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Communication With Your PetAnthropomorphism Shortchanges Relationship with Companion Animals
Treating pets like miniature versions of people can detract from our relationship with them and even, in some cases, be hazardous to their health.
What is Anthropomorphism?To anthropomorphize is to attribute human feelings to things that are not human, and it is the end-all-beat-all cardinal sin for an animal behaviorist to commit. But outside the realm of science, does a little anthropomorphism hurt anyone? Maybe. Pets Can Seem Like PeopleThose of us who have pets do this all the time, even those of us who should know better. Our pets share so many aspects of our lives, and their behavior does often seem almost human. But we can really short change our relationship with pets and foster an unfortunate misunderstanding of animals in general by viewing them as little fuzzy (or scaly or feathered) people. Genuinely understanding your pet can dramatically improve the pet-owner relationship. What are Your Pets Trying to Tell You?Okay, so it’s a warm Sunday morning, you are all dressed up, getting ready to head out the door. You slowly slip your bare foot into the bright, shiny loafers that perfectly compliment you ensemble, only to discover that Fluffy has decided to use your shoe as a new litter box. GAK! You suddenly remember that you failed to let her lick the dregs from the can of tuna yesterday. Her deposit is obviously a statement of her anger and disappointment. You clean off your foot, find a different pair of shoes, careful to inspect the interior before slipping them on, and leave for church after patting Fido on the head and giving Fluffy an entire can of tuna. When you arrive home, you find the floor of your living room peppered with the remains of what used to be the television remote control. Fido must be upset about yesterday’s trip to the vet. Meanwhile, the cat has vomited an alarmingly large pile of half-digested tuna fish directly onto the TV Guide. What have you done to deserve this? Vengeful Pets?Revenge is one of the motives that we most commonly and mistakenly attribute to our companion animals, but the dog that dismantles the remote or the cat that organically defaces our personal items are not retaliating, but reacting. Many of the behaviors that we often interpret as vengeful are typically a product of boredom and stress. Different dog breeds and mixes have unique behavioral traits, as do individuals. And the relationship works best when you've chosen the right dog for your lifestyle. Is It Seperation Anxiety?For example, some dogs are particularly prone to separation anxiety, and when left for long periods of time without suitable, sturdy sources of entertainment, they will chew. If you’re lucky, you come home and find a shredded sock. If you are not so lucky, you may find that your canine friend has done some major structural alterations to your home. Housebreaking ProblemsCats stressed by changes in their environment--a relocation, a new pet, a baby, etc--will very often relieve this stress by engaging in marking behavior. Urinating and defecating at various points throughout the house helps to relieve the cat’s stress, while sending the owner’s stress level skyrocketing. Inappropriate urination can also go beyond merely being an inconvenience to the owner, but can be an acute threat to the cat’s health if it has medical rather than merely behavioral causes. Bladder infections and urinary crystals and stones can also cause inappropriate urination. Understand What Motivates Pet BehaviorSo yes, a little anthropomorphism can be a dangerous thing, not just for scientists, but for anyone with an affinity for animals. Misinterpreting out pet’s behavior often interferes with solving behavioral problems and may even mask serious health problems. We can get the most out of our relationship with companion animals by seeking to understand what truly motivates their behavior. More Information on Pet OwnershipThere are numerous resouces that can help you to better understand your pet, including: The Animal Behaviorist and the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center. If have your heart set on a canine companion, but haven't chosen one yet, the Suite101 articles Choosing a Dog and Adopting a Shelter Dog may help you on your journey towards pet ownership.
The copyright of the article Communication With Your Pet in Pet Care is owned by Tami Port. Permission to republish Communication With Your Pet in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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