Pawfarer

Behaviour

Understanding your pet

In short

Understanding your pet means paying attention to its body language and behaviour. UK and US organisations are quoted below, separately.

Key points

  • UK organisations (RSPCA, PDSA) and a US organisation (AAHA) are shown separately, not combined.
  • If you are concerned about your own pet's behaviour, consult your vet.

Dogs

PDSA (UK) says, about dogs,

Paying attention to your dog’s body language (including their face, posture and tail position) is a great way to understand how they’re feeling.
How to tell if your dog is happy

PDSA (UK) says, about a dog that walks away from an interaction,

Let them do this and don’t follow them or push the interaction, as your dog is letting you know they need a time-out.
How to tell if your dog is happy

RSPCA (UK) says, about dogs,

They need constant access to a safe hiding place where they can escape when they feel afraid.
Understanding Your Dog's Behaviour

Cats

RSPCA (UK) says, about cats,

As a cat owner, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on your cat's behaviour, as any changes could be a sign that they're upset, bored, sick or injured, stressed or frightened.
Understanding Your Cat's Behaviour

When to speak to a vet

RSPCA (UK) says, about cats,

If you're concerned about your cat's behaviour, speak to your vet first.
Understanding Your Cat's Behaviour

AAHA (US) describes its 2015 behavior management guidelines (written for vets) this way:

the guidelines stress the significance of veterinary evaluations to rule out any underlying medical conditions contributing to behavioral problems.

This is AAHA's own summary of its guidelines. Only the summary page was saved, not the guidelines themselves.

2015 AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines

These are general statements from the organisations named above, not advice for your pet. For anything about your own cat or dog, consult your vet.

Sources