Paws to Consider
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Separation Without Anxiety
Canine separation anxiety is a common problem. It is much easier to prevent than to correct, especially when starting with puppies. All dogs should learn to be comfortable while separated from their people, even if they are usually home all day. This isn’t difficult to teach but it does take a bit of time.
You’ll start by designating a spot for the puppy where he can feel safe and secure. This may be a properly sized crate or cage, or it might be a small room, such as a laundry, bathroom, or kitchen with a baby gate to keep him safely enclosed.
Put him in his crate or enclosure and give him a special toy or treat that he will only get while confined. This can be one of the interactive toys designed to keep dogs occupied, or a Kong stuffed with something yummy. If he is obsessed with a certain toy or chewy, you might use that, but be sure it is something safe for an unattended dog to have. He will soon associate his enclosure with this special treat, which will make him happier to be there.
At first, leave the pup in the enclosure for just a few minutes. Ignore him if he protests and let him out before he has a chance to become stressed. Next time, leave him a bit longer. Gradually extend the amount of time the pup is separated from you. Use the special treat each time. In the early stages of training you can be in sight, but eventually you will leave.
Your behavior is important during separation training. When you confine your pup, don’t be dramatic about leaving. Simply put him in his spot and give him his treat. Say goodbye if you wish, but don’t make a production out of it. When you return, greet him matter-of-factly, as if you were only gone for a moment.
Many dog owners leave the television or radio on while their dogs are alone. The sound can mask some of the outside noises, and it can be soothing. Classical or any calm music is best. If you are leaving the television on, make sure it’s on a station that doesn’t feature screaming, car crashes, or explosions. My dogs like HGTV and Food Network. A friend swears by QVC.
This training also works with adult dogs. You’ll follow the same steps described for puppies, but you may need to take more time at each step. Eventually you may be able to allow your dog more space, but be sure he’s ready for it.
If you have a dog with true separation anxiety, he will show signs of stress as soon as he sees indications that you are getting ready to leave. These cues could be any number of things – picking up keys, grabbing a coat or a cup of coffee to go, picking up a purse or briefcase – anything you regularly do before leaving the house.
Put your pet into his confinement area and pick up your car keys. Wait a
moment and then let him out. Next time, confine your dog and put on your coat. Go back and let him
out. Do this with anything your dog sees as a clue that you are about to leave him alone. Then start
combining these things.
When he can handle these cues without being overly stressed, go out the door.
Wait a moment, then return and let your dog out again. Slowly progress until you can gather your
things and leave your dog for a reasonable amount of time without a problem.
There are some cases when separation anxiety is so severe that you will need the aid of your veterinarian or a professional trainer. There are medications and other aids that can help when used in conjunction with a training program.
Be reasonable about the amount of time you leave your dog. A puppy, nervous, or anxious dog will not be able to handle an eight or ten hour stretch alone. Give your pup or dog a good bit of physical exercise and mental stimulation, and try to tire him out before you leave.
With a bit of work, your dog will be comfortable when left alone.
By Dorothy Miner
Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author. She also teaches weekly classes for the Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution's PETS Program.
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Being "The Middle Child" and Hypothyroid Isn't So Bad
Hypothyroid "Jimmy James Jones" |
My
husband and I have always shared our home with a minimum of two dogs, the
average being three. The latter is the exact number today. Jimmy is the "middle child," flanked
by his older, epileptic , half-sister, "Robbie," and the younger, animated
Welsh Corgi, "Betsy Louise." With two "alphas" bossing him around,
Jimmy learned quickly to be "a beta." I like to call Jimmy "the brightest bulb
in the pack," not only because he figured out this social hierarchy early
on, but also because he is frankly very intelligent. In short, Jimmy is the
easy child.
While
Robbie, at age 14, is in the winter of her life, and still taking high doses of
anticonvulsants, and Betsy Louise has torn ligaments in both of her knees, Jimmy's only ailment has been hypothyroidism,
a condition that isn't "flashy,"
nor difficult to treat. In fact, like Jimmy, hypothyroidism is very easy to
manage.
Hypothyroidism,
or low thyroid function, is thought to be caused by a dog's immune system
attacking its own thyroid glands. This autoimmune activity results in low
production of thyroxine, the hormone of metabolism that turns food into
fuel.
As
many as 60% of middle-aged, large breed dogs will become hypothyroid. In
addition, certain dog breeds are over-represented when it comes to low thyroid
function and these include Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Dobermans, English
Bulldogs, Boxers, Great Danes, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and, of course,
Border Collies.
Symptoms
of low thyroid function may include thinning hair, pigmentation of skin,
sluggishness, weight gain, slow heart rate, muscle wasting, skin and ear
infections, intolerance to cold, infertility and mental dullness. Some dogs
will only experience neurologic symptoms such as seizures, balance disorders
and facial nerve paralyses.
Diagnosing
hypothyroidism involves a simple blood test to measure the dog's Thyroid
Stimulating Hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland in the brain, as well
as its levels of Total T4 (TT4) and Free
T4 (FT4) hormones produced by the thyroid glands themselves. The classic canine
hypothyroid patient will have high levels of TSH in the company of below normal
levels of TSH.
Jimmy,
and all hypothyroid patients, are treated by administration of economical, twice
daily doses of a manufactured hormone in tablet form called levothyroxine or
L-thyroxine. This prescription medication
is available in a variety of strengths because each dog's needs are unique.
Once diagnosed and treated, follow-up testing to verify dose accuracy, and
periodic blood monitoring, are essential to keeping hypothyroid dogs in good regulation
and health. Treatment of hypothyroidism will
then be lifelong.
If not diagnosed and properly
treated, low thyroid hormone levels can result in a rare, but life-threatening "myxedema
crisis." Common to Doberman Pinschers, symptoms of this medical
emergency include hypothermia, extreme weakness, mental dullness and thickened
facial skin above the eyes and along the jowls. Pet owners often do not
recognize this oncoming crisis because it is gradual in onset, but serious at
its peak.
All
too often dog owners assume that their pet is slowing down simply due to growing
older, when in fact they are "growing
hypothyroid." Appropriate and timely diagnosis of this readily treated
malady makes a huge difference in the patient's quality of life. Because of
this, hypothyroidism is a condition I truly love to diagnose and treat.
Just
ask Jimmy as he is about to celebrate his 11th birthday and acts like a puppy
since on thyroid medication.
By Dr. Bonnie Jones
Dr. Bonnie Jones practices at Delphos
Animal Hospital with her husband, John H. Jones, DVM. She was valedictorian and Outstanding Senior
Clinician of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Class of
1985.
Please Don't Leave Me!
Coming home to the scene
of massive doggy destruction isn’t anybody’s idea of a good thing. Nor is coming home to puddles or piles in the
house, gouged woodwork around the windows and doors, or neighbor complaints
about barking and howling. Often owners
cite separation anxiety as being the cause of these problems.
Separation problems are
pretty common, but not all separation problems are true separation
anxiety. There are many reasons for
destructive and undesirable behavior. Separation anxiety is certainly one of them but,
before deciding that this is the problem, others must be ruled out. How do you
know if you’re dealing with the need for more training or true separation anxiety?
If the
problems occur when the owner is present, it most likely is not separation
anxiety. Medical problems or incomplete
housetraining can be the cause of the urination and defecation problems. Sometimes the dog has been allowed too much
freedom for its age and level of training, particularly if the dog is a puppy
or adolescent, or new to the home.
Sometimes the dog has been left alone for an unreasonable amount of time
and stress causes it to misbehave.
Chewing may be because a puppy is teething, or it may be because the dog
has not been taught what is his to chew.
It may be boredom or lack of adequate exercise and mental stimulation. Barking can be caused by outside stimuli – a
squirrel in the tree, birds at a feeder, a cat, the mailman, etcetera. In many cases, the problems stem from the fact
that the dog has not learned to be alone for any period of time.
A training program that gradually increases
the time the dog is left alone, while keeping it occupied with interactive toys
or chewies, can solve the problem. Suitable
confinement (crate, pen, dog-proofed room with a baby gate) may be needed before
the dog can be allowed the unsupervised run of the house. An adequate amount of vigorous exercise before
leaving the dog will also help.
Typical symptoms of separation
anxiety include destructive chewing, excessive barking or howling, attempts to
dig through flooring, attempts to escape, and urinating and defecating in the
house. Dogs with severe separation
anxiety have seriously injured themselves by crashing through windows, tearing
out toenails or breaking teeth while attempting to get out of crates.
These dogs will usually start showing signs of
stress as soon as the owner gives cues that he or she is getting ready to
leave. Getting dressed to go out,
putting on a coat, grabbing a purse and car keys – all these things signal the
dog that it is about to be left alone.
The dog may whine, drool, pace, pant excessively, tremble, or appear
depressed before the owner leaves because they have learned to associate these
cues with being left alone.
Separation anxiety can be
the result of several factors. A change
in homes is a frequent cause. Dogs who
had a home and then wound up in a shelter or rescue may be traumatized enough by
the loss of their homes to suffer from separation anxiety after they are
adopted. The more homes a dog goes
through, the worse the problem. They cling
to their new family or person, not wanting to be left alone because of past
experience. A drastic change in schedule
can cause it.
If the owner had been home
most of the day and then gets a job requiring her to be gone for long periods
of time, the problem may occur. Moving
to a new and unfamiliar home can be a trigger.
A “velcro” dog that is rarely away from its owner is a prime candidate
for the problem. Absence of a loved
family member may bring about separation anxiety.
Lessening or
eliminating the problem requires careful training, counter conditioning, and
sometimes even prescription medication. It
is not something that can be improved overnight and will often require
professional assistance by a trainer, behavior specialist, or veterinarian with
expertise in behavior problems.
As with so
many problems, separation anxiety is often much easier to prevent than to cure.
By Dorothy M. Miner
Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog
obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author. She teaches weekly classes for the Allen
Oakwood Correctional Institution’s PETS Program and provides training and
consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their
People.”
Christmas Gift Ideas to Make Your Pet's Howl-iday Meow-y and Bright
'Tis the season for giving so I
thought I would ”prescribe" some great Christmas gift ideas for pets.
After 40 years of studying and owning Canis lupus familiaris (dogs) and Felis
catus (cats), I would recommend the following holiday gifts for your four-legged
family members.
For your dog or canines
belonging to others, remember that ALL DOGS need to be on heartworm and flea
control medications ALL YEAR ROUND---not just during the warmer months! The
greatest gift of all is to keep any pet parasite-free! Check your supply of
these items, then visit your veterinarian to stock up for the winter months.
For friends and family, consider buying a gift certificate from their veterinarian
so they may purchase these necessities at this time of year when excess budgets
run tight.
Older dogs have a
greater need for veterinary care and products, including orthopedic beds,
geriatric vitamins, pain medications, veterinary fish oils and joint
supplements. Ask your veterinarian to prescribe appropriate medications and supplements
as stocking stuffers for the mature dogs on your gift-giving list. I know my
senior working Border Collies would recommend a comfortably-cushioned dog bed
or orthopedic mat.
If you have ever been
repulsed by your dog's "dragon breath," consider scheduling a veterinary dental cleaning. These
ultrasonic scalings are followed by instruction on how to maintain your dog's clean,
fresh "Hollywood Smile." Your veterinary professional will teach you how to brush your dog's teeth, and can
assist in choosing appropriate chew toys, toothbrushes, pet pastes, dental
wipes and tartar control treats to put under the Christmas tree.
While I am certain new
chew toys are on every dog's wish list, making the correct and SAFE choice in
this gift category can prove to be challenging for dog owners. As a participant
in more intestinal foreign body retrieval surgeries for pets than I care to
admit to, I can attest to this fact. Please do not put your pet at risk for a
life-threatening intestinal blockage. Ask
your veterinarian to recommend chew toys specifically for your pet to avoid
spending New Year's Eve at the pet emergency hospital.
Just as we like to
"rock" new clothes over the holidays, so does your dog. Why not
consider replacing that old, smelly dog collar and leash with a new, stylish
harness and matching lead. Harnesses are more comfortable and kinder to your
pet's airways, especially if yours is a short-muzzled dog breed. Small and
short-haired dogs would also be most appreciative of an insulated, well-fitting
coat at this time of year.
Finally, for human AND
canine family members, consider pampering your dog by purchasing veterinary
gift certificates for professional services like pedicures, ear cleanings, grooming,
luxury boarding and entertaining day care.
What about our feline
family members? Their wish list is similar to dog's and they, too, could
benefit from a veterinary gift certificate. But, have you considered protecting
your Christmas tree from your Felis catus by providing it with its own
"Cat Tree?" The best thing about this gift is it can be inexpensively
homemade.
The purpose of cat trees
is to mimic the outdoors by allowing felines to "go vertical."
Veterinary research has proven that many cat behavioral and health problems may
be prevented through indoor "environmental enrichment." Consider helping
your cat "go horizontal" as well. And by that, I mean build a skyline
or "cat walk" along a ceiling, with a "cat ladder" to
approach it, that is adorned with safe, strategically placed cat toys.
Along these same lines,
note that the very best cat entertainment is generally provided by items that
are already in your home. Think crumpled holiday wrapping paper, bows, gift
bags and boxes to play and hide in. BUT, please (yes, I am begging) be mindful
of the danger associated with cats swallowing decorative ribbon. Linear or
string-like items are ALWAYS a "no-no" in any cat's environment any
time of the year!
In addition, if like me,
you do not enjoy stepping out of bed to have your toes meet up with a gross and
disgusting hairball or pile of vomit, give your cat the gift of a fresh tube of
cat laxative. Then, actually commit to using it regularly! This is really a
gift to yourself...
Thank you for always making your pet's
Christmas, and mine, "Meow-y and Bright" by celebrating the reason
for the season with them!
By Dr. Bonnie Jones
Dr. Bonnie Jones practices at
Delphos Animal Hospital with her husband, John H. Jones, DVM. She is questioning if it is wise to put up the
Christmas tree with new kitten, "Opie," joining the family.By Dr. Bonnie Jones
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Challenges of a Prison Pet Program
"Wally" Miner graduated from the ACI PETS Program 8 years ago |
A Prison Pets program provides
undeniable benefits for both dogs and their handlers. But it also provides some interesting
challenges. The benefits are
obvious. Dogs who might never have had a
chance at finding a home receive training and affection and escape
euthanasia. Inmate handlers learn a
skill and have the humanizing companionship of a dog.
The dogs bond to their handlers – and for many dogs this is the first bond they have ever experienced. The handlers take on the important responsibility of keeping that trust strong while molding good behavior.
The dogs bond to their handlers – and for many dogs this is the first bond they have ever experienced. The handlers take on the important responsibility of keeping that trust strong while molding good behavior.
There are a host of
differences between training a dog on the “outside” and training a dog in a
prison setting. Prison dogs can be with
their handlers almost 100 percent of the time, but their freedom is quite
limited. They don’t have a house and
yard to roam around; their home turf is a small cell shared by two men, the
dog’s equipment, and the men’s belongings.
This may cause a few dogs to become quite territorial about their space,
partly because it’s small and easily defensible.
Routine checks by corrections officers with their flashlights and jangling keys can be intimidating. The large number of men and lack of privacy and quiet can be an issue with some of the more fearful or mistrustful dogs.
Routine checks by corrections officers with their flashlights and jangling keys can be intimidating. The large number of men and lack of privacy and quiet can be an issue with some of the more fearful or mistrustful dogs.
Cleanliness can be a problem. A single exercise yard is provided for all of
the dogs and it can be deep in mud or dust, depending on the weather. The dogs get dirty quickly. Their bedding and towels must be washed
frequently, and the dogs need frequent cleanups as well. The program relies on donations of laundry
detergent and dog shampoo to keep man, beast, and home reasonably clean. Without these donated products, proper
cleaning is impossible. Housetraining is done quickly to avoid problems.
Potty times are strictly regulated because
the men cannot come and go to the dog exercise area as they please. Some accommodations can be made for sick or
older dogs that may need more frequent bathroom visits, but these are
rare.
Feeding the program dogs
is also a challenge. We ourselves may be
able to find a food that works well for our dogs and continue feeding it, but in
the prison program the brand and type of food changes frequently. Food is donated to the program, and there is
no way to stick to any one brand or type.
This can result in gastrointestinal upsets and discomfort for dogs with
food allergies. Food sensitivities can
add to both cleanliness and housetraining issues.
Keeping the dogs healthy
is important. Attempts are made to keep
a small supply of mostly over-the-counter medicines for the animals in the
program, but at times the needed item isn’t available. Theoretically the shelters provide these
needed items, but often it is the instructors or supervising staff that
purchase over-the-counter supplies out of their own pockets.
Prescribed medicines must come from a veterinarian, and that often means that a sick or injured dog must be taken to the veterinarian’s office for examination. If a shelter person isn’t available to transport the dog, it may delay needed medical attention. In an emergency, especially after hours, the program manager or instructors may be required to step in to transport the animal in need to the vet.
Prescribed medicines must come from a veterinarian, and that often means that a sick or injured dog must be taken to the veterinarian’s office for examination. If a shelter person isn’t available to transport the dog, it may delay needed medical attention. In an emergency, especially after hours, the program manager or instructors may be required to step in to transport the animal in need to the vet.
Most of us shower our pets
with toys and treats, and the program handlers would like to be able to do this
as well. But this depends solely on
donations. This also applies to needed
equipment and training supplies. If
needed supplies aren’t available, the program goes without. To make things more difficult, some commonly
used supplies are not permitted inside because of ingredients or
materials.
In spite of the
challenges, the P.E.T.S. Program survives.
The dogs are happy and do well and in the end, the benefits far outweigh
the difficulties.
If you would like to help
out a bit, consider making donations of treats, toys, or laundry detergent to the
Ohio SPCA, the Auglaize County Humane Society, or Deb’s Dogs and ask that they
be used for the AOCI PETS Program.
Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog
obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author. She teaches weekly classes for the Allen
Oakwood Correctional Institution’s PETS Program and provides training and
consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their
People.”
A Tale of Two Kitties
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The Jones Boys - "Stevie" & "Opie" |
We have a new kitten addition to our
family. His name is "Opie." He is about seven months old, and is, in
my humble opinion, quite a cat. At times, though, he's been a little too much
cat for Dr. Bonnie Jones.
So you can imagine my surprise a
couple of months ago when I peaked over her shoulder to see what she was typing,
and saw she titled her column, "A New Kid In Town." Suddenly, a real
feeling of warmth and goodness enveloped me. "Oh, my gosh! She does like
Opie. She even wrote a column about him!"
And then I read it. The column
doesn't mention him at all. It's all about her love affairs with black and
white cats. First Porky, then Jobey, and now "the new kid in town,"
Stevie Wonder. Except, he's not new. Heck, I wrote a column about him last
January. Opie is the "new," new kid in town!
Opie isn't black and white, either.
He is a handsome shade of orange. And not just your ordinary tiger pattern.
He's got swirls!
I must confess to having a certain
fondness for orange cats. I was fortunate to have a previous fifteen year relationship
with a tiny, five pound marvel named Watson, the greatest cat who ever lived.
This is coming from someone who has a serious case of "
rodentophobia."
Watson was my protector, my
bodyguard of sorts from all things rodent. All it would take was an admittedly
girly "EEK!" from yours truly, and he would be by my side in a flash
to eliminate the threat. He really was amazing. I don't know how he did it.
Thus it wasn't hard for me to take a
shine to this gangly kitten who seemed to possess a certain
"Watsonesque" gleam in his eye. In fact, the first night we allowed
him to sleep on our bed, which was his idea by the way, I awoke at two o'clock
to find him sleeping with his head on top of mine, like two skulls stacked one on
top of the other. I thought that was kind of weird, yet kind of nice. What
better way to bond.
Opie was also into head-butting and
face rubbing. I thought this meant he wanted to be my cat. It wasn't until I
read my wife's column last week did I learn this behavior is called
head-bunting. As it turns out, Opie didn't want to be my cat. He wanted me to
be his.
Although a people-oriented kitten,
he enjoyed engaging our other pets, as well. He especially liked to wrestle with
Betsy, our Corgi, and the aforementioned Stevie Wonder. Wrestling with Stevie, however,
often led to trouble for Opie. Even
though he was younger and smaller than Stevie, their friendly bouts would usually
escalate to the point where Stevie would cry out for his mommy, Bonnie.
Needless to say, repeated offenses landed Opie on a certain type of list kept
by their said mom. Well, that, and the Santa incident.
My wife is not a big collector of
things, except for Irish Santas. A hutch in our kitchen holds five levels of
them. I always knew this would be Opie's litmus test. And one morning, he
failed. I heard the scream!
Fortunately, he just made it to
level one, and only a few of the jolly old elves were knocked over. He did,
however, proceed to make snowballs out of their artificial snow. Knowing that
Opie wasn't alone in being in trouble, I did what needed to be done. I scooped
up my orange friend and we headed to the barn.
I feel sorry for cat owners who
don't have a barn. Barns can fix a multitude of cat mistakes. Whether the issue
is aggressive behavior or inappropriate elimination, time spent in the barn can
have positive effects. And it doesn't have to be a permanent move.
Opie spent the entire day there, but
after the evening chores, he followed the dogs and me back to the house. And
you know what? After twelve hours of exploration and exercise, exhaustion
brought peace back to the household. Apparently, a tired kitten is a good
kitten!
"Walk Like An Egyptian"
Cat
Lovers unite! Did you know that October 29 is National Cat Day, a day founded to encourage cat
adoption and to celebrate cats for their love and companionship? Domestication of cats dates back
4000 years to a time when Ancient Egyptians kept cats to control pests that invaded food
supplies.
Cats
were not only revered as hunters by
Ancient Egyptians---they were also believed to be "magical," and capable
of bringing good luck. So much so, that wealthy families adorned cats with
jewels and fed them treats fit for royalty. Cats were also mummified when they
died. Ancient Egyptians in mourning would then shave off their eye brows and
mourn the loss of the cat until their brows grew back.
In
Greek mythology, Egyptian goddess, Bastet, fulfilled many roles, including
goddess of the home, domesticity, women's secrets, fertility, childbirth...and,
yes, cats. First represented as a woman with the head of a lioness, Bastet's
images softened over time, with later depictions showing her with a cat's head and
a litter of kittens at her feet. Bastet was also believed to be able to morph
into a cat at times!
While
cats may have been the preferred companion of Ancient Egyptians, they are also
commonly associated with witches and villains (think the proverbial black cat
at Halloween!). I prefer to think of my feline family members and patients as
masters of disguise with wicked intelligence, instead of representatives of
evil.
To
comprehend the allure of cats, one must first understand their behaviors---some
have been developed out of necessity, others are just plain intriguing. Part of
the delight of being a veterinarian is having the privilege of witnessing
varied feline behaviors...the good, the bad, and the ugly!
If
you have watched your cat play, you have likely seen it in a low crouch with
its tail swishing, followed by a pounce on an object of its desire. In nature,
this behavior will precede an attack on prey, or be carried out in response to
a perceived threat. Therefore, it is not uncommon to observe this same tail-switching
behavior in the veterinary setting when a feline patient's discontent is escalating.
If this "tick-tock tail" is not heeded, cats will often follow through
by lashing out at the nearest target.
Veterinary
professionals heed another forewarning given by cat patients: ears that are laid back on the head. This is a
posture that precedes a conflict between cats and definitely sends the message
"Back off!" Speaking from experience, you should!
On
the contrary, "head bunting," often mistakenly labeled
"head-butting," and facial rubbing, are social behaviors practiced by
cat colonies to make all colony members smell alike. Cats recognize each other
by scent first, so when your cat rubs its head, chin or face on you, you become
your cat's possession and a member of its "club." Head bunting also indicates
social rank, as dominant cats usually do the bunting. Your cat may roll over on
the floor a few times before bunting YOU as a way of showing affection!
Have
you ever witnessed your cat with its ears pricked and its mouth slightly
open? This depicts a cat using its "vomeronasal
organ," an accessory scent organ, that sits forward on the roof of the
mouth. When a scent is collected in the mouth, cats use their tongues to flick
the scent up to the vomeronasal organ. This information processing is called a
"flehmen response" and is practiced by domestic and wild animals including
horses, ungulates and large felines. You may notice your cat
"flehming" when it detects a new or different aroma in its environment.
Does
your cat seem to occasionally get a case of the "zoomies" and
suddenly race about? This behavior is
likely a throwback to kittenhood when your cat was learning to hunt.
"Zooming" kittens will bounce sideways with their backs arched as they fine tune
their balance, speed, timing and agility. Older cats may zoom because it's just
plain fun, especially if they have pent up energy. My advice is to sit back,
laugh, and enjoy... unless the zooming is nocturnal. The solution to unwanted
zooming at night is to engage your cat in play during the day, and feed its
biggest meal at bedtime, as most cats will sleep after a meal (or big hunt).
These
are just a few of the numerous, intriguing behaviors cats demonstrate. If, like
me, you enjoy the company of cats, singular or (preferably) plural, why not
"walk like an Egyptian" to your nearest shelter or cat rescue and
adopt a cat in need. You may just find the "purr-fect" pet.
Dr. Bonnie Jones practices at Delphos Animal Hospital. She celebrates
National Cat Day every day with her cats, "Diane," "Stevie
Wonder," and "Opie," and several, beloved barn cats.
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