1. Never punish your pet for damaging your home. Natural instincts to chew, scratch and destroy things are so strong that you will only teach your pet to wait until you are not around before they get to work on your table leg!
2. Provide your pets with safe things to scratch and destroy, like chews for dogs (always supervised) and squares of carpet pinned to the wall for cats. Each time they attempt to damage something, encourage them to use their own toys instead.
3. Try to provide your pet with toys and activities that use up their physical and mental energy – cats often love stalking and chasing toys and dogs enjoy finding hidden toys and treats.
4. Remember that puppies go through two stages of chewing before they are one year old. Chewing can help to ease the pain of teething and is a way of exploring the world through texture.
5. Everyone knows that cats love to scratch! Contented cats love really tall scratching posts that allow them to reach up and have a good stretch.
6. Birds, hamsters and even micro-pigs need to be able to express their natural instincts, so think about the kind of activities your pet would do in the wild and turn them into games.
7. Train your pet! Virtually all types of pet (including cats and hamsters) can be taught simple tricks and this is a great way to prevent boredom. Remember to reward your pet with a tasty treat for getting something right.
8. Animals do things for a reason, so it is better to try and work out the cause of the problem. If you think your pet may be bored or lonely consider hiring a pet sitter to come and visit during the day.
9. Pets that cause a large amount of damage may need help from a professional behaviourist. Ask your vet to refer you to a qualified person in your area.
10. Try to be patient. All pets get it wrong sometimes because they don’t understand what certain items mean to their human family. Divert their attention by showing them what objects you have provided for them instead.
Tips provided by Cat Hughes, Pet Psychologist for Puppy Professionals.
