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train · 95.7k rows

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What can I do if my cat is stuck in the washing machine? A bit of a story that happened a few months ago, before I ask my question with more detail: I used to have a 2-month old kitten which me and my mum received from a school friend of mine (her older cat wasn't getting on with the kitten) sometime ago. We used to h...	Using repellents around areas where cat is not welcome may have immediate effect and may also help to teach cat to avoid that area. also we always keep our laundry and dryer machine behind closed doors, inaccessible to the cat when we cannot supervise the area. Once the machine had stopped I would have broken the door ...
Cats are still skittish; have obsessive eating disorder We adopted two little kittens at 5 weeks old. I think the lady we got them from was some sort of cat hoarder or she was capturing ferals from outside and rehoming them. Anyways, the kitties are two brothers. They were sweet but a little skittish when we first go...	For the petting problem, you should not rush things like that, observe your cat's sensitive parts where he doesn't want to be touched, and cuddle where he always wants you to. Play with your cats using some sort of toy, like a stick. As you've mentioned he crawls to you, but he is aggressive. If your vet can't suggest ...
Is it ok to move dog crate from room to room? I am getting a labrador puppy in a few weeks and we are planning on crate training him. We are trying to decide where to place the crate and we think that we want him to be in the living room with us when we are in there, but at night and when we are out we would rather he ...	You should avoid disturbing the dog when crated - that is part of how you establish it as "safe" If you are planning to crate train him for life, I would suggest getting two separate crates.
Do dogs seek revenge on their owners? Let's say a pet owner leave his dog inside for a whole day because of a trip. The owner returns to find that the dog has peed on the furniture. Is the dog seeking revenge? <Q> Dogs do not have a concept of "revenge". <S> Their mental processes revolve primarily around the "pack" id...	If your dog is fully housebroken, it probably held its bladder for as long as it could stand to (and likely experienced a feeling of failure when it couldn't hold it any longer). If a dog chews and destroys something, it is probably because they got bored and hungry.
Why would my royal/ball python strike but not eat? My royal python is currently being a very picky eater. Last night I was able to coax him in to striking an appropriately sized rat, he missed three times. I then left him overnight in a dark cupboard with the rat (brained at this point) to find he hadn't touched it by ...	We also believe that smells inside the viv were playing a part as the python usually ate shortly after cleaning out the viv but hesitated after more than a few days, hence the different container.
Why does my cat paw at the TV when it is off? I am baffled by my cat pawing at the TV when it is off. The TV sits next to the window, but as it happens at night as well as during the day, I don't think it's just interesting reflections from outside. She doesn't paw the TV when it's on either. We've guessed she migh...	If you don't want her pawing at the TV, you'll need to set something in her path that is more fun to distract her. When my cats are bored they'll start falling back on other things that have been interesting in the past; windows, the projector screen, iPads, the bathtub faucet, the printer, that random place they chase...
Does an adult dog need regular walks if it has a large yard to run in? Relatives of mine have had dogs for most of their lives. They have been without a canine companion for a few years now and would like another, but they are in their upper 70s with the beginnings of mobility issues. They have always taken their dog...	Though having a large yard to run around in is great for a dog there are many benefits to walking your dog besides exercise.
How do I teach my kitten to clean feces from itself? I adopted a kitten, when he was only 1.5 months old (he is now almost 4 months), from his breeder so he didn't know a lot things. So I've had to teach him how to use the litter box and even how to eat from a bowl. However the one thing I haven't been able to teach hi...	Kittens usually have more sensitive stomachs than adult cats anyway, and from what I've seen a kitten with stomach problems is much more likely to have sloppy, messy poop than to throw up - and sloppy, messy poop will stick to fur.
Should I take my cat to the vet after a big fall/jump? We recently moved into a new house (approximately 2 weeks ago). The new house has a 2 story family room. The upstairs hallway overlooks the family room, with a dropoff of 10-11 feet. Last night Romeo jumped off of the balcony into the family room. He appeared f...	If the cat jumped on purpose and isn't limping or showing other signs of distress, which cats are pretty good at hiding anyway, I would just keep an eye on him to make sure it doesn't worsen. If he's favoring a paw/leg but still using it when needed, consider a vet visit, but odds are
How long can my 9 month old puppy stay in the crate? We have a roughly 9 month old "puppy." We have a dog walker come in during the middle of the day, making our dog's longest stint in the crate about 4.5 hours. Our dog walker won't be able to come for three days, leaving our dog crated for roughly 7 hours. I don't exp...	I don't want to get into personal situations but it sounds like having a puppy was not a good idea if the majority of its day is spent locked in a crate. Personally, I would suggest make adjustments in your own life to suit the animal for learning and play, this age is when they absorb the most information and pick up ...
New cat for my other cat I just lost my male 16 years old cat. I have a 5 years old female, very sweet but lonely. She is declawed in her front feet. I want to get her a new cat, what age, sex and with the claws do you recommend? They are inside cats. <Q> I'm sorry you lost your male cat. <S> Getting another cat will b...	Another thing to do is to try and spend some time with the cat you're considering adding to the family to make sure that it has a temperament that you feel is compatible with your current cat's. I strongly urge you to put this off as long as you comfortably can, and make the selection process as long as you can.
What is the least painful way to kill a shrimp I have read this question about how to euthanize a fish but I wonder what is the least painful way to kill shrimp? Since invertebrates are different than fish I wonder if there is another way. <Q> I think that freezing the shrimp would be the least painful. <S> Put it...	The quickest and kindest method would be to freeze them as it initially sends them to sleep then kills them
Older dog doesn't like puppy, but middle age dog loves puppy At the beginning of October we got a new 12 week-old beagle, Copper. We brought him home to our other two dogs, Rusty (1.5 year-old bluetick) and Lucky (14 year-old beagle). At first everyone got along just fine, but one day when they were all outside Copper ...	You must also show Lucky that you wouldn't like if Lucky fought with Copper but also you must not cuddle too much to Copper as it will end up making Lucky jealous. A good trick is to keep leashes on both dogs so you can easily pull them apart if you need to. This is how dogs teach each other what they are willing to to...
Older cat not accepting new cats into the household Until July last year we had two female cats, both around nine years old and both brought up together from kittens (neither have had kittens and both were "doctored and chipped" many years ago). In July 2015 we got two "farm" kittens (a boy and girl) and duly seperat...	Also, when bad things happen, show the older cat that you are not happy with her behaviour. So try to talk to a vet about sterilization, and ask for advice about some pills that would help her to become a little bit calmer. She must feel your love.
Bored cats, scratching at the wall I have two male cats, both about 1.5 years old, supposed to be brothers, but I don't know if that is really true =) They live with me in my 50m² flat. Sometimes I go out with them in the backyard, when the weather is nice. They have tons of toys and 4 scratching posts/cat trees, a bi...	If the problem continues after these steps, see other answers for additional techniques for discouraging scratching specific surfaces. Inside cats can be perfectly happy inside (not to mention safer and healthier), especially with all the things you have for them to do. Pet stores have sheets of double-sided tape that ...
My mom's cat doesn't like my cats I have two cats, about 1.5 years old and supposed to be brothers, but don't know if that's true =) My mom also has a cat, she is about 8 years old, a bit crusty and was the only cat in the household since she lives there with my mum. I tried to bring them with me when I visited her, ...	Just as cats don't like to have invaders in their territory, they don't like to leave it, either. She thinks of your mother's house as if it's her house. It's more stressful for them than the convenience for you is worth, and they won't thank you for it. Slaps are OK, sometimes it's a part of a game or warning: don't c...
Cat always tries to press her head against the brush When grooming my girlfriend's cat with a brush, she very often tries to push her face into the brush. The previous brush was rectangular and she would aim with her nose at one corner of it. I had the impression that she tries to clean her nose with it. Now we have a...	If someone asks you if their cat looks thinner than usual or mentions that they're eating less-- get their teeth checked out! I think she is trying to mark the brush with her scent.
Why does my cat bring me her toy? A few times every week, I have noticed that one of my cats would bring me her stuffed mouse-shaped toy with catnip inside it. The living room with all the toys is downstairs, in contrast to where I am working on my computer - upstairs. I always have the door to my room open, so whenev...	Years ago, we had another cat who used to carry around toys while meowing, but they weren't "deliveries" for us. It's usually after he's had a meal or some treats, so we believe it's a gesture of thanks to us for providing. Aww - it's a love offering! It's hard-wired into them that particular shapes and certain movemen...
Oops, I accidentally pushed the "attack my knuckles" button. How do I get away safely? I am seated quietly on one side of the couch. My nine-month-old cat, adopted just a couple months ago, is laying on the other side, and I have reached out a hand and am rubbing his head and neck. This goes on quite nicely for sever...	Make petting sessions a bit shorter; leave the cat wanting more. However, from your description, I'm going to guess he is an adult cat.
What container holds a 26-pound bag of kibble? I would like to transfer the contents of a 26-pound bag of dry dog food from the bag to a more convenient container. Any suggestions for a container to hold that amount, or a method for finding such a container? How does one determine if a container is likely to hold an ...	With that, we can also estimate the previous answer of a 7 gallon bucket should also work (max mass of about 26.25 lbs).
My cats don't like each other and not enjoying their life We adopted two cats, a boy and a girl. Their age is something between 1 to 1.5 years, I'm not sure, the shelter is not sure as well. It's now near a week that they're here at the house. In the beginning the girl, who looks a bit older, was fine and discovered t...	Many pet stores sell pheromone dispensers that you can plug into any outlet, designed to help cats relax and take a chill pill. Buy them toys, talk to them Some cats can do that in a week, but many do need more time.
Is Feline Diabetes painful? My 14 year old indoor/outdoor cat has been diagnosed with diabetes. I travel for my work, so am unable to provide the twice daily insulin injections. But I did change her diet to all protein. Over the past 3 years she has gotten thinner, slower, and weaker, but still visits for caresses. ...	Feline diabetes causes similar issues with your cat. Untreated diabetes can lead to pretty awful complications in humans as well, such as blindness and susceptibility to infection. Please take your cat to the vet and express your concerns.
Is there a relationship between my cat licking the fur off her belly and a diet change? My cat has licked almost all the fur off of her belly and down between her inner back legs, also small patches on her arms. Could she be doing this because I have completely cut fish out of her diet? My other cat is allergic to fish...	Now, your other cat may have an allergy to the new food, and you may have to keep trying foods until you find one that satisfies both cats. Your vet can really help in this area. There may be a connection.
How do I stop previously trained dog from peeing in house Reese is 8 years old. She has no medical issues. She pees in house, sometimes poops when I'm not home. This started about a year ago. I tried to lock her in my bathroom when I left, but after a month, she was still barking and getting frantic in there - chewing ...	if you like you can get large dog litter trays or pads and train her to go on those, she sounds as if she is an oldie and maybe forgetting where she needs to go or she can't get there on time. Setting up a camera, at least for a while, will let you see what he's doing when he misbehaves. It is anxiety of you not being ...
How do I train my dog to stop chewing everything that fits into his mouth? My 10 month old chiweenie eats everything, quite literally everything. He eats shoes socks underwear plastic foam pens/pencils Kleenexes paperclips carpet you name it and he will try to eat it. He brings everything into his kennel. He is an ...	Training could help but the real issue is in addressing the tremendous amount of pent-up energy he has. He should be finding toys that he is supposed to be chewing/eating rather than your garments. Since it is still a puppy (and will be for a while longer) you aren't going to be able to get him to stop altogether. Vict...
How to stop cat from pooping on carpet? We have owned a cat for about 9 years, who has always used his litter box. We recently had a bunny for a short time and when we let it out, the bunny pooped in our living room in some of the corners. The bunny is no longer here but now the cat keeps pooping in the same spot the b...	I'm thinking your cat is pooping on those places because it can still smell that there has been poop there before.
Are abandoned cats or dogs harder to train? I heard some theories that if a cat or dog is abandoned, when it is adopted again, it is harder to train them because they may be unable to trust human anymore, is it real? <Q> I caught a wild cat of obviously unknown history. <S> She had to spend 10 days at the animal shelte...	Get a dog from a responsible shelter that will help match you with a dog. If they are destructive, then it can be a real problem.
What mouse traps are pet safe? We recently discovered that we have another mouse in our apartment. We also have a cat. Now, our cat has caught a mouse before, and has shown interest in doing so again, but we don't want to encourage her to eat a mouse - we don't know if other people in the apartment use poison or no...	Ive even seen a poison trap where the mouse gets poisoned inside the trap
Why does my cat get hooked on everything with his nails? My cat always seems to get his front paws stuck on any fabric when he uses his claws. We have blankets on the sofa (so we can wash them out every now and then) and if he stretches his paws after a nap, 9 out of 10 times one of his claws is hooked in the blanket ...	If clipping is not for your cat, which in my experience is only reserved for really calm cats, then you can try scratch posts or boxes to 'de' sharpen the nails.
Dog keeps eating my cats medicated food I have a new puppy and I am trying to train him not to eat the cat food. The cat has worms, so I take some fancy feast and put some liquid wormer in it. Because the cat is still spooked by the dog, I have noticed he wont eat all of his food in one sitting. My dog is waking up in ...	If the cat does not get all of the medicine you can create worms in the cat that are immune to drug you are using to treat cat.
What are good substrates for parrot cages? I'm looking for a substrate to use in a parrot cage. It needs to be safe (firstly), but then also not to bad looking and easy to clean. <Q> Looking at the opinions of other keepers and internet consultants the safest and most recommended/used substrate for parrot cages is pape...	Normally newspaper is what people would use but you can actually buy sandpaper like sheets from the pet store for use with parrot and small parakeet cages.
Should I put a collar on my indoor cat I have a very strictly indoor cat, that has tried to dart outside a couple of times and sometimes succeeded, only making it to the edge of our patio before we caught him. My absolute worst nightmare is him getting lost. We have him microchipped and stamped. Should we have an ID ta...	Personally I think, the risks of adding a collar to cat who is always indoors and micro chipped are greater then the risk of the cat getting lost and not finding a ride home. If spay/neuter alone does not alter the behavior I would look for other ways to modify the desire.
Figuring out why one of my dogs barks at one of my roommates I live in a household that includes 4 people and 5 dogs. Of this group, one of the people and 3 of the dogs are relatively new: a new roommate moved in and brought a breeding pair of min-pins, and we kept one of the puppies from their litter. The youngest do...	You should notice that after a while, when the roommate comes in the dog will look to you for treats instead of barking. Then you can reduce the frequency and/or train an incompatible behavior.
What are some ways to increase space for cats in a small house? I have a fairly small house (OK, it's really small). Not an apartment, but still very small. I also have a cat, who loves exploring every bit of my small house. He loves the basement. The basement is unfinished, so it has a lot of stuff just laying aroun...	Make sure that if your cat is a bit bigger, that he can safely hop up on the counter Mounted or hanging shelves that go directly into the walls can be a cost-effective option (just make sure you install them securely and correctly so they, and your buddy, don't come tumbling down!).
How to Train my Easily Distracted Cat My cute little fur ball, named Butterscotch, is quite food motivated, and I would like to train him to do cool things like roll over and shake a paw. He has a very sensitive stomach ( as you may already know ) and I can only feed him about 5-6 treats a day, sometimes more if I'm lu...	The idea is - as soon as your cat does the wanted behavior, you click and give the kitty a treat.
Please help me find a food brand in Canada for my 3 yr old Tabby which is not all by-products/fillers/gluten etc My poor kitty started throwing up her dry medium quality, hairball formula (she has extremely long hair - 3 inches). I read online that her body was rejecting 'old familiar' ..in search of the nutrition she ...	She would probably like the Weruva canned foods, which has a consistency that is more similar to tuna. If your cat rejects the healthy food, maybe you could slowly adjust her to it by mixing it into the cheap food that she likes and gradually increasing the ratio. As for brands, Acana and Orijen are good dry.
Should I do anything if I catch my cat sleeping on the floor? I have two cats from one litter. One of them is visibly larger, more approachable and likes to lie down on the floor the second she gets the chance. Although she doesn't do that all the time.When her surroundings become peaceful - that is when nobody is walk...	it is normal for most cats to lay on a hard surface to cool themselves down.
How much time have to pass until a cat can be pregnant again after giving birth? I have a 1 year old cat and she gave birth to four kittens five weeks ago, soshe is still breastfeeding them. My question would be: is it possible that she is pregnant again (she can go out any time)? <Q> Theoretically yes. <S> Cats are pr...	Most cats do not come into heat again until after they have finished nursing their kittens, but in rare cases a queen may enter heat within the first few days of giving birth. In this case, if I were the veterinarian, I would strongly recommend spaying her to prevent (unwanted) offspring.
Whats the best sand to use for my bearded dragon? I have a baby Bearded dragon that I got from some guy. He kept them on a gravel like sand which looks horrible and if the little guy did eat some he would not pass some of it through. I know I'm not suppose to have them on sand especially this small, but mine has had n...	For adults use play sand (if in US - http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE3-2091863enh-z8.jpg ). I would recommend not having a particulate substrate while he's a baby.
toilet issues with my cat I have an 18 month old calico female cat. I have to work during the day so I leave her to roam and don't lock her in any certain rooms. She's an indoor cat who uses a kitty litter, which is cleaned every time she uses it. Over the past month she has pooped once and had a wee once on my throw,...	She still has food anxiety but at least she now goes in the litter tray instead of the bath. Take her to the vet! This can be a sign of some pretty serious diseases, including cancer. It's hard to know exactly what's going on with your cat without observing her directly.
My dog is having a lot of hair fall I have a German Shepherd, one with lots of fur. All of a sudden he is having hair loss. It is not in the normal quantities, slightly more than usual but not a bald patch. Do I have some thing to worry about? <Q> I wish I could give you an answer with more expertise <S> but I'm not a ...	Now, if you want to learn what might be causing this itch look for these signs: If the dog is itching and losing hair all over its body, its something he is eating/drinking; check his food and google if G.S. are allergic or prone to allergies to any of these ingredients. Still, my first suggestion would be to take him ...
Using positive reinforcement to stop labrador from constantly sniffing the ground My 6 month old black lab spends almost all of his time with his nose pressed against the ground, sniffing. This happens when we are out in the park and also when he is in the rooms of the house where he doesn't normally have constant acce...	You can train your dog through positive reinforcement when you don't have treats on you, because there is almost always something nearby that your dog wants to sniff. It'll engage his mind, let him do what he likes to do anyway, but it'll also give it a set of rules and guidelines. Make sure to keep what you're asking ...
My guppy & betta fish ignore cucumber To be honest I was a bit surprised when I heard that fish can eat cucumber. I though it's a joke till I watched it with my own eyes on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pt4ZdEKniQ . From what I saw on the video, a bunch of fish seemed to enjoy eating cucumber. 3 hours ago...	From my experience raw cucumber is often too hard/unattractive for aquarium fishes and snails, especially if they're unused to it.
How to prevent a cat from opening an accordion closet door For my home, I prefer the style of closet door known best to me as accordion-style, consisting of two large, folded vinyl panels that hang from a track along the top, are secured to the closet opening at the ends, hang freely at the bottom, and meet in the midd...	This helps especially with shelves because it doesnt look too bad and cats dont like walking on it. Simply putting a cardboard box, or some similar weight, in front of either the corner of the hinge (depending on tour of door) can be enough to block easy access for the cat without significantly impeding humans. To make...
How can I add fiber into my cat's diet? My cat seems to be having.....digestion issues. He's a 6 month old black domestic short hair. He tends to splatter it everywhere and drag it along his long butt fur all over my apartment. He's a strictly indoor cat, but I worry about his health. We've tried Blue Mountain, Royal ...	Cats who are kept indoors do not have access to the plant matter that outdoor cats would instinctively seek out to supplement their protein heavy diet, so this is an important factor you should consider. Many animals, including our domestic pets, are able to self medicate certain bodily issues by seeking out plants tha...
How to remove green bacteria algae from aquarium? How to remove green bacteria algae from aquarium? Reasons for their bloom might be location of the aquarium close to a window with direct impact of sunlight and/or too high values of PO 4 3- (phosphate) concentration. <Q> Rather than using algaecide potentially causing...	Second step is to do a water change (not all of it, max 50%) and try to remove as much algae manually.
Shearing our Golden Retriever with Sheep Shears I'm a bit embarrassed to say this, but our dog has a persistent ringworm problem. Several times throughout the years, we'd apply Viaderm or something that can be bought from our local vet. Then, when she'd (it's a she) stop itching so much and we'd used up all her Viaderm...	You might be able to buy a manual sheep trimmer, cheaper than a quality set of electric clippers, but it's going to be worth the extra money for the physical effort it will save you.
What is a good food to train a dog on? I am going to adopt a dog in the next week or two and I was trying to research care and training. Ive seen online that people train dogs on cut up hotdogs and I was wondering if this is healthy or if there is other healthy and good foods to train with? People online say it cant be...	It really depends what your dog likes - just as with humans, dogs can be picky, and some foods will upset their stomach, so it's often trial and error to find a good 'reward' food. One of mine really loves apples.
How can I test whether I have a cat allergy without really adopting a cat? I don't know if I have a cat allergy, and I don't want to adopt a real cat to test myself, what else can I to to test cat allergy? <Q> The most conclusive way to discover if you have an allergy or not is to ask your doctor for an allergy test. ...	I had allergy tests done years ago, and in addition to a strong allergy dust, it indicated I have a mild allergy to cats and some kinds of grass. If you have a friend with cats, or shelters, or even if you live in a location with one of those cat cafes, go there and spend some time.
My dog is limping I have a a male Yorkie Poo. He is 6.5 years old. He is in good health, but this morning I woke up and he had a limp. It appears that he is putting less weight on his back right leg. I examined the leg and noticed that there were no cracks or cuts on his paw pads. There was also no noticeable swelling....	Again, a vet can help you diagnose this. A limp can be a sign of a disease or just a slight hint that something else is wrong beneath the surface. Dog's don't show pain the same way as humans do, so it can be hard to figure out when something's not right. It needs to be taken just as seriously as you would your own hea...
Any ideas for an indoor real, climbable, tree or plant for a cat? I live in the UK and we have the full gamut of seasons. From freezing January to sweltering August and as my flat faces South, plenty of sun from May to September. It must be something she can climb. <Q> Do some shopping around! <S> I'm not sure what yo...	While you probably won't be able to grow a tree inside that's big enough for your cat, you could go for a substitute instead.
Desperately need help with incredibly aggressive cat I have a 6 year old tabby cat. I have had him since he was around 10 weeks old. In the past approximately two years he has started to hate strangers coming over. It started about a year ago when my friend's sister was watching him and had a friend over. He sniffed a...	You describe the cat as being angry or experiencing rage, but you also describe him as anxious and scared. I realise that if you're having difficulty picking him up, then trimming his claws yourself might be too much of a challenge, but you could get a groomer to do it. I think it would be beneficial to have a cat beha...
Are commercial cat foods addictive? I have been feeding my cat (3 years old neutered male British shorthair) with dry and occasionally wet (but I prefer mostly dry food according to the vet's advice to keep his teeth healthy) food from one of the most expensive cat food brand since he was 2 months old. I feel that to ...	Cats can be notoriously picky eaters, given the opportunity, and often are less appreciative of variety than we expect them to be. A lot of commercial foods have corn in them. A good transition time for a food change is 7-10 days.
How can I check whether a room contain fleas? I wonder how I can check whether a room contains fleas. It doesn't contain pets anymore, and I don't have access to the pets to check whether they have fleas. E.g., for bed bugs, one way to detect the presence is to set bed bug traps around the bed mattress. <Q> Fleas are ...	If there are no longer pets in your home, I suspect any fleas that are present will soon start snacking on the humans
Is there any ant killer which is safe for my pets? I am trying to find very effective and natural ant killer to kill ants inside my house. they are all over, in my kitchen, in my bedroom, windows, main doors. I was tried some ant killers, but they smells so bad. And I have a dog. I do want my get effect with those ant ...	: I also use diatomaceous earth to kill/deter ants as my wife has a terrible ant phobia.
How do cats learn to use the litter box so quickly? I've only been around to see three kittens acclimate, but I've always been surprised at how quickly all of them start using a litter box, especially compared to the toilet training time for puppies. What makes cats so quick to recognize and choose a litter box to def...	All cats have an instinct to hide their waste from prey and other predators.
Are cats aware of accidental scratches they inflict on their owners? This is something I have wondered before about cats and dogs, but when my cat decided to jump over me to get to the other side of the bed in which she accidentally scratched my stomach on the way down (it broke skin) — it got me wondering: Are pets ...	Therefore, I'm not convinced that a cat would truly understand that it was the cause of injury, or that you were even injured. (just like if you were to scratch someone with your nails, you can't really tell for sure), and so I don't think they'd notice if they did not observe the injury.
How can I have a cat without a litter box? I'd love to have a cat but I hate the smell of cat poop and disgusted by the prospect of cleaning a litter box being my daily routine. I live in a quiet lane and my house has a quiet large garden covered with lawn. I can also make a cat door so that my would-be cat can go ou...	That said, if you're want to adopt a cat from a shelter, you'll be giving it a far better life, even if you let it outdoors, than it would have in the shelter for the rest of its life. As long as you keep it cleaned, there's no smell. When you feel that unconditional love from an animal, cleaning up after it doesn't se...
Can a dog be left alone during work hours? Since I was a kid I've always wanted a dog, and since now I have my own home, I can. Before thinking about anything else I wanted to find out of it is detrimental to either a dogs physical or mental health to be left at home during office hours? The hours no one would be h...	Doggy daycare is also a good option (though do your research), you can also hire someone to walk your dog at lunch time as well. Have a good 1 hour run in the morning before work to tucker him/her out for the better part of the day.
My dog is becoming unusually hyper. Whining, won't hold still, and jumping/nipping at me My dog is just over a year old, so full blown puppy stage... but she is constantly hyper. I don't mean like burst of energy then she lays down. She is always moving. I'll play with her, take her on walks, let her go to the bathroom...	It might be a relief to allow her to exercise with a creature with more stamina. When she bites her toys click and reward. An unexplained change in behaviour is a good reason to see the vet.
I need help with dog training treat for my Siberian Husky I have a siberian husky puppy which is gonna be 3 months old this July 11. I tried training him using his dog food and some JerHigh Beef/Bacon dog treats but he doesn't pay much attention to them even we are in a closed room. I'm thinking it was the treat that's...	Some dogs respond to toys more than food. I've used rare beef liver with great success before.
Minimum fence height for Labrador Retriever? I have a 10 week old purebred female yellow Labrador Retriever. She was bred from a various bird hunting family, and their dogs are slim and in great shape. From what I could find online, they are more of an 'English' style Lab, even though it appears there is no official di...	Having a fence that goes deep under ground or having a cement base with fencing around it would be good choices.
Dog Not Eating Unless Accompanied My 4 years old male Welsh Corgi has had this problem where he very often does not eat unless accompanied. We keep him in the backyard, and as soon as I leave him and close the glass door he ceases eating. When I or someone he recognises comes through the door and stays with him he imme...	When it comes to dogs who are stubborn for food a good way to get them eating is to place the dish down with their meal, give them a good 15-30mins.
How to clean water bottles and nipples? Many small animals can drink from a bowl but their people provide them with bottles that have nipples to drink out of. Like any container that has water sitting in it for a long time, stuff can grow in them. What is a safe an effective way to get both the water bottle and t...	Shake the bottle with the water and salt in it ( put your thumb over the nipple end while shaking ) if very dirty you may need to repeat with fresh solution, rinse well and everything is good.
My sons 12 week old kitten will eat only human food My Mother-in-law started feeding her off of her plate as soon as she was weaned and she just will NOT eat cat food. I have tried many brands of high end dry & wet but no ~ I tried tuna ~ no ~ She just won't eat anything but that nasty old lunchmeat which has no nutrit...	Have no fear; although the kitten may say she won't eat anything but lunchmeat, (if you can keep anyone from feeding the kitten incorrect foods) when she gets hungry enough she will eat other foods, even if she is grumpy about it and claims you are starving her.
What is this scabbing and hair loss on my cat's ear? Hi my cat is about 4 years old now and something that we just recently came to notice is that he has a bit of scabs and peeling/hair loss on one of his ears. We're not sure what it could be, but we're really worried. I believe this is the first time this has happened...	If the cat is licking excessively and losing hair in patches then it is fungal infection. It is better to go to your veterinarian just to take a quick peak at his ears (inside and out) and get proper treatment if needed.
My cat has been eating about half of what he should My 15 year old indoor cat has been losing weight over a 6-month period and the vet is offering suggestions - but so far nothing is working. Here is his history: he used to have 3 fixed meals when his brother was alive. Felt very stressed - but ate. Had to separate t...	This may explain why he eats more when you're away and the cat sitter feeds him - he doesn't have to make a choice between being with you and eating.
Chicken overfeeding therapy for cat? My cat keeps craving chicken and human food generally. I thought I'd just cook for more people but I read feeding human food to cats is not healthy long term. I don't have time to prepare well balanced meals for cats. So I thought maybe I could try out a psychological trick, of ov...	It's very difficult to overfeed a cat to the point of discomfort, the cat will simply stop before they get to that, even for food The only likely outcome, from my experience, is obesity and the health problems stemming from that.
What does it mean if ketones are present but no glucose? I've started doing my own urinalysis on my cats with UA strips. And there have been a few that had ketones show up just slightly or a little more. But glucose was negative. I don't know how to interpret these results given no glucose present. Can somebody tell me...	According to http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/endocrine/c_ct_diabetes_with_ketoacidosis , ketones are an emergency; you should go to your vet immediately.
Tips on essentials before I bring my dog hiking? I am considering bringing my dog hiking and possibly build it up to camping overnight. Is there any essentials you recommend I should bring other than the obvious water bowls, food, leash, harness and blanket to sleep on? Are little booties, life jackets etc necessary pu...	If your dog gets problems with the paws directly related to the ground, get some boots. Let the dog sleep in your tent or get them a doggy tent. If you're going into bear country (and most places are) have a can of pepper spray formulated for bears.
Aqua plants and fish poop Currently I have an aquarium that has a pebble bottom. Smooth and round pebbles both big and small. I am toying with the idea of introducing live plants to my aquarium. I would like to avoid soil substrate. Will it be possible to grow live plants using just the pebbles? One of the reasons for...	I definitely recommend adding real plants to a fishtank, but I don't think it will help with the problem you're trying to solve.
Can I stop my cat from pulling out his fur? I have a cat whose been pulling his fur out since February. In February, he had most of his teeth pulled (three incisors and one molar left), so at first I thought it was because of that, since he's never pulled out his fur before (and actually I still do). He's been pullin...	It turned out that the cat was allergic to fleas and was pulling out the fur because she was so itchy.
Cat is drinking too much water Even though it's a delicate problem in most cats, my cat has always been drinking acceptable amounts of water (usually 3/4 of her bowl per day, which is equivalent of ~300 mL, she is weighing 4.5kg ). Because of the extreme heat wave of this summer, I've decided buy one of those water fo...	Excessive consumption of water in cats can be a sign of kidney failure. If the vet isn't worried then that's the main thing.
Adopted kitten still hasn't adapted well to humans About four months ago we adopted a long-haired female kitten (6-10 months old, the vet couldn't tell because she was slightly sickly and thus smaller than normal) from our local shelter. Despite our best attempts to love and facilitate her, she still doesn't seem to be...	Royal Canin Calm Diet - This diet can also help with anxiety, no drugs/medications added it's all natural products to keep kitties at ease. There are anti-anxiety oral medications you could use but you would end up stressing her more by pilling her all the time.
How do I keep cats from destroying office chairs? I have a couple of office chairs in my home office and one of my cats has done quite a bit of damage to both of them with his claws. He has shredded much of the fabric-covered chair and the leather chair has many puncture marks on the bottom of the seat from where he ha...	If you provide a scratching post it must be visible for a cat to consider it a good marking place. Mine love real wood, because it peels the claws better than textiles and the scratch marks are visible to other cats (even if there aren't any at your home). Inclined cardboards are available which are good for trying it ...
Can Humane Society paperwork be used to prove breed? We got our puppy from the Humane Society. They wrote on the paperwork "shepherd mix". They told us it was a pit / shepherd mix, but that's not on the papers. When I search for pictures of 'pit terriers', our dog looks very similar. We'd like to fly internationall...	I am not positive, but I doubt you can fight the law in those countries with Humane society paperwork, especially when they told you that it was a terrier mix.
Why can I feel my 12 lb cat's spine? I have a 10 yr old, 12 1/2 lb neutered male cat. He's normally an outside cat but has been wanting to spend time with me inside lately. While petting him I notice that I can feel his spine. He's obviously not thin and I can't really feel his ribs. I have other older cats in a simila...	A cautionary checkup with the vet is in order whenever you notice any change, however, as cats do not tend to show distress, and sometimes the first sign something is wrong is weight loss.
My dog has destroyed almost $1200 in earbuds! What can I do? My dog keeps on finding, and obliterating headphones by chewing them up to a non-functional state. I have calculated this to cost me more than $1200 in earbuds. How can I fix this? In other words, where can I find dog-proof earbuds, or make my dog not want ...	Puppies like to chew on things, especially rubber things like earbuds, wires, AC power cords, irrigation hosing, water hose tubing, shoes, etc. Take them somewhere high, on a bookshelf for example, where the dog cannot reach them.
How do I help my older cat maintain weight? We have a two cat household which includes a 16 year old skinny, spayed female and a 6 year old porky, spayed female. The older cat is a grazer, the younger eats everything in sight. The old cat is healthy, but has gradually gone from about 7 1/2 lbs (her average adult weig...	Assuming your (elderly) cat is in relatively good health, you might consider serving the cat food at slightly above room temperature.
Diet and care for bearded dragon My daughter has a bearded dragon and he is weak, has significantly low appetite and sometimes does not eat at all. She feeds him crickets with vitamins. We took him to the vet and he is now on a special diet for a couple of days. What else can we feed him? Could it be that the light i...	You would want to give the animals (as in the food for the bearded dragon) fresh fruits to fatten them up.
What are my options for putting my own dog to sleep? I have a 13 year old Shepard Terrier mix. Over the last four months, her health has been deteriorating. She has pretty significant gum disease that has undoubtedly affected other organs by now. Her back hips are gone to the point that she struggles to move without...	Talk to your vet about what to expect before you decide to hold your pet while being euthanized would be my suggestion.
Housebreaking a 1.5 year Labradoodle I have a 1.5 year female Labradoodle who continues to pee when nobody is home. We work and are not home 9-9.5 hours a day. The dog does not want to hold it and wait until I get home and take her out. She always pees or poops at one part of the kitchen and I started putting puppy pad...	The scent might linger and could encourage her to keep going in the same spot. IMHO, they are only useful for people who accept that their dog needs to eliminate in the house. She doesn’t know what punishment is; and all you might be doing is encouraging her to eliminate when you’re not there! I punish her by raising m...
How to stop a cat from waking me up? I have a cat that likes to start his day off early (e.g. 5am) where he starts batting items around (boxes i leave out for him and toys and sometimes items he shouldnt), running from one room to the other, and trying to scratch my door frames (previous family I adopted him from remov...	This is normal healthy behavior for them, so it would not be good for your cat to be forced into doing otherwise. If you get up and feed them when they are trying to wake you up, their behavior will be reinforced.
How to get my dog to poop during the day rather than the night? I have a 10 week old cavapoo puppy and she seems to just poop during the night. She gently wakes me up at 1 Am, 3 Am and 6 Am for poops. She usually starts at 20:00 and has 1-2 poops before sleep at around 11. She barely poops during the day and however ma...	All puppies started out at night in a crate.
My cat is staring at the wall constantly - why? I have three cats. One, a male black shorthair, is starting to act rather oddly. He's starting to stare at the walls. Normally this wouldn't be a problem. However, it's gotten so bad that we had to move his cat perch away from the router, because we thought he was going...	Its impossible to know for sure, but perhaps there is something in the wall he can hear. My other cat who is 1 year older never shows any interest in any of these things, he will not chase a reflecting light on the wall or ceiling and cares even less for shadows. We know at night that light from outsides comes from car...
Puppy has gotten demonstrably worse at housetraining? My partner and I recently got a border collie puppy (8 weeks when we got her, 11 weeks now) and since we got her she has been having fairly regular accidents inside (as young puppies do). We have been trying to housetrain her. We have been: Taking the puppy out r...	Usually lifting the pup off the ground will get them to stop peeing After an hour or so, take her outside. Don't try it for pooping, they don't seem to be able to stop once they've started. Overall it sounds like you're doing the right thing. You can also say 'no' or 'oops' whatever your negative marker word is, but on...
How many grams of ceramic rings do I need in my filter I'm using ceramic rings as filter media for biological filtration. For a given aquarium size how many grams of the ceramic filter media do I need? The packet doesn't have sizing instructions. I also cannot find any guidelines on line. I know that stocking levels...	Ceramic filter media or other types of filter media have different surface size depending on type and brand.
My dog won't tell me he has to go out at night During the day, my 3 year old boxer/Corso will bug me to let me know he needs out. At night he just goes on the carpet without letting us know. (I'm a light sleeper so I'd wake up if he bugged) How do I get him to tell us he needs to go out after we've gone to bed? <Q> The...	You can use a crate until your dog learns to alert you whenever he needs to use the bathroom. It isn't that hard to teach him to ring a bell when he want to go out. When you hear him, immediately take him our and provide a treat reward.
Licking all her hair from her belly to her back paws My cat is 5 and last year this time she started to lick her fur from her belly (leaving a mohawk) down to her back legs. She is very skittish ,and the slightest loud sound makes her run for cover. She is very loving and quiet. I just don't know what to do. I don't ha...	First thing is to see a veterinarian to rule out medical reasons - in the meantime Then, work with her everyday to build up trust, by acclimating her to your hands.
My dog forgets me (it seems) My wife and I got a rescue puppy a few months ago - he was only 6 weeks when we got him. He was very skiddish to both of us at first, understandably. But now he loves my wife, and seemingly forgets who I am every day. When my wife is home with Nelson, he is okay with me after a few minutes,...	The dog just gets the positive reaction to his behavior from his favorite people reinforcing the behavior as a good one unintentionally. You should never give your dog a treat without a reason and need to always make sure your dog knows why he's being rewarded. If this is the case then if you continue to work with the ...
Why is my adult dog's coat changing color? My 9 year old Yorkshire terrier was born with gray coat. Almost overnight, she is turning brown in her face and spot on her back. She has been spayed since 6 months. Why is this happening? <Q> I have a female German shepherd who came in at three months completely black, she is...	This is an absolutely normal thing and is a common change as a result of aging.
How to get a cat to stop chewing on cords? Title says it all. Is there some way to get a cat to stop chewing on cords. I have a lot of corded things lying around and my cat likes to play with them. He crawls under my computer desk and bats my phone charger cord out of my phone and I even catch him chewing on my snake t...	In general playing regularly with playing rods also reduced her interest on those non-moving cords.
How to exercise a dog when stuck indoors for long periods of time (e.g. during winter)? Winter is coming where I live in the northeastern United States, and this will be my first cold winter with a dog. It will be cold enough that we won't be able to spend long periods of time outside. Also, the amount of snow will mak...	You don't have to go far, instead pick some treats or your and let your dog look for them in the snow. Even if you can only get to 1 per week it will be nice to have a large indoor space where your pup can run around with other dogs and really get some of her physical energy out. Aside from local breed clubs and traine...
Is normal for dog to play biting? I adopted a dog last week, and she was very nervous when she arrived home, but today I was surprised because she wanted to play a lot with me, jumping, running, but also biting (a lot). She wants to bite me, and several stuff that is next to her. I want to know that if is normal to a ...	Biting is very common at that age as they are still learning boundaries.
How to keep a cat out of a crib / bassinet My wife is 7 months pregnant and we've got most of our nursery area (it's in our master bedroom) set up. Now, our 4 year old 18 lbs (8.2 kg) Maine Coon is getting up and sleeping in the baby's bassinet. My wife is worried that he will hurt the baby once he arrives, scratch ...	A better idea would indeed be to simply keep the cat out of the baby's room by closing the door. There are versions available that have a motion sensor on top as well.
Hard to find black kitten, has something changed? I got 3 kittens 16 years ago. I used the "Want Advertiser" which was a paper classifieds magazine for the local area (Massachusetts). There were tons of ads for free kittens, so I picked one and ended up taking all three that the family had, which were 3 all-black male ...	During "kitten season" shelters and rescues are often overwhelmed with kittens. If it's not kitten season, please consider adopting an older cat! Some will have all-black cats.
Two kittens won't get along I have two kittens, a male and a female about the same age. They seem to spend all their time chasing each other around, then when they get close, they hiss and swat a bit then go back to chasing. They don't seem to be hurting each other, but they are both on edge and not cuddly anymore. Eve...	You can also get some toys ( like this one ) that you can use to play with them as a group - this may help them bond a bit. The best way to do this is to have at least one cat tree (or better yet, several) with several levels that cats can lie on or in. Please don't give them garbage like bottle caps or nut shells whic...
dog pees in house when left for under an hour My dog is 4 he came from the pound after he was found in the house and his owner had passed away, he was there for 4 days. When i go out and he is left alone, not usually for more than an hour he pees in the house. What can i do to help stop this behaviour? <Q> As suggest...	Take him outside to potty after he has spent time home alone, even if he had an accident inside. Never punish a dog for going inside because they may learn to fear going potty in front of you.
How can I train my cat not to scratch furniture? How could I train my cat not to scratch everything while I need to go to school and my mother to work? I want educational advices that i could learn her when she is little. Thanks <Q> Your best option is to work with your cat's instincts, rather than against them. <S> ...	Cats have an instinct to scratch so you need to provide suitable objects for them to scratch on that are more attractive than your furniture. But don't do anything mean, it will just be scared of you.
Why kitten always go to litter box but no pee or stools? It has been 2 days since my cat started going to the litter box but leaving no waste inside the box. Every time, he sits inside for a long time and acts like he's defecating or peeing, but as I said, nothing is produced. I'm not sure if he having difficulty with ...	If the cat is still urinating in some cases (as mentioned in the question), they are likely not fully blocked yet, but immediate vet attention is still vital. I would take the cat to the vet immediately.

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