Why do dogs lean on you? Why do cats eat plastic bags? Veterinarian Julia Hammond sheds light on some of our pets quirkiest behaviours.

Why Does My Cat...

...Stare at Me?
Because you're beautiful! Seriously, we are fascinating creatures to our cats. They like to watch our every move. Sometimes a cat will stare because it wants to communicate a message but, more times than not, they're just checking things out.

...Eat Plastic Bags?
Many cats are attracted to the ingredients used to make plastic bags. Some say there is a type of fat used in the manufacturing process that beckons to cats. Be careful though as this is not a healthy habit. Too much bag-eating and your cat could develop serious intestinal problems.

...Claw My Furniture?
Cats have scent glands on the pads of their paws. Often when they claw, they are leaving their scent. The act of scratching feels really good, too! Cats will often claw the same area over and over again because it's an object along their natural travel path and it allows them to develop a territory.

...Rub Its Face on Stuff?
Cats rely heavily on scent. They have scent glands in the corners of their mouths and also on their chins. When they rub against walls and other surfaces, they leave their scent, again, helping them to establish a territory.

...Yowl Out the Window?
Cats vocalize their wants, observations and needs by meowing. If you listen carefully, you will eventually learn what each type of meow means. Some cats have more to say than others and like to talk at night when they see bugs and creatures out the window.

Why Does My Dog...

...Eat Poop?
As gross as it sounds, dogs like to eat poop because it still has lots of good food bits in it. Not everything your dog eats is digested fully before a bowel movement. That means they sometimes see poop as another food source. But this disgusting habit can be tamed with training, and eventually, your dog should grow out of the problem.

...Lick My Face?
Licking is a submissive gesture. When a dog licks you, it is admitting that you are dominant and in charge. They also like the taste of salt off your skin and can gain information from your taste and scent. Although this is a loving gesture, it's not the healthiest form of affection; after all, your dog ingests many things that you would never want near your face.

...Lick Its Paws?
If the licking is excessive, it could be related to allergies. The pads on dogs' feet contain sweat glands where toxins are released. If the dog's paws are red and swollen, you should seek attention from a veterinarian.

...Like My Socks?
Because they smell like you, and your dog likes the taste/scent of your sweat. Be careful though, if they ingest socks, it could be very dangerous for them.

...Lean on Me?
Because they love and trust you. Sometimes this is a sign of protection as well, but in most cases, they want to be close to you and want to get between you and any other person that might be threat.

Julia Hammond practices veterinarian medicine in Toronto, splitting her time between the Birchmount Clinic and Greenwood Park Animal Hospital.

Got a pet problem you'd like Julia to tackle? Post your question in the comments below!