Our pets may be domesticated, but sometimes were reminded that theyre descended from wild animals.
Like when their instinctive habits cause them to wreck our couch or pee on that new rug.
As humans, when our modern conveniences work against our nature, we simply adjust to fit them in.
Animals dont do this.
And when we force them to give up their natural instincts, it doesnt always work out.
Here are some common pet issues and how they should be addressed.
Chewing on stuff
Why they do it
Chewing is a natural part of pet behavior.
But if your dog or cat is chewing just to chew, there are a few things to consider.
What doesnt work
Dont just let it happen.
The ASPCA recommendstaste deterrents, products that are specifically designed to make something taste bad to your pet.
But always be careful about what youre allowing your pet to ingest.
Offer them something appropriate to chew for their size.
For small pets, try cardboard boxes or toilet paper rolls.
For cats, try cat-friendly plants like lemongrass, catnip or catmint.
If your pet chews for play, see to it to engage in playtime with them.
And, of course, hide or get rid of any dangerous objects theyre prone to chew on.
Check out our post onhow protect gadgets from your pets.
They shed because theyre hairy.
And while we know its not their fault, shedding can still be frustrating.
They suggest a dust mop with a microfiber bottom.
Baking soda: They also suggest sprinkling baking soda over carpeted surfaces before vacuuming.
This helps loosen the hair.
Rubber squeegee: Running a dry squeegee over your carpet can help to pull out the hair, too.
Before using anything, check that to review the product thoroughly for safety.
In the end, pet hair is something you learn to live with.
That doesnt mean you have to give up, however.
Managing the issue for a few minutes each day can make your home a lot more comfortable.
Peeing on stuff
There are many reasons why cats and dogs relieve themselves where they shouldnt.
Before you do anything else, confirm it isnt a health-related issue.
The Dog Chat Forumexplains:
Usually it is because of feelings of insecurity or a perceived threat.
Neutering and spaying can help curb this behavior, but heres whatnotto do.
Most experts agree, yelling or shoving their nose in it is not a good solution.
It just makes your pet afraid of you, and they dont really learn that their behavior is wrong.
It might cause your dog to perceive you as being not only menacing, but also erratic.
To start, The Nest hasa handful of useful tipsfor dogs.
This encourages him to go to the bathroom in that approved location.
Over at the I Love Dog Site, certified trainer Amanda Cornellsuggests using positive noiseto redirect your dogs behavior.
She started doing this when we got a new cat.
Is the litter box uncomfortable?Older cats might not want to climb boxes with high walls.
Or your cat might be too big for its litter box.
Did you recently change brands?Some cats can be picky with their litter.
Yes, pets can be finicky.
But again, theyre only doing what comes naturally.
Cornell also suggests using odor-neutralizers anywhere your cat has already sprayed.
Cats love scratching stuff for a variety of reasonsto leave their scent, file their claws.
So your couch isnt a place for sitting.
Unfortunately, in your cats eyes, its a giant manicurist.
Yelling isnt going to stop your cat from doing this.
This tactic is completely lost on them, as they simply arent wired to read social cues.
Without the cognitive ability to connect your outburst to their scratching, cats see only chaotic aggression.
To the cat, youre this crazy primate who is attacking him for no reason, he says.
Hes not capable of listening because he has no clue what youre talking about.
What to do instead:Weve written all about how tokeep your cats from destroying furniturewith their claws.
But the best thing you’re able to do is give them an alternative place to scratch.
Once they have a dedicated place to scratch, theyll probably leave your couch alone.
But you have to pick a scratching post theyll actually use.
Cat Behavior Associatesrecommends a postwith the following traits:
Sturdy and tall:The cat needs to stretch.
I made the mistake of getting my cat an awkward post that constantly moved when she scratched.
Unfortunately, she went right back to my chair.
The right material:Many cats like sisal, but some prefer wood or corrugated cardboard.
you might experiment and see which your cat prefers.
In the right location: Does your cat like to scratch after a meal?
Put the post by her food bowl.
After using the litterbox?
Basically, put it in a location with her comfort in mind.
If a post doesnt work, you might consider breaking out the water bottle.
For more tips, check out the rest ofour post on the matter.
Basically, they want to get our attention.
Encouraging the behavior isnt a good idea if you want it to change.
The same goes for nervous shoutingthis just gets her excited.
And, obviously, you shouldnt attempt to knee or push your dog away.
You could hurt her, and she wont understand why you do it.
When your dog jumps, its best to remain calm, but assertive.
There arespecific tips to do this, according to the ASPCA.
Calmly wait for your dog to stop jumping.
When her front paws touch the floor, immediately look at her and calmly stroke her.
If she gets excited and jumps up again, straighten back up and repeat the sequence.
Through the crack in the door, say Sit.
When your dog sits, calmly walk back into the room, kneel down and gently stroke her.
Keep repeating this sequence until your dog stops jumping up.
The Be a Tree Method is a trick I learned in a dog bite prevention class.
Clicker Trainingexplains:
Teach kids to stand still, like a tree.
Trees are boring and the dog will eventually go away.
This works for strange dogs, and any time the family dog gets too frisky or becomes aggressive.
I tried this with my friends dog, and it worked like a charm.
Still, they can be pretty smelly creatures.
Heres how todeal with it.
For cat owners, its usually all about the litter box.
Location: Its tempting to hide the box in a small, enclosed area.
But that actually traps the smell and keeps it concentrated.
Leaving it in an open area allows for better ventilation.
Routine: Again, it ultimately comes down to sticking with a regular cleaning routine.
Organize your litterbox tools in a way that makes for quick and efficient cleaning.
Petfinderrecommendsscooping daily, replacing the litter twice a week, and replacing the box itself annually.
There are special air purifiers ostensibly designed for pet kennels and grooming salons.
But they can be certainly used in a domestic environment, too.
For bad breath, WebMDrecommendsevaluating your pets diet and giving them high-quality, easy to ingest food.
For dogs, giving them something to chew can help see to it their teeth stay clean, too.
This story was originally published in 2015 and updated on 10/02/20 with updated links, formatting, and images.
