Before bringing a pet (a cat or dog) into your family it is important to know how to take care of it. You need to provide for its needs, both physical and emotional. This means providing nutritious food, clean drinking water, shelter, and the opportunity to live in a safe home. It also means ensuring that the pet is happy by providing ample play time, plenty of exercise, and stimulation for its mind. Caring for a pet is a big responsibility, and pet ownership is not something to enter into lightly, however this e-book will successfully help you in solving common pet problems to build a bond of love between you and an important new member of family.
Wayland Wilson
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Pet Socialization and Why it is Important: 5
Dogs Problems and their Solutions 7
Cats Problems and their Solutions 13
1.Aggressive Behavior Changes: 18
2.Changes in Eating Behavior 18
5.Elimination Behavior Changes 19
6.Sleeping Behavior Changes 20
7.Grooming Behavior Changes 20
8.Vocalization Behavior Changes 20
Solutions to Avoid Misbehaviors: 21
1.Gastrointestinal Problems 24
How Often You Should Visit Vet: 25
1.Kitten or Puppy: Birth to 1 Year 25
2.Adult: 1 to 7-10 Years (Depending on Type of Pet and Breed) 25
3.Senior: 7 to 10 Years and Older 26
Pet insurance
Health Help for our pets
Eusoh is NOT pet insurance.
It’s much better.
It’s a community health sharing plan that reimburses you for
your pet’s medical, wellness, illness and routine care expenses.
Congratulations! So, you have your new pet. Now what? The success of the relationship depends on your teaching your pet the rules and regulations of domestic living. The most critical time in your pet’s life is right now! First impressions are indelible and long-lasting. Consequently, the next few weeks are crucially important for your pet’s development. Help and guidance at this stage will have a profound and everlasting effect that will enrich the pet-human relationship for many years to come.
Pets are important members of our families, and behavior problems can break down the special bond we feel with them. Preventing behavior problems is the best strategy for creating a happy, lifelong bond with our companions. Genetics, along with environmental experiences, play a role in the development of each pet personality and their behavior.
What is Pet Socialization and Why it is Important:
For puppies, one of the most important behavior prevention strategies is proper socialization. The socialization period of a puppy, when they are most open to new experiences, is between approximately 3 weeks to 12 weeks of age. This timeframe is the sensitive period for socialization, though socialization should continue beyond just this sensitive period. Puppies who are not properly socialized during 3 weeks to 12 weeks of age are more likely to have problems with fearfulness of strangers, fear of unfamiliar dogs, objects, and environments.
Experiences for puppies should include positive interactions with people of different sizes, genders, ethnicities, and respectful children. This is also the time to introduce puppies to other species of animals, like cats, different walking surfaces, and introduce them to the noises and objects of everyday life (vacuums, umbrellas, bicycles, etc.). Providing treats, toys, and gentle handling during the interactions with your puppy help to make it a positive experience. This is also the best time to acclimate them to handling their feet, ears, brushing teeth, etc. This helps them to have less stressful nail trims, ear cleanings, and home dental care in the future.
Kittens also have a sensitive socialization period between 2 weeks to 7 weeks of age. Similar to puppies, this is the open window of time when kittens are most open to new experiences. It is important, however, to continue to expose them to new, positive experiences throughout their lives. Providing treats and toys, and having kittens practice meeting and being handled by a variety of people in a positive manner, helps them to have a personality that more easily adjusts to stress and life changes. Kittens should also experience brushing, handling paws and clipping nails, handling ears, and brushing teeth. They may not accept these at first, but keeping the exposure sessions short, repeating them, and pairing the sessions with something positive like a treat can help make them positive.
Socializing kittens in this sensitive window can help prevent fearfulness, and also encourages a cat to be more active and inquisitive, rather than hiding. Socialization can also make trips in the car with your feline friend more bearable in the future – think a quiet cat that is happy to go in a carrier to the veterinarian vs. a cat that hides when the carrier comes out and yowls in the car the whole ride.
Ways to Socialize You Pet:
Does your cat spend so much time under the bed you forgot what she looks like? Or do you have a skittish dog whose tail is constantly stuck between his legs? As people become more aware of how their pets are feeling they want to make them as happy as possible. While some owners focus just on exposing puppies to many people and situations, it’s important to actually make sure that the pet is having a positive experience and learning something good.
- Meeting unfamiliar people of different genders & nature
Invite guests to come interact with the pets (cats or dogs) while providing treats and toys to ensure the pets are having a positive experience. Interacting with only household humans is not enough.
- Socialize Pets to Children
To cats and dogs who have never seen kids, children can look like little aliens. As pets mature, children can also start looking more like toys or things they should chase because they scream and run and flail their arms like injured prey. If you do not have or know children whom the pets can interact with you should at least play sounds of children and babies from a sound CD.
- Socialize Puppies to Other Species
Many puppies will live with cats or other animals at some time during their life or they may see animals of other species. It would be best if they could react calmly instead of barking, lunging or chasing these other animals. In regards to body language, you should be on the lookout for signs of fear and aggression. If your cat’s hair is raised, ears are back, tail is swishing back and forth and they are hissing, he is indicating that he is not comfortable around the dog. On the other hand, if your cat seems calm and is sniffing your dog, this is a sign that your dog and cat will soon be able to coexist.
When observing your dog, you should be on the lookout for hunting behaviors. If your dog seems fixated on the cat such as keeping his or her eyes locked on the cat and ignoring you, they are not ready to be alone with the cat. If your dog is exhibiting these behaviors, make sure you have a good handle on the leash because he or she may lunge at the cat. If your dog is focused on the cat and will not stop, it is best to separate them and try again at a later time.
- Train Pets to Walk on Different Surfaces
Probably everyone knows a dog or a cat who’s afraid of walking on metal manhole covers in the street or grates on the sidewalk. By exposing pets to different surfaces when they are young we can greatly decrease the likelihood they will be afraid of walking on a variety of surfaces later in life. This exposure to different surfaces is something that can easily be started by the breeder-especially since the sense of touch is well developed, even at birth.
- Introducing Puppies to Other Man-made Objects and Sounds
Most people never appreciate the every-day sounds and sights that might be frightening to a pet or even a person raised in a completely different environment. But once you have a pet who missed out on key environmental experience when young it can be overwhelming to deal with all of the objects they fear.
Dogs Problems and their Solutions
Dog behavior problems are often misunderstood or mishandled by dog owners. Perhaps you are new to dog ownership, considering getting a dog, or just wish to help your dog with a challenging issue. Thoroughly understanding the most common dog behavior problems is the first step to solving and preventing them. A solid foundation of obedience training will help you prevent or better control many of these issues.
- Vocalization:
Most dogs vocalize in one way or another. They may bark, howl, whine and more. Excessive barking is considered a behavior problem. Before you can correct excessive barking, determine why your dog is vocalizing in the first place. The most common types of barking are:
- Warning or alert
- Playfulness and excitement
- Attention-seeking
- Anxiety
- Boredom
- Responding to other dogs
Solution:
Learn to control excessive barking. Consider teaching the bark/quiet commands. Be consistent and patient. Address any underlying causes of barking. Dedication and attention to detail can go a long way to stop a dog from barking.
- Chewing:
Chewing is a natural action for all dogs. In fact, chewing is an important activity for most dogs; it’s just a part of the way they are wired. However, excessive chewing can quickly become a behavior problem if your dog causes destruction. The most common reasons dogs-chew include:
- Puppy teething
- Boredom or excess energy
- Anxiety
- Curiosity (especially puppies)
Solution:
Encourage your dog to chew on the right things by providing plenty of appropriate chew toys. Keep personal items away from your dog. When you are not home, keep your dog crated or confined to an area where less destruction can be caused. If you catch your dog chewing the wrong thing, quickly discreet your dog with a sharp noise. Then, replace the item with a chew toy. One of the most important things you can do is to make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise so it can wear off energy and be stimulated in that way rather than turning to chewing.
- Digging:
If given the chance, most dogs will do some amount of digging; it’s a matter of instinct. Certain dog breeds, like terriers, are more prone to digging because of their hunting histories. In general, most dogs dig for these reasons:
- Boredom or excess energy
- Anxiety or fear
- Hunting instinct
- Comfort-seeking (such as nesting or cooling off)
- Desire to hide possessions (like bones or toys)
- To escape or gain access to an area
Solution:
It can get rather frustrating if your dog likes to dig up your yard. Try and determine the cause of the digging, then work to eliminate that source. Give your dog more exercise, spend more quality time together, and work on extra training. If digging seems inevitable, set aside an area where your dog can freely dig, like a sandbox. Train your dog that it is acceptable to dig in this area only.
- Separation Anxiety:
Separation anxiety is one of the most commonly discussed dog behavior problems. Manifestations include vocalization, chewing, inappropriate urination and defecation, and other forms of destruction that occur when a dog is separated from his owner. Not all of these actions are the result of separation anxiety. Signs of true separation anxiety include:
- The dog becomes anxious when the owner prepares to leave.
- Misbehavior occurs in the first 15 to 45 minutes after the owner leaves.
- The dog wants to follow the owner around constantly.
- The dog tries to be touching the owner whenever possible.
Solution:
True separation anxiety requires dedicated training, behavior modification, and desensitization exercises. If your dog gets upset when you leave, teach them that you’ll always come back. At first, leave them alone for just 5 or 10 minutes. Stay away a little longer each time. Give them a chew toy and leave on the radio or TV. Be calm when you go and return so they know that being alone is OK.
- Urination:
Inappropriate urination and defecation are among the most frustrating dog behaviors. They can damage areas of your home and make your dog unwelcome in public places or at the homes of others. It is most important that you discuss this behavior with your veterinarian first to rule out health problems. If no medical cause is found, try to determine the reason for the behavior, which can come down to one of the following:
- Submissive/excitement urination
- Territorial marking
- Anxiety
- Lack of proper housebreaking
Solutions:
Inappropriate elimination is unavoidable in puppies, especially before 12 weeks of age. Older dogs are another story. Many dogs require serious behavior modification to rid them of the habit once it becomes ingrained.
- Begging:
Begging is a bad habit, but many dog owners actually encourage it. This can lead to digestive problems and obesity. Dogs beg because they love food. However, table scraps are not treats, and food is not love. Yes, it is hard to resist that longing look, but giving in “just this once” creates a problem in the long run.
Solutions:
When you teach your dog that begging is permitted, you are sending the wrong message.
Before you sit down to eat, tell your dog to go to its place, preferably where it will not be able to stare at you. If necessary, confine your dog to another room. If it behaves, give it a special treat only after you and your family are completely finished eating.
- Chasing:
A dog’s desire to chase moving things is simply a display of predatory instinct. Many dogs will chase other animals, people, and cars. All of these can lead to dangerous and devastating outcomes. While you may not be able to stop your dog from trying to chase,
Solutions:
you can take steps to prevent disaster.
- Keep your dog confined or on a leash at all times (unless directly supervised indoors).
- Train your dog to come when called.
- Have a dog whistle or noisemaker on hand to get your dog’s attention.
- Stay aware and watch for potential triggers, like joggers.
Your best chance at success is to keep the chase from getting out of control. Dedicated training over the course of your dog’s life will teach him to focus his attention on you first, before running off.
- Jumping:
Jumping up is a common and natural behavior in dogs. Puppies jump up to reach and greet their mothers. Later, they may jump up when greeting people. Dogs may also jump up when excited or seeking an item in the person’s hands. A jumping dog can be annoying and even dangerous.
Solution:
There are many methods to stop a dog’s jumping, but not all will be successful. Lifting a knee, grabbing the paws, or pushing the dog away might work in some cases, but for most dogs, this sends the wrong message. Jumping up is often attention-seeking behavior, so any acknowledgment of your dog’s actions provide an instant reward, reinforcing the jumping. The best method is to simply turn away and ignore your dog. Walk away if necessary. Do not make eye contact, speak, or touch your dog. Go about your business. When he relaxes and remains still, calmly reward him. It won’t take long before your dog gets the message.
- Biting:
Dogs bite and nip for several reasons, most of which are instinctive. Puppies bite and nip to explore the environment. Mother dogs teach their puppies not to bite too hard and discipline them when needed. This helps the puppies develop bite inhibition. Owners often need to show their puppies that mouthing and biting are not acceptable by continuing to teach bite inhibition. Beyond puppy behavior, dogs may bite for several reasons. The motivation to bite or snap is not necessarily about aggression. A dog may snap, nip, or bite for a variety of reasons.
- Fear
- Defensiveness
- Protection of property
- Pain or sickness
- Predatory instinct
Solution:
Any dog may bite if the circumstances warrant it in the dog’s mind. Owners and breeders are the ones who can help decrease the tendency for any type of dog to bite through proper training, socialization, and breeding practices. Any dog can bite if they feel threatened or nervous. But socializing a dog early teaches them to feel relaxed around people. Gradually expose them to different settings so they will feel safe. Spend lots of time with them so they learn to trust people. Always watch for signs that your dog is uncomfortable and then do what you can to make them feel better. Be especially careful around kids and food. If despite your efforts your dog is a biter, see your vet or your pet’s trainer for help.
- Aggression:
Dog aggression is exhibited by growling, snarling, showing teeth, lunging, and biting. It is important to know that any dog has the potential to show aggression, regardless of breed or history. However, dogs with violent or abusive histories and those bred from dogs with aggressive tendencies are much more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs. Reasons for aggression are basically the same as the reasons a dog will bite or snap, but overall canine aggression is a much more serious problem. If your dog has aggressive tendencies, consult your vet first as it may stem from a health problem. Then, seek the help of an experienced dog trainer or behaviorist. Serious measures should be taken to keep others safe from aggressive dogs.
Solution:
A hostile dog is usually one that’s afraid or nervous. Work with a professional trainer to learn how to teach your dog to rely on you in a healthy way. Never leave an aggressive dog alone with children or unfamiliar adults, even if you think they aren’t likely to hurt anyone. You may need to muzzle them in public.
Cats Problems and their Solutions
Like humans, cats experience fear, pleasure, hunger, anxiety, frustration, and many other emotions that may affect their behavior. Several common kitty behaviors are seen as undesirable and can affect the quality of life for both owners and their pets. Fortunately, many of these behaviors can be corrected. Cats tend to be mysterious, so discovering the cause of certain feline behaviors can be a challenge. To further complicate things, there’s not necessarily one single reason behind a particular behavior, and every cat has a distinct personality.
Some behavioral issues stem from a cat’s instincts, but it’s best to begin by ruling out medical problems with your vet. If you suspect your cat is ill or in pain, seek veterinary care. Discuss supplements, medications, pheromones, special diets, and other things that are designed to help older cats or curb excessive licking. After that, you can start to address and discourage certain behaviors such as jumping on counters or help your cat overcome whatever issue is the cause.
- Vocalization
You’ve finally fallen asleep when suddenly you hear your cat howling and crying at the top of its lungs outside your bedroom door. This happens all the time with cats, and this behavior may be completely normal for your kitty. After all, cats are nocturnal, like their wild relatives, so they may be more active at night while you’re trying to sleep, though it may also be a sign that something’s wrong.
- Howling can be a sign of senility in older cats.
- A breed like the Siamese is naturally more vocal than others and will simply meow loudly for your attention at night.
- Your cat may be bored in the middle of the night.
- Daytime meows and howls could be a sign of pain. Cats that are crying while eliminating in the litter box are usually experiencing discomfort or pain while trying to urinate or defecate. Other obvious signs of pain, such as catfights or pinched tails indoors, are also reasons for these vocalizations.
- Meowing, crying, or howling during the day could simply be attention-seeking behavior.
Solution:
Providing your cat with something to keep it busy while you sleep may help prevent night howling. You could also provide more exercise during the day so it’s less active at night. Your cat may howl when it wants food, to go outside, or to be petted. The response you give your cat (e.g., giving in to its demand for a treat) will train it to continue to make these vocalizations to get what it wants.
- Scratching
Cats scratch to mark their territory. If your cat is scratching objects that you prefer it wouldn’t, you can redirect the behavior by providing scratching posts and other toys your kitty can dig its claws into.
Solution:
Entice your cat to use a scratching post by sprinkling catnip on it and placing it in front of the items you don’t want it to scratch. Some cats like certain fabrics and materials more than others, so you might need to try scratching posts that offer various textures. If your cat doesn’t like its current post, try one made with carpeting, rope, or corrugated cardboard. Aside from scratching posts, you can use pheromones and nail caps on an ongoing basis. Nail caps are small plastic nail coverings that are glued over your cat’s nails to protect your furniture. Pheromones are available as sprays, wipes, and diffusers to help calm your cat and discourage any scratching behavior that’s due to stress or anxiety. Declawing is an amputation, a controversial subject but is also sometimes performed to prevent cats from scratching furniture. This nonreversible surgery should be researched thoroughly and discussed with your vet.
- Chewing
Cats are not known to be the voracious chewers that dogs can be. Yet some still manage to do quite a bit of damage with their teeth. Chewing behavior in your cat may be caused by boredom, aggression, a nutritional deficiency, teething in kittens, or having been weaned too young. It might also simply be because your cat is playing or likes the texture or taste of the item.
Solution:
If your cat’s chewing is a concern, look to the cause for a solution:
- Make sure you’re feeding your cat a nutritionally complete food with the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) seal on the container.
- Check with your vet to eliminate any dental concerns.
- Explore the possibility that your cat is taking its aggression out on the object it’s chewing. Products geared toward decreasing stress and anxiety, such as pheromones and supplements, may help decrease aggressive behaviors.
- If your cat is bored, provide it with safe toys to play with.
- For persistent cats that try to chew on things they shouldn’t, you can try a bitter spray as a deterrent. You can also cover small and dangerous items, like electrical cords, with plastic housing.
- Urinary Problems
Cats can have a variety of urinary issues. Infections, inflammation, bladder stones, stress, tumors, and other factors can cause a cat to urinate outside its box, spray, or be unable to urinate. Conflicts between cats or other pets and changes in the house (e.g., construction, family members leaving, new family members arriving) can stress cats and lead to litter box issues as well.
Solution:
If you spot your cat straining or unable to urinate, it needs immediate veterinary care. Special litter, diets, pheromones, supplements, and medications can all help with urinary behavioral problems in your cat. When medical reasons have been ruled out, then it’s oftentimes a behavioral problem that needs to be addressed.
- Ensure that the litter box is never dirty because cats are fastidious about their toilets.
- Having too few litter boxes may also be an issue. The general rule is to have at least one litter box for each cat and at least one box on each floor. For example, a household with one cat should have two boxes, a two-cat house should have three, and so on.
- Your cat may not like the type of litter you’re using or it may be too deep in the box. Try using less, switching to unscented litter or a different brand, or using an alternative to standard clay litters.
- In a multi-cat household, make sure one cat cannot see another when they’re using different litter boxes at the same time.
Look for and try to eliminate potential stressors around the house. For instance, when an indoor cat becomes anxious upon seeing, hearing, or even sensing a cat outside, you can close the curtains.
- Aggression
Cats may become aggressive toward other pets and people, and it’s a major behavioral problem. The aggression can be caused by stress and anxiety or by a medical problem that causes pain or hormonal changes in a cat.
Solution:
Observe your cat for any triggers that cause it to be aggressive. If you can figure out what the trigger is and get rid of it, this is the easiest way to deal with aggressive behavior. Quite often, your cat may have to learn to live with the trigger. Again, pheromones, supplements, medications, and special diets may help. You can also give your cat other things to focus its energy on, like exercise-inducing toys. Try other simple solutions, such as setting up dividers between food bowls and litter boxes.
Behavior Changes in Pets
Knowing which pet behaviors are normal is the key to recognizing any behavioral problems or changes in your pet feline. Once you know what behaviors you should expect to see in your pet, you’ll be better able to identify any changes that may be a cause for alarm.
- Aggressive Behavior Changes:
Some pets have a stronger prey-drive and will act out aggressively towards toys, children, other pets, or even you. This aggressive behavior is a natural and often normal thing a prey-driven pet will have if it does not have another outlet to hunt and catch. But if a pet that has normally not been aggressive suddenly starts acting out, then this is a cause for concern.
A pet that is not normally prey-driven and is hissing, swatting, biting, and overall aggressive towards other pets and/or people is probably trying to tell you something. Pain and fear are often the reasons for a pet to have a behavior change that results in aggression.Events that can cause a pet to be fearful include negative veterinary or boarding facility visits, new animals in the household or visible outside, negative encounters with people, new smells on you or your pet’s belongings, and more. Pain may be elicited from a recent surgery, a trauma-inducing accident such as a tail getting stuck in a door, old surgeries such as declawing or other amputation, dental disease, or illness.
Resolving the aggressive behavior may mean finding and eliminating the cause of the pain or fear, using medications and behavior supplements, and reassuring your pet. Discipline is not the solution for aggressive behavior in pets.
- Changes in Eating Behavior
Pets are creatures of habit. They will quickly learn when it’s meal time if you feed meal or that there is always food available if you elect to leave a bowl out. If your pet’s speed of eating or the amount of food consumed changes drastically, then it may be an indication of a problem.
If your pet is eating more food than they used to and not gaining weight, you may want to ask your veterinarian about hyperthyroidism. This is a common thyroid problem in older cats and dogs and it will cause your pet to never feel full but also prevent them from gaining weight. People with untreated hyperthyroid pets often describe their pet’s appetites as ravenous and that they will try to eat anything that isn’t nailed down.
If your pet starts to eat less or stops eating altogether, it is a good indication that it is not feeling well, has dental disease, or is stressed. Of course, some pets are simply just picky eaters and prefer certain flavors of food but if your pet is not eating and is also vomiting, lethargic, and/or losing weight, you should have your veterinarian check them out. Hairballs may work themselves out of the body but sometimes they, and other items, get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract, tumors can cause digestive issues, and other illnesses may cause a pet to stop eating.
- Playing Behavior Changes
Some pets are naturally more playful than others and, just like people, they have individual personalities. But when a regularly playful pet doesn’t want to play like it used to, it may be cause for concern. A pet that doesn’t feel well or is in pain may not want to jump around and chase toys. A veterinary visit may be in order if your pet does not return to a normal playful pet after a couple of days.
- Hiding Behavior Changes
Pet that do not feel well or are scared are likely to hide and some people even feel a pet that goes off on their own may sense that the end of its life is near. Fear is usually the driving force behind why a pet hides though, and it often follows a stressful or traumatic event.
Veterinary visits, people visiting in your pet’s home that they aren’t used to, a change in your schedule, and new pets may all cause your cat or dog to hide. If the hiding is due to an event, then your pet should return to normal after a few days but if it is due to an illness or pain they may need to be checked out by the veterinarian. Nutritional supplements and pheromones may help with stress and fear but medications may be needed to treat an illness or pain.
- Elimination Behavior Changes
Possibly the number one reason for pet to be relinquished, euthanized, and abandoned is an elimination problem. Behavior changes in the urination and defecation habits of your pet are most often related to stress, fear, or a lack of appropriate, clean, litter box options.
Some pet suddenly choose to defecate and/or urinate outside of their box and this behavior is your cat trying to tell you something. They may not like the size of the box, the kind of litter, how dirty the litter is, the placement of the box, or the number of litter box options they have. They may also be trying to tell you that they don’t feel well and that they have a urinary tract infection or pain from a digestive tract problem. Medical reasons for elimination behavior changes should always be ruled out prior to fixing any environmental issues.
Many other things can cause elimination behavior changes and even the experts do not fully understand all the reasons behind them. But if you notice abnormally large clumps of litter from urine, spots of blood in the litter box, no or very little clumps of litter from urine, or your pet is straining, crying, or eliminating outside of the litter box, you should not hesitate to bring them into the veterinarian. Male pet can become unable to urinate and this creates a life-threatening issue in a short amount of time.
- Sleeping Behavior Changes
Pets who are not feeling well may sleep more than usual. There is, of course, the simple possibility that your pet is just lazy and/or overweight, but if a pet starts sleeping more than they used to you should schedule a visit to your veterinarian.
- Grooming Behavior Changes
Grooming is a natural thing pets do. They typically groom themselves and others when they are relaxed or feel as though their fur was somehow messed up. Pets that stop grooming or have a major decrease in self-grooming are oftentimes ill and should be checked out by a veterinarian. Sometimes pets who are gaining weight are unable to reach certain areas on their body, therefore they are unable to groom themselves. This can be fixed by encouraging your pet to lose the extra weight. Sore joints and muscles are also a contributing factor in grooming. Cats that have osteoarthritis or injuries may not be able to reach certain areas to groom that they used to be able to reach.
- Vocalization Behavior Changes
Pets have many vocalizations and reasons for making them. Crying and yowling are indications of distress, confusion, fear, or pain and if your pet is making these noises, there is typically something wrong. If your pet starts vocalizing more at night, it may be due to cognitive dysfunction. If they start vocalizing by hissing or growling, it is most likely due to pain or fear. Assess the situation and think about what changes could be causing the vocalizations. If you cannot think of any reasons for the sudden noises your pet is making, consider scheduling a visit with your veterinarian to see if there is a medical reason causing distress in your pet. Some pets will vocalize before vomiting a hairball, at mealtime, during other regular activities, or not at all, but the change in vocalizations, not necessarily the regularity, is what should be monitored.
Solutions to Avoid Misbehaviors:
There are numerous humane effective techniques for expressing your displeasure with a pet. It’s always wise to check with your vet to make sure there isn’t a health issue causing the bad behavior. One simple option is to keep a spray bottle filled with water handy. This can help when you see bad behavior in action. Give your pet a little squirt to discourage the behavior.
- Provide Scratching Posts
To stop your pet scratching furniture or other places it doesn’t belong, provide desirable scratching surfaces. Scratching posts vary in price and style and provide a selection of scratching surfaces for your pet. One popular and inexpensive option is a corrugated cardboard model. Adding a small amount of catnip to the scratch post can make it more attractive for your pet. For a variety of healthy scratching options, offer as many scratchers as you can afford and/or have room for.
- Manage Your Pet’s Claws
While harmful to your pet health to have it declawed, it’s a good idea to trim those needle-sharp claws from time to time. Not only will this make destructive scratching less of an issue, but it will also lessen the chance that you’ll be scratched by an energetic feline playmate. Another option is to use plastic nail caps. They are easy to apply and do not interfere with the normal extension and retraction of your pet’s claws.
- Keep the Litter Box Clean
Because litter box avoidance is a major cause of surrenders of pets to shelters, it’s important to provide your pet with an immaculately clean litter box. Another option is to spray your pet’s litter box with an attractive scent, such as Cat Attract, which is sold at pet stores. Provide multiple boxes for your pet. You also may need to try several brands and types of litter. Some pets avoid covered litter boxes, while others prefer the privacy they provide. Be sure there are no underlying health issues, such as a urinary tract infection, that may be causing your pet to miss the litter box. Your veterinarian should be able to easily rule out this and other illnesses with a simple urinalysis.
- Avoid Play Fighting
While play fighting with your pet can be fun, it can escalate. Pets learn to inhibit the severity of biting and scratching from their litter-mates and mother. If they bite or scratch too hard, they will be reprimanded with a growl or hiss and an equally rough swat or bite right back. If your kitten was separated from its family too early, it may not have learned proper play fighting behavior. Consider wearing gloves, using toys instead of hands, or simply walking away if your kitten gets too rough. This will help the pet learn to avoid biting or scratching, even in play. Remove tempting plants or put them in an area that is off-limits to your pet.
- Set Boundaries for Jumping
Ideally, you’ll have rules in mind for your pet before it starts leaping. Which counters, couches, and shelves are fair game? Which are off-limits? A simple training method involves praising and petting your pet when it leaps onto acceptable surfaces while scolding and removing it from unacceptable surfaces. The spray bottle can help train your pet to stay off specific surfaces. Double-sided sticky tape can discourage some pets from jumping as they dislike the feel of the tape on their paws. Providing alternative climbing surfaces, such as a cat tree, may also help reduce the chance of your pet jumping on your countertops.
- Daytime Activity
Plan on some interactive play sessions with your pet in the evening. Keep playing until your pet seems to tire. Feed them a bigger meal before bedtime; most pets sleep after eating. Keep your pet busy during the day with playful and challenging toys or puzzles.
Pet Veterinarian Problems
One of the reasons why small pets are so popular with first-time pet owners is that they are generally a very hardy lot. Unlike dogs and cats that have to go in for vaccinations and treatments on an annual basis, small pets usually don’t require a trip to the local Dartmouth emergency vet for a checkup unless they get sick. All it takes is proper care, habitat and nutrition to keep most small pets happy and healthy. However, as with any living thing, are some common problems and ailments that pet owners should keep an eye out for to make sure that they stay healthy.
- Gastrointestinal Problems
It’s quite common to see dogs or cats that are taken to the vet due to vomiting or diarrhea. Although there are several causes for these conditions, they are generally due to bacteria, parasites, or protozoan fungi that animals get orally. As you know, animals will put anything in their mouths’. Therefore, it’s important to monitor your animal as much as possible, in order to prevent him from ingesting anything that could cause a gastrointestinal issue.
- Claudication
Owners frequently take their pets to the vet because their limbs are immobilized due to pain. An animal could limp due to the following reasons:
- Blows
- Trauma
- Inflamed joints
- Ligament degeneration
Besides the accidents that could happen to your pet both inside and outside the house, being overweight also contributes to problems on your pet’s paw.
- Hormonal Imbalances
If your pet has an endocrine disorder, probably your dog looks too big or too skinny even though he eats a healthy diet. The most common veterinary problems in this category are:
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Adrenal gland syndromes
Furthermore, if the animal is older, he might have liver or kidney deterioration.
- Zoonotic Diseases
Diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals are also at the top of the list of reasons for having veterinary visits. Some of them include:
- Brucellosis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Leptospirosis
- Leishmaniosis
- Echinococcosis
However, you should also remember to avoid overfeeding your dog or cat. Obesity can cause distinct health problems sooner or later. So make sure you’re giving your pet the correct amount of food. It’s also not good to give him an insufficient amount. Pay a lot of attention to this matter.
How Often You Should Visit Vet:
You know your cat or dog needs regular checkups to stay healthy. But how often should they get them? The answer depends on your pet’s life stages:
- Kitten or Puppy: Birth to 1 Year
You’ll need to bring your little one in for vaccines every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Dogs will get shots for rabies, distemper-parvo, and other diseases. They may also need shots to protect against health woes such as kennel cough, influenza, and Lyme disease. Cats will get tests for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. They also get vaccinations that cover several diseases.
At this stage, your pet will also start heartworm and flea- and tick-prevention medications, if they’re recommended for your area. The vet will examine your pup or kitten to make sure they are growing well and shows no signs of an illness. They’ll check again at around 6 months, when you bring your pet in to be spayed or neutered.
- Adult: 1 to 7-10 Years (Depending on Type of Pet and Breed)
During this stage, vets recommend yearly checkups. The doc will give your pet a head-to-tail physical. They’ll also take a blood sample from your dog to check for heartworms. (Cats normally don’t get tested because the results are hard to interpret.) The vet may recommend other tests based on any problems your pet has or anything unusual they see during the exam. Distemper-parvo and rabies booster shots happen during the first yearly checkup, then usually every 3 years after that. How often animals get rabies boosters depends on state law. Your dog may get other vaccines to prevent illnesses like kennel cough, and outdoor cats should get feline leukemia vaccines.
- Senior: 7 to 10 Years and Older
Vets suggest twice-yearly checkups for older pets. Your cat or dog will get vaccinations when needed and will get a thorough physical exam, along with tests to follow up on any problems. Blood and urine tests can give your vet the scoop on your pet’s kidney and liver health, thyroid hormone levels, and more. Mention any changes you’ve seen in your pet if, for example, your cat is drinking more water or your dog is no longer excited by their daily walks. These can be signs of a new problem such as kidney disease or arthritis.
Conclusion
Pets are nothing less than a part of the family. They give unconditional love to their owners. In fact, these days the term “owner” is fading. People consider their pets as their children and themselves as parents. That’s how the bond with pets has evolved over the years. From celebrating their birthdays to dressing them up in funky clothes, pets are treated just like kids. Sixty million households in the United States have at least one or more pets. That’s a lot of pets to take care of. They provide us with companionship but also with emotional support, reduce our stress levels, sense of loneliness and help us to increase our social activities and add to a child’s self-esteem and positive emotional development. In return, as responsible pet owners we need to ensure that our animals are kept healthy, fit, get nutritious food, love and affection and proper housing and care. One of our main responsibilities towards our pets is ensuring their health and welfare. When a pet is sick, it needs medical attention, and even on a yearly basis a pet should have a check-up by a veterinarian. Like us, our pets can get sick and need medicines too. Preventing and curing disease not only keeps them healthy, but it keeps us healthy too.
Helping our pets
Health Insurance, Diet, Medications And Training For Animals And Pets
Nothing beats the feeling of heading back to a faithful companion. A pet’s affection does more than just keep you company. This year, these new scientific advances are very important. Pet adopting has risen exponentially in the COVID-19 period, owing to the increasing number of lonely people looking for companionship and the fact that working from home makes at least the concept of rearing a pet a possibility.
As a separate individual from your family, your pet is vulnerable to disease or injury, so you are responsible for any harm caused by the individual in question. Fortunately, you can choose from a variety of insurance options to help you avoid the financial consequences of a pet crisis.
1. Insurance for your pet’s health
Dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, exotic birds, reptiles, potbelly pigs, and other rodents are all covered by pet health insurance.
There are three levels of coverage.
1.1 Coverage that is fundamental.
Fundamental expansion is the most rational choice. Basic extension has the smallest methodology repayments and will assist in the prevention of unplanned setbacks, poisonings, and infections.
1.2. Full Protection.
The complete practice is more expensive than the basic expansion, but it includes additional benefits such as disaster, crisis, and sickness reimbursements, as well as a degree for office visits, remedies, suggested tests, X-shafts, and lab expenses.
1.3. Safety for your pet’s health.
Preventive treatment for your pet’s health is covered, including physical examinations, flea and heartworm prevention, and immunizations.
2. Protection of domestic animals
Your cows, bulls, swine, goats, lambs, and sheep are all insured under a livestock insurance policy. Livestock policy covers a number of losses, including:
- Unintentional gunshots.
- Dog bites or attacks by wild animals (except to sheep).
- Earthquakes are natural occurrences.
- Electrocution is a type of electrocution.
- Floods are a common occurrence.
- Accidents involving loading and unloading.
- Sudden and unintentional collisions that result in death.
Remember that your livestock’s policy is decided by a variety of price ranges:
- Individualistic.
- Blanket.
- The herd.
3. Insurance for your pet’s nutrition
As your pet grows older, his dietary needs shift, from birth to youth to adulthood to later life. A daily existence coordination calorie count is one that is offered to plan your pet’s changing nutritional needs as he or she grows older. Each of your pets’ health requirements are obviously different. It’s a good time to talk to your vet about the best food for the pet at each age of his or her life.
Because your pets are your relations, you will be able to properly care for them. Difficulty can be costly in any scenario. A simple consulting visit can cost anywhere from two to three hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the sickness. You promise to give your pets with the care and nutrition they require under the conditions of their pet guarantees.
The advantages of the Organic, Pure Diet as ensured. Here are a few of the nutritional advantages of having a natural, fresh diet.
- Keeping Disease at Arm’s Length.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Anti-Aging
- GI Tract that is in good working order.
- Brain-friendly foods
- Beautification aid.
4. Medical issues with pets
When it comes to their well-being, our pets frequently give us the reason. We should look for evident symptoms that a problem has occurred because they are unable to inform us when they have been damaged or are in pain. Regular monitoring can go a long way toward ensuring your pet’s wellness.
- Exams are held twice a year.
- A blood test.
- A test of the faeces.
- Dental health is important.
- Balanced diet.
- Exercise on a regular basis.
- Treating and preventing a viral infection.
- For the finest products for pet, see a vet.
5. Training for pets
Studying various pet-raising literature’s reveals that they all agree on at least one point: appropriate bonding of a pet, particularly throughout the vital time from, entails exposing her to as many people as possible. To mention a few, there are people with beards and goggles, people wearing fedoras and funny hats, people jogging, and people dressed up in apparel. Most importantly, people from various cultures and backgrounds. If you don’t do, your pet can get irritated toward people wearing straw hats or huge sunglasses for no apparent reason.
A better model for advanced pet care includes a high priority on bonding. The entire method has been changed this time, with the help of instructors and scientific experts, and people have been surprised to find thriving product lines of games, enjoying stuff, training sessions, and “canine enrichment” opportunities available to modern pets, aiding to elevate the pet industry’s annual revenues. In the realm of pet care, it’s a modern start. The use of choke collars, shock collars, and just saying “no” is hence almost forbidden.
These new strategies are based on science that dates back to learning theory and operant conditioning which incorporates positive or negative evidence — based methods. Science is today used in quite different ways than it was in the past. Trainers have learned that applying negative reinforcement and positive punishment actually delays a pets’ advancement by undermining its confidence, as the industry shifts away from the previous obedience-based style geared at animals and toward a more relationship-based approach intended as companion pets and, more crucially, its strong bond with the owner.
The majority of people adore their pets. When your dog isn’t trained to act in certain ways or to avoid undesirable behaviors, though, not every time is joyful. Many tactics have been passed down from unknown origins for getting your pet to quit doing something. However, there are two popular ways to train a pet.
The first is an aversive-based strategy. The second strategy is the one that is based on rewards. Aversive-based coaching is when you use a combination of positive rewards and punishments feedback with your dog. In reward-based systems, just the behaviors that you want your dog to exhibit are rewarded.
Places that can help us if our pets need help.