Search Results for: blog pets with noise phobias

Some Pets Help Sell Homes

The New York Times recently posted an interesting article relating to pets, one that the story itself acknowledges contradicts popular assumed wisdom: pets help sell homes. Normally one would assume that leaving pets in a house or apartment while it’s toured by prospective buyers is a bad idea, because who knows how potential buyers feel about animals? To an extent that will always be true. People touring the house might have severe pet allergies or phobias. Some pets might be ill-behaved, following the tour around the house, making noise, and perhaps even trying to jump on people. Certain hallmarks of … Continue reading →

Pets with Compulsive Behavior Problems

There is a cat who comes to stay at the cats-only boarding facility who has chewed her rump and the base of her tail naked. We have another guest who has stripped the fur off her throat and chest. My dog Moose sometimes licks bare spots onto his forelegs. My parents’ dog Becca used to chew her tail raw during the day while my parents were at work. All of these may be compulsive behaviors. Sometimes, behaviors like licking, chewing, tail-chasing, and spinning are normal. Sometimes they’re beyond normal and into harmful for pets AND their owners. Yes, pets can … Continue reading →

Pets and Home Renovations

We’ve had a lot of guests at the cats-only boarding facility lately who are in need of a safe, quiet haven while their homes are under construction. But you don’t have to remove your pets from the house while workers are there — as long as you’re careful. Make a safe room for pets. If you can, keep one room free of the chaos of construction. You can keep your pets safely in the safe room with food, fresh water, and some kind of distractions — a special toy, soft music, and tasty treats. If your pets are unsettled by … Continue reading →

Pets with Noise Phobias

With the Fourth of July on the horizon, this is a good time to take another look at pets with noise phobia. Some veterinarians and behaviorists believe that as many as one out of five dogs suffers from noise phobia. For some pets, reactions to noises can be mild. Perhaps they shake or hide. For others, the reactions can approach full panic. Some pets go into total panic and can hurt themselves trying to escape. Shelters can end up with lots of pets who got spooked and took off during a thunderstorm or the Fourth of July fireworks. Storms and … Continue reading →

Pet Phobias

No… not people who are afraid of pets! There are some pets out there who have some very odd fears. Take the pets in my family, for example. My dog Lally is afraid of probably the weirdest thing ever: ceiling fans. She will not go into a room when the fan is on. No amount of coaxing or treats will get her through the door! It just so happens that we have a ceiling fan on the porch, in between the kitchen door and the backyard. If the fan is on, Lally is not budging. She’s also easily startled by … Continue reading →

It’s High Anxiety Season Again!

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Here in the States, the Fourth of July (and the weeks surrounding) is a high anxiety time for pets — thanks to the fireworks. They’ve been setting off fireworks in my neighborhood for at least a week now, with the big day itself still to come. My dogs have been relatively mellow about the firecrackers so far — despite a bad experience in the past where they were thrown at us while we were walking. Perked ears, a little bit of barking and running to the windows… definitely not as bad as it has been. But for some pets, fireworks … Continue reading →

Thoughts on Reuniting Lost Dogs with Owners

The story about Rocko the beagle who was reunited with his owners after five years got me to thinking: Should a pet always be returned to the original owners? Taking Responsibility In Rocko’s case, the Naranjo family obviously still loved the dog –even though they’d only had him for two months before he’d disappeared and he’d been gone for five years. However, they were willing to fork out some bucks and time to get him back. First they had to fly to Georgia to pick him up, then they had to rent a car and drive (14 hours I might … Continue reading →

Let the Fireworks Begin!

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Last night around nine o’clock, somebody started in with the fireworks. I live across the street from the local high school and middle school, and there’s lots of open space available between the sports fields and parking lots. Through the open window, I could hear the crackle of the fireworks, followed by a whole lot of hooting and hollering. Right around the same time I was hearing the beginnings of Fourth of July celebrations, a friend posted on her blog about her dog’s reaction to fireworks. Not fear — as is a common reaction to fireworks and other loud noises … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Home Renovations

Most of our clients at the cats-only boarding facility leave their furry friends with us when nobody will be home — a business trip or family vacation, for example. Lately, it seems we have a lot of guests who are in need of a safe haven during moving or home construction. Why board your pet during home renovations or packing for a move? Reduce the risk of your pet escaping when someone is bringing supplies in or out. If your pet is skittish around strangers, he or she won’t feel safe or comfortable with unfamiliar movers or construction workers in … Continue reading →

What Makes A Good Temperament?

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Different people value different personality traits in their pets. Some people look for a dog that will be highly protective of the house and family; some people want a dog that will be friendly and affectionate to friend and stranger alike. Things to think about in temperament: Obedience level. Part of being a responsible owner is knowing that your dog will respond to your commands under pressure. My Lally has a pretty high obedience level — she’s pretty attentive to me. Moose, on the other hand, needs more work. Trainability. Is your dog willing and able to learn new tricks … Continue reading →