Some animals have difficulty interacting with other pets, children or strangers. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including upbringing, socialization problems or past experiences. These pets may display a tendency to bite, growl, scratch or even attack, causing a great deal of worry for their owners, who are often at a loss to explain or understand their pet's behavior. Since aggressive behavior can have many causes, it is a good idea to consult your vet, as there may be underlying health problems, especially if the animal is normally calm but has become aggressive. Regardless of the reason for your pet's aggressive behavior, there are many herbs that have been traditionally used to maintain nervous system harmony and support soothed behavior.
Our pets usually make good companions and become valued and much-loved members of the family. However, it is important to socialize and train them from the beginning and also to provide a consistent and secure environment in which they understand what acceptable behavior is and what is not.
The personality and breed of your pet also needs to be taken into account in order to understand behavior and habits in context and to work with your pet’s strengths in order to encourage good behavior. For instance, some breeds of pets such as border collies, are naturally more highly strung than others. Border collies are typically bred as working dogs so if instead they are kept as pets their owners need to be aware that they need lots of exercise and attention.
Other factors that can need to be taken into consideration include boredom, lack of stimulation, an inadequate diet (especially one with too much protein), allergies, stress, lack of attention and/or lack of exercise.
Recent changes to the environment such as introducing a new pet or a new person to the home, moving or even a new, particularly high-pitched doorbell can also be a factor. Pets may feel insecure and fearful and "act out". This all helps to illustrate the importance of learning to understand your pet and the context of the environment, as well as dynamics in the family which all contribute to forming your pet’s behavior.
The following tips can help your pet:
Regular exercise is essential. High energy pets need a natural outlet for their energy and exhaustion can have a dramatically calming effect on a active animal!
Ensure your pet is eating a balanced, high quality diet with plenty of raw and unprocessed food (preferably organic). Behavioral issues can often be related to food intolerances and an inadequate diet. A diet that is too high in protein can also be a factor. If in doubt, please consult your vet.
Avoid exposure to toxins and chemicals as much as possible including pesticides, herbicides, commercial flea collars, flea powder, insecticides and second-hand cigarette smoke. Also make sure that food and water bowls are made of glass, stainless steel or porcelain. Cook food in stainless-steel pans, not aluminum or copper pans.
Ensure that your home is a secure environment where your pet feels safe.
As a last resort, neutering or spaying may also have a calming effect on your pet.
There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that the use of carefully chosen herbal ingredients can help to support good behavior in dogs and cats to help prevent common problem behavior, as well as promote a positive response to training efforts.