Saturday, January 22, 2011
Dear Heloise: How do you safely introduce a cat and a dog? My daughter’s cat will be with us for a year, since my daughter is leaving for the Middle East soon (military duty). Our dog is 13 and has been around cats, but the kitty has always been an “only child.”
Any suggestions you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Amelia, via e-mail
Amelia, give your daughter a hug from me. Here are some hints from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and our files:
First, be very patient. The cat won’t be in a hurry to meet the dog; it may take a cat several weeks (if ever) to bond.
It is best to have the dog restrained by a leash or harness for first meetings. The dog may try to bound after the cat. When your dog obeys you, reward him with praise and a treat.
Try not to yell, scold or fuss at the dog. Keeping the mood cheerful will help everyone.
Don’t leave the house unless you keep the animals separate until you are sure they will get along.
Be sure to give the cat attention, when wanted, and let the dog know he is welcome, too. You may have to keep them separate if it does not work out well.
Hope these hints make for a smooth adjustment for all.
Heloise
Dear Readers: Carol Mosley of Springfield, Mo., sent a photo of her white, tan and black cat, Caspurr, sitting way up on top of his scratching post to avoid the snow! To see Caspurr and other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.”
Heloise
Dear Heloise: One of our family pets is a ferret. One day, our daughter thought that the ferret looked cold and asked for a cloth diaper to place in the ferret’s bed. From that point on, we have always given our ferret a cloth diaper to use as a blanket.
Our ferret is always found curled up under her “blanket” when not playing!
L.D. in San Antonio
How resourceful! Having had ferrets as pets, I know they do like to curl up under things.
Heloise
Hi, Heloise: My kittens have a way of knocking the receiver off my thin-style extension phone in the bedroom. Sometimes it is several hours before I discover it. So, I finally came up with the solution. I pull a tube sock over the phone. No more interruptions in phone service, and it’s easy to pull off to use the phone!
Betty in Parkersburg, W.Va.
Dear Heloise: For my cat, I secured with nylon rope a smooth piece of scrap lumber and plank, and, using a ladder, hung it from a tree out back that he frequents. It is a pleasure while doing yardwork to look up and see him sound asleep on it.
Mark in Canfield, Ohio
Send a money-saving or timesaving 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