Why is my cat peeing outside the litter box, my male cat spraying, or my dog chewing things or turning aggressive?

Is your pet "getting revenge" or is something wrong?

When a cat pees on the bed or a dog chews the couch, an owner's first reaction is often emotional: "He's doing it out of spite." But animals almost never behave this way out of revenge. More often the behavior is driven by stress, fear, pain, illness, boredom, or not understanding the rules.

Before scolding your pet, you need to figure out the cause.

A cat peeing outside the litter box

If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, the first thing to rule out is a health issue. Common causes include cystitis, pain while urinating, urinary stones, stress, a dirty litter box, an uncomfortable litter, or conflict with other animals.

Warning signs:

• the cat goes to the litter box often but produces little urine;
• it meows while in the box;
• there's blood in the urine;
• it licks its belly or the area under its tail;
• it has become lethargic;
• it hides.

If a male cat can't urinate, that's an emergency. You can't afford to wait.

A male cat spraying indoors

Spraying isn't the same as normal urination. A cat typically walks up to a vertical surface, raises its tail, and leaves a small amount of strong-smelling urine.

The causes can vary: mating behavior, stress, the arrival of a new animal, a move, renovations, or conflict in the home. Neutering often helps, especially when it's done in time, but it doesn't always solve the problem completely if the habit is already established or there's a stressor at play.

A dog chewing furniture and belongings

Common causes:

• boredom;
• excess energy;
• separation anxiety;
• teething in a puppy;
• a lack of suitable toys;
• stress;
• not enough walks and activities.

Punishment after the fact usually doesn't work. A dog doesn't connect the couch it tore up two hours ago with you yelling now. It's better to put away valuable items, provide safe toys, increase exercise, and teach the dog to be alone gradually.

A dog howling, barking, or whining when home alone

This can be separation anxiety. The dog isn't "having fun making noise." It may be scared. What helps here is a routine, gradually getting the dog used to being alone, calm departure rituals, enough walks, and sometimes working with a specialist.

A dog that has turned aggressive

Aggression isn't a topic for "show them who's boss" advice. Sudden aggression can be tied to pain, fear, neurological problems, hormones, past experiences, or improper training.

If your dog growls, bites, guards food, or attacks people or animals, you need a safety plan:

• don't provoke it;
• don't use physical punishment;
• temporarily limit dangerous situations;
• use a leash, a muzzle, and separation of space;
• see a vet and a dog trainer or animal behaviorist.

The sooner you start, the better the chances of correcting the behavior.