Questions tagged [psychology]
Regarding a pet's mental status, or motivation for behaviors or attitudes.
334
questions
4
votes
0answers
62 views
Do dogs 'sigh out of contentment'?
Over the years, I have noticed with all of my dogs that after I have given some sweet talk and ear scratches, they will give out a long sigh.
I am hoping this is out of contentment. Is there any basis ...
3
votes
2answers
72 views
Adopted a 7 month old cat a day ago, today she is hissing and yowling in the safe room
My partner and I adopted a 7 month old cat yesterday, she seemed fine, we were in her safe room for a few hours at a time, and she was curious and played and explored just fine. No hissing, and only a ...
2
votes
1answer
48 views
How can I introduce my puppy to my boyfriend's dogs?
I recently moved in with my boyfriend and brought along my year-old intact male pup, and my boyfriend has four other dogs. Including his attentive, jealous German Shepherd, and I want my pup to get ...
3
votes
0answers
73 views
Making a cat less scared
My cat is a very sweet guy, and around a year old. He's very cuddly, but still gets scared by my wife and me around the house. There is no shortage of love that he receives, and we thought he would ...
2
votes
2answers
94 views
Hound/Retriever keeps escaping
I have a mix of Hound and Retriever who just wont stop escaping. Here is the story:
We got her from a rescue shelter about 3 years ago, and she was the only one that was laying down and kept quiet, so ...
2
votes
0answers
62 views
My cat will get mad at me for hours after getting medicine. How do I keep our relationship happy?
My senior cat has a chronic illness and needs to take a liquid medicine for the rest of her life to keep her healthy. While she's still largely happy and energetic now, if she doesn't get this ...
3
votes
1answer
85 views
What should I do to make my cat spend more time with us?
So we have a black cat, who is the son of a white female stray cat we used to feed.
We call the female cat Kuchi, and her son Gulu (9 months old).
Gulu was born inside our house, he is almost like our ...
3
votes
2answers
99 views
My dog claws at me when he wags his tail. Why does he do this?
My dog wags his tail and then paws me with his front paws and I am at a loss as to explain what he wants.
This rarely occurs while I eat, and usually occurs when I am doing normal things, like being ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Two male dogs: one neutered, one intact; they were fine until one was neutered, now he goes after intact male; will neutering other male help?
I have 3 dogs: a female Ellie (7 yrs), male Blake (2 yrs), and male Bosco (9 months). Blake was neutered a few months ago and since then has gone after Bosco completely unprovoked. Blake is half the ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Why does my dog lick her lips while being petted?
My dog (well, my landlord's technically) seems to love being petted, running to my bed when I first let her in my apartment where I usually pet her, and reaching her head towards me begging me to ...
1
vote
1answer
94 views
Why is my dog scared of me all of a sudden?
I have a mix of hound and retriever and she is the love of my life; we got her when she was about 1 year, maybe a few months old, and raised her up. However, she will all of a sudden just be scared ...
3
votes
1answer
53 views
My Cat is Licking Everything
My cat is around a year old and has had the same bed ever since we've gotten him. Lately, he has been licking the wood frame. I've also seen him lick the wood of his older toys and stuffed animals of ...
3
votes
1answer
99 views
Can dogs get bored of a walk?
I take my four-month-old puppy on about three walks per day. The walks are almost always a 15-20 minute loop starting at my house. It goes through several neighborhoods, a park, and on a waterfront ...
2
votes
1answer
94 views
What is the best way to deal with cat jealousy?
I have two cats, both 10 year old males, same litter. One has been recently diagnosed with small cell lymphoma (but is in remission and doing well); however, he's been getting extra attention from it ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Introducing a third cat into a two cat household
Last year, I adopted two Tabby sisters. They were seven months old at the time. They have settled in nicely, and play peacefully together. I have been approved for a third cat, which we have plenty of ...
3
votes
1answer
54 views
Is there anything more that I can do to make my dwarf hamsters more comfortable and happy?
I have three Russian dwarf hamsters that are almost 41/2 weeks old now. My sister purchased two hamsters that she thought were both females, but she realized they were not once she unexpectedly ...
1
vote
1answer
82 views
Is there hope cats will be friends after lukewarm start?
I have a one-year-old British Blue boy called Sausage. He is neutered and very calm, sweet, affectionate, and social. I had always planned to get him a companion as he gets along well with everyone ...
4
votes
1answer
87 views
Is it okay to keep a dog chained in a room at night with proper food and water?
I recently got two stray puppies. One puppy died because a stray dog had bitten him. We tried our best to save him, but unfortunately, he died. They used to sleep together in a separate room. Now ...
2
votes
1answer
67 views
How to teach my dog an once-taught, but now forgotten trick?
My dog knew how to give the leg and sit when the order was given, but I had gone to live elsewhere and she was left without anyone to play with her for some years because I was the only one who did ...
2
votes
2answers
112 views
Advice on my abused rescue cat
I am getting a rescue cat from a local charity, she is 3 to 4 years old and seems very affectionate in the videos. She has had a hard life so far, though, stolen and repeatedly bred, then booted out ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
My cat is skittish and scared of my brother all of a sudden
Baggins is a two-year-old domestic short hair. I found him in the forestry near my house when he was only weeks old. He was starved and very nervous. It took a long time to build trust between us as ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
My dog will not stop going potty in the house and will not rest at night
For background, I have a 2 year old Siberian Husky and she is the love of my life, we hike a lot and have another dog she plays with throughout the day PLUS daily walks and play time in our backyard.
...
3
votes
1answer
96 views
Will getting another cat change my cat's behavior?
I have a ~1.5 year old male tabby cat. I have had him since he was just 2 weeks old, when he was still basically blind and didn't yet know how to walk. I have raised him extremely lovingly and as a ...
0
votes
1answer
83 views
Why does my dog act normal when he is alone with me, but acts afraid when my wife is around?
He is a rescue dog that belongs to my wife, so I know he was abused and I know I am the the rule maker and my wife didn’t really have rules for him before, but he only acts scared of me when she is ...
4
votes
2answers
147 views
My Cat Meows at Me Every Morning
I wake up at 6:30 every morning and when I get out of bed, I hear an insane amount of meows. When I get into the shower, she sits right next to the tub and cries at me. I open the door so she can go ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
How do I get my cat, who doesn't let me hold her, to the Vet? [duplicate]
My rescue will probably never let me hold her - no clue why - but how am I going to get her into her carrier and take her to the Vet? I'm a senior and live alone and she's 15lbs (7 kg). She is ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
Why does my dog become so anxious to come to my lap?
So here's what happens, I have a small dog, that loves to sleep on my lap while I'm working. She'll often even ask me to pull her onto my lap.
The thing is while she's down on the floor, I'll extend ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Why doesn’t my dog come out with me?
I’m in an interesting and weird situation.
I have a boxer.
She doesn’t want to come out the house with me; for instance, I can’t take her outside to pee or poop; I can’t take her out at all.
But when ...
2
votes
0answers
85 views
How many different cats can a cat keep track of?
I have four cats, adopted as kittens over a period of time, with some gap between adoptions.
Cat #1 (the first one) dislikes cats #2, #3, and #4 (hisses at them, and generally avoids them).
Cat #2 ...
0
votes
0answers
90 views
My nephew traumatized my cat. HELP! [duplicate]
I have a one year old cat and he's very fearful. Unfortunately, he is scared of a lot of things, but he was normally playful as can be. However, one day my Nephew was chasing him around the house with ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
Dog hyper focused on shadows, lights and reflections
This is a strange one so bear with me.
In short, our dog (Aussie) is hyper focused on lights and reflections. She spends 90% of the day staring at the ceiling or walls, either barking or growling... ...
1
vote
1answer
112 views
Is it a good idea to take another cat when my current cat is a real princess?
I have a five-years old female cat, that is the cuddliest cat that my husband and I ever encountered. She cannot be put on the floor, she needs to be on us (shoulder, arms, back) all the day. She ...
0
votes
1answer
84 views
Why does my dog bark for permission to eat? [duplicate]
Pepe is an 8 year old Chihuahua /Papillon rescue. We've had him for 5 years. Recently he's decided that he won't eat unless we tell him it's ok. He'll just stand there, barking. Even if he's just ...
3
votes
2answers
119 views
Is there a way to stop my kitten from digging his claws into my arm for no reason?
So I recently adopted two new kittens, both of which are remarkably well behaved for their ages and breeds. The only real problem I have is with the male, a black cat that's a mix of Maine Coon and ...
16
votes
9answers
9k views
Why does my cat lay down with me whenever I need to or I’m about to get up? Is this a common thing?
I’ve noticed whenever I need to get up or I’m about to get up, my cat always gets so cozy with me. There’s no way it’s routine, because this happens at random times. It just is confusing me, and it ...
3
votes
1answer
114 views
Dog won't drop ball while playing fetch, but he will drop other toys he fetches?
I have a 2-year old Golden Retriever who seems to love chuck-it balls above all else. He plays fetch just fine when it's with other toys, as long as they're not balls, and he drops them on cue or even ...
3
votes
2answers
414 views
My cat does not play with me after giving birth
My cat had 3 kittens 2 months ago.
Before she was pregnant, she used to play with me all the time, but now she doesn't. Why do you think she no longer plays with me?
3
votes
2answers
106 views
Why does my cat have these random freak-out session?
Sometimes, out of nowhere, my cat will freak out. Not just like you're probably thinking - it would just jump and hiss maybe at something that startled it. No. At completely RANDOM times (often early ...
1
vote
1answer
158 views
Why do cats sometimes sleep in plant pots?
My grandparent’s cats slept in their plant pot when it had nothing in, they only did it often in summer. I wonder why they would want their pelts to be dirty with grit and dirt and weeds.
1
vote
1answer
99 views
Queen lost litter of kittens and started nursing her only surviving 8 month old, should I intervene or just let them be?
My Queen "Phobos" has had difficulty having babies; she's had three litters totaling 12 kittens and only one made it ("Mazakeen," 8 months old) past a few days. Her 8 month old ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
Betta fish has white growth on his back. What is it and how can I treat it?
My Betta fish has had a white growth on his back for over a week. Pictures linked below. I'm keeping him in a 5 gallon tank and am replacing 1/3 of the water bi-weekly. No filter because the one ...
1
vote
2answers
51 views
How to help my dog to be not so afraid of fireworks?
My dog is terrified of fireworks. With 1 or 2 bangs, I can calm her down easily by playing or offering treats. But if there are more bangs and they happen quite often, it's impossible to get her to ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
How often (and what type) should I reward during grooming?
My SO and I have a 1.5 y/o Standard Poodle with a great temperament. We keep her coat moderately long (not show length), so gets brushed lightly several times a day, a more serious brushing session (...
1
vote
1answer
160 views
Resident cat still attacking new cat after 4 months. Help?
In August, I adopted a one year old female cat. My first cat is a three year old female, who I’ve had for over a year. I’ve been going slow with their introduction, but we keep getting stuck at the ...
2
votes
1answer
91 views
Cat biting Mom - hard enough to draw blood, always in same spot on wrist
My mom has an 8-month-old ginger kitten that is generally very sweet, though very energetic. For some reason, every afternoon he will run into her bedroom while she's sitting on the bed, jump up, and ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
My cat attacked me for first time in 10 months! Why is that?
My cat attacked me for first time in 10 months! Why is that? She is a very calm cat, 10 months old. She never pawed at me before tonight, even when I cut her nails or hug her tight (though she always ...
13
votes
3answers
5k views
Girlfriend's cat hisses and swipes at me - can I get it to like me despite that?
Having trouble with my girlfriend's cat constantly hissing at me and swiping at my legs. Wondering if there is a way I can get this cat to like me, or at least to get it to stop this behavior.
The cat ...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Dog acts afraid of me when we’re around other people? [closed]
I have an adopted 3 year old husky/lab mix.
He was very well trained when I adopted him, apparently he’d been a stray, but had two previous adopters who gave him up.
The reason being was they had ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
Dog won't walk unless the whole house walks with him
My dog is almost five and a rescue.
I work from home so he spends all day with me; he's always been funny about going on walks without me if I am in the house. If I'm sick and want to stay in bed, he'...
2
votes
1answer
79 views
Why does my cat “catch and run”?
I have one of those feather toys on a long stick. If you move it around fast enough, it sounds like feathers flapping. All the girls go nuts for it, as they run and jump around trying to get this fast ...
