My husky mix paws and rubs gums on my cats. Should I be worried?

It could be from coming in contact with something he’s allergic to, something causing trauma to that area or chewing on something very dirty and bacteria laden. Certainly any new treats or bones are suspect. You should also inspect his toys for any that look very dirty or very rough and either throw them away or wash them. You should wash all of his chew toys in general as well as his food and water bowls at least once a week. Young healthy dogs can often heal lesions on their own as long as they are not continually coming in contact with an allergen or trauma. If this lesions does not start looking better within a well, have him examined by his veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi there. I'm sorry to tell you this but Huskies are notorious for killing cats. It is unfortunately in their nature to chase and kill things that run from them....... This is going to be VERY difficult. If Villian did not run from him there may be a chance of getting some resolution but if Villain is scared (which is understandable) and he runs, the higher the chance your dog will eventually catch and kill him. I'm not trying to freak you out but I want you to be realistic. They are not a breed known to be good with cats or even small dogs. Of course there are some that are fine but if you have to play the odds.......most are not. That being said I feel like your only real shot is to have a dog trainer come to your house, assess the situation with all the family members and pets and then hopefully they can help you try to modify your dog's behavior and response to the cat. I will tell you, instinct is a hard thing to overcome. I recommend you try BarkBusters. They are really good. I don't think there is a trainer right in your city but call/email them anyway and see if they can help you or recommend someone in your area that can. http://www.barkbusters.com/dog-training-pennsylvania-experts You can also try UPenn Behavior service. They are not close to you but sometimes they do phone consults or Skype. https://www.vet.upenn.edu/veterinary-hospitals/ryan-veterinary-hospital/services/behaviormedicine This is a veterinary behaviorist you could also try calling for advice: http://www.reisnervetbehavior.com/ Remember, this is not going to be a quick fix. This is going to take a lot of money, dedication and time. This is a very tough issue. I hope this helps. Best wishes to you guys!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats have a scent gland on there lower lip. They rub your legs and furniture to mark it. It is a "happy" scent gland. But with out seeing what he was doing I would be careful for a while. I am hoping he was just marking the hamster. Have a good day!

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. From your description, I suspect this is more likely play-related, although it's impossible to say for sure without observing the behaviors in person. Huskies are very high energy dogs, and it's common for them to get extra excited & wound-up when they get to play outside. Sometimes their playfulness can get carried away, especially with smaller children who don't have the same degree of authority or confidence around the dog. I would be very careful with your 2-year-old around her, as she could work herself up and hurt your daughter, even if she doesn't mean to. Of course, if you're concerned that these might be moments of aggression rather than rough play, it's absolutely worth getting input from a reputable trainer or behaviorist. Your vet should be able to recommend someone in your area. Alternatively, if you are planning to see your primary vet soon, you can try to catch any of Luna's moments of excitement on video, and show those short videos to your vet next time you're in to get their input on her behavior. I hope this helps!

If she's just shying away from head petting, that's not a hopeless case. Most dogs are not very comfortable with someone reaching for the top of their head, and it could just be she isn't used to it, or related to some pain such as teething, as you suggested. A good thing new people meeting her can do is to bend down and either offer their hand for sniffing, or offer her a treat, and then to gently pet under her chin instead if she'll accept that. You can also have new people meeting her offering a treat and let her approach first, and then praise and treat if she accepts petting without shying away. If she becomes too fearful or stressed, stopping all petting and giving her a chance to relax before trying again can help. Group classes are useful for socialization with other pets and people in a structured environment, so even if it doesn't address the specific issue, it can help with overall social behavior. I'd just keep up with positive reinforcement training, having new people approach her slowly, and praising and treating when she shows interest in them, without pushing her to interact if she becomes stressed or fearful.

Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If he is panting and coughing following excessive play only, then this is not a concern but a normal physiological response. However if the panting and coughing is continuous and not seen during these particular instances, and if it i has been going on for more than 3-4 days with no improvement, then he could have an upper respiratory infection which generally is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics. I would schedule a vet appt if that is the case. I hope that your fur baby turns out ok! Best wishes and take care.

If they are otherwise fine, then no I wouldn't be too worried. They both may have a runny nose causing this behavior. If they start acting sick, then I would be worried and have them seen by a vet.