If you have pets and you frequently have guests visit, you may find that your pets behave differently with each guest. For example, they may be excited to see family, nervous around friends and may even become aggravated towards others. But have you ever thought about the cause of this behaviour?
We’ve broken down why pets may put on different hats for different people in the blog below.
Pets Read Energy
It may seem hard to believe, but pets are remarkably adept at reading people. They’re experts in body language, tone of voice and emotions. They then use their reads to gauge how to behave.
For someone with high energy, your pet may jump, wag their tail or even get a case of the zoomies! This is more so for dogs, who typically crave attention more than their feline companions. They could even form a quick friendship with this human, and bring them toys or ‘gifts’ to play. Cats, on the other hand, may avoid this behaviour as it can break their routine.
Guests who are calmer and more relaxed may attract quieter pets, such as cats and the shyer pooches. When these people enter your home, your pets may sit at a safe distance and watch. They feel safe, but they still don’t want to get too close.
These are only two examples, but each mood and behaviour can shape what your pet may perceive as the best way to act.
Pets Rely On Scent
Pets will naturally be more comfortable with a guest who spends more time in your home than another. This is because they build familiarity and comfort with the scent. This is why your pets may take time to warm up on the first few visits, but they can build a mutual relationship as they continue to visit.
Past Experiences Shape Behaviour
Pets have great memories, and sometimes that can work to their disadvantage. Those who have had experiences with certain people may struggle to feel comfortable with them when they visit.
You may find that rescue animals, in particular, struggle to make friends with new people, people of a certain gender and even people of different age groups. This isn’t because they don’t want to, but because their fear reflex kicks in. Remember to respect these boundaries.
So Why Do They ‘Like’ Some People More Than Others?
For many pets, this isn’t a choice or even a competition. It’s about familiarity, building relationships and repeat interactions with guests/people who don’t live within their territory. Consistency builds trust and comfort, which fosters the most beautiful relationships. Remind your guests not to force friendship on a pet. It will come naturally with time. Forcing may, otherwise, cause reactive behaviours which can damage relationships in the long term.
Need Help Curating A Calm Environment?
Some pets, no matter how hard they try, are quite anxious. Curating a calm environment helps ensure that meeting new people goes as smoothly as possible for all parties involved. Thankfully, at PetNest, we also have a range of calming supplies available to assist. Find them online today.
