Loading...
Loading...
Cat not using the litter box? Dog destroying things when you leave? Get real answers from a veterinarian — not a static article. Dr. Rosie asks the right questions to understand yourpet's specific situation and tell you what's likely going on.
A cat not using the litter box may have a urinary infection, bladder crystals, or painful arthritis — not a behavior problem. A dog that suddenly becomes aggressive may be in pain. Cognitive dysfunction, hyperthyroidism, hormonal imbalances, and neurological issues all show up as behavior changes first. Dr. Rosie always considers medical causes before assuming something is purely behavioral.
Cat not using litter box, cat spraying, cat aggression, cats fighting, yowling at night, scratching furniture
Cat Not Using Litter Box
Cat peeing outside the box, avoiding it, or going elsewhere in the house
Cat Spraying / Marking
Urine marking on walls, furniture, doors, or vertical surfaces
Cat Aggression & Biting
Unprovoked biting, swatting, attacking people or other pets
Cats Fighting & Not Getting Along
Hissing, fighting, chasing, or one cat bullying another
Cat Yowling at Night
Loud crying, yowling, or vocalizing at night keeping you awake
Cat Scratching Furniture
Destroying couches, carpets, or other furniture with claws
Dog separation anxiety, excessive barking, dog aggression, destructive chewing, dog anxiety and fear, enrichment
Dog Separation Anxiety
Destructive behavior, barking, accidents, or panic when left alone
Dog Destructive Behavior
Chewing furniture, shoes, or household items — especially when alone
Excessive Barking
Barking at everything, barking when alone, or non-stop vocalization
Dog Aggression
Growling, snapping, or biting people, dogs, or other animals
Dog Anxiety & Fear
Shaking, hiding, panting, or fearful behavior without obvious cause
Enrichment & Boredom
Preventing destructive boredom with mental and physical stimulation
Describe what's happening — Dr. Rosie will ask the right questions and give you a clear picture of what's likely going on and what to do about it.
🐾 Ask Dr. Rosie Now — It's FreeThis is the #1 reason cats are surrendered to shelters — and it almost always has a fixable cause. The three most common culprits are medical (UTI, bladder crystals, kidney disease, arthritis making it painful to climb in), box-related (dirty, wrong size, wrong litter type, wrong location, not enough boxes), or stress (new pet, move, new baby, changes in routine). Dr. Rosie will ask you exactly the right questions to figure out which category your cat is in.
When a cat chooses a specific soft surface like a rug or couch, it often points to a texture preference — meaning the litter substrate is the problem. But soft-surface peeing near windows or doors can also be stress-marking. Medical causes need to be ruled out first: a urinary tract infection causes urgency that can't wait for the box. Dr. Rosie will help you work through it.
Spraying is territorial urine marking, almost always triggered by stress or perceived threat. The most common triggers: a new cat in the home, outdoor cats visible through windows, conflict with another household pet, or major household changes. Spayed/neutered cats still spray under enough stress. Medical causes (UTI) must be ruled out first. Treatment depends on the root trigger — Dr. Rosie can walk you through it.
This is usually one of three things: overstimulation (petting-induced aggression — the cat hits a threshold and bites to end contact), play aggression (especially in single-cat households), or redirected aggression (cat sees something outside and turns on you). Sudden, out-of-character aggression in a previously gentle cat can also mean pain — a cat hurting somewhere won't want to be touched. Dr. Rosie can help you identify which type yours is.
Nighttime yowling has several common causes: cognitive dysfunction in senior cats (disorientation, essentially cat dementia), hyperthyroidism (very common in older cats — causes hyperactivity and vocalization), pain or discomfort, heat cycles in unspayed females, or attention-seeking in cats who've learned it works. The age of the cat matters a lot here. Dr. Rosie will factor that in.
Destructive behavior when alone is a hallmark of separation anxiety — but it can also be pure boredom in an under-exercised or under-stimulated dog. The key diagnostic question: does the destruction happen within the first 30 minutes of you leaving, or later? Separation anxiety happens immediately at departure. Boredom destruction happens whenever the dog gets restless. The treatment is very different depending on which it is.
Shaking in dogs has a wide range of causes: cold, excitement, fear or anxiety, pain (especially nausea or abdominal pain), toxin ingestion, low blood sugar, seizure activity, or in older dogs, muscle weakness and tremors. A dog that suddenly starts shaking for no obvious reason — especially if also lethargic, vomiting, or acting differently — needs a vet. Dr. Rosie can help you assess urgency.
Dogs bark to communicate — the question is what they're trying to say. Common causes: alert/territorial barking (reacting to sounds or movement), demand barking (learned behavior to get attention or food), anxiety barking (distress when alone or overstimulated), or boredom. Each type has a different fix. Punishing barking without understanding the cause often makes it worse.
Yes — and this is the most important thing to understand. Behavior changes are often the first sign of a medical problem. A cat that suddenly starts missing the box may have a UTI or bladder crystals. A dog that becomes irritable or snappy may be in pain. An older pet that seems confused or 'acts different' may have cognitive dysfunction or a thyroid or neurological issue. Dr. Rosie always considers the medical angle before assuming it's purely behavioral.
Poop eating is one of the most-searched dog behavior questions — and one of the most embarrassing for owners. Common causes include nutritional deficiency or malabsorption, learned behavior (puppies learn from mothers), boredom, or in some cases, a way of getting attention (even negative attention). Some dogs just find it appetizing. Diet and environment changes usually help more than punishment.
Inter-cat aggression that appears suddenly usually has a trigger: a new cat or animal in the home, one cat returning from the vet smelling 'wrong' (redirected aggression), a territorial dispute that escalated, or a medical issue in one of the cats that changed their behavior and social signaling. Cats communicate a lot through body language and scent — when that breaks down, fights happen. Dr. Rosie can help you identify the trigger and reintroduce them safely.
Dr. Rosie is your first stop. She can help you understand what's happening, identify the likely cause, and tell you whether you need a veterinary behaviorist, a certified trainer, medication, a vet visit for medical workup, or whether you can manage it at home with changes. She will be honest with you about when a problem needs escalation — not every behavior issue does.
Dr. Rosie provides educational information only — not diagnoses or treatment plans. Always consult your veterinarian for your pet's specific health and behavior needs.