ArcaMax

Feline diabetes is a growing concern among pet owners, as more cats are diagnosed with the condition each year. Recognizing the signs, seeking prompt veterinary care, and understanding treatment options can significantly improve a cat’s quality of life. Diabetes in cats occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot ...Read more

The Scottish Fold cat, known for its distinctive folded ears and round, expressive eyes, has become a beloved breed among pet owners. With a calm temperament and affectionate nature, these cats can thrive in a suburban environment, offering companionship and unique charm to their owners.

Scottish Folds are known for their adaptability and can ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I have two sibling cats, one male and one female, who have been with me since they were eight weeks old. They are now nine years old. During my recent week-long vacation, my male cat stopped drinking water, leading to dehydration and constipation. He also had a bowel movement outside the litter box and vomited.

My vet prescribed ...Read more

Cats are known for their fastidious nature, which makes it all the more frustrating when they start peeing outside the litter box. This behavior can be a sign of an underlying issue, ranging from medical conditions to environmental stress. Understanding the cause is key to resolving the problem and restoring harmony in your home.

Medical ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I have a three-year-old Shih Tzu mix who has brought tremendous joy to our household. The one major issue is her anxiety when traveling in a car. She pants incessantly throughout the ride but is fine as soon as it’s over. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 5-minute trip or a longer drive.

We’ve tried over-the-counter and ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I have two small dogs, neither of which are housetrained – a five-year-old “shorkie” I got four years ago, and a 10-year-old Shih Tzu mix that I just added to the family.

When I first got the “shorkie,” I tried to crate train him, but he would go berserk. He had been thrown out of a car, so was likely very traumatized. ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

Two months ago, we adopted Fred, a Shar-Pei/Lab mix, through a rescue. He was found severely malnourished and covered in sores. After two months in foster care, we adopted Fred. He has bonded well with our five-year-old dog and is learning to be his own dog. While he’s made significant progress, he still struggles with some ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I read your advice, "Preparing Feral Cats for Winter." While our country is riddled with invasive species of plants, animals, and insects, feral cats are also invasive, invading the limited habitats of today's urban and rural landscapes.

The article mentions you as a "pet expert," yet you seem to lack significant knowledge about ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I just recently rescued/adopted a full breed Pomeranian male puppy at five months old. He’s great! I’ve only had West Highland Terriers and I’m absolutely fascinated by the differences. He’s trained to use a wee wee pad and it’s going great. He’s the perfect dog for an apartment.

My problem is, I can’t get him to go ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I got a two-year-old Shi Tzu from a private party. I wanted a lap dog, but she hides under my recliner. She will come for treats and follow me around the house but mainly stays under the chair. I got her a crate, but she only goes in to get a toy or a treat. I covered it with a blanket, but that didn't help. I did find out they ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

My nine-year-old female cat steps into her litter box and urinates and poops right by the opening, standing up. I bought a taller box, but the urine still goes over the opening. How can I stop this? Don't cats usually turn around when they go into the litter box? This is a recent issue, and I think she may have arthritis and can't ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

We have a wonderful little Shih tzu mix that we rescued a few years ago. We absolutely adore her! We have one problem: She barks at the TV like crazy when she sees an animal of any kind.

You can see her go on high alert when she hears a commercial, and as you know animals appear in almost all commercials and many shows. It is so ...Read more

Dear Cathy, We got a Morkie from a breeder when she was 10 weeks old. We’ve worked hard on potty training. She doesn’t go when on a leash but goes in her crate at least four times a week. Last night, I was with her in our yard for 30 minutes, giving her every opportunity to go, but this morning, it’s all over her crate again. This ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I saw the article in your column about the 14-year-old feral cat who was trapped, fixed, and left to live outdoors. They mentioned the cat injured a back paw, which made me wonder why they didn’t try to make her an indoor cat where she would be safer.

In 2011, we trapped a wild-born feral in our neighborhood, Sox. After getting ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

About six months after adopting our cat, Harmony, she started leaving a strong odor behind on anything she laid on. While we haven’t confirmed she’s urinating on surfaces, there’s definitely a smell that isn’t normal. Our current vet shaved her bottom, and we limited her food consumption to help her lose weight.

The vet ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I have a 10-month-old chihuahua/mini pin that I have been crate training since we rescued him at four months. I gave up on keeping him in the crate overnight. He was crying after a few hours. When I put him in the crate to leave, he seems to cry the whole time I'm gone and moves the crate across the room. (I have a camera to check ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I have a seven-year-old Pomeranian rescue. I adopted her when she was about two. Six months ago, she started running out of the room whenever I got a text. After two weeks, I changed the text notification sound, and she was OK for about a week, but then she started running out of the room again. My vet checked her out and said dogs ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

Our four-year-old Havapoo has been kenneled for most nights since a pup. She was great until about a year ago when she suddenly resisted getting into the kennel. It got better for a while, then worse again. Once in, she claws at the kennel door and whines. We tried a different kennel, but it did not help.

She has developed a fear ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

My son has a Pomeranian who barks at people walking down the street. He barks if I bang into something in the house, even if I’m right next to him. He is a good watchdog because he knows when someone is outside, but it gets to be too much. The dog goes into a barking frenzy at times and doesn’t stop. What’s his problem?

— ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

My husband and I have been feeding a feral neighborhood cat for 14 years. She was nursing two newborn kittens when we found her, so she is probably at least 15 years old. We managed to trap her and have her spayed, but she has lived outdoors ever since. She allows us to get close, but not touch her.

During a brutally cold winter in...Read more