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My Pet World: Give dogs a task so they forget about barking

By Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on

Dear JoAnn,

In a recent column, I mentioned that female dogs are more likely to burn the grass because they pee in one location whereas male dogs tend to squirt urine everywhere they go. It's thoughtful of you to bring water to pour on your dog's urine.

Just remember though, that no matter how thoughtful you are, there will be someone who will complain, so the best advice I can give all dog owners is to keep their dogs away from their neighbor's yards, and find common areas where their dogs can pee instead. #keepthepeace

Dear Cathy,

My husband and I have a 4-year-old cat we rescued as a little kitten, named Oliver. He is happy and healthy and playful and makes us laugh all the time. What is the least stressful way to move a cat from our house to a two-bedroom condo?

- Sandy, Seaford, New York

Dear Sandy,

 

A few weeks before the move, put plug-in pheromones in the old home, spray pheromones on his bed daily (and in the car and his carrier when you move), and put a pheromone collar on him, if he will let you, to reduce his stress. Put plug-in pheromones in the new home the day before you move into it.

When the movers arrive, put Oliver in a bathroom with his food, litter box and bed. Play music or turn on white noise, like a fan, to block out the sound of the movers.

After moving, keep him in a quiet room for a few days until the furniture is situated and you know where his food and litter box will go. Cats can generally handle people unpacking boxes; what they can't handle is furniture being moved around.

========

(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.)


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