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Reasons your cat won’t use the litter box include a possible medical condition, not wanting to share the box with another cat, stress, or because the box is dirty. If your cat has always been good about using the box and then suddenly stops, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. After ruling out medical issues, try adding additional boxes. Also, always make sure the boxes are kept clean. 

What to Do When Your Cat Stops Using the Litter Box

Cats don’t need to be walked and the litter box makes them pretty independent as far as using the bathroom, which is a real plus for pet owners who are away much of the day. Unfortunately, many cats will experience litter box issues at some point in their life. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior is key in order to stop it.

Medical Issues 

Some medical conditions that contribute to litter box avoidance include urinary tract infections, cystitis, and kidney stones. Make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible so if there is a medical concern, it can be identified and treated.

Dirty/Crowded Litter Box 

You can’t really blame a cat for not wanting to share a litter box with other felines. That’s why it’s a good idea to provide one box per cat plus one additional box. It’s best to have them in separate parts of the house. You should also scoop all litter boxes daily.

Stress

Possible stressors for your cat include not getting enough food, being bothered by other household pets, and lots of loud noise/fighting. As much as possible, reduce the things that may be causing stress to your cat. You can also try using stress-reducing collars and diffusers.

Additional Tips 

Cats are finicky, and sometimes it’s the smallest thing that puts them off of their litter box. Here are a few others things to try and some to avoid:

• In a new second litter box, try a different litter, as some cats may not like a certain scent or texture.
• If the box has a lid, remove it.
• Don’t stand by the box with a treat as cats don’t like to be bothered when going to the bathroom.
• Don’t yell at your cat and toss him in the litter box as this will create a negative association.
• Clean up messes thoroughly using a product with enzymes to neutralize pet odors. 

Litter box issues often have a resolution, but it may take some trial and error to figure out what works for your pet. If none of your tricks fix the issue, seek an animal behaviorist for personalized advice or check out this article about fixing litter box problems. 

It’ll typically take a dachshund between one and three months to get used to a new home. Of course, there are always special cases and various factors you’ll need to consider. For example, you’ll find that puppies tend to adapt to their new home far more quickly, often in a matter of weeks. With older dogs, it often takes longer. After all, they’ve spent more time with their previous owners. However, most dogs will feel at home in a new location within a couple of months.

Naturally, you’ll want to do everything you can to make your new dachshund feel at home when they arrive. By following some simple tips, it can help to make their transition to your home easier. Let’s look at some of those tips to see how they could help you with your new dog.

Start Slowly

She’s going to be stressed when you bring her into a new home with new people. It’s natural, and that means that she might be a little skittish in the beginning. Take things slow and expect that there could be some setbacks here and there. Don’t pressure her, and don’t overwhelm her with too many new people all at once.

Personal Space

Make sure you new dog has some personal space where she can spend time on her own if she wants. This could be something as simple as her own pillow in the living room or the bedroom.

Be Prepared for Accidents and Other Issues

No matter how well you’re taking care of her, there’s always the chance that she might have a few accidents when she’s getting used to her new home. Be patient, and don’t worry. It can be cleaned, and it will pass. You might also find that she’s not eating as much in the beginning. This is typically because she’s just getting used to the new space, and her appetite should be back soon enough. If it isn’t, you can schedule an appointment with the vet. In some cases, she might try to escape the house. Be careful when opening doors, and always make sure she has her collar with her new address.

Start a Routine

One of the best things you can do is get her set up on a new routine on the first day that she arrives. Have a schedule for walking, heading out to the bathroom, and food. By setting up a schedule, it will help her get used to her new life with you and your family more easily.

Research

It’s also a good idea to be thorough in your rehome_research when you’re adopting a dog, whether it’s through a platform like Rehome or through a shelter. You want to know as much about the dachshund as possible before adopting. For example, if she doesn’t get along well with children, you wouldn’t want to adopt her if you have kids in the house. The more you know about her, the easier it will be to determine whether she’s the right fit for your home or not.

Natural sedatives for dogs, like Rescue Remedy, are usually made from herb and flower extracts such a chamomile and lavender. Pheromones and calming products are also natural ways to soothe an anxious dog. These natural options are good things to try if you do not want to jump right to prescription medication, but always talk to your vet before giving your dog any treatment.

What to Know Before You Try Natural Sedatives 

While there is not much risk to using calming shirts and collars, the same may not be true for herbal supplements and other homeopathic sedatives. Before giving those to your dog:

• Check with your vet to make sure the product is safe. This is especially important if the dog has a medical condition.
• Read independent reviews to see what others are saying about the products.
• Have your pet’s blood tested to ensure his liver is functioning properly. If not, the supplements could harm your pet. 

What if Natural Sedatives Don’t Work? 

If natural remedies don’t work to relieve your dog’s anxiety, there are other options including:

• Talking to your vet about prescription medication.
• Considering behavioral modification with an animal behaviorist.
• Sending your pup to doggy daycare.
• Ensuring your pet gets more exercise.

No one solution for anxiety will work for every dog, but there is something that will work for most. Your dog deserves to get help—and you deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing your pet is safe and happy while you’re away. 

Dogs can carry tetanus, but there is no available tetanus shot for dogs. If you are bitten by a dog and do not have a current tetanus shot, you should get one. While the disease is rare in dogs, it’s still smart to get a shot following a bite just in case the dog is carrying the disease. For dogs with tetanus, the prognosis is mixed and depends on the severity of the condition.

What is Tetanus? 

Tetanus is caused by a toxin called clostridium tetani. The disease can be found in dogs, but it more commonly affects humans and horses. Tetanus affects the nerves, brain, and spinal cord, and can be fatal.

There are two kinds of tetanus: 

• Localized Tetanus: This is the more common, and easier to treat, type of tetanus. Dogs may have muscle stiffness closest to the wound. Tremors are also possible. In some cases, localized tetanus will become generalized tetanus.
• Generalized Tetanus: Dogs with generalized tetanus will experience stiff muscles throughout the body. In severe cases pets’ limbs become so still that they cannot stand. Additionally, facial muscles may be affected and dogs may become unable to swallow. 

Treating Tetanus in Dogs 

Antitoxins, antibiotics, and intensive nursing care are among the treatment protocols for tetanus in dogs. Even with early intervention, the prognosis is mixed with survival rates of 50% to 90%. Dogs with localized tetanus have a better chance for recovery as do pets who begin receiving treatment early.

Though rare, dogs can carry tetanus, and they can pass it to humans. If bitten, be sure your treatment includes a tetanus shot just to be on the safe side. 

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! 

It will typically take a Pomeranian about one to three months to get used to a new home and fully adjust. Of course, the time it takes for a dog to get accustomed will vary from one dog to the next. After all, they all have their own personalities and quirks. Generally, puppies and younger dogs will adjust faster. Older dogs will have a more difficult time because they’ve spent so much of their life with someone else and in a different home.

Fortunately, you can do some things that will make the process easier on yourself and your new Pomeranian.

Give Him Time to Adjust 

The first thing that you need to do is think about what your new dog is going through when they come into a new home. It’s a foreign environment with new smells, new people, and what they might even perceive as dangers. You need to give them time to adjust and get used to you and your family. This means that you shouldn’t have a lot of people coming to visit to look at your new dog the first week or so that they’re in your home. They need time to feel comfortable.

Create a Routine

A good way to help your new dog start to feel more comfortable is to create a routine from day one. This means they should be fed and walked on a schedule. Having a routine is good for a dog, and it can help them to adjust more quickly.

Be Prepared for Escape Attempts

Keep in mind that your new Pomeranian might not feel entirely at home for a while. If they see an open and unguarded door, they might bolt for it. They might try to escape your yard, too. Make sure that you’re careful whenever you’re going in and out of the house. Make sure that he has a collar with a name and address, and that you get him chipped as soon as possible.

Make Him Part of the Family

Your Pomeranian needs to feel like he’s part of the family. Make sure that you’re providing plenty of playtime and cuddles. Let him know that he’s safe and loved, and he’ll start to come around before you know it.

If You Adopted from Someone You Know

Something you should keep in mind if you adopted your Pomeranian from someone that you know is that this person shouldn’t come around anytime soon. Even if they’re a friend or a family member, it’s better if you go and meet them somewhere instead. If the previous owner comes over to the house, your dog might think that they’re going to go home with their previous owner. This leads to confusion, and it can make the process of adjusting to the new home take much longer.

Ultimately, what you need is patience when you’re bringing a new dog into your home. Give them some time to get used to being a part of the family and before you know it, you’ll feel like they were always there.