BODY AND SOUL
Five odd behaviours you might have seen in your furkid and what they mean.
if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why is my dog so weird?” or “Why is Puss doing that?”, you’re not alone. As mysterious as some of our human friends are, our furry fourlegged friends do have their fair share of behaviours that are truly baffling. For instance, it’s hard for us to make sense of Fido’s desire to eat his own poop or Puss’ obsessive grooming. Animal behaviourists and veterinarians help to shed light on some of these odd behaviours.
[DOG] PICA
We’ve all joked about using the excuse
“the dog ate my homework”, but even a phrase as seemingly harmless as this is no laughing matter to someone whose pooch regularly ingests dirt, rocks, and faeces.
Pica is characterised by a desire to habitually consume non-edible items. A popular choice is poop, and stool-eating is termed ‘coprophagia’. “Suggested causes for coprophagia include general gastrointestinal diseases of various causes, malnutrition, or behavioural causes,” says veterinarian Dr Brian Loon from Amber Vet. Treatment specific to the condition will be recommended by the veterinarian, which may include probiotics and elimination diet for dietary intolerance.
While there’s the possibility of an underlying medical problem, consumption of foreign objects are usually behavioural, and is sometimes thought to be instinctive-based. “Dogs are known to consume their own poop and their friends’ faeces because these stools are made of undigested food that’s filled with nutrition,” adds trainer Barbara Wright from Positive Puppies. “If you notice that your pup is eating poop, change his diet. There’s a reason why he’s not digesting his meals well, and that poop probably tastes better than his food.”
SYMPTOMS: The habit of ingesting inedible objects. When coprophagia is associated with gastrointestinal disease, signs such as diarrhoea, blood and mucus in stools, change in appetite and vomiting may also be noted, all of which warrant veterinary attention.
TREATMENTS: May vary based on the cause. Removal of poop the instant it’s excreted from the body is recommended if it’s behaviour-related. If it’s medical-
related, anti-parasitic medications for parasite infections, probiotics, coprophagia supplements and limitedingredient diets for dietary in tolerance must be prescribed. If behaviour occurs due to boredom, training and interactive toys are encouraged.
FLANK-SUCKING
This canine compulsive disorder is commonly seen in Doberman Pinschers, and other dog breeds that are prone to skin allergies and disorders. It is characterised by a dog holding or sucking on its own flank skin. Also referred to as lick granuloma, it is a repetitive and functionless act that is related to other non-nutritive sucking behaviours, such as blanket-sucking and pica.
“Flank-sucking caused by itching should be treated with anti-flea medications and for skin allergies, allergen management as a treatment option is advised,” says Dr Loon. This act usually begins as a coping strategy for anxiety and stress, as this releases relaxing endorphins. While seemingly harmless, in some cases, it can create a cycle of worrying behaviour, such as compulsive hiding and hair loss.
To counteract this behaviour— especially if it stems from boredom or anxiety—provide enrichment toys for Fido to play with. If paw-rents are unable to supervise their furkid, consider using an Elizabethan collar, as this prevents access to the flank and helps avert further selfmotivated reinforcement of flank-sucking behaviour.
SYMPTOMS: Obsessive sucking; licking or chewing of flank or hair skin; skin irritation, soreness and infections; and hair loss. Flank-sucking can lead to compulsive hiding or collection of objects, and pica. TREATMENTS: If boredom is the cause, provide Fido with exercise and enrichment therapy. Anti-flea medications, topical therapy and allergen management are prescribed for skin issues. For severe cases, pain-relief medications and/or acupuncture may be advised.
SPINNING/TAIL-CHASING
Boredom is often touted as a reason for tail-chasing, but in reality, a lack of enrichment and neurological impairment are possible causes for this compulsive behaviour.
That said, it’s natural for puppies to nip at their tail without realising that this furry flexible appendage belongs to their body. And in some cases, tail-chasing can occur when Fido is bothered by fleas or worms, so a trip to the vet to rule out any medical issue is recommended. “If not associated with genetic or medical issues, the best tip is to occupy your pup with training, routine walks, proper nutrition and proper grooming,” explains Kevin Yeo, dog trainer and behaviour consultant with Pawrus Singapore. “However, if custom behaviour modification techniques are not successful, it could indicate a tendency of neurosis in dogs, and this warrants veterinary attention.”
Another thing that paw-rents should note is that dogs spin to get attention—and if Fido learns that chasing his tail garners him more attention and affection, this behaviour is more likely to persist. Even negative attention, such as reprimanding a dog, may reinforce this behaviour. SYMPTOMS: Rapid spinning in circles; chasing and biting its own tail. TREATMENTS: For psychological causes, a behavioural modification programme is recommended. In severe cases, antidepressants such as buspirone, fluoxetine and clomipramine to lower serotonin and increase dopamine levels may be prescribed to manage this behaviour.
[CAT]
PSYCHOGENIC ALOPECIA
Our feline friends love to look good, but excessive grooming can result in bald spots and a thin hair coat. Psychogenic alopecia (PA) is a syndrome in which cats excessively groom their hair and skin.
This results in hair loss and baldness that usually starts on the abdomen and progresses up the rear of the body.
“As this name implies, the syndrome is believed to have a psychological or behavioural basis. If a cat shows signs of PA, it’s a strong indication that she’s experiencing a level of stress from situations of conflict, frustration, or anxiety,” shares veterinary surgeon Dr Esmee Koh from The Animal Clinic. Dr Esmee’s tip is to first identify environmental or social changes that may be contributing to excessive stress levels, before discussing a specific behaviour modification program.
With regards to environmental changes, skin allergies to food, pollen, or environmental allergens may contribute to the syndrome, and an extreme aversion of fleas may trigger over-grooming. PA can traumatise Puss’ skin, which can result in rashes, irritation, and infection. SYMPTOMS: Loss of hair; baldness on the abdomen, rear legs, tail, and skin along the spine. Cats may pull out hair in tufts when over-grooming, which can lead to redness, rashes, or scabs on the skin.
TREATMENTS: Antihistamines, anxiolytic drugs, or calming pheromones may be useful if medication is needed. Skin tests, blood tests, and urine tests are performed to ensure other illnesses are not causing hair loss. In more serious cases, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (a type of antidepressant) will likely be required.
FELINE HYPERESTHESIA
Feline hyperesthesia, also known as rolling skin disease, is a rare disorder in domestic felines that causes episodes of agitation, self-mutilation and skin twitching. This is often accompanied by over-grooming, pacing, biting their tail or sides, and scratching their paws. “The behaviour is almost impossible to interrupt during such episodes, and it is suspected that it involves neurological, dermatological, pain, and behavioural components,” explains Dr Koh.
Depending on whether this symptom has an underlying medical cause, environmental modifications should first be implemented to avoid triggers that may provoke the behaviour. This can be done by increasing environmental enrichment. Playtime stimulates Puss’ natural predatory behaviour, so perching areas, feeding toys and hiding spaces can help divert your kitty’s attention and provide mental and physical stimulation.
Though the actual cause is unknown, some believe that this is a seizure disorder—like epilepsy—while others say that it’s a genetic disorder, as breeds like the Siamese are susceptible to feline hyperesthesia. Additionally, environmental stress may trigger the syndrome. SYMPTOMS: Rippling or twitching of the skin on Puss’ flank, and spasm of the trunk muscles. Pacing, agitation, biting and/ or licking its paws, tail or sides may also occur.
TREATMENTS: If a pain component is found, then adjunctive use of medications for pain/inflammation together with behavioural or anti-anxiety medications is usually implemented. If the underlying problem is epilepsy, then treatment with an anticonvulsant may be necessary.