We have a 10-month-old canine who likes to swallow soiled socks. So far, these socks have simply handed by his system, however we fear a sock might get caught. Is there something we are able to do to discourage him from swallowing our socks?
David
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If a cat is not utilizing a litter field, it might be in protest of its location inside the home.
Dear David,
There are two methods to deal with this downside: coaching and pet-proofing.
You can educate your canine to “depart it.” Put a deal with on the ground and ask him to take a seat. Then inform him to “depart it.” When he ignores the deal with, use a clicker to mark his habits or say his reward phrase, like “bingo,” and provides him a deal with out of your hand. Then, choose up the deal with off the ground. Repeat this a number of occasions every session and do a number of classes a day. When you see him walking towards soiled socks, inform him to “depart it,” and he ought to walk away. Teaching this command might maintain him from swallowing a tablet, and many others., dropped on the ground, too.
Pet-proofing your home, nonetheless, is the one sure-fire manner to make sure your puppy by no means swallows a sock once more. Put your soiled socks in a garments hamper, ideally in a closet the place you’ll be able to shut the door, so he cannot get to the hamper to tip it over. While you’ll be able to spray the socks with Bitter Apple Deterrent (available at pet shops), conserving them put away is the one actual resolution.
Dear Cathy,
We have two cats, a male and a feminine, about 7 years old. The feminine cat just lately began pooping on the ground exterior the litter field however remains to be urinating within the field. We have a really small home, and the litter field is within the nook of an open space in entrance of my children’ bedrooms, so we added one other litter field, but it surely’s nonetheless in a typically busy space. We haven’t got a whole lot of area in our home. She remains to be pooping exterior the litter field. We learn your column and have tried litter field attractants and pheromones, however nothing has labored. Any recommendations?
Emma
Dear Emma,
Take her to the vet to rule out diseases. Sometimes, litter field issues are the results of well being issues.
With litter field points, it is usually about location. If she is pooping exterior the field, it might be in protest to it being located exterior the children’ rooms. So, add a second litter field to a low-traffic space, like your main bedroom. Keep utilizing the litter field attractant to attract her to the field and the pheromones to create a relaxing atmosphere. Use unscented litter and clear the field twice a day.
Next, introduce extra water into her eating regimen in case she is a bit constipated. If she eats dry meals, add a bit of moist meals. Or get a kitty fountain to encourage her to drink extra.
Let me know in case you see any enchancment.
Send your pet questions, ideas and tales to [email protected]. You can observe her on Twitter at @cathymrosenthal.
