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Second in a series Quiz: Why would PJ attack his person Jenny? a) He didn’t like the way she smelled b) She was dressed like a sparrow c) PJ is a natural predator who was already agitated d) He blames his mother for his problems Cats are not dogs with short ears nor do their motivations resemble other species, including ours. They follow their own rules, regarded by some as wild animals we keep as pets. Those who fit best in a loving home were genetically programmed to adapt. Exposure to gentle interactions with people and other domestic creatures, since early kittenhood, is another plus. Strictly indoor kitties can struggle in their confinement; they need more. Jenny and Phil adopted PJ when he was a baby. He was treated with kindness by them and by their Chihuahua “Mickey.” PJ was a good cat most of the time but a deeper…
Helping dogs who freak-out when home alone is complicated. Improvement requires lots of changes but do you have to completely ignore as you leave and return?
First in a series It had been a rough day, topped-off by stop and don’t go traffic on I-25. Jenny was frazzled when she pulled into the garage and came inside through the laundry room. Her husband Phil was already camped-out on the couch, wine glass in hand, watching the 6 o’clock news. Their orange tabby cat, PJ, rested next to Phil, gently rubbing his head on his daddy’s thigh. Chihuahua “Micky” was curled up on Phil’s other side. A placid scene. Jenny kicked off her shoes, poured herself a glass, and headed for her spot on the other side of PJ. Jenny badly needed to decompress with her good husband but when crossing the room, she caught movement on her right. A fuzzy orange missile had launched for the back of her head and met its target before she could bob or weave. PJ’s claws sunk into her scalp…
A normally placid pussy cat can turn terrifying when facing unfamiliar visitors of the human or canine kind. They can even be dangerous.
Question: How do we stop “Olive” from counter surfing? Besides keeping things off of the counter. Sometimes that’s not possible. If I am making dinner or the phone rings, etc. Dr. Nichol: Naughty Olive. Eating your lunch and believing she’s above the law. And you’ve tried everything, like yelling bad words and swatting. At the end of your rope, you could give her a dose of her own medicine by stealing her kibbles. That won’t work either. Lots of dogs, like Olive, live by Willie Sutton’s law. He robbed banks because, “That’s where the money is.” Your kitchen counter is the ATM, unguarded and ripe for pillaging. Why, oh why would a nice girl like Olive, raised with a steady flow of nutritious dog food, need to steal? Besides being domestic pets who belong with us in our homes our dogs are genetically programmed for survival in the wild. Making…
Bad behavior has to stop ASAP. Punishment can work fast but reward-based training delivers happy, well-behaved dogs. I’ll get you started.
Question: I’ve had my dog Max since he was a baby, 15 years. Lately he’s refused dry food and he shies away when I touch his face. His breath is horrible. His veterinarian showed me his red swollen gums and 4 loose teeth and recommended a dental procedure. I am so worried he won’t survive it. I can’t bear the thought of losing him. Dr. Nichol: You are not alone; there are a whole lot of us who love our pets intensely. We’ll do anything to protect them. And now, Max is suffering. He needs more good time with you. The infections and inflammation in his mouth threaten to shorten his life – a far greater danger than anesthesia. Older pets can develop problems in their livers, kidneys, hearts, and other organs but age, by itself, is not a risk factor. If a thorough physical exam and lab panel show…
Has a new dog stirred the political pot at your house? Or maybe you’re thinking of adding to your pet family. Wanna avoid the brawls?
Question: I inherited my mom’s cat, a Main Coon, after she passed away. He was a kitten then, and has lived with me for 15 years. A year ago, he developed a “swelling” on his cheek. It subsided in one week, but since then he has refused to use his litter box. Otherwise, he is amazingly healthy considering his advanced age. I’m pretty sure that he’s no longer “trainable” regarding his litter box, but I still respect his right to live and don’t believe in euthanizing him until the time comes just because he’s old. Dr. Nichol: Your kindness for this senior citizen is a gift for both of you. His house soiling is not a training issue but rather an important symptom. Painful arthritic joints could be making it hard for him to struggle into his litter pan. It’s also possible that his tired old kidneys are producing so…