a Cats &
Dogs

Cats and Dogs

Dogs

Behavior

social, play, chewing, exploratory

Social Structure

Dogs have a pack hierarchy.  The pack is headed by 2 adults male and female.  Alpha male and female, beta and soon.  Every individual has a place in the pack.  Stability is maintained by submission.

Circling, excessive barking, pacing, self-biting, caprophagy, spinning

Abnormal Behaviors

Circling, excessive biting, excessive barking, pacing, self-biting, caprophagy, spinning

Cats

Behavior

social, territorial, investigative, allorgrooming, allorubbing

Social Structure

Can be solitary or social depending on the availability of resources.  They can live in small groups with a loose dominant, submissive hierarchy.

Abnormal Behaviors

Circling, excessive aggression, spraying, inappropriate elimination, excessive grooming, excessive chewing

Enrichment for Cats and Dogs

Enrichment items such as scratching posts, platforms, chew toys, and  furry toys work best for cats and dogs to exhibit their natural behaviors.

Enrichment like wooden scratching logs make excellent enrichment for cats.
Enrichment like wooden scratching logs make excellent enrichment for cats.
Dogs are highly social and love to play with chew toys like stuffed animals, kongs, ropes to play with.
Dogs are highly social and love to play with chew toys like stuffed animals, kongs, ropes to play with.
Dogs also enjoy water play as enrichment.
Dogs also enjoy water play as enrichment.
Cats enjoy platforms, perches as a form of environmental enrichment.
Cats enjoy platforms, perches as a form of environmental enrichment.

Resources

Featured studies related to refinement, enrichment, handling, behavior management, and training techniques.