Why Is My Pet Acting Weird?
- Tami Kersch
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
As pet parents, we’ve all had moments where our dog or cat does something unexpected—and our first instinct is to Google it. According to multiple online search-trend analyses, behavioral questions are consistently among the top queries pet owners search worldwide.
Here are the most common unusual behavior questions—and what veterinary science says about them.
🐶 Dog Behaviours: The Most Googled Questions (With Real Explanations)
1. “Why do dogs eat grass?”
This is one of the most searched dog questions globally.
What research shows:Most dogs eat grass because:
It’s normal for omnivores. Wild canines consume plants as part of a natural diet.
They enjoy it. Texture and taste can be appealing.
It may aid digestion. Dogs lacking fiber sometimes seek plant material.
Boredom or attention-seeking.
Not true:It is not automatically a sign of illness.However, persistent grass-eating followed by vomiting can indicate GI discomfort.
2. “Why does my dog lick me?”
Licking is a multi-function behavior.
Science-backed reasons:
Social bonding. Licking releases oxytocin in both humans and dogs.
Affection/attention-seeking.
Stress relief or self-soothing.
Taste/salt on skin.
Learned behavior. If licking gets positive reactions, dogs repeat it.
When to monitor:Excessive licking—especially of paws—can signal allergies, anxiety, or pain.
3. “Why is my dog shaking?”
Shaking has many causes; most are benign, but some require attention.
Common harmless reasons:
Excitement (common in younger dogs)
Cold
Breed tendency (Chihuahuas and small breeds shake more due to metabolism and nervous system sensitivity)
Concerning reasons:
Anxiety or fear (loud noises, stress)
Pain
Nausea
Neurological issues
Toxicity (e.g., ingesting harmful foods or chemicals)
If shaking is new, lasts longer than a few minutes, or is paired with drooling, vomiting, collapse, or confusion, veterinary care is needed.
4. “Why does my dog do X?”
Dogs exhibit many instinctive behaviors, including:
Circling before lying down (a leftover instinct for creating a safe resting space)
Head tilting (improving sound localization)
Zoomies (excess energy release)
Rolling in odd smells (scent camouflage in the wild)
These behaviors are normal unless they become compulsive.
🐱 Cat Behaviours: The Most Googled Questions Explained Why is my pet acting weird
1. “Why do cats purr?”
Purring is one of the most misunderstood feline behaviors.
Science-supported explanations:
Contentment and relaxation
Self-soothing during stress
Pain or illness (vets often hear purring during exams)
Healing mechanism:
Cats purr at 25–150 Hz, a frequency shown to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and aid bone healing.
So, not all purring equals happiness—context matters.
2. “Why do cats knead?”
Kneading (“making biscuits”) is rooted in early-life behavior.
Reasons include:
Kitten instinct. Nursing kittens knead to stimulate milk; adults retain this comforting behavior.
Marking territory. Cats have scent glands in their paws.
Affection and trust.
Comfort and nesting.
If kneading becomes painful (claws!), a soft barrier can help without discouraging the behaviour.
3. “Why do cats meow?”
Adult cats rarely meow at other cats—meowing is mostly for humans.
They meow to:
Get attention
Request food
Greet you
Express discomfort
Complain or protest
Signal stress (e.g., new home, changes in routine)
A sudden increase or change in vocalization, especially in older cats, can indicate illness or cognitive decline and warrants a vet visit.
4. “Why do cats scratch?”
Scratching is essential, not misbehavior.
Scratching helps cats:
Remove dead outer claw layers
Mark territory (scent + visual marks)
Stretch shoulder and back muscles
Release stress
Provide vertical and horizontal scratching options, and always reward appropriate scratching.
🐾 So…Why Does My Pet Act Weird?
In most cases, “weird” behavior is actually:
Instinctual
Communicative
Emotionally expressive
Environmental response
Pets don’t have many ways to explain how they feel—so their behavior is their language.
When behavior suddenly changes, is repetitive, or seems linked to distress, it’s always worth checking with your veterinarian.
💚 One final thought.
At FurBabies, we always remind pet parents:Your pet isn’t trying to be strange—they’re trying to communicate. Many unusual behaviours are normal. Some point to stress. A few may signal a medical issue. Trust your instincts, observe your pet’s patterns, and never feel bad about asking questions—Google included!
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