ArcaMax

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Q: I have three dogs and three cats, and they all get fleas. What am I doing wrong? -- D.C., Louisville, KY

A: Here's the million-dollar question: Are you using a flea preventive on all pets in the home or just the dogs? According to veterinary parasitologist Dr. Michael Dryden, of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, "you also need to protect the cats, even if they're indoors only. People tend to protect their dogs, which is wonderful. Then, the fleas go to whomever they can bite, and they're happy to take their blood meal from the cats."

There are terrific feline flea products available for cats, Dryden says, including Advantage-Multi, Activyl for Cats, Revolution or Vectra for Cats. "All of these products have excellent residual speed of kill," he says, "which means less biting, and that equates with fewer allergy responses and less suffering, not to mention cutting off flea reproduction. In other words, these products work."

The problem might be your product of choice. Some flea products are not as effective as others. The choices available through veterinary channels are far superior to the best random choices at a big box store, or buying online without veterinary advice.

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Q: My daughter's 5-month-old kitten goes from being an angel one minute to being the devil the next. The kitten follows her around all day, and is more attached to her than her husband. Every few days, though, the kitten pees on the carpet, my daughter's clothing, purse, or other belongings.

My daughter and her husband also have a female cat who isn't a problem. They have limited money are worried that if the kitten keeps peeing outside the litter box, they'll have to give him up to a shelter. The plan is to have him neutered. Will this will help to solve the problem? Do you have any other advice? -- S.H., Coplay, PA

A: Absolutely, your daughter should have the kitten neutered. New York City-based certified cat behavior consultant Beth Adelman notes that many communities have at least one clinic offering low cost spay/neuter (even free to those eligible). Meanwhile, your veterinarian can rule out any contributing medical explanation.

Use an enzymatic cleaning product (not one that merely masks odors) where the kitten has relieved himself on the carpet.

"The two cats may get along fine, as you suggest," says Adelman. "But with cats, relationships may be fluid and not always as positive as you think, especially if (you ever see) the older cat staring at the younger one or blocking access (to the litter box). In any case, having two or even three litter boxes is ideal. Locate one box where the boy is hanging out, and close to the places he has accidents, if possible. He's young and may be too intimidated to use the box when the older cat is nearby."

Your kitten may (or not) be a tad anxious. Either way, playing with him using an interactive toy for a few minutes a couple of times daily can be a great stress-buster.

Whatever is prompting your kitten to go outside the box, he's not doing it "on purpose." He's merely trying to cope.

If these tips don't solve the problem, contact your veterinarian or a certified cat behavior consultant.

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