Ever wonder how your pet knows you’re leaving before you even reach for your suitcase?

Does it stress you out wondering if your pet will be happy with the care arrangements you've made while you're away?

You’re not alone.

Studies show that nearly half of all pet parents worry that their pet will experience separation anxiety.

The good news is that, as an Animal Communicator, I can help bridge the communication gap between you and your pet.

I mean, how would you feel if someone made arrangements for your care without your input?

When your pet has a say in their care, everyone benefits, you and your pet.

If you’re making travel plans or will be away from your pet, now is the time to talk with your animals about what’s coming.

Companion animals depend on the predictability of their day-to-day rituals to feel safe and loved. Feeding times, walks, and cuddle sessions are the anchors that reassure them that all is right in their world. Even minor disruptions in their routines can trigger anxiety.

When you let your pet know ahead of time that you’re going away and who will care for them, it helps them feel included, prepared, and at ease.

What Would Your Pet Choose?

An animal communication session gives you a window into your pet’s perspective. You can ask whether they’re comfortable with the care arrangements and find out if they have specific needs while you’re gone. Including them in the process creates a calmer, more trusting animal.

I also offer practical suggestions and easy-to-implement tips to make your departure smoother for everyone. Whether it’s a simple bedtime ritual or a piece of your worn clothing left for your pet’s comfort, these small touches can make a genuine difference.

Here’s What Some Pets Chose

Katie from Westport had planned to leave her goldendoodles, Rosie and Finn, at a pet hotel. She reached out because she sensed it wasn’t the best choice, but felt she had no other options. Both dogs had returned from their last visit stressed and anxious.

When she asked them what they wanted to do while she was in Europe, their answer was clear and immediate: they didn’t want to return to the hotel. It felt scary and uncomfortable. They said they wanted to stay home, where they felt safe, until she returned.

Katie found a pet sitter to stay at the house, and when she returned, Rosie and Finn were noticeably more relaxed.

Bella the cat told her person, Debbie, from Easton, that she didn’t like the pet sitter who treated her like a dog. She wanted the quiet, calm, respectful one instead. Debbie listened, made the switch, and Bella felt genuine relief.

Benji, a French Bulldog, was equally clear with his person. When Lauren asked whether he’d prefer to stay home with a sitter or visit his grandparents while she traveled, his answer was immediate and joyful: “I feel safe and love that they spoil me!” 

When you ask, your pet will tell you exactly what they need.

Both Katie and Lauren reported that their animals did really well while they were away, and they believe that communicating with them ahead of time made a big difference in how their pets reacted. 

 

When your pet feels included in travel plans– everything changes.

Simple Ways to Prepare Your Pet (and You!)

• Tell them what’s happening. Speak directly to your pet about your plans, the timeline, and who will care for them.
• Introduce their caregiver early. A visit before departure helps your animal feel comfortable with the new person or kennel.
• Give them permission to enjoy themselves. Many pets hold back out of loyalty. Letting them know it’s okay to have fun genuinely eases their anxiety.
• Trust that you’ve done your part in finding the best care for them. When you’ve included your pet in the process and addressed their needs, you can leave with confidence and actually enjoy your time away.

The Goal: Less Anxiety and Stress When Apart

Including your pet in the decision-making process about their care arrangements can make a world of difference. When your pet has a say, they feel calmer and more at ease. And so do you.

If you’d like to find out what your pet would choose when you’re traveling and have to be apart, CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SESSION.

If this blog post eased your mind, please share it with a pet parent who may need a little reassurance from their pet, before they travel. 

The post What Would Your Pet Choose When You Travel? appeared first on Cathy Malkin -- Animal Muse Communication and Reiki.

Your dog chews the couch while you’re out. You come home to stuffing scattered like fresh snow.

Your cat pees on your bed. An unexpected smell greets you, and frustration builds when you see the wet spot.

Your once-easygoing pet is growling at your child’s friends, leaving you worried for everyone’s safety.

It’s easy to label this as bad behavior. But what looks like a problem to us is actually communication from them. Our pets are family members, and like any family member, they deserve to be heard and understood.

Animals don’t misbehave to be difficult or spiteful. When something changes in their behavior, it’s because something has changed inside or around them. They’re trying to tell you something.

Behavior Is a Language

Think of your pet’s behavior as a conversation. Each action communicates their feelings: fear, discomfort, stress, or an unmet need.

When behaviors escalate to “misbehaving”—destructive chewing, biting, aggression or house soiling—it’s often their last resort because their quieter signals weren’t received.

Common “Problem Behaviors” and What They Mean

• Chewing, scratching, or destroying things often signals stress, anxiety, or pent-up energy—your pet trying to release tension.
• Excessive barking or vocalizing can indicate fear, frustration, or loneliness—a way of saying, “Something doesn’t feel right.”
• House soiling or litter box changes are usually linked to stress, routine changes, or physical discomfort—rarely defiance.
• Clinginess or withdrawal both signal insecurity or feeling unwell. Whether your pet won’t leave your side or hides under the bed, both are communication.
• Aggression or reactivity is most often fear-based. A growl or snap is an early warning saying, “I don’t feel safe.” If warnings aren’t heeded, a bite is the next step.

What Changed?

Important: Always consult your veterinarian first. Sudden behavior changes can signal medical issues like UTIs, pain, or illness.

Once medical causes are ruled out, ask yourself:

• Has their routine changed?
• Has there been stress in the household?
• Has something changed like the loss of a pet or a child going off to college?

Our pets are extremely sensitive to their environment and to our emotional state. As family members living in our homes, they experience everything we do. When we’re anxious or stretched thin, they feel it too.

Why Punishment Doesn’t Address the Issue

Punishment tends to suppress an unwanted behavior temporarily, but it doesn’t address the root cause. If your pet is scared, in pain, or overwhelmed, punishment only adds stress—making it harder for them to communicate clearly.

When you take time to understand what your pet is trying to tell you—whether through observation, professional help, or animal communication—you create safety. And when your pet feels safe and understood, the need to “act out” often disappears.

Your pet knows why they’re acting this way. The key is recognizing and understanding their perspective.

Get Answers Directly from Your Pet

Once you’ve ruled out medical causes, an animal communication session can be a game changer. It gives your pet a voice so you can get answers to your questions directly from them. When you understand the reasons behind their unwanted behaviors, you can work in partnership with your pet to resolve them.

Most animals know exactly what’s driving their behavior. Through animal communication, you can ask them directly: What changed? What do they need? How are they experiencing the household?

When your pet tells you they’re peeing on the bed because they’re stressed about the new dog or baby, or that they’re chewing the couch because they feel abandoned when you leave—you finally know what to address. Once that root cause is addressed, the behavior often resolves naturally.

When you ask your pet what’s going on, two things happen: You get real answers, and they feel truly heard. That act of listening—of respecting their viewpoint—often shifts the dynamic immediately.

When pets feel heard, their nervous systems soften. When we feel informed, our worry eases. When you involve your pet in the solution, they tend to be more than willing to stop misbehaving.

If your pet’s behavior has you puzzled or concerned, I invite you to schedule an Animal Communication session.

Together, we can ask your pet your questions and receive answers directly from them so you can find solutions to their unwanted behavior.

Got questions? Email: cathy@animalmuse.com

If this resonated, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to like, share, and leave a comment as your experience may help someone else feel less alone.

The post Why Is My Pet Misbehaving? appeared first on Cathy Malkin -- Animal Muse Communication and Reiki.

“Do you talk casually with your pets?” 

98% of the respondents answered “yes” to the question.

When Mindful readers were asked, 

“What’s the hardest thing about having a pet?” 

Two of their top responses were:

• Not understanding what their pets want or need.

• Not knowing what their pets are thinking.

These answers suggest it’s easier to talk with your pets than it is to listen to them. 

Animals want to be heard and understood just like humans.

It’s frustrating for pets when they don’t feel understood. Plus misunderstandings can lead to unwanted behavioral and emotional issues like inappropriate peeing or increased anxiety. A professional Animal Communicator, like myself, can help eliminate these problems by giving animals a “voice” so they can share their hearts and minds. 

Clear, open communication creates a deeper bond with your pets. Mindful listening conveys to your pets how much you love, honor, and respect them which makes them happy, healthy, and more balanced. 

One way to develop Mindful Listening Skills with your pets is to spend at least 5 minutes daily (the more time, the better) sitting quietly feeling all the love you have in your heart for your animal family. Invite your animal family to join you. Sit with this feeling for at least 5 minutes. If you find your thoughts wandering, take a deep breath and gently return your focus back to your heart center.

Doing this simple exercise will open the door to mindful talking and listening to animals.

Are you having trouble communicating with your pets? 

Want to know what your pet is thinking and feeling? 

Empower your pets and make them happy by giving them a “voice” with my assistance.

Email me or use the contact form below to schedule a phone session to talk with your animal family.

The post Do You Talk to Your Pets? appeared first on Cathy Malkin -- Animal Muse Communication and Reiki.