Problematic behavioral problems in companion animals are one of the most frustrating and emotionally draining challenges for their owners. Resolving these problems can often be extremely difficult; especially for animals who are hard to handle, aggressive and/or destructive. In these cases owners may become frightened of their pet and truly believe that the only two solutions for their dilemma are to either surrender the pet or have it euthanized. As far as this writer is concerned, there are no “bad” pets; they are simply companion animals whose behavior is misunderstood.
For those of us who deeply love animals, it’s a priority to learn what we can do to help a troubled pet. In fact, just the thought of making the decision to euthanize a companion animal due to serious behavioral issues is shocking and highly disturbing.
Unfortunately, behavioral issues are a common reason given by owners who have made that decision. But have these owners fully explored what they may be contributing to the situation and fully willing to do whatever it takes to rectify it?
We make a huge commitment to the pet we adopt. We promise to provide our companion animal with a permanent loving home and to take responsibility for all aspects of our pet’s life. Not only does this include feeding or learning how to best provide our pet with a species appropriate diet, regular veterinary care, interactive play and exercise, but also to ensure that their emotional needs are fully met.
Pets cannot verbalize their feelings. The only way they can communicate that something is amiss is through their behavior. There is always a reason for a pet to start acting out aggressively or becoming destructive. It’s up to the guardian to “listen” to what they are “saying.”
And even though these types of behavior are often frustrating and alarming; in my opinion it’s critical for owners to quickly get to the root of the problem in order for it to be successfully resolved. In fact in the majority of cases, this negative behavior can be positively changed but only if the owner is willing to examine the ways they are interacting with their pet, or to explore if the pet has a physical problem or if they have neglected to provide something that the pet is truly missing.
I can’t tell you how many times I have anguished over messages left on pet sites where irate members are complaining that their pet’s aggressive or destructive behavior has “driven them up the wall”. As a result of their pet’s exasperating behavior, some of them are even planning to either relinquish, or have the pet euthanized. And in spite of the many excellent suggestions given them by folks who have a great deal of insight into animal behavior, these owners are unwilling to go the extra mile to keep their commitments.
With the sizable advances in behavior therapy made over the years, I believe that euthanizing an animal is never warranted. Even if the owner has totally given up and has made this decision, after euthanizing the animal owners often experience overwhelming guilt. Additionally, relinquishing or rehoming the animal only results in more problems for the pet making rehabilitation even more difficult.
Today there is an abundance of resources available to pet owners living with companion animals with serious behavioral problems. As an example, Jackson Galaxy’s TV show, “My Cat from Hell” has demonstrated that the behavior of cats creating havoc in the lives of their owners can be positively transformed when the owners become savvier about feline nature and the ways in which their interactions can affect their cats. Over the years, he has saved countless cats and has restored harmony in their homes. Also, of course, this website has a plethora of pages on cat behavior.
Do you believe that euthanizing a pet who is exhibiting serious behavioral problems is ever justified? Please share your views in a comment.
Famously violent cat ‘Lux’ may have been systematically abused by man living in the home
P.S. Very rarely there are cats in homes who’ve been mentally damaged. And they even beat experts like Jackson Galaxy. One such cat was Lux.
Video of caged cat at shelter tells us how desparate he is to get out
Update August 10, 2022: this is an update by Michael. Jo Singer very usefully discusses domestic cats in homes on April 23rd, 2015. I would like briefly to mention shelter cats. Very often their lives depend upon their behaviour. And their behaviour in shelters can often depend upon the size of the cage in which they are placed and whether the interior of the cage is enriched to a certain extent. And of course, some shelters place their cats with foster parents. Both optimising cage space and placing cats with fosterers helps them to behave naturally and express their true character which almost always enhances the prospects of them being adopted.
Optimising cage space of shelter cats increases likelihood of adoption
I believe, as others do, that perfectly adoptable and well-mannered cats in shelters can end up behaving in a way which gives the impression to potential adopters that they are unadoptable because of the stresses of the circumstances under which they find themselves such as, for example cage space, the noise and the unfamiliarity of the surroundings. It is very difficult to ensure that cats are relaxed in shelters. And I’m sure that every shelter manager is thinking about how to successfully overcome this challenge.
Below are some more pages on ‘bad cat behavior’. Reminder: bad cat behavior is feline behavior which is always explicable and natural but it is a form of behavior which is disliked by some humans.
I had almost forgotten my brief experience with 2 young black cats who were sisters. They were about 6 months old.
I found these cats through a classified ad when I was looking for a cat. I thought two might keep each other company while I worked.
I’d never experienced cat behavior like theirs. They flew around the house, bouncing off the walls, and that’s not what I was wanting. I kept them only a week, and the hyper behavior continued. I couldn’t deal with it, so I returned them to the person I got them from.
I decided I would get kittens, and I did. Although kitten behavior can be highly energetic, they usually grow out of this phase. The kittens I got were part Persian, and they seems to be known for their calmness. I got the kind of cats I was looking for.
So, that’s another aspect of adopting a cat. Look into their predominant breed (if there is one) characteristics. I’d never have a Siamese or Bengal, because I can’t stand the way they meow. I don’t know much about the various breeds, but I’d do my research. Also, many people aren’t prepared for the extra work involved with long haired cats. They get attracted by the beauty, and then reality sets in…the daily brushing or mats, the fur on the FURniture and clothes, etc.
Good point. I am sure you are correct. Although most behavior problems are associated with learned behavior and/or the environment there must be some which are inherited. Your story reinforces this.
I think too that there may be some issues with breeding, specifically inbreeding resulting in low intelligence. That is my theory. I have seen it in some cats.
I believe that animals can be born with chemical or other imbalances, the same way people can. And depending on their environment as babies, they may be able to overcome this. I haven’t done any research on this, but maybe someone else can contribute their knowledge.
Forty years ago, I bought a 6 month old female German Shepherd pup from a breeder. I didn’t consider rescue dogs because I had toddlers, and didn’t want to take a chance with a dog’s unknown background. This dog was a perfect specimen, and for those who may remember, looked like Rin Tin Tin. And also had thought of breeding her for an extra income. It seems so ignorant to me now….
Anyway, I began to experience various problems soon after I got her. She was very aggressive with other dogs when I walked her. She dug under our fence several times. We enrolled her in obedience school, and….she flunked! It seemed that she was
un-trainable. She was also un-affectionate! We’d had a German Shepherd before who was a sweetheart, and died of liver failure. Maybe Cesar Milan could have been helpful, but he wasn’t around.
So we returned her to the breeder. We had done everything we could think of. I can’t imagine that these behaviors weren’t shown when she was at the breeder’s home. So, what was going on for this dog?
It remains a mystery, and I’ll never know for sure.
I had one other dog many years later, who was a red Doberman. (yeah, I like big dogs) Sweet and extremely intelligent, with no behavior problems at all. Protective, but obedient, without going to school for it!
Cats have been a thread throughout my life, and I have to admit my preference for them.
I’m beyond impressed with how you’ve dealt with this extreme challenge. Even though I consider myself a highly conscious cat guardian and advocate, this would have been way over the top. I probably would have had her euthanized, thinking she was too emotionally damaged to re-home.
The fact that she came around in such a miraculous way defies logic.
Regarding the wellness exam. I would get a mobile vet to come to the house, rather than put her through that
stress of the carrier, and then the triggers in the vet’s office that could set her back.
You didn’t mention any health issues. I’d skip the wellness exam myself, and try home remedies if she had any health problems. My cat was traumatized by so many vet visits and reactions to drugs, that I decided I’d never subject her to that again, unless I’d tried everything I could think of at home, or a situation that required surgery. In your case, I wouldn’t take the risk, after all you’ve both been through. Weigh the possibilities wisely.
She’s a beautiful cat, and your story is inspiring. I hope you share it on cat sites, to help others with problems.
She is one of those special cats. Over the years I have seen a few but not many.
Jackson has taken cat whispering to the masses and does a great job in educating which should lead to improved cat welfare.