dogs destroying toilet paper,” you’ll find a treasure trove of funny videos of dogs ripping toilet paper to shreds as well as videos of pets being dog shamed for their actions. In the videos, it looks like the dogs are having a great time—at least until they get caught.

To minimize their trauma at not being allowed to rip your toilet paper apart, be sure to provide lots of toys in different shapes and sizes that your dogs can chew to their hearts’ content. To keep it interesting, add new toys into the mix on a regular basis. 

The best way to eliminate cat chewing is to ensure your pet isn’t bored and has no underlying medical condition, such as an issue with his gums. If it’s a kitten doing the chewing, you’ll be glad to know that most will grow out of their desire to chew by the time they reach maturity. Adult cats often chew out of boredom, so you may be able to curb the behavior by finding ways to engage your pet and keep him stimulated.

But I Really Liked That Sweater 

Did your cat chew something you really loved? You’re not the first pet owner to make such an (unwilling) sacrifice. Until you can figure out how to stop your cat from chewing, you’ll need to work on redirecting the chewing to appropriate items, such as toys or treats, in order to protect your stuff—and your pet.

Be aware of what your cat is chewing to ensure he doesn’t ingest anything harmful or suffer an electrical injury by chewing wires. This may include keeping dangerous items out of reach and protecting cords with rubber covers.

Changing the Behavior 

After ruling out a medical reason for the chewing, here are a few things you can try to get your cat to stop the behavior:

• More Interaction: Try spending more time with your cat doing activities like grooming him and playing together.
• New Toys: Alleviate boredom by providing interactive toys that make your cat work for a treat or to solve a puzzle.
• Calming Products: Chewing can be born from stress, so consider calming products like collars and diffusers.
• Professional Help: If the chewing is excessive, enlist the help of an animal behaviorist who can help to identify the underlying cause and work to stop the chewing. 

Cat chewing can be frustrating but with some work—and a little patience—the behavior can be minimized. In the meantime, keep your prized possessions out of reach. 

You can give your cat a variety of things to help with stress including catnip, calming collars, or pheromones, but you should talk to your vet before trying any of these. While you might think of your cat as pretty laid back, the truth is that it doesn’t take much for a cat to get stressed out. A change in schedules, the addition of a new pet, and any other upsets to the status quo can cause stress to your pet. Fortunately, there are effective ways to relieve stress in cats, and some don’t require medication.

Signs of a Stressed Out Cat 

There are several signs that your cat may be experiencing stress. These include:

• Aggression
• Urinating outside of the litter box
• Hiding (more than usual)
• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite (see last section) 

If you notice these signs or other unusual behavior, stress could be the cause. It’s always a good idea to rule out a medical cause, so make an appointment with your vet. You can also use that appointment to ask about giving your cat various over-the-counter medications to treat the stress. 

So What Will Help? 

There are many natural supplements for calming your cat that many pet owners have seen a lot of success with. These include:

• Catnip – Catnip has a euphoric effect on cats that tends to ease their stress.
• Pheromones – A product like Feliway will diffuse a calming solution into the air that mimics a cat’s feline facial pheromones. These pheromones help calm your cat and send a signal that the location is safe.
• Calming Collars – These collars contain pheromones and sometimes other soothing scents to help relax your kitty. 

Remember that you should always check with your vet before trying any of these natural remedies with your cat.

There are also other things you can do to help your stressed out cat that don’t require you to give your cat anything.

• Get A ThunderShirt – Yes, these shirts can be used for cats too!
• Interact More With Your Cat – If your cat enjoys human interaction, stress can come from boredom or loneliness, so spending more time playing, grooming, and cuddling your cat may help to reduce his stress.
• Upgrade His Space – Adding more scratching posts, a kitty condo, or a window seat can make your home more inviting for your cat, reducing stress. 

It Can Become Serious Quickly 

Stress in cats can be very serious. In the case of a serious trauma, such as the death of a companion or an injury, some cats become so stressed out that they stop eating. This should not be ignored. Unlike dogs and humans who can go several days without eating, cats’ bodies are not equipped to do so. After just a few days of fasting, liver problems can begin and the results, if not treated, can be fatal.

If your cat stops eating, make an appointment with your vet right away. Early intervention is a must in order to avoid potentially serious effects.

From mild anxiety to life-threatening stress, by talking to a professional, you’ll be able to find a solution that will help your cat to be happy and healthy.