Is your pet fulfilled?
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Wood Green’s advice for recognising behavioural issues As owners, we see our pets all the time. This means signals that they are unhappy may simply go unnoticed, and behaviours that owners don’t like may be considered a normal part of their personality. Pets are creatures of habit, so some owners may be seeing a change in behaviour as a result of lockdown and a change in routine. It’s likely that many pets, especially dogs, will feel separation anxiety when owners return to work and school. Wood Green, The Animals Charity has decades of experience in caring for pets, as well as offering free advice and support to owners, so is sharing advice for anyone who may need help. Pets can become stressed or display behavioural problems more often than we think. If you notice a sudden change in your pet’s physical or mental wellbeing, it’s worth getting them seen by a vet to rule out any physical causes. Behavioural problems are more difficult to define as it often depends on when a pet is displaying a certain behaviour, why they are doing it, and whether the owner finds it acceptable. What we do know, however, is that pets’ behaviour is driven by their emotional state – just like humans. For dogs, jumping up can be caused by excitement, chewing can be caused by boredom and barking can be caused by fear. For cats, feelings of frustration can lead to aggression, often due to them not being able to exhibit natural hunting behaviours. By getting a deeper understanding of why our pets behave the way they do, we can begin to manage their behaviour with different care techniques and training methods. As well as meeting pets’ physical needs like food, exercise and veterinary care, it’s our duty to care for their mental and emotional needs too. Owners who do so are likely to have a well-rounded and content
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pet, and can prevent behavioural problems from developing. It’s key to ensure that five welfare needs are met: 1. Health. Pets must be protected from pain and suffering, and be treated if they become ill or injured. 2. Behaviour. Pets should be able to behave in a way that’s natural for their species – for example playing, running, digging, jumping or hunting. 3. Companionship. Some species are sociable and must live with others of their kind, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, whereas other species like hamsters are solitary. With cats and dogs, it often comes down to the individual pet. 4. Diet. Pets need to be fed appropriately for their species and age in order to prevent obesity or malnourishment, as well as having access to fresh, clean water. 5. Environment. Pets require a suitable environment to live in, with a comfortable place to rest and hide as well as space to exercise and explore. In a perfect world, all pets would be well-bred and well-raised. However, even if you’ve done a great job of raising a pet, or if you’ve taken on a pet from a previous home or rehoming centre like Wood Green, there will be lots of issues to consider along the way. It can be incredibly stressful if you’re having trouble with a pet, so the best approach is to be proactive and seek help as soon as possible. This is the first step to overcoming an issue, as it can be much harder to change a behaviour that’s been long established. Wood Green offers free pet advice to anyone who needs it and can guide you at every step of your journey – whether you’re considering getting a new pet, or need help with an existing pet. Find out more at woodgreen.org.uk/pet-advice.
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