Copyright The Boston Globe
Emla, our 10-year-old goldendoodle, goes nuts when my wife and I hug. She can sense the moment and always wants to be part of the pack. What’s behind this behavior, and how can it be redirected? — Donald Berman, Cambridge MA There are a few reasons dogs get worked up when we hug. When we are excited and hug each other, they get excited too. They may also think that we are playing when we hug and want to join in. Often dogs horn in on our hugs because we reward them for doing so. When the dog jumps, noses, runs around or pushes between us, we often respond by giving attention. (Who can resist?) The reward — attention — keeps the excitement alive and increases the likelihood the dog will do it again. For anxious dogs, hugging can trigger fear. They can perceive it as a threat and attempt to shut it down. Resource guarding can also motivate a negative response to hugging. The dog may bark, jump up, or wedge between the huggers as a way of saying, “Back off, this person is mine.” To address hugging excitement, I recommend teaching the dog an alternative behavior using positive reinforcement. It can be something as simple as having the dog go to her bed. Start far away from your wife. Take a step toward your wife with your arms outstretched. If the dog remains in the bed, praise her and toss a treat. Repeat four or five times. Then move the bar. Take two steps toward your wife. If the dog stays in her bed, praise and toss a treat. Continue gradually increasing the challenge until you can walk up and hug your wife while the dog calmly looks on from her bed. —Dr. Stephanie Borns-Weil, veterinary behaviorist and assistant clinical professor, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. I am the mom of three 11-year-old litter mates (cats) who have lived with me since they were 4 months old. This past year, my twin daughters both went to college, and the cats started vying to make me their “territory.” In particular, one of them is extremely aggressive and is attacking the other two. Prozac has helped one of the cats, but I am afraid it might make the aggressive cat worse. Any suggestions? — Aimee Van Dyne, Lenox, MA Changes in a cat’s environment, such as the departure of family members, can destabilize the relationship between cats and increase social stress in a household, causing some cats to become anxious, depressed, and irritable. Minor stressors, such as being approached by another cat while sitting with you, may now feel unbearable for them. Also, with your daughters away, the cats may feel needier, want more contact with you, and be less willing to make space for the others. And, with fewer people in the house, the cats may perceive that laps for sitting and hands for petting and play are now scarce. Social stress is best addressed by creating an atmosphere of plenty. Add toys, desirable resting places, climbing structures, window seats, food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes so the cats do not have to compete for resources. You cannot, of course, duplicate yourself. But you can set aside time to play and cuddle daily with each of the cats. If the social stress does not resolve, or if the cats are actively fighting, separation and reintroduction may be needed to reset their relationship. First, the cats are separated entirely. They are then gradually reintroduced in brief, carefully controlled sessions, during which they are given delicious food or engaged in fun activities. They start out far away from one another. As they become more comfortable, they are moved closer together. By pairing the cats with special food and enjoyable activities, their feelings about one another should gradually change from anger and fear to calm and contentment. Medication can also be a helpful part of a treatment plan for intercat housemate aggression. Don’t get discouraged if a medication doesn’t work for your cat. Cats may have very different responses to medication. Some trial and error is often needed to find the right medication and dose for each individual. I recommend talking with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist about other medication options. — S. B.-W. My four-year-old chocolate labrador retriever, Moose, has been treated for ear infections several times over his life, and the vet recommended putting him on hydrolyzed food and Apoquel for any environmental factors. It seems to have helped but is expensive and restrictive. Are there any reliable tests for food/environmental allergies that can help owners really know how to proceed with treatment? I get blasted on social media with ads for natural alternatives. How true are these ads? — Cindy Barrows, Harwich Port, MA I agree with you that there is a lot of marketing and misinformation regarding allergies. Nearly 30 percent of dogs are diagnosed with allergies, and numbers are increasing. Skin allergies in our pets include environmental, food-based, and allergies to skin parasites such as fleas. Food allergies are less common than environmental allergies, and the recommendation from the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals is to rule them out after a standardized diet trial. There is no specific test to diagnose allergies. The diagnosis is based on history and clinical findings that rule out other itchy conditions. The main anti-allergic treatments in dogs at this time include JAK inhibitors; immunotherapy; cyclosporine, which is an immunosuppressant; and steroids, which are recommended only short term. Approach products marketed as natural alternatives with caution, as there is no consensus on what such labels mean at this time, and they can mislead pet owners. These products are not intended as a sole treatment and typically lack efficacy. Always consult with a veterinarian or veterinary dermatologist before giving your pet any allergy treatment or supplement. -- Dr. Ramón Almela, veterinary dermatologist and assistant professor, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University The experts responding cannot diagnose or prescribe treatment for pets without seeing them. These responses should not be a substitute for necessary routine or urgent veterinary care.
