Dr Wailani Sung

Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, ethologist, animal behaviorist, author; speaker; Cat Friendly veterinarian. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

A recent dog study found that adverse experiences in the first six months of life were significantly associated with increased aggression and fearfulness in adulthood.
https://t.co/c8sOMIf1S5

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

Are we truly seeing more pets with anxiety disorder? https://t.co/17NXNrq9DR

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

In a new study from Europe, pet parents had significantly slower cognitive decline in older adults. Owning a dog or cat can be cognitively protective as the pet parent ages. Pet ownership supports healthy cognitive aging.
https://t.co/LaKtvm7bH9

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

Thank you Laura, Kris and NBC for having us, Joybound People and Pets, on the Bay Area Morning show to talk about Clear the Shelter and kittens on International Cat day! #Cleartheshelter #Joybound

https://t.co/FW3ZyMtb2S

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

This is a great option for a pheromone diffuser. I know many pet parents who don’t want to use a plug in to their electrical outlet. Thank you SIGNS for giving us another option to use pheromones to reduce anxiety and improve wellbeing! #SIGNS #petwellbeing

[Pam Johnson-Bennett @ThinkLikeaCat]

A little reminder when it comes to the sensitivity of your cat's nose, so don't skip that litter box maintenance.

[Frania Shelley-Grielen, MA, MS @animalsbehaving]

"While wks in treatment were slightly lower for dogs w/delayed treatment onset, immediate treatment onset reduced dogs’ fear more expeditiously. .(if) resources allow, starting behavior mod as soon as poss may be the most ethical option, with QOL in mind" https://t.co/7P4CypQgac

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

So great to learn about this new product from SIGNS. It is a hand sanitizer with dog and cat pheromones included. Yay! Way to go SIGNS looking out for veterinary staff to improve wellbeing and reduce stress in our patients! #SIGNS #veterinarybehavior #petwellbeing

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

Thank you to the kind anonymous AVMA attendee who went and got this for me and left it next to the speaker podium. You are too kind and generous! This was one of the highlights of the day. The other highlight was nearly 400 people in attendance. Thank you! #veterinarybehavior

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

I’m all set for my presentations tomorrow. Come join me to learn how to diagnose, manage and treat behavioral disorders. Improving the quality of life in your patients improves the quality of life of pet owners too!

[PetProfessionalGuild @PetGuild]

Our goal is to help you provide the best life possible for your furry family members.
Find a PPG Training and Behavior Professional:
https://t.co/SNJwPq5ON5

[Dogs Trust 💛🐶 @DogsTrust]

Don't scroll past this without sharing to your followers, it could save a dogs life 🐶 Please let this be your reminder to never leave your dog in a warm car ☀️🚗

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

Heading to AVMA/WVAC in Washington, D.C. next week? Join me on 7/18 for a full day of veterinary behavior! I'll be presenting 5 lectures on important & challenging topics in behavioral medicine. #AVMA2025 #WVAC #VeterinaryBehavior #VeterinaryContinuingEducation #SeniorPets

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

Today I learned there are dog breeds with a split nose (Turkish Pointers, Spanish Pachón Navarro, Bolivian Andean Tiger Hound), due to a gene mutation (PDFGRA).
https://t.co/b4nna2FCr0

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

Animals living at 1000 meter or higher elevations have a 23% reduction in genes related to smell and an 18% size reduction of the olfactory bulb. More difficult to smell odors due to breathing difficulties, increased nasal congestion & hypoxia.
https://t.co/lpHlGXylkW

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

Researchers have reported that cats that sleep on their left side are at an advantage. Info from the left visual field are processed by the right hemisphere, which processes threats & coordinates escape, and therefore aid in the cat's survival. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.043

[Marc Bekoff @MarcBekoff]

Dog Training Reframed: Fun, Enriching, and Lifelong

When dog training is viewed as a form of enrichment, it becomes a relational practice of fun, manners, empathy, compromise, and lifelong care—a win-win for dogs and their humans.

https://t.co/DQeFbs0bh4

[Frania Shelley-Grielen, MA, MS @animalsbehaving]

"#horses often use the same facial movements across different contexts, but the combos+intensities vary," said Dr. Kate Lewis, lead author. "This flexibility underscores the importance of considering the whole body+context when interpreting equine behavior"https://t.co/yjybh3Lrbr

[Dr Wailani Sung @BayAreaVB]

Researchers found that domestic cats with short type androgen receptor gene had higher “purring” scores. Short-type females had higher “stranger-directed aggression” scores. Genetic data can be used to improve our understanding of cat communication.
https://t.co/VRU9i5By9G

[PetProfessionalGuild @PetGuild]

Discover free #educational resources on the Doggone safe website that you can use & share. And when you join Doggone safe, you get access to your own member area where you will find additional specialized resources!
https://t.co/yKosIDBxWO
#PreventDogBites #DogBiteSafety