My Pet World: Dog's Fungal Infection Best Treated as Early as Possible

By Steve Dale, Tribune Media Services on Sep 13, 2012

A: Perhaps your kitty drops the ball into her water bowl so it's clean. Or perhaps she's taking the ball back to where she always eats, just as outdoor cats return to the same place with prey they've caught. This is all merely conjecture. It might simply be that your cat is entertained by watching the splash as she drops the ball in her water.

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Q: What's your opinion of choke collars for dogs? -- B.B., St. Paul, MN

A: If you mean metal chain-link collars, often referred to as choke collars -- I don't believe there's reason to use one, ever.

While it's true that when used correctly, such collars actually don't choke dogs, not all owners use them correctly. What's more, recent research has shown that such collars can cause a build-up of eye pressure over time. Choke chains can also exacerbate airway issues. For instance, this type of collar can worsen coughing in dogs prone to collapsing trachea (weak muscles in the throat) and affect the ability of dogs with small tracheas, such as Pugs and Bulldogs, to breathe. Additionally, when corrections are harsh enough, dogs may even develop neurological damage.

Bottom line, why would anyone consider a choke collar? I prefer a harness or head halter (such as a Gentle Leader). If a dog doesn't pull, a leash attached to a flat buckle collar can suffice.

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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.