ArcaMax

Dear Cathy,

I have a nine-month-old and a six-year-old Havanese. Stray cats use my ornamental grass and lawn as their litter box, which happened when the first dog was a pup. While it stopped the first time (I guess the cats figured out the puppy wasn't going anywhere), it's started again since getting the nine-month-old puppy. My new puppy ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I suppose we can never know what our pets are thinking or are aware of since they process information differently. I do know that my dogs have always let me know what they wanted. Just like they “ask” for food, pets and a walk, they have always let me know when they have had enough pain and discomfort and want me to do something...Read more

Dear Cathy,

We adopted a five-year-old female mini-Poodle that we named Sami. Sami was caged by a breeder in a puppy mill. Due to her lack of (social) experience, she is difficult to train. Sami doesn't recognize the association of words to treats and actions. Therefore, positive reinforcement doesn't work. She has no idea about the meaning of ...Read more

Dear Fran,

A friend asked me to take a cat that was formerly homeless because her other cats were fighting with him. That cat is now a year old. This week I planned to take him for vet care. He had to fast from 9 p.m. until we saw the vet at 7 a.m. He wanted food and kept me awake nearly all night. When it was time to leave for the vet’s ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

When our son was in his carousing years, and we had our border collie, she would sleep in his room until he got home in the wee hours. She would get up and go to the front door when she heard his 1982 Datsun turn onto our block from 10 houses away. How could she hear any car that far away, and how would she know it was his car? That...Read more

Dear Cathy,

The stray tabby that showed up at our door some 10 years ago (he was six months old at the time) has been well cared for, gotten all his shots, and made annual visits with the vet. All in all, he’s had a very spoiled (normal) life here. He has all his claws and is an indoor/outdoor cat who enjoys both environments.

My question is...Read more

Dear Cathy,

Two weeks ago, I adopted a very sweet rescue Bassett Hound mix. She was dumped after being a breeding dog. She is about five to seven years old. She is terrified of everything, including the outdoors. She is 40 pounds and won't go outside voluntarily, so I have to carry her. The problem is I am 65, and my back has been in pain from ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

Regarding your recent column on keeping pets safe during fireworks, our solution is to ask Google to play “Dog Relaxing Music.” This also works when we will be out for a few hours and must leave our fur baby home (alone).

— Paula, Hewlett, New York

Dear Paula,

Dogs are highly-sensitive to sound, which is why they can let ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I am the birth control advocate. We have had birth control for the human species for over 50 years. Why don't we have effective non-surgical sterilization for our beloved dogs and cats that suffer so in most parts of the world?

— Francine, Killingworth, Connecticut

Dear Francine,

Researchers have been trying to develop a pill ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I felt sad to read in your column about a dog possibly being neglected. I liked your idea for the questioner to help in a non-confrontational manner. I've been in this position myself and know how difficult it can be to have help taken the wrong way or refused. In the column, you said, "There is no law that says the dog can't be ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

What do you do when you have a neighbor who allows their dog to pee in the same spot on the street in front of your house all the time? Couldn't they change the location sometimes?

The dog's urine has a terrible odor, and because it's going in the same spot repeatedly, it accumulates, and the smell intensifies, especially on hot ...Read more

The 4th of July will soon be upon us, and if you have a noise-phobic dog or cat, it could be a long four days since the holiday is on a Tuesday this year. (People generally start to celebrate over the closest weekend.)

Cats afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks tend to hide under beds or in closets or could try to escape from the house. So, keep...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I’m writing regarding the question from Jeff in Holtsville, New York, whose dog was diagnosed with a spinal stroke. I'm a vet tech and also a retired board-certified pediatrician. I have assisted with the surgery of many dogs limping, walking with pain, and unable to jump.

When medicine is prescribed for joint pain, and it doesn'...Read more

Dear Cathy,

My two-year-old Rottweiler is peeing on and around almost everything in my home for no obvious reason. I have two Rottweilers (both from the same litter), and the other one does nothing of the sort. It's not like he has to pee; he lifts his leg and spritzes on furniture, table legs, carpets, the walls, and even on his own feeding ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I've adopted a one-year-old miniature schnauzer. When I take him to the vet, he panics by barking, not listening, and going into a rigid body posture. Any suggestions?

— Pat, Tolland, Connecticut

Dear Pat,

Your dog's reactions are normal but fear-based. There are things you and the vet's office can do to reduce his anxieties.

...Read more