Behavioral Issues?

from Pet Companion Magazine, Spring 2023

by Pet Companion Magazine

Elimination Matters The Scoop on Where Pets Poop

Ask yourself:

• Does your dog or cat have a behavioral issue that you would like to address?

• Does he show signs of anxiety and destructive behavior whenever you leave home?

• Is she getting older and maybe not acting like she used to?

• Does your cat urinate outside the litter box?

• Do you have a hard time taking your dog or cat to the vet clinic or even getting them into the car because they are afraid? Let

Behavioral Consultations

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760-346-6103

VCA Rancho Mirage Animal Hospital 71-075 Highway 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

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Dogs and cats have a preference to eliminate 1) on porous surfaces (i.e., grass, carpet, dirt), 2) in a place where elimination has occurred previously, and 3) away from their sleeping and eating locations. Young animals will need to eliminate more frequently—puppies can hold their urine approximately 1 hour for each month of age (so a 4-week-old puppy will pee once an hour, on average). Other factors that will affect where our fur kids choose to eliminate include environmental noises, temperatures, smells, animals, etc. For example, many dogs will be less willing to defecate when it is raining outside. And a loud noise—perhaps the laundry machine starting up—can startle a cat right out of the litter box.

When a dog does decide to eliminate, there are common behavioral patterns to expect. They will show more interest in sniffing and smelling, cir cling behaviors, and inter est in a particular location. Some may lift their leg or squat to urinate. Often, a squatting posture is used with tail lifted for defecation, although there can be some variation. Some dogs may scratch after ward to partially cover their excrement. There can be other ritual aspects to a dog’s elimination pattern that are individualized from dog to dog.

Cats are generally litter box trained if they’re indoor cats, and they’ll often scratch around first in the substrate/litter material provided prior to eliminating. Urination and defecation are generally done while squatting. Intact males may also mark, which is a separate behavior from elimination but can be misinterpreted by owners. This behavior usually includes a pattern of backing up to a vertical surface with tail up to spray the wall, furniture, tree, etc. Cats generally engage in more digging afterward to cover their excrement. If the litter box isn’t cleaned frequently, the ammonia from the urine can build up and irritate their respiratory passages, leading to litter box aversion. Other medical issues, such as lower urinary tract disease, arthritis, and hormonal diseases may also lead cats to urinate elsewhere (often on soft substrates, such as towels, bedding or clothing).

I believe the most important symptom owners can look for is a change in a pet’s elimination pattern. That should be a signal to owners that it’s time to ask your veterinarian to rule out a medical issue, through diagnostics that may include bloodwork, urinalysis, X-rays, and other tests.