“Our pets get up to all sorts of mischief and they can get themselves into funny positions that make us laugh. What is important though is that we are able to recognize what is normal behavior and what could be an issue for our pets or have developed as a result of a physical health problem,” PDSA Vet Nurse Nina shared with Bored Panda.
“Behavioral issues can develop over time, this gradual onset can mean we become accustomed to subtle changes in behavior and begin to think of it as normal as we’re seeing them every day. In some cases, a friend or family member who doesn’t see your pet regularly may highlight a behavior as being a potential issue, that you may have considered to be normal.”
Nina, from the PDSA, noted that our pets are all individuals in their own right. That means that they have their own unique behavioral traits.
“But if you think that your pet’s behavior is out of the ordinary, then it quite possibly is and should be investigated by your vet,” she urged pet owners to consider seeking professional assistance.
“Some examples of strange behavior as a result of a physical underlying issue could include; staring into space or fast blinking, toileting in inappropriate places, crying, or vocalizing randomly. If your pet has developed a new or unusual behavior that you feel is out of character, discuss this with your vet.”
‘Nonsense Animal Images’ currently has just shy of 69k followers who can’t wait for their newest posts. They’re a lot of fun. But beyond all the giggles and smiles, they also make us think deeply about the context beyond each picture.
After all, we’re seeing a pretty peculiar side of these animals. A side that some might not even be aware of exists if they don’t have pets of their own at home. But now the secret is out: our beloved pets are huge derps and do stuff that’s just as weird (if not weirder!) than even what we’re capable of.
During a previous in-depth interview with Bored Panda, certified cat behavior consultant Ingrid Johnson, who founded the Fundamentally Feline project, spilled the beans about the secret lives of cats.
She told us that, depending on an owner’s bond with their pet, they can help reduce stress and improve their mental and physical health. Generally speaking, the more we’re familiar with our pets’ needs and behavior, the happier we’ll be with them as our pets. Or, in other words, the more time and effort we put in, the greater the emotional (or is that ‘emeowtional’?) rewards.
"For many people, our pets are a great comfort, a best friend, a listening ear, and a source of unconditional love. Sadly, for others, their cat might stress them out, or they might find the cat annoying,”
The cat behavior specialist shared with Bored Panda that a superficial understanding of a pet’s needs can lead to negative experiences as an owner. A lack of understanding about how to best take care of the pet, train it, and meet its needs, however, isn’t an unsolvable issue.
“Those pet parents should seek the help of a qualified behaviorist! While some research claims that pets relieve stress and lower blood pressure, other studies have disproven this theory,” she said that it’s normal to seek help if we find ourselves out of our depth.
"Not to be negative in any way, but cats often self-preserve. This is how they have survived and evolved to be survivors over thousands of years. Their instincts are generally to hide to avoid danger or to flee,” Ingrid told us that a cat’s loyalty is most often to itself above all else.
“They prefer not to fight as that increases the potential for injury. An injured cat cannot hunt and take care of themselves so 'going into battle' is not their first choice," she explained that cats (generally) shouldn’t be expected to protect their owners like many dogs would.
