Veterinos

Posts tagged Ethology

My Dog Is Dominant

13/09/2016 Leave a Comment Written by Laura Estringana

Dominance and submission“My dog is dominant …” is a rather common expression nowadays to describe a dog’s character. It is used for animals who pull on the leash, jump on to the couch / bed, cross the door before their owners, or show unwanted behaviors towards other dogs or people in certain contexts.

Is This Expression Used Correctly?

Categorically: no!

Dominance is defined as the percentage of successes of a dog when competing for resources with another individual — “resource” meaning food, toys, water, caresses … Therefore, dominance – submission is something that happens between 2 animals, not the character trait of an individual. Also, the dominant animal in the dispute for a resource does not necessarily win every single time.

The term dominance has been used for a long time, incorrectly, due to the theory of the alpha male / female — the leader of the pack. This theory defends that some animals who are born with a dominant temperament, and their aim is to take on the highest rank in the pack’s hierarchy — be it composed of other dogs, humans or both —. To do that, they would frequently resort to aggression.

This theory is based on the ancestor of dogs, the wolf.

Why Is This Theory Invalid?

For starters, it does not take into account that dogs have gone through a long process of domestication and selection. Along this process, they evolved into the current breeds of dogs, our furry partners, physically and psychologically different from their common ancestor, the wolf. For example, neoteny: the persistence of infantile behavioral traits in adult animals. The behavior of an adult dog is more similar to that of a young wolf than an adult’s.

On the other hand, this theory is based on studies that at present have been refuted. They studied hierarchy in packs where the animals were not related necessarily and, moreover, were in captivity. Both factors notched up the levels of aggression among the wolves. Bear in mind that packs of wild wolves are formed by a reproductive couple (sometimes more), and its descent. In these family nuclei fights are not frequent and, when they happen, they seldom cause serious injuries.

The theory of dominance also defends that training methods based on punishment or forced submission makes dogs more docile and, therefore, less aggressive. One of the techniques they use, for example, is the “alpha roll”: forcing the dog to lie on its back when it shows an unwanted behavior. Nowadays all these methods are considered counter-productive, besides putting the owner and the animal itself at risk.

Therefore, if your dog: pulls on the leash, jumps on to the bed / couch, does not release toys when asked, crosses the door before you, or is reactive towards other dogs or people in certain contexts … it does not mean that it wants to dominate you or be the leader of the pack.

Although dogs can establish relations of dominance – subordination with other individuals, most of the aforementioned problems are due to some other cause, such as lack of training or socialization, inquisitiveness, an illness or ailment …

Dogs
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Happy Holidays for Our Pets, Too?

23/12/2015 Leave a Comment Written by Helena Serradó

Cat creeping on a Christmas treeChristmas is here, and with it come decorations, shopping, lights, reunions, comings and goings of friends and family; also copious meals, champagne, sweets, Christmas carols blasted non stop from every shop … We humans cope with all that year after year as well as we can, but do we really know how our pets live these changes? What dangers are there for them? How can we make these holidays happy and safe for everyone — pets included?

1. The Stress of Christmastime

Every dog’s owner — not to mention cats — knows that their pets’ vision of the world is nothing like ours. It won’t be hard to understand, then, that Christmas is a stressful time for them because so many things are altered:

    • the routines to which we have them accustomed: times and length of our dogs’ walks  — even more important in the case of very active dogs

 

  • the constant glow of lights, or the endless sound of carols in the street

 

  • the presence of strangers at home, with whom they are not used to interact and, sometimes, don’t know how to behave. This is especially stressful for cats, who are territorial and less social, and therefore react badly to sudden changes.

A clear example of this is when children, thrilled with the dog or cat in the house, want to pet them at all costs, and are unable to read the signs of alarm they send out — thus exposing themselves to a scratch or a bite.

2. Alterations in Their Diet

It is usual during this time of year, in almost all homes, to eat too much and

have leftovers, so giving them to the pet is quite tempting.

The fact that we feast these days doesn’t mean that our pets have to feast too. If they don’t, we will prevent digestive problems such as engorgements, intolerances, or even allergies or other serious problems like poisonings or pancreatitis. Besides, sudden dietary changes can have bad effects on them.

Forbidden Food

Remember that many typical Christmas delicacies are poisonous for pets:

  • chocolate
  • grapes and raisins
  • shellfish (especially for dalmatians, a breed prone to suffer severe renal problems due to accidental ingestions)
  • alcohol
  • xylitol (an industrial sweetener very dangerous for dogs)
  • dry fruits
  • onions, garlic, leeks or chives

Be Careful With Bones

Scrap bones can cause constipation, or even hemorrhagic diarrheas due to torn intestinal layers — especially with bones of birds and rabbits. This kind of bones are thin and they splinter easily, therefore they can do severe damage in the digestive tract. Its treatment requires surgery.

Also, an excessive consumption of fats — even occasionally — can lead to pancreatitis, which is very painful and puts the animal’s life at risk. It is highly advisable to give them only the kinds of bones pet stores sell for them, such as beef knee caps — always moderately.

3. Balls, Lights, Cables, and Garlands

All these things are especially tempting for children and pets.

What cat would refrain from trying to catch a sparkling crystal bulb hanging from the Christmas tree?

Or, what puppy wouldn’t chase a Christmas ball rolling away, and try to swallow it?

The list is long: garlands, ribbons, cables, lights, Nativity figurines — which are sometimes cutting, and often can be swallowed. Christmas lights, connected to cables and plugs, deserve special attention, as they are tempting play ropes both for dogs and cats and, so the risk of electrocution is not negligible.

Due Precautions

To make sure our holidays are happy ones, unstressful, without tribulations or visits to our vet’s emergency room, here are a few recommendations:

  • Do not alter their diet: watch out that nobody gives them extra food — especially ours, and even less food that is poisonous for them. Excesses affect pets more than us — more so if they consume too much fat.
  • Do not to put fragile adornments, or with sharp edges, within their reach: they can mistake them for toys, and hurt themselves.
  • Protect cables, power strips and plugs so they don’t lick or nibble them: an unprotected cable can be peeled very easily with the teeth; besides, saliva and pee are electricity conductors. The cable of the Christmas lights on the tree is a danger!
  • Minimize the stress, and favor the coexistence between pets and humans, taking a few basic measures:
    • For dogs
      • Try to alter their routines the least possible
      • Take them to walk away from agglomerations, loud noise, and Christmas lights
      • When you have guests at home, dedicate them a little more time, give them a good walk so that they are relaxed when the guests start coming in
      • You who know your pet, tell the children if he likes to be caressed or not, and how. It’s important that you make them understand what are the signs that your pet is getting fed up, and when they must stop teasing them. Never leave kids and pets alone; this way you will prevent hassle between them
      • Prepare a safety area where they can take refuge if they want to get away from all the commotion: place their bed, trough, and water in a separate room where they are used to stay, and leave them a tenuous light on
      • Ask your veterinarian now what measures you can take if your dog gets too stressed during this time of year. They will explain the options available, such as pheromones collars, or even sedatives
    • For cats
      • Try to alter their routines the least possible
      • Prepare in advance: places pheromones diffusers a few days before the holidays. Speaks with your vet: they will explain the options available
      • Prepare a safety area where they can take refuge if they want to get away from all the commotion: place there their bed, food, water, and litter box so they don’t have to cross the critical area where you are celebrating
      • Tell to your guests that a cat is not a dog, and that they don’t like others taking the initiative. If they don’t want to show up where you are assembled, don’t force it. Hidden they feel better, and this is their way of spending the holidays … after all, not everybody likes the nougat!

If despite all precautions, an accident happens, don’t hesitate to call an emergencies vet. Specify exactly what’s happened and when, the species, breed, sex and age of your pet, and if there is a previous condition. Follow their advices. They will tell you what is better in every case.

Happy feline and canine Christmas!

Cats, Dogs
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Puppies and Kitties Are Not Toys

09/12/2015 Leave a Comment Written by Veterinos HV

Puppy with a teddy bearAt this time of year many of us would love to find a puppy or kitty under the tree. Think of the kids’ faces when they see their furry little head popping out of the basket! Later, though, something like this could happen:

Lola also arrived for Christmas, and she was the joy of the house for three months. After that, it became less and less funny picking her poop, paying for the vet, buying new slippers because she’d bitten them, taking her out in the cold three times a day to pee … Lola ended up being adopted by the vet who was taking care of her. She was very lucky. Not all of them have the same end. In 2014, over 100.000 dogs and 33.000 cats were abandoned in Spain — not to mention ferrets, rabbits, and all those left unaccounted because they were run over on the road, and died.

One of the prime reasons for abandonment is the lack of knowledge about the needs of pets before they are taken home. As important as that is knowing what fits best in our lifestyle: if you live in a 40m2 apartment on the beach, and work 12 hours a day, no matter how much you like Pyrenees mastiffs, your pet is a cat!

What Does a Pet Entail?

To prevent stories like Lola’s from happening, there are a few things you need to bear in mind:

  • During the first year of life, having a pup or kitten is expensive: vaccinations, dewormings, the microchip — compulsory in Catalonia —, the local pet registry — free in Sant Cugat, but not everywhere —, and in the case of dogs considered potentially dangerous, a legal liability insurance and a psychological test for the owner. Add to that the expenses of veterinary care if the pet falls sick.
  • Depending on the breed, dogs have a life expectancy of 15 years, give or take, and cats can live up to 20 years if they are well treated. That means that we have to be prepared to look after them during all that time. As adults, they need less care than they do when they are young, but they will always need looking after: there won’t ever be a time when we don’t have to feed, wash, deworm, walk or entertain, pamper, or take them to the vet if something is wrong.
  • The food has to be of good quality to keep our pet in good health — so we don’t have to see the vet too often. This is especially important during the phase of development (up to 14 months approx.), and in their senior years (from 8 years on in the case of dogs, and 8-11 for cats).
  • Hygiene is a key factor for the good health of pets. Both cats and dogs need to be brushed and bathed regularly to prevent skin problems. The frequency depends on the kind of fur: it’s not the same a Persian cat — that needs brushing on a daily basis — than a sphynx — which doesn’t have to be brushed at all, but needs moisturizer from time to time. Also, cats want their litter tray always clean, and separated from their feeding spot. Would you eat by the toilet?
  • Going out for a walk is essential for dogs. It’s their time to play, socialize, and learn  (by exploring the terrain). Pups, besides, learn this way to pee and poop outdoors, so during this stage it’s recommended to walk them a lot — once they are done with their vaccination plan.

Puppies and Kitties at Home

The pup or kitten’s arrival home is a stressful moment for them. We can minimize that stress by making them feel safe and welcome: let them explore the house, and do positive things such as playing or eating.

One of the basic needs of cats is having a spot for themselves where they can be in peace; they like high, dark, and hard to access areas.

In the case of pups, after the first few days where everybody is paying attention to them, they need to get used to being alone at home. That is quite hard for them because they are very social animals, and would rather be with someone. We have to train them gradually, leaving them alone for increasingly long periods of time. All this process will be easier if we leave them suitable toys, such as food dispensers or balls they can’t swallow, or even if we hide bits of food around the house.

Training is basic to build a good relationship between pets and their owners — for both of them. That means that we should be aware that cats and dogs are not people, that dogs are not cats, and cats are not dogs. Every species has different needs.

Do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian.

Positive Training

We should decide from the very beginning what we will or will not allow them to do in the long term, because if we let them hop onto the bed or scratch our hands now, they won’t understand anything when we scold them for doing the same later on. Besides, cats and dogs are not trained the same way — even though in both cases we must use positive reinforcement, never punishment.

Bear in mind that dogs bite and cats scratch, usually in good faith.

Dogs

Dogs play and explore using their mouth, so it’s normal that they bite stuff. That is not something to discourage, but to redirect. We should to adapt the area where the pup will stay so they have no access to things we do not want them to chew on, and offer them toys for that purpose.

When dogs bite these toys, we should reward them, and when they bite things we don’t want them to, we should lead them to the “bitable” stuff. A setting rich in stimuli and good physical activity — suitable for the breed, with walks and games — will diminish the wreck at home.

Cats

It’s normal and necessary that cats scratch things. This is one of the most usual complaints from new cat owners. When cats scratch they’re marking the territory, and communicating. It’s good to keep their claws in good condition, too. We must not try to discourage this behavior, but redirect it towards a specific area. We can do that by putting cat scratchers at their disposal.

If we accustom cats to scratchers from an early age, probably they won’t use the couch, armchair, or curtains — though with cats you never know.

So, Think It Over Carefully

We won’t say that you shouldn’t have pets. We do have them, and won’t repent. What we want to stress is that, if you want to have a pet, you must seek information on the needs of every kind of animal, and ponder honestly and realistically if you are prepared for that commitment, now and in the future.

Take you time. Don’t make a decision on the fly.

A pet is a living being, not a toy you can discard or set aside when you get tired of it.

If you do decide to have cat or a dog, you can always adopt one, even if it’s a grown-up. In any case, seek good advice, and do it responsibly. This way both of you can be part of a story that, like Lola’s, has a happy end.

Cats, Dogs
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Basic Needs of Cats

15/09/2015 Leave a Comment Written by Adriana Mármol

Cat playing

Cats are one of the animal species that were domesticated more recently in the history of mankind; some people think that we haven’t domesticated them at all. They are animals of habit, independent, territorial, and inquisitive, masters of themselves and their environment.

Although the presence of cats is part of anyone’s daily scenery, that doesn’t mean that we know them so well as we know, for instance, dogs, and we can’t figure out their behavior as easily.

Here you have a few general observations about the care of these unique animals.

Meals

Wild cats usually eat 10 to 20 times a day, feeding off small preys. Also, they spend a good portion of their time seeking and hunting their victims. Extrapolating this to domestic cats, we should leave food at their disposal all day, and they will ration it themselves.

If we hide as well small bit of food around the house, they will simulate the search of food, and keep themselves entertained when they are alone.

It is advisable to offer them moist food often.

Water

A cat’s drinking trough should be large, and filled to the brim if possible. It is best to have separate troughs for food and water.

They love running water, so the fountains for cats are a great choice for them to be able to drink water in motion and, incidentally, amuse themselves.

Litter Boxes

Litter boxes must be big enough for the cat to turn on itself, and have enough sand so they can dig without touching the bottom of the box.

You need to clean the box daily to remove feces and dirty sand. Once a week, you should also clean the litter box in depth.

The box must be placed in a quiet place where the cat is not bothered constantly. There should be as many litter boxes as cats, + 1. This way, we prevent eventual marking issues, or the cat evacuating where it should’nt (see “Cat Litter Box Training”, at Perfect Paws).

Scratching Boards

Cats need to scratch. It is a biological need. We must teach them from a very young age to do it in the right place, to prevent future problems.

The surgical removal of claws is illegal, and cruel for cats, as well as unnecessary.

Vertical spaces

Cats love heights. There are several theories on this matter, but the reason is still unclear. It is certain, however, that they like having high spots at their disposal, to rest and watch everything that happens.

Games

Cats prefer to play during short time periods, and several times a day. Their favorite games are chasing moving objects, or catching them if they are attached to a string (more information at “Cat Toys”, by The Humane Society of the United States).

We must never play with cats using our hands or feet. If they see them as toys, they might claw even when we are not playing (see “Training your cat to never scratch your hands”).

There are a number of interactive toys that provide a good mental stimulation, and entertainment for cats when they are alone.

Safe zone

Every cat needs a place to hide without being bothered. Cats are very sensitive to stress, and most often show it by hiding. When they do hide, we must allow it, and never try to drive them out of their hiding place.

We should try to find out what caused this reaction, and solve the problem if possible to allow the cat to overcome its anxiety by itself. If necessary, ask a veterinarian about the most suitable treatment.

Further information in “Cats Hiding”, by Feliway.

Cat Carriers

All cats must be inured to carriers, but we must do that gradually, and appropriately.

A good option is having the carrier always open at home, and leaving inside treats and toys, instead of producing it only to take our cat to the vet, or on a trip.

For more details about cat carriers, check the article “Cats and Carriers”.

Cats
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Fear of Fireworks

14/07/2015 Leave a Comment Written by Adriana Mármol

Dog under the bed

The fear and phobia of fireworks and thunderstorms is a very common problem in dogs, as well as in cats. The animal feels fear before a stimulus whose origin it cannot fathom, nor can escape. That causes stress, sometimes severe.

Symptoms of fireworks phobia

Phobia may be recognized by the following symptoms:

  • The dog pants more than usual
  • It barks or howls for no apparent reason
  • It moves frantically, or hides
  • It shivers
  • It pees and defecates where it knows it must not
  • It destroys things

Occasionally, it can become aggressive.

What can we do if our dog fears fireworks?

We have to start preparing immediately, taking the following measures:

  • Create a safe place: you need a place where the dog can hide when it feels the need to escape what, for him, is a real threat (fireworks).

To that end, we can use an area the dog has already chosen (under the bed, in the bath), or create a new one. The area must be in a room as soundproof as possible, for example using cartons and covering them with blankets.

As soon as the area is chosen, we must accustom the dog progressively to being there, by giving him meals in the safe place, leaving there its toys, caressing it … The purpose is to make it a pleasant and safe space.

  • Soundproof the area: we need to reduce the intensity of sounds as much as possible. To that end, we must close the windows, lower the blinds, and additionally we can switch on the TV or the radio to minimize the external noise.
  • Do not reinforce unwanted behaviors: we must be a reference of calmness to our dog.

Stay calm, without giving much importance to what is happening outside, so that our pet understands that if we are calm, it can be as well; there is no reason to worry.

We have to act normally in face of the situation. The animal must not detect changes in our attitude, since this might make it more nervous.

  • We can give it nutraceutics, and pheromones: these are compounds that, administered in advance, can help our dog be calmer when the day comes. Consult us if you want to use any of them.
  • Medication: there are certain psychoactive drugs that can be used to reduce our dog’s stress the day of the fireworks.

Medication must always be given under the supervision of a veterinarian specialized in behavior. In Veterinos we will be pleased to advise you on this matter.

Warnings

  • We must never punish our dog for expressing fear.
  • We must never leave the dog in the garden, exposed without shelter to the fireworks (or thunderstorms).
  • We must never to try to accustom our dog to fireworks abruptly. The results can be fatal.
Dogs
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Cats and carriers

11/07/2012 Leave a Comment Written by Adriana Mármol

Cat in a cat carrier

Surely many of you, as cats owners, have found yourselves some day in the situation of having to put them in a carrier. And surely for many of you that situation often turned out to be, at the very least, a bit unpleasant.

As veterinarians, we hear quite frequently “there’s no way to get them in there”, or “as soon as they see me with the carrier, they run off, and hide”.

Why do they reject the carrier?

The answer is learning. The cat has learned that whenever we put them in this funny box, something bad happens — like going to the vet. The result? The cat knows that whenever the carrier shows up, they better do whatever they can to avoid it, even if that means confronting their dear owner. Anything but getting in there.

What can we do to avoid this?

The only way to do it is to accustom the cat to the carrier from a very young age, and to show them that it’s not a bad thing at all, but, on the contrary, it can turn out to be quite nice. How?

In most cases, the carrier is kept away somewhere until it’s needed, and produced only then. This is the first thing we must change. We need to make the cat sees the carrier as just another piece of their usual surroundings: we will leave it somewhere in the house — without the door — so they see it every day, scent it, mark it with their odor, etc.

How to acclimate a cat to the carrier

The carrier should have positive connotations for the cat. Besides getting them used to its presence, we can resort to several tricks:

  • Placing inside tasty food several times a week.
  • If the cat has a favorite toy, we can throw it playfully into the carrier, so they get inside to catch it as part of the game.
  • We can put inside something we’ve worn, so they can feel our familiar scent.
  • It is also helpful to reward cats by offering treats or petting them when they get in the carrier on their own.

How to travel without incidence

If we use these little tricks, the day we need to use the carrier we shouldn’t have too many problems. Nevertheless, there are two more things that will help our cat be calm:

  • Using pheromones, that we are to apply about 15 minutes before putting the cat in the carrier, mainly on the corners and the roof.
  • Covering the carrier during the trip with a blanket or throw; that helps them to stay serene.

In short, the key to have peace when using a cat carrier is to accustom them since they’re kitten to get in and out of it, and to associate it with positive feelings.

Cats
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How to Potty-Train Your Puppy

24/02/2012 Leave a Comment Written by Adriana Mármol

Puppy Dog

All those of us who have a dog have found ourselves having to teach them where to take care of their “business”. There are many myths, many urban legends about what to do or not to do in this situation. What is the best course of action?

Stages in the Life of a Pup

In order to explain the best way to teach pups basic hygiene, first we need to outline the normal development of dogs in this regard.

  • Neonatal period (0-15 days): the animal doesn’t have voluntary control on elimination; it is the mother who stimulates it. If we are raising orphan pups, it is vital that we know this, since we must be the ones to do the stimulation — using a moist rag or similar. Otherwise, the pup might die.
  • Transitional period (15-21 days): pups already have voluntary control on elimination, but they don’t leave the nest or breeding ground to do it.
  • Period of socialization (3 weeks-3 months): we can divide this period in two phases:
    • During the first phase pups begin to leave the breeding ground to eliminate
    • In the second phase, they begin to show a preference as where to relieve themselves. This happens when they are about 8 weeks old.

Taking this into account, and considering that most pups are bought or adopted when they are 8 weeks old, new owners are in the right time frame to start potty-training their puppy.

How to Teach Pups Where’s Their Bathroom

The idea is to give the animals many opportunities so that they perform this action correctly.

  1. We have to cover the floor with a large number of newspaper sheets, but leaving the resting and feeding areas clear — which pups will avoid when they want to evacuate, anyway.
  2. Doing this, it is most probable that our dog pees on the newspapers. If we are there when this happens, we can reward them, be it with a caress, playtime, or with a bit of food — even though the deed is self-rewarding in itself.
  3. After a few days, when the pup is used to eliminate always on the newspaper, we can remove it little by little, and finally stop putting it.

Warnings

  • We have to anticipate the needs of our pups, and take them to the spot where we want them to  pee  —  after their naps, around 30 minutes after meals, after a little bit of playtime, etc. We should do that also if we see that the pup begins to sniff around, or in face of any other signs that they want to relieve themselves.
  • We must never punish pups for peeing in the “wrong” place while we were away: they can’t tell why we are reprimanding them. Neither should we punish them if we catch them in the act. If you want to use some verbal “correction”, always ask a specialist in conduct about the best way to do it. Most of owners don’t know how to punish appropriately, and the consequences are negative. Either way, punishment is not advised in any situation — even less when dealing with a pup.
  • Under no circumstances should we rub the snout of our pups in their own urine. That is an atrocity and doesn’t have any educational value — on the contrary.
Dogs
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