Community ClicksWhy does my dog eat feces?
Dear Dr. Fox,
My golden Lab eats the lumps in the kitty liter, and I am worried it will harm her.
It’s not a case of her being hungry; she is well-fed twice a day.
Each time she gets half a can of meat chunks, about 2 cups of dry food, half a can of vegetables (carrots or green beans) and sometimes table scraps.
She is 13 years old, but shows no signs of age!
I read that there are studies of Rottweilers who live to be 13 and are immune to cancer. My Lab seems to be in this category.
She is obedient, a good watchdog and my dear companion.
She tolerates the cat indoors, but I’m afraid to let them both out in the yard at the same time, as the dog chases any creature that moves.
She killed a squirrel recently.
Any advice?
— D.F., Silver Spring, Md.
Dear D.F.,
Your dog is old for the breed and must have some good genes!
Dogs self-medicate by eating grass and soil or dirt.
Your dog may be craving certain minerals in her diet.
Giving her a daily (human) multimineral/multivitamin tablet or capsule broken up and mixed with her regular food may be what she needs.
Some dogs eat cat feces they find in the litter box because they are motivated to clean up the mess, as they would with their own pups.
Eating the litter itself could mean there is some abdominal discomfort, which may need to be checked, especially if other symptoms develop.
Set up a low gate so the cat can jump over and use the box, but the dog cannot.
More than one dog has developed acute intestinal blockage after consuming cat litter.
Clay-based and especially mineral-based cat litter can also harm cats.
Try changing the litter to no-clay, like the corn-based World’s Best Cat Litter or Purina’s Yesterday’s News Paper-Based Cat Litter made from recycled newspaper (primarily harmless cellulose).
Avoid all scented cat litters.
Clap your hands or blow a whistle to scare squirrels out of the yard before your dog goes out.
To declaw or not
Dear Dr. Fox,
My parents have a 7-year-old male shorthair cat.
He has been an indoor/outdoor cat his whole life but spends most of his time indoors.
My mom wants to get him declawed and keep him indoors permanently because he has a bad habit of scratching up her furniture.
My dad is concerned that he’s too old and this will hurt him.
I’m concerned never going outside will hurt his emotional well-being.
Are these legitimate concerns?
— V.P., Washington, D.C.
Dear V.P.,
Regardless of whether the cat goes outdoors or not, he’s going to need some scratching areas in the house to mark his territory and give his claws a workout (“cat yoga”).
Your concerns are legitimate, as are your father’s.
Declawing will be traumatic and could have serious lifelong complications and bring much suffering.
This unethical surgical mutilation of cats removes more than their nails — it includes removal of their first digits, like the entire ends of your fingers from the last joint.
Many cats become permanently crippled. It’s a game of roulette.
You never know how much the procedure will harm a cat or how much permanent psychological trauma it will inflict.
Set up scratch posts and scratchboards with a sprinkling of catnip and a little spray of the cat pheromone Feliway.
Check my website for details about the hazards of declawing.
Your cat may take to a harness and leash and enjoy outdoor strolls.
Alternatively, give him a screened-in cat house that can be simply constructed as an A-frame covered in chicken wire, and set it out in the yard where he can enjoy the outdoors (in good weather only).
How to help abused dog
Dear Dr. Fox,
We adopted a 1-year-old abused and starved female beagle/terrier mix.
We have had her for three months, and she is sweet, gentle and lovable.
But she is afraid of all except us.
When people come into our house, she paces or hides until they leave.
What can you recommend to help make her more sociable?
— A.&E.S., Boynton Beach, Fla.
Dear A.&E.S.,
Dogs who have been abused or not properly socialized with people as a puppy can be difficult when it comes to overcoming fear and strangers.
Teach her with praise and food rewards to sit and stay while on the leash at your side in the living room.
When visitors come, they should understand what you are doing and be quiet when entering.
Keep your dog leashed at your side while you engage in normal conversation.
Have the guests ignore the dog because even looking at her could be perceived as threatening.
Invite a couple of friends over to help desensitize your dog by coming in, sitting down and chatting, then leaving and coming back several times; repeat over several days.
Do not allow your dog to run away and hide, which indirectly rewards/reinforces her avoidance behavior.
Give praise and treats when she settles down with guests in the same room.
