I’d like to stipulate that sharing information about how a dog tends to show boredom does not mean I am trying to shame anyone who is dealing with a bored pup. No one in their right mind wants to know, or learn, that their dog isn’t feeling terribly stimulated, especially if we had absolutely no clue. I figure this is helpful information to anyone who owns a dog, whether or not they suspect their pup is bored, because knowing how a dog expresses boredom could come in handy in the future.
If, after reading yesterday’s post, you’ve realized that your own dog is bored, please do not feel ashamed or guilty. Rather, take this new information and figure out ways in which to stimulate your pup to prevent them from feeling bored from here on out.
Again, this information comes from redbarn.com.
“4. Eliminating Around the House
“Boredom can also look like pooping and peeing in places around the house not designated for potty trips. If your well-trained pet is suddenly changing their bathroom behaviors, it could be a sign. It may feel like your pet is trying to get revenge but rarely will they relieve themselves in places where they shouldn’t just for funsies.
“Be sure to rule out all other possibilities like if your pet is pregnant, nursing, in the pup or kitty age range or senior, before taking any steps to prevent boredom.
“5. Excessive Sleeping
“On average, cats sleep up to 16 hours each day and dogs sleep up to 14 hours per day. Depending on their age (puppies vs. seniors for instance) the amount of time they need to sleep fluctuates.
“Notice if your pet is sleeping all-day. While they might take naps here and there, they shouldn’t be sleeping 24/7.
“If they are sleeping more than usual and you’ve ruled out any potential health issues, then they are probably bored. As humans, we tend to sleep or eat when there is nothing left to do, which is also true for our pets.
“6. Fighting with Other Pets
“When your pet is bored, they’ll find anything to entertain themselves –– even if that means their other fur family members or friends. This could look like fights at random when they’re usually cordial with other pets or showing aggressive behavior during walks.
“Of course, pets tend to play fight for fun. But how do you know when the fighting has turned serious?
“Signs of aggressive behavior:
- Excessive chasing/corning other pets
- Physically harming another pet
- Alertness (stiff tail or gaze)
- Hissing or barking
“Be sure to stop the behavior and separate the pets immediately if things get out of hand.
“7. Attention-Seeking
“When your dog or cat is extra cuddly, it’s always a treat! Those snuggle moments are exactly why you’re a pet parent in the first place, right?
“Except when your fur baby is whining, nudging, and begging for your attention 24/7. You might continually tell them to stop the behavior, but they’re communicating a different message to you. They’re most likely bored and need some form of engagement.
“There are ways to curve your pet’s boredom by making a few simple changes. And by simple, we mean changes you can start implementing today!” the web page explains.
Now let’s ensure our fur babies are nice and stimulated.
Photo by Henrique Malaguti on Unsplash
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