Why Does My Pet Do That? Pet Behaviour Explained

Zoomies at nine o’clock at night. A ‘gift’ on the doormat. Your cat staring you straight in the eye while slowly pushing your mug off the table. Our pets can be gloriously baffling.

Most quirky behaviour is completely normal, but sometimes a change in behaviour is your pet’s way of telling you something is wrong. This guide decodes some of the most common things pets do, shows you how to read their body language, and explains when it’s worth getting them checked.

The golden rule of pet behaviour

A sudden change in your pet’s behaviour can be the first sign of pain or illness. Before assuming a new habit is ‘just behaviour’, book a health check. If your pet is showing aggression, or you’re worried about anyone’s safety, seek professional help promptly, and keep people and other animals safe in the meantime.

The 30-second version

1. Most quirky behaviour, from zoomies to kneading, is completely normal.
2. Sudden changes in behaviour can be a sign of pain or illness, so get them checked.
3. Read the whole body, not just the tail, to understand how your pet is feeling.
4. Never punish a growl. It’s an important warning signal.
5. Reward-based training is kind, effective and builds trust.

Dogs

The zoomies. Those sudden, mad bursts of running in circles (sometimes called ‘frenetic random activity periods’) are normal, often happening after a bath, a walk or even a poo. Just make sure your dog has a safe space to run, away from roads, stairs and slippery floors.

Sniffing everything (yes, even other dogs’ bottoms). Dogs gather huge amounts of information through their noses. A good sniff is basically your dog reading the local newspaper. Sniffing is mentally tiring in a good way, so letting your dog have a good sniff on walks is great enrichment.

Did you know? That nose knows A dog’s nose contains hundreds of millions of scent receptors, compared with around five or six million in ours. No wonder a lamp post can be so fascinating.

Rolling in smelly things. Nobody knows for certain why dogs do this, though there are several theories. If they roll in fox poo, a bath with a shampoo made for dogs should do the trick. Some substances can irritate the skin, so seek advice if your dog’s skin looks sore afterwards.

Eating poo. Unpleasant for us, but fairly common, especially in puppies. It can be linked to habit, boredom, attention-seeking and, sometimes, diet or medical problems. Pick up after your dog promptly. If it’s a new or persistent habit, mention it to your vet.

Chewing. Chewing is completely natural, particularly in teething puppies and young dogs, but it can also be a sign of boredom. Provide safe chews and toys, and puppy-proof your home (shoes, cables and remote controls are firm favourites).

Head tilting. Adorable, and possibly a way of hearing or seeing us better. However, a head tilt that doesn’t go away, especially with wobbliness, loss of balance or flickering eyes, needs urgent veterinary attention.

Licking or chewing paws. The occasional lick is normal. Constant licking or chewing, red skin or rusty-stained fur can be signs of allergies, infection, pain or a grass seed, so get it checked.

Scooting (dragging their bottom along the floor). This is often caused by anal gland problems, but can also be linked to worms or skin irritation. Book a check.

Growling. A growl is a warning and an important way for dogs to communicate. Never punish a growl, as this can teach a dog to skip the warning and go straight to a bite. Give your dog space and seek professional advice to understand why they’re uncomfortable.

Problems when left alone. Barking, howling, chewing or toilet accidents when left alone are usually signs of stress, not naughtiness or spite. Seek professional advice, and build up time alone gradually.

Yawning, lip licking and looking away. These can be subtle signs that your dog is feeling uneasy, not just tired.

Vet advice If your dog’s behaviour changes suddenly, or a habit is causing problems at home, seek professional veterinary advice first to rule out pain or illness.

Reading your dog’s body language

Dogs are always talking to us; it’s just that most of the conversation happens through their bodies. Here’s a quick guide to some common signals. Always look at the whole dog and the situation, as one signal on its own doesn’t tell the full story.

If your dog is showing signs that they’re uneasy, calmly give them space and remove them from the situation if you can.

Cats

Kneading (‘making biscuits’). This behaviour starts in kittenhood and is often a sign of comfort and contentment. A thick blanket on your lap will save your legs.

Slow blinking. A slow blink is a sign that a cat is relaxed and trusts you. Try slowly blinking back. It’s basically a cat kiss.

Bringing ‘gifts’. Hunting is a natural instinct, so please don’t punish your cat for it. If your cat wears a collar, make sure it’s a quick-release (snap-open) type, to reduce the risk of injury if it gets caught.

Knocking things off tables. Curiosity, play, and very possibly a bid for your attention. Regular play sessions with wand toys can help.

Scratching furniture. Scratching keeps claws healthy, stretches muscles and leaves scent marks. Provide sturdy, tall scratching posts near their favourite spots, and reward them for using them.

Headbutting and rubbing against you. Your cat is marking you with their scent. It’s a compliment. You’ve been claimed.

Chattering at birds through the window. A mixture of excitement and frustration at prey that’s out of reach.

Did you know? That meow is just for you Adult cats rarely meow at each other. Kittens meow to their mothers, but adult cats mostly save their meows for communicating with people. So when your cat ‘talks’ to you, it really is a conversation.

Sleeping a lot. Cats sleep for a large part of the day, which is completely normal. A sudden change in sleeping habits, however, is worth mentioning to your vet.

Hiding. Cats often hide when they’re stressed or unwell. If your cat is hiding more than usual, have them checked.

Toileting outside the litter tray. This can have a medical cause (such as cystitis, urinary problems or arthritis that makes the tray hard to get into), or be linked to stress or the tray itself (location, cleanliness or type of litter). A common guide is to provide one litter tray per cat, plus one extra, in quiet spots.

Over-grooming or bald patches. These can be caused by itching, allergies, parasites, pain or stress, and should always be checked by a vet.

Important: a cat straining in the litter tray is an emergency

If your cat (especially a male cat) is straining to wee, going in and out of the litter tray, crying when trying to wee, or passing little or no urine, call us immediately on 01843 808344. A blocked bladder can become life-threatening very quickly.

Vet advice Many ‘behaviour problems’ in cats have a medical cause. Seek professional veterinary advice before trying to change your cat’s behaviour.

What’s that tail telling you?

A cat’s tail is one of the best clues to their mood. As with dogs, read it alongside the rest of the body.

Rabbits and other small pets

• Binkies: a joyful leap and twist in the air. A happy rabbit
• Thumping a back foot: an alarm signal. Something has worried them
• Teeth sounds: soft teeth purring while being stroked is usually a sign of contentment, but loud teeth grinding, especially with a hunched posture, can be a sign of pain and needs checking
• Feather plucking in parrots can have medical or behavioural causes, so always have it checked by a vet

Boredom busters: easy enrichment ideas

A bored pet is far more likely to find their own entertainment, usually involving your sofa. Enrichment keeps minds busy and can help prevent problem behaviours.

For dogs

• Scatter part of their food in the garden or on a snuffle mat, so they can sniff it out
• Food puzzle toys and lick mats
• Short, fun training sessions, teaching a new trick each week
• ‘Sniffari’ walks, where your dog chooses the route and sniffs to their heart’s content

For cats

• Vertical space, such as cat trees and shelves, so they can watch the world from up high
• Hiding spots, such as boxes and covered beds
• Daily play sessions with a wand toy, ending with a ‘catch’ so they feel successful
• Puzzle feeders, and a window perch for bird watching (and chattering)
• Rotating toys every few days to keep things interesting

Supervise your pet with new toys, and put string, ribbon and wand toys away after play, as they can be dangerous if swallowed.

Training: kindness works best

• Reward-based training, using treats, praise and play, is effective and builds trust between you and your pet.
• Punishment, shouting and aversive equipment (such as spray or prong collars) can increase fear and anxiety, and may make problems, including aggression, worse.
• Keep sessions short and fun, and make sure everyone at home uses the same words and rules.

Getting professional help. For problems beyond everyday training, such as aggression, severe anxiety or phobias, speak to us first. We’ll check for any medical cause and can talk to you about a referral to a suitably qualified behaviourist. Animal behaviour and training isn’t regulated by law in the UK, so it’s worth looking for professionals registered with a recognised body, such as the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC).

Vet advice You know your pet best. If something about their behaviour is worrying you, trust your instincts and seek professional veterinary advice.