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Jangled by earsplitting blasts, many pets endure almost continual terror. Dogs may hide, tremble, drool, cry, vomit, and urinate or even pass diarrhea. Some will escape their yards. Freaked-out pets need our comfort for sure; shelter from the bombardment and light flashes will also be essential. Allow them to find relief anywhere they’ll feel better: a bathroom, closet, or a crate, covered on top and all 4 sides (door open), nestled away from windows and exterior walls. Close the blinds and turn off the TV. You can mask the racket with white noise or a loud fan. “Through a Dog’s Ear” music promotes canine-specific calming alpha brain waves. Mutt Muffs, comfy and well tolerated, will dampen the racket. A Zenidog pheromone diffuser can reduce the stress. Scavenging opportunities can make a difference too. With their morning meal delayed a dog or cat can focus on extracting sustenance from a food-dispensing…
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Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. A freaked-out dog or cat needs serious relief from fear. I’ll make it easy for you to help.
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Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. A freaked-out dog or cat needs serious relief from fear. I’ll make it easy for you to help.
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Some dogs just won’t put up with it. They squirm, struggle, and might even bite. Nobody is having fun. We can get this right without the tears and misery.
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Kitties are so sweet and gentle. Well, most are. But some bite and scratch when you thought you were just having fun. Don’t swat or spray or yell. Bring out their best instead
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Kitties are so sweet and gentle. Well, most are. But some bite and scratch when you thought you were just having fun. Don’t swat or spray or yell. Bring out their best instead.
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This poor dog is a nervous wreck, scanning back and forth, waiting for the proverbial shoe to fall. Will a homicidal (canine-icidal) maniac blast onto the scene? Will I, the benevolent veterinarian, inflict violence on her? She has no reason to fret but anxiety is not logical. It’s an unfounded worry about what might be lurking around the next corner. If this dog panics when handled she might get defensive and, in her frantic attempts to escape, she may even try to bite. Restraint would only scare her more. An as-needed antianxiety gel, called Sileo, can be administered between her lower lip and gum. In just 20 minutes a scared dog like this can relax and adapt. Don’t let your agitated dog endure this again. Ask your veterinarian for this gentle treatment. Better still, find a veterinary staff that is trained in Fear Free handling methods. Go to Fearfreepets.com.
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Mick is learning to earn the privilege of a walk. He wants to wear his new Gentle Leader head halter because he knows he’ll have a good time. He’s not quite ready to walk long distances with it. He’s still getting used to the feel of it on his face but he doesn’t have to think about it much because he’s busy working to earn reinforcers. We want him to forget it’s there. One step at a time.
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Question: I have two 15 year old cats who are both well toilet trained. Recently I moved from the city to the country. Since then I have been getting nightly visits from a possum, she is lovely and I hand feed her my excess veggies (avocados are her favourite). She now also brings her baby with her. The cats and the possums get on fine. However, since the baby has been coming around, there has been an ever increasing smell of what I think is possum urine. The urine smell is in the study. I now find the possums in the study and lounge quite often. Are they trying to establish their territory? What can I do to stop them peeing inside? Dr. Nichol: It is not rare for possums, notably lacking in bathroom etiquette, to ingratiate themselves into human domiciles. You are likely correct that the odor permeating your…
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