| Sign | Likely Medical Cause | Likely Behavioral Cause | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | House soiling (cat) | UTI, kidney disease, diabetes | Litter box aversion, territorial marking | | Aggression (dog) | Brain tumor, hypothyroidism, pain | Fear, learned guarding, poor socialization | | Polyphagia (overeating) | Diabetes, Cushing’s, malabsorption | Compulsive disorder, boredom | | Pica (eating non-food) | Anemia, GI disease, nutritional deficiency | Anxiety, exploration (puppies) | | Excessive vocalization | Hyperthyroidism (cat), cognitive dysfunction | Separation anxiety, attention-seeking |