HELOISE: All pet collars are not the same

Dear Readers: A pet collar is a collar, right? Nope, not all collars are the same.

Some collars, called breakaway collars, have latches that release under pressure so the animal won’t get caught on fences, furniture, etc.

Make sure any collar is not too tight or too loose. You should be able to slip two fingers comfortably under the collar.

A harness may fit your dog better than a collar, and be more comfortable. Have someone at the pet shop help you get a correct fit!

If you are traveling with your pet, make sure you have a cell-phone number or other contact number on the tags or collar.

Jangling tags can be noisy. Secure them with clear tape, or apply adhesive felt between the tags. (You may want an outdoor cat’s tags to jangle so birds can be aware.)

A collar should have a tag with your name and phone number on it, because when reading a microchip is not possible, this may help your pet get home safely.

Heloise

Dear Readers: A reader in San Antonio sent a picture of her newly adopted 8-year-old purebred beagle, Bailey, lying among some Valentine hearts, ready to be cuddled! To see Bailey and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com, and click on “Pets.”

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Please advise your readers that socks can be dangerous (for dogs to chew on — Heloise). A friend of mine made a sock toy for his beautiful chocolate Lab. The sock shredded, entered the dog’s intestine and caused a blockage. Surgery was performed. Socks have long threads and are not suitable for dogs that like to chew.

Judy, via e-mail

Dogs do chew, and sock toys are popular and on sale at pet stores. You are right, however, that dogs and cats should be watched while playing with these toys.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have a canary, and anyone who owns a bird knows that there is a lot of wasted food. I always pour the old seed into a container, keep this for winter days and toss it in the yard a little each day. The wild birds just love it. I also keep the bread ends and toss them out.

Terry, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I solved my problem of pets shedding against my verticals made of fabric and against the bottom of furniture. I went to my dollar store and bought a few lint rollers, rolled a lint roller against the verticals and the furniture, and the hair came right off.

Alice, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: My cat likes to sleep on a blanket on a pet crate. I would smile at the cuteness of his action, until the day he made a horrific wailing sound. Charlie had his left hind leg caught between the wires of the crate. Fortunately, this happened on a weekend and not during the workweek.

Margaret, via e-mail

Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate