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Feline Body Language Spotlight
Dilated Pupils
If your cat's pupils are dilated frequently or if one pupil is dilated and the other is not, bring your cat to the veterinarian to have her vision checked. If your cat has normal vision, there are various reasons why the pupils could be dilated including: low ambient light and a high neurochemical arousal level. A high neurochemical arousal level means that your cat is in fight or flight. Her adrenaline is pumping. She could be scared or excited about a new toy. In general, it is best to regard dilated pupils as a stop sign. When your cat looks this way, leave her alone. Click here to learn more about this body language signal.
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Alternatives to Declawing
Lisa Radosta DVM, DACVB
Cats need to scratch. Scratching serves multiple important functions. It removes the It removes the cuticle from the claws and it leaves a visual and scent marker for all who pass through the area. On the other hand, no one likes to have their furniture ruined. While declawing stops the damage to your furniture, there are alternatives to declawing which are less stressful and painful for the cat. Click here to see if any of these options would work for your cat.
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Is your dog a thief?
Lisa Radosta DVM, DACVB
Stealing can be a very annoying problem in dogs. Dogs sometimes steal their owners' personal items in an apparent bid for attention - which is inevitably given. It is hard to resist running after your dog as he runs through the house with your prized pair of shoes. What seems like disobedience to you looks like a game of chase to your dog. If that is one of the ways that he gains attention from you, he will repeat this behavior again and again. A recent study published in Animal Cognition (Kaminski, J; Pitsch, A; Tomasello, M.) suggests that your dog wouldn't be as likely to steal if you kept the lights on.
Click here to find out more about this study and how to stop your dog from stealing.
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Are you mismatched?
Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB
A nice man who looks to be in his early 70s sits in my office with Midge, his young, black and white Border Collie who he received as a birthday gift from his daughter. Midge is very pretty with a shiny coat and a perky, fun loving face. He complains that she never sits still, herds his grandchildren and wants to play all of the time. He just can't keep up with her. He asks me if I have a sedative that I can prescribe for her. Seems a little far fetched? Not really. I see it all the time. It's a dog-owner mismatch. A marriage made in, well you know where. Dogs are often impulse buys or gifts without a lot of time spent researching how that particular dog will fit into that particular family. Do you know how to pick the right puppy for you? Lets start with a little quiz...
You've decided to add a puppy to your family. How do you go about finding the right one?
- Think about why you are getting a puppy and what characteristics you would like in an adult dog. Then, try to find a puppy who fits the bill.
- Go to the nearest pet store and pick the cutest one!
- See if your 4 year old can spot one that looks good on the internet, then have it shipped.
Click here to find the answer and more information about out how to find the right puppy for you.
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Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
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Volume 4, No. 1: 1st Qtr 2013
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Does your dog lunge, bark and growl on the leash?
Take the Reactive Dog Class taught by Dr. Radosta to learn how to control your dog and teach her to relax on walks. Reactive Dog Class starts May 2013 For more information, Click here>> |
Canine Body Language Spotlight: What are these dogs saying?
 Dogs can put their ears forward for many reasons. Generally, this means that they are alert or focused on something. It is best to interpret this as a stop signal which means that you should leave the dog alone. Click here to learn more about this body language signal.
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Do you have a great story of success with your pet?
Your story could inspire someone else! If you would like to share your story, write it in 500 words or less and email it to us at info@flvetbehavior.com.
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Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
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