20 — Sunday, November 17, 1991 - North Shore News

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A NORTH SHORE NEWS FEATURE FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS

MAX DOG 20lbs. 18.99): 40lbs, 34.991"

CAT 3Ibs. 6.49] 6 Ibs. 10.99

ZS FORMULATED

> FOR AHEA! SKIN & COAT SALE NOV. 77 - 30th

11846 MARINE DR. | WEST VAN.

. HOW CAN I GET MY CAT To STOP SCRATCHING THE FURNITURE?

The simpie answer is that you cannot stop cats from scratching. itis J

@ natural behaviour and afl cats will scratch to some extent. Therefore the

” method of dealing with this problem is to give the cat a place to scratch and

@ ~ to train him to use it. , ‘ Nearly all cats can be trained to use a scratching post. A good addition

oe] “ to the post is'a platform on top so the cat can climb up it to look out a window.

it is also natural for cats to scraich near their sleeping place, therefore a ledge :. @n the scratching post where the cat can sleep will greatly enhance the desire ‘@- to scratch the post. . 7 . Scratching posts should be placed ina room where you and the cat are frequently found: Very few cats will run downstairs to the basement to scratch

. when you are upstairs. An ideal place to put the scratching post is neara

-window in the kitchen or family room, so the cat is near you and can use it to look outside. . HOW DO I GET THE CAT TO USE !17

- There are two important aspects of this training procedure. First is io stop him from scratching where you don't want him to and second to get him to scratch the post. To discipline your cat you have to catch him actually scratching the furniture and spray him wth waier. You also have to “cat-proof” the furniture. Cats dislike mothballs and orange peels. These placed in the area will keep the cat away. Commercial cat ‘epelients can also be used.

Having cat-proofed the house, now you must train the cat to use his new post. f

Play with him on and around the post. Pull a string over the top or hang his favorite toy from it. Putting catnip on the post also works very well. All it takes is a little perseverance and training early in the cat's life to make him a weil behaved pet and a pleasure to own.

133 East 14th

Bosley’s +...

PET FOOD MART 984-7133

ASK A VETERINARIAN!

By Dr. Terri Clement & Dr. Elizabeth Richard

Question:

Our cat is urinating around the house. What should we do? Answer:

Inappropriate urination can be either a medical or a behavioral problem in cats. You should con- sult your veterinarian to ensure tht your cat is not suffering from a bladder disease such as feline urological syndrome which re- quires prompt medical attention. Urine spraying, which is a behavioral problem, can be seen in intact tom cats, neutered males and spayed or unspayed females. It is characterized by the cat in standing position, backed up to an object. The tail is held up stiffly and twitched and the urine is emit- ted in a pulsating fashion on the object behind the cat. There are a number of facts that can cause or contribute. Most cats have a strong sense of territory and re- sent intrusion or changes to their

environment. These can include: — the introduction of new pets cr people inte the househoid — moving to a new home or remodeling

— changing the type of litter or location of the box — clean- liness of the litter box.

Some cats are very fussy and re- quire frequent changing of the lit- ter or may refuse to share a box with another cat.

Some of the above factors can be easily corrected by the owner. Those that are not, may require consulting with your veterinarian and possible hormona! treatment.

If you have any questions, please write in.

‘Myths laid to rest:

The following are a few of the more popular myths that should be laid to rest!

Myth: If 2 dog's nose is cold, it must be healthy.

Dog Sweaters & Coats 20%. off

Hagen Aquarium Heaters

Habatrail Hamster Midnight Blankets reg. $2.99

Hagen Hamster Fluff reg. $1.99

Terra Fauna Reptile Hot Rocks .

from 9999-3499

now $199 ; now 99¢ = from $1999

+ Baby Budgies x Baby Cockatiels & Baby Lovebirds * Bunnies * Hamsters * Gerbils x Mice * Guinea Pigs * & Many more in-store Specials * . : Sale ends Nov. 24/91,

tA We sell Hagen Quality

¥” Pet Products 988-5012 988-5081

R24

FEEDERS!

North Shore Pet Foods

1264 Marine Dr., NVan. (beside Save-On-Foods) (Aquarium Dept.)

Fact: The temperature of a dog’s nose does not accurately reflect the dog's health: In some cases, dogs with cold, wet noses may have fevers.

Myth: Cats always land on their feet.

Fact: Cats manage to land on their feet if they are able to twist their body around in mid-air. However, in many cases, cats have been brought io veterinarians - suffering from broken bones and other injuries caused by a fall. Myth: Bones are good for dogs.

Fact: This is not true in mest -§

cases. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, obstruct, puric- ture or lacerate the bowel and” cause diarrhea or impacted rec-

‘turns. All of the above are poten-

tially serious medical problems. and outweigh any possible benefits of feeding bones. - ~ Myths: Indoor pets don't need to be vaccinated. es Fact: All anirnals, whether indoor or outdoor pets, should be vac- . cinated. Although the risks are not -. as high, indoor pets can be expos- ed to an infectious disease during a daily walk or from contaminated ‘: articles, people or. animals have: brought into the home, . .-- = Myth: Animals don't need t have their teeth cleaned. © Fact: Dogs and cats should have |.

their teeth cleaned regularly. There’.4

are various methods and techni- ques, .so check with your” veterinarian. Annual checkups should include dental examina- tions. Poor dental care can result in gum disease.and other to ailments. : a

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