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Pawbly | 8 years ago
I Have Two Dogs, Who Are Use To Living In A Home With A Fenced…

I have two dogs, who are use to living in a home with a fenced in back yard. I just started a new job, which requires me to travel sometimes and I had to move into an apartment. I’m afraid of them not adjusting very well to living in an apartment where I just can’t let them outside to roam the backyard freely. Also, I had roommates who would let them out when I was gone to work.

As far as boarding for when I travel, I have decided to just bite the bullet and travel the 2 hours back home and let them stay at theVet office. They are use to the people there and I’ve let them stay there for a few hours sometimes during check ups. I trust them more than having to search for a new vet nearby the new city.

I’ve been away from them for 2 months now because this promotion and everything happened so fast. I know my roommates have not kept up with the routines that I do when caring for them. So I have that worry as well. My dachshundlab mix was difficult to train on leash and I still have a few problems with her pulling and slipping out of harnesses and collars (advice on that is more than welcomed). I’ve been lucky a few times with her coming back to me, after a few hours of trying.

I am horrified that this could all go wrong. They are my family and I do not want to lose them nor have to rehome them.

10 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    i wish you luck.

    my suggestions are fairly basic: crate train.  start working on leaving them in the crates longer and longer each day.  work on mental stuff (training for new things) prior to leaving, so they’re tired, and leave them with a stuffed Kong.  

    i would also go back to square one with the mix you mentioned, and i would invest in a corrective collar and the training to learn how to use it properly.  (corrective collars, in this case, would be Martingales and pinch collars – no full chokers.)

  2. PK Dennis

    In a dog’s world, it is more important to be with the person they love and trust to care for them than it is to have a back yard to roam.  You need to get your dogs into your apartment with you and establish a daily routine for them.  Up super early and take a long (1 hour) walk so they are ready to nap the day away.

    If you can afford to leave your dogs with a vet for extended periods, you can afford doggie daycare, or a dog walker.  Look for a day care close to where you work, or for a walker that will come to your apartment and take the dogs out in the afternoon.  Your dogs should have 2 things each day they can chew, especially if they are crated all day.  Things like a stuffed and frozen Kong, a treat puzzel/maze toy, or Nylabones.  This helps keep them calm and happy.

    Get back to basics with crate training and on-leash walking.  Try a Martingale collar so that your dog can’t slip out of it.  

    These dogs are not your roommates’ responsibility.  They are your responsibility – and if you no longer want to make the efforts it takes to have them live happily with you, then you should be finding them responsible new homes.

  3. Tracey W.

    I think you misunderstood me. I never said they were my roommates responsibility. I had set routines that I followed like a bible. But I do know that while I was absent, my roommates did not follow the routines, which I have to get the dogs use to doing again. I left them in their care so that I can find a home for the three of us to live and because of the circumstances of the position, get adjusted to my new work environment.

    I never said I didn’t want to make the effort. Thats why I ask for advice on getting them adjusted to apartment living in the first place. If I didn’t want the responsibility, I would have never have rescued them. We are use to living in a house, which they were able to go out when they wanted inbetween walks. They have been with me for 3 years, I have taken very good care of them. They are what keep me going and give me purpose. I took the promotion at my job, so that I could continue taking care of them. And have them with me with no worries on how I’m going to afford to give them what they need.

    With that being said, I tried hiring a dog walker, and let’s just said that did not end well. I am looking into daycare here, but the only place I trust is my vet office back home. They have taken really good care of us from the beginning. If I have to drive the two hours till I find people I trust with my babies, so be it.

  4. Tracey W.

    Thank you, I had crate trained them in the beginning. But they seemed to be more comfortable after our early morning walks, to just curl up together in my bed and stay in my room. I started putting up a baby gate in the door and they seem to be just fine with that. They will still go into the crates, but only when it’s time for bed. I will try that Martingales collar. I’ve just been taking them on walks one at a time because the lab, Sylvia, at first required me to pay careful attention to her. While the other, Shy, loved to take her time on walks. Sylvia got better, but she still every now and then would pull or slip out of her harness or collar when I wouldn’t go the way she wanted to go.

    I think the routine I had back our old home with the walks 3 times a day and potty pads in areas in case of accidents will be our best bet. I think I’m mostly worried about Sylvia barking at every noise she doesn’t recognize and the stress this move will have on them with all the changes.

  5. Anonymous

    If you get back to a normal routine, the dogs will settle in easier. There WILL be an adjustment period, and I think, in your shoes, I’d send every neighbor immediately adjacent to your apartment a note letting them know what’s going on and apologizing in advance. I’d also consider making/giving apology gifts. Even if it’s a token thing, it can make people more amenable to tolerance.

    Because this is a new home for them, you have an opportunity to set the rules upon their first day in the new space. Crates back up and used daily will give them a sense of comfort.

    For the collar/harness slipping, that’s why I mentioned a corrective collar. If it’s fitted correctly, to sit directly behind the ears, it cannot be slipped. We use a pinch collar for my Doberman, and a friend swears by a martingale for her sighthound – both breeds have skinny heads with necks that are very similar in diameter. Trust me on this, they work. 😀 Besides, one should not walk the dog on the collar where the tags live for safety reasons.

    Good luck, Tracey!

  6. PK Dennis

    I know you didn’t say that. However, this delay of 2 months in finding a way to get your dogs into a routine of living with you smacks of expecting someone else to be responsible for their well being. You know a 2 hour drive back and forth is getting old, wasting time you could be spending with your dogs in their new home. As for boarding dogs at a vet – you are exposing them to all sorts of diseases. Yes, I am sure the people at your vet do the best they can, but in all likelihood a vet’s office is not the idea place for dogs to be unless they have medical conditions that need the attention of a vet tech. It is just a different focus and skill set. A good doggie day care is a better environment for your dogs – they would be out of cages and interacting with dogs and humans most of the day at a day care. And if you spent time, energy and effort on an animal behaviorist, and working with your dogs that you now spend on traveling back and forth you would have the 2 most perfectly behaved apartment dwellers in the nation.

  7. Tracey W.

    I didn’t think it would be a good idea to have them in and out of hotels while my bosses figured out whether or not they wanted to give me the position permenantly. I thought keeping them in an environment they were use to and with people, my roommates, they felt safe with was the better idea. I spent the latter part of that time finding a home for the three of us to live. I did travel back and forth home to spend as much time as I could with them. But I did what I thought was right in not having them involved in the chaos that was going on with work at that time.

    That’s why I asked for advice. Theres tips and secrets that other pet owners know and have experienced that are extremely helpful. For example, the Martingale collar, no one, not trainers nor vets have recommended that collar. Most of them have all mentioned Harnesses (which is what I had done in the beginning to get her to stop pulling when she was a puppy.) I was afraid with the new environment and getting back into the routines I did with them, she would start slipping again. Yes I have a new job but that does not mean I could before or can now afford an animal behaviorist. I know we have to get back into the routines. And I know this is going to be work, I just thought I would ask for some advice on how to make the transition from house to apartment easier on them. Because I know the change can and is stressful.

    But nevermind, I know what I have to do now. They have been with me for two days and they seem to be adjusting better than I thought. Thank you for your advice.

  8. Tracey W.

    The gifts are a idea! Yeah I’ve spoken to the neighbors above and across from me apologizing. Though they all looked at me weird at first, they were pretty nice about it. They have been back with me for 2 days now and they seem to be adjusting better than I thought. especially since most of the furniture and things around them are from our house. So they are surrounded by scents they recognize and I think thats helping them. The only issue we are having is that one of my dogs is on high alert with every noise that happens outside. but when I say “Sylvy no barking” She stops immediately. Today while I was at work I set up a webcam in the room they were in, and they mostly slept all day and chewed bones. I was so proud, I bought them new squeaky toys and let them chase me at the dog park.

    Thank you! You have been so nice and helpful.

  9. Tracey W.

    The gifts are a great idea! Yeah I’ve spoken to the neighbors above and across from me apologizing. Though they all looked at me weird at first, they were pretty nice about it. They have been back with me for 2 days now and they seem to be adjusting better than I thought. especially since most of the furniture and things around them are from our house. So they are surrounded by scents they recognize and I think thats helping them. The only issue we are having is that one of my dogs is on high alert with every noise that happens outside. but when I say “Sylvy no barking” She stops immediately. Today while I was at work I set up a webcam in the room they were in, and they mostly slept all day and chewed bones. I was so proud, I bought them new squeaky toys and let them chase me at the dog park. Thank you! You have been so nice and helpful.

  10. Anonymous

    i’m glad ti seems to be working out. i’m sure they’re much happier with you!

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Took In A Newborn Orphan Kitten Going On 6 Days Ago.. Assuming He’s Only…

I took in a newborn orphan kitten going on 6 days ago.. assuming he’s only about 6 days old, 7 tops. He has been doing amazing! His ears were fully opened yesterday, he lost his umbilical cord on day 3, and his colors started coming in today. (He was an off white.. but now his nose and ears have added black coloring to his mix) he has been gaining weight normally. He eats every two hours, three tops. Hes been finishing 5cc since day one.. now he’s finishinh anywhere between 5cc and 10. I burp him after every bottle as well as stimulate him to use the bathroom. (He pees every time and has been pooping between once and twice a day) I even keep him clean and dry in the event of an accident. He sleeps in a box with half heat pad on low and a blanket covering it, as well as a stuffed teddy for snuggling and comfort. Its my first time doing anything even close to this but his mom dropped him off on my porch only hours old and never returned, when it got dark cold and rainy I had to bring him in. Hes eating KRM I bought from the vet. I also bought a bottle and syringe. Not having much luck with the bottle but doing amazing with the syringe. Noticed his belly being kinda hard and that he hadn’t had his usual poop about 4 hours ago. His bottom is red and raw so im trying to be easy but still try and stimulate him every feeding. I know hand raising newborn kittens is a 50/50 shot especially his mom being a stray but he’s doing perfect other than that. Hes purring and eating and peeing and even wondering around a bit.. just a little fussy over the last two feedings. Im also burping him. Is there anything I can do to help his bottom or get him to poop to relieve the belly bulge? I will take him to the vet if needed. Im just seeing what I can do in the mean time. How long is too long for a kitten to be constipated or not poop if everything else seems normal? *I’ve also been adding a little extra water over his last two feedings hoping that may loosen him up. HELP 🙁

11 Responses

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  1. Monica Santos

    try with a warm wet towel rub your kittens anal. softly. mothers lick their kittens to be able to go pee or poop. hope it helps(:

  2. Cherish Yuppa

    That’s been how I get him to pee after every feeding. But he usually has at least one poop by now.. his little bottom is so red and sore and his belly is so bloated. All I can think is he’s constipated bc its like he tries just can’t. :/

  3. Anonymous

    i’d call the vet first thing, to be honest.

  4. Cherish Yuppa

    I called and they said not to be worried that his belly is just adjusting and if he isn’t better in a day or so then to bring him in

  5. Anonymous

    i hope he starts doing alright tomorrow. you’ve certainly got your hands full with such a teeny baby! may he grow up healthy and strong. 🙂

  6. Cherish Yuppa

    Update: called several vets over the last 24 hours… so far I’ve got a lot of contradictions. To limit feedings to not limit feedings. To water down, to not. To use suppository and/or water enema, to not use. To soak bottom, to not soak bottom. To do an early dewormer, to not. To only stimulate bottom every third feeding, to do it every feeding. To use oil, to not. To use tube/Vaseline, to not. Never the less I’m doing what I can and trying a little off everything. Was able to get a poop today just not the consistency I would like or the amount but it’s something. He’s still eating, peeing, and sleeping normally. Just has a hard belly, hard poop, and a raw bottom. Guess I’ll just try and see if anything works or doesn’t and if he gets worse or doesn’t improve in a few days ill take him somewhere hopefully that specializes in this kinda thing or has personal experience bc this crap is confusing. “Do it… don’t… do it..” OMG!! *DAY SIX. -Signed one exhausted mommy!

  7. Anonymous

    sounds like the parent of a newborn anything. you’re doing well! you’re staying on top of things.

    you. can. do. it. 🙂

  8. Cherish Yuppa

    Thank you! He’s a handful for sure. I have no idea how mommy kitty’s do this with more than one lol. He is much more of a handful than my 3 & 1 year old human boys ever were.. even put together lol

  9. Anonymous

    well, it’s not like they have to worry about going to work or cleaning or anything like that. 😉

  10. Kelly Furgason

    Cherish–I have fostered hundreds of kittens. Usually thinnning out the KMR works well. DO not get the stage 2 KMR, stick with the stage one KMR for all feedings,even as the kitten gets older. Warm up a cotton ball and gently hold it to the anus, barely move the soaked cotton ball around . Try for several minutes. Sometimes it takes awhile to get a bowel movement. Usually thinning the food will get a BM…make sure that you are keeping the kitten warm also with a warm water bottle or heat pad (just don’t put the heat pad directly on the kitten) .GOOD LUCK!!!

  11. Cherish Yuppa

    UPDATE: we are on day 8.. problem seems to have resolved. Thank you so much for everyone’s help!

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Haley Lierman | 9 years ago
I’m 27 And Have Had My Dog Since College. He’s A 6-year-old Male Cockapoo Who…

I’m 27 and have had my dog since college. He’s a 6-year-old male Cockapoo who I adore, and who is normally in great health (besides the occasional ear infection). I take him on an hour and half walk daily, feed him a potato and duck based diet, and make every attempt to give him the best care possible (regular vet check-up, shots, etc).

A couple months ago I realized he was frequently squatting to pee, but nothing comes out. He urinates normally when first let out, but then makes a ton of other squats, prolonged squats, where nothing or just a few drops comes out. At times, its almost impossible to walk at all as he will continue to squats over and over again for 30 minutes. He hasn’t had any incontinence or more than normal desire to go outside (except for every now and then, when he’ll go out, pee once, then keep squatting over and over again and want to go out soon after- but that’s not daily). However, I woke up this morning to a couple drops of blood on the carpet, which I can only assume were from his many attempts. Previously, there has been no presence of blood in his urine.

I’ve been to the vet SEVERAL times, and spent the majority of my savings and money trying to figure out what’s wrong (even with vet insurance, I’ve spent almost all I have). He has had a cystoscopy (camera inserted) to check for urethral cancer (none), full abdominal ultrasound, plenty of x-rays and blood tests done. They have ruled out bladder cancer, his blood work is normal, and the x-rays show nothing except a slightly enlarged liver (though since blood work is normal so they think the was born with it). They have ruled out a UTI, bladder stones, and just about everything else you can think of that would seem obvious. The only abnormalities are really the dysuria, mildly protruding abdomen, the appearance of a layer of fluid on the outside of his bladder, and some abnormal bacteria.

Please help. I can’t afford much more and I really love my dog.

General information about Jackson included in the attached images.

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Terri S | 9 years ago
Hi Dr. Magnifico. We Brought Boogie, Our DSH Tuxedo Cat In To See You Nearly…

Hi Dr. Magnifico. We brought Boogie, our DSH tuxedo cat in to see you nearly two weeks ago for what we suspected was a sprained leg. You didn’t think that was the case, but recommended us to crate him for two weeks, which we have been doing.
When we were there, you spoke to my husband and myself about how much food to feed our overweight cats (we have 6 cats, all overweight).
Since seeing you, we switched to Science Diet “Perfect Weight” Adult Dry, Chicken Recipe, from the “9 Lives” that we were feeding them. They love the Science Diet dry food we are feeding them now.
We also tried several of the Science Diet wet foods, with all our cats, and they want nothing to do with any of them.
It looks like we are going to have to stick with “Fancy Feast” for the wet food, but we are going to stop giving them the “Fancy Feast” gravy recipes, which was their favorite.
My question to you is, since the “Fancy Feast” wet foods come in small 3 oz cans, how many 3 oz cans per day, per cat?
Thank you so much!
Terri

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  1. Terri S Post author

    Thank you for your quick reply!
    I do not see Boogie limping anymore, so I think he is good to go, but we are going to keep him in the crate until the two weeks is up, which is Wednesday morn. I know he is looking forward to freedom again, indoor only freedom, that is!
    As far as the food, we will give each cat 2- 3oz cans per day and will do our darndest to cut back on the dry food too. It will be a drastic change for them and I know they will be driving me crazy for a while.
    I was reading somewhere the other day, to cut back slowly if they are fed a lot, that that could cause health problems too, if I cut back drastically.
    We did talk about dentals, but we can only afford one cat at a time, and probably two cats a year. Would like to start with Boogie and I think you said they must see you before I take the next step and talk to someone else about dental. Who is it that I need to call to set up Boogies dental appointment? I will do that asap.

  2. Terri S Post author

    Thank you for your quick reply!
    I do not see Boogie limping anymore, so I think he is good to go, but we are going to keep him in the crate until the two weeks is up, which is Wednesday morn. I know he is looking forward to freedom again, indoor only freedom, that is!
    As far as the food, we will give each cat 2- 3oz cans per day and will do our darndest to cut back on the dry food too. It will be a drastic change for them and I know they will be driving me crazy for a while.
    I was reading somewhere the other day, to cut back slowly if they are fed a lot, that that could cause health problems too, if I cut back drastically.
    We did talk about dentals, but we can only afford one cat at a time, and probably two cats a year. Would like to start with Boogie and I think you said they must see you before I take the next step and talk to someone else about dental. Does that mean I can go ahead and set up an appointment for him now? He did not actually have a full physical from you, I don’t think, or am I mistaken? Who is it that I need to call to set up Boogies dental appointment? Thanks again!

  3. Terri S Post author

    Wish I had gotten a reply to my last questions on this thread. I have no idea if Boogie had what is considered a physical while there and if we can go ahead and make an appointment for his dental.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have Been Agonizing Over This For 2 Days Now. Last Monday I Took My…

I have been agonizing over this for 2 days now. Last Monday I took my 14 year old cat to the vet because he had stopped eating and drinking. X-Ray showed what the vet thinks is abdominal cancer. After talking to my vet decided that surgery/chemo would not be an option for me and she prescribed steroids which may help and gave him fluids. He perked up a tad after fluids and would eat maybe a quarter to half a can of wet food a day. Since Friday though I have not been able to get him to eat anything (he did come out and lick the food yesterday but would not eat) and all he does is lay under the computer chair. He will not sleep in the bed with me which is something he has done his whole life. I plan to call the vet first thing tomorrow morning, but was wondering if anyone had any thoughts.

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  1. Michael Hamilton

    you might try some tuna packed in water to get your cat to eat, I know what your going thru three months ago i had to put my 19 year old down and 2 months later i had to put my other cat down. both of mine had kidney faluer  it,s a hard choice. but try the tuna packed in water, and best of luck.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
Friends, My Beagle, Abby Is On Bed Rest And Will Be For 6-8 Weeks. It’s…

Friends, my beagle, Abby is on bed rest and will be for 6-8 weeks. It’s been a little bit over than a week and I think she is getting fussy/lonely. She would always howl and bark during the day & night. As much as we want to keep her company and be with her 24/7, it’s hard because we all have school, work and other obligations.

When she first started doing this, the family thought there was something wrong and rushed to her side but she just wants to be petted and see people. It’s getting very annoying to having to wake up at 1am because she won’t stop howling or barking, especially when we have to wake up the next day, and sometimes (this is what’s told by my vet) we would ignore her because she has to learn that this might be her life now for a long time and she needs to learn how to self sooth and accept the fact that no one is there to clean her poop or pee right a way…

I understand where my pet is coming from, we cannot communicate with them and they cannot communicate with us. My dog is probably terrified out of her mind as to why she cannot move and has to stay, and truths to be told, I would be bored too if I had to stay in bed for 6-8 weeks. We’ve tried our best to keep her company when we can, but if any owners out there can provide us with some advice as to entertainment wise for pets (maybe a bone she can snack on without gaining so much weight), or some kind of a toy that can keep her entertained, it would be much appreciated.

2 Responses

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  1. dakoda peterson

    Try diapers for one. For two give that dog as much attention you can when your home. Do not give up.

  2. debra yuhasz

    I didn’t read back so I don’t have all the details, but I’ll bet your dog is terrified and looking to you to fix it. Is she in pain? Dogs absolutely do communicate with us. If I told you some of what my dogs do you’d be convinced. All animals communicate with people but you have to “listen”. Her barking and howling and having to soil her crate have her totally stressed and frightened, Her whole life has changed. Your vet should be giving her something for anxiety. Same as with people…stress is a killer. Her howling is a cry for help. How can you ignore that?

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
-history, My Ex Husband And I Got Her At 7 Weeks Old. He Already Had…

-history, my ex husband and I got her at 7 weeks old. He already had a lab (approx 8 months old). We separated and I was able to keep my girl, he kept the boy. She has had 2 litters. The first, 11 puppies all healthy- the second, all passed away. (The litters were in no way planned) Not directly after the second litter but within a year she started getting severe ear infections. She was fixed and treated for yeast infections for the ears- she never full relief. After a couple rounds of antibiotics my vet recommended getting blood work done as well as allergy testing. Turns out she is allergic to 21 different things and is in the early stages of kidney failure.

I am taking complete care if her medical issues and spend a good amount of time with her. We go on morning walks, I come home at lunch and take her out, we go on evening walks, and she sleeps in my bed with me.

She is the sweetest pup I’ve ever known, but she is overly clingy. At first it was cute but now anytime I move, she moves. I walk into a different room, she follows. I go to use the bathroom and she sits at my feet. Literally, if she could, she would crawl inside me. Again, I love my pup, I’m just concerned this is not healthy.

Any advice??

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  1. Brittany Aileen

    Thank you for the feedback. I will look into local trainers to help!

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have 2 Dogs And 3 Cats. One Dog Is An American Bulldog Mix And…

I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. One dog is an American Bulldog mix and the other is a chihuahua rat terrier mix. I’m trying to house train them to behave around the cats, but it’s not going so well with my elderly cat. The 2 young female cats just run upstairs or up the cat tree if they want to avoid the dogs, but my elderly cat can’t really do that, and he just simply moves maybe 5 steps away in the same room, pretty much feeling trapped. When the dogs approach, first he just shuts down, and if the dogs come close, he hisses and bats at the dogs.
Right now there is a cheap baby gate separating his territory (the dining room and kitchen) from the dog room (the living room) but I’d like to make more areas available to him, since he seems to see all other areas as “not his territory.” If taken to any other room, he kicks the person holding him and escapes. (He can’t jump over the baby gate.)
What should I do in this situation? Is there any hope for getting him to be less uneasy around the other animals?

2 Responses

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  1. Annie Yang-Shaffer

    While it’s true that I shouldn’t physically carry him places to see if he likes being in those areas, the point is, if maybe he could see upstairs as a safe place, he would actually have somewhere to run to when he feels threatened by the dogs. I’ve heard that having “cat safe spaces” should help when trying to get cats and dogs used to each other. He definitely does mind a lot when they are in the same room, and I do find him to be afraid. I guess it’s your call though, since I am much newer to cats, so what do I know.

  2. Annie Yang-Shaffer

    Well you see, I’d like to allow the dogs to come and go through the house. Right now, they only are allowed in their crates and in the living room under strict supervision, but always having to do that is very draining. I’d like to have them wander around the house one day just like the humans and cats in my house. But I can’t really do that because the cat-dog relations are an issue… However, if Loki would see upstairs as a safe place to be, maybe he could try hanging out up there. But he doesn’t want to. My question is, how can I make more spaces inviting for him, as an elderly declawed cat? He doesn’t seem to be able to go the cat tree because lack of claws.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Got A Hamster 4 Days Ago And I Handled Him For The First Time…

I got a hamster 4 days ago and I handled him for the first time yesterday, he was fine, didn’t bite was just a bit jumpy but that was to be expected. He woke up a little while ago because something made him jump it is 8:38pm now and he is normally awake by now and running on his wheel. Last night he was a little off, he normally runs on his wheel for hours but last night he curled up in the corner of his cage which he never does.. He is sort of awake now but is still laying in his hut which is unusual because normally he comes out of his hut as soon as he wakes up has some food then goes in his wheel but today he hasn’t, I placed a bit of food outside his hut and he came to sniff it and as he did some of his bedding came out and it had brown on it, not much but it worried me. He then came out and came to the edge of the cage to smell my hand and he had sawdust, bedding and poo stuck to his tail. Also he hasn’t drank any water since I have got him, I use a bottle. I am really worried he might have wet tail, please help:(

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  1. Aricka Graff

    My old hamster had wet tail and I bought medicine for it at petsmart and he healed.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
We Have 2 Male And Neutered Cats, And One Female Spayed Dog. One Of The…

We have 2 male and neutered cats, and one female spayed dog. One of the cats (we aren’t 100% certain which, but are setting up video cameras to determine which) is peeing on the dog beds. It started a year ago and would happen for a couple of weeks, then stop for a few months, start over again, repeat repeat. It happens mostly on the dog’s various beds, but has also happened on plastic shopping bags full of clothes. Comfy, soft things.

We took both cats to the vet when it first started and they didn’t find anything wrong… Just a few tiny crystals that most likely formed because they had to wait 2 days between the samples being taken and being tested, so all three of the vets said they were normal. We are taking them both to the vet again next week to do more testing (or just these guilty one, once we discover which one is doing it).

We have multiple CLEAN litter boxes, both open and closed top. One is even self cleaning after use, and my husband empties the others very frequently and cleans/washes them evey week. They have various bathroom and liter options, so I’m sure that’s not the problem.

We have tried cleaning the dog beds with all the appropriate cat urine cleaning solutions, but the second time we threw them all out and bought new ones. We did that the third time too. Now our poor dog has no beds until we solve the problem.

The dog is not a fan of the cats. She growls at them a lot, and is very protective of her food, “spaces,” toys, and bed. The cats don’t seem to mind at all, and act as though she’s not there, although I know sometimes cats don’t show when they are stressed. We know this is an issue, but she has been this way her while life. We not getting rid of the dog to solve the problem, not an option.

We of course will do all the tests at the vet (and do any surgery, take any medicine, or perform any procedure he needs), but we are worried that the poor cat is doing this due to a behavioral or dominance problem. If this is the case, does anyone have any recommendations about how to change his behavior? We will not be putting him in a shelter, we will not be re-homing him (unless we discover that he needs to be in a single pet home, in which case I will be heart broken but we will find him the perfect family), and no way in hell will we be putting him down. We will keep him even if he pees on my favorite rug or couch or carpet every 2 days. But I would obviously prefer if that weren’t the case… We have a baby coming in 6 months and I am hoping we have the issue mostly dealt with by then (although I realize long term behavior may take longer than that to change completely). Please help if you can. I feel like I am losing my very hormonal mind.

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