Win Over a Nervous Cat

When you first got your cat, you probably envisioned a cuddly little ball of fur that was ready and willing to accept affection whenever you chose to give it.  There are some cats who are, however, very shy by nature.  These ones will hide and act scared of you if you look at them.  Below are a couple suggestions to help.

It is usual for a cat to be cautious and timid for the first week or so in its new home. The more contact a cat has had with humans, the less timid it will be.  Give your cat a little space and don’t force the issue.  It is very likely he will approach you once he becomes sure of his new surroundings.

One way to gradually get a nervous cat used to petting is to gently wrap your pet in a thick towel, to prevent it from scratching you, and gently stroke its head. Talk to your cat softly as you do so. Set aside a time each day to perform this bonding ritual and your shy cat may grow to trust you enough to stroke it without the towel, remember patience pays. 

Bribery can often work wonders with nervous cats. Try a offering a tempting healthy treat, if your cat is hungry enough to overcome its fear and stay still to eat its treat, stroke it gently, don't make sudden movements! You may have to persevere, but often your pet will eventually accept and enjoy your petting. 

Never lose patience, and remember that your nervous cat is not rejecting you, it is just an in built protective reaction to something that has given kitty cause to be wary of humans. Love and perseverance will often win the day, and you will be rewarded by your cat's affection.

Why Your Cat Won’t Use His Litter box

The biggest complaint of cat owners is due to having a cat that suddenly decides he doesn’t want to eliminate in his litter box.  Besides the smell, there is the added cost of ruined rugs and the embarrassment when visitors stop by.  Cats are, however, naturally clean animals and you will need to do some investigating to see what is going on that may have changed this habit.

The first reason cats stop using their litter box is cleanliness.  How often do you clean the box?  While one cat may tolerate once a day, others may insist the box be cleaned each time they use it.  In the latter case, it might help if you can invest in a self-cleaning litter box.  If cost is an issue, then try cleaning the box more often and see if this helps.

Have you recently changed litter brands?  Most cats prefer the brand they are used to.  This doesn’t have to be the most expensive; some actually prefer the cheaper brands.  If you find a litter that seems to make your cat happy, stick with it. 

A more important reason a cat may stop using his litter box is illness.  A visit to the vet to have your cat checked for possible urinary track infection could be in order.  A cat with this infection may feel pain upon elimination and associate that pain with the litter box.

Keeping in mind that most cats will not stop using a litter box once trained should make it easier for you to understand.  Find the cause by eliminating things one by one.  Both you and your cat will be happier for the effort.  He stays out of trouble and you benefit by a cleaner-smelling house and nice carpet.

Keeping Your Dog Safe On the Road

Car rides are the favorite of many dogs.  There are some precautions you can take to make sure this activity will be enjoyable for both of you for years to come.

If you have any type of car with a trunk open to the inside of the car or with some other vehicles, you can have your dog ride in the back separated from you by a gate or a net. If you have a regular car, there are special dog seat belts and other types of restraints available. You don’t want your dog flying forward if you must stop quickly.  You also don’t want him trying to climb into the front and distracting you.

Dog owners who drive a pickup truck should not let dogs ride free in the pickup bed. This can create a dangerous situation for the dog and other drivers if your dog falls out or decides to jump out. Dogs that ride without restraints in the pickup bed may go flying if you stop short and suddenly. Tying the dog in the bed is not a good idea either as the dog may still jump or fall out and wind up being choked or dragged along the road The best and safest solution is to have your dog ride in the cab of the truck with you. . 

Never leave your dog in the car with the windows completely up—especially in summer.  The interior of a car can heat up quickly, reaching temperatures in excess of 120 degrees in a very short time.  This could cause heat exhaustion and even death in your dog.  If you are going to have to leave the vehicle and can’t take your dog with you, it is best to leave him at home for this trip. It is better to have him disappointed today than not around tomorrow.

Teaching An Abused Dog to Trust

Often you will come across a dog that has been abused at one point in his life.  These dogs are difficult to deal with as the normal things we do causes them anxiety and fear.  You can, however, increase your chances of teaching an abused dog to trust with a few simple changes in approach and a lot of patience.

When interacting with this dog, bend down to appear less threatening.  When talking to him, keep your voice low and cheerful.  A loud or frustrated tone will cause him to fear.  Call him to you; don’t approach him.  If he makes an effort to obey, praise him.  Don’t wait for him to obey completely.  Remember, he may be used to getting hit when he approaches someone.

When you do get to pet this dog, avoid his head.  Keep your hand palm up as it approaches him and gently rub under his chin or on his chest.  Rubbing either spot tends to calm a dog.  If he moves to step backward, let him retreat.  In time, he will stay longer.

When a dog is nervous or scared, he will often wet the floor involuntarily.  If this should happen, it is important not to allow your frustration to show.  It is not a deliberate attempt at disobeying and will likely disappear as he gains trust in you.

Keep any sessions short, with just a few minutes of actual touch each time.  You can gradually increase the time as his trust grows.  Often, just sitting quietly and waiting for him to approach you will make him feel comfortable.  If your initial attempts fail, try this.

A once-abused dog can be as trusting and loving as any other.  All it takes is patience on the part of those in his life.  A crouching position, low voice and appropriate touch will win him over eventually.

Traveling With Your Pet

Traveling with your pet can be hassle-free with a little bit of planning.  Below are some tips to help you with this.

If your pet is on medication, bring plenty of it so you’re not running out of medication when it’s needed. It would also be a good idea to have your veterinarian contact information in case you loose the medication, so the vet can call in a prescription should the other get lost. 

Find out ahead of time that the hotel you make reservations at will accept pets. You don’t want to assume that there is a pet friendly hotel in a town you intend to stay in and when you get there, you’re turned away for having a pet or the one’s that allow the pets are all booked up. 

Make sure your pet wears a collar with tags. One tag should be a current rabies tag and the other tag should have the dogs name, your name, address, town, state, and phone numbers. If you have a cell phone, add your cell phone number to the ID tag.  It wouldn’t hurt to get a microchip implanted either.  This is a much more reliable source of identification.

Bring along your pet’s food dishes, bed or pillow and a couple of its favorite toys. Having familiar items along for the trip can help ease the stress of traveling and make the trip more enjoyable for both you and your animal companion.

Stop frequently for exercise breaks.  A well-exercised animal will sleep and not be all over the place in a vehicle.  Most highway rest stops have places to walk your dog or cat.  Follow the guidelines and make sure to clean up after your pet.  Common courtesy will insure the facilities will welcome pets in the future.