Sami Sue the Maltepoo has quirk one can’t pooh-pooh

Dear Heloise: We have a precious 18-month-old Maltepoo named Sami Sue. Maybe you can help us with a problem. There is no way to put it politely — she eats her poop! We take her out at regular times and pick up her “business” immediately. Our vet suggested we put meat tenderizer on her food. I said no to that. Can you offer any help with this? Jo and Don Hoffman, Cleveland, Tenn.

Sami Sue has a common condition called coprophagia — some dogs eat their own (or other dogs’) feces. Some animal behaviorists say this condition comes about if your dog isn’t getting adequate nutrition or enough quality food. Your veterinarian’s advice (sprinkling unseasoned meat tenderizer on her food) actually is a great hint! Other ideas you can try include:

•Adding 2-4 tablespoons of canned pumpkin to the food daily.

•Adding 1 spoonful (teaspoon or tablespoon, depending on the dog’s size) of canned pineapple or pineapple juice to the food.

•Sprinkling some hot pepper powder or liquid on the dog’s stool as a deterrent.

•Last but not least, get regular veterinarian care, since your dog may have an enzyme or pancreatic deficiency! Heloise

P.S.: Dogs can cross-contaminate each other or reinfest themselves with worms if stool is not picked up!

Dear Readers: Wendy McCulloch of Chino Valley, Ariz., sent one of the funniest pet photos I’ve seen! Her two cats, Oscar and Newman, are eating their food, and in the background, Boone (a blond Lab) has just his head sticking out through a small pet door! “I want dinner, too!” he seems to be saying.

To see this photo, visit www.Heloise.com! Heloise

Dear Heloise: Dog’s automatic water dispenser moldy? Once empty, place about 1/8 cup of uncooked rice in the opening, along with one small drop of dish detergent and 2 cups of warm water. Cover the opening with your hand and shake. Rinse with more warm water and empty out all of the rice. Sparkling-clean! Carol from Connecticut

Carol, how smart! I do the same with Cabbie’s “water tower,” but I put in rock salt, detergent and cold water. It seems to have more scrubbing action than the rice. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have had wreaths on my front door, and birds build nests in them. I would throw them away after the baby birds left because they made such a mess. My neighbor told me to glue two or three golf balls on the bottom, where they build the nests. Birds won’t build there because they think the balls are eggs. That was several months ago, and it works. Audrey Witt, The Villages, Fla.

Dear Heloise: Our cat, Fido, likes to be brushed, but sometimes I can’t find the brush, so I keep a microfiber towel handy to give him a rubdown. Works as well as the cat brush. Nancy M., via e-mail

SBlt Send 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