Behaviour Problems
Behavioural problems are some of the most difficult to deal with and are not conditions that can be cured overnight. Both cats and dogs can be affected by their environment in both a positive and negative way. These are animals that need a certain amount of routine in their lives to feel secure and as such can react quite dramatically to changes in their routine by exhibiting stress-related problems.
In cats this is often displayed as urine spraying, scratching the furniture or uncharacteristically aggressive behaviour. If your cat is urinating in areas not designated for this, then this can certainly be a reaction to a disruption in the cat’s territory such as a new pet or baby or new furniture. However, we would first need to rule out a urinary infection. If there is no infection then the most likely cause will be stress or anxiety. One way to combat this is to try and work out what this disruption may be (a new pat or baby may well be very obvious but cats are very sensitive and can react to the tiniest change).
There is a very new and convenient way to manage symptoms of stress and anxiety in cats and it comes in the form of a plug-in diffuser - a bit like an air freshener. This is called a “Feliway” and it contains a synthetic pheromone based on the cat’s facial pheromone. When cat’s are happy in their environment they rub their head against the furniture and leave facial pheromones to convey a message of well-being, calm and the absence of stress. When your cat has a change of routine or is scared then a state of disquiet or anxiety may develop. In these situations the “Feliway” plug-in is used to restore the natural balance and create the feeling of calm and well-being. The “Feliway” plug-ins cost £28.00 (£20.00 for a refill) and last approximately four weeks. It also comes as a spray which can be useful for transporting your cat to and from the vet or cattery.
In dogs, anxiety is often shown aggression, destructive behaviour and vocalization. As dogs are pack animals it is important that they know their place within the family, otherwise they will try to exert dominance to become “top dog”. This can be displayed as either aggression or submission and quite often dogs can become destructive, particularly when left at home alone. For this reason it is important to establish a daily routine for your dog and to stick to it. Feeding times must stay the same and shouldn’t be at the same time as your own. Your dog should have it’s own bed in an area where it feels safe and secure (not necessarily your bedroom) and should not be allowed on the furniture, let alone your bed! Some breeds of dog are more prone to exhibiting anxious behaviour but with good training this can be reduced.
Another way to help ease stress related signs in dogs is to use a “D.A.P.” diffuser. D.A.P. stands for Dog Appeasing Pheromone and this mimics the pheromones that the bitch would give off whilst breast feeding her puppies and as such creates a calm, well-being environment. Very much like an air freshener it lasts for approximately four weeks. Clinical trials have shown an improvement in destructive behaviour of 72% in households that used the plug-in. “D.A.P.” diffusers are also commonly used when you get a new puppy as this can be a very stressful time but it mimics the pheromones it has been used to since it was born and can make a significant difference in how quickly your puppy settles in. It can also be used to alleviate the signs of stress associated with fireworks.
The “D.A.P.” plug-in costs £28.00 (£20.00) for a refill and also comes as a spray which can be useful for car journeys.
Obviously not all problems can be solved with a plug-in diffuser but it’s often a good place to start. If your pet’s behavioural problems persist a few weeks after using a plug-in then we can offer you a behavioural consultation here a the centre. These consultations are for thirty minutes to enable all areas that could be causing the problem to be discussed. If a problem still persists despite our efforts, then we would recommend referral for you and your pet to have a consultation with Naziema Mia, an experienced veterinary surgeon and Diploma holder in Animal Behaviour, who will work with you to solve the problem.
Please note that neither the “Feliway” or “D.A.P.” plug-in diffusers will have any affect on you or your family.
