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I have 5 cats and 2 dogs. All of our pets area rescues. We just took in our second rescue dog. She is 7 mths old and is terrorizing the cats. I need some advice on how to have a happier home with all the pets. The cats are indoor/outdoor but spend most of their time outside. 3 of the cats tolerate the new dog the other 2 won’t come near her. I did the proper introductions, I’ve given the cats a “safe space” but nothing seems to help the last 2 cats. The biggest problem is that the new dog likes to chase the cats. She is a small dog, smaller than the cats. She doesn’t nip at them or try to bite them, she’s just curious and wants to play with them. All of my cats love my other dog who is 11 years old. They were raised with him, sleep with him and play with him. I’m sure the chasing and the spontaneity of the new dog freaks out the cats because they are nor used to that. I am at my wits end trying to figure this out. Countless hours of research has not helped at all. I am not giving up not am I giving any of my pets away, as has been suggested. I know this can work out, I just need help. Or just possible reassurance that my cats won’t be permanently scarred and things will work out as time passes. My anxiety level is at an all time high and everyone tells me just leave them alone and let them work it out. I don’t think I can do that. HELP!!
Is the dutch white clover plant (Trifolium repens) a bad ground coverage to have in a backyard with a medium sized dog. I’ve found mixed reviews saying it’s toxic to it’s a good pet friendly lawn alternative for dogs
Hello,
This is a question for someone who focuses on plants. I would try to call a local plant or lawn person or even your local co-op extension. You could even try one of the agricultural universities. I’m sorry but this question might be beyond the scope of the experts here?
The cat i recently adopted has started meowing in the middle of the night and wandering around my room. I always check that he has both food and water as well as accessibility to his litter box. I also make sure to leave my door open so that he has freedom to come and go. Ive had him for 3 weeks and he has just started doing this. Anyone have any ideas? I read that it might be because he is bored through out the day but.. ive bought him every type of toy imaginable and he has free roam of the house.. so im not sure what more i can do to tire him out for bedtime. The meow isnt normal is a low bellowy noise. Reminds me of the meow my previous cat did when our other cat died..
He may still be going through an adjustment period… this might be part of it. Our cat meows very loudly (like a call) right after we all get settled into bed for the night for only a few minutes. Then she gets settled herself. You could try redirecting your cat when this behavior starts. Maybe call to him and see if he will come and settle back down? Another thing to try- you mentioned that you had lots of cat toys- perhaps a good play session with your cat right before bed time will help to get him tired enough to sleep longer into the night. Hope these suggestions are helpful?
Dr.Magnifico, we adopted him in hopes he would get along with and be a companion to our cat Mia… but they dont seem to like each other too much. He refuses to leave the room if he knows shes in the hallway
Hello,
Cats are nocturnal creatures. Maybe he is bored or lonely? Maybe a companion for him to play with while you sleep will help.?
They seem to be doing okay right now, both laying on my bed relatively close to one another. Which never happens, at least not without growling.
My maltese mix has had 2 or 3 warts since Ive had her (5 or 6years). But recently I’ve noticed that a few more are popping up all at once. Does this mean anything or is this just something that happens with age or something
Hello,
Some of these skin masses are benign cosmetic lesions and require only monitoring. But others can be more dangerous to your pet. Th best advice is to consult with your veterinarian and if you or they are concerned about any of them have them removed and submitted for a biopsy. That’s the best and in some cases only way to truly diagnose them.
My 13 yr. old cocker has sebaceous gland tumors. We have opted not to operate. One tumor has a very foul odor. Any way to lessen that? Do we just keep her on antibiotics?
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about your pup. Why have you declined surgery? I wouldfear that the foul odor is due to infection? In these cases I always suggest removing them as there is no other way to manage the infection. In the long run that mighteven be cheaper than antibiotics indefinitely. At my clinic we can often manage these for a few hundred dollars.
My new cat (have had for 3 weeks) and resident cat refuse to tolerate each other. I brought Louie home with the knowledge that they might never like each other but they would at least learn to tolerate. The first week seemed to go pretty well because when we let Louie roam and get a feel for the house Mia avoided him… but now… things seem to be getting aggressive. It doesnt matter where Louie goes or what hes doing (even just sleeping) Mia wants to attack him. Granted, as soon as he sees her he starts growling… but he only started doing that after she batted at him the first time. The episodes seem to be getting more and more aggressive. I would keep him in my room but its clear he wants to roam. And i find it unfair to lock her in a room after 6 years of letting her roam around the whole house. Before we got mia 6 years ago we had an older male cat, they got along well but he passed about 2 years ago. And according to the shelter Louie was surrendered with a sister but she was adopted without him. I need help on this one
Thank you Sarah, the baby gate didnt work… i had one up and then a door screen up but no wwy to secure the screen so he found a way to get out of his own space. For the most part, he does confine himself to his own space still but now its more so the residemt cat that is ckming to him. I have thoe litter trays and food/ water areas still seperate so theres really no reason for him to HAVE to leave his room or for her to come in to his room but they still do. I just dont want this to be a stressful situation for either of them. Mia has never been a fan of any large cat toys (trees or posts) both of my cats are declawed (adopted that way) so they dont tend to “scratch” other than the occasional carpet scratching after a stretch. Shes afraid of the tree we have for her and hes too heavy for it, he knocked it over. (Hes 22 lbs) Any other ideas are welcome
3 weeks in is still a fairly new situation. This will take more time than that. Having said that, keeping them together but separate may help. For instance, a baby gate or two could possibly help you confine them and keep them separated when not supervised, but still allow them to see each other and continue getting used to each other. It also gives them their own space which may help with the adjustment period. Just make sure each has access to their own litter tray and food and water. A few kitty “distractions” might also be helpful- for instance a cat tree and some scratch posts. If they have an outlet for some pent up energy, they may not use it on each other. Don’t give up? There are lots of people on this website that have lots of helpful ideas to share. Hopefully they will add more. Best of luck!!
My 10 year old cat is randomly pooping on rug. Any suggestions on how to make her stop?
Hello,
This is never an easy answer. Here’s what I tell my clients.
1. Start with a good thorough examination at your vets office.
2. Run senior bloodwork to check thyroid and blood pressure.
3. Look for any evidence of joint pain or disease
4. Keep the litter box really clean. Scoop daily. Dump and clean box weekly.
5. Make sure there are ample boxes for the number of cats you have. Ideally two for the first Cat and an extra for each additional Cat.
6. Get a low sided big box. No cover. See if they like this size better
7. Try play sand or potting soil. See if they like this better than the clumping litter which is often super dusty and perfumed (both of which cats hate).
8. Make sure the box is in a safe quiet place. Not near an outlet or appliance or hidden away someplace scary
9. Often I see this happen in older cats who know they are supposed to go inside the box but it hurts too much to get into it. So they go near it.
See if these help. Let us know.
Please also know that your cat is trying to tell you something. So it may take a little time and detective work to figure that out. By there is always a reason why.
Not a lot of information here. In general, cats who stop or refuse using the litter box might do so because of pain. Cats get arthritis too. I’d start with a medical evaluation.
you need to tell your dog or cat to stop and do something about it
One of our 6 month old kittens will suck on the blanket a portion of the night. Will he outgrow this behavior? Are there any concerns if he doesn’t?
That’s adorable! We had one cat, many years ago that sucked on the ear of one of my stuffed animals her entire life… she was fine and never had any issues related to it that I can recall.
As long as he isn’t chewing holes in the blanket and eating the material he chews out of it, I would say this is a minor issue.
Thanks it has been a little less frequent and so odd it’s only a plush type blanket at night. It must be soft like like his mom’s fur. No chewing just leaves a wet spot haha
He’s suckling. Happens when mammals are removed from their mothers too soon, and can happen as a self-soothing behavior, particularly at bedtime.
Hello,
A safe place for the cats is a place the dogs can’t get to. It is the place that they can hide and take refuge from. Also it is time to start training the dog who is harrassing them. This might include crating them for periods where the cats can come and range freely, keeping the dog on a leash attached to you at all times outside of the crate so you can train and in general establishing boundaries and safe calm scenarios. It takes time. And a lot of dedication. And patience. And most importantly safest for your cats.