Veterinarians Shared The Telltale Signs That Someone Isn’t A Good Pet Owner

Dogs love bones, right? Well, not everything they love is good for them, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in 2017. Veterinarian Carmela Stamper said, “Giving your dog a bone treat might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian… [or] a possible emergency surgery.” So look for a healthier alternative instead of animal bones. 

Cats have a reputation as milk-lovers, but many of them are lactose-intolerant. That means their bodies can’t process the sugars properly, leading to digestive problems. Milk’s irrelevant to their diet, too, so it’s not really worth the risk. And forget about canned tuna, as it lacks some of the necessary nutrients that felines need. Too much could even give them mercury poisoning!  

Dogs and cats thrive on schedule and repetition — it’s how they learn. So don’t feed a pet from the table one day, then tell them off for begging at dinnertime. They learned the behavior from you! If you want to train your furry friend, keep lessons consistent or they won’t understand what you want from them.

What with work, family, and chores, you probably lead a busy life. But pets don’t have the same level of stimulus as people, so you’re their main source of… well, everything. Spend time with them when you can, because a bored pet might find other, potentially more destructive ways to entertain themselves. 

It doesn’t matter whether you have a cat, dog, lizard, or snake — all animal breeds come in different sizes with different needs. That means exercise, so don’t forget to provide your rabbit with a run or your feathered friend with a big-enough cage and space to stretch its wings.

Seems logical to shave off your pet’s fur in the summer, right? Wrong. Dogs and cats sweat through their paws. Fur actually protects their bodies from outside sources, so whether you’re removing it for temperature or cosmetic reasons, you probably shouldn’t do it. And if you need to remove their coat for any reason, leave it to the professionals. 

It’s natural to assume that if your pet is still eating, they’re still hungry. But the truth is, dogs and cats will often eat as much as they can, regardless of how full their stomachs are. It’s a bad idea to keep their food bowls topped up all the time, so stick to a scheduled feeding routine, or your pets will pile on the pounds. 

In 2021 canine behavior consultant Anthony Newman told Reader’s Digest, “Too many people have the impression that raising a calm, peaceful, social, respectful, patient, obedient dog requires constantly feeding them treats.” This isn’t the best idea. Pets won’t respond to other training methods, and all those treats won’t be good for your furry friends, either. 

Your food lifestyle choice is up to you, but it’s not always appropriate for your pet. An animal’s body is designed to live on a specific diet to process all the nutrients it needs. For example, cats are carnivores by necessity, so they can’t become vegetarians or vegans and stay healthy, no matter how much you may want them to change their eating habits. Maybe consider a rabbit instead! 

If you like the way an animal looks, research its breed first to make sure you’re making the right choice. Some people get huskies because they look cool without considering how much exercise they need. And shelters get lots of cats simply because people don’t find them photogenic! It’s not about looks; it’s about companionship.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand animals, right? But they generally don’t change ingrained habits or schedules for no reason. That means if they start doing something different, whether it’s behavior, diet, or even toilet habits, you should pay attention. The cause could indicate a decline in your best friend’s health. 

Many experts — including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — advise keeping cats indoors. Veterinarian Jane Brunt told WebMD, “Allowing cats outdoors increases their risk of being injured and exposed to infectious diseases such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).” If you have the space, consider an outdoor enclosure to give your cats some time with nature. 

Birds aren’t the only animals that come with bills! Work out your finances to decide if you can afford a pet first. Admittedly sometimes unforeseen expenses pop up, and that can’t be helped. But you should take into account your companion’s food, vaccinations, veterinary bills, toys, and a host of other things if you want to be a good pet parent. 

Regular grooming for long-furred dog and cat breeds is commonly overlooked by rookie owners. Instead, many of them try to cut out the resulting knots. “This is a mistake,” vet Christie Long told Insider in 2021. “Because it can be difficult to determine where the mat ends and the ear itself begins, it's easy to cut the ear.”

Ever hear of the alpha concept, where you should try to be a dominant leader to your dog? The truth is that not even wolf packs work this way, so it’s even more wrong-headed behavior to display towards domesticated dogs. The bad news is it’s still a widely-believed fact and could actually be detrimental to many canine training routines.

In 2021 a veterinarian on Reddit wrote, “I wish people just even had a basic understanding of dog or cat body language… The number of videos posted on Reddit of animals in distress, and it’s tagged as, ‘Oh, my little fluffster is so cute when he plays!’ or whatever makes my blood boil.” Learn how to read your pet to make both your lives easier. 

Unless you’re a licensed breeder, you should spay and neuter your pets. There are lots of myths around this — the process will make your pal different in some way, for instance — but it doesn’t make your cat or dog more lethargic. It prevents aggression towards other animals, reduces cancer risks, and you won’t get unexpected babies you can’t look after. It’s win-win. 

A veterinary nurse of ten years’ standing told Bored Panda in 2021 that “if you’re not willing to train your pet” then “90 percent of your pet’s behavioral issues are your fault.” This is less of a problem for cats — though even they can be trained. 

Animals show and enjoy receiving affection in lots of contrasting ways, and birds are a good example to consider. Don't try to cuddle them like dogs or cats, new owners! It’s not good for your feathered friends. According to the website Best Friends, birds prefer being stroked around the head, neck, or feet. Anywhere else might be considered a mating ritual, which can cause future behavioral problems. 

Yeah, that’s right. Some pet parents want their pals to become mothers themselves to experience the ‘joys’ of childbirth. But animals aren’t like humans. And if you don’t intend to keep the babies — which may even be a litter — then all that awaits the mothers is the experience of separation.

Removing a cat’s claws is a thing, and it totally shouldn’t be. “I am a vet,” someone volunteered on Bored Panda. “Do not get a cat and then expect me to amputate its toes because you don't want it scratching the furniture. I refuse to perform declaws on cats because most of the time it is a mutilation for the cosmetics of a couch.” 

Retractable leashes are both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, they’re great for giving your dog space to run with imposed limitations of your choosing. On the other hand, you have to remember to lock them in place so your furry friend doesn’t run riot. If you use retractable leashes, use them responsibly. 

Pet parents trust their furbabies, but when they play together with human children you should always watch them. Even if they mean no harm, a happy animal can knock a kid over or playfight too hard. Don’t forget: teach your child to respect animal boundaries and raise them as animal-lovers, too. 

“Over ten million pets are lost every year,” Reader’s Digest reports, and that’s partly because they’re not microchipped. Priority one when you get a new furbaby should be buying and activating a microchip identifier. Should your lost pet get found by well-wishers, animal rescue can use the chip’s contact info to locate you, thus saving you some sleepless nights. 

Cats have a persnickety reputation, and that extends to their toilet habits. They don’t like to share anything, including litter boxes. The experts at Purina suggest you have one box per cat, plus an extra one spaced out around your house. Otherwise, the amount of waste your cats kick out is on you. Maybe literally.

Dog owners beware: some flowers are poisonous to your pets. Michelson Found Animals Foundation’s executive director, Aimee Gilbreath, told Reader’s Digest, “Many of nature’s beauties have ugly side effects.” She said, “You’d think your pup would be smart enough to not eat your floral arrangement, but vets see plenty of these cases every year.”

If you’re new to animal care, you might think starting small is the best way to prepare for a bigger pet. You may want to reconsider, though. Even smaller animals have very specific needs. Take guinea pigs, for example. Because they’re social animals, did you know experts suggest buying them in pairs? 

Dog-lovers often anthropomorphize their pals, but Motley Zoo Animal Rescue’s executive director, Jme Thomas, explained, “Your dog is the equivalent of a human three-year-old.” They can be incredibly smart, but don’t ask too much of them. Thomas elaborated, “All you are doing is endangering your beloved dog for your own selfish needs and desires.” 

A cat’s whiskers are among its most sensitive body parts, so take that into account when you buy pet bowls. Containers that are too narrow or deep rub against a cat’s whiskers and that can result in whisker fatigue. It sounds made-up, but it’s a real condition! It can make cats stressed, irritable, and even aggressive. 

Pet Sitters International’s vice president, Beth Stultz-Hairston, told Reader’s Digest, “Just because someone is a loving pet owner doesn’t mean they’re qualified to be a pet sitter.” Sitting’s an easy job to pick up if you’re strapped for cash, so there are lots of people offering their services. Ask for credentials and vet your sitters carefully.

One Redditor’s girlfriend used to be a vet tech and advised you to stay with your pet should the worst happen and they need to be put to sleep. It will keep your buddy calm at the end. But if you absolutely can’t control your grief, avoid upsetting them and leave them to the veterinarians. Just do the best for your friend, as they would do for you. 

Remember how dogs are mentally like children? Well, when they whimper with fear, you’re going to want to comfort them. Yet this concept is beyond them. Instead, you’re starting a negative feedback loop that tells your dog they will get attention by whimpering. No matter how much it hurts, let them cry it out. 

Some people think a dog’s stomach is strong enough to take spoiled food. It’s not, and that’s why you shouldn’t let them go through your trash in their search for tasty snacks. “Dogs who eat trash could get food poisoning or pancreas problems,” WebMD reported. “Spoiled products may also have toxic mold.” 

Dogs love walkies, but at the height of summer the sidewalk can get so hot you can practically fry an egg on it. According to Ben Williamson of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), just a minute’s contact with hot asphalt can burn a dog’s paw pads. Check roads on a hot day, and always pack plenty of water for both you and your dog. 

Pets pick up all sorts of unwanted housemates, including worms, fleas, and ticks. They don’t seem like a big deal at first, but parasites can spread to people and quickly cause a host of health problems — pun not intended. See your vet about parasite prevention and treatment methods, but don’t ignore the problem as it will usually only get worse.

When your pet pees on the carpet or eats something it shouldn’t, don’t yell at them. They don’t understand why you’re shouting, and it will just scare them. Instead, try using positive reinforcement. Instead of punishing bad behavior, reward good behavior instantly. It’s a more effective training tool, and it won’t distress your buddy. 

The internet makes you feel like veterinary advice is just a browser search away, but resist the urge! If your pet’s health is at risk, there’s no substitute for a professional vet. So no online home remedies or taking advice from unofficial sources such as breeders or groomers without medical licenses.

If you’ve got more than one pet and you want to introduce them, don’t assume their first meeting will go well, regardless of their temperaments. If you can, try and do it slowly and away from home — in a park, for example — and keep them separated at first. It might take multiple meetings for your friends to get along, even with positive reinforcement. 

It can be hard to resist bedtime snuggles with your best bud, but don’t let them get on the bed. It’s the best thing for both of you. Not only is it unsanitary — pets may carry small particles on their feet from doing their business — but animals and humans also have different bedtime patterns. Trying to combine them will just disrupt you both. 

This is the big one. It’s a widely held belief that rubbing your pet’s nose in their business after a toilet-training accident will teach them a lesson. It won’t. All it will do is make them scared and associate that fear with going to the toilet, perpetuating a fear cycle that will only make potty training harder. Yet sometimes animal behavior is not as harmless as it looks...

As a pet owner, of course, you must keep a watchful eye over your animal throughout the day. After all, that’s the best way to spot troubling issues such as “head pressing” at an early stage. Yet this can be tricky – particularly if you don’t know what to look for.

It can also be difficult to gauge the behavior of certain animals at all times. But regardless of your ability to read some of the more subtle aspects of a pet’s body language, head pressing can be obvious. And it’s something that you have to be aware of going forward.

You certainly can’t brush head pressing off as the normal behavior of animals such as cats and dogs. After all, goats, cows and horses display this behavioral pattern as well. So if you happen to see your pet pushing their cranium against a flat surface, you need to understand that they require urgent help.

This is important because the United States boasts some incredible figures when it comes to pet ownership. To give you an idea of the steady growth in pet lovers over the years, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) ran a study back in 1988. And after going over the results, the organization revealed that 56 percent of homeowners had animals under their roofs.

Then, some three decades on, APPA supervised another study in 2019 which showed that 67 percent of American homes now own pets. Dogs and cats are the most popular choice, of course. So it’s obvious that those who look after these pets need to know about head pressing. First of all, then, let’s make sure you don’t mistake the behavior for something else.

If you own a pet cat, for instance, you’ll notice that the animal often bumps their cranium against parts of your anatomy, sometimes with force. And although these actions look similar to head pressing, they’re actually completely different. This is “head bunting,” in fact, and is a common behavior among felines.

To explain more, feline aficionado Pam Johnson-Bennett shared some interesting insights with the PetMD website. She said, “When cats head bunt, they’re creating a communal scent in a free-roaming universe. Cats recognize each other by scent first and foremost. Their whiskers and pupils are relaxed. Their ears are also relaxed.”

So head bunting allows cats to spread their fragrance throughout their homes. And you could interpret this as their way of marking territory – yet PetMD suggested a much deeper meaning. According to the website, if you’re on the receiving end of a bump, you’re seen as part of the feline’s “colony.”

Another expert in feline behavior claimed that head bunts are a sign of affection to their owners as well. Speaking to PetMD, Ingrid Johnson explained, “[The cats are] saying, ‘I love you. You’re so wonderful, but you’re also a little stinky. Let’s get you smelling like us.’”

Expanding on that, Johnson shared some fascinating information about the way that cats navigate the world. She drew a comparison between them and their respective guardians, highlighting how we’re often oblivious to their focus on scents. You see, cats can activate their scent glands – on their heads above the eyes – by head bunting.

“[Head bunting is] like a mutual love session between a person and the furniture,” Johnson continued. “We don’t always realize that cats live in a very scent-laden world. Humans are visual. We forget that there are so many scent glands on them. It’s like they’re leaving little kitty text messages.”

As for how you should reply to a cat’s head bunt, PetMD suggested that you could reciprocate their gesture. Actions such as offering a cranial bump of your own to rubbing their chin can further establish your bond together. However, Johnson-Bennett provided an important counterpoint for those still building relationships with their pets.

Johnson-Bennett told the website, “Some cats may not be comfortable with a response. So wait until it head bunts you the next time. Then maybe you can reach out your hand to build trust.” Once that “trust” is in place, the expert believes, owners are in privileged positions with their animals.

“You should be thrilled that [the cat has] chosen you,” Johnson-Bennett claimed. “Enjoy it and take it as a compliment that you’re worthy of their affection – that they’ve deemed you good enough. The more you foster a relationship with your cat, the more she will want to head bunt you.”

Meanwhile, Johnson-Bennett shared another point during her conversation with PetMD. As we mentioned earlier, people consider head bunting as a cat’s way of marking their domain in the house. But according to the feline expert, that’s a misinterpretation of a heartfelt gesture from the animal.

“That sounds so cold,” Johnson-Bennett claimed. “Head bunting is typically an affectionate behavior. People think in black-and-white terms with their cat’s behavior. We show affection with a hug, a kiss or by holding hands. Cats have so many ways of being physically close. They touch noses, which is like a handshake. Head bunting is the next step. It’s like a hug.”

So given what we now know about head bunting, it’ll be easier to recognize when we’re at home. The differences between this behavior and head pressing also become clearer. But if you’re still unsure on the latter, here are the signs that you should look out for.

As suggested before, there could be a problem with your pet if it continues to push its head against a flat surface. Cats and dogs are known to stick to areas such as walls, doors or floors when there’s an issue. Regarding felines, Johnson gave an example of the startling sight.

Johnson told PetMD, “They may walk up to a corner and push on both sides of the wall. Their face is wincing. Their head is throbbing. It’s like us pushing into our temples when we have a headache. They may express excessive vocal irritability. They may howl like they’re disoriented.”

The behavior of an affected dog is similar to that, as they’ll often dig their forehead into the surface. Unsurprisingly, these actions can leave pet owners concerned – especially if their animals continue to do it. But, should you find yourself in this situation, you must act as quickly as possible.

For you see, head pressing is usually a sign of a serious illness in animals. It might indicate that the cat or dog is suffering from a neurological ailment – in which case more problems can arise. With that in mind, then, canines are known to display the following symptoms alongside the cranial pushing.

One of the easiest symptoms to spot is an increase in the dog’s “pacing.” This constant walking can cause issues with their feet too. The sick pooch could also exhibit some extreme signs, such as seizures, a decrease in vision and big alterations in their behavior.

What’s the underlying cause? Well, the affected dog could be dealing with a condition such as encephalitis or rabies. On the other hand, brain tumors can trigger similar symptoms in canines as well. But away from those ailments, there’s an additional medical issue that might explain the constant head pressing.

As you may already know, the liver is an important organ, as it filters the blood from the digestive system. Unfortunately, though, some dogs carry internal abnormalities that alter this process in a major way. Known as a “liver shunt,” it causes unfiltered plasma to go past the affected dog’s organ.

To explain more, a veterinarian named Jennifer Coates delved into the topic while writing for PetMD. And, according to her, there are two types of liver shunt that you’ll find in different dogs. Dr. Coates wrote, “Liver shunts can be divided into two categories. Those that are present at birth (congenital shunts) and those that develop later in life (acquired shunts).”

Coates continued, “Congenital shunts are most common, being responsible for approximately 80 percent of cases. Dogs are usually quite young (less than three years old) when they start experiencing symptoms. [Meanwhile], acquired shunts typically develop when blood pressure within the veins connecting the digestive tract to the liver becomes elevated.”

So if a dog does have a liver shunt, head pressing is one of several symptoms they will display. That’s why you must take your animal to the vet when it starts doing this, and the medical professional should be able to help. Coates explained to PetMD how specialists would go about treating the previously mentioned ailment.

“Most small breed dogs who have congenital shunts have just one abnormal blood vessel that is located outside of the liver,” Coates wrote. “These are the most amenable to surgical correction. A single shunt that is located within the liver itself is more common in large breed dogs. These are still usually best treated with surgery.”

As for head pressing in cats, there are some other potential causes for it. Brain tumors and rabies can trigger the problem in dogs and felines – but that’s not all. In fact, glandular issues and metabolic abnormalities are also conditions that could lead to the behavior in cats.

Yet whatever the cause may be, a vet needs to assess your cat to ascertain the problem. Understandably, though, you might be worried about the tests that your pet will undergo. So in an attempt to clear matters up, an expert shed some light on the process.

Dr. Katy Nelson, who plies her trade as a vet, provided an in-depth breakdown while writing for PetMD. She revealed, “In order to determine the underlying cause of the head pressing behavior, your veterinarian will likely perform a fundic examination of the retina. [They will also look at] other structures in the back of the eye.”

Dr. Nelson continued, “[These examinations] may reveal irregularities in the brain or infectious or inflammatory diseases. Other helpful tests include blood pressure measurements, to determine if your cat has high blood pressure, and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain. Your veterinarian will also perform bloodwork and a urinalysis.”

Nelson also made it clear that you’d need to take note of your cat’s behavior before seeing the vet. By mentioning any other strange signs you might’ve noticed, you’re giving the vet a better chance of reaching a solution. And while the process may be worrying, the results could save your pet’s life.

Johnson-Bennett also reiterated the importance of watching over your cat at home. This allows you to get a better sense of how they carry themselves each day. Then, if they do begin to showcase a few unusual ticks, you’ll be able to tell that something might be wrong.

Johnson-Bennett told PetMD, “It’s those little things that pet owners discover about their cat’s behavior that can make a real difference in the relationship. If you misunderstand subtle signs, it can have a huge impact on whether you have a close bond or not. We misinterpret cat communication all the time.”

Yet cats and dogs aren’t the only animals out there that are prone to head pressing. When it comes to goats, they showcase the symptom after contracting a disease called caprine arthritis-encephalitis. Otherwise referred to as CAE, this medical ailment doesn’t have a cure at present.

But the disease takes on two different “forms.” The arthritis form affects goats between the ages of one and two. As for the encephalitis strain, that’s the one that causes the animal to press its cranium against the walls. Sadly, that form of CAE hits goats that are only a few months old.

Horses will engage in head pressing when something isn’t right too. To explain more, vet Doug Thal shared some interesting information about affected equines. Writing for the Horse Side Vet Guide website, he said, “Horses that are depressed or experiencing abdominal pain will often stand with their head in the corner of their stall.”

And Dr. Thal added, “[Head pressing] is a rare behavior, and is usually associated with severe neurologic disease. Horses showing true head pressing will usually show other signs of brain disease such as depression, loss of appetite, wobbliness [and] apparent blindness. Horses that are dying of other causes, such as intestinal rupture, may also engage in this behavior.”