Why Do Our Pets Hide When They're Sick?

Sometimes it can be frustratingly difficult to tell when our pets are injured or sick, and it’s mostly due to their own habits. As much as we might wish for our pets to be able to tell us when something is wrong, many pets will instinctively hide if they are not feeling well. If you notice your pet hiding, it’s definitely a good idea to bring them into your vet so they can get checked out to see if anything is wrong! But why do animals do this?

Your Pets Might Hide To Protect Themselves

The instinct to hide is based on behaviors that were beneficial when the animals were living in the wild. Wild cats and wolves hide when they are sick or injured in an attempt to protect themselves. If other animals can see that they are unwell, they’re at a greater risk of being attacked when they can’t defend themselves. It can be beneficial for them to hide until they are feeling better. Fortunately, our pets no longer have to fend for themselves when they’re sick, especially once you know that hiding is a warning sign!

What To Do Once You Know They’re Sick?

The most important first step is to take your pet to the vet so they can be checked out and your vet can go over treatment options. Your pet might be feeling sick thanks to an illness that can easily be treated with antibiotics so you can get them feeling better fast! If the problem is more involved, the sooner that you can get them seen, the sooner they will feel better. 

Once your pet is back home and you are helping them recover, they may still be tempted to hide. According to the American Humane Society, you can make them more comfortable by confining them to a quiet, comfortable space where they can feel out of the way and hidden but you can still check on them. Keeping them somewhere out of the way can also make it easier for you to find them to give them any prescribed medication. If your pet has been put on a special diet, keeping them separated from the other animals in your home can help you make sure that they are only eating their prescribed food — and that other pets are not eating it!

Remember To Always Get Your Pet Checked Out

The biggest thing to remember when your pet is exhibiting any unusual behavior like hiding is to bring them to the vet so they can be checked out as soon as possible so they can be feeling better and comfortable as fast as possible. Keep in mind that hiding can be a sign that something very serious is wrong and this isn’t a time to put off a vet visit! If you have concerns or questions about your pet’s behavior, contact the Bregman Vet Group to make an appointment for your pet in addition to talk about the questions you might have.

Why Is Your Dog Barking And What Can You Do About It?

While some dogs are quieter than others, barking is a perfectly normal behavior in dogs. They might bark while they play or to greet you when you get home. Are you noticing excessive barking and aren’t sure why? Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and you may be able to figure out the cause as well as get the barking to stop.

They’re Telling You What They Need

Your dog might not be barking for no reason, there might be something that they need your help with that they’re trying to alert you to! This might be a reminder that they haven’t been fed dinner yet, if your schedule is off (although keep tabs to make sure they aren’t tricking you into giving them extra food!) or maybe their water bowl is empty. They might be asking for a trip outside so they can relieve themselves or maybe a favorite toy has been dropped somewhere that they can’t reach. Checking on your dog’s immediate needs is a great way to troubleshoot before you consider other concerns.

They Want Your Attention

You are the centerpiece of your dog’s world and sometimes they will bark to remind you that they need attention. If you think your dog might be barking just for attention, consider if they’re getting enough playtime. Bored dogs may bark to amuse themselves, according to the American Kennel Club. 

You can cut down on this sort of barking by making sure they’re tired out — a nice long walk to the dog park or a great game of fetch in the backyard might be exactly what they need. Just take care to make sure that you aren’t rewarding bad behavior; if your dog’s needs are being met, the best way to get them to stop barking is with consistent discipline.

Someone (or Another Dog) Is Nearby

There’s a reason that the term “watchdog” exists. Traditionally, dogs have been seen as a great pet that can help you keep your home safe by altering you to visitors — and potentially scaring off unwanted visitors with their bark! They also might bark if another animal (in particular, another dog) wanders onto your property, either in excitement or out of a desire to chase them away. 

This territorial behavior may be desirable if you are concerned about your family’s safety (or if you often don’t hear your doorbell), and it can be a good idea to teach your dog the “quiet” command. According to the Humane Society, this can be done so your dog’s barking will stop as soon as they hear the command which can help quiet your dog when visitors come over or whenever their barking is a nuisance. You can also try teaching them another behavior that will prevent them from barking, such as asking them to lay down in a specific spot or to bring you a toy so their mouth is occupied.

They Might Need Medical Help

As nice as it would be for your dog to be able to use words to let you know that they don’t feel their best, barking might be their main tool for communication and according to the ASPCA, they might use barking to let you know something isn’t right. If your dog is barking excessively, it’s a good idea to get them checked out by a vet so you can rule out any medical problems. Your veterinarian might also have additional resources and advice for you regarding your pet’s behavior.

If you’re interested in more information about your pet’s health and behavior, schedule an appointment today with Bregman Veterinary Group to keep your pet healthy and happy!

3 Major Reasons to Spay and Neuter Your Pets

When welcoming a new pet into a home, owners should make a point to bring their pet to the veterinarian for both a health checkup and to ensure that their new pet receives the appropriate vaccinations. You may have also been told to spay and neuter your animals so they don’t have kittens or puppies. But you may be feeling on the fence about spay and neuter. There are important reasons why your pet should be spayed or neutered. 

What Exactly Does It Mean To Get Your Pet “Fixed?”

It’s on the to do list of responsible pet owners when they adopt a pet: get them a check up, get their vaccinations, and get them “fixed”. What exactly does this mean? Typically when pet owners take their animals to the veterinarian to “get fixed,” male animals are neutered by having their testes removed. Female animals are spayed, meaning their ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes are removed. In both cases, this results in your pet being unable to reproduce. 

Some veterinarians may use other options, so if you have any questions about the procedure and what will work best for your pet’s health, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your vet so they can explain their recommendations to you. However, here are some compelling reasons to get your pet spayed or neutered: 

1) Health Benefits

There are serious health benefits for pets that are spayed and neutered. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, spaying female animals reduces the risk of breast cancer and uterine infections. Neutering male pets helps to prevent prostate problems and testicular cancer. Eliminating these potential health problems can add happy, healthy years to your pet’s life and give you some valuable peace of mind that you are taking steps toward your pet’s wellbeing.

2) Improved Behavior

Spaying or neutering your pet can cause big improvements in your pet’s behavior and can also prevent bad habits from forming. This works because once spayed or neutered, your pet will no longer produce the hormones that give them the drive to find a mate and reproduce. This typically means that pets are more docile and less likely to be aggressive toward animals that they may otherwise view as “competition.” They also will be less likely to try and physically mark their territory — behaviors like spraying are much less likely to develop. Female animals will not go into heat. 

Your pets will also be much less likely to wander away from home if they are spayed and neutered as they will not go out searching for a mate. This will save you a great deal of stress and will mean that they are much safer. It is also a popular belief that animals who are spayed and neutered form stronger bonds with their human owners, whether proven or not.

3) Reduced Number Of Unwanted Pets

Spaying and neutering your pets reduces the overall pet population. Every day, many homeless animals are euthanized in shelters because animal shelters are crowded and resources are sadly not always available. You can help shelters and homeless pets by not increasing the overall pet population. 

You might reason with yourself that you’ll definitely be able to find homes for your cat or dog’s entire litter; however, if everyone who took a kitten or puppy from you instead adopted a shelter pet, that would free up more space in the shelters. Male animals might also father kittens or puppies without you ever realizing it. If they mate with a stray pet, you might not know to help. 

If you have more questions about getting your pet spayed or neutered, want more information on the process, or want to figure out when the best time to get your pet in for the procedure, contact Bregman Vet Group today to schedule an appointment! Helping your pet can help the pet population overall!