Dogs
The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is one of the oldest domesticated animals in existence; today, it is the most common pet in the United States. Even though dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago, their nutritional needs have not changed much. To ensure a dog's well-being, its diet should include the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and whole foods that fit the age and breed of the dog. A healthy dog will often be a happier and more cooperative animal.
It seems like dogs are the pets humans most often interpret correctly, perhaps because, compared to other animals, this species’ presence abounds, allowing people to have an increased interaction with them. It should also be mentioned that dogs’ exuberant behavior, gestures, and vocalizations also tend to send a clear message. Still, there are definite signs people should watch for.
One behavior that can have different meanings depending on other patterns the dog may be exhibiting is whining. Whining can be meant as attention-seeking, but it can also denote the dog is scared, or feeling submissive; even excitement can bring about some whining. It is not a pleasant sound to constantly be listening to; the most obvious first step to take is to check what your pet needs, and if there is a clear problem, try to fix it without reinforcing negative behaviors.
A dog can also have multiple reasons for barking, but analyzing the situation will often give clues to what your dog needs. Digging is common for our canine friends, and they do so to bury their belongings, although they can also dig out of boredom, to relieve stress, or if they see it brings a reaction from their owner, they might do it to receive some attention. Undesirable behaviors usually respond well to re-direction, so going for walks or play time will be a great distraction. It is not always possible to give a pet 100% of our attention, but boredom gives rise to mischievousness and destruction. The solution to this can come in the form of dog toys which the owner can rotate, giving the pet an opportunity to once again feel excited about the “new” toy.
Zoomies, which is when dogs run around to spend excess energy, is commonly seen in very excited, healthy, and happy dogs, so if you see this behavior in your pet, you can feel confident that you are doing a good job. Of course, one likes to know if one’s pet is happy, and if it feels loved. You can know if a dog likes you by observing its body language – an excited tail wag, relaxed body language, and friendly and playful behavior all mean that your pet is very happy to be in your company. Additional signs your pet feels loved and secure living with you are that they respond to your call, they cuddle, lick you, and they follow you around in order to spend every waking moment with you.