Saturday, March 22, 2008
Dear Heloise: I read your article about flea medication and the adverse reaction a cat had to it. I wanted to share a couple of other things that pet owners need to be careful about when applying flea-and-tick-control products.
USeparate multiple dogs in the same household after applying so they don’t groom each other.
UUse only one product, and never put one on top of another.
URead labels to see what animals the product is to be used on — don’t use dogs’ on cats, etc.
Hope this can be of help to pet owners! Thanks a bunch. Laura Liggett, Omaha, Neb.
I can’t stress enough the importance of reading the complete product label before using — this is true on any product, really. So read, and then apply.
Treating dogs for fleas and ticks is important, especially with the danger of Lyme disease. Heloise
Dear Readers: Babs Greff of Rapid City, S.D., sent a photo of her two Shih Tzus, Norton and Alex, in their “prom” outfits. She says: “As my three daughters have graduated from high school, prom season was kind of sad (no more prom dresses to buy). So, the secretary where I teach sewed prom outfits for my cute little dogs. Thought you might get a kick out of this.”
Go to my Web site, www.Heloise.com, to see Norton and Alex. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I have three cats and buy a lot of cat litter in those plastic-jug containers. Here is how I reuse them:
UCut off the tops and use them as funnels. I have bird feeders that they fit perfectly; no more spilled seed.
UClean and dry thoroughly and use to store dry cat food. Mark the outside as to content with a marker, or tape the label from the cat-food bag to the jug. Kitty can’t spill the contents, and it is easy to pour.
UCut off the top and use the bottom to store stuff in the garage or basement. Label the outside with a marker: tape, screws, electrical cords, etc.
UUse the jugs to carry water, without spilling, to water plants that are not near the hose. I often put a jug in my car, water the plants at the foot of the driveway, and then go on to shopping or whatever.
Joyce, Roxboro, N.C.
Dear Heloise: I have a black cat with no identifying marks. He is just totally black! So, before I take him to the vet or to be boarded, I paint one of his toenails white. This way, I know he doesn’t get mixed up should another black cat be at the same facility. Joanne in Pennsylvania
This is a good hint! Collars can slip off, and mix-ups can occur even when people are careful. Be sure to show the vet or boarding personnel your marking. Heloise
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate