Re: Chewing on bowls in crate

In Reply to: Chewing on bowls in crate
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Michele
Posted on:  November 22, 2002 at 15:04:32

: My 7 1/2 month old, Bailey, is all of a sudden somehow prying her plastic bowls off of her crate door and chewing off the hooks (She doesn't swallow them). She did this yesterday, I bought new ones and she did it again today. I'm going to order stainless steel ones but would there be any reason for this behavior all of a sudden. I don't know if it may have something to do with the fact that she has conjunctivitis and she HATES the fact that we have to put ointment in her eyes. Answers?

Response:

Dear Michele,

It's certainly possible that Bailey's behavior is a reaction to the conjunctivitis and the treatment; physical discomfort can cause unusual behaviors. I assure you she is not chewing off the hooks to get back at you for putting the ointment in her eyes; "revenge" is a human -- not a canine -- concept.

Please do whatever it takes to complete the treatment and follow-up with your vet; acute infections can become chronic if not taken care of properly.

Best to you and Bailey,
Leslie