Your pet may be sweet, loving, and gentle most of the time, but other times they might be less than perfect. Pet behavior problems, such as spraying or destructive chewing, are familiar yet challenging. You may wonder why your pet is “acting up” and want nothing more than for them to be the angel you want them to be. Addressing these behaviors is crucial for your pet’s well-being and household harmony. Your veterinarian is an invaluable resource for understanding and managing these problems. However, broaching the subject can sometimes feel embarrassing or daunting. Our Valley Center Veterinary Clinic team provides tips and strategies for effectively communicating about your pet’s behavior issues.

Common pet behavior problems

Pets are a wonderful addition to the family and provide great companionship; however, pets, like people, have individual traits and characteristics that aren’t always positive. Pets use their behavior to communicate how they feel, whether they are sick,  in pain, or happy and content. Behaviors are expressions of your pet’s current mental and physical health. Pets’ problem behaviors include:

  • Biting
  • Chronic barking or yowling
  • Inappropriate elimination
  • Destructive chewing or scratching
  • Hyperactivity
  • Stealing 
  • Running away
  • Resource guarding
  • Separation anxiety
  • Humping
  • Disobedience
  • Digging

Although common, these behaviors can usually be solved by speaking with your veterinarian. Vet professionals are trained in behavior modification and other behavior redirection methods.

Prepare for the veterinary visit

Once you’ve made an appointment with Valley Center Veterinary Clinic, take some time to observe and write down your pet’s problematic behaviors. Be specific about when these behaviors occur, their frequency, and any triggers you’ve noticed. Have any changes occurred in the home, such as a residential move, adding a new person or pet, or disrupting your pet’s regular routine? This information will help your vet accurately assess the situation. Also, take time to jot down questions you have about your pet so you will remember when you and your furry pal are at their vet appointment.

Talking about pet behavior: Honesty is the best policy

When discussing your pet’s behavior with your veterinarian, be honest and transparent. Refrain from downplaying or omitting details about the problem’s severity. Your vet needs complete information to offer the best advice and treatment options. Remember, your veterinary team is composed of compassionate, knowledgeable professionals who have heard it all before. We’re not here to judge but to remain objective so we can help you come up with the best solution to your pet’s behavior.

Provide context when talking to your veterinarian

Help your veterinarian understand the broader context of your pet’s behavior. Explain any recent changes in the household, routines, or environment that could be contributing factors. This contextual information can significantly aid in diagnosing the behavior problem’s root cause. Ensure you can provide your vet with the following information:

  • Specific inappropriate or destructive behavior
  • When the behavior started
  • Prompting events
  • Whether the behavior is intermittent or chronic
  • Behavior methods you’ve tried
  • Situations that help or hinder these behavior methods
  • Your pet’s age, whether they’ve been spayed or neutered, and current health conditions

Your discussion with our veterinary team allows you to ask the questions you’ve written down before the appointment. Be bold about asking questions if you need clarification on the information your veterinarian has provided.

Treatment options for pet behavior issues

Work with your veterinarian to explore treatment options tailored to your pet’s needs. These may include:

  • Behavioral modification techniques
  • Environmental adjustments
  • Lifestyle or routine changes
  • Medication for anxiety or hyperactivity
  • Training and socialization techniques
  • Referral for behavior specialist
  • Treating medical conditions attributed to the behavior

Veterinarians usually recommend a combination of approaches. Be open to trying different strategies to find what works most effectively for your pet.

Our Valley Center Veterinary Clinic team is your ally in your pet’s health and well-being, so building a solid rapport with us is important. Talking to us about your pet’s behavior problems is essential to finding solutions and improving your pet’s quality of life. Remember, you’re not alone in this pet behavior problem journey, and our team supports you every step of the way. Call us to schedule your pet’s behavior consultation.