Pet Behavior Consultations
Behavior Services
At Continental Animal Wellness Center we celebrate and work to maintain the human animal bond. When your pet is demonstrating behavior problems it can be very distressing for the owner and also for the pet. We want to work with you to uncover the possible reasons your pet is struggling and help to develop a plan to get you back on track for a strong relationship. Behavior consults start with an in depth conversation about the behavior problem your pet is experiencing and details about when the issues happen and possible triggers. A thorough physical exam is imperative to all behavior cases to try to identify underlying medical issues or sources of pain. Lab work is typically recommended to help rule out any underlying medical issues that may be leading to a change in behavior. We would recommend a behavior consult for any pet that has a sudden change in behavior or routine, pets that have long standing behavior issues that are now progressing, or unpredictable behavior changes.
Common Behavior Issues
Normal Behavior For Dogs
Dogs, especially young puppies, are often highly energetic, rambunctious, and playful, and as much as we love them, their behavior can oftentimes annoy, confuse, or concern us. It can be hard to identify normal dog behavior and when certain behaviors become abnormal. Often behavior patterns can start as normal but if they persist can be considered abnormal behavior. For example, it is perfectly reasonable to expect a young puppy to have some accidental house soiling, but as they mature, this behavior crosses over and is considered to be abnormal behavior. Additionally, some behaviors manifest from a dog breed’s heritage. Since dogs were initially bred for specific purposes, the behaviors of their ancestors have been passed down to the modern generation. This is why it is normal to expect a bloodhound, who was born to track and hunt wild animals, to bark and chase after unusual scents. Here is a list of behaviors that are considered normal behavior for dogs and certain qualifiers to help you determine whether or not a certain behavior becomes abnormal.
- Chewing- Chewing can be an annoying behavior, especially if a valuable object is destroyed but the need to chew, especially for young, teething pups is normal behavior.
- Barking- Dogs bark for many reasons, like to defend their territory or to display excitement, but as long as you can discern a cause, barking is normal behavior.
- Marking Territory- As dogs mature, they can be trained to reduce house soiling, but all dogs mark their territory, so it is important to have a realistic level of expectation.
Abnormal Behavior For Dogs
Many behaviors that are considered normal cross a line when they are no longer displayed within reason. Barking when the doorbell rings are perfectly normal behavior, but if a dog barks excessively or is showing signs of fear or aggression by barking, this behavior is considered abnormal. If your dog does not grow out of certain normal behaviors like house soiling, excessive chewing, or playful roughhousing, you should make these behaviors known to a pet behavior specialist to see if there may be an underlying cause of your pet’s behaviors. Consult a veterinarian behavioralist if your pet displays serious behavior disorders like fear, aggression, or guarding food and water. These behavior issues are often the result of emotional issues in early development or medical conditions.
Normal Behavior For Cats
Cats can be interesting creatures, and sometimes their behaviors can be confusing to owners. Like dogs, some of the behavior displayed by cats can be undesirable, however, they are still considered normal. Though every cat has their own individual personality and preferences, many of the normal cat behavior displayed comes from their instincts. Here is a list of behaviors that are considered normal and are commonly displayed in house cats:
- Perching- Cats like to jump up and perch on high surfaces. This is an instinct carried on by their ancestors, who preferred perching on high vantage points to look for prey. It is normal to expect your cat to jump up on counters and tables for this reason. If you wish to limit where they perch, make sure to provide them with an area like a cat tree or window perch.
- Pouncing- This is another perfectly normal behavior that comes from your cat’s hunter instincts. They “hunt” anything they determine as prey. It is perfectly normal for your cat to stalk and pounce on most anything left on the floor. Make sure to provide your cat with toys and active play time to limit the chances that your ankles fall prey to their hunting instinct.
- Kneading- As kittens, cats initiate feeding by needing the area around their mother’s teats to produce milk. This reinforces the act of kneading with feelings of comfort and connection. It is perfectly normal for your cat to knead your lap if it is feeling particularly comfortable.
- Grooming- Cats spend a large portion of their days grooming themselves. It is perfectly normal for your cat to groom themselves and one another, multiple times throughout the day.
- Scratching- One of the most well-known but most frustrating behaviors of cats is their need to scratch. It is perfectly normal behavior that is often practiced multiple times a day. Make sure to provide your cat with multiple scratching-safe options like scratching posts or cardboard scratching blocks to prevent your cat from scratching up your furniture.
Abnormal Behavior For Cats
Despite many of their normal behaviors seeming odd or quirky, there are some behaviors that owners should look out for as they can be warning that there are issues stemming from fear, anxieties, obsessive behavior, or physical issues. Here are some behaviors to keep an eye out for in your cat.
- Excessive self-grooming
- Eating non-food items
- Sudden acts of aggression
- Problems with or in the litter box.