PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Dear PetLvr Mailbag …

When we got our 2nd Papillon dog, Sophie .. it was mid September as a puppy (she was born late July). We then had the coldest winter and earliest snowfall that year and she didn’t get outside socializing much.

Now .. with her ’super-Krypto-like-hearing’ .. whenever she hears other dogs with collars that jingle, she goes crazy and barks and barks and barks. If she’s off the leash outside, she will run out ‘close’ to where the dog with the noisy collar is, and just barks. It’s quite annoying, and not only because of the noise levels .. sometimes a bigger dog with the collar that jingles might not take a liking to that.

I’d like to know how to get her ‘cured’ of this. Most other times she’s the cutest thing since sliced bread of course.

Signed: PetLvr’s very own HART!

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Sometimes dogs refuse food. Failing to eat can be indicative of as little as a mild upset tummy, or of conditions as serious as bloat or organ failure. So, how do you tell the difference? When in doubt, always consult a vet. However, you may be able to determine the cause of your dog’s loss of appetite on your own, by observing the dog and the surrounding environment carefully.

Is it a small dog, and/or is the food different?

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Dear Petlvr Mailbag …

Is declawing a cat a good idea? I have people giving both sides, and although I think it is sad, what are the alternatives to torn up furniture?

Signed,

gtcathey from Ima Blogger

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Dear Petlvr Mailbag …

I’ve got two questions…

Why does my cat insist on tearing up every piece of paper lying around on the floor? He’s 3, far from being a kitty.

Also he is chunky. We got him that way, and have since only fed him what he needs, nothing more, yet he isn’t losing weight. What can I do to help him lose weight? Hes a strictly indoor cat since he is declawed. So I wouldn’t feel great about him being outside.

Dang.. one more. What kind of cat would be best for him in our home? We’re thinking a kitten will keep him running around and busy, perhaps shed some weight too.

Signed: ChicaX from Photo-Projectz

Dear ChicaX,
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Every pet owner should maintain a good working relationship with a veterinarian. Owners of multiple types of pets, particularly exotic or unusual pets, may need several veterinarians. However, sometimes the decision to take a pet, particularly a small mammal, to the vet for an illness or injury is a difficult one. Small pets are particularly sensitive to stress. Some are also susceptible to airborne viruses. For both these reasons, it’s best to avoid unnecessary stress.

While I am not a vet and a consultation with a veterinarian is always the best choice if you are uncertain or think your pet may be in need of treatment, here is some basic information on symptoms and injuries and their severity. More →

Dear Petlvr Mailbag …

Polybore’s cat is terrible at catching mice. It catches them in the garden then brings them into the house and lets them go, alive.

I want the cat to catch and kill mice in the house and garden. Not bring in mice from outside and release them in the house.

Signed,
polybore from the Polybore blog!

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Dear PetLvr Mailbag …

Okay, a 1-2 year old male feral/stray/whatever cat moved into my back yard. Got attacked by, I think, a raccoon, as the possums left and I have a few kits, one mom, and prolly 2 males right now.
He wont go into a trap, so how can I catch him ( the cat ) so I can get him checked out at the vets ? Several released ferals live in backyard so withholding food is not an option.

–Friend of Ferals

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Dear PetLvr Mailbag ..

My dog lifts his leg to pee, then poops instead. This may seem like a silly question, but it causes poop to stick to the hair on his hind legs. Yuck!

–Grossed Out

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Dear PetLvr Mailbag ..

I have two cats. The boy is tall and strong, and the other (female) is a runt. She’s 4 years old but looks like a kitten, she is so tiny. Anyway, my question is if I should separate them when they fight, or just let them work it our on their own. I’ve had the girl all her life and the boys I just got a little under a year ago from a shelter. He’s very bossy. As time passes, the female is getting more timid and jumpy. Should I intervene?

–Stuck in the Middle with Cats

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Dear PetLvr Mailbag …

What can a renter do when owning a dog to prevent the landlord from having any liability with regards to the dog’s behavior?

Essentially, the law states that a landlord can be held financially liable for injuries etc to a third party under certain circumstances.

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