6 Common Pet Offenses—Explained

By Melinda Dodd

Even the sweetest pets do things that drive you nuts. But is it just an annoying trait, or a sign of a serious health problem? Pet experts diagnose six top offenses and offer their Rx.

Offense #1: Bad Breath

Could be: Periodontal disease, stomach problems
Nothing ruins a cuddle with your cat or dog like a blast of halitosis. Canned tuna and à la carte garbage dining can contribute to stinky breath, but if your pet's breath is regularly repulsive, flip his lip. "Periodontal disease is the top health problem vets see, yet few owners ever look inside their pets' mouths," says Marty Becker, DVM, coauthor of Why Do Dogs Drink out of the Toilet?

Classic signs of periodontal disease include red, bleeding gums and brown mineralization on teeth. Avoiding it is essential: Animals with periodontal disease experience pain, bacterial infection, even heart, liver and kidney damage. "Good oral health is the furry fountain of youth," Dr. Becker says. It can help your pet live 15 percent longer.

Get your animal's mouth checked twice a year. If he's diagnosed with periodontal disease, book a professional deep cleaning from your vet, who may extract loose and infected teeth if necessary. Prevent future issues by brushing your pet's teeth at least once a week ( C.E.T. Pet Toothbrush, $2.25, and C.E.T. Toothpaste, $3.25 for beef or poultry flavors; Amazon.com) or using dental wipes (DermaPet DentAcetic, $8; HealthyPets.com). And when you want to give a treat, make it the toothscrubbing kind, like baby carrots, domestic rawhide (imported ones may contain chemical contaminants) or Greenies dental chews (available at pet stores). Dogs can also be vaccinated against periodontal disease-unlike cats or humans, who possess different bacteria.

What if your pet's mouth looks healthy? Digestive problems may be the cause of his stinky breath. "If there's unhealthy bacteria in the intestinal tract, it can persist and worsen, causing bad breath," explains Dr. Becker. Add a dollop of activated yogurt to your pet's meals, or (for longterm intestinal distress) try probiotic powder or gel.

Offense #2: Sudden, Unexpected Nipping

Could be: Sensitive skin, scent-marking, fear
There you are, peacefully petting your cat, when suddenly, ow!-he nips you. Don't take it personally. It's probably a sensitivity issue. "Cats can go from delight to bite in three seconds," says Dr. Becker. "They're more touch-sensitive than we are. And sometimes they get overstimulated. We don't always know why."

Feline body position can provide useful clues. When they're lying on their back or turning over, cats feel especially exposed and vulnerable, and may nip at your hand if you try to touch them. If they nip while rubbing up against you, it may be that they're simply scent-marking you and don't want to be interrupted. And if they nip after you've scratched their back for an hour, it's just their way of saying, That's enough.

Dogs nip when they're feeling afraid or threatened. "Puppies may allow some types of touching, hugging or kissing that makes them uneasy, but as dogs mature, they're less likely to tolerate it," says animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell, PhD, author of The Other End of the Leash. One sign that they want you to stop: They close their mouth and turn their head away. Your best bet? Heed your pet's body language to cut down on the ows.

Offense #3: Shedding Gobs of Fur

Could be: Inconsistent brushing, illness, metabolic disease
Hair everywhere! It's pet owners' top complaint, no matter what type of cat or dog they have, says Dr. Becker. "All pets shed, even seemingly hairless breeds-they just shed different amounts and at different rates," he says. "Black Labradors and pugs are hairy hand grenades. Other dogs, you almost have to pull the hair out."

Here's how to keep the fur from flying: Vigorously brush your animal on a regular basis. Once every week or two is fine for short-haired dogs and cats. Long-haired pets, like golden retrievers, Shih Tzus, and Persian and Himalayan cats, need a daily 3-minute once-over with a brush and comb to evenly distribute their skin's oils and keep their coat healthy. Most pets love the FURminator ($41; Meijer.com), a rake-toothed comb that whisks away growth and feels good, too.

Some kinky-haired dogs, like poodles, do need monthly trips to a professional groomer, though many owners opt for a buzz cut once a year, when spring or summer approaches. "Talk to your vet or breeder about what care is best," says Dr. Becker. Bathing pets in antibacterial pet shampoo (for twice as long as recommended) helps cut down on shedding too.

If your pet suddenly sheds a ton, or you see bald patches and raw skin, consult a vet. Stress, allergic dermatitis, low thyroid and Cushing's disease can all affect shed cycles, while arthritis often keeps cats from self-grooming.

Offense #4: Incessant Barking

Could be: Desire for the pack, separation issues
Being roused from a deep sleep by your dog's piercing woof can drive you out of your mind. What's up with the late-night noise-making? "Some dogs think it's their job to be on duty all the time," Dr. McConnell explains, citing Shetland sheepdogs, German shepherds and Great Pyrenees as some of the most vocal. "If they sense a disturbance, they bark to alert potential intruders and signal the pack- which in this case is you."

Shouting "Stop it!" or "Be quiet!" just makes dogs think you're barking back. Instead, move your pooch to a quiet room far from his "posts," where he can relax. Be sure the windows and blinds are closed. This could also help naturally chatty dogs, such as beagles and mini schnauzers, who may grow calmer when removed from outside noise.

Do visitors set off your dog? Try this: "Have a friend knock on your door," suggests Dr. McConnell. "When your dog barks, put a treat to his nose, say 'Enough,' and lure him away from the door. Reward him with the treat and a 'Good boy!'" You may have to repeat this for weeks, but "over time, he'll learn that when you say Enough and he stops barking, something good will happen," she explains.

If all-day barking while you're at work is the problem, separation anxiety may be to blame. Look for other signs that your dog feels antsy when you're not home, like chew marks in the molding by the door or around the windows (where he watches you leave). Try turning the radio on to soothing music when you leave to keep him company and make sure he has plenty of stimulating toys to occupy him. If those ideas don't work, consider seeing a behaviorist or trainer for specific techniques to ease your dog's anxiety.

Offense #5: Bed Hogging

Could be: Craving warmth
Snuggling up to something furry is one of the joys of pet ownership, so how do you know when it's gone too far? When there's no longer any room in the bed for you.

"Many years ago, I was pushed out of bed by my Saint Bernard, and woke up on the floor," remembers Dr. McConnell. "Pets cuddle next to you for warmth, you scoot over an inch, they scoot closer, then boom!-you're down."

The solution, in this case, is simple: "Push back!" she says. If pets ignore you, make the boundaries clearer. "Give cats and dogs their own section of the bed, and keep them there. If they start crawling up, block them and put them back. Repeat as necessary."

You may want to give pets their own snuggle-worthy rest area off the bed. Arrange stuffed toys in a pet bed on the floor to make it cozy. "Consider what your pet is attracted to, and replicate it," Dr. McConnell advises. He may fuss, whine or stare at you with those big eyes at first, but be strong. "The third night is usually the charm," she says. If necessary, leash him to something safe and sturdy, like the leg of a dresser (but not a chair; he might pull it over), in a place where he can't jump over any furniture and get tangled up, until he gets used to the restrictions of his new space.

Banning animals from the bed is an especially good idea if you suffer from allergies, asthma or sleep deprivation. "The Mayo Clinic reports that one of the biggest reasons people have sleep problems is that they sleep with their pets," Dr. Becker notes. If napping nose-to-nose with a cocker spaniel is affecting your health, keep him outside the bedroom. Pets will paw and claw to get back in, but eventually they'll learn.

Offense #6: Constantly Darting Underfoot

Could be: Craving the spotlight, herding you
Every year, at least 86,000 Americans make a visit to the emergency room because their dogs and cats trip them by running between or around their legs. "They love to manage your travel in a particular direction," explains Dr. McConnell, whose cat Sushi used to hightail it across rooms to collide with her. "Like us, pets also have a need to control and influence others' behavior."

For dogs, this urge can be traced to a native herding instinct. Border collies and Australian shepherds, for example, have specifically been bred to run in front of animals and stop them from moving forward.

Cats, being cats, have their own inscrutable reasons for behaving this way: Maybe there's food in the kitchen. Maybe they want you to stop and play with them. Or maybe they just want your attention.

Don't give it to them so easily. "Instead of saying, 'Oh, Sushi, what do you want?' I focused on something else, like the dog," Dr. McConnell says. This lets your pet know that tripping you up won't get her what she wants. If she continues to figure-eight your legs, try throwing a toy away from you as you walk, to make her run after it. "Pets eventually start to think, 'Owner walks, I run and get a toy. Look what I can make my human do!'" Dr. McConnell says. She thinks she's training you, but you're actually training her.

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