Does my pet live in a healthy environment?
We had the pleasure to meet with veterinarian Mylena Vasquez, who specializes in animals’ well-being, to better understand what a healthy environment for our pets consists of.
What did we learn?
To achieve a healthy shared space at home it is fundamental to be a compromised pet owner when it comes to their care. Every animal is different and must be treated in a suitable way depending on what that care demands. It is important to take one’s time to get to know them, understand their body language and educates them with much love and respect.
Animals possess two types of behaviours: first, the instinctive behaviour, where the animal is genetically programmed and acts in response to a signal with no previously acquired knowledge; and second, the learned behaviour, which involves the animal’s capacity to take into effect changes in their behaviour based on experience.
It is crucial to take advantage of the animal’s learning stage to offer a positive education for our pets in an individual way and as a team. It is normal for our pets to act differently once we introduce a new family member, and it is the owner’s responsibility to make an adequate introduction for a long-term healthy relationship.
It is our pleasure to share some tips with you that will help to find out if our pack lives in a healthy environment:
Cats and Dogs
Because cats and dogs differ in many ways, resources in cases such as, those vary depending on their needs. For example, cats need tall places where they can feel safe, while dogs opt for a bone to play with.
It is counterproductive for a cat to feel chased around by a dog, or for it to feel like hiding each time a dog comes near. In such a case, what does Pepe recommend?
We can analyze which resources are lacking from the setting. First, make sure the cat has high comfortable spots where the dog can’t reach. Treats also aid in rewarding good behaviour when both animals share space together. If the situation doesn’t get any better, it is possible to consider a new introduction strategy or consult a specialist.
Eliminate problems fully. For dog owners, it may be simpler to understand their pet’s language, while cat owners may overlook behaviours that determine how their pet feels in response to its environment. Understanding our pet’s body language is key to lessening stress and illnesses.
Let’s take time to focus on understanding them and ask ourselves why they behave the way they do before we respond by correcting them and worsening the situation. By comprehending the issue, we can act in the benefit of the pet. We can accomplish this by adding resources, working on communication and positive reinforcement (rewarding good behaviour).
Between cats
Introduction: cats are solitary beings, territorial but diplomatic. They prefer to stop making use of a resource before becoming aggressive about it. To avoid half-way and long-term conflict; it is fundamental that they are well introduced to one another. This might be a long process, but with some patience and positive reinforcement, a wonderful environment will present itself.
Conflict may arise due to lack of resources such as toys, cat furniture, litter box, food, water, attention, rest areas, etc.
If our cat becomes aggressive and it takes too long for the situation to settle, it is recommended to re-introduce each feline to one another.
Between dogs
Dominant and submissive: just like human beings, animals also possess their hierarchies and their own languages, which is why it is normal for dogs to have disputes when they share the same home. In this case, it is not necessary to intervene or to scold them, since it is natural.
It stops being considered natural behaviour when the behaviour turns aggressive without any specific reason at first sight. The growling may become excessive, they show their teeth and nip at the air. Reasons, why dogs present this type of behaviour, can be due to ownership of toys, food and lack of attention. It is important for each resource to be equally abundant for each pet to avoid conflict between them.
Key elements
- Introduction of pets.
- Abundance of resources.
- Eliminate problems fully, with knowledge, understanding, and love.