New pet owners may wonder about some of the behavior they witness in their pets. Chances are, if the pet has been deemed healthy by a veterinarian, the behavior is normal.

Species Norms
Dogs and cats have individual personalities just like people do, and as such will display quirks and habits all their own.There are however, some activities and bodily functions that are common to all members of their species.

The normal heart rate for both cats and dogs is between eighty and 175 beats per minute, depending on the size of the dog and the circumstances of the moment.

A dog's temperature should be between 100° and 102.5° , a cat's from 100° - 101.5°.

Eating Habits
Many dogs gulp their food. This is a throwback to their wolf heritage. Wolves hunt in packs and share the kill, so an individual would have to eat quickly or lose out. Other dogs may eat just a small amount at a time. One of my childhood dogs used to take each piece of kibble out of her dish and carry it to the family room to eat it, before returning for the next piece

While most dogs will eat anything, some are very fussy. Others will eat things like sticks, rocks and other inedibles. This is not normal behavior, it is a condition called pica, and can have serious health effects.
Take your dog to the vet to rule out medical reasons for the behavior, and consult an animal behaviorist if necessary to help you break the animal of this habit.

Cats often appear to be finicky. Many will not eat if there is too much noise or distraction around them. They are less likely to eat unfamiliar foods immediately than are dogs.

Cats tend to eat small amounts art a time, and may not eat if the weather is hot.

Cats don't usually drink a lot of water, unless eating an exclusively dry food diet.

Pet Smells
Doggy odor is not normal, and cats are even less likely to smell bad.

Foul odors can have a number of causes, from simply being dirty to an infection.

First you must determine the source of the odor. Ear infections will cause a bad odor, so check the ear first.
Next is odor from the skin or coat. What does it smell like? Did the dog roll in something wonderful (at least they think so)?

If a cat is not grooming itself it is probably sick. If it is grooming and still has a bad odor, it may be coming from its mouth. Bad breath in dogs or cats is a sign of gum disease or abscess, and should be addressed.

Sometimes all that is needed is a bath. On the other hand, if you bathe your dog every week and it smells, you are probably over-bathing. Over bathing removes natural oils from the coat and may result in dry, itchy skin.

Healthy cats rarely need bathing, as they do a fine job on their own.

Animal Curiosity
Dogs and cats read their environment by sniffing, and dogs really get into the process. They can tell a lot about a person, or another animal by the scents they leave behind.

Animals excrete chemicals called pheromones that offer clues to their sex, diet, social status, emotional state and more.

Cats have pheromone glands on the side of their faces, and will rub against you, the furniture and anything else they wish to claim as their own.

You may notice your cat sniffing something and then opening its mouth in a funny expression. It doesn't mean they didn't like what they smelled - it is just a way to get more of the odor molecules to the brain. Like using a magnifying glass to inspect something small (or to read the small print on the back of a package!)

Sounds
Dogs have many different types of barks. Besides variances between breeds, every dog has a repertoire of sounds that have different meanings.

For example, a series of short barks could mean the animal is worried, wants attention or wants to play. A single bark may just mean "hey - don't forget I'm here!" or it may mean, "I need to go out".

Pay attention to the different sounds your dog makes and soon you will understand what he is telling you.

Cats are usually much more quiet, meowing only when they want something. Some, such as the Siamese, can be very talkative however.

I have noticed among my own cats that as they age, and especially as their hearing diminishes, they seem to get louder and meow more.
A cat that is normally very quiet that suddenly is meowing a lot may be in pain or sick.

Be especially concerned if it meows when trying to go to the bathroom.

Cats will also "chatter" when watching birds, squirrels or other small animals. I don't know if they are trying to talk to the other critters, or if it is just a mark of their excitement.

Cats usually hiss when they are angry or frightened, and they have a sort of moan that is their equivalent of a growl.

Nocturnal Behavior
Some dogs "run" in their sleep. This behavior appears more often in older animals then youngsters.
They may also whimper, growl or whine. They are usually just dreaming, but sometimes elderly dogs with cognitive dysfunction will make random sounds.
At least dogs don't sleepwalk!

Other Cat Antics
When cats are contented they purr, and often this is accompanied by the alternate extension and retraction of their claws. Keeping the claws short will keep this from being a painful experience for you.

Some cats "knead" or alternately push their paws against you or some other soft surface while purring. This is what they would have done while nursing, and probably makes them feel safe, secure or just contented.

Another behavior occasionally seen in the cat is licking, chewing or eating wool. This is most often seen in cats that are weaned too young, and especially in the Oriental breeds. It is usually not harmful, but if the cat is ingesting large amounts of wool, or is eating other fabrics or plastic, it could lead to bowel obstruction.
If your cat is displaying this behavior it is best to discuss it with your vet and perhaps try to break it of the habit.

Know Your Pet
Learning what is normal behavior and habit for your pet will make changes easy to pick up on, and could lead to early recognition of any problems.

In the meantime, observing their behavior could lead to smiles, laughs and lowered blood pressure for the humans of the family!

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