Category: Behavior

You can get rid of cat allergies if you have mild to moderate symptoms by reducing allergens in your home, reducing allergens on your pet, and, if necessary, taking over-the-counter or prescription medication.

Living With Cat Allergies 

First, make an appointment with an allergist to make sure you’re dealing with a cat allergy. Some blame hay fever or a reaction to mold on the cat. The only way to know for sure is to be tested by an allergist.

Once it’s confirmed, there are some steps you can take to minimize the symptoms:

• Bathe your cat once a week. If your cat is upset by bathing in water, try one of the over-the-counter cat-allergen-reducing dry shampoo products that are toweled on the cat and then brushed out.
• Vacuum daily with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
• Install an air cleaner onto your HVAC system.
• Use HEPA filters for your HVAC system.

The goal with the above is to minimize the amount of dander you’ll come in contact with, which will help to reduce your symptoms.

Additionally, you can alleviate the symptoms, such as congestion, itchy eyes, and sneezing, with medication.

Choosing A Cat 

If you don’t yet have a cat, there is another way to minimize the symptoms: get a cat that produces less dander. While no cat is 100% hypoallergenic, some breeds are a smart choice for people with mild to moderate allergies. These include:

• Sphynx
• Cornish Rex
• Oriental
• Devon Rex
• Russian Blue
• Siberian
• Bengal 

Many people with cat allergies still share their homes with cats. As long as your symptoms aren’t severe, you can, too! 

Sometimes an outdoor cat can be trained to be an indoor cat. If you’ve noticed an adorable cat hanging around your yard, you may want to bring it inside and make it your pet. If the cat is feral, this will prove a more difficult task than if the cat is a stray. That being said, there are stories of even the most aloof feral cats becoming loving indoor pets.

Outdoor Cats: The Difference between Stray and Feral 

Did you know that there is a difference between a stray cat and a feral cat?

Feral Cats 

These cats were born outside or were abandoned at a very young age without having had much human contact. Feral cats typically do not trust humans and will not allow you to get close enough to pet or handle them.

Many kind people care for colonies of ferals (also called community cats) by providing food, water, and shelter, and getting the cats TNRd (trapped, neutered, released) to prevent more kittens from being born. You can spot a feral cat that has been TNRd because one of his ears will be tipped. This is done so that other cat caretakers will know the cat has already been fixed.

Feral cats make their life outside, but it is possible to bring them in—if you have a lot of patience. You’ll start by providing food and water. Over time, the cat may allow you to come closer, and may in time allow petting. You can then try moving the food closer to your door and, eventually inside.

The process can be quite slow, and some feral cats will never be won over. There are varying degrees of “feral-ness,” so you may eventually come to the conclusion that the indoor life isn’t for that particular cat.

Stray Cats 

A stray cat is a cat that is either lost or has been abandoned. Many times, these cats will walk right up to people and allow petting and other contact. Stray cats are often in danger outside as they don’t have the same fight in them as do feral cats. These cats have been around humans and probably lived inside, at least part time, at some point. 

Before you fall in love with the cat, it’s important to note that it could be someone else’s pet. Perhaps the pet owner allows the cat to come and go, or maybe the cat got lost. The right thing to do when you find a stray is to look for an owner. Check out more tips about what to do if you find a stray cat in this article. 

Once you’re confident the cat has no owner, you’ll find that bringing stray cats inside is a much easier process than bringing bring feral cats inside. A stray that has already spent time inside will likely take right to the litter box and may become a loving pet right away.

Whether feral or stray, it is possible to turn an outdoor cat into one that appreciates life inside. Thank you for caring enough to try! 

Most locations have noise or nuisance laws that allow a dog owner to be fined for a barking dog. Many such laws also include jail time, so it’s possible that a dog owner could spend time in jail, although this would likely only occur in very extreme cases. The ordinances vary by location, so it’s important to know the laws where you live.

How To Deal With A Barking Dog 

Dogs bark. No reasonable person expects complete silence. Unfortunately, many pet owners have unreasonable neighbors who call the police at the first sign of a bark. While most police officers are understanding in such situations, the more they are called, the more likely you’ll end up having an issue.

If your dog’s barking isn’t excessive, try reasoning with your neighbor. If that does no good, it will be more important than ever to have a full understanding of the local laws regarding the matter. From there, talk to the police and let them know what’s going on. Some pet owners dealing with problem neighbors go so far as installing security cameras to eliminate the chance of the neighbor lying about what’s going on.

If your dog’s barking is excessive, you’ll need to find ways to manage that. This may include:

• Changing The Environment: If you normally leave your pet outdoors, try crating him instead. If he’s normally crated, try leaving him loose in one room.
• Exercise Him More: Make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise. Lack of exercise can lead to stress, and stress can lead to barking.
• Rule Out Separation Anxiety: If your dog barks excessively when left alone, he may be suffering from separation anxiety. Speak to your vet to determine if this is the case and, if so, work together to identify effective treatments.
• Soothing Music: Classical music can have a calming effect on dogs, so leave it playing when you go out. You can also try leaving the television on.
• Back To Training: When you’re home, you should usually be able to stop your dog’s barking with a command. If not, invest in more training with a qualified professional. 

The bottom line is that in most locations, you can be fined for excessive barking. Avoid any issues by taking the time to learn what triggers your pet’s barking and then find a solution. The result will be a happier dog, happier neighbors, and a happier you.  

In order to stop your dog from barking when he is home alone, you’ll need to address the triggers or environment that causes the barking. The solution could be as simple as crating him rather than leaving him outside or playing some soft music to soothe him. Of course, not all barking is bad, and you don’t want to eliminate all of your dog’s vocal contributions, but if the barking is excessive or causing problems with neighbors, you’ll want to find a way to control it.

Solving Excessive Barking 

If your dog were to come up with a solution, it would probably be for you to quit your job and stay home with him all day. Unfortunately, becoming full-time stay-at-home pet parents simply isn’t in the cards for most people. The good news is that there are plenty of other things you can try such as:

• A Change in Environment – Try changing the environment of where your dog is left when you’re gone. For example, if you normally leave him outside (which is never ideal,) try crating him, using a slow introduction to the crate to make it a positive experience. Or if he’s normally crated, try confining him to a single room instead. 
• Wear Him Out – Lots of playtime can go a long way in helping your dog deal with being alone. Before you go to work, make time to take him on a long walk or run. Do the same at night. When your pet doesn’t get enough exercise, it can make him anxious—which can lead to barking.
• Mid-Day Visit –  If possible, arrange for a mid-day dog walker to come by to break up the time your dog will be alone. This is also another way to ensure your pup gets more exercise.
• Reduce Triggers – If you notice that your dog barks at people walking by the windows, keep the curtains closed. If he barks when the mailman comes to the door, keep him confined to the back of the house when you’re away. You can also help to reduce the effects of noise triggers by playing soothing music or leaving the TV on while you’re gone. 

You and your dog (and your neighbors) will be happier if your dog’s barking can be controlled. If nothing you try seems to work, or if the barking is excessive and accompanied by destructive behavior, it may be separation anxiety. If you suspect this, check out this article or talk to your vet or an animal behaviorist, as this condition does not go away on its own, but can usually be resolved with professional help.

It typically takes a Yorkie between one and three months or so to get accustomed to being in a new home. However, many other factors will play into the exact amount of time it’ll take. A young dog or a puppy, for example, can often adapt to a new home faster than an older dog. Even two Yorkies of the same age could have different timeframes for adjusting based on their personality traits.

This means that even though it’ll generally take a couple of months for your new dog to get used to their new home, it could be more or less time. Naturally, you’ll want to do everything that you can to make the transition as easy as possible. Keep the following in mind when you are helping her to adjust.

Be Patient

When you bring home a new dog, it can sometimes feel frustrating when she doesn’t adapt right away. It can help to think of things from her perspective. Everything in her world has turned upside-down recently, and she’s nervous and anxious. It would take you time to get used to a new house or a new job. She just needs to know that she’s safe, loved, and cared for. It’ll take some time, but she’ll come around.

During the first week or so that she’s at your house, you’ll also want to keep the number of visitors to a minimum. Overwhelming her with too many new faces all at once is not a good idea.

Provide a Private Space

It’s a good idea to ensure that she has a private space of her own. If she has some toys that she likes that were sent with her, make sure she gets to keep them. Put them in a space that you reserve just for her, such as a pillow bed in the corner of the room. This can be her spot. Knowing that she has her spot will make her start to feel more comfortable.

Be Ready for Accidents

Since this is a big change, be ready for some potty mistakes. You might not know her signals for going outside, for example. Pay close attention to her and take her out on a leash frequently for bathroom breaks. Eventually, you’ll know the signs when she has to go outside. Don’t get upset when she makes mistakes, or you’ll frighten her and it’ll take even longer for her to feel comfortable.

Create a Routine

One of the best things to do when you are helping your new Yorkie get accustomed to their new home is to create a routine. This includes a time for walks, eating, and going out for the bathroom. Getting her on a schedule as soon as possible will be good for both of you.
It might take some time once you’ve adopted a Yorkie for her to get used to your home. That’s okay, and it’s natural. You just need to continue being patient, and she will soon be just as happy in your home as she’s ever been. 

Coffee grounds are toxic to dogs and can lead to serious symptoms and even death. How badly the caffeine in coffee grounds will affect your pet depends on the size of the dog and how much caffeine was consumed. Do not allow your dog to consume any amount of caffeine, and keep caffeinated beverages and coffee grounds out of his reach.

Caffeine Toxicity 

When you drink too much coffee, you may become jittery or notice your heart is racing. The same thing happens to dogs. Depending on their size, it takes much less caffeine to evoke that sensation for a dog than it might for you. That’s why it’s so dangerous when your pet consumes caffeine.

How Much is Too Much? 

Negative signs will start to show when your pet has consumed 14 mg of caffeine per pound of body weight.

Signs of Caffeine Toxicity 

If you suspect your dog has ingested caffeine, watch for these signs:

• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity
• Vomiting
• Excessive Panting

Following those early signs, the pet may also experience tremors or seizures. 

What to Do If Your Pet Consumes Caffeine 

If you suspect your pet has ingested coffee grounds, go to the vet as soon as possible. If you get him there quickly enough, the vet may be able to stop the progression of the toxicity by inducing vomiting. If that doesn’t work, the vet may push IV fluids in order to help flush the caffeine from your dog’s body.

Coffee grounds, coffee, tea, and even soda are very dangerous to your pet. Do what you can to prevent your dog from ingesting any amount of caffeine. If he does, get to your vet as soon as possible in order to try to avoid the most serious consequences.   

Vinegars and citrus fruits are examples of natural dog repellents that can help to keep dogs out of your yard, garden, and off the furniture. Dogs have very sensitive noses, so a smell that we may find mildly unpleasant can be unbearable to them. Keep in mind that, like humans, different dogs will react differently to certain smells, so there may be some trial and error before you find the natural dog repellent that works best for your situation.

Are Natural Dog Repellents Safe? 

It depends which one you choose and how you use it. For example, sometimes using essential oils is suggested, but they can be dangerous to pets. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to ask your vet before using any type of natural dog repellent. That being said, here is how you can use citrus or vinegar as natural repellents:

Citrus Peels

A great choice for protecting gardens, simply place orange and lemon peels in and around your garden.

Vinegar

Choose a light colored vinegar if you are spraying indoors so your furniture does not get stained. Two good options are white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Create a 50/50 mix of your chosen vinegar and water and put into a spray bottle. Then, simply spray around areas you would like your dog to stay away from. 

A repellent doesn’t have to be homemade to be natural. There are many sprays available that stick to natural ingredients, so add those to your list of things to try. When you’re looking for a natural dog repellent, you’ll have several options, but remember to do your due diligence to ensure you’re not putting down something that could be harmful to dogs, cats, or wildlife. 

You can tell if your cat is stressed if he begins to display changes in mood, destructive behavior, excessive grooming, and any behavior that is outside the norm for your pet. While those signs can also be due to something other than stress, such as a medical condition, it’s important to consider stress as one possible cause.

How Do I Help My Stressed Out Cat? 

There are many reasons a cat may experience stress, and the truth is that it doesn’t always take much. Cats like things to stay the same and are easily stressed with any changes to their household such as:

• A move
• A new pet
• Death of another household pet
• A new baby
• Litter box being moved, not cleaned frequently enough, or use of a new type of litter. 

So how can you help? Scheduling an appointment with the vet is always a good idea in order to rule out a medical condition. If your cat gets a clean bill of health, you can try:

• Providing stimulating toys, such as puzzle feeders.
• Adding perches and window seats to give your cat new views.
• Calming products like collars and diffusers.
• Enlisting the help of a highly rated animal behaviorist. 

One Important Note 

If the event or the trauma that caused the stress is severe, your cat may stop eating. This is a dangerous situation as a cat can become deathly ill after just two or three or days without food. Unlike humans and dogs, a cat’s body cannot handle fasting. If your cat stops eating, go to the vet right away. The sooner you get the cat to the vet, the less likely your cat will be to develop a serious health problem, such as kidney failure or fatty liver disease.

Don’t ignore the signs of anxiety in your cat, as the stress is not likely to go away on its own. Instead, try at-home methods of dealing with the stress or seek the help of a professional. 

The amount of time it takes a Great Dane to get used to a new home can vary, but it’s generally around one to three months at most. Of course, you have to consider that all dogs are different, as well as the age of the dog when he comes to you. Some dogs will adjust quickly in just a few days, while others will take longer. You can make the adjustment process faster and smoother for your new dog, though.

Give Your New Great Dane Her Own Space

You’ll want to make sure that she has a place of her own, like a nice big dog bed to use. This should be in a location where she’ll feel comfortable. In some cases, it might be in the living room near the family. With other dogs, it might be in a separate room where she can spend some time without being bothered.

In addition to providing your new dog space where she can relax, you may want to see if the previous owner or shelter can provide some favorite toys, blankets, bowls, etc. Even though you might want to go out and buy brand new items, having a few familiar items might help her adjust to her new home. Eventually, you’ll be able to replace them, of course.

When she first comes home, you’ll want to keep things normal around the house, too. This means you shouldn’t bring over a bunch of people to look at and play with your new dog. Give her the time she needs to get used to you and your family first, and then you can introduce others.

Start a Routine

Dogs are similar to children in the fact that they thrive on routine. Start a routine with your dog as soon as she arrives. Give her walks and feed her at about the same time each day. If you can follow a similar routine to her previous owner, she might adjust to your home faster. If not, it’s okay. You can put her onto a routine that works for you and your family, and she’ll slowly adjust to it.

Make Your Great Dane Feel Included

Although you want to provide her with some space, you also need to make sure she feels included with the things you do. Spend plenty of time playing with her, petting her, telling her she’s a good girl, and making her feel loved and part of the family. This will often help dogs to feel more comfortable, so they can settle into a new home.

Be Patient with Your New Dog 

Your new Great Dane is a wonderful addition to your family, but it can take time for her to adjust. Keep in mind that younger dogs will often adjust faster than older dogs will. If she’s been with a different family her entire life, it’ll feel strange for her to be in a new home with new people. It’s important that you’re patient and let her settle in at her own pace. Before long, it’ll be like she’s always been a part of your family.