ArcaMax

A: Sure. This behavior may not be rooted in fear, however. There might be an ophthalmological issue involved. Dogs can't tell us when they're seeing double, experiencing floaters in the eye, or seeing shadows. Also, the fear may (or may not) be solely the result of compromised vision.

If your dog seems especially nervous or fearful, you may want to seek professional help. Consider contacting a veterinary behaviorist (www.dacvb.org) or a veterinarian with a special interest in behavior (www.avsabonline.org).

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Q: Even since I began traveling for work, our cats have been upset with me. I know this because they urinate outside the litter box when I'm gone. My husband tells me that when I leave Ranger and Tonto, they also mope around. What should I do? -- G.O., Tampa, FL

A: There are many possible explanations for your cats' indiscretions, but spite is not one of them.

Cats don't like change, and it may simply be that the change in your schedule upsets them. While it's quite plausible that they miss your presence, Ranger and Tonto have no way to rationalize that "If I pee outside the box, she'll stop traveling." More likely, they're anxious as a result of your new hours, and unhappy about not seeing you.

A pair of tools which can help ease anxiety are Anxitane (L-theanine, a green tea extract) and Feliway (a copy of a calming pheromone). Also, play is a great stress-buster. When you're gone, ask your husband to use an interactive (fishing pole-type toy with feathers or fabric) to play with the cats a couple times a day. He could even do this between TV shows; cats do fine with five-minute play sessions.

It's also possible the problem is more complex. Perhaps one or both cats had an underlying medical or behavior problem before your schedule changed, and the new stress has unmasked the issue.

For example, perhaps one cat has hyperthyroid disease or is diabetic, but still managed to hit the box. Now that the cat is more anxious now, he can't hold it together any longer. With one cat stressed, and thinking outside the box, it's not unusual for the second to follow. Anytime there's a change in a pet's behavior, a veterinary visit is wise.

Another possibility: The cats weren't getting along so great, but still managed to cope. Now, the added stress is just too much. Aggression in cats may be obvious, but it can also be so subtle that pet owners don't notice. Litter box location may exascerbate these issues.

It's also possible the problem is incredibly simple, such as the litter boxes not being scooped often enough. Also, note I said "boxes." With two cats, three litter boxes (located in three different rooms) is ideal.

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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.

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