Why Do Pets Do What They Do? Your Cheat Sheet!

Sometimes our pets are a mystery about why they do the things they do!
In today’s blog, we’ll unlock the secrets to some common,
but head-scratching, dog and cat behaviors!

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

Experts believe this odd – but common – behavior is due to several potential reasons.

• A nutritional deficiency your dog is trying to fill.
• Parasite infections.
• Medical issues:
  ~ Diabetes
  ~ Cushing’s Syndrome
  ~ Thyroid Disease

Work with your vet to rule out any medical conditions.

Other potential reasons may also include:

• Boredom
• Stress
• Attention-seeking behavior.

How to Stop This Behavior

As gross as this behavior is, it’s a common behavior for canines. But there are some steps you can take to curtail this unwanted behavior.

• Closely supervise your dog when he is outside and immediately clean up his poop.
• Have a litter box? Keep it out of reach of your dog.

Never punish your dog for this behavior, instead, figure out why he’s doing it and address that reason!

Why Do Cats Knead Their Paws?

The answers may be as different as each cat! Feline kneading is a common behavior (although not all cats knead) and is also referred to as “making biscuits.” So why do some cats knead?

1. Kittens instinctively knead their mother to stimulate milk production.
2. It’s your cat’s way of returning your affection.
3. They are happy, content and relaxed.
4. They are stretching their muscles.
5. They are scent-marking their territory and items (including you!).
6. They are trying to attract a male cat for mating.

Never punish your cat for this natural behavior. Instead, keep your cat’s nails trimmed or use nail guards to prevent painful scratching.

Why Do Dogs Lick Us?

Licking is one of the ways a K9 communicates. So, what are they trying to communicate?

1. Affection.
2. Hunger.
3. Submission.
4. They want to be friends with someone new.
5. Or they simply love the taste of your skin (due to the salt)!

Why Do Cats Purr?

When it comes to why our cats purr, research suggests a variety of reasons.

1. As communication.
2. For self-soothing, pain relief or healing (after an injury or stressful event).
3. It’s instinctive.
4. To encourage further affection or pleasurable petting/brushing.
5. They are hungry.
6. To trigger a wanted response from their human.

To best understand what your cat’s purring means, consider their body language and the situation in the moment.

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

This mystery – and behavior – is as old as time! Research has attempted to provide some potential answers to why dogs eat grass.

1. The digestive need for roughage or fiber. Grass is a good source of fiber and helps the digestive tract work better.
2. To relieve an already upset stomach. They may consume the grass and then vomit shortly afterward. (However, studies show this is less than 25% of dogs and only 10% of dogs show illness before consuming grass.)
3. Intestinal worms.
4. It is an attention-seeking behavior.
5. It’s instinctive (11-47% of wolves eat grass as seen through their stools).
6. It may just taste good especially the fresh grass in the springtime.

If you are concerned about your dog consuming grass, talk to your veterinarian to rule out any potential health issues. Also, do not allow your canine to eat any grass treated with herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers to prevent potential toxicity or poisoning.

Known to many of her clients as the “Fur Therapist,” Taria has been featured as a pet grooming expert for over 25 media outlets (TV, radio and print), including the Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, Tribune and Magazine, Grooming Business magazine and others. Click here to learn more about Taria on LinkedIn.

Servicing: Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Philadelphia and Bucks counties, Southern New Jersey and parts of Delaware.

Avery’s Mobile Pet Spa offers full spa and styling experiences to express touch-up grooming. Click here to learn more about our services, call 877-528-3797 or email for a free consultation or to schedule an appointment.

Taria Avery

I’m the owner of Avery’s Pet Styling Salon and Boutique. We offer comprehensive mobile pet grooming services for pet parents who want a professional pet grooming service to simplify their pet care decisions and enhance their lifestyle. I am also the owner of Avery’s Holistic Paws, the creator of Probiotic Dental Sticks for Dogs.