Month: January 2024

Why Is My Cat Scratching Furniture?

Cats scratch furniture because it’s often at a height that allows them to stretch and because they find the rough fabric ideal. Scratching is a necessity for cats, so you can’t stop the behavior altogether. What you can do is try to redirect their scratching to appropriate objects, such as scratching posts. In the meantime, try adding corner guards and other barriers to protect your furniture.

Tips For Redirecting Your Cat’s Scratching 

While cats may not be as easy to train as dogs, it is possible to get a cat to scratch where you want. Here are some tips:

Scratching Posts 

You’ve probably seen those kitty condos covered in carpet. While those are a spot from which your cat can survey her kingdom or take a nap, the material is not ideal for scratching. Instead, choose scratching posts with a rough material, such as burlap or sisal. At least one of the posts should be three feet tall to allow your cat to fully stretch while scratching.

Where you place the scratching posts is just as important as the types of scratching posts you choose. Place a post near where your cat is already scratching (close to your furniture for example) and another near where he sleeps. If there are spots your cat frequents, you can place them there as well.

Introducing the Scratching Posts 

Show your cat the posts and make scratching noises on them. If you have a kitten, gently take his paws and make scratching motions with them. For older cats, sprinkle catnip to spark interest. Also, put some of your pets favorite toys near the post and spend time playing with them nearby.

Protect Your Furniture with Nail Caps 

Nail caps are in inexpensive vinyl product that is placed over cats’ claws which prevents damage from scratching. Some brave cat owners apply the caps themselves, but it’s much easier to have the vet do it. Once applied, they will last about four to six weeks.

It might take a while for your cat to use to the new scratching posts, especially if he’s gotten use to scratching your furniture. Every time you see him scratching your furniture, simply redirect him to the post. When you see him using the post, praise him. Over time, he’ll lose interest in the furniture. 

How Do I Know If My Dog Swallowed Something?

Signs that your dog swallowed something include vomiting after eating, bloated stomach, and refusing food. Some blockages are an emergency, but you should always visit your vet if you suspect your dog has swallowed a foreign object and they are displaying symptoms or acting abnormally. A bloated stomach in particular needs immediate attention, but any blockage caused by swallowing a foreign object could be life threatening.

Waiting For The Object To Pass Could Be Deadly 

It’s true that in some cases the object will pass safely, but you’re taking a big chance by waiting instead of visiting your vet. Sharp objects can pierce the bowel, toxic items can cause poison to spread, and string can become tangled around the intestine.

Another potential side effect is that a blockage can restrict blood flow and cause bowel tissue to die. This condition, called peritonitis, is often fatal.

Instead of taking chances, let a vet assess the situation and advise on the best course of action. The vet may be able to remove the object with an endoscope. In some cases, surgery may be required to safely remove the item.

Prevention Is The Best Medicine

Some dogs are cautious about what they eat while others just wolf down anything and everything: gravel, socks, pennies, etc…

It’s impossible to watch your dog 24/7, but you can help to prevent issues by keeping the areas he frequents free from objects he may swallow. Do a quick check of the yard every morning, and make sure trash, clothing, and other items in the home aren’t easily accessible.

When it comes to dog toys, choose tough toys that aren’t easily torn into many pieces. Also, supervise play time and once a toy it damaged, throw it away.

If you suspect your dog has swallowed something, get to the vet as soon as possible. The sooner treatment is given after your dog swallows a foreign object, the better his chances for a full recovery. 

Does Animal Control Pick Up Cats?

In most locations, animal control will pick up stray cats. Whether or not they accept owner surrenders varies by location. If you’re considering giving up your pet to animal control, it should be with the understanding that they may be put down. If you’re calling about stray or feral cats, that fact should be a consideration as well.

Pet Cats 

If you need to rehome a pet cat, animal control should be a last resort. While most facilities do their best for the animals in their care, many still euthanize healthy animals because they simply do not have the space to care for them. If you can’t keep your cat, he deserves a chance at a happy life with another family.

Instead of surrendering him to animal control, consider finding him a new home yourself. The Rehome website can help you do this. You’ll find lots of expert advice and tools that simplify the process of finding your cat a loving new home.    

Stray Cats 

A stray cat is one that lived with humans at one point, but is now either lost or abandoned. You can tell if a cat is a stray because he will allow you to approach him, may meow or purr, and might beg for food. Depending on where you live, it is required that stray cats are reported to animal control. Even if it is not a requirement, it may still be a good idea to let them know, as many pet owners who lost their cat turn to animal control first.

If you are willing, let animal control know that you are able to care for the cat should no owner come forward. That way, you can ensure the cat winds up in a safe situation.

Feral Cats

Feral cats are cats that were born outside and are not socialized. This means they will usually not make good house pets. Some people find feral cats to be a nuisance and call animal control about them. If they are picked up, they are almost always put down immediately as they are not considered adoptable.  

As a humane alternative, consider these options instead:

  • Get in touch with a local TNR group (trap, neuter, release) to see about having the cats fixed. This prevents the population from growing while allowing them to live out their lives.
  • Research humane methods of deterring cats from coming on to your property. Ask the TNR group about this too, as they will likely have lots of advice. 

While animal control may pick up cats depending on your situation and location, it may not be the safest solution for the animals. Whether you need help rehoming a pet or assistance with feral cats, help is out there in a way that is safe for the cats.  

Does Ammonia Keep Dogs Away?

Ammonia is an effective way to keep dogs away, but it should be avoided as it can also be harmful to pets. Dogs’ sensitive noses are irritated by ammonia, which is why it’s an effective repellent—but it’s not just irritating. If consumed, it can cause damage to the throat and stomach.

Safer Alternatives For A Dog Repellent 

Would you like to keep your dog away from your garden, stop him from going to the bathroom near your car, or keep him off the new sofa? Avoid potentially harmful ammonia in favor of safer alternatives including:

  • Vinegar: A simple spray made from a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water is often effective in keeping dogs from digging or frequenting certain areas of the yard.
  • Citrus Peels: Citrus peels are another effective deterrent for use outdoors. For the best results, pulse the peels in a food processor or slice them in order to release the oils. 

What If Nothing Seems to Work?

Some dogs are more persistent than others when it comes to getting what they want. If none of the repellents you try are doing the trick, you may have to install a gated fence around your garden or install a dog run in the section of the yard you want him to play in. Also, your dog may respond to additional training to teach him to respond to commands like, “No!” and “Leave it!”

Whether your dog is a puppy just starting to figure things out or you’re dealing with an old dog who doesn’t want to give up his old tricks, with some patience and trial and error, you’ll find an effective way to keep your dog away from forbidden areas. 

How Do I Get My Cats To Like Each Other?

In order to get your cats to like each other, start with a proper introduction. This includes four steps outlined below. After that, or if the cats have already been introduced, there are some tips you can try to help them get along. It might take some time, but if you’re patient and persistent, your cats can most likely learn to be friends.

Four Steps To A Proper Introduction

Isolation

Place the new cat in a room with everything they need including a litter box, food, water, and toys. Feed your other cat on the other side of the door. Over a few days, move the food bowls closer to each side of the door until they are right up against it.

Sight/Scent

This step involves sub-steps. You shouldn’t move on to the next step until the cats seem okay with the current step.

  • Swap out the blankets between cats, so they will get used to each other’s scents.
  • Prop the door open just enough for the cats to see each other.
  • Put one cat in a carrier and place it in a room with the other cat.
  • Confine the old cat in the isolation room and let the new cat explore the house.

Initial Meeting

Allow your cat to enter the isolation room with the new cat. Be there to observe, and be prepared to intervene in case a catfight breaks out. Offer treats and have lots of toys on hand. If either cat becomes aggressive, it’s time to stop for the day. Don’t worry, you can try again tomorrow! After about ten minutes, wrap up this first meeting.

Increase Time Together

If things are going well, slowly increase the amount of time the cats spend together by adding 5 or so minutes each time. If at any point the cats fight, separate them and then give it a day or two before trying another meeting. 

After The Introductions Have Been Made

Whether you just introduced a new cat or you’re trying to get two cats you’ve had for a while to get along, here are some tips that might help:

  • Cats Like Their Own Spaces And Their Own Stuff: Try having two of everything including food and water bowls, litter boxes (one per cat plus one additional box), beds, etc… If they have their own, they won’t have to fight over them. Also, don’t force them to be in the same space. Let them come and go and be sure that each has a favorite comfy spot where they can steal away for a catnap.
  • Ease Congestion: Are there spaces in your home where your cats tend to bump into each other and get into a tiff? If so, add kitty walkways or tubes along the walls to avoid that situation.
  • Lots Of Playtime: Spend time playing with your cats to burn off energy and relieve stress. Playtime should be separate until they are getting along and then you can play with both cats together.
    Some cats take months—or even longer—to warm up to each other, so be patient. Even if they’ll never be best friends, most cats will at least learn to tolerate each other. 

Can I Drop My Dog Off At An Animal Shelter?

Depending on the rules of your local shelter, you can sometimes drop your dog off at an animal shelter, but they may need advanced notice or to follow specific shelter procedures to do so. Some do allow walk-in surrenders, but some do not. Instead, they require pet owners to work with an intake specialist. Once that process is complete, the owner can bring the pet to the shelter, pay the fee, and sign over the dog.

What Happens When a Dog is Surrendered?  

Organizations such as the SPCAs, Humane Societies, and other limited intake organizations only have so much room. That’s why, in many cases, you’ll have to wait weeks or even months before they can take your dog. Once they do, what happens to the pet is completely up to them.
An alternative to surrendering your dog to a shelter is to rehome the dog yourself.

Rehoming Your Dog Yourself

This may take a bit of time and a little work, but it is well worth it knowing that the outcome will be a safe, happy home for your pet. Of course, the best option is to find a way to keep the dog in your home. Sometimes, that’s not possible and it’s not the owner’s fault—and it’s certainly not the dog’s fault.

Fortunately, resources exist that can help you find the right home for your pet so you can avoid surrendering them to a shelter. One example of such a resource is a site called Rehome. Simply create a profile for your pet (you can even add a video to get him noticed!) and wait for applicants. The site provides tips about what to look for in an application, how to screen potential adopters, and more.

If you’re asking “can I drop my dog off at an animal shelter,” consider the rehoming option instead. As the responsible pet owner you are, you’ll be glad to be in control of where your beloved pet goes and rest easy knowing he’s in a loving home. 

What is the Fastest Way to Rehome a Rottweiler?

The fastest way to rehome a rottweiler is to talk with people that you already know about adopting. When you have a friend or a family member who is looking to adopt a dog, there’s a chance they might want to adopt yours. This is especially true if they already know and get along well with your dog.

Rehoming with People You Know

Of course, even if you’re rehoming with someone you know, you’ll still want to be sure they’re the right person. Take some time to think about your rottweiler and her personality.

She’s going to need to be walked and given plenty of exercise. Will the person adopting be capable of providing that for her? Does she get along well with cats and small dogs or not? If she doesn’t you wouldn’t want your friends with a house full of cats to adopt her. Does the person who wants to adopt her have the financial means to care for her properly. Always consider whether she’s going to the right home.

One of the benefits of rehoming with someone you already know is speed and ease. You can often move her into the new home in a day or less, and you can bring all of her toys, bedding, and other items.

Keep in mind that it’ll take her some time to get accustomed to her new home. She’s going to miss you because you’re all she’s known. Let the adopters know that it might take her some time to come around and become accustomed to living in her new home. In some cases, it might take just a few weeks. Other times, it could take several months. Each dog is different.

During this transition phase, you won’t want to visit their house, and you won’t want them to bring the dog to your house. Not because you won’t miss her, but because you don’t want her to become confused. Let her get fully situated in the new house and with the new family first, and even then, you’ll want to keep your visits short for a while.

When you rehome with someone you know, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that she’ll be safe and loved.

Other Methods of Rehoming

Many people won’t know someone personally who wants to adopt a dog. In those cases, you can find online pet adoption sites. You can use sites like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com, which will make the process much easier. This is a peer-to-peer pet adoption service that allows you to easily connect with people looking to adopt by publishing your pet’s info directly onto Adopt-a-Pet.com.

You’ll create a profile for your rottweiler, which details all of the important information about her, both the good and bad. You can upload videos and photos, too. Then, adopters will peruse the site and if they’re interested, fill out an adoption application.
You can review applications and choose who will adopt your dog. This ensures that she gets to go to the best home for her, and it provides you with some closure and peace of mind. 

Do Dogs Grow Out Of Digging?

Sometimes dogs grow out of digging, but this is not usually the case. Some dogs will stop digging as they get older, but others will not. Some breeds, such as terriers, were bred to dig. In those dogs, the behavior is more likely to continue. While some dogs will not naturally grow out of digging, there are steps you can take to curb the behavior.

Tips to Stop a Dog from Digging 

So your dog is getting older and the digging continues. If he’s just digging random holes, that’s annoying. If he’s digging around the fence line to try and escape, that’s dangerous. Either way, you want the behavior to stop. Here are some things to try:

Try a Natural Repellent

If there’s a specific spot that has captured your dog’s interest, make the area less appealing by applying a natural, herbal yard repellent like No Dig!

Give Them More Playtime and Toys 

Some dogs dig out of boredom. Giving them lots of interactive toys, taking them on more walks, and spending more time playing with them can help to relieve their boredom and stop the digging.

Don’t Leave Them Outside Alone for Extended Periods 

There are many reasons your dog should not be left alone outside for long periods, so let your dog inside. That may be all it takes to stop him from digging.

Remove Potential Prey

If you notice your dog always digs in the same spots, he may be hunting for burrowing animals or insects. If you see signs of animals, call a company that will safely and humanely remove them from your yard. 

Add Physical Barriers 

If the digging is around your fence line, add barriers by burying the fence one to two feet, burying chicken wire along the fence line, or partially burying rocks along the border of the fence. 

If none of the above methods are doing the trick, consider enlisting help from an animal trainer who can work with you and your pet to come up with a plan that will work for you. 

How Do I Give Up My Shih Tzu?

If you need to give up your Shih Tzu, you’ll find several options that could work for you. Although it’s likely the last thing that you want to do, sometimes, you might feel that you have no other choice but to give up your dog. It’s a sad time, but you need to be sure that you’re doing the best thing for him. Let’s look at some of the options that you have for giving up your Shih Tzu.

Shelters or Rescues Are an Option

For many people, one of the first things they consider when they have to give up their dog is the shelter. It’s often the first thought because it’s one of the more common options. However, this doesn’t mean it’s the only option or the best option for that matter.

Shelters do their best to take care of the dogs in their facility. Those who work at the shelter truly care for the animals. However, they’re often hampered by having a limited amount of space and funding. This means that it’s not always possible for them to keep the dogs long enough to be adopted. When this happens, the dogs may be euthanized.

Another option is giving your dog up to a rescue. These facilities will keep your dog until someone adopts him. Of course, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be adopted. Additionally, rescues are often full because they’re no-kill facilities. It can be hard to get your dog into a rescue.

Letting Someone You Know Adopt

Another option to think about, and one that can work quite well, is allowing someone you know to adopt your Shih Tzu. You might already know someone who is looking for a dog, such as a friend or a family member. Since you know them well, you can ascertain whether they’re a good choice for your dog or not. If they already know your dog, they might want to adopt him.

Of course, if you allow a friend or family member to adopt your dog, you need to be careful about visiting. You don’t want to visit right away. You have to give him time to adapt to his environment and new owner, so he realizes that it’s his new home. If you visit too soon or too often, it can confuse him.

Using Online Pet Adoption Sites

There’s also the option of free pet adoption sites on the Internet. Make sure you’re using an actual adoption site like Rehome rather than a site like Craigslist. This ensures that people don’t just stumble across your dog and try to adopt on a whim. You want someone who is actively looking for a dog to adopt. Additionally, you need to be sure that a rehoming fee is charged. This helps to eliminate the wrong people from getting their hands on your dog.

Rehome is a good option. This platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com makes it easy for you to set up a profile, along with images and videos, for your dog. It puts him in front of potential adopters who can fill out applications. You will have full control over who gets to adopt your dog, and it’s entirely free for owners to use.

Do Cats Learn If You Punish Them?

Punishing cats will often lead to more behavior issues and may make your cat fearful of you. It is not recommended. When your cat displays behaviors you don’t like, your first thought shouldn’t be punishing him. Instead, try to determine why your cat is engaging in the inappropriate behavior and take steps to correct it. For example, if the cat is scratching your furniture, provide several scratching posts throughout the house. Also, yelling or hitting are never acceptable punishments for cats and will never yield the desired results.

Tips for Changing Your Cats Behavior

Often, changing undesired behavior in your cat is as easy as changing the environment. Here are a few examples: 

  • Scratching Furniture: Cats have to scratch. If they are scratching your furniture or walls, yelling at them to stop will be completely ineffective as it’s a thing they need to do. Instead of looking for ways to punish the cat, simply provide them with scratching posts. Place a post in all areas of the home where the cat spends time. When you observe him scratching furniture, redirect him to a nearby scratching post.
  • Urinating Outside the Litter Box: Many cats will not go in a dirty litter box, and many cats don’t like to share. Some issues with urinating outside the box are as easy to solve as adding more litter boxes—as a general rule, you should have one litter box per cat plus one additional box—and keeping them clean by scooping at least once a day. Note: If a cat that has always gone in the box is suddenly urinating in inappropriate places, it could be due to a medical condition. Schedule a visit to your vet to rule out a urinary tract infection and other issues.
  • Rough Play/Biting: When your cat plays rough or bites, you may be tempted to swat him on the nose or otherwise show him who is boss. This can lead to a fearful cat or a cat who feels like he needs to fight harder to protect himself. Instead, realize that your cat is very likely just playing. When he gets too rough, immediately stop playing and walk away. Also, provide toys that are appropriate for pouncing and “hunting,” so your cat will have a way to participate in these normal cat behaviors.

Yelling, hitting, and other physical punishments are not likely to make the undesired behaviors stop and will result in a fearful cat that doesn’t trust you. If you’re at the end of your rope, contact an animal behaviorist for advice tailored to your situation.