Other pet behavior problems

Question 1

destructive behaviors

Answer 1

• natural behaviors that are inconvenient
• Chewing in cats & dogs
• Scratching in cats
• Destructive exploration in cats - climbing

Question 2

managing destructive behaviors

Answer 2

• Determine the underlying motivation and find appropriate alternatives
  
  • play opportunities, items for chewing, scratching surfaces, furniture for climbing/perching
• Interrupt inappropriate behaviors and redirect
• Make other areas/items undesirable or prevent access to problem areas
• Train & reward for correct behavior
• increase mental stimulation
  
  • food puzzles, play toys, training
• increase physical activity
  
  • Increase # & duration of walks/day (dogs)
  • Supervised outdoor time (cats)
  • Become involved in activities w/ your pet

Question 3

inappropriate elimination in cats

Answer 3

• Most common behavior problem
• First - rule out medical problems

Reasons why:
- Poor litterbox setup
- Poor environment around litterboxes
- people/pets disrupting litterbox time
- Cat’s needs aren’t being met in the home
- Something new happing
- Inconsistent schedule

• cats prefer to dig, scratch and bury
• Focus on encouraging correct behavior, reducing chance of accidents
  
  • Watch for snigging/searching - take to box
  • Praise and reward for correct behavior
• keep it clean:
  
  • Scoop daily, change and wash weekly
  • Thoroughly clean accidents
• recommended to use clay-based litter
• optimize litterbox
• clean box w/ no smelly cleaners
• box is accessible & desirable
  
  • Litter type
  • Size, height, covered/uncovered
  • Multiple boxes for multiple cats = N+1 rule
  • Safe location - assess details of accident areas
  • beware self-cleaning
• happen in any sex, breed, age
• locations & circumstances
• details on urine: how much and where?
• only urine or feces too?
  
  • both: litterbox aversion, accessbility or anxiety issues
  • only one: medical issues need to be considered
• household changes or stressors?

Question 4

feline idiopathic cystitis

Answer 4

• Feline lower urinary tract disease w/o any underlying pathogenic cause
• Inflammation of the bladder and/or urethra
• usually occurs when cat is stressed
  
  • Nerves in the bladder wall stimulated via brain (response to stress)
  • Causes release of neurotransmitters = inflammation & pain

Question 5

feline idiopathic cystitis (clinical signs)

Answer 5

• Increased frequency of urination
• Blood in urine
• Blockage of urethra (males)
• Urinating outside of litterbox

Question 6

feline idiopathic cystitis (treatment & prevention)

Answer 6

• reduce environmental stress
• Increase access to important resources
• Ensure safe space to sleep/get away
• Maintain consistent schedule
• Reduce excess noise, reduce conflict w/ other animals, etc.
• Increase EE (posts, toys, puzzle feeders, etc)
• Improve human-animal bond
• increase water intake
• feed diet formulated to reduce FIC