Responsible pet owners know the value of annual wellness checks and will seek out additional care if an animal is sick or injured in some way. What is missed too frequently are the times when a pet is acting a little unusual but not necessarily sick. Cats and dogs lack the ability to tell their humans when they are feeling “off,” and their quirkiness may not be just a silly behavior but the sign of serious health concerns.
Dropping Food While Eating
Cats and dogs may both pull mouthfuls of food from their dishes to eat away from the bowl. This is sometimes a wild instinct where animals sharing a kill take their share and eat it away from the pack or a hunting animal drags its prey away from the kill area to somewhere sheltered. Unfortunately, dropped food could also signal a health issue. Animals with a dental abscess sometimes drop food due to discomfort or drag away large pieces in an attempt to break off smaller bites. Oral cancers, more common in dogs than cats, also result in the same behavior. Have the pet examined at the Animal Hospital in Olathe KS if they also drop treats, drool more, or consume only soft foods.
Urinating in the House
Aside from territory marking when a new pet arrives or behavioral issues, accidents by housebroken pets are a warning flag of an illness. Urinating in the home could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or other health issues. Schedule an appointment if the problem begins with no apparent cause and happens repeatedly.
Pressing Head Into Walls
When a cat or dog is pressing their head into a wall, it is not a funny photo moment. Head pressing is a sign of a serious medical emergency. Dogs and cats press their heads when suffering neurological disorders, when exposed to toxins, or when suffering from liver disease and other serious illnesses.
The staff at Falcon Valley Animal Hospital have seen many animals that appeared healthy but were brought in because of some unusual behavior that did not fit in with their normal routine. The owners of these pets helped to save their lives by being attentive. If an animal does anything that seems a little unusual, even if they seem otherwise healthy, it is always a good idea to schedule an exam with an Animal Hospital in Olathe KS.
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