Few negotiations are as complex and delicate as those between cats living together in a crowded house. Cats are by nature solitary, contemplative beings, and although we now know they are more social than we once gave them credit for, they still can't quite manage the jovial pack behavior of the dog. (Nor would they want to, of course.)
While some co-habitating cats become loving companions -- especially if raised together from kittenhood -- others live in a state akin to a cold war, with territories carefully drawn and fervently defended. One cat lives here, one cat lives there, and as long as everyone gets food, water, a clean litterbox and plenty of attention, life goes on in relative peace and quiet.
Until, that is, something turns up the heat on the cold war. Something like a tiny kitten who refuses to play by the rules.
I've spent some time recently waiting for just such a kitten, Agamemnon the Fearless, in the second-story bedroom of the gracious old South Georgia home where my friends Joe and Peg live, along with a blended family of kids, dog, cats, and a tough-minded cockatiel named Ed. ATF is one of two family additions that have taken place while I'm visiting. While the kitten was an unplanned delight, the other, the golden retriever grandpup of the aging Sundance, has been anticipated for months.
The cats are not happy with either addition, although of the two youngsters, the kitten seems to be the bigger problem as far as they're concerned. Four cats reside here, more or less peacefully, two upstairs and two down. The stairs function as sort of a demilitarized zone that not even the dogs dare cross.
Agamemnon doesn't know or care that he's heading where he ought not. The pint-sized gray panther, perhaps 8 weeks old and a pound if he's lucky, has a very heavy step on the stairs. Still, it's slow going. The risers are tall, and there are a lot of them, with two landings where the stairs turn again and continue upward. I hear ATF leap up the first flight, then rest, then the second flight, then rest. I know he is considering the final six steps.
His name was not given in jest. He is strong-willed and determined -- characteristics that surely account for his surviving being trapped between the walls of an old house for three days. Stairs are nothing to him. With a final explosion of energy, he gains the landing and heads to where I'm sitting, oblivious to the cats on either side of me.
Darlene, the creaky calico who reigns over the upstairs like an aging and ill-tempered Southern belle in reduced circumstances, warns him with a low yowl that he'd better mind his manners. He shows no signs of complying, so Darlene leaps onto the bookshelf, out of his reach. Momcats, a cross-eyed Siamese, hisses in fury and leaps out the window, perching on a sunny spot along the spine of the roof.
Agamemnon couldn't care less that he has sparked a wholesale re-evaluation of existing treaties and alliances. Yowls and hisses fill the house. Litterboxes are ignored, and even though I am an innocent bystander and impartial observer, I wake up one day to find something unwanted in my suitcase. Who did it? Who knows? The upstairs cats have been spotted in the downstairs hall, and one of the downstairs cats has come in through the second-story window.
The human contingent reacts with as much patience, understanding, extra litterboxes and strong cleaning solutions as can be mustered.
These things don't always work out, but in this case it seems they will. As I'm about to head for home, the spats have become less frequent, along with the messes. The four cats have reclaimed their old territory, and the baby Agamemnon is free to roam both upstairs and down. Within a few months, I'm sure, only my suitcase will bear the scars of conflict. A small sacrifice for peace, to be sure.
PETS ON THE WEB
The American Federation of Aviculture (http://www3.upatsix.com/afa/) is a nonprofit group that supports the keeping and breeding of pet birds, and educates and lobbies on their behalf. While most of the Web site is used for encouraging people to join the organization, a little digging around will reveal some useful articles on such topics as feather-picking and aviary construction.
PET TIP
When you have pets, accidents happen, which is why you should always have clean-up supplies on hand. Cleaning up messes quickly is not only better for your carpets, but it helps to prevent a repeat -- old smells tend to encourage pets to create new ones. Avoid cleaners that contain ammonia -- it smells like urine to pets -- and do look for those that contain enzymes designed to break down wastes and neutralize odors. You can find a selection of the latter at any good pet-supply store.
You can also make a fairly effective cleaner for fresh urine accidents with water, white vinegar and a gentle dish soap such as Ivory. Combine a quart of hot water from the faucet with a teaspoon of Ivory and a teaspoon of white vinegar. Blot the area with paper towels, then apply the solution liberally. Let the solution sit for a few minutes and blot again. (If you're worried about color-fastness, test in an out-of-site patch first.)
QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK
Q: I have a 10-year-old miniature schnauzer who started gaining weight about three months ago and is now terribly obese. I live on the second floor, and she can barely get up the stairs. What can I do for a quick weight loss? She can't walk very far without stopping and lying on her side. She pants constantly and seems to be miserable. Please help! Her name is Jil, and I love her dearly. -- E.C., via the Internet
A: Call your veterinarian right away, and especially before starting any weight-loss program. Because her weight came on so quickly and she is so incapacitated, you need to be sure there aren't other health problems involved. If everything checks out, follow your veterinarian's advice on a weight-reduction diet and a gradual increase in exercise.
No quick fixes here, though. Weight loss needs to be gradual for safety's sake. Pets become obese because of us. Your pet gets the exercise, food and treats you give her, no more and no less. She's not able to go to the store or prepare food on her own, or join a gym if she fancies.
Treats seem to be one of the biggest contributors to this epidemic. Some people give their pets plenty of between-meal goodies, not only from the Milkbone box but also from their own plates. All this adds up! Cutting out treats can be hard on both pet and pet owner, so try to cut back and switch to a low-cal treat such as carrot sticks.
Q: As you already probably know, Labs need a lot of attention in the early stages of life. I have a 7-month-old black Lab/chow mix (mostly Lab), and I want to know when I should start training -- I mean really start training. He has an attention span of about 15 to 20 minutes; then he loses interest. I don't want to force him too much, but I want him to listen.
My training experience has been limited to Rottweilers only. I had great success with them, but as you know, their disposition is greatly different from the more docile Labs. I am concerned about breaking the Lab's confidence.
With that in mind, can you give me your best recommendation for this loving, fun, intelligent and loyal companion of mine, so we both have many happy years together? -- P.T., via the Internet
A: All dogs need a lot of attention in the early stages of life. They are born as little sponges, soaking up good and bad behaviors from the very beginning, and that's when training should start, with gentle handling and exposure to the normal noises of a human household.
I'm a great fan of puppy classes, which begin as early as 12 weeks and are geared to teaching puppies to learn. These classes are loosely structured and lots of fun for both pets and people.
No dog needs to have his spirit broken to be trained. Training should be a way of forming a bond between you and your dog. In recent years, positive, reward-based training methods have gained wide acceptance, and I encourage you to take a class and learn how fun training can be.
Training in short intervals is highly effective and can more easily be fit into today's busy schedule. You can even train your dog in less time -- one minute here to sit before getting a food dish, a five-minute down-stay there while you iron a shirt. A good reference on this kind of training is Carol Lea Benjamin's "Dog Training in 10 Minutes" (Howell Book House-Macmillan General Reference), which can help you to integrate training your dog into your daily life.
Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Write2Gina(at)aol.com.
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