Search Results
30 results for “self-harm”
Under what circumstances does a cat become depressed?
Cats can become depressed from nutritional deficiencies or long-term stress, fear, or lack of companionship and abuse. A single, unbalanced diet lacking trace elements can also lead to low mood over time.
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS)
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) causes sudden shock-like episodes with tail swishing, frantic licking or biting of the skin, and touch sensitivity along the back. It is diagnosed by ruling out other causes and managed with stress reduction, medication (paroxetine, fluoxetine, gabapentin), and acupuncture.
What happens if a hamster doesn’t use a wheel?
A running wheel is important for a hamster's physical and mental health. Without it or another form of exercise, a hamster may gain weight and face obesity-related risks such as diabetes and heart disease. Lack of exercise can also cause anxiety and abnormal behaviors like cage biting or self-harm.
Signs a Dog Has Been Beaten Into Fear
A dog beaten into deep fear may show psychological signs — vigilance, anxiety, low self-esteem, withdrawal — and behavioral signs such as extreme submission, defensiveness or aggression, running away, and even self-harm. Train with positive reinforcement instead, and seek a professional if needed.
Signs and Causes of Anxiety in Dogs
Anxious dogs may seem restless, tired, fearful, or start hiding and even self-harming. Common triggers include separation, loud noises, new environments, poor socialization, and past scares. Knowing the signs and cause lets you ease the anxiety with training, a safe space, and gradual desensitization.
Types and Signs of Mental Illness in Dogs
Dog mental illness takes many forms — separation anxiety, depression, mania, social phobia — with differing signs and treatments, but affected dogs usually show odd behavior and a changed mental state. If you suspect a problem, get a full vet check to rule out physical causes, then follow the vet's plan.
What Long-Term Caging Does to a Cat
Cats are born free spirits and caging them long term harms body and mind. It causes anxiety, fear of people, and odd behaviors like over-grooming or chewing the bars; physical limits lead to stiff joints, muscle loss, obesity, heart risk, constipation, and poor bone development; little contact blunts social skills; suppressed instincts distort natural behavior; and cage life can ruin litter habits and cause odor. Caging should be rare and short, only for health or safety limits. Instead, cat-proof the home with mesh on windows and doors, give a cat tree and scratcher, litter-train, and let the cat roam free with your company.
Why Is Your Cat Withdrawn or ‘Autistic’?
A cat that seems 'autistic' or withdrawn may have a congenital communication disorder, or may have become so from abuse, a cold or distant owner, long-term caging, or past trauma and fright. Signs include little curiosity, isolation in corners, dulled reactions, sleep and appetite loss, and in severe cases self-harm. These cats need extra love and companionship, gentle interaction, and confidence-building, and should never be abandoned, since a withdrawn cat struggles to survive outdoors.
How Does a Too-Small Cage Affect a Hamster?
A cage that's too small harms a hamster's physical and mental health. Even though hamsters are tiny, they're active and need room to run, climb, and explore; cramped quarters limit exercise, risking weak muscles and stiff joints, obesity, and anxiety or depression. A small cage also can't hold the essentials—food, water, sleep area, and toys—hurting quality of life, and a stressed hamster may bite the bars and disturb your rest. The fix: a spacious cage with a wheel and all essentials, regular cleaning, and daily free-roam time outside the cage so your hamster stays fit and calm.
What Happens When You Give Your Dog Away Midway Through Its Life?
Rehoming a dog partway through its life is more common than people admit, yet few realize how deep the psychological wound can be. Most dogs show stress responses such as refusing food, over-grooming, or night barking, and loyal breeds may stop eating even during short boarding. Over time, the trauma can make a dog timid, reluctant to bond with the new owner, or even aggressive and resource-guarding. Some try to escape and find their original home, ending up stray. If rehoming is truly unavoidable, do it early, ease the transition with scent and gradual introductions, and remember that many situations—pregnancy, a busy schedule, a move—have kinder alternatives than giving the dog away.
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3