Question:

We have a 3-year-old Maine coon cat. We rescued her two years ago. In all ways, she has been an absolute delight.The problem is that, lately, she has been leaving "hard-ball presents" all over the house. We took her to our vet, who X-rayed her, clipped her and treated her for constipation. She also suggested a new litter pan with unscented litter placed upstairs. We did everything she suggested, but it is not working.It would break our hearts to part with her. Do you have any idea why she is doing this?.

D.D., College Park, Md Apr 01, 2007

Answer:

There is no need to consider parting with your cat. Her constipation problem, which is very common in cats, can be corrected after some trials with various food supplements.Try feeding her five to six small meals a day. Add a few drops of olive oil or flaxseed oil. Divide 1 heaping teaspoon each of psyllium husks, chopped sprouted wheat grass and either pumpkin squash or mashed lima beans into five or six tiny portions to add to each small meal.Neglected chronic constipation can lead to spastic colon and house-soiling or refusal to use the litter box because pooping can be very painful. Your veterinarian should also check your cat''s anal glands.

Question:

My wife and I have a Maine coon mix cat that is 15 years old. He was born feral, but he is completely tame and spends 90 percent of his time indoors and 10 percent outside, close by. Last year, he started getting clumps of fur that we would cut off. This spring, he started getting the same clumps, but in larger quantities and now he is covered with clumps, some of which are quite large. Our vet suggested we shave him, but we feel that is too drastic. Do you know of any solvent we could use to soften the clumps enough to let us comb them out? Any other suggestions?.

K.F.K., Coral Gables, FL Apr 01, 2007

Answer:

Clumping and matting of cats'' fur can be problematic and cause considerable discomfort. Old cats that fail to groom themselves regularly are prone to this condition.You should try daily brushing with a moistened brush (to help reduce static) and provide the cat with cotton sheets or towels to lie on in order to minimize static buildup that can occur when in contact with synthetic materials. A few drops of fish oil daily in the cat''s food may also help. If these actions fail to stop the clumping, shaving the cat may be the only solution.There are no safe solvents to soften the clumps.

Question:

We have a 13-year-old cat and a 3-year-old cat -- both with very long hair. They have been together for three years. The 13-year-old is normally very mellow.My daughter had both cats shaved. (The long hair was becoming a problem.) Immediately after that, the 13-year-old attacked the 3-year-old.We called our kitty clinic, a vet and two animal psychiatrists (behaviorists), and we did everything they told us to do.They are separated. We switch them so the scent is concentrated in one area, and we wipe them down with a rag.I did get them to the point of both being in the same room, and they were licking each other and lying down together. Nevertheless, when the younger one makes a quick move, the older one goes after her. The younger one gets so frightened that she wets herself.Please advise. The current situation is not acceptable.

M.N., Minneapolis, MN Apr 01, 2007

Answer:

Cats, like some other animal species, react like yours when the appearance of a familiar animal is changed suddenly -- as by shaving or clipping off the animal''s coat.The experts should have suggested a short course of Valium or valerian herbal therapy to reduce fear/anxiety associated with xenophobia (fear of strangers).The cat pheromone spray Feliway might help. This product can help cats get along better when there is social conflict in the home that results in stress and fighting.

Question:

I'm a grandmother in Minneapolis who visits my family in Chicago often. They have a 2-year-old terrier that chases shadows. She does this all day long, and it makes everyone crazy. Why does she do this, and what can be done about it?.

S.L., Minneapolis, MN Apr 01, 2007

Answer:

I appreciate your concern and hope you will press your relatives to seek professional help to improve the quality of life for this poor dog. Shadow-chasing is an obsessive-compulsive disorder that is common in some breeds. Behavioral therapies such as behavior modification, remotivation training and short-term, periodic treatment with psychotropic drugs like Prozac or sedating valerian or passionflower essence can help. OCD can be triggered by excitement (as by visitors coming to the home) and can be subdued to a degree by providing a stable, quiet and routine-consistent home environment.

Question:

I have a behavioral question about my two dogs that I hope you can help me with. I have a collie and a Labrador that usually get along great. We have a large chain-link-fenced backyard that has a community walking trail adjacent to it. Whenever my dogs are outside and a neighbor walks along the fence with his or her dog, my pets become very agitated and viciously attack one another. Why would normally calm companions behave this way?.

T.G., Dunn Loring, Va Apr 01, 2007

Answer:

What you're seeing is a very common canine behavior called redirected aggression. Unable to get at the dog on the other side of the fence, one of your dogs attacks the other. Most often, this is a mock attack with no real biting; an occasional accidental nip may happen. This behavior can be interpreted as one dog inciting the other to attack and putting on a ferocious front in the face of a canine passerby. My own dogs engage in this same behavior when out for a walk and passing a neighbor's barking dog in its own backyard.

Question:

Do you have a "recipe" for an ear wash for dogs?.

L.M., Houston, TX Mar 25, 2007

Answer:

Generally, it is not advisable to routinely wash inside a dog''s ears. When bathing a dog, it is advisable to keep the ear canals dry with cotton balls.For ears that have discharge, odor or are red and itchy, consult with a veterinarian. The vet can prescribe a safe and effective ear wash and ointment as needed. Powders are sometimes prescribed, followed by a mild astringent rinse. For emergencies, use one part cider vinegar to three to four parts warm water, or a few drops of olive oil. For regular wiping out, use a soft tissue moistened with witch hazel.

Question:

My husband and I have a small problem with our cat. She is 7 months old and has a problem riding in a car.We are retired now and are going to do some traveling. Now, I know you can teach a cat to like riding in a car: My mother did it. But our cat escapes whenever possible.How do you convince a kitten to stay in? She would certainly be safer. We once lost a 17-year-old cat who wanted out one morning and was mauled by a couple of dogs.When we travel, our cat will have to stay in the camper, and I don''t know how to keep her in without penning her up until she is older and will hopefully stay all the time.

J-D G., Huffman, TX Mar 25, 2007

Answer:

The safest way to travel with a cat is to get the cat used to being in a large carrier in the backseat. Fit the cat with a harness around the chest (not a collar that can slip off) and clip on a long leash whenever you take her out of the carrier.Check out your local pet store for a fold-up wire enclosure that you can set her in outside, with the leash on a swivel secured to the ground or to a wire across the top of the enclosure (the other end of the leash, of course, being attached to the cat''s harness). Many cats enjoy going for a slow walkabout on a leash and harness. Be sure your cat always wears a breakaway safety collar and ID tag.

Question:

We just moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and tried to find boric acid at the local Walgreens and other supermarket pharmacies. No one seems to have it. We are told they used to carry it but don''t anymore. Please advise where we might be able to obtain boric acid.

H.A., Fort Worth, TX Mar 25, 2007

Answer:

Borax (not boric acid) is what you need. Most hardware stores carry powdered borax.I am dismayed by all the household cleaners on store shelves, many probably harmful to pets and to the environment. Buy green-label, environmentally friendly products like borax, white vinegar, baking soda, and organic citrus cleaners and disinfectants. The increasing home use of antibacterial wipes and soaps is another absurdity, and likely to boomerang with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Whatever happened to good old coal-tar soap?

Question:

I hope you can shed some light on my cat''s latest behavior.Ginger is 15 years old and a shorthaired domestic cat. She has been a good cat until about three months ago. She urinated on our bed and has not been using her litter box.She used to come to our bed early in the morning for her belly rub and petting, but now we are afraid she might wet the bed or use it as a litter box. Please advise.

O.A., Landover, Md Mar 25, 2007

Answer:

Any time an animal has a serious change in behavior, an immediate veterinary examination is called for. Take careful note of whether your old cat is drinking and/or eating more, seems more anxious and restless at night, or is more irritable and aggressive.All of these are important diagnostic clues that can help the veterinarian find out why your cat is urinating outside of the litter box. It could simply be painful cystitis that may be aggravated by the stress of not being allowed on the bed for affectionate contact.

Question:

I am an 85-year-old retired farmer who grew up in upstate New York and attended Cornell University until I left in 1942 to join the Air Force. I came to Minnesota to farm in 1952.When you are talking about organic food, I do not know whether you are referring to animal food or food for human consumption. I do not believe most studies can show any difference between the organically certified produce and those that are not -- except the ones that have had herbicides or some pesticides used on them.I do not believe you can substantiate several statements you''ve made concerning harmful chemicals in most fertilizers. The chemicals used are needed for good plant growth.I doubt that you are really interested in what I think, but I still had to tell you I do not believe you can show any substantial difference in organically grown crops versus non-organic ones as far as minerals, iron or vitamins -- no more than you can tell the difference in the milk from cows that are on pasture versus the ones in which the hay is

H.D.O., Blue Earth, MN Mar 25, 2007

Answer:

Peer-reviewed reports published in respectable scientific journals comparing conventional versus organically grown produce support my position. Certified organic produce contains more essential vitamins and trace minerals. Farmed animals fed organic feed are healthier than those fed conventional feed, and their meat and milk are more healthful.A major concern is that the herbicide-resistant, genetically engineered crops developed by companies like Monsanto actually absorb herbicides sprayed to control weeds. This means that animals fed genetically engineered corn and soya beans are also being fed highly toxic weed killers like glufosinate and glyphosate. This is another reason for people to buy certified organic food for themselves and for their dogs and cats.For more information, check out two scientific papers on this subject: "Organic Foods vs. Supermarket Foods: Element Levels" by Bob L. Smith in the Journal of Applied Nutrition; and Virginia Worthington''s "Nutritional Quality of Organic Versus Conventio