You share a special bond with your pet. However, if their behavior has changed, you may have difficulty understanding why. If your pet is exhibiting concerning behaviors, you should discuss them with our Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic team, who can provide valuable insights and solutions. If you are unsure how to effectively communicate your concerns about your pet’s behavior, here are some tips to help facilitate a productive conversation and ensure the best care for your four-legged friend.

Pet behavior may be related to mental or physical health

Your pet communicates through their behavior. Altered routines, behaviors, or habits are your pet’s way of communicating to you that they are ill, in pain, or under duress. Anxiety and stress can also prompt behavioral problems, even if your pet is otherwise physically healthy. Common behavioral issues in cats and dogs include:

  • Hyperactivity or restlessness
  • Aggression such as growling, hissing, or attacking other household pets
  • Destructive chewing
  • Eliminating outside the litter box
  • Chronic barking or howling
  • Digging
  • Attempting to escape
  • Humping
  • Leash pulling
  • Separation anxiety
  • Resource guarding such as aggressively protecting food, toys, or you
  • Chasing

If your pet exhibits unusual or sudden behavior changes, our veterinary team should address their physical health to rule out diseases and conditions that could contribute to these changes. The reasons behind inappropriate behaviors vary, but some common mental or physical causes include:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Depression
  • Phobias
  • Pain
  • Internal organ disease
  • Neurologic conditions
  • Endocrine disorders 

Plan ahead

Before coming for your appointment, observe and jot down notes about your pet’s behavior. Note the changes, when the behavior started, or unusual behaviors such as aggression, anxiety, excessive barking, or litter box issues. Write down questions for our veterinarians so you will remember them during the appointment. Providing specific examples and details helps our team thoroughly understand the situation.

Tips for communicating your concerns

While you are at your appointment, remember our veterinary team members are knowledgeable, compassionate allies. While we provide veterinary services to keep your pet in excellent physical health, we can also offer practical advice on pet behavior problems. To help ensure you provide us with sufficient information about your four-legged friend’s behavior, follow these tips:

  • Be open and honest — Honesty is paramount to helping your pet when discussing their behavior. Don’t be embarrassed or hesitant to share any information, no matter how trivial it may seem because our Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic team is here to listen. Remember, we are trained professionals who have heard it all before and are here to help, not to judge. 
  • Provide important details — Give our veterinarians a clear picture of your pet’s daily routine, environment, and any recent changes that may have occurred. Factors such as a new family member or additional pet, moving to a new home, or changes in routine can all impact your pet’s behavior. Don’t leave anything out, and ensure you can offer context. If you are able to safely record a video of your pet’s behavior, that can be incredibly helpful in helping our veterinarians get to the bottom of the issue.
  • Ask questions — Remember all those questions you jotted down before the appointment? This is an excellent opportunity to ask them! Also, ask questions if you don’t understand something our vets tell you or if you need clarification on a particular issue. Our team can guide you and provide expert advice. Asking questions shows that you’re fully invested in your pet’s well-being and want to be actively involved in their care. We want you to understand the “why” behind our recommendations—we are here to help!
  • Discuss treatment options — Once you’ve explained your pet’s behavior issues and discussed relevant information, our veterinary team will work with you to develop an action plan. This may involve diagnostic tests, behavioral therapy, training and socialization, medication, or lifestyle changes. Be open to trying different approaches and follow our recommendations at home. 
  • Attend follow-up appointments — After your initial discussion with our team, stay in touch and provide us with updates on your pet’s progress. If your pet’s behavior persists or worsens, schedule a follow-up appointment. These appointments can often (but not always) be scheduled as telehealth appointments, where we can talk to you from the comfort of your home or office. Consistent communication is essential for effectively addressing your pet’s behavioral issues.

Any changes to your furry pal’s health, whether emotional or physical, can be upsetting. By talking to our veterinary team about your pet’s behavior, you proactively help ensure their health and happiness can be enhanced. You can facilitate a good rapport and constructive dialogue with our vets, leading to effective solutions. We are here to support you and your pet every step of the way. Schedule your pet’s behavioral consultation with our Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic team.