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always be your veterinarian.
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Have you
ever wondered...?
What Your Pet
is Trying to Communicate?
...what
your dog is trying to communicate to you?
Barking
is an important way for your dog to communicate their needs and wants.
Barking can relieve stress, boredom, can be an attention getter, and can be
territorial. A dogs body language is also a way for them to communicate.
The following is a general guideline and is meant to help your lean how to
interpret what your dog is trying to tell you. Keep in mind some dogs do
not follow the "norm".
Tail Pointing
- Interested and looking for something
Tail Down
(between legs) - Scared, defensive, being dominated
Tail Up -
Happy
Tail Wag -
Excited
Arched Back,
Tail High, Hair Raised - Aggression
High Pitched
Short Repetitive Bark - Wants attention, play
Normal Short
Bark - Hello
Low Deep
Short Bark - Announcing a stranger
Low Deep
Repetitive Bark - Defensive protection
Growling -
Warning, frightened, aggressive. Keep in mind some dogs growl during
play and this is considered to be an instinct showing dominance not
aggression. It should still not be allowed.
Whining or
Yelping - Stress or pain
...what your cat is
trying to communicate to you?
Cats
use their meow to signal they need something but uses its body language to
convey a message. Below is a general guideline to follow but we
suggest you study your cat's behavior because each cat can be very different.
Repetitive Meow - Feed
me, let me outside, wants something
Quick Meow - Hello
Howling - In season or
searching
Purring - Content,
soothing itself
Short Repetitive with
Hissing - Warning
Low Deep Growl -
Aggression
Rubbing Head, Mouth
and Body - Marking territory, pet me, wants something
Tail Swat Fast - Mad
Tail Swat Jerky -
Stalking, pounce
Tail Swat Slow - Happy
Lap Sitting -
Territorial, attention
Tail Up Shaking
(Unneutered Males and Some Females) - Spraying territories
...what your bird is
trying to communicate to you?
All
birds communicate with a combination of body language and calls. This can very
widely from species to species. Below is a general guideline to
follow. It is intended to be a starting point and if you watch your bird
closely, they will teach you their own language.
Biting - Can be trying
to move mate (bonded person) out of perceived danger, fear and attention
Calling Morning and
Evening (Cockatoos and Macaws) - Calling to the flock, finding family and
friends.
Flapping Wings -
Happy, showing off, excited
Screeching and
Flapping Wings - Warning
Happy Talk or
Chattering - Happy or contented
Singing (Canaries) -
Attracting a mate
Eye Dilation -
Excited, interested
...what your rabbit
is trying to communicate to you?
Rabbits
and other small animals communicate mostly with body language. This
information is intended to help you recognize this language so you can learn to
understand what he or she is trying to tell you.
Hind leg standing -
getting a better look
Stop and drop -
"Flattening" is a sign of being very scared and trying to conceal
themselves
Rubbing chin - marking
territory
Digging - in the wild,
their instinct is to build dens
Ear Shaking - rabbits
show their dislike of tastes or smells by shaking their head
Gnawing - this is
natural instinct to file down overgrown teeth
Kicking - this is a
rabbits defense mechanism
Licking - Your know
you are loved when your rabbit licks you
Squatting - This is a
sign of contentment and relaxation
... what your horse is
trying to communicate to you?
Horses
use a lot of body language and a little vocalizations. The following are
basic messages you can look for but we suggest you observe your horse closely to
learn his individual language.
Ear Flattening - A
sign that your horse is mad and may bite or kick