Anyone who has loved a cat can attest that they retain their wildish nature. Cats are natural hunters, who once depended on this skill for their survival, and they also need to scratch, climb, and stalk prey. These cat behaviors can be endearing—unless they are scratching your good furniture—but they [...]

Pet behavior is a challenging and complex subject, which can make meaningful, productive conversations with your pet’s primary veterinarian difficult. This is especially true if your pet is receiving extra care, such as vaccines or wellness testing, at the same appointment.  Much like you prepare your pet’s carrier or stool [...]

As pet owners, we all want to ensure that our four-legged companions feel safe, secure, and loved—especially at home. One significant aspect of our pets’ well-being is minimizing stress and anxiety during routine care tasks. In this article, the Veterinary Behavior Solutions team will explore some simple, low-stress handling techniques [...]

Some pets are naturally well-behaved, and they seemingly understand humans’ ways, effortlessly finding their place in our daily rhythms and routines. However, most pets need a little help understanding what’s expected and how to coexist peacefully with humans, other pets, and the world. No matter what you suspect your pet’s [...]

The great indoors may be the safest place for dogs and cats, but a controlled environment does not provide the mental stimulation and physical exercise that pets experience in their natural (i.e., outdoor) habitat. Inadequate physical activity and mental stimulation can lead to serious health and behavior problems, including obesity, [...]

No one wants to see their beloved pet suffer from fear or anxiety, but if your dog or cat will not calm down, or their fearful and anxious responses are becoming more frequent or intense, despite your consolations, they may require veterinary care. Understanding your pet’s emotional struggle and learning [...]