Being a new pet parent can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve adopted. While there is nothing more rewarding than rescuing a dog or cat in need, many shelter animals come with emotional baggage. Understanding animal behavior and learning how to deal with it can be a significant challenge.
On the other hand, your furry, four-legged friend doesn’t need to come from the shelter to display behavioral issues. Like humans, dogs and cats have distinct personalities and personal histories that can cause emotional hang-ups and sometimes make them seem like big old jerks.
Whether you are the pet parent of a cat or a dog, if your pet’s behavior is destructive or dangerous, you will want to address the issue right away. When you understand unwanted pet behaviors, you’ll be better able to solve them, allowing you and your furry best friend the opportunity to have a healthier relationship.
It is also important to remember that problem behaviors can signify a medical issue for many pets. That is why, as pet parents, we must pay extra close attention to any behavior changes among our furry friends.
This article will outline common behavior problems in pets, what they might mean, and tips on addressing them.
Common Pet Behavior Issues
When it comes to behavioral issues, cats and dogs are not all that different.
Typical behavioral problems in dogs include:
- Aggression
- Excessive barking, whining, and howling
- Separation anxiety
- Mouthing and nipping
- Destructive chewing
- Inappropriate marking and urination
Typical behavioral problems in cats include:
- Aggression
- Excessive and persistent meowing
- Litterbox issues
- Urine marking
What is the Cause of Behavioral Issues in Pets?
If you have noticed your pet displaying one or more of the behavioral issues outlined above, the first thing you should do is visit the veterinarian so that you can eliminate the possibility of an underlying medical condition.
For example, an otherwise ordinarily house-trained animal that suddenly begins having accidents may be suffering from kidney disease or an infection. Similarly, a usually quiet animal that is suddenly vocal might be letting you know that they are in some pain.
If the behavior is not the result of a medical condition, it may be stress, anxiety, or fear. One of the most common forms of stress in pets is the result of separation anxiety, which occurs when the pet is afraid of being alone or separated from the primary pet parent. Other reasons could include boredom, frustration, or excess energy. Pets that don’t experience enough mental or physical stimulation can feel pent up and begin to engage in behaviors that are unwanted.
To better determine why your pet has behavioral issues, consider your pet’s individual needs and age. For example, you should expect puppies to chew on literally everything they see. That is normal, and it’s how puppies explore the world around them. It is also how they soothe sore gums when their big dog teeth come in. The good news is that dogs typically grow out of chewing behavior. Meanwhile, storing any valuable objects away from their mouth’s reach will be your best bet.
In older dogs, destructive chewing can be from the stress of a routine change, such as being left home alone longer or getting less exercise than usual, and needing to let off some excess steam. In this case, consider hiring a dog walker or a pet sitter.
Remember that some behaviors that you might consider problematic are really quite normal. Cats, for example, scratch as a way of stretching, keeping their nails fit, and marking their scent. A furry feline will undoubtedly start scratching on the furniture without appropriate outlets. That’s why you should provide them with several different scratching posts.
Do Rescue Pets Have More Behavioral Issues?
There is a common perception that a rescue pet is more likely to display a behavioral issue than a pet that is purposely bred for sale. It is, of course, common for an animal to be relinquished to a shelter due to behavioral problems, but that is typically a result of mismatches between the pet and an adopting family’s expectations or lifestyle. We also cannot assume that purpose-bred animals have not experienced the trauma that leads to behavioral issues. In fact, dogs from puppy mills have been known to develop behavioral problems due to inadequate early environments. Pets that are sold in stores are frequently bred in these sub-standard environments.
There are so many different factors contributing to a pet’s behavior, regardless of whether they came from a shelter or a breeder. Living environment, exercise, nutrition, socialization, training, and early experiences can all play roles in our pets’ behavior.
How to Address Behavioral Issues in Pets
As soon as you have ruled out any underlying health conditions, you should try and get to the root cause of your pet’s behavioral problems. Perhaps your pet is not getting the recommended exercise necessary for its size and age. Maybe something has changed inside your home, like a schedule or routine shift or a new family member moving in. Once you have identified the reason for the issue, you can address it with some minor adjustments.
For example, if you’re trying to get your pet to accept a change in routine, they’re going to need time to adjust. If the dog barks at the window, close your blinds so the squirrels can’t be seen running around. If the cat has been doing its business outside of the litter box, ensure that it’s clean and located in an easily accessible semi-private location. Enriching your pet’s environment with games, toys, and music might also help.
When the behavior is severe, you can ask for advice from your veterinarian. In some cases, they might recommend an animal behaviorist or an experienced trainer who can create behavior modification plans for you and your pet. Treatment plans might include counterconditioning, systematic desensitization, environmental management, and reward-based training.
When it Comes to Pet Behavior Issues, Have Patience and Don’t Give Up
Although it can be frustrating to deal with a pet that displays unwanted behavioral issues, the problem can often be corrected with a bit of creativity, patience, and work. As we mentioned earlier, nearly every behavioral issue traces back to a root cause. Once you determine the reason, you have a better shot at addressing the situation and creating the healthy relationship that you and your four-legged best friend both deserve.
When you work with us as your trusted dog or cat sitter, it’s important to include your pet’s typical behavior patterns in their profile. We will discuss their specific needs and things that work best for your pet during our virtual meet and greet. We look forward to meeting your fur babies.
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