Crazy cats and dominant dogs
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My three-year-old year old cat Mind-A-Ling-A-Ding-Dong has been acting very strange for the last couple of weeks. She will ONLY eat dog food now, has become extremely vocal and often “Yells” at us if we don’t immediately respond to her request to go outside. She has also become very assertive in the kitchen, jumping on the counters and clawing at us when we even so much as touch a can. We have two children and I am worried about the health issue of the cat on the counter as well as it being very disruptive around the house when she’s in a “mood”. HELP!
– Carrie C.
Dear Carrie: There are numerous things that can make a cat act “strange.” Medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer and even allergies can cause cats to behave strangely. However, what you have said about her different food desires, being very vocal and clawing at you makes me very suspicious of hyperthyroid disease. This occurs when the cat’s thyroid gland begins making much higher levels of thyroid hormone than normal. The effect is XS molecules of the important endocrine hormone floating in the blood stream and cats typically act like they are on a stimulant: meowing, craving food, not sleeping, becoming more aggressive. I suggest you high-tail it to your veterinarian for a thyroid test to start getting some answers as to why your kitty is acting so tweaked out. If the thyroid test comes back positive, medication can remedy her situation quickly. If the thyroid levels turn out to be normal, your veterinarian will need to rule out other health issues before considering a primary behavioral problem. Good luck, please keep me in the loop! – Dr.F.
Dear Dr. Forsythe: Why do some female dogs mount other dogs and hump them? Our dog Maggie has been doing this her whole life, and we think it is strange. Any ideas? – KL, Sonoma
Dear KL: Your Maggie is showing her dominance rather than giving in to sexual or carnal desires. Some alpha female dogs exhibit this behavior to bestow the upper hand on any other dog – male or female. Your Maggie clearly, want to be top and is willing to “hump her way to the top” in order to do it. I’d maintain her on leash and simply pull her away and redirect her whenever she starts that embarrassing macerena-like mating stance. Good luck.- Dr. F.
