The Pet Health Care Gazette

Feline behavior modification & cat behavior problems.

Feline behavior problems are a common complaint among cat owners and are also one of the biggest reasons cat owners decide to surrender their cat to a shelter. Fortunately, it is possible to solve many feline behavior problems. However, understanding normal cat behavior is essential. In fact, many (if not most) of the behaviors that we consider to be problematic are actually normal behaviors for a healthy cat.

Normal Feline Behavior Versus Cat Behavior Problems

What is the normal behavior of a healthy cat?

• Normal healthy cats sharpen their claws regularly. It is important for cat owners to remember that our cats do not scratch and damage our belongings to be vindictive. Cats use scratching behaviors to mark their territories. They also stretch their muscles while undertaking their scratching behaviors.
• Urine spraying is also a normal behavior for a cat. Spraying provides cats with another means of marking their territory. Though this behavior is more common in male cats, female cats also may spray. Again, cat owners need to realize that cats do not spray because they are being malicious. For your cat, spraying is a normal behavior, though obviously a problematic one.
• It is also perfectly normal for cats to resent other cats in their space. Cats by nature tend to be solitary creatures. In feral colonies, cats will form a close family group but in most cases this group will run off any interlopers or newcomers to the group. It should come as no surprise that when we place several cats in the confines of an average size house or apartment, there are likely to be conflicts that may end in cat fights and aggression towards one another. Again, this is a perfectly normal feline behavior. However, most cat owners do not enjoy seeing their cats engaged in violent behaviors toward each other.

These are just a few examples of normal cat behaviors that cat owners see as feline behavior problems. While it should be clear that these behaviors are not abnormal behaviors for a healthy cat, it is also clear that these same feline behaviors are not welcome in the average household. After all, none of us want our cats urinating all over our house and fighting constantly with one another or ruining our fine furniture with their claws. So, even though these behaviors do not present a problem for the cat, they do present a problem for most cat owners.

Using Feline Behavioral Modification to Correct Cat Behavior Problems

Fortunately, there are several changes we can make in our households to encourage our cats to exhibit more acceptable behaviors. Collectively, these changes are known as feline behavioral modification techniques. These techniques, as a whole, are also sometimes referred to as multimodal environmental modification, or MEMO.

At heart, feline behavior modification involves involves altering the cat’s physical environment in order to provide acceptable outlets for normal feline behaviors, provide mental stimulation and decrease stress for the cat. These modification techniques include making simple changes in the environment in order to make the most out of the available space in the household and they also attempt to provide a sense of security, relieve boredom and reduce the tension between cats in a multicat household.

Some of the changes that need to implemented deal with the proper management of litter boxes and other resources such as food and water. Others relate to providing alternative scratching solutions for our cats, providing ample hiding places and perches where our cats can relax and providing plenty of toys that mimic prey and stimulate your cat’s normal predatory instincts. We’ll be talking in more depth about changes we can make in our households in an upcoming blog post. So stay tuned.

For more information: Feline Behavior Modification Tips

Housebreaking is an important part of puppy training.

One of the most common questions I hear from new puppy owners in my veterinary practice is “How can I housebreak or housetrain my puppy?”

Housebreaking is An Essential Part of Puppy Training

Housebreaking is probably one of the most important types of training any puppy will undergo. Nothing will discourage a dog owner more than coming home to discover that their dog or puppy has urinated or defecated all over the house. However, by following some simple procedures and being consistent with your training, housebreaking can be accomplished relatively easily for most puppies.

Be Consistent with Your Puppy Housetraining Methods

Housebreaking methods must be practiced consistently and by all members of the household. It is important that your puppy is treated the same way each time he does or does not do what you expect of him. Always use positive training with ample rewards to teach your puppy what you want him to do. Never use punishment when your puppy does not please you. Do not spank, hit, yell at or otherwise punish your puppy if he slips and has an accident in the house.

Train Your Puppy with Positive Rewards

Take your puppy outside frequently to relieve himself. Try to keep your puppy’s schedule consistent, taking him outside at the same times each day. Ideally, when your puppy is not resting or sleeping, he should be taken outside every 2-3 hours. Your puppy will need to go outdoors when he awakens in the morning and also before he goes to bed at night. Take him outside shortly after he eats as well.

When you take your puppy outside to urinate and defecate, take him to the same spot each time and use a trigger word or phrase (such as “go ahead” or “do your duty”). This will train your puppy that when you walk him to this specific spot and tell him to relieve himself, he is expected to do so. Each time your puppy urinates and/or defecates in the designated spot, give him a treat as a reward and praise him generously. This type of training will teach your puppy what behaviors you consider appropriate.

Do Not Punish Your Puppy for Accidents During the Training or Housebreaking Process

If your puppy has an accident and urinates or defecates in the house, do not punish him. Simply place him in a different room or in his crate in a calm and quiet manner. Clean the mess when your puppy is outside of the room.

Crate Training as a Housetraining Tool for Your Puppy

It is not mandatory to use a crate while housebreaking a puppy, but crate training can be a valuable tool in the housetraining process. The crate used should be large enough for your puppy to comfortably stand and turn around. It should be equipped with a bed, blanket, towel or other bedding. The crate will become not only a place to confine your puppy when necessary but also a safe haven for your puppy, providing a place for your puppy to retreat if he becomes frightened or needs some private time away from children or other household excitement.

When training your puppy, the best thing you can do is manage your puppy’s activities so that he does not have the opportunity to have accidents in the house. This will mean supervising your puppy whenever he is not in his crate. In other words, your puppy should be crated when you are away from home. However, the puppy will also need to be crated when you are busy in the household. Your puppy should only be free when you are able to watch and supervise him. If he does have an accident in the house, recognize that the accident means that the puppy was not being supervised properly. (In other words, the accident is your fault, not your puppy’s fault.)

Feeding Practices Affect Puppy Training and Housebreaking

Feeding your puppy a high-quality, balanced puppy food, keeping the diet consistent and offering food and water at the same time each day will help keep your puppy’s schedule consistent and can help make the housetraining process much easier for your puppy.

Be Patient and Persistent When Housebreaking Your Puppy

Puppies, like young children, learn at different rates. Some puppies can be housetrained in a matter of a few weeks while other may require months. Continue to be patient and persistent with your puppy. Almost all puppies can be housebroken with time and consistency.

Remember that when puppies sleep, their metabolism slows and they may be able to sleep through the night without urinating or defecating but will likely not be able to hold their urine for the same length of time during the day. As the puppy ages, the urinary tract also matures and a mature dog should be able to hold his urine for several hours during the day. However, a young puppy will not be able to control his bladder for long periods of time and puppy owners may need to make arrangements for their puppy to be taken outside during the course of the day if they are at work or school for the entire day.

Puppy care tips to help you keep your pup healthy.

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and usually pleasurable experience. However, many new puppy owners have questions about how to care for their new puppy to keep him healthy and happy.

Feed Your Puppy to Promote Healthy Growth and Development

Choose a balanced and complete puppy food for your pet. Puppies have very different nutritional needs than an adult dog and their food should be selected accordingly. Choosing a food appropriate for the life stage (i.e a puppy or growth formula) and for the breed will ensure that your puppy grows and develops in a healthy way.

Training for Your New Puppy: An Essential Part of Puppy Care

Training is a necessary experience for your puppy. All puppies should be trained, at a minimum, to sit, say and come when called. Training methods should be fun and interactive and should use rewards as positive reinforcement and avoid punishment for inappropriate behaviors. However, it is necessary to teach your dog behaviors designed to replace the inappropriate behaviors.

Housetraining is another essential for puppies and should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. As with obedience training, housetraining should be accomplished through proper use of positive reward-based training methods. Do not punish your pet if he has accidents in the house.

Socialize Your Puppy at an Early Age

Early socialization is probably the single most important thing you can do for your puppy to encourage him to become confident and well-behaved as an adult. Introduce your new puppy to as many different experiences, people, places and pets as you are able. Socialization is most effective if done before 12-16 weeks of age.

Early socialization for puppies needs to be balanced with the potential for exposure to infectious diseases. Do not frequent dog parks and other areas that allow unrestricted access to dogs that may be infectious. Puppy play classes or puppy kindergarten classes are often the perfect answer to this dilemma. Your puppy will be allowed to interact only with other puppies that are healthy, vaccinated, parasite-free and well-protected.

Groom Your New Puppy to Promote Healthy Skin and Nails

Begin early getting by getting your puppy accustomed to having his hair combed/brushed and having his nails trimmed. Starting at an early age will teach your puppy to tolerate these procedures and not be frightened when they are performed.

Your New Puppy Needs a Veterinary Examination to Insure His Health

Take your new puppy to the veterinarian for a thorough physical examination. Your veterinarian will check for congenital defects that may affect your puppies health as well as for evidence of infectious diseases, parasites and other diseases that could prove to be dangerous for your puppy or for your family.

Your veterinarian will also discuss a vaccination schedule and a strategy to rid your puppy of any worms that may be present. Be certain to follow the schedule closely so that your puppy remains protected against diseases like parvovirus.

Start Your Puppy on Heartworm, Flea and Tick Preventive Medications to Keep Him Healthy

If heartworms are endemic in your area, as they are in almost all areas of the United States, your puppy should be started on an appropriate heartworm preventive medication early in his life. Most heartworm preventives need to be administered once monthly.

Flea and tick prevention should also be addressed for your puppy as fleas and ticks can cause disease and discomfort for your puppy. Preventing a flea infestation in much easier than battling an existing infection. Ticks can cause severe and even life-threatening disease for your pup.

Start Brushing Your Puppies Teeth Early to Promote Oral Health

Start introducing your puppy at an early age to tooth brushing. Introduce the pup first to canine toothpaste and then gradually introduce the tooth brush. Brushing your dog’s teeth can go a long way toward keeping his mouth healthy as he gets older.

Spay or Neuter Your Puppy to Take Advantage of the Health and Behavioral Benefits of These Procedures

Spaying or neutering has both health benefits and behavioral benefits for your puppy. Naturally, if you are planning to breed your puppy when he or she is older, this will not be an option for you. However, in most cases, spaying or neuter is advisable. Spaying should be performed before the first heat cycle occurs as the risk of breast (or mammary) cancers occurring are much lower.