Here you will find useful materials on various topics, starting with the behavior of pets and ending with the necessity of veterinary procedures. – kas ja millal oma lemmik vaktsineerida?
Barking is as natural to dogs as talking is to humans – it is their way of communicating, often signaling danger, uncertainty or a need for attention. However, if your dog barks constantly, it may be a sign that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. For example, barking at sounds coming from the hallway, at people passing by on the street or when left home alone may be a sign of a behavioral problem related to fear, anxiety, boredom or excess energy. It is important to understand why your dog is barking and find a suitable solution.
Possible causes:
- Fear and uncertainty- Strange voices, being alone, or unfamiliar situations can cause anxiety. A dog barks because it has no other way to respond to the situation and is trying to calm itself down or defuse the situation by barking.
- Boredom and excess energy - Especially in a young and active dog, constant barking can be a sign that the dog is not getting enough mental or physical stimulation or human contact.
- Learnt behaviour - If a dog has previously achieved something positive by barking (such as getting attention) or has not been taught alternative behaviors, barking may become a habitual response.
Possible solutions:
Solutions to a barking problem may not be a quick fix, but rather a long-term effort. Solving the problem requires commitment and consistency from the owner, but the result can be a significantly more positive experience with your dog, so it makes sense to start the journey to solutions early.
- Constant training - Start in calmer situations where the dog is able to calm down more quickly and reward the dog immediately when it stops barking. Over time, try to increase the difficulty of the exercise, or train your dog in more challenging environments. NB! Change the difficulty level only when the dog is already a skilled silent dog. Be careful not to punish the dog. Yelling can only worsen the animal's anxiety and also disrupt the relationship between you and your dog.
- Desensitizing and counterconditioning - Desensitization means gradually accustoming a dog to something, and through counterconditioning we create positive associations with a difficult situation.
- Mental and physical activity - To ensure the well-being of the dog, it is necessary for the dog to be able to engage in activities that provide mental and physical stimulation, which can include varied walks, dog sports, interactive toys, puzzles that require solving, etc.
- Changing the environment - When leaving your dog home alone, create a calming environment for him: calming diffusers from a pet store, music or an audiobook, a safe environment (if necessary, restrict the dog's movement with a gate, door or cage). Reduce visual stimuli (e.g. by drawing curtains in front of the windows).
If the problem has been going on for a long time, the dog is very anxious, or you are unable to solve the problem on your own, bring in a professional who can provide the necessary advice and support. Some dogs may need medication to modify their behavior, so don't be afraid to consult your veterinarian!
When a cat starts urinating in inappropriate places, it is commonly believed that it is doing so out of spite. In reality, this is not the case, and it could instead indicate some kind of dissatisfaction, health problem, or stress.
Possible causes:
- Health problems - Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney problems, diabetes – these are some of the health problems that can cause your cat to urinate in inappropriate places. A change in your cat’s urination habits can be a sign of pain or discomfort that they are starting to associate with their litter box. You should also pay attention to how much water your cat is drinking – excessive water consumption can also indicate a health problem.
- Problems with litterbox – uncleaned litter box, unsuitable litter or location of the box, low number of litter boxes. Cats are extremely sensitive and demanding when it comes to cleanliness, which is why they may start to avoid uncleaned litter boxes. They also have a very sensitive sense of smell, which can, for example, in the case of scented litter, create a situation where making a mess in the litter box is aversive for the cat. If there are several cats in the house, each cat should have a separate litter box, and even better if there are litter boxes according to the number of cats + one extra!
- Stress and anxiety – Since cats are sensitive to all kinds of changes, even minor changes can cause them stress. For example, rearranging furniture in the home, renovations, new family members, changes in routine or feeding schedule.
- Territorial reasons – Cats, especially males, mark their territory with urine. This can happen when a new animal joins the family, new smells arise, or other situations that are disturbing the cat. Sometimes, this problem can be as simple as another cat walking outside the window.
- Behavioural reasons –Insufficient litter box training or previous negative experiences. In order for a cat to learn to use the litter box, it must be guided and taught accordingly, and positive performance must be rewarded.
Possible solutions:
If your cat is urinating in the wrong places, you should definitely find out the reason and take steps to resolve the situation.
- Consult with a veterinarian –If your cat suddenly starts urinating abnormally, be sure to consult a veterinarian to rule out various health problems.
- Changes to litterbox –Always keep the litter box clean (clean it once a day) and change the litter regularly. Try different litters, prefer unscented options. Place the litter box in a quiet place that is easily accessible to the cat.
- Managing stress – Allow your cat to express their natural behavior, provide a variety of climbing and hiding places (cats prefer to climb high up). Keep your cat's daily schedule (feeding and play times) as consistent as possible. Use a diffuser to help calm them down if necessary.
- Behaviour correction – Do not punish your cat for urinating in the wrong place (this can increase stress levels), clean the urine with special cleaning products to remove the urine smell, and reward your cat for correct behavior.
Urinating in the wrong place is usually a sign of a bigger problem in cats – whether it’s a health issue, stress, a change in environment or an unsuitable litter box. Identifying the causes and addressing them is extremely important for both the person and the cat. If necessary, involve a cat behavior specialist and veterinarian!
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect your pet from various infectious diseases. In Estonia, rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs and cats.
So why is vaccinating necessary?
Vaccinating against various diseases helps maintain public health, as many diseases are zoonotic (meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans). In addition, it helps keep our pets healthy, minimizing the risk of contracting the disease.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that damages the nervous system and can infect both animals and humans. Estonia is rabies-free, but rabies is still a major problem in our neighboring country. This is why we must take preventive measures and not let our guard down.
Vaccinating different species:
Cats: Cats can be vaccinated against several infectious diseases, such as viral rhinotracheitis (the most common respiratory disease caused by the herpes virus), calicivirus (an upper respiratory virus that can be epidemic), panleukopenia (feline distemper or parvovirus),
Dogs: Dogs can also be vaccinated against several infectious diseases, such as parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parainfluenza, and leptospirosis.
Rabbits: In the case of rabbits, vaccination is mainly against myxomatosis, which is mainly spread by blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, lice, ticks).
If you have any concerns or additional questions about keeping a pet that could be answered on this page, please let us know!
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