Subscriber Archive
Question: We recently adopted a cat, Lulu. Our two older dogs are OK with her however, our young dog, Sparky, wants to chase her. He is just too eager and excited about Lulu. Is it possible to change his behavior or are we fighting doggie instincts here? Dr. Nichol: We love our dogs and cats like family but they are not little people in furry suits. They are members of different species who come genetically programmed as, well, dogs and cats. They are predators who may or may not engage their inner savages. Sparky is high-status and confident. He can’t ignore Lulu. He may be dangerous for her. Sparky’s hostility would appear hard-wired, considering his predatory reactions toward your good kitty. But his brain is more than just a collection of DNA. Had he snuggled with friendly felines as a canine infant and toddler his current attitude would be to accept…
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Cats can be cranky, pesky, and a bit snarky with other pets. Scolding and water spraying doesn’t teach them better behavior. Instead of reacting badly, kitties can have fun with their people by working for clicks and food.
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Question: What is your view of “cat grass?” Dr. Nichol: I’ve never used cat grass. I don’t eat it, grow it, mow it, or smoke it. On the other hand, the Nichol family cat, Gaston, is rather fiendish about it, almost like catnip. But he’s an adult, so I mind my own business. From a scientific perspective, there isn’t much known about cat grass. Ingested plant material tends to alkalinize the body but veterinary internists and nutritionists don’t believe most cats would eat enough to predispose them to urinary disorders like bladder crystals and stones. Consuming cat grass is most likely a harmless feline oddity. The more interesting question is why an obligate predator would consume a vegetarian side dish in the first place. Through my many years in veterinary practice I have known a whole lot of cats who’ve experienced stomach and intestinal upset. They don’t all vomit but…
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Horses and dogs communicate with us – even if we don’t notice. They can love what we do and repay us with joy or they can react badly. Smart dogs and angry horses have lessons for us.
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Question: I hope you can help me and my cat “Lucky,” who I adopted 8 months ago. He is 5 years old and weighs 16#. He hides under the furniture and attacks my feet and tries to bite my ankles as I walk by. If I ignore his screams for food he’ll sit on the back of the sofa and hit my head with his paws. If I ignore that he will bite my head. He never cuddles or sits in my lap. I have thought of declawing and maybe having his teeth filed down. If I get another cat I’m afraid he’ll be mean to it. I am 75 years old and have multiple orthopedic replacement parts. Dr. Nichol: I agree that Lucky may treat another cat shabbily, much like his predatory behavior toward you. You could escape his crosshairs by importing a mischief of mice. Does serving up…
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Tunneling, climbing, running off – OMG! Raise the fence? Electric wire? Let’s figure out why this is happening and help your good dog stay home and succeed. Serious anxiety needs serious care.
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Teach Avoidance without Electric Shock Question: I need information on humane rattlesnake “proofing” techniques for dogs. It seems to me that keeping your dog on leash would be a better solution, so I don’t need it for myself. In Santa Fe they are using shock collars, and I would like to suggest an alternative method for a person who is not comfortable with having his dog shocked. Personally, I am shocked that anyone is instructing dog owners in that method. Dr. Nichol: Shocked? I’m incredulous. I love my dog. No way would I subject him to painful electric current. The stress to the decoy snake matters too. Tossing a wild reptile on the ground to be menaced by an agitated dog, who’s been set up to fail, is inhumane on all fronts. Prevention is much better. I’ve treated plenty of snake bites involving severe tissue damage and worse. It is…
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Cats are simpler pets to care for than dogs, right? Uh, no. They are every bit as complex and just as prone to pain as any of us. We can help but we must recognize their needs as early and help them carefully.
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Third in a series Our pets have good lives: a comfy bed, 3 squares, and flat screen TV. But they aren’t little people in furry suits. Beneath that cuddly exterior beats the heart of a predator. Tom and Andrea’s dog, Alita, like any self-respecting savage was always ready. A toad in the garden, minding its own amphibious business, suddenly hopped. Then it hopped again. Wow! A snack! Toads, consumers of insects, snails, and slugs are beloved by gardeners. They move suddenly and quickly, making them fun backyard toys for dogs and cats. The species found in our corner of the world, Bufo alvarius, is somewhat less poisonous than its cousin Bufo marinus that resides in Florida. Bufo toads are most active during their breeding season (March through September). Encounters with pets often occur following a good rain, during dawn, dusk, or nighttime. Also known as Colorado River toads or Sonoran…
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