Dear Matthew: I want to give my 8-week-old kitten a bath, as she seems to get so dirty. I'm not sure if it's OK to use the flea shampoo that I have for my older cats on her. It doesn't say anything about kittens on the label, but I thought it was better to ask than be sorry.
- Jennifer in El Paso, Texas
Dear Jennifer: If the label doesn't say anything about kittens, then it may very well be OK for you to use. Nonetheless, I'd recommend sticking with regular shampoo until your pet gets older.
Your safest path is to keep as many chemicals away from your young feline as possible. Kittens are generally less tolerant of irritants than adults. Like you said, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Dear Matthew: I own a very excitable, high-energy dog. He's a lot of fun to be around, and I really don't mind that he seems to be a little too tightly wound - or perhaps I should say I wouldn't mind, except for his recent digging habits.
Basically, my dog, Terry, has decided to relieve his pent-up exuberance by furiously digging a hole near the corner of my yard. He doesn't dig anywhere else - just that corner.
I've tried yelling "No!" at him whenever I see him misbehaving in this fashion, but it only seems to get him more worked up. Is there any way I can keep Terry from continuing this destructive practice? Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
- Craig in Nashville, Tenn.
Dear Craig: Unless Terry's trying to dig up a body you have buried in the back yard, I'd say your pent-up energy explanation is probably on the right track. Oftentimes, nervous or anxious dogs will take to digging out of boredom or frustration.
Fortunately, Terry seems to be restricting his excavations to one area, which should make this problem fairly easy to solve. Find a large rock and bury it in the hole your dog is digging. Next time he returns to the scene, he'll run into your obstacle and it'll discourage him from continuing. A square of chicken wire, gravel or aluminum foil will also work well as impediments.
Hopefully, this alone will solve the problem. As you've discovered, shouting "No!" at an excitable dog often only makes matters worse. In this case, the more subtle strategy I suggested is your best bet.
Dear Matthew: We currently own 4-year-old female cat named Junior. He's a perfectly well-behaved, loving animal. Recently, since we live in a big house with plenty of space, we've decided to get a new kitten to add to our family.
Before we do this, however, we need a little advice on the best way to introduce the new arrival to Junior. The last thing we want is to make Junior jealous or upset. Do you have any suggestions on how to make this transition easier on everyone involved?
- Judith in Garden City, N.Y.
Dear Judith: Fortunately, if you take things slow and follow a few simple steps, you should be able to bring a new kitten home without turning your house into a feline war zone.
First thing, if you haven't already picked out your kitten, I'd suggest getting a female. Generally, cats of the opposite sex tend to get along better. Also, if Junior isn't neutered, get that done right away. Cats that aren't fixed can be much more aggressive than ones that are.
Have a friend bring the new kitten into your house for the first time - that will make Junior less likely to feel supplanted. Keep the kitten in a small room of your house with water, food and a few toys, and allow her to get used to her surroundings for a few days before trying any introductions. Of course, you can spend lots of time with the kitten in its room, but don't overdo it.
After the kitten seems comfortable, open the door of the room and wait for Junior and the kitten to find each other - don't force an encounter on them. When they do first meet, don't worry if there's a little hissing and chasing, as long as it doesn't turn too violent. Keep a squirt gun on hand to douse Junior if it does look like the kitten is about to get hurt.
Don't expect things to be all lovey-dovey at first. Usually, it takes at least a month until things get back to normal. After all, cats are very routine-oriented, and a new arrival will put a serious crimp in Junior's daily schedule. He'll adjust, however. Just give him time.