My Pet World: You dog will love yourcar as much as you do

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Q: I now have two cats. One I've had forever, and the second simply showed up. Unfortunately, now that I've allowed the stray into my home and heart, the first cat is mad as hell and is pooping on my bed! Will this animosity pass, or will I have to give up the stray? I love both cats. Ella, my original cat, is the most important thing in my life. Scarlett, the new cat, is a love. I know I'm a sucker. Can you help? -- S.M., Henderson, NV

A: You're hardly a sucker, rather someone with a big heart who rescued a cat. Unfortunately, it's unlikely you introduced the two cats in a careful, deliberate manner. Ella is not being vindictive, though. When a cat defecates on the bed, it's for one or a combination of reasons: The bed is high and safe, allowing for a good field of vision to determine what's coming. It also smells like you and is soft, which may be the kind of comfort the cat needs.

The key is repairing the relationship between the cats. It's best to start over. Place Scarlett in her own room with a litter box, food and water dish (on opposite sides of the room) and toys. Go in there as often as you can to just watch TV or play with Scarlett.

Tone down the anxiety in the house by using Feliway diffusers (a copy of a naturally-occurring calming feline pheromone) and/or a chewable called Anxitane (L-theanine, a nutritional supplement with calming properties). Place something that smells like the other cat close to the food dish of each so they associate the other cat's odor with something positive.

Their introduction -- weeks from now -- should be gradual. They should only come together, at first, for tuna or salmon treats. Give them a reason to like one another.

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Q: Rocko is my delightful 1-year-old Cocker Spaniel-Poodle mix. We had him groomed for the first time when he was 6 months old, and it was a disaster. The groomer applied a muzzle and said she couldn't complete the grooming. When Rocko was neutered, the veterinarian groomed him. This went well because Rocko was still under anesthesia.

Now, Rocko needs grooming again and I don't know what do to. Except for grooming, he's really well-socialized, and good with people. We don't want to sedate him each time he goes to the groomer. Any advice? -- C.R.D., Las Vegas, NV

A: "One (bad) experience is enough to impact your dog, and as a result, today he believes all grooming is bad," says veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lisa Radosta, of Royal Palm Beach, FL. "Ask friends with dogs or your veterinarian to find a groomer who's willing to work with you and your dog."

To begin, just visit the groomer for dog treats, then walk out. Do that as often as you're able to convince your dog that visiting this place is fun. Next, offer your dog Kong bones (or another toy) smeared inside with (low fat, low salt) peanut butter. Have your groomer merely take out his/her equipment without using it.

Once your dog is fine with the grooming facility and the noise the equipment makes, it's time for the groomer to actually begin work. For the first experience or two, you might want to be there to distract your dog with a chewy.

"This method requires patience and timing," says Radosta. "It might be best to get help from a veterinary behaviorist (www.dacvb.org)."

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