{"id":116531,"date":"2026-09-23T08:59:38","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T08:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T08:59:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T08:59:38","slug":"what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help\/","title":{"rendered":"What Causes a Pet Animal Behaviour Problem, and When Should You Seek Help?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help\/#Behaviours_Can_Be_Used_as_a_Way_of_Communicating\" >Behaviours Can Be Used as a Way of Communicating<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help\/#Root-Cause_Approach_at_Kindheart_Veterinary_Behaviour_Services\" >Root-Cause Approach at Kindheart Veterinary Behaviour Services<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help\/#Possible_Causes_for_Problematic_Behaviour\" >Possible Causes for Problematic Behaviour<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help\/#Cat_Aggression%E2%80%94How_to_Know_It\" >Cat Aggression\u2014How to Know It<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help\/#When_a_Behaviour_Specialist_Can_Help\" >When a Behaviour Specialist Can Help<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/what-causes-a-pet-animal-behaviour-problem-and-when-should-you-seek-help\/#Steps_Involved_In_Developing_A_More_Positive_Association_With_Your_Pets\" >Steps Involved In Developing A More Positive Association With Your Pets<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Behaviours, postures, and activities are the primary ways in which the animals communicate. In case a previously calm pet gets fearful, aggressive, bites people and other animals, urinates or defecates outside the litter box, and responds with great sensitivity to other animals and people, the owner gets confused. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kindheartvetbehaviour.com\/\"><b>pet animal behaviour problem<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> does not necessarily mean that there are training issues involved. There could be a number of reasons like fear, stress, health, environment, past experience, and others affecting the behaviour. Finding out the cause of the problem is an essential step to take.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/imgi_3_IMG_0376_JPG-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail  aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/imgi_3_IMG_0376_JPG-1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"384\" height=\"384\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Behaviours_Can_Be_Used_as_a_Way_of_Communicating\"><\/span><b>Behaviours Can Be Used as a Way of Communicating<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The animal is unable to communicate how it feels when it feels distressed, scared, or nervous, hence using behaviours to communicate the same. Hissing, growling, hiding, being aggressive, excessive barking, and withdrawal is used to show that something is bothering the animal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Root-Cause_Approach_at_Kindheart_Veterinary_Behaviour_Services\"><\/span><b>Root-Cause Approach at Kindheart Veterinary Behaviour Services<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The approach taken by this service is to look for the cause of a problem and not just try to solve the unwanted behaviour. The analysis is based on the background, environment, health condition, and possible triggers of the animal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Possible_Causes_for_Problematic_Behaviour\"><\/span><b>Possible Causes for Problematic Behaviour<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are numerous things that impact the behaviour of animals. Some of these include feelings of discomfort or pain, anxiety, fear, environmental changes, poor socialization at the early stages and stress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cats, for instance, develop stress owing to different reasons including relocation, the addition of a new pet in the family and interaction with strangers. According to us, cats mostly show anxiety through withdrawal, increased sleeping or displacement activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cat_Aggression%E2%80%94How_to_Know_It\"><\/span><b>Cat Aggression\u2014How to Know It<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aggressive behavior of a cat is observed when a cat is hissing, growling, scratching, jumping at a target or biting. But aggressive behaviour has many reasons for this. They include territory invasion, redirected aggression, fear, stress, pain, and lack of proper socialization.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Safety zones, elimination of stimuli, enrichment of the environment and gradual exposure will all assist in maintaining the mental health of a cat. Punishment will only exacerbate fear and worsen the situation.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_a_Behaviour_Specialist_Can_Help\"><\/span><b>When a Behaviour Specialist Can Help<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If there are chronic or serious behaviour issues that are affecting the whole family unit, a veterinary behaviour specialist evaluates the pet from a medical and behavioural standpoint. Kindheart Veterinary Behaviour Services states that veterinary behaviour includes aspects of psychology, learning, environmental evaluation, training and medical evaluation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Where appropriate, medication is another aspect of treatment that a vet behaviour specialist considers. It is not about stopping a certain behaviour but understanding why the pet exhibits that behaviour.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Steps_Involved_In_Developing_A_More_Positive_Association_With_Your_Pets\"><\/span><b>Steps Involved In Developing A More Positive Association With Your Pets<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Training your pets will require you to be patient, committed and consistent through the assistance of the experts. In many instances, the pet owners need to adjust their schedule and understand what causes the undesired behaviour in their pets. We aim to foster the connection between the pets and their owners by increasing understanding about the pets. After proper analysis and provision of personalized recommendations, the problematic behaviour will give way to increased harmony in your home. Are you searching for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kindheartvetbehaviour.com\/cat-aggression\"><b>cat behaviour specialist in Victoria BC<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">? Kindheart Veterinary Behaviour Services will give you information on why your feline is behaving in such a manner.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Behaviours, postures, and activities are the primary ways in which the animals communicate. In case a previously calm pet gets fearful, aggressive, bites people and other animals, urinates or defecates outside the litter box, and responds with great sensitivity to other animals and people, the owner gets confused. The pet animal behaviour problem does not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22802,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[449],"tags":[52436,52435],"class_list":["post-116531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pets","tag-cat-behaviour-specialist-in-victoria-bc","tag-pet-animal-behaviour-problem"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22802"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116531"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116532,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116531\/revisions\/116532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}