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train · 95.7k rows

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Why does my cat shake a paw after jumping? When my American Short Hair (7 years old, slightly underweight if anything) jumps up into her cage (about 70 cm or so off the floor, or leaping over a metre from the adjacent cat tree) when she knows it's time for food, after turning round to look for the food almost every tim...	This can be exacerbated by age, arthritis, or other conditions. This is normal and will not show up on a visit to the vet unless there is significant inflammation or joint damage. Since your cat is just shaking its foot a bit it does not sound like anything significant.
Why does cat urine have a stronger smell than other pet urine? It may just be my perception, but it seems like cat pee has a distinctly 'Cat' smell that is different from other pet urine. It seems to have a stronger smell that lasts longer, than other urine smells. What is it about cat urine that gives it the extra s...	Since urine is composed of water and waste material, a higher specific gravity means that cat urine has a higher amount of waste material (the smelly stuff) per volume excreted.
Can cats be "picky" about the brand of food they eat? The cat I had growing up was very picky about the kind of food we gave him. He had a thing for Meow Mix dry cat food. If we bought him any different brand, it seemed as though he wouldn't eat it as much or as quickly, so we always stuck with the Meow Mix to keep him...	So if a particular brand all share the same shape, then your cat is expressing their preference for that particular shape of food.
Cat Crohn's Disease - What can he eat? My cat has Crohn's disease, which basically means he throws up from almost anything. The only treatment we currently have is giving him daily doses of steroids and antiallergenic food, but this just reduces the frequency of him being sick. Can anyone advise of anything else I can ...	Foods designed for gastro problems, a good example would be to look at the Medi-cal Gastro formulas as they're designed to help reduce inflammation and irritation. In particular, what you want to look at is: High protein/meat content in the food as many foods for cats have fillers and the fillers could be exacerbating ...
How to feed oral medication? My (8 month old) puppy is currently on antibiotics (amoxicillin), specifically 250mg Noroclav twice daily. I've tried: putting it in her food (she just eats around it); crushing it into powder and sprinkling it over her food (she refuses to eat altogether); and popping it in her mout...	The trick is to get the enveloped pills small enough (including the envelope, such as a Pill Pocket) that the whole thing can be swallowed without chewing , since it's the chewing that is most likely to release the unpleasant taste or texture. If you put a bunch of peanut butter around the pill, the dog will often eat ...
What to do when a cat is in "attack mode" My cat is normally the sweetest and is super-friendly, but a few months ago he started occasionally doing this thing where his eyes go wide and he attacks. Even if you stop playing he'll bite or swipe at you, and you can't walk away. He's not vicious, so I think he's trying to ...	Giving him a treat might calm him down, but it also might encourage this behavior in order to get a treat . Anytime they tried to bite or use their claws, we blowed gently onto their noses. My cat Jack is just like this (and I have the scars to show for it), and we even hired a behavioralist to help.
How to give aspirin to a rabbit? I have an 11 year old rabbit that seems to be in discomfort from arthritis and age related issues. He lives with a younger rabbit, and to keep the old rabbit in the area that is appropriate for a geriatric bladder a we use an 8 inch (20 cm) board as a fence. Our vet agreed that he may...	Another alternative for feeding pills is to just put the pill in the rabbits mouth.
What is an acceptable flea treatment for kittens? What is the best way to get rid of fleas on a kitten that is too young to use store bought flea medicine? <Q> As well as James' suggestion for Diatomaceous earth, I'd recommend using a flea comb to get fleas off the kitten. <S> It's a nasty job (I've done it for cats ...	Diatomaceous earth is best for killing insects in carpet and upholstery I think.
What advice can I offer a friend on how to teach their cat not to try and sneak outside? I have a friend who just lost her kitten. The kitten was about 10 months old, and had gotten into the habit of "escaping" out the door whenever possible. Any time someone went towards the door, the cat would try to position himse...	The cat even would go up on their own when the owner tried to go in, as seeing out was all he really wanted. For such risky "behaviours" prevention is very important and whatever training It's easier if you start setting the rule when they are young,
What are safe plants to let my cat chew on? Someone mentioned in an comment about my cat and his love of string that I should give him something else to chew on. They suggested oat grass, but are there other types of things I can let him eat? If possible, I'd like to make a "cat garden" in my window, a sort of salad ...	Otherwise, don't give them anything to eat that isn't food.
Why do fish tanks have closed roofs? Ideally to maximize oxygenation, the fish tank should have a large exposed surface area, but I find that in the commercial ones the roof is closed. Also is it OK if we keep the roof exposed ? I tried it but it smells awful near the surface of the fish tank. <Q> Nearly any cover you ...	There are many good reasons to cover an aquarium - like jumping fish, labyrinth fish that need warm and humid air above water, excessive evaporation and others.
Why is my cat afraid of me when I play guitar? When I play guitar (acoustic and electric), my cat gets really scared. And it's not just guitar, he gets scared when I'm playing violin, mandolin and other instruments too. He kind of shrinks and sulks away like he's afraid of the noise but I'm not sure what's going on. ...	Cats' ears pick up a lot of stuff and maybe the sound of the hollow instrument moving around bothers them.
Is it true that cats show their emotions through their tail? A friend of mine told me that cats show their emotions through their tail. I have cats that are angry 'shake' their tails, but is it true for all their emotions? <Q> Cats do show their emotions through their tails. <S> However, the tail isnt enough to re...	You really have to observe an individual cat over time to link their emotions to their behaviors.
How can I stop my cat from eating plastic? One of my cats will eat anything that is soft plastic. He will eat shopping bags, cellophane wrappers, anything . Fortunately, he hasn't had any issues. I've seen plastic in his poop, so when he eats it, at least it passes. Once I heard him gagging somewhat in the middle ...	However it may possibly be connected to malnutrition and if not doing so already, feeding high quality cat food may help, and wont hurt your cat in any case. Removing any items of plastic that could be of interest is your best bet. After that smearing other ones with obnoxious stuff might help but takes more effort and...
How can I keep my dog in my back yard? My sister has a Siberian Husky, and just moved into a rental home. Her previous home had a fenced backyard (6 foot privacy), but this home does not. How can she easily keep her dog in her yard? They've used an overhead trolley on him before, and he didn't care for it. At the time...	For unsupervised outside stays of an hour or so, a fence will provide reasonable safety.
How do I get one cat to realize the other is trying to play, and not fight? I just moved in to a new place with my girlfriend, and we moved our cats in together. They both like to occasionally play, whether with us or with toys. The bigger, older cat really likes to play with other cats, but when he pounces on or cha...	What you can do is play with the older cat yourself so that he is less likely to have the energy to harass the younger cat.
What can I do to stop my cat urinating indoors? My cat is normally very well behaved - he is used to going outside and always uses his litter box. However he has recently had surgery on his foot and must stay indoors and wear a cone on his head for another 10 days. This is understandably stressing him out and making ...	Cats get stressed about urine around the house, and it's likely that he went when you weren't watching him. There's a few things you can try: 1) Get a larger litter box. The other thing you can do is lots of extra play time (and whatever other things he really likes) Maybe work with the vet on reducing pain.
How should we handle our two new senior cats having different food than what our other cats eat? Today we will be picking up two senior cats (11 and 13 years) that had to be given up by their previous owner. These two cats are being fed a different brand of dry food than what we give our other cats, and the food is a ...	If you feed the cats by putting food in their bowl and letting them pick at it, you will have an easier time feeding them by giving them all food at a certain time and leaving none behind. It would certainly be simpler if you don't have to do differential feeding... and unless there's something specific that you're try...
How To Reduce Dog Snoring We have a 10 months old, very active Boston Terrier. He exercises everyday at least 30 minutes and it's not a problem to get him to sleep at night. The only issue we are having with him is that he snores a LOT and of course he sleeps in our bedroom. I can barely hear him snore (I'm a sound sle...	A recommendation is to get a round dog bed so they sleep in a ball -- which reduces snoring as there is less pressure on their throat in the night.
Should I worry about my cat jumping out the window? I just bought a cat and live on the 14th floor of my building, and I realized that he doesn't have any fear of heights like dogs do. I am really afraid that he might jump from a window. I did some research, but could only find things like "If a cat jumps from the th...	You must insure that your cat cannot accidentally fall or jump from the window, perhaps not realizing how far down the ground is. What we do know is that injuries are common no matter what the fall height. The ASPCA recommends the following steps: To fully protect your pets, you’ll need to install snug and sturdy scree...
Why can't my rabbit lift it's head? Thursday started normally: 6:00 AM each of 5 upstairs bunnies getting personal grooming. 9:00 AM everyone in for nap time. 10:00 AM Lyra (3 years old) is very sick, can not lift her head, call to find which rabbit vet is available. 10:30 AM everyone is at a conference but on...	In light of current information, botulism seems most likely; though given the tissue autolysis in the pathology of the dead rabbit
Why are my fish dying? Since moving house 8 weeks ago iv'e inherited a fish pond containing around 20 fish which is 270cm in length, 130cm wide, and 35cm deep in the middle. It uses a Hozelock Cyprio Ecopower Plus 5000 Filter which has a maximum flow rate of 2250 LPH. I have never owned fish before, so reading the in...	So in this case it sounds like you have bad water with some bug. On feeding the fish too much: I was taught that fish will eat themselves to death.
Is filtered water healthy for dogs? Is filtered water (Brita filters, etc.) healthy for dogs? If so, what are the risks? I know that some owners give their dogs unfiltered water, e.g. from the sink. I was also going to give my dog some filtered water but wasn't sure if it was safe. <Q> The reason I mention this is that...	Depending on where you live, I don't know that I would consider it necessary to filter water for pets, however people have expressed concerns with respect to many municipal water supplies and their chemical treatment.
Why does my dog become unmanageable midway through a long walk? Our puppy (8 months old, Husky/Shepherd mix) is getting to be good enough on the leash that I can take him for a nice run. I live near a park with a 5K loop road, which I used to run regularly. When I first started taking him out around the loop road, he...	Dogs can easily get overexcited and push themselves too hard just to please their owners. You should allow him to sniff around, to take a better look into various details he finds interesting, wait patiently while he examines smells and markings from other dogs and animals etc... You might also train an alternate behav...
Does age matter when adopting a cat (if you already own a cat)? If I already have a cat (or a kitten), and I want to get another to keep it company. Say the cat I have already is a couple years old, is it okay for me to get a new kitten? Or the other way around? it matter what age the new cat is? <Q> A few general obs...	I feel a young cat is more likely to accept another cat than an old cat (but am not sure on this), but the biggest factor is how the personalities an insecurities work with each other.
What kind of bedding should I use for a mouse's home? The problem appears that I can't find any sort of proper bedding for my mouse. I tried using ripped newspaper. It was fine until smells began coming out. I knew she was hiding her excrement down there, so I cleaned it and put dirt instead. She dislikes it extremely...	The trick with any of these options, however, is a regular cleaning of the cage. Avoid softwood shavings, such as pine or cedar as they're known to be very problematic and not just for rats and mice. I realize that you're keen to keep an eye on her, but you should probably consider the natural desire of a mouse to have...
How can I prevent my cat from making a mess when he eats? Every time my cat eats, he gets food all over the floor, making it a really disgusting and unappealing corner in the house. What solutions could I use to avoid this problem? <Q> The solution we use, given that we have a similar problem, is a rubber boot mat. <...	Other cats are more comfortable eating and make less of a mess with flat plates where they can get to all the food. I finally gave in to reality, put down a mat, put another one along the wall like a backsplash, and called it good. Eventually I realised that she prefers to eat on a flatter surface, so now I feed her on...
Human toilet training: Weaning cat off litter for pooping? I've been working for a while to train my cat to use the human toilet, and the process is taking much longer than I'd hoped. There is already a general question on the topic, but I have a specific problem with the process. My cat took fine to going in the...	The challenge is getting the cat to continue to poop in the toilet after the whole thing is removed. Cats can also be disturbed when using the box if something uncomfortable happens while they are using it.
How long can a cat live? I have heard that the average life expectancy of a domestic cat in the United states is 6.1 years. I've also heard that there have been cats that have lived for over thirty years. Is there a way to put an educated guess on how much longer my 13 year old cat will live? She is a small (7 1/2 lb....	A cat that "seems" healthy can always develop some serious condition, it is very hard to say "how much longer will my cat live". 18 years is a not-indecent lifespan for a cat, and a fairly good one for an outdoor-only cat. The more time she spends inside, the longer she'll likely live. It depends on her health, how lon...
My cat buddi gets some kind of black stuff in its eyes, is that a problem? My cats been getting some kind of black stuff around its eyes, is it normal? <Q> Is this black (or dark brown) gunky stuff around his eyes? <S> It may be that your cat has feline herpes (viral rhinotracheitis, or FVR), or a fungal infection. <S>...	It -=may=- be that your cat just has a cold. It could be perfectly normal, or it could be a problem requiring vet care.
How can I stop my turtle from eating my pet goldfish? I had two turtles (male and female) and five goldfish in one 2.5 x 1.5 ft (around 46 x 61 cm) aquarium, which was filled with water up to 1 ft (around 30 cm) height. I fed all of them once a day, everyday in morning with protein Toya food (fishes also like it). But ...	First, the turtles are eating the fish because fish are food, not friends.
Should I worry about my kitten eating litter? I've just bought a female kitten (8.5 weeks old) and although she is litter trained (apart from a couple of accidents), whenever she is using her litter tray she chews on the litter. I presume she swallows some, although I think it is small amounts. I have tried to discoura...	Kittens can also eat litter because of anemia or other vitamin/mineral deficiencies. I'd discuss it with your vet as different things could be going on.
How do I keep my dog's water clean? I use hollow cylinder type container for water for my German shepherd. Every time the container gets dirty with green algae, making my dog not to drink the water. Sometimes even some insects get inside the container. To avoid unhygienic water for my pet, I use the same type of contai...	Bleach should help kill off the algae pretty effectively, but you have to be extra sure that you clean all of the bleach out afterwards.
How do I stop my cat from biting cords? My cat bites my electronic cords and chews on them. The cat has chewed through a couple cords already. What is a safe and effective way to get the cat to stop biting the cords? <Q> I've made sure to have more cardboard boxes around for my youngest cat to shred and bite. <S> Yeah,...	I tended to cover the cords with a barrier or pillow until my latest kittens were big enough to stop gnawing on things. Or if you want more bang you can get the essence (peel oil) of bitter orange and put that on it. You might think you should use thick fabric to protect the cord, but I actually recommend you use thin ...
How much will intestinal surgery affect my cat? My cat ate a balloon a few days ago. Sadly, she didn't manage to digest it, so tomorrow the vet will perform an intestinal surgery to remove it from her intestines. How much will this surgery affect her? I imagine she will have to eat only diet food for the days followin...	If your cat is on pain medications, she will likely start to feel better before she is better, so she must be confined and not allowed to jump until the sutures heal. Your vet will be able to give you specific instructions for your situation, so please make sure you sit down with them and discuss any and all concerns y...
Is it OK to pet cat / let her lick me while she is cleaning herself? (and general cleaning behavior) I have a healthy kitten ~9 weeks old, long-haired, seems to have good cleaning habits (I found her at 8 weeks). She likes to jump up on my lap and clean herself, which is fine. Sometimes when she's cleaning herself she...	Grooming another cat is just a way to show closeness and love, it won't eat into the self grooming time. Other people can't take the rough tongue.
Ensure dog always has a clean backside Doubt there's an answer for this but I really hope so. Basically, I've always thought it strange (but convenient) how when a dog sits on a carpet or furniture or something, he doesn't leave any fecal remnants. However, today my dog sat in the passenger seat, and for whatever re...	The alternative that we use is to check our dog's behind after she eliminates and wipe off anything that "hangs out" afterwards. A fiber supplement (food or pills) may reduce the chance of this happening by helping the stools stay firm and not runny.
Should I use nutritional and or brewer's yeast for fleas and ticks on pets? I've mixed nutritional yeast or brewer's yeast with my cat's dry food for 3 years and he is almost always completely free of fleas etc. When pet sitting my friends' dog, she had ticks and I suggested this to them. In researching it now I see ...	I found no indicators that yeast might be harmful to a cat or dog.
Natural meat foods as a replacement for explicit non-iodine foods? My cat has an over-active, swollen thyroid, causing him to constantly be hungry, and frequent vomiting. So, out of four options - radiation treatment, surgery, daily tablets, or a changed diet - we chose to give him a changed diet, with no iodine which ...	Most mammals need good amounts of iodine and their body tissues (not just the thyroid) will have that... you would need to feed your cat something good which has had the iodine removed from it (not a cheap process and not foolproof either I'm sure some iodine still is present)
Making life easier for an arthritic dog We're currently bringing our 9 year old white schnauzer cross to the vet for treatment for arthritis. It primarily affects his rear left leg at the moment, but we're told it may affect his other joints- we're working on reducing his weight, he's on medication that supposedly lubr...	The best thing I found for my arthritic dog was one of my old pillows.
What's wrong with this kitten's eyes and how do I take care of them? I just found a shivering little stray kitten on the inside of air conditioned building and thought it must be feeling cold so I took out in the sun and then ended up just bringing it home. Its eyes are weird and seem to be covered up with something. ...	Please in future if you find an animal that is clearly suffering, seek veterinary help immediately! This is so sad :( looks like an upper respiratory infection which can be fatal when not treated in kittens. Before you touch any other cat make sure you've washed your hands really well... and probably just avoid other c...
What can I do about my cat shedding too much fur on my clothing? I have a long haired white cat that sheds (much more than my black short-haired cat). Every time you hug him, you end up covered with fur. It seems natural for him though; he doesn't get bald and all and has been seen by the vet. The main issue for me is...	However, you can somewhat reduce the amount that ends up on you , by grooming him frequently.
Can I bathe my cat with shampoo? I have a cat that's almost six months old and she really needs a bath. She's allowed to go outside so she sometimes comes back inside dirty. Are there any problems relating to bathing her that I should know about? Do I need to use a special kind of shampoo when I bath her? <Q> So, in g...	In a pinch, I've heard baby shampoo is gentle enough for sensitive cat skin, but I wouldn't recommend using it regularly.
Did my cat just spit at/on me? I have a kitten about 10-11 wks old. She's very human-friendly, as sweet as can be and very active. This morning as I was sitting at my desk she was doing the usual routine of running around and jumping on random objects. She tried to jump up on an area she's not allowed on and I did the...	I know exactly what spitting is, my cat does it ALL the time when she's super happy and excited.. and from reading your post, I see your kitten who loves you also does it. She jumps and spits, but if I grab her and pick her up, she's all love and brumbles. I read somewhere that that was a sign of marking their turf, bu...
How can I encourage a kitten to poop for a stool sample? I always seem to have this problem. My kitten has her second doctor's appointment coming up (second round of shots), and I still need to get them a stool sample for a checkup, preferably no older than 3 hours. Murphy's law states that when a stool sample is re...	Likely the cat will have a bowel movement a few hours after eating, and this can be encouraged with being well hydrated.
How do I get my dog to stop barking in the morning? Our charming rockaway wolf is about 9 months old and is turning out to be a great alarm clock. He is up at 5:55 am every morning trying to nose us out of bed. If nudging and blanket yanking and elbow nibbling and face licking don't work, he starts barking. It doesn'...	The easiest way to do this is to feed him his meals in his crate. If he does start barking or jumping on you, wait until he's quiet to engage to help him understand he only gets what he wants if he's quiet and calm. All I'm saying is create a routine at night.
Are dog leg braces an acceptable alternative to prohibitively expensive knee surgery? We noticed our 4 year old Lab/Rottweiler mix limping on her right hind leg recently, and we took her to the vet to check her out. Our vet diagnosed the problem as a partially torn cranial cruciate ligament, and recommended a $2,500 su...	I had read from different online forums about people successfully recovering from this type of injury with the help of a knee brace. My experience is anecdotal but we used a dog knee brace for my 10 year old mutt when she tore her ACL
Do pets "get" what we're talking about? I have a cat that seems to get upset every time I joke about giving him away. He won't even get near me and he won't let me carry him. Do they, like, read our body languages or something? <Q> Caveat: this is all based on my experience with cats. <S> They can learn to associate...	They do get sounds, tone of voice, body language. Every cat I've lived with knew when it was being teased or laughed at, and all of them hated it They do not understand words and don't even want to try to understand words.
Why has my cat's pee started to smell very strongly of ammonia? I have a female spayed cat in my flat for the last eight months.She used to be stray, I took her in when she was about six months old. So she's about 1,5 years old. This past month I have noticed that her urine smells very strongly of ammonia - a much, mu...	The strong ammonia smell would suggest an increased load of urea in her urine, increased drinking and peeing could indicate some problem with the kidneys, or metabolism... Take her to the vet. The earlier the treatment, the longer you can prevent any damage from occurring real fast. I think this is something that can b...
Is there anything safe to put on a Naked or Skinny guinea pigs skin I recently picked up a Skinny cavy boar. The person that originally rescued the guinea pig did not know anything about them or how to care for them and turned to me since I raise guinea pigs. He has been with me now for about 3 months and seems to ...	Lastly, a soothing oil like Burt's Bee Nourishing Baby Oil, which has apricot oil, can help.
Do all Siberian Huskies have blue eyes? I want to buy a Siberian Husky, and I'm interested in knowing if they all have blue eyes or if they have different eye colors. <Q> In some individual dogs, one eye may be brown and the other blue (complete heterochromia), or one or both eyes may be "parti-colored," that is, half ...	Siberian Huskies may have any of several different eye colors: pale blue dark blue amber green brown
What size gaps need to be kitten-proofed? My partner is set on getting a kitten. We live in a terraced house, and I've heard horror stories of cats getting trapped in walls, behind large appliances, etc. by finding their way into places they've no business being. Is there any guidance as to what is the minimum "safe" ...	A good way of doing it would be having a room set up where there aren't any places the kitten could get stuck. Their teeny little skulls are about the size of a golfball. Even blocking all gaps wider than two inches MAY still leave an opening for a fuzzy adventurer to get into. EDIT: it's been a few weeks since I answe...
How can I stop my hamster biting the bars of her cage? My hamster absolutely loves to bite the metal bars in her Rotastak enclosure. I know that this is to wear her teeth down but it's so annoying. How can I stop her from doing it? I have already tried giving her gnawing sticks, but she always goes back to the bars. :/...	Hay by itself may not completely stop the bar chewing, but it should provide a new direction that will both wear teeth and improve the diet. But I found out that if you simply collect cardboard toilet tubes, etc. and give them to him, he may stop. If you don't want to spend the money, some people online have claimed to...
How can you tell if a kitten will have long or short hair? This weekend I visited a friend who had a new kitten (about 8 weeks old). The kitten has a fuzzy coat, but most kittens seem to have a fuzzy coat from what I can tell through internet searches. We were trying to guess if the kitten would have a long or short h...	Thick fur for a kitten typically indicates long hair in later life, and thin hair is usually found in short hairs (you need to have a comparison to see the difference, but it rarely fails).
Big hound has eaten corn cobs what can I do to help him pass them? Background:We left 2 half finished corn cobs on our kitchen work surface yesterday - our dog has never been a counter surfer so were pretty sure he couldn't reach them on his hind legs. Much to our dismay yesterday afternoon we returned from work to fi...	The vet said to wait and let it pass but any changes in her behavior like vomiting, lethargy loss of appetite should be a sign to call the vet. There is nothing in a normal corn cob that is going to be toxic to your dog
Is it healthier for a cat to breed before being spayed or neutered? I am debating when to neuter my male cat and I wonder if waiting until after he's mated with my female cat would be best for both of them. I found this study that suggests that because the hormones play such an important role in a cat's development, ...	Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.
How can I keep my dog from crying when he's kenneled in the car? When I take my 2 dogs in the car, they travel in the same kennel in the backseat. My Boston Terrier is fine, but my Peke cries the whole way wherever we're going, but he's quiet on the way back. He's a rescue, so has had many experiences being abandoned ...	Tilt it up and down or left and right while he's in it, or put the crate on some pillows or other uneven surface and reward him for being in the crate. The reduced sensory input helps to calm most dogs (and other animals as well). If you could have someone treat him when he stops that'd be ideal, but make sure that the...
How do I train a dog to drop the ball after fetching? A neighbourhood dog that's gotten friendly comes over to visit us occasionally. He really loves playing fetch, and gets really excited if he sees me playing with a tennis ball. There's only one problem - he refuses to drop the ball, and won't release it even when I ...	The dog will likely drop the ball right away as soon as you throw the ball. It's a matter of persistence I guess, like most things in dog training.
Is there a way of getting rid of ants that's safe for my cats? We had ants last summer. They came in through the kitchen and a wall near the kitchen. We caulked it up so they couldn't get in, and the problem was solved. This summer, we've had ants again. They primarily come in between the areas we caulked last summer ...	There are also products that contain ant bait/poison inside a plastic case, with openings big enough for an ant to get through but not a cat's paw. If your main priority is safety, one of the safest insecticides is a laundry detergent called Borax.
Why does my dog ignore the treats I try to give him when playing? I usually use this little treats to teach my dog when he's behaving properly or when learning some trick and they work really well, he loves them. When I take him outside to play (I usually take him on weekends to throw a frisbee) I want to reward him f...	If the dog is sufficiently rewarded by the activity itself you do not need treats, which will only distract from what you're trying to train.
How can I ensure my cat won't resent me after being alone for an 8-hour work day? I was raised with cats although my parents were always home so my cats adored them and there was always somebody around to pet them. As I go into the world, I'll be single. I mean, I'm young so it's okay, but I still want a cat, or tw...	Littermates will already know each other, but kittens rarely have issues adjusting to new feline company, where older cats can be quite challenging if they're not used to having other cats around. When you give them a lot of attention, they want a lot of attention. So try to bring a pair if you can afford.
Why does my cat bite me when I sneeze? Whilst typing on the computer just now (late night), I sneezed a few times. My cat comes running in from the other room and bites me on the arm. I shouted at him loudly enough to wake the upstairs neighbors who are still walking around above me. Why does he attack me when I sneez...	I feel it is a dominance thing---reacting to the sneeze. He has started trying to sleep on my pillow at night.
How do I switch from free-feeding my cat dry food to meal-feeding her wet food? I've had my cat for several years now, and up until a couple weeks ago, I've been free-feeding her dry food. My vet has just told me that she's a little overweight (the cat, not the vet), and instructed me to stop both the free-feeding and ...	If you jumped straight to the canned food and that's not working out, I suggest backing off: put out some dry (but not as much as they're used to having), and then proceed as above.
When and for how long can my hamster safely play in a hamster ball? I know there is a special ball for hamsters, which they get in start to moving in; it's called a Hamster Ball . I want to buy one for my hamster, but I have two questions: At what age can a hamster start to play in the ball? My hamster is about 4...	There are pros and cons about hamster balls but if you have one that is ok in size and your hamster enjoys running in them then they are fine to use but never let your hamster run in them for more than 7 minutes at a time
How should I respond when my cat wants to wrestle? Sometimes when I am petting my 3-year-old cat she will roll over on her back and stretch out. At this point, if I bring my hand near she will try to grab it with her claws or mouth. I think she is just being playful, but my hand is not the ideal playmate for a ten-po...	Your hand can be an appropriate toy for the cat if the cat is taught that you stop playing if she hurts you. Just say "ow" if she plays too rough and then interrupt the session.
Is the "Million Bubble Air Pump" necessary for the long-term health of sea-monkeys? I got my son a Sea-Monkey set several months ago. It's just a very basic set, which had the eggs, the plastic tank, some food, and a feeding spoon. It's been doing very well, and we've had multiple generations of sea-monkeys, but ...	If you are already aerating your tank enough to meet their needs, then there's no additional benefit to using this method, other than ease of use if that compares more favorably to your current method.
How can I get my cat to stop nursing from its mother? My cat is 9 months old, and she still likes to nurse from her mother. I've been stopping her (also punishing her by removing her from the room we are currently in. Is this a bad way to react?) when I see her do it, but no results come of it. She eats regular catfoo...	I asked my vet about it as I have two kittens who do the same thing, and she confirmed it's a comforting behavior. Your kitten's mother will walk away if annoyed--it's up to her. Please do not punish her, it is cruel.
What can I do for my turtle that fell down three floors? We were moving house so we dismantled the turtles aquarium and went to the new location. However, when we placed the turtle out on the balcony to bask in the sun while we cleaned up the house and set up the aquarium, the turtle found its way out of its comfort z...	As covered in the other answers, your only option is to see a vet in order to have surgery done.
Why do cats lick their front paws thorougly after eating? Be it dry food, moist food, or a piece of chicken I throw to them. They do it for about 30 to 60 seconds. <Q> Cats basically live repeating the usual sequence: hunting (identify the prey, follow, chase, kill bite, dissect, ingest), grooming, sleeping. <S> So i...	Even when they don't have obvious leftover food on their paws or face they clean their face by first licking their paws and then cleaning their face with their paws (and then cleaning their paws again - having wet paws helps to clean the face).
My Cat is missing hair on her neck I've just discovered that my cat has a huge patch of missing hair on her neck. Is this something serious? <Q> Loss of hair is called "alopecia", and in cats it can have many causes. <S> Obsessive grooming (a mental disorder) <S> Allergies <S> Parasites Fungal/bacterial skin in...	Often, this is a sign that fungus may be present on her skin. Once the cause of the hair loss is determined, your vet will give you instructions on how to treat it.
Why are grain-free cat foods filled with vegetables instead of more meat? Every grain-free cat food I've seen is filled with vegetables like sweet potatoes and peas. Why is this? Why don't they just put more meat? Are there 100% meat product cat foods, wet or dry? <Q> Why are vegetables put into commercial cat food? ...	If you feed your cat 100% meat then they will be getting an unbalanced and unhealthy diet. There are several smaller companies that make 90%+ meat canned foods (I suspect the manufacturing is easier than high meat dry foods), I'm just not very familiar with them. When the food costs less to produce, the profit margin c...
Can Rabbits tell time? You may be familiar with the rabbit from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as illustrated by John Tenniel. But my rabbit does not have a pocket watch, yet she often manages to get up on the bed minutes before the alarm goes off. The only clock in the room is a digital alarm, that it is not p...	Rabbits get used to a routine, and they follow that routine.
How can I stop my cat from removing her cone? I just got my cat back from being spayed. She's got the stitches, and she's supposed to wear the cone for a week to stop her from licking them. Problem is, we've gotten the cone on her four times now, and she's managed to pull it off all four times. I really don't want t...	You should check the wound every 8 hours or so while it's covered, and monitor your cat when you first put on the shirt to make sure she doesn't get tangled in it. If you get one of these collars and try the turned down position, I recommend using it while you can observe your cat to make sure that she cannot reach the...
What can I do when the cone of shame is too heavy? Our puppy Dachshund had an Ovarihysterectomy performed on Monday (she was spayed). She has a small (approximately 2 inch) sutured scar on her belly. She was given a cone to wear and we were asked to keep it on for two weeks(!). While the cone (technically) fits, it'...	We picked one up from a used clothing store for maybe $3 and it worked great.
In what temperature ranges are Labrador-type dogs comfortable outside? My wife and I would like to get a dog for our family, specifically, a Labrador-type dog, but we don't want to leave it inside for extended periods. It's not as bad as us both being gone 8AM - 5PM each day, but there are times when it would be severa...	As far as cold if you have a good dog house that they can get out of the wind and rain they can deal with -18 °C (0 °F) or even -29 ° This question cannot be answered well without knowing where you live and the varying temperatures. Perhaps consider crate training or restricting him to a space within the house or getti...
Is it normal for a cat to eat moths? My cat eats moths: is this normal or should it be discouraged? I suspect it is not harmful but is there a formal answer? <Q> Completely normal - not harmful. <S> Flying fast moving things make great toys and often good snacks. <S> One my cats goes crazy over flying insects often bo...	Actually it IS harmful if the cat eats many of them... It is harmful, as moths have toxic powder on their wings.
Will kittens of a feral mom "suddenly become feral" if they are allowed outside? Right now my neighbor has a feral cat and her litter of kittens. They are around 7-8 weeks old and she is planning to give them away. However she insists on keeping them locked in her garage of late because kittens can "suddenly become fer...	There also are house cats that haven't been properly socialized and handled, that will act more feral than cats classified as "feral". Your neighbor is technically wrong, but possibly doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
Is distilled or spring water better for fish tanks? A recent answer suggested that if your home water supply was not used for filling a fish tank, that 'spring water (not purified water)' was preferred over distilled water. What advantages would one offer over the other? What should I consider when choosing bottled w...	Reverse Osmosis with 0 TDS (using a DI filter) is the best choice. Distilled water alone in a very clean container will kill fish quickly.
How can I reduce aggressive fin-nipping from serpae tetras? I have six Serpae tetras, five rainbowfish, and one Cory cat in a 25 gallon community tank. It is heavily planted. The rainbowfish are a new addition. The tetras have been fin nipping and killing other fish. So far they have killed 4 fish, one of which was ev...	Serpae tetras tend to be less aggressive if kept in a larger group, like more than 6-8. There's really no way to prevent a fish from doing what it does unless you separate it.
How to clean (disinfect) my dog everyday after walk? To give you some perspective, my dog and I go for a walk, every morning (~ 45 min) and evening (~ 30 min). We don't have any grounds nearby (only fields (1) ) which means I have to walk him on streets with shrubs and small plans along the sides. There are a number ...	I've used a white vinegar and water solution to wipe my dog's paws and underbelly.
Can unscented baby wipes be used instead of pet wipes to disinfect my dog? NOTE: This is a follow-up of and related to my previous question — How to clean (disinfect) my dog everyday after walk? Baby wipes are used to dry bathe babies, a good way to bathe them without getting wet too often. In a way, it's an easy so...	Unscented baby wipes are used when caring for newborn kittens and puppies to help them use the restroom.
How to get dog to give back a bone when you have nothing better to give? Yesterday I gave a very nice bone (apparently) to my dog, but also it was a very big one and since it's a young dog I didn't want her to eat all of it, or she'd get sick. So I've tried to do as I usually do, I put a treat below her nose and tried...	When the dog listens and stops trying to take the treat give the treat to the dog to eat.
Does the shape of a fish tank make any difference? When I go to the pet store, I see fish tanks that are not only different sizes, but different shapes. For example, there are tanks that hold the same amount of water, but one could be taller than the other, or one has a bowed front, and there are even some octagon-sha...	There are some fish that prefer vertical space, but the vast majority of fish out there are going to prefer a longer tank versus taller. Yes it matters if I use a bowl for example
Can wet food cause gingivitis to cats? I have just adopted a six month old ginger cat. I have never had any pets before.The rescue from which I adopted the cat, made its cats eat a lot of dry food and about a can of wet food per day (half in morning and rest at night). It doesn't drink any water from the water bowl. I ...	Wet food doesn't provide that scraping, so if the cat doesn't have something it likes to chew on (or someone willing to brush its teeth), a cat fed entirely on wet food is likely to have problems with gingivitis.
Husky not eating regularly I have a 1-year-old female Siberian Husky (~50 lbs) who has just recently became finicky about eating her food. We feed her 1.5 cups of food twice a day, which is the recommended amount from what I have read. A couple months ago she just stopped eating when we put her food down, and has to be...	The strict schedule got her to realize food isn't available whenever she wants it, so now she is more apt to eat right when it is put down, but there are still some meals she just has no interest in and others where she only eats a portion of it.
How long can an aquarium remain without any filter and heating? The filter and the heating of my aquarium do not work anymore. After trying to solve the problem I've concluded that the only way to solve the problem is to buy a new filter and a new heating. Can my fishes (Xiphophorus Maculatus) stay alive during about 1...	Some fish are able to survive in a bit cooler water. The tank can remain without filtration for many weeks.
Dog has started to fear its own shadow We own a 10-month-old pug, which up until now didn't show any fear, be it loud noises, other dogs or simply darkness. One brave pup! Today, while out for a walk late at night, he started to jump and even run away. After a while we realized he is actually afraid of his own shadow....	It happens to the most confident of puppies even although I think the more confident they start out the easier time they have working through it. Try to allow it to experience the thing that is scary from a distance that doesn't overwhelm them then move closer. As mentioned above puppies go through several development ...
Are ultrasonic humidifiers harmful for pets? We just bought an ultrasonic humidifier. While researching if I needed to use demineralised water, I came across a website ( this one , in German) saying that ultrasonic humidifiers are harmful/annoying for pets, as it emits a sound humans cannot hear but animals can. I just...	Considering the lack of data on ultrasonic cat repellants, I doubt a google search will give you much information regarding ultrasonic humidifiers.
How to determine a dog's food allergy? I believe my dog has an allergy related to food. She's 1.5 yrs old, and is an Australian Labradoodle (lab, poodle, cocker & english spaniel mix) Backstory: she sometimes vomits bile; she will have episodes of rapid snorting and occasional coughing. This has been going on for at...	You should consult with a vet, but the general way to find allergies is to give the dog only one type of meat for a while.
Dog won't go outside at night to pee I wake up every morning to find that my 9 month old Dachshund has pee'd somewhere in the house, lately just next to the back door just in front of his dog door that he very well knows how to use . When we are out for the day, he goes outside to toilet 9 days out of 10. When we are...	At night before you retire, take him out to his usual spot (if he has one; if he doesn't, take him to the same spot each time, so he'll want to cover the scent again) and give him the command. I want to see her go potty even before putting her to bed. I sometimes have to walk her around the yard for 10-15 minutes befor...
Are shelter pets rejects? I have heard some people imply that pets at shelters are less than perfect. Does the fact that an animal is at a shelter mean there is something wrong with it? Why would an animal be in shelter if there was nothing wrong with it? <Q> Do perfect animals exist ? <S> … <S> Anyway, there are m...	All pets that come into the shelter are evaluated for temperament: Aggressive or dangerous animals will not be offered for adoption.
Why would my dog poop for one owner but not the other? I have a 1-year-old female husky and live in a house with my girlfriend. She works from home and I'm in the office most of the week, so she does most of the dog duties while I am gone (feeding breakfast and dinner, walking, potty, etc.) On the weekends I take over ...	When your girlfriend expects her to poop, she can watch her and say "Go now" (if she doesn't already have a phrase your dog picks up on) when the dogs starts getting in position, every time. It's probably just a matter of a different routine with you.
My cat shakes its legs when trying to sleep, why? My cat is 3 months old, he's been with us for a month but lately I've observed that sometimes when he's trying to sleep or falling asleep he starts shaking like he's got cold, like shivers. I thought he might have got fever or something like that, we took him to the vet...	It's a persistent, on/off shivering seperate from purring, that occurs WHILE he's falling asleep. Physically, hypnic jerks resemble the "jump" experienced by a person when startled, often accompanied by a falling sensation. By observation and experimentation I've learnt that this behavior shows in my cat when he hasn't...
Am I allowed to take existing pets to the shelter to meet potential pets? Am I allowed to take my existing pets to the shelter to meet my potential new pet to check they get on before adopting? Should I ask the shelter first, and if so what do I say? <Q> You should definitely ask before just showing up with a pet in...	If you have concerns about introducing your existing pet(s) to the potential pet(s), you should definitely talk to your rescue group/shelter.
How can I reduce my cat's crankiness at mealtime? We have 4 cats (all desexed): Hunter, male, 10 years, adopted 2005 Ginger, female, 11 years, adopted 2008 Juliet, female, 8 years, adopted 2007 Romeo, male, 2 years, adopted 2014 We recently added Romeo to the household (a few months ago, we had another cat, Kend...	The simplest thing to try is to give Hunter a plate with his share, and place it away from the other, preferably facing away so he can't see the others. The most likely reason is that Hunter is not as comfortable sharing the plate so intimately with Romeo. When one died and I got a new cat, they no longer ate as one, b...
How can I combat food anxiety in an ex-stray cat? I have three adult cats, all found as strays. The first two I found as kittens so they now behave just like regular domestic cats. The third one I found a year later as an adult. I have integrated her with the other two and there are almost no personality clashes, certa...	Since she needs to work at it, this might even mitigate weight gain, but the main idea is to get her used to feeling that she can always "hunt" for some kibble when she needs it. There are a few companies ( Feliway and Comfort Zone ) that make sprays and diffusers with cat facial pheromones that can help make a cat mor...
What could cause my dog to bite/pull her own hair out? The title pretty much says it - my dog, Chewy, has been biting and pulling the hair out on her front arms. Her name was given before this problem started. :) It's not every day, and I cannot find a pattern but about every week or so I'll come home from work to chu...	Another irritant for dogs that can show up as hair being pulled out is fleas. If you can't live without feeding your dog treats, find grain and corn free ones and gradually get them switched over. I'd recommend taking her to the vet immediately because often times this is a sign of a health condition that may need medi...
Canine insulin injection -- what am I doing wrong? My dog was recently diagnosed with diabetes, so I have been giving her twice-daily insulin injections for the past 10 days. I've watched my vet do it, I've watched dozens of YouTube videos, and I've read everything I can find about the proper technique, but somehow, I ...	If you angle the needle too much, you may enter a muscle, go through the skin to the opposite side, or stick your own finger. Try a smaller sized needle and make sure you look at the needles to compare their sizes. One of the first things that comes to mind, is your comfort level. There are differing lines of thought o...
What is the meaning of this proverb? There is a saying that "The dog that barks doesn't bite", what does that mean? <Q> The proverb is based on the idea that a dog that is barking loudly is really just threatening and trying to scare you away rather than actually fight. <S> It's usually used for people to indicate that...	A truly angered or threatened dog would attack without barking, so if it's running at you silently then it may be much more dangerous than someone who is barking threateningly.
Is there a problem with feeding multiple cats from one dish? Some comments and answers in a previous question of mine mention that I shouldn't allow my cats to eat out of a single dish because of disease risks. Honestly, I find it difficult to believe that cats who share water fountains and spend all day grooming, w...	There is absolutely no reason to have any concerns about cats eating out of the same bowl. You also have to keep that bowl full all the time to insure they're both able to eat. , there is no benefit from it, it is just a waste of time.

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