We all notice our dogs shaking when they get wet, but did you know that there are numerous other reasons why your dog might shake? Discover the reasons behind dog trembling and shaking with our guide. Dogs seem to be masters at knowing how we’re feeling. They can tell if we’re happy or sad by a simple change in the tone of our voice or an adjustment of our body language. However, we often find it hard to interpret how dogs are feeling and we can feel at a loss as to how we can help them. One thing in particular that’s difficult to decipher is when your dog trembles or shakes. Dog trembling can be due to numerous factors, including everything from excitement to something more serious such as sickness. We’ve put together this handy guide to help you discover why do dogs shake and tremble, and why it seems more common in smaller breeds like Chihuahuas. Why do dogs shake? Dogs trembling and shaking isn’t uncommon and there are lots of reasons, for example if they’re excited or trying to dry themselves. Often, you need to look at the context to figure out exactly why your dog is shaking.

Dog scooting is often considered a sign of rambunctious behaviour, but there are cases when it should prompt a call to the vet. Find out more about the unusual behaviour and what you can do to make sure it doesn’t happen again. What is dog scooting? Dog scooting is a behaviour you may have already noticed in your pet. It happens when they sit down and start dragging their bottom across the ground, whether it’s the kitchen floor, the grass in the park or their old favourite – the living room carpet. And although it can be a cause for a good chuckle, an embarrassing moment or just plain annoying, dog scooting should also prompt pet owners to wonder if there is an underlying condition that needs to be addressed. Why do dogs scoot? Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs start dragging their bum on the ground. Intestinal parasites Dog scooting can also be a sign that worms are involved. Intestinal parasites such as roundworms or tapeworms are common in dogs. Puppies can get infected with roundworms from their mother’s milk, while fleas can be the carrier for tapeworms larvae. Here is a list of the different types of worms in dogs and how the vet can help you get rid of them. Anal gland issues Scooting can be caused by anal glands that are full. If this is the case, your dog’s ground gyrations might be an attempt to alleviate some of the painful pressure.

Our dogs pant all the time, especially after a good walk or a fun play session. However, when your dog's panting is paired with additional symptoms, it can be a sign of something more serious. Find out what you should be on the look out for with our guide. Dog panting is a very common behaviour, often seen when your dog is cooling down on a hot day or after an exciting play session. Characterised as rapid, shallow breathing, usually coupled with a big lolling tongue, this behaviour is generally normal and nothing to worry about. However, there are some occasions when dog panting can indicate something more serious. You may be wondering about the various reasons behind why dogs pant, so we’ve created this article about panting in dogs and the top reasons why your four-legged friend may do this. Why do dogs pant? When dogs pant, it usually means they are too hot and are trying to cool down. But there are other reasons why your dog may pant, which is why it’s always important to look at the overall situation and what the rest of your dog’s body language is telling you. Some of the most common reasons why dog’s pant are as follows: Dogs pant to cool down Unlike us, dogs can’t sweat through their skin to cool down because of their thick fur. While they can sweat a little through their paw pads, the amount this is able to cool them down is limited. By panting, they quickly exchange hot air from their lungs with cool external air, which speeds the evaporation of water from their tongue, inside their mouth and upper respiratory tract. As this water evaporates it helps to regulate their body temperature, thus cooling them down effectively. They’re feeling anxious or stressed Dogs may also pant when they’re feeling stressed or anxious. Termed ‘behavioural panting’ this type can usually be seen with some of the following symptoms alongside it: repetitive yawning, pacing, whining, licking lips, shaking or hiding. You may see this type of dog panting if your dog’s scared of fireworks, when they’re on car journeys or during visits to the vet. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome If you have a brachycephalic dog breed with a flat face and shortened or squashed nose, such as a French Bulldog, Pug or Boxer, then your dog panting a lot may be due to ‘brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome’ (BOAS). Because of their anatomy, these dogs suffer from ongoing breathing difficulties as a result of a narrowed upper respiratory tract. Additionally, they don’t pant as efficiently as other dogs because their faces are flat, making them much more at risk of heatstroke or overheating as they can’t cool themselves down quickly. My dog is panting a lot – what does it mean? If your dog’s panting a lot and they’re not warm and don’t need to cool their body down, it could indicate a larger problem. Additionally, if their pants sound louder or harsher or they appear to be exerting more effort than usual, you should seek veterinary attention immediately as it could be a sign of one of the following problems:

Is your dog always rewarding you with slobbery kisses for no apparent reason? Find out why dogs like to lick things. Does your dog offer slobbery wet kisses left and right? Whether you are delighted, annoyed or slightly worried, you surely have the same burning question on your mind: why do dogs lick everything in sight? Why do dogs lick? There are lots of reasons why a dog licks you – it could be to show you affection or get your attention. It can also be a sign of stress and anxiety. Dog licking might seem simple but it is such a complex behaviour with so many different meanings. And if you’re worried that your dog is licking you (or themselves) too much, it’s worth consulting a vet to see if there is an underlying condition.

Some think that dogs whiskers have no purpose and they have them snipped off at the groomers, but whiskers are actually essential in helping your dog navigate the world! Keep reading to find out more. Many people don’t realise that the coarse, long whiskers on a dog’s face actually serve an important purpose. In fact, some dog owners try and snip off dog whiskers because they think they look untidy. Also known as vibrissae, these dog whiskers have several uses and can help your dog navigate the world around them. They help your dog in many aspects of their life and even can guide them in the dark and help them figure out the size of different objects! Keep reading to find out why dogs have whiskers and why you should never have them snipped off, no matter how untidy your pooch appears. What are dog whiskers? Whiskers or vibrissae are long, coarse hairs that usually occur around a dog’s muzzle, jaw and above their eyes. They’re deeply embedded into the skin, and the follicles at the base of these whiskers are packed full of nerves that send sensory messages to the dog’s brain.

The image of a dog chasing their tail is one that’s been depicted time and time again, but have you ever stopped to wonder why they do it? Find out why do dogs chase their tails with our guide. If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably witnessed your pup chasing their tail on occasion. Sometimes it may be just the odd, quick chase and other times your dog may resemble a tornado, whirling around and around in hot pursuit of their tail. When it’s only occasional and doesn’t seem to be doing your dog any harm, it’s usually harmless behaviour. However, if the tail chasing appears to be obsessive then there could be a health issue. For those that are wondering why do dogs chase their tails, we’ve put together this guide to tell you the most common reasons and when you should seek help from your vet. Why do dogs chase their tails? There are numerous reasons why your dog may chase their tail, from boredom to something more serious like an injury. It’s always best to consult a vet first to rule out anything health-wise, but six of the most common reasons why they exhibit this behaviour are as follows: 1. Boredom Sometimes dogs chase their tail simply because of boredom. This may be because they’re left alone most of the day or aren’t getting enough mental or physical stimulation. Tail chasing offers a way to entertain themselves – at least for a little while – and also allows them to expel some of that built-up energy. Luckily, if the chasing is due to boredom, it’s easy to fix. Increase their daily activity by adding more regular walks to their routine and bring in some physical and mental games. Every dog is powerless to resist a game of fetch and brain puzzles are an excellent way to engage their mind!

Owners are constantly baffled when they buy their cat a cool new toy and they're much more interested in the box it came in! But why do cats love boxes so much? Keep reading to find out why. It’s a widely known fact that cats love boxes. To them, no toy in the world, no matter how expensive or fancy it may be, compares to a simple cardboard box. It’s a phenomenon that baffles most cat owners, especially when they’ve just purchased a great new bed or cool toy, and their cat seems to prefer the packaging it came in. In this article, we explore why cats like boxes and tell you all about why they make the perfect snoozing and hunting ground for your cat. Why do cats like boxes? There are lots of reasons that cats love boxes, but the main one is because they’re confined, enclosed spaces. Cats are ambush predators and finding confined places where they can hide, hunt prey and feel safe and warm is an instinctive behaviour. Snug cardboard boxes fit the bill perfectly. Boxes are safe Cats get comfort and security from enclosed spaces, which is why they love spending time in cardboard boxes. Cats use boxes as hiding places where predators can’t sneak up on them from the side or behind. If your cat is in a box, any “intruders” like prey, humans or other pets have to come directly into their field of vision, meaning nothing can surprise them. And cats like boxes because they help to reduce stress and offer a safe zone where your cat can observe and not be seen. This is ideal for cats as their reaction to stressful situations is often to run and hide. Cats don’t have in-built conflict resolution strategies, so they much prefer to hide from their problems. The safety of the private, enclosed space is another possible answer to why do cats like boxes.

Cat kneading, also known as 'making biscuits' is an adorable behaviour, usually seen when they're having a good fuss! You may be wondering why they do this and want to discover the reasoning behind the behaviour, which is why we've put together this handy guide to tell you everything you need to know. Cat kneading is a common cat behaviour, often displayed as the rhythmic pushing of their paws in and out at alternating times. Many people think that it looks like they’re kneading dough, which is why it’s also adorably known as ‘making biscuits’. Cats love to do this on soft surfaces like cosy blankets, squishy cushions, or most commonly your lap when they’re having a good fuss! If you have a cat that does this, you may be wondering why do cats knead? Which is why we’ve put together this article so you can find out the truth behind your feline friend’s baking habits. What is cat kneading? Most cats will knead, but not all will do it in the same way. Where the motion of their paws usually remains the same, the accompanying actions may differ. Some will purr really loudly, while others may do it quietly, others may do it with just their front paws, whereas some will put their all into it and use all four. Most cats will at least display the classic making biscuits action. Additionally, whilst cats knead it’s not unusual for them to appear to be in a trance-like state and look almost glazed over. This just means that they’re completely relaxed.

Cat hissing is a common behaviour which sort of resembles the sound a snake makes. We’ve come to associate this with them being extremely annoyed, but did you know there are numerous reasons why cats hiss? We’ve all seen our cats hiss, whether it’s at an intruder in the garden or when we’ve tried to pick them up when they’re not in the mood. As humans, we’ve learned to identify this as a sign that our cats are truly ticked off and not in the mood to be messed with, but there are other reasons why your kitty may be hissing. If you have a cat who keeps making these snake-like noises, you may be wondering why do cats hiss and what can you do about it? We’ve put together this guide to help you discover all the secrets behind cat hissing. How do cats hiss? When a cat feels threatened, they’ll release a burst of air through their mouth, and it’s this burst of air that makes a hissing sound. This sound will usually be paired with other cat body language signs such as bared teeth, flattened ears, an arched back and their fur will also stand on end (also known as piloerection). Why do cats hiss? When considering why cats hiss, it’s important to understand that hissing is a completely normal behaviour which helps your cat express themselves. Where humans can use speech to communicate, cats must rely on their body language to tell both us and other animals how they’re feeling. A few of the most common reasons behind cat hissing are as follows: 1. Warning shots First and foremost, cat hissing is usually a warning to another person or animal. It’s their way of telling them to back off or they’ll be forced to attack – cats characteristically want to avoid confrontation at all costs, so think of this as a warning shot. You may see them do this when there’s another cat on your cat’s turf, if a mother cat has kittens to protect or if the vet’s trying to handle them. According to Pets MD, this type of cat hissing is most common with un-neutered cats when they’re searching for a potential mate.

Whiskers do a lot more than making your kitty look cute, they also serve many important purposes! From working as a built-in measuring tape to helping with their close-up vision, your cat's whiskers are truly amazing! Your cat’s whiskers are an iconic part of their anatomy. Not only do they look incredibly cute and tickle us during the night, but they also have an important purpose. Serving as the ultimate sensory tool, their whiskers are nothing like hair (although they might look like it) and are actually highly sensitive. You may be wondering why do cats have whiskers and want to find out more about your fuzzy friend’s built-in radar system. Keep reading to discover everything about whiskers, from how they work to how they help cats navigate in the dark! Why do cats have whiskers? Your cat’s whiskers are truly multifunctional, but their most important purpose is as a sensory tool. The official title for them is vibrissae, which comes from Latin ‘vibrio’ and means ‘to vibrate’. The hair follicle of your cat’s whiskers is loaded with nerves, and the whisker tip features a sensory organ known as a proprioceptor. Together, this makes them incredibly sensitive to vibrations and changes in their environment, so cats use them like an additional sense to understand the world. Additionally, whiskers are also much more deeply embedded in their body than normal fur hair, as they’re connected to the muscular and nervous system. This enables whiskers to send sensory messages to the brain about your cat’s surroundings, which is what makes them such savvy explorers! We think cat’s whiskers are, well, the cat’s whiskers. Which is why we’ve put together our top 10 facts to tell you everything you need to know about your clever cat’s face fuzz: