My Pet World: How to select quality pet food that your pet likes and fits your budget
As for oral health care, you can brush your cat’s teeth, use dental wipes, put dental additives in their water, or find treats that are crunchy and good for their teeth.
Dear Cathy,
I read the question from Mark from Baltimore about his Yorkie’s fear of the oven. I would be willing to bet that the dog’s fear is not of the oven, but of a smoke alarm. My dog freaked out when a smoke alarm went off almost every time my wife used the oven. She was not a bad cook. The alarm was only 12 feet away from the oven. My dog was scared and associated the oven with the smoke alarm. After removing the smoke alarm, it took about a year for her to relax with the oven on.
— Bob, Tucson, Arizona
Dear Bob,
If a dog is always frightened by a smoke alarm when someone is cooking, it’s natural for him or her to generalize and develop a fear of ovens. And, yes, it can take months or even a year for that same dog to realize the severed connection between the smoke alarm and the oven. I am glad she has recovered from this fear.
Several readers also expressed concern that maybe Mark’s dog was picking up on a gas leak, but he says this happens in every kitchen she has been in.
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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.)
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