Dealing with Pets and Decorations | William H. Craig, DVM | a mySA ...

Puppies and kittens are curious by nature. Both use their senses to discover their surroundings. As the house starts to fill with decorations of ghouls and goblins, you can bet their interest is peaked by all the new potential toys.

Because they do not have hands, their mouths do all the exploring?is it hard or soft, is it heavy or light, what does it taste like, does it move when I bite it, does it bite back?? ?Mouthing? is also a way to help loosen their baby teeth so they fall out, making room for their adult teeth to grow. Chewing, destructive or constructive, can also be a means to dispel excess energy, get an owner?s attention, cure boredom or curb hunger. Unfortunately, dogs and cats cannot tell the difference between acceptable and unacceptable objects when they are chewing. Pets must be taught what is acceptable to chew on and what is off-limits.

Our pets are lower to the ground than we are, so it is important to get down to their level and see the dangers from their vantage point. Things like electrical cords or household objects that have been hidden behind or under furniture can cause serious injury to a dog or a cat. They can be shocked or burned from electrical cords or choke on a long forgotten children?s toy.

If your dog or cat develops destructive chewing habits, there are ways to help train them to learn the difference between acceptable and unacceptable chewables:

- Make sure your pet has options. Provide them with safe toys to keep them occupied and praise them when they opt for their toy rather than your table leg so your dog or cat will learn to associate chewing on their toy with a positive reaction.
- NEVER make toys out of household items. This will only confuse your pet, they cannot tell the difference between an old unwanted shoe and the new ones in your closet.
- Coat or cover tempting items. Should the chewing continue, safe but terrible tasting products like Bitter Apple or cayenne pepper can be used to coat certain items. Cord covers, furniture or rugs can be used to hide electrical cords.
- Wear them out. Play with your pet often to avoid boredom and expend pent up energy, main causes for destructive chewing.
- Remember, they aren?t chewing to spite you. Your pet is only doing what instincts have taught them. Punishing your dog or cat may reinforce their bad behavior, not relieve it. If they are caught, spritz them with a water bottle or say ?no? in a low, disapproving voice, but do it while they are in the act, not after the fact.? You must be consistent in your discipline.? They can?t be allowed to get away with bad behavior some times and be punished other times.

Chewing behavior is natural, but also potentially dangerous. Although your pet may learn not to chew on something after they have been shocked or have choked, this lesson itself can prove very costly for owners. By insuring your pet when they are puppies and kittens, owners can rest easier knowing they are covered should a veterinarian need to retrieve something Fluffy or Fido swallowed that they shouldn?t have.

Source: http://blog.mysanantonio.com/williamhcraig/2012/10/dealing-with-pets-and-decorations/

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