One of the more common problem behaviors seen in cats is house soiling (urinating or defecating outside of the litter box). This problem alone is one of the major reasons that cats are relinquished to shelters, cast from households, and, in some cases, euthanized. In most instances this is truly a...

It is estimated that up to 10% of dogs have some form of vision and/or hearing impairment. Impaired vision or blindness can occur in dogs affected with conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal degeneration. Deafness can be seen in certain breeds such as Dalmations, among others. Many of t...

It's estimated that up to one third of pet cats are kept indoors only, and over fifty percent of cats, that are kept indoors, also spend part of their time outdoors.  The indoor environment is fairly static and unchanging. This can lead to boredom and stress for the cat. Stress in cats can be...

Behavior problems are fairly common in dogs and cats, and successfully addressing the issue(s) often requires a bit of time, understanding, and patience. Pet owners often seek out advice and assistance from professionals, including trainers and veterinarians, to help them work through with the issue...

Dogs and cats can experience anxiety, fear, and panic. In some instances, this is transient or fleeting (such as fear or panic during a thunderstorm or fireworks). However, some pets may experience more frequent manifestations of anxiety associated with things that they commonly encounter. The list...

Loud noises can commonly lead to anxiety, fear and panic in dogs, and occasionally in cats. For some, this is a "seasonal" problem - for example, when thunderstorms tend to develop, or during fireworks season (especially around the 4th of July holiday). The fear and panic that ensues can be sig...

Urine marking is a problem behavior in cats. Because some pet owners find this behavior unacceptable, it can ultimately lead to cat relinquishment, and in some cases, euthanasia. However, with some understanding of this common behavior and efforts to address the underlying issue(s), many of these ca...

It is estimated that between 30 and 50% of pet owners find a trip to the veterinarian's office stressful - largely because they believe that their dog or cat does not like going to the vet. Pets that fear the veterinarian's office can often react as if in a state of crisis. They may become very diff...

A pet with separation anxiety experiences recurrent distress in the absence or perceived absence of an attachment figure. An attachment figure could be its guardian, another human, or another animal. Separation anxiety is the second most common behavior problem of canines affecting an estimated 14%...

Veterinary behavior expert Dr. E'Lise Christensen, DVM, DACVB discusses some general principles for setting puppies up for success in house training and preventing house soiling problems.  Learn more about House Soiling  

In a recent VetVine Behavior Q&A - Ask the Experts session Dr. E'Lise Christensenand professional dog trainer Michelle Mullins answered audience questions including this oneon how to deal with a dog that greets people with this embarrassing behavior.     More Behavior On Demand

In a recent VetVine Behavior Q&A - Ask the Experts session Dr. E'Lise Christensenand professional dog trainer Michelle Mullins answered audience questions including this oneon how to deal with the dog that goes nuts in the car.  More Behavior On Demand //

The effect of music on anxiety and stress levels in humans and animals has been previously studied, and the positive impact of classical music on animals has been demonstrated. It's also been shown that cats under anesthesia demonstrate different physiological responses to the various...

Infectious diseases? Cancer? Behavior problems? Which is a leading cause of death in dogs? Renowned author and veterinary behavior expert Dr. Nicholas Dodman explains some of the factors that can lead to behavior problems in dogs and the sad consequences.  

What works for dogs with behavior disorders? - A nutritionist's perspective -        Donna M. Raditic, DVM, DACVN, CVA In the past five years there has been an explosion of research looking at the interplay between nutrition, the gut microbiome, and behavior. Converging evid...