One of the most frustrating behavioral problems seen in dogs is submissive or excitement urination. This unsightly behavior is most often typically seen when friends or strangers overly greet pets, or lean down and/or reach for nervous pets, who often respond by rolling over on their backs and/or dribbling urination. Most of the time the pets ears are pinned back and/or their tails are wagging with their heads held low in a submissive posture.
The best way of preventing this is by getting down on the pet’s level first from a distance and reaching one’s hand out, allowing the pet to move slowly toward the outstretched hand. In this way, the pet can first sniff the non-threatening hand, and eventually the pet’s head may be gently stroked. When approached in such a manner many pets with submissive urination can be cured of this unwanted behavior.
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One of the most frustrating behaviors seen in animal companions is the desire to eat grass. In most cases veterinarians and animal guardians do not know why certain pets will eat grass. While I do recommend wholesome natural diets such as Wysong, Nature’s Variety or Halo, most pets do not eat grass because of a nutritional deficiency. |
In some cases, the pet will be suffering from some sort of stomach or digestive upset, and in those cases, many pets will ingest grass in order to get themselves to purge their system and vomit to cleanse their body and remove toxins. Once the digestive upset has passed, many pets will indeed stop ingesting grass.
There are trace nutrients in grass, including chlorophyll and trace minerals, that are actually healthy for pets. In rare cases I will find that supplementing pets’ diets with extra nutrients, including fresh greens and veggies, as well as NaturVet Enzymes and VitaChews will occasionally lessen unwanted grass eating. I have not found commercial products such as Forbid or Deter useful in preventing grass eating in dogs or cats.
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Cats may spray for many possible reasons. Most commonly, this inappropriate pattern of urination occurs on vertical surfaces, rather than in the litter box or on the floors. Many times this type of spraying will occur near windows or doors. Spraying in this manner usually means that a cat is emotionally aroused or upset about something going on either in the body or in its external environment. |
Illness of any kind may cause changes in feline elimination habits, and so any cat with chronic spraying outside of the litter box should receive a full veterinary exam and medical workup, including a urine analysis. If medical causes have been ruled out, then the pet is most likely spraying because of environmental stresses. These stresses may involve other animals in the home, or animals in the yard.
Treatment of spraying may include environmental modification, including adding litter boxes, as well as trying different litter types, in addition to sometimes moving the litter box away from external stressors. Pheromone products such as Feliway also may be helpful in some cases. Natural calming agents including Be Serene or Composure may also help calm some cats. Finally, prescription medication such as Amitriptyline or Clomipramine also can be tried to help reduce this unwanted behavior.
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Cats will eliminate outside the litter box for several possible reasons. Emotional stress or changes in the environment may be involved in many cases. Medical issues including impacted anal glands, food allergies, metabolic disease such as inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, infection, parasites, etc all may be involved. |
A complete medical workup, including CBC/Chemistry/thyroid blood test, as well as urine analysis and stool check for parasites is indicated. If no medical reasons are found, then behavioral strategies including adding additional litter boxes as well as trying different litter types may be tried. In some cases, anxiolytic medications with drugs such as Amitriptyline or Clomipramine may be needed.
| New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration and parties. However, for many pets that are fearful of loud noises, crowds and fireworks, New Year’s Eve can also be a very nervous time. There are many natural and safe alternatives for those nervous and timid pets.
Bach flower essences are often wonderful natural alternatives to help calm a frightened pet. Formulas I have used include Rescue Remedy, rock rose, aspen and mimulus. I have also found the combination flower essence Be Serene also quite helpful in many pets. Some animal guardians have found the herbal remedy Composure quite helpful in many situations |
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Homeopathic remedies that may be useful include the remedies aconitum and arsenicum album, particularly for sudden fears, or in those pets that become excessively clingy or restless when frightened. The combination homeopathic remedy HomeoPet Anxiety drops also may helpful in some cases. Finally, there are some pets where prescription medications such as Acepromazine or Alprazolam are needed to calm overactive anxious responses.
| A very frustrating problem to deal with is aggression in cats. Aggression is often classified into many forms, depending upon the potential underlying causes. The classifications may include aggression due to fear, territorial issues, play, redirected, petting induced and predatory aggression. Signs of impending aggression include sudden stalking, biting or swatting, tail twitching back and forth, dilated pupils, ears pinned back close to head, as well as changes in posture, depending upon the type of aggression.
It is important to have a full veterinary workup in any aggressive cat to rule out potential underlying medical causes, as well as to help direct proper/specific treatment, in addition to implementation of behavior modification techniques. |
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The medical diseases that may cause aggression in cats include: hyperthyroidism, rabies, dental/gum disease, abscesses, arthritis, as well as primary brain disease or tumors in some cats. Very often, if the aggression is directed at an animal guardian, redirecting that aggression toward appropriate sources such as wand type toys, as well as other cat toys may be helpful.
Actively playing with cats 30-60 minutes daily can also be helpful. When aggression involves other pets in the household, separating them and then slowly reintroducing them to one another is sometimes necessary. Medical treatments with drugs like Amitryptyline or Fluoxetine is often needed in chronically aggressive cats. Natural remedies such as Be Serene, Rescue Remedy, Composure Feline Bite-Sized Chews, and Pet Alive’s aggression formula, have all been helpful in some cases. For those clients preferring a natural approach, I would recommend learning more about homeopathy at the websites www.beyondflatearth.com as well as www.canineworld.com/drdym
| Much like people, pets may experience variable periods of anxiety. Causes of anxiety in pets may include environmental stresses or changes, including moving to a new home, as well as adding other animals to the household. Anxiety may also result from emotional or physical abuse, or may be secondary to physical disease present anywhere in the body. Finally, some pets simply have an anxious genetic predisposition.
Any pet that is suffering from a change in behavior or exhibiting anxiety for more than a few days, should have a complete physical exam and workup at the vet for potential underlying diseases. Symptoms of anxiety may include excessive vocalization/neediness/clinginess, fear of being alone, as well as trembling and hypersensitivity to noise and other stimuli. Some anxious pets will exhibit increased tendency to aggression or biting, known as fear-based aggression. |
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Treatment will depend upon identifying, if possible, the underlying causes of chronic anxiety. Behavior modification utilizing many training techniques by a professional trainer can be often helpful. Maintaining a consistent schedule at home, including times of feeding/walking and play also can be useful to help manage chronic anxiety in pets.
Prescription medications such as Acepromazine or Xanax can be helpful with short-term anxiety encountered during travel or during storms. More chronic anxiety often can be relieved by prescription medications such as Fluoxetine and Clomipramine, but again would depend upon a full diagnostic workup. Natural remedies such as Be Serene, Composure Liquid, or Rescue Remedy can also be helpful on a short-term or long-term basis. I have also found that chronic homeopathic treatment can help for those pet guardians requesting more natural treatments. To learn more about homeopathy go to www.beyondflatearth.com as well as www.canineworld.com/drdym
| With the upcoming holiday season many pet owners will be traveling by car and bringing their pets along for the journey. To help your pet become accustomed to the riding experience consider taking your pet out for a few short rides a few weeks before your scheduled trip.Proper restraint is critical for pets during long car trips. I recommend both crates and carriers for small dogs and cats, or car seats if preferred. Because many pets can become carsick during travel, try feeding your pet only small meals before you leave. If your pet is known for becoming carsick, give an over the counter remedy such as Diphenhydramine (Generic Benadryl) which can help preventatively with motion sickness. I’ve found the homeopathic remedy Cocculus in 30c potency given before travel can also be helpful. If needed, a prescription medication such as Cerenia for nausea and/or sedatives like Acepromazine can also be used. |
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Once on the road, be sure to make frequent stops every few hours so that dogs can be walked and/or fed small meals. Also, it’s important to bring doggie waste bags, as well as bottled water and dishes for meals, in case rest stops don’t have pet supplies.
If you worry your pet could become lost, adequate identification including a microchip implanted by your veterinarian can help to keep your mind at ease. Also consider adding your cell and home phone on your pet’s collar.
But above all, have fun! The holidays are a great time to make your pet feel like part of the family.
How has taking road trips with your pets been? Share your experiences with us in the comments!
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In recent years there has been increasing awareness of the need for pain management in our animals. From routine surgical procedures to every day medical cases, pain management has become an increasing part of veterinary practice and now considered to be an important standard of care. Sometimes pets may show no signs of pain. Particularly cats are great maskers of illness symptoms and discomfort. Other pets may show signs of excessive crying or vocalization when handled or upon moving. Other pets may have stiffness or lameness, particularly with acute injuries and/or with arthritis or back problems in older pets. |
Some pets may be restless, while others are reluctant to move at all, often laying in one place for hours. Whenever soft tissue and/or orthopedic surgical procedures are performed on our pets, it can be presumed that there will be some element of pain involved, and pain management should be considered. Amongst the many medications available include anti-inflammatory medications such as Rimadyl or Previcox in dogs, as well as opiate type medications such as Buprenex and Tramadol in both dogs and cats.
Joint supplements such as Super Joint Enhancer, Yucca Intensive and Glyco-Flex can often be helpful for chronic arthritis in pets. Finally holistic medical treatment options such as acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy, as well as physical rehabilitation can often help chronically painful pets, or to help with post-operative recovery, particularly in orthopedic cases or back surgeries.
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Canine aggression is one of the most common behavioral problems seen in veterinary medicine. There can be many possible causes from dominance and fear-based behavioral causes to underlying medical diseases. One of the first steps to take in lessening the likelihood of aggression is to have your pet spayed or neutered. Once hormonal factors have been eliminated, it is important to supervise, confine and/or restrict your dog’s activities until you can obtain professional help due to the potential liability and safety issues.
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Pet owners should avoid exposing a dog to situations where they are more likely to show aggression, and initially confinement may be needed until help can be obtained. An aggressive problem will not go away by itself, so I highly recommend working with an in-home veterinary behavioral specialist and a dog trainer on behavior modification exercises. Some aggressive dogs can be possessive of certain places or territories, treats and/or foods, so it’s important to try and not allow access to these areas or items.
To lessen the likelihood of territorial or protective aggression, one should not encourage their dogs to bark and dash about in response to outside stimuli. Avoiding games like tug-of-war or purposely wrestling with your dog can also reduce the possibility of dominance aggression becoming a future problem. With most types of aggression physical punishment only worsens the problem; thus stressing the importance of working with a veterinary behavioral specialist. In some cases, prescription pet medications such as Prozac and Clomiprimine may be needed in conjunction with behavioral modification therapy.
Have you tried behavioral training with your dog? Do you have any tips or experienced you’d like to share?
