When we get a pet, we think of them as perfect. They are the cutest thing we’ve ever seen, and they can do no wrong. However, as most pet owners know, this is hardly ever the case. With animals, just like humans, behavioral issues are a very real thing. And just like humans, animals can have various behavioral issues.
Most people think that they can train behavioral issues out of their pets. While this is sometimes true, it is not always the case. Sometimes behavioral issues are more severe, and sometimes behavioral issues are caused by medical problems.
If you are wondering, “Why is my cat being aggressive all of a sudden,” this article is for you. We’ll discuss what might lead to these issues, what you can do, and when to visit the vet.
Common Behavioral Issues
Here is a list of some common behavioral issues you might find in your pet, how to treat it, or if you should seek veterinary care or hire an animal trainer.
1. Aggression
Why is my dog being aggressive all of a sudden? This is a common question we hear. Aggression could be caused by an emotional response or pain, or illness. Extreme examples include rabies.
If your pet was in a traumatic situation, its natural tendency might be to act aggressively if something triggers the memory of that occurrence. Other emotional responses could be protectiveness over people or things, situations outside the norm for your pet, or a lack of socialization when they were young. Most of these examples can be treated through training and special care.
However, if you go through all the training recommended and you still aren’t seeing results, you will want to take your animal to the vet for a thorough examination, especially in cases of sudden aggression, as there might be an underlying medical reason that needs to be addressed by an internal medicine specialist.
2. They have forgotten their potty training
It’s pretty surprising (and certainly unpleasant) when a well-potty-trained animal suddenly starts eliminating inappropriately. Sometimes this indicates that your animal has an illness, and it will likely go away soon enough, but if the problem persists, it could be a sign of bigger issues.
If your animal starts doing this and doesn’t stop within a week, you should take them to the vet. Your vet will run tests to make a proper diagnosis and help your animal get back to their potty-trained ways.
3. Obsession
This might be a little harder to spot in animals, but obsession is a cause for concern for many with animals. Some examples of this might be chasing its tail, licking its paws until they bleed or sucking on its flank.
The reason for this behavior could be something small or something more problematic. For some breeds of dogs, it might be a genetic thing. For others, it might be something as simple as boredom or anxiety. Try getting your animal more exercise and see if that helps with the symptoms.
If exercise doesn’t help, you should take your animal to the vet. Some underlying medical conditions might have caused your dog this obsessive behavior. For example, allergies could cause them to lick their paws. Your vet can run tests and develop a plan for you and your pet.
A side note here, many people wonder, “Why is my dog eating grass?” Many think this is a sign of illness or something is wrong with their dog. That’s probably not true, and eating grass might help your dog’s digestive system work properly.
4. Separation anxiety
This is a big one for many people who have dogs in their family. Your dog is perfectly well-behaved when others are around, even around strangers, but as soon as they are left alone, they act in all sorts of inappropriate ways. This could be due to past trauma or a change in the environment for the animal.
If this sounds familiar, it is time to go to the vet. They will run a series of tests and determine if there is a medical cause for the anxiety or if your dog needs extra specialized training.
If you have any questions about your animal’s behavior, please contact Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists today!
