My Pet World: Help for dogs who swallow inanimate objects

Dear Cathy,

We have a 1 1/2-year-old beagle mix that we rescued. We got her around 6 months old. She is adorable, loving and gets along well with our 7-year-old lab pit mix that we also rescued as a pup.

Our problem started when we began crate training her. She ripped everything and anything we put in the crate -- pillows, blankets and towels -- and she sometimes eats it. She's already had bowel surgery to remove a wad of rope from a rope toy she swallowed.

We tried putting nothing in the crate, but she tore things outside of the crate, even if we were home. She is very quiet when doing this, so we don't know what she's done until we find the holes and missing material, stuffing, etc. She rips apart any toy that is not the toughest, strongest rubber. She has eaten pillows, zippers, velcro, shoe laces, tops of shoes and snaps.

Our veterinarian says beagles do this, and that she will outgrow this. We have had huskies, a beagle, and lab pit mix and never experienced this behavior beyond the initial puppy chewing stage. Is there anything we can do? -- Terry, Commack, NY

Dear Terry,

Your veterinarian is right that most dogs outgrow chewing and other destructive behaviors around 18-months-old, so you might see a change over the next few weeks.

While dogs sometimes ingest things they chew, swallowing things, like pillows, zippers and rope toys, with the frequency you describe is not an entirely normal behavior either. Dogs also can develop behavioral or psychological problems, which may require medication to treat. Initially, you can try some calming treats, available at pet stores and online, or introduce her to Melatonin, which I mentioned in a recent column, to see if it will relax her. If it doesn't help, don't be afraid to go back to your veterinarian to discuss medication for your dog.

Whether bad habit, end of puppyhood, or psychological problem, she still needs lots of supervision, for now, and corrections when caught chewing inappropriate items. Take away the item, say "no," and give her a hard rubber toy instead. Put peanut butter or other spray treat available at the pet store inside the toy and freeze it. A frozen treat will keep her mind engaged longer.

You also can spray Bitter Apple (available at pet stores or online) on items to discourage chewing, introduce basic obedience training daily to keep her mind busy, and take her on lots of walks, weather permitting, to expend some physical energy.

Dear Cathy,

I just read the story about Janice in New York feeding a feral cat. I have a wonderful, loving indoor calico who started out in the same situation seven years ago. Her ear was clipped, so someone in our neighborhood took the same care Janice did to get her neutered. I fed her, and she eventually warmed up over time, with the same actions Janice described, which I later realized was her attempt to connect. She batted the window with my indoor cats and over time became tamer. She slept in our detached garage on a heating pad in the cold weather and I put a heater in front of her food and water to keep it from freezing. This went on for three years; she eventually warmed up, letting me brush her and entice her inside the sliding door for short periods.

Finally, I took the plunge after a very high January electric bill and brought her inside that fall. She is in her fourth winter indoors and has become a very loving and friendly cat, sleeping on my bed. The other two have accepted her, although one is friendlier than the other.

Janice has more indoor cats, which might be a problem moving hers inside. Perhaps one will be her "buddy," and my story will give her hope that someday she will have the same success as I did. -- Cherry, Chicago, IL

Dear Cherry,

Thanks for sharing your story and giving Janice hope on what might be possible with her feral feline. It can be stressful to see a feral cat outside in the severe cold, and not know how to help. No one can expect a feral cat to enter the house with other felines without the cat learning to trust the human first which, as you describe, can take a lot of time.

While the number of cats inside a home can definitely impact how long this process might take, your letter shows what's possible with patience and perseverance.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)