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train · 95.7k rows

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Disadvantages of a single bedroom? Looking ahead to the future, me and my partner often discuss how we would raise children. In these conversations, recently, a theme of sleeping arrangements has emerged. We appear to agree that a lot of teen and preteen isolationist tendencies could be curbed if we had a single commu...	Even such simple and harmless activities as sleepovers will become impossible, as most other parents might not want their children to sleep with your whole family, especially not if your children tell them that they regularly watch you having sex. Cultures that live in single rooms manage just fine - this is a case of ...
How to help my wife's 9-year-old boy who has an unnatural attachment to his mother figures and lacked a father figure? We are a blended family, between us we have 4 kids. Our 9-year-old boy was 4 when his dad left and I believe that this has presented him with a couple of challenges. Firstly, he appears to be stuck de...	Your 9 year-old boy may have maladjusted to the past events, and maybe he hasn't. Right now, he does not trust that you or any other male in his life will leave him.
How to make toddler stay in his own bed at night We have a 2 and a half year old who has started sleeping in a bed a few months ago instead of a cot. Over the past few weeks we're experiencing some issues and we're out of ideas. The night always starts out like this: we put him to bed, then when we come to bed find h...	Good part is that you just really have to start and keep it up until it becomes habit (a month at most) and then it's just habit. In my experience bribing does wonders (you can have that if you promise to..., and if you break promise, we'll take it away).
Does separating necessarily cause damage? Me and my (ex)girlfriend have a 3 years old child.He is an accidental child from a one night stand (where I was completely drunk and she was sober), but I didn't want to leave them alone, so I gave up my former life (I was living in a different country with a life set) and move...	But I think it's accepted canon that peaceful separation where parents don't fight, don't blame each other and accept the child's love for the other parent have vastly less impact on the well-being of the child than fighting separations. I don't think your question is answerable in the general case; you can't set up an...
How to encourage my 5-year-old who seems to be unusually interested in astronomy? My almost 5-year-old son has developed a great interest in astronomy since last few months. I show him pictures of planets in books and videos on YouTube. He asks me to point out planets in the night sky which I do (incorrectly as I don’t...	Space-based kids TV shows could be good too (my son likes watching one called Ready Jet Go). Take a compass, a good pair of binoculars, and a torch with a red filter so you can look at a star map without destroying your night vision. Read together, learn together, discuss.
How can I make the most of my toddler's love of books? My son is almost 2 and loves books. He has free access to about 20 baby/toddler books when he is at home, and often looks through them, carries them around as he plays or requests to be read to. I don't really give him library books as he is still occasionally de...	Reading to a child is just about the best way there is, and making it a daily thing is important for a child. I think what you are doing is right now is right.
How to make our 3-year-old stop talking over every conversation around her? Our 3-year-old daughter has been talking over any conversation in her vicinity for the past few months with increasing intensity. I can't talk for more than a minute or two to my wife when our daughter is around, neither of us can talk to anyon...	Now I warned our daughter that she will need to go to her room if she breaks other people's conversation again until she's ready to come back and not do it again.
Is a long car ride unhealthy for a newborn? I am a little over 3 months away from having my first child. My baby girl is due at the end of August/beginning of September. However, my parents live a 4.5 hours drive from where my wife and I live. So my concern is....Holidays (specifically Thanksgiving and Christmas). ...	They sleep well in a baby carseat (assuming you have a safe and comfy one). Enjoy your holidays with the new grandparents! Tip: We personally love the Deryan Travel-Cot for travelling, because it is a bed and a play-area. So don't be afraid to make exceptions.
How to help a 4.5-year-old to no longer get "stuck" on minor minute details? My 4.5-year-old often insists on certain things that seem to suggest he has some issues with flexibility. For example: He wants the green straw not the red one He wants to wear a different shirt to bed He wants a very specific toy He want...	If her choice is going to be harmful or impossible, then I use distraction. If it is important: i point out all the benefits of the green instead of the red and when that doesn't work i tell him point blank that if he doesn't want the green one then he wont get any (mind
How to entertain (or keep in bed) a 5-year-old who gets up at 5am? We have two girls: Elise, who is 2 and is decidedly an evening person: running and bouncing and laughing and playing until 7 or 8 PM if she can get away with it (which she can't, we want her in bed by 7-7:30 which causes moderate amounts of crying on ...	I imagine something similar to that might work with your daughter - try to find something she likes doing that doesn't produce noise, and tell her she can do that in her room / in the living room prepare an activity the night before for him to do when he wakes up.
Why do we teach animal sounds to children? I was reflecting on the fact that, at least in Western culture, most children are taught at a young age what sounds animals make. However, this is mostly a "useless" information from a practical point of view, especially so for a child - so I wonder, are animal sounds taught b...	I've read that a child will often learn to vocalize the sound an animal makes before they will actually say the name of the animal.
What factors to consider when choosing where to live My children are still very young and I would like for them to have a stable upbringing, preferably in one place that they can call home. I'm fortunate to be able to re-locate, but as a fairly new parent I don't really know what to look for when considering a new pla...	An excellent choice is within walking distance to nature , such as a park. Close to where you like to spend time , especially the kids, or you and the kids together as a family. My wife and I selected our home for our son in a smallish bedroom community because of proximity to work, low crime, good hospitals, affordabi...
How to make my 16-year-old stop biting? My 16- nearly 17-year-old son still bites. He isn’t neurotypical and he already goes to therapy. He does see what he is doing as normal for him alone. He bites when anyone tries to hug him or give any physical contact. He does martial arts but never uses it in that situation. He...	Unless he initiated the biting out of hostility/frustration/other, the answer for the moment is to stop touching him in a way he finds uncomfortable, and work with him and a specialist to get him to communicate his desires in a socially acceptable manner before biting is triggered. Neuroatypicals don't experience the w...
Did I screw up when allowing my 12-year-old to invite only one twin to her party? My 12-year-old daughter is an only child. A few months ago, she had her first birthday party to which both boys and girls were invited. She chose a neighborhood restaurant to have a small dinner. She knows twins, a boy and a girl. My da...	And there could be other issues, including sibling issues where the mother feels the brother has been excluding his sister perhaps and doesn’t want to let him continue to have a negative influence on his sister’s social life (just a possibility). In this instance, at 12 years old, there is no difference between twins a...
Should I call my sad, almost 5-year-old on holidays with grandparents and his sister? I have an almost 5-year-old son and an almost 3-year-old daughter. My children are on holidays with grandparents far away for a week. They had the same holidays last year and it went smoothly, but this year my son cried during and aft...	It may make him feel sad, but it might not. You need to balance "giving your grandparents space and time with him" with "not going too long without talking with him". I would probably go for the first approach, since they will be for a week without you anyway (they won't lose that "learning experience") and a short con...
How do I get pre-schoolers to stop asking for food every hour? My boyfriend has three little girls, 3, 3 and 5 years old. I try to feed them balanced and correctly portioned meals and snacks even though the 5-year-old is extremely picky. They eat about every 2 hours but always ask for more food every hour. I don't mind...	In addition to the excellent answers here, I'd like to add that some kids (adults even) tend to snack when they are bored. So try to keep them active and engaged.
What to do about my 1-month-old boy peeing through diapers? My 1-month-old baby is a big one, father comes from a family of giants. At night (more rarely throughout the day), he is peeing through diapers multiple times. Sometimes the diaper seems practically unused. Not constantly and not every day, but enough for me t...	Try using the + size diaper Even go up a size in diaper We used washable ones and didn’t have problems except from them being cheaper... After 2 boys and a girl, direction did not matter, but fitting properly did. The most common problem with baby boys “leaking” is based on male anatomy.
How to encourage my 5-year-daughter to become a Medical Doctor? I have a 5-year-old daughter. She has expressed a desire to be a Medical Doctor several times. Are there games, books, something on TV she can watch that will ground this idea or give her more perspective? I know she is 5, but she can at least learn more a...	So besides focusing on books, games and movies with doctors, you might also try to find stories with protagonists who help others, or animals. If she actually uses her doctor's kit to play doctor with another child, react in a measured and calm way when the play involves nakedness and/or genitals. Show her how to treat...
How to prevent my 3-year-old boy from climbing on top of me? We have a 3-year-old boy who spends most of his time at home. Oftentimes, while we are trying to work, or teaching our older kids, the boy will start to climb on top of us. Telling him "Stop" doesn't seem to work. If I carry him and put him back on the floor ...	Give him attention in a positive way that you control and he will seek it less in a way that makes you uncomfortable. It is absolutely crucial, in my opinion, for kids to learn that they must respect other peoples' "no" when it comes to physical touch, and that means parents as well. Keep it friendly but firm when you ...
How to encourage a child to learn a distant language and culture? I want to motivate a child of High school age to learn a new language from far away like Japanese and learn about other cultures and civilisations like - Zen and ancient Japanese culture, for example. I think learning a new language (with very different...	It's simple: To encourage someone to learn a language, make them want to. I'd start just asking about what countries they are interested in and go from there.
How can you make sure a game is suitable for children While I'm not a parent myself, I have 3 nieces and nephews, and they're starting to show interest in video games. Their parents do not know much about games, especially about the way they are currently heavily monetized, wich can (and have) caused trouble with youn...	Different games appeal to different people (kids are people, too). Game reviews on a publisher's site are sometimes helpful, though, as they do often include complaints about the worst of the behaviors (such as IAPs/loot boxes).
What's a reasonable phone/FaceTime schedule for a six-year old child and a remote parent? For the sake of concreteness and specificity, let's say that both parents work full-time Monday thru Friday. What is reasonable for the remote parent to expect from the 'on site' parent? <Q> Some criteria that I think is reasonab...	Maybe also avoid phone calls shortly before bedtime, especially if you notice that this makes the child more excited and less easy to fall asleep. It should be every day, ideally 1 The child's attention span, as well the the time constraints of the parents, are very individual, and vary across days.
What is the practical upper limit on reading to your child? I'm aware of the benefits of reading to your kids, the more the better, especially in the early years when they're developing their language skills What I'm curious about, however, is how much is enough ? I'm committed to reading to my coming child as much a...	In that perspective, I'd say that it's not "too much" as long as you both (or all involved) have fun!
Baby's head always turned to one side: should I do anything? My 7 weeks old baby always looks to one side. He always looks to his right, irrelevant of whether he's on his back or front. When he does look to the other side it looks like he's make an effort and kind of flops back to that one side. Is it normal? Should ...	You may also have success in alternating which end of the bassinet or crib you place baby's head at, since some children seem to have a preference to sleep facing toward or away from a particular side of the room. Please check with your pediatrician because that could be symptom of torticollis (speaking from personal e...
My 3 and half year old boy is constantly being bullied. How worried should I be? My 3 and half year old boy is constantly being bullied at daycare. They hit him, call him names, climb on him and harass him. I am doing everything I can to stop this, and I will continue to do so until the bullying stops. The interestin...	Well you should be concerned because child bullying at young ages can lead to antisocial personality disorder and many other. Take every possible action to stop it. 1)He hasnt developed his emotions and understanding of things yet and it is like a dream fading away when he comes home. Dissociative disorder can be a res...
How do I give my child a second-hand present? Our only child has mostly received new things: clothes, toys, books, etc. We have a lot of Lego (a lot of it inherited), so we don't really want to buy more. I have some Lego Technic sets that I bought and built as an adult. Now I want to pass them on to my child. How c...	If you gave them without him having an interest he is likely to never play with them not because they aren't new, but because he doesn't like legos. Simply ask him if he would like them, and if he would then give them to him.
How to teach a 4 year-old-child to handle tantrums? My 4 year old son only accepts appreciation, he cannot accept "No,Don't..". A few neighbor kids came home to play with my son, he slightly tapped a 2 year old friend in his head, a 12 year girl who saw it told me "aunt, your son is beating him". On hearing this my so...	But generally i ignore shouting or pick them up and move them to the hall (and ignore them) If I advice him that if you are beating or touching your friends I will not allow them to play with you.
Is it ok to let my 3 month old drop her head a few inches during 'tummy time'? My daughter is 3 months old and has just learned how to roll over a few days ago. She's doing it all day long and is now spending a considerable amount of time on her tummy (a dramatic increase in tummy time). We did tummy time with her be...	If she does not complain, it does not hurt her.
Activity for engaging two or more children with widely varying ages Five years may not seem a "wide variation," but one grandchild starts kindergarten next year and the other is in fourth grade. When we're babysitting, I'd like to do something with them that both will enjoy, instead of just leaving them on opposite en...	There are cooperative games or competitive games that would be suitable and entertaining for both. Crafts and creative projects are a way to engage kids of all ages. paints Jewelry or keychain making(provide plastic lacing and big chunky beads for the little one)
Using baby clothes that have been in storage for years Our first child is now four and our second is due in a month or so. We stored the first baby's clothes so we could reuse them but due to damp in the UK and the clothes having been stored for so long (4 years), I am afraid of reusing them. Are there any concerns or...	You'll want to use a sanitizer rather than just laundry soap if there is any mold since mold can sometimes survive washing. There is absolutely no reason not to reuse the clothes if they are not stained or otherwise unusable.
How best for a trans or non-binary person to respond to their 6-year-old cousin asking if I'm a girl or a boy? I have twin 6-year-old cousins (a boy and a girl) who I usually see about once a week or so, when the locally-resident segment of my family get together for dinner on Friday evenings. Yesterday, when the twin...	Children's views of the world are much simpler than ours, so a simple answer will usually suffice. So my answer is to be honest with them and tell them how you feel. My six year old knows children who are non-traditional in this sense (I don’t know if they’re trans or non-binary or just like wearing non traditional clo...
How to explain to 4 yrs old hand washing is important? My daughter often refuses on principle to wash hands esp. after coming home No conversation seems to be possible. What to do? Maybe there is some child series about hygiene, deceases, bacteria etc.? <Q> This is more of a 'parenting hack' than a method of explain...	We got a hard soap (we've always used liquid soap ourselves) and let her squish that around to make washing hands more playful. Explaining it vividly enough to really have an effect I think might also risk turning her into a germaphobe.
Is it common that 2 to 3 year old children use articles and plurals incorrectly? Ok, English is not my first language. My mother tongue is Vietnamese. There are 5 people in my family: my parents, my wife, my son and me. I decided to teach my child bilingually. So, about 6 months ago I started speaking English with my ...	If your son keeps practicing English and hearing you say things correctly, he'll gradually assimilate the rules and correct himself. Be proud of his accomplishments and don't worry about grammatical mistakes, it's normal :) It seems unusual to me.
Giving an early and right direction to the child with rare disease Last year my kid (then 2 years old) diagnosed with a rare genetic disease (He is our only child).The disease is progressive and result in kidney failure, hearing loss and eye abnormalities.This is really heart breaking but still me and my wife decided t...	The risk of "identifying a path early" is that his identity might get wrapped up in a single path, making his happiness depend on doing something he may not be able to do anymore. I think you may be trying to put too much pressure on him. Sign language is currently being encouraged for all young children nowadays, as i...
What are some options for helping my child continue learning while schools are closed? My children will be home for a few weeks (at least) while schools are closed due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19. What are some good strategies or options for helping them continue to learn while at home? This is a question that would ...	Also, another online class program I've used that I have very much enjoyed and learned from was The Great Courses Plus. There is also a sizeable base of curriculum out there, if schools close for longer than currently expected.
What should I do about this gym class? I'm a mother and I have a daughter in high school. She is taking a gym class that has both boys and girls. The teacher is a woman. Sometimes, they play a classic game called capture the flag. But they don't exactly play it the traditional way because they wear tails while playing....	If you want to take some action now, then suggest that the teacher gives some guidance to the class that everyone should be a bit more careful when playing.
How to ask a child what's wrong, without suggesting things to worry about? So tonight at bedtime, my child was wanting someone to stay with them (until they fell asleep). We have had a busy few days so maybe they were just wanting some quality time. However I am a little concerned that they may be feeling unsettled. ...	but maybe you can trick your kid in to telling what is wrong by letting them draw about their feelings/day.
How can we make an 8 year old child learn multiplication instead of having him or her to memorize it? Instead of having our children to memorize the product of numbers, what is a more rational approach to make them learn to determine them instantly. We have to raise them to be rational and educated humans and I feel th...	Multiplication is successive addition and therefore it is important for a child to learn conventional multiplication.
Is it good or bad to correct a child's spelling online? I regularly have text and video chats with my 8 year old nephew. Naturally, he doesn't know how to spell every word, so every once in a while he'll misspell something (e.g. "af" = "have" or "supries" = "surprise"), although he seems to do a good job guessing phon...	By writing the word correctly yourself, you can show the right spelling without actually pointing out the error explicitly. Don't treat this child differently because you feel they are still in a stage of "learning". I'm of the opinion that adult have a responsibility to set examples for children.
How long should i let my two year old cry for before giving up and giving her what she wants? My daughter is 2 years and one month old. Her eating isn't great, I suspect because we let her eat treats at mealtimes, regardless of whether she eats the nutritious stuff we put in front of her. So today for lunch I gave he...	So while I wouldn't worry about her potential hunger in this instance, I would still say more flexibility on your end would make life easier for both of you. There's a popular idea that once you've said no you'll have to stick to that, lest the kids learn that they can have their way by screaming.
How should I ask my child if they did something or which child was doing it? I have 2 kids. 4.5 and 2.5 years old I see crayons on the wall or some juice spilled some where or somethiing else. I understand they're kids and it's expected. I help them clean up afterwars or sometimes we just do the cleaning ourselves. ...	If you don't know the cause, it makes sense to get both children involved in cleaning up 'everyone messes', while doing the best you can to reduce the mess from happening again.
How do I prevent my grandchildren from throwing a big fit when I leave them after playing with them for a few hours? My 2-year-old granddaughter and 3-year-old grandson always throw a big fit when I leave them after playing with them for 1-2 hours and it breaks my heart :( I do tell them that "I will be back", and whe...	Kids are learning all the time, and when a behaviour results in a favourable outcome, they will do it more. If it's sad, help make it playful. So, yes, give them lots of warning and reassure them that you'll be back, but then be firm and walk out. Try to calm down physical "intensity" of plays before departure. Make yo...
How do we introduce a family supper time with a two-year-old who has significant allergies but wants to eat our food? My two-year-old daughter has significant allergies (dairy, egg, wheat/gluten and peanut) and she's been significantly underweight for the past year (10th percentile). We've had her on a special diet and...	She may adjust to family dinner time with different dinners after a few tries, even if the first couple of times are rough. Supper time is the best time to pray and be together, where the bond gets stronger. This is what we did: Introduce every new dish to her
Time between behaviour and consequence, is there a general rule of thumb per age? I have a two year old; I know that, especially with young children, they don't really connect a consequence in the future with a behaviour now. ("If you do that you can't have dessert after supper", which is 3 hours away). I have been tr...	For children younger than 6 or 7 years, withholding privileges works best if done right away.
My child said to my wifes face that he loves his grandmother (wifes mom) more than her, can you offer some advice how to deal with this? My wife and I are feeling hurt, because my 5-year-old son said the other night that he loves his grandma (my wife's mom) more than my wife. He said this to her face. She has been in a...	After agreeing with your wife, have a talk with the grandma, stating you will reduce how often you visit her, because her behavior is affecting your family life. It will vary, the child will grow out of it soon.
How should parents handle dominant behaviour of toddler towards other children? My daugther is almost 17 month old which is our first child and she is not in kindergarten yet (starts in two month). Whenever we go with her on a playground or meet her neighboring friend (same age) she behaves very dominant. This behavior...	To be honest, all you're seeing here is the standard impulse control problem of "I want X, and I don't really acknowledge the needs of others" which is very normal for children of that age. Ask her to look at the other child's face, which is presumably sad, and point out why. After a certain period (your choice), tell ...
Is placing my child in the same class as a close cousin a bad idea? My son is going to be starting preschool this Fall. He has a first cousin close in age that's going to be attending the same school. Is it a bad idea for close cousins to be in the same class? Does that lead to a lot of unwanted competition? Should I t...	I know many parents may prefer splitting up siblings like twins in school so that they can each open up with other students and not isolate themselves, but I don’t think this would be an issue with cousins. Family or close friends can be a boon or a barrier in school.
Help and advice needed for 15 month old that doesn't chew properly My son is 16 months. He eats everything we put in front of him and is not fussy at all. He took to weaning amazingly - its me that is struggling big time. I struggle with anxiety and one of my main worries (ever since weaning) has been him choking. When...	As scary as it is, gagging from over filling his mouth is how he learns about appropriate bite size and chewing. It's not comfortable to hear your kid cough, but if they are coughing, it means air is going in and out, so they aren't in danger. Depending on what the actual problem is with your child, feeding therapy may...
How to help 6 year old be self-confident about writing My son's writing is totally fine for his age. We are trying to teach him the many ways to improve his handwriting: Capital letters, tall/small/fall letters, full stop, spacing. And his creative writing: adjectives, conjunctions, sentence starters, etc. We make sur...	Tell him that you too once had handwriting like that, that everybody once has, and that through hard work, he'll soon be able to write really neatly with little effort. Children are constantly in the process of acquiring new skills, so I always think it's helpful to espouse a growth mindset. Show him any old writing of...
Crib bumper - yes or no? My daughter is almost 4 months old and she is already rolling over from her back to stomach and same the other way. She is also starting to get her leg between the rails of her crib. When she gets her leg in the railing it usually at night when she is asleep. She gets her leg all the way up to ...	Crib bumpers (or bumper pads) may seem as though they can help protectbabies from drafts and bumps, but they should not be used in cribs. There is no evidence that bumper pads can prevent serious injuries,and they pose a risk of suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment.
Hair thinning on 3.5 months old First, a picture: She is 3.5 months old. She was born with quite long hair, some fell but now it looks like she has a ring around the head, just above the ears, where hair is really thin. My gf's take on it is that since we (I) carry her too much, he head rubs in this area and the hai...	Most babies lose some of their hair, only to grow more later. It's not likely to be substantially improved by holding her less (and the benefits of frequent carrying definitely outweigh the chance that you're making the baby hair fall out sooner). His doctor said there is an aspect of it rubbing off on the crib, the ca...
7 month old can sit, but doesn't want to My 7 month old is able to sit, and does for brief periods of time. But it seems like he has no incentive to sit. He soon falls on his stomach to crawl, or if there are things nearby, pulls himself up to stand. He loves to stand, and crawling gets him places. Sitting apparently d...	I was told by our maternal and child health nurse that when a baby has learned to creep (crawl on hands and knees with tummy off the ground, as opposed to crawling with bent arms and tummy on the ground), they will naturally rock back into a sitting position. She said that there is no value to sitting a baby before the...
How do I walk a small dog afraid of loud noises in an urban area? I have a miniature dachshund puppy (10 months, 9lbs.) that is easily frightened by loud noises, such as trucks passing by. Walking in any urban setting seems to be a negative experience, but she enjoys walking in secluded areas, such as state parks, tha...	When dogs are afraid, their tail tends to go between their legs and their heads bow down. You will want to acclimate it to walking in urban areas by first training it to walk on a leash well. Play a movie, and hang out with your dog, feeding her yummy treats repeatedly.
How can I ensure a ferret's longevity? I am concerned with the lifespan of ferrets. I've heard that ferrets bred from Marshall Farms don't live as long as other ferrets. Is this a true statement, and if so, how can I avoid purchasing / identify ferrets bred there? In the event someone considers this question might b...	Don't buy from someone who actually has ferret breeding as a living.
What's the best way to heal a scab on top of my dog's head? My 6 month old puppy had a bacteria infection which caused a bunch of bumps to form on the top of her head. That is cured now, but from where she had been scratching it looks like one big scab. What is the best way to get this to heal properly and quickly? <...	Basically, every time you're with the dog you want to remain extra vigilant to make sure that she doesn't scratch it, distract her with something.
Are ultrasonic repeller devices painful for dogs? I have mice in the apartment, and I am interested in using an ultrasonic repeller device. However, I read the following online: "Humans can hear sound at frequencies up to about 23,000 Hz (Hertz). Louisiana State University researchers report that mice and rats are se...	Dogs do hear them and like humans , if they are sensitive it may distress them.
What can I do to ease my dogs' fear of loud noises? Whether it is my Black Labrador or my parents' American Eskimo, the sounds of thunder, fireworks and sometimes random loud noises can send them into a bit of a panic mode. They shake for an extended period of time, pant, drool, and scratch at the floor. They seem inco...	If that doesn't work, give the dog a safe place to go, like their crate, may provide some relief. As you specifically asked for possible medications, a possible solution is to use alprazolam , aka.
How can I keep my cat stimulated when she's stuck inside the house during winter? My cat is vehemently an outside cat. When she's stuck in the house for more than a few hours she starts clawing at the back door and yowling. Here's the problem: I live in Massachusetts, where the winters tend to be long and cold. She'll...	There are a lot of toys on the market designed to stimulate cats who are stuck in indoor environments, and usually they are designed to mimic behaviours that cats use outside and in the wild, etc. if she likes string, you might want to consider a toy that is on a string - you can get ones that are on sticks that you ho...
What level of output laser pointer is safe for a cat? I've got a few laser pointers: a red one, and a green one. The green laser pointer is much stronger than the red one, it's the type that you can seem the beam if it's dark enough (it's 5mW). What level of laser output is safe to use for playing with a cat? <Q> This...	Like with any laser, avoid pointing it at your cat's eyes, or at reflective surfaces that might reflect the laser into their eyes, and that can cause problems, the same way it can for humans. No color is inherently "safer".
What are healthy treats for a house rabbit? My house rabbit can be rather shy around guests, and I would like to encourage her to be more friendly when people come around. I have explained to my guests that rabbits can be startled easily and they will crouch lower and move slower and quieter when going near her. I'd l...	Like many pets, bunnies can be motivated by attention and/or food rewards, so using treats can be a great training device. You don't need to have a high-sugar treat every time they come on command.
How can I protect a fish pond during the winter? We have a pond with several fish in it (koi, sturgeon, goldfish). We live in a temperate area where the pond is covered by a layer of ice for several weeks during winter. How can I ensure the fish survive this period? Do I need to keep an area ice-free, and if so, h...	The fish should all be okay as long as the pond isn't going to freeze all the way over.
How can I safely pick up a garden snail? I have a pet garden snail who is fully grown, but still not very big. Sometimes I need to move my snail around for one reason or another, like for cage cleaning. But I'm afraid to pick snails up, because I'm afraid I might hurt them if I just try to pull them off whatever they...	I put a bunch of water on mine, and she usually goes into her shell, or really, just be patient and slowly scoop your snail up. I use my fingers and let them crawl onto it as long as my hand is sprayed down and moist.
Alternative seasonal allergy treatments for dogs I have a 12-year-old pug who suffers from seasonal allergies, mostly skin issues. Every September and May (sometimes extending into October and June), he ends up scratching himself to death. Once it hits his peak, we generally have to take him to the vet for steroids (...	Antihistamines can be useful to relieve allergic reactions, and in some cases one of the side effects of antihistamines is drowsiness, which is not a bad thing, when a dog is being driven to distraction with itchiness. She suggested keeping a spray bottle of a vinegar/water solution near the door and immediately spray ...
How to remove the algae from the glass of an aquarium? I have an aquarium and it has algae on the glass. The algae is somehow so attached to the glass that I´m afraid I'd scratch the glass if I tried to clean it using some hard plastic. How can I remove the algae without damaging the glass? <Q> If the algae is brown ...	Once the algae is off the glass, you can then use a magnetic cleaner or introduce algae-eating species as a maintenance/cleaning crew.
Which fishes can live together with neons? I have some 50 neons in my aquarium. Recently, I've added some black tetras . They live together very well. What other species could I add so that they would still live "in peace", i.e. , without eating each other? There's some free space, so the fish size won't be a prob...	Personally, I have kept silver and black sharks, angel fish, sucking loaches and catfish with tetras with no issues As long as anything you add isn't highly predatory/aggressive and isn't too huge, they'll probably play nice.
How to prevent my dog from barking constantly when I am not at home? My 11 years old Bishon Frise constantly barks when there's no one at home. Even if we stay away for 4, 5 hours. She got raucous once for barking too much. What could be causing that and how can I train her not to do it anymore? <Q> You can't expect y...	The reason for this is that a long drawn out goodbye could worry your dog that you won't be coming back home, but a chill 'see ya' gives the impression that this is a normal thing, and there's nothing to worry about. Also, she wants to protect the territory - and since the rest of her pack is away, she must do so herse...
What can I do if my puppy is hyperactive? About a month a go I got a 8 week male dachshund and ever since the first days he seemed overexcited. Jumping up, chasing my cat around, excessive licking when someone pets him and so on. At the beginning I assumed that it was because he wasn't getting enough exercise. (He di...	A good way to teach your dog not to jump up on people is to get it to sit in front of you and slowly lower a treat from your forehead down to your puppy. The most important thing to remember is that as long as you socialize & exercise him, eventually he will calm down, it'll just take time. Once the order of "go to you...
How would I socialise my puppy with other animals and people? At what age should a puppy start socialising? What are the best ways to socialise my dog, to make it friendly with other animals and all sorts of people, from children to the elderly? <Q> A neat thing about puppies is that, when they are younger than roughl...	Puppies should be socialized as early as possible. Have a real socialisation plan Try to make a plan in advance so that you're not tempted to skip a socialisation "training session" with a simple walk. I, personally gave my puppy time to be adjusted to our house as well as our surrounding environment.
Why does my cat wash her paws in her water? My cats' self-filling water bowl has started getting dirty rather quickly since we got a new kitten (who's now about 6 months old). There's quite often a bit of cat litter at the bottom of the bowl, so I assume that she's been washing her paws in it after using the litter box...	The litter getting into the water from the cat's paws is a byproduct of this behavior.
At what age can my dog be considered old? My dog is getting older but when would he be considered senior? I know that 1 human year equates to 7 seven dog years. <Q> When is a human considered to be old? <S> The answer really depends on the individual. <S> The seven year rule is old and inaccurate. <S> There are seve...	8 years, would be a good average to concider your dog as "old" or "senior"
How often is too often to bathe a dog? I have a pug/Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix that we bathe once a week. Is this too often? I find that if we leave her without a bath for more then a week and a half she starts to develop a faint smell (nothing overwhelming). I heard it can be harmful to a dogs coat if you bathe them to...	If you bathe a dog too often, its coat will lose shine and the dog can become itchy.
Cooling a goldfish tank during summer During the peak of last summer we had several goldfish that died after several days of hot weather and I suspect it was related.According to the Goldfish article on Wikipedia: Extremely high temperatures (over 30°C (86°F) can also harm goldfish The ambient temperature sat ove...	Ice Cubes are what keep my fish alive.
What causes fur clumps on my cat's back, and how can I prevent them? I have a grey, tiger-striped tabby, who is now over ten years old. In the last couple years, she has occasionally grown a large clump of fur on her back that solidifies to the point where it needs to be cut off. When this happens, I enlist the help ...	The other advantages of regular brushing are that your cat will most likely love it, they will shed less (if your cat is indoors), santization (brushing out dirt / cat litter) and it will help prevent hairballs as well.
How does one effectively "cycle" an aquarium? I have read that prior to putting fish in an aquarium, one must "cycle" the tank so that bacteria that eat ammonia will produce nitrate, and nitrate-eating bacteria will make nitrite. I understand the chemistry behind it but I'm not really sure what is the best practical m...	One way this is done is to simply put cheap fish in your tank that will bring bacteria with them from the pet store.
What's a suitable way to drive with a big dog in the car? I drive a Honda Crosstour. I was wondering what I can use to make sure that the my dog, a german shepherd, can be kept safe and comfortable in the trunk/backseat and also prevent any damage to the car, from for example scratching. Should I pad it with particu...	Harness: You could buckle your dog using the collar, but might hang him if something happens. Depending on the country someone will be driving your dog in, some laws may be in effect about this topic. when I had cloth seats, we usually put a sheet in the back seat to protect the seats from hair).
Why do cats not like their front paws being held? My cat seems to dislike me holding her front paws, although my friend's cat doesn't seem to mind. Is this problem specific to my cat or does it apply to the general population of cats? <Q> The biggest reason I can think of is that you're taking away a defence mechanism ...	With patience you can convince many cats to accept this, if you give them clear signals that you're just grooming their feet.
Would an indoor cat need flea treatments? I don't have an indoor cat, but my friend has one, and I was wondering if it needs flea treatments. He doesn't give it any, and it seems to be okay, but would giving it a flea treatment(s) be good for it, and if so, how often? <Q> We've never done that with our cats as they're ...	One of my (indoor-only) cats is getting a flea treatment not because of fleas but because of other allergies, and it seems to be helping.
What bad breath solutions exist for dogs? Specialized canine toothpaste is expensive. Can anyone recommend an alternative to brushing with toothpaste to cure a dog's bad breath? <Q> I can think of three options: Brush every day. <S> I use kissable dog toothpaste (8 Dollars, lasts a couple months) with my dog. <S> (...	If the dog does have rotting teeth that will lead to bad breath that can't really be prevented just by brushing. Try to wash the food bowl and the water bowl.
How much space does a hamster need in its cage? How much space does a hamster need in its cage? My friend's always tries to get out, and I think he might be a bit cramped. <Q> A lot of people keep hamsters in 10-gallon tanks, but the Humane Society writes: <S> Size: Minimum 24 inches long and 12 inches wide <S> ;...	Hamsters are different sizes, and bigger hamsters need bigger cages. They need enough space to nest and enough space to get exercise.
How do I keep a cat from eating houseplants? My cat chews up some of mine and also my neighbors' plants. How can I break her bad habit before my neighbors get mad? <Q> You can put it near their food and hope that it satisfies their desires. <S> You will get more mileage out of your pet grass if you keep it watered. <...	Pet stores do sell "Pet Grass" which gives them something to chew on ( or grow your own ).
How can I train my cat to not jump on the kitchen counters? My cat jumps onto our kitchen counters frequently, sometimes causing major accidents. What is the best way to break that habit? Would I need one of those electric shocker things? <Q> One option for "punishing" cats that works with some of them is to get a wate...	If your finding it hard to always keep a spray bottle near the counter cats usually respond to yelling as well also make sure your cats are'nt doing it because they know it gets your attention, check their food and water after each time, and make sure to pet them regurlarly If you have more people living with this cat,...
Cat digs litter out of the box My cat is a bit too tenacious in digging in his litter box. Not matter how clean it is, no matter how much litter is inside, he spends quite some time digging it, both before and after doing his business. This results in a complete mess, with considerable amount of the litter outside of t...	Rather than trying to change behavior I use a top entry litter box like the one from Clever cat .
Why do dogs eat grass? I have always been told that dogs eat grass because they have upset stomachs. My dogs, however, eat grass every single time they go outside. I constantly need to remind them that grass is not for eating. Are they just hungry? Do they always have an upset stomach? Or do they have some nutritiona...	According to "A Vet's Take On Why Dogs Eat Grass" (Modern Dog Magazine) , the following possibilities exist: dogs cannot digest grass, so there is no nutritional value dogs consume grass to aid them in vomiting (see article for details)
How do I control the convict fish population of my aquarium? I made the mistake of introducing convict cichlids to my aquarium from a friend who was trying to get rid of them (should have been a big tip-off). Over time, these things overtook my tank and are breeding out of control. I'm sure I could find out a way to ...	Only way may be to separate the females that you will only know at about six months .
How should I decide between a collar and a harness for a dog? Of all of the dogs that have been part of my family, we have only used collars for leashing. We've never had any negative experiences with them, but my parent's boxer has a habit of pulling when he sees something (or someone) he wants to go visit. He is so...	Having said that, a harness may still be a better option for overall comfort for the dog, especially one that likes to pull anyways.
Claw-clipping for the visually challenged? I try to keep my cats' claws trimmed to reduce wear and tear on the furniture (and me :-) ). They also have scratching posts and "pads" that they use regularly, but that's not enough. My problem is that my vision isn't so great, particularly for close work. Since I need to ...	I don't worry about removing as much claw as I possibly can, instead I try to do quick trims to remove the nail tips every week. I have no idea how a cat would react to it, but it seems worth a try.
How can I stop my cat from eating too fast and throwing up? My cat loves his canned food that he gets every morning, and he gets right into it the moment I put the dish down. Normally, this is no problem - he eats, I get ready for my day, everything is wonderful. Except for the days when he wolfs it down incredibly qu...	It forces the cat to slow down and "hunt" his or her food out of the bowl, resulting in slower (and often less) eating. An alternative recommended by my vet, which I also used to some success, is to use a round food bowl, put the food in, then place a heavy round object in the middle of the bowl. Try giving him a quart...
What age of snake is best for a pet? I want to buy a snake and am interested in whether or not I should buy an adult snake or a baby snake. I have heard from my friend that an older, adult snake can be more frisky but when I went to the store and they said it doesn't matter. My thoughts are either a boa constrictor or ...	Personally, I would consider the species of snake as well as whether or not it's captive-bred or wild-caught much more important than the age.
Can I change my cat's food? I know people say that I should not change my cat's cat food because: They will not like it. They might vomit when they try new food. However I always change his food and he likes trying new things. As long as he likes it and does not vomit can I still feed him different brands of food?...	Changing a cat's food randomly (or based on whatever's on sale) is not a good tactic, but having a regular food rotation of 3-5 foods can prevent your cat from becoming so attached to a particular food that he will not eat anything else (which can become a problem if the manufacturer changes the formula to something un...
Is there truth to the idea that changing food too often make your dog sick? There is old saying that says that changing food on a dog can make it sick to its stomach. And that if you want to change the dog's food, you need to slow introduce it by mixing it in increasing percentages with the old food until he is eating...	My sister's Labrador disliked the food change when he was a puppy but now he doesn't care and eats what we serve. I don't think there is any truth in that saying. A sudden change in food can result in changes to the number and type of bacteria and their ability to help digest food.
How can I calm my cat so I can brush him? My cat sheds a lot, so I try to brush him often to minimize the amount of cat fluff he leaves all over everything in my house. Unfortunately, brushing him is incredibly tricky; he doesn't want to hold still, he tries to eat and attack the brush, etc. I have tried holding him di...	Grooming is one way cats show affection towards each other, so making him calm and relaxed in order to brush him is essential.
Why does my dog wipe his paws on the grass after he poops? After he does his business, my dog sometimes wipes his (usually rear) paws on the grass. I heard this was to spread his scent in the area, but I figured the result of doing his business did enough of the "scenting". He does this more often when unleashed in o...	Dogs will also scrape or wipe their paws, or make digging actions after elimination or defecation for hygiene reasons.
What are the most common dietary allergies in cats? We suspected a food allergy in one of my cats. The course my vet recommended for this was to switch him to a special diet (containing no previously-eaten proteins) for a few months and then, if that made it better, re-introduce old proteins one at a time to see which...	My vet was positive my cat was allergic to chicken, but it turns out he's also allergic to beef, turkey, eggs, milk, corn, and dust mites as well.
Why is my dog eating poop? Very occasionally, my dog eats poop that has been outside for a while. Usually it is a dried-up piece that insects have long-since abandoned. This is appalling behavior and my only way to prevent it is to be diligent about yard cleanup. He also occasionally eats dirt . I feed him well, h...	If you know the dog is eating its own poop, there are products you can add to its food to make the poop taste undesirable.
Why is my dog drinking his pee after he urinates inside? Every night, as soon as I turn off the last light in the house, if I've forgotten to take the dog (a 13-year-old miniature dachshund we obtained from a reputable breeder 11 years ago) out immediately prior, the dog will wake up within an hour and indicate he has ...	If your dog isn't getting enough water, then he may resort to the urine as a means of hydration. This is more common in dogs from puppy mills or other mistreated litters. Some dogs do it for a while and then stop. Dachshunds & Beagles are notorious for developing Cushing's. They will want to relieve themselves as far a...
Why does my dog sing along to Final Jeopardy? I have had multiple scenarios where dogs I've owned or watched would consistently howl or sing at very specific things, and nothing else. Scenario 1: Final Jeopardy Whenever we babysat our friend's black-and-tan dachshund and watched Jeopardy, he would howl at the song us...	Basically, a dog will do whatever works, i.e., if performing a behaviour has previously led to good things happening (TM), it will probably try the behaviour again. He howls at the Jeopardy song at a certain spot every time, while completely ignoring almost all other television sounds.
How long can a 1-year-old cat stay home alone? Whenever I go on vacation I leave my 1-year-old cat with my friend, who also has a cat. My cat and his cat HATE each other, and I was wondering if I can leave my cat alone at home. I plan to be gone for multiple weeks. Is he old enough to stay home alone? How lon...	I'd suggest a catsitter visit every other day as a minimum until you know your own cat's tolerances very well. If he craves attention and actively seeks it, you probably don't want to leave him at home alone for a protracted amount of time, or no longer than twice the length of time you'd normally be gone. Not a bad id...
What could cause my dog to fear power outages? My 10-year-old mixed dog has developed quite the arcane fear, she fears power outages. Whether it happens when it's dark (when all of the lights turn off at the same time), or during the day (in which case, the sound of the wireless phone losing signal from the dock stati...	Your dog may get scared of a power outage because he/she does not understand what is going on. Desensitization therapies and behavior modification can help your dog get over his fears. I believe it may have something to do with some type of electrical energy or pulse (possibly electromagnetic) that dogs can actually f...
How can I teach my cat that the middle of the night is not the time to play fetch? Somewhere in his life, my cat determined he really loves to play fetch. Usually this is not a problem - he brings me a toy, I throw it, he brings it back, I throw it again, repeat as necessary (sometimes for a while!). Problem is, he ...	Get your cat used to the fact that your bedroom is a no-go zone at night. I try to make sure she has the best "by herself" toys out at bedtime, and I also loop a string on our laundry basket for her to play with when she gets bored at night. Since I have the odd habit of often putting my head under the pillow this some...
Why is adding hay to a rabbit's diet important? These questions mention feeding rabbits hay: What are healthy treats for a house rabbit? How can I help my adult rabbit gain weight? Why is adding hay to a rabbit's diet important? I am particularly curious about potential health concerns throughout the life of ...	If a rabbit doesn't eat enough hay then this can slow down the rabbit's intestinal functions and cause serious problems eg.

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