Prevention Australia – June – July 2017

language

of pets

Learn to recognise these cues

to better understand your cat or dog

BY JEN McCAFFERY

THE SECRET

Four signs

to watch for

A single behaviour or

sound may not clearly

reveal what your pet is

feeling. These cues may

oer more insight.

1

Destroying the house

If you come home to

find that your dog has

scratched the door or

chewed a pillow, it could

be a sign of separation

anxiety or boredom.

2

Colour of their eyes

When dogs are tense,

their eyes become rounder

than usual and more of the

whites will be visible. The

pupils of dogs and cats

dilate when they’re tense,

scared or excited.

3

Lifting one paw

This is a sign that

your pet is unsure or

stressed.

4

Closing their mouths

Dogs tend to keep

their mouths loosely open

when relaxed and closed

if anxious. Both cats and

dogs will bare their teeth

when feeling aggressive.

PHOTOGRAPHY iSTOCK

142 PREVENTIONAUS.COM.AU