In this week’s Pet Talk, Maneka talks about the effect of relocation on the emotions of Dogs

By Maneka Gandhi

Do dogs like being kissed?

When you kiss a dog, you may notice signs that indicate they know the kiss is a gesture of affection. Dogs learn by association. As they get older, and with regular influence of kisses and hugs, they learn to associate this with you being happy with them.

Why do dogs get jealous?

Dogs get jealous when they feel that their owner is giving more attention to some other dog and not them. Dogs are very sensitive to what they see as “unfairness.”

Can dogs smell cancer? How they act when they smell cancer?

Dogs have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell that can detect the odour signatures of various types of illnesses, including cancer. Among others, they can detect colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma by sniffing people’s skin, bodily fluids, or breath. They smell it from urine and breath samples only. When they smell cancer cells, they can lie or sit down next to the cancer sample.

Why is my dog becoming aggressive towards me?

There are multiple reasons that a dog may exhibit aggression toward family members. The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression. Some medical conditions can cause dogs to become aggressive as well. If a dog, that has never shown any sign of aggression, suddenly begins growling, snapping, or biting, it may be caused by a disease or illness. Your suddenly aggressive dog may have an injury, or an illness that’s causing major discomfort and stress. Dogs that are tied up for long periods also become aggressive. Dogs that compete for food can also become aggressive.

What effect does overheating and panting have on dog’s sense of smell?

A dog’s sense of smell is reduced to 40 percent when he is overheated and panting.

Are dogs able to detect diabetes in humans?

Yes, there are diabetic alert dogs who signal their human when they pick up on the special scent that is released when the human’s insulin levels drop.

Why does my cat drink from the faucet?

Some cats find running water interesting, and prefer its taste to still water. Standing water can taste unappealing if the bowl isn’t kept clean and fresh, for instance. Cats also have highly sensitive whiskers, which they’d prefer to not touch the sides of the bowl, or anything else, while they are eating or drinking. This happens if the water bowl is deep and isn’t kept full. Cats may like the taste of running water better than what’s in their bowls. It may also be that elevated areas, such as the kitchen sink, “make them feel safe.’’ The water bowl they’re snubbing may be in a place with lots of annoying foot traffic.

Why do cats eat grass?

Grass and plant-eating is considered normal behaviour in cats, and may even reduce parasite loads. It’s likely a trait that’s been passed down from wildcat ancestors, which ate vegetation to essentially scrape out the intestines, purging invaders like worms.

Grass is also a natural fibre “important to general gastrointestinal health. In the wild, cat species might get some fibre from plant matter in the guts of prey animals. Many owners provide their indoor cats with grass to eat. A sudden increase in grass-eating can mean an upset stomach from a hairball, or other source, or, in multi-cat households, it could be a sign of anxiety.

Why do cats run around like crazy when the weather changes?

Nicknamed “the zoomies,” these bursts of activity can happen at any time and are just a release of pent-up energy after all those nice, long cat naps. Some cat owners notice the zoomies pick up when seasons shift. If they open up the windows for some fresh air, indoor cats, which are still hunters at heart, will be “stimulated by the presence of prey, new noises, new scents in the air, and will literally climb the walls, curtains,” and whatever else they can.

Why do some cats dislike belly rubs?

Hair follicles on the belly and tail area are hypersensitive to touch, so petting there can be overstimulating. Cats prefer to be petted and scratched on the head, specifically under their chin and cheeks, where they have scent glands. Rubbing their faces on fellow felines allows them to mix their scent together, ultimately culminating in a ‘colony scent’ in order for them to recognise who belongs in their group. They greet us in the same way.

Why do cats lick your hand when you’re petting them?

I think there are two main reasons for this. First, the cat is using its tongue to mark you as family. It’s a nice way for the cat to say “I love you” plus “you are family” at the same time, as its scent has been transferred to you. The second reason is perhaps a bit more practical from the cat’s point of view. They will lick you on a warm summer day to get salt from your sweat.

What is the effect of relocation on the emotions of Dogs?

Dogs are social animals which have a strong sense of “pack” or family. Their territorial tendencies also make them a very emotionally attached member of the family, Relocation is hard for them to accept. In a new place, a dog must be set free for a while, given time and warm behaviour, putting up their outing and meal schedule. This helps them get accustomed to one place. Common symptoms of stress, resulting from your dog reacting to its environment, include such harmful behaviour as destroying the house while the owner is away, barking, hyperactivity, over-shedding, excessive licking, attention-seeking behaviour such as nudging, pawing, compulsive disorders such as tail chasing, shadow chasing, and certain forms of aggression such as territorial aggression.

You can help your pet / other dog by the following steps:

Beating Separation Anxiety: The shift that occurs when you remove your dog from a place that they are completely familiar with — smell, carpet, people — can cause fear and confusion to quickly take root.

Lessen Geographic Disorientation: Your new neighbourhood and yard can also heighten your dog’s anxiety. With new smells, sights, and sounds, they experience a type of sensory overload. If you live near your new residence, try taking your dog for a walk around the neighbourhood.

Stay Calm, Cool & Collected: Most dogs are sensitive to the emotions of their owner. As such, your dog will most likely pick up on your stress levels as the move approaches.