My Pet World: Dog's Fungal Infection Best Treated as Early as Possible
If your cat bites you, offer no attention except a stern, "No." Then calmly walk away. Don't create a chase game.
The best instructor remains a feline. Consider adopting another cat as a pal for Sable. If you do, introduce the cats very gradually, says Johnson-Bennett, author of "Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-adjusted Cat -- Not a Sour Puss" (Penguin Publishing, New York, NY, 2011; $18).
By the way, you did a great thing by taking in this kitten, but the declaw was not necessary. Amputating part of a kitten's toes is, indeed, awful.
----
Q: We bought a leopard gecko from a pet store. Spotty is fun, but we really can't pick him up; he's so squirmy. Any advice? -- C.J., Chula Vista, CA
A: "Maybe Spotty won't be so hesitant if every time you reach slowly into the cage you have a mealworm or waxworm in your hand," suggests Liz Palika, of Oceanside, CA, author of "Leopard Geckos for Dummies" (Wiley Publishing, Hoboken, NJ, 2007; $9.99).
Waxworms are especially appealing -- like candy for geckos. But don't overdo it, or you could have a sick or overweight lizard. The training process could take several weeks.
"Meanwhile, when you go to clean the cage, don't chase Spotty with your hand or he'll be fearful," says Palika. "Just place a paper cup in the cage and gently herd him in."
----
Q: I have a very playful cat. She loves to play ball, even catching the ball in her paws. She also retrieves. Sometimes, she'll catch the ball, drop it in her water bowl, then bring the wet ball back to me. What's that all about? -- L.F., Homosassa, FL
...continued
(c) 2012 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
