With the right motivation, cats can learn to use scratching posts and other scratching items instead of furniture or carpets

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Last month, Denver became the first city outside of California to ban the declawing of cats. In September, the American Association of Feline Practitioners strengthened its position on the procedure, stating that it strongly opposes declawing.

Declawing (onychectomy) has been controversial for years, but the procedure, surgical amputation of the toe bone -- think having your fingers chopped off at the first knuckle -- is increasingly under fire. Potential complications include claw regrowth and bony remnants that cause pain or lameness.

Cats scratch. It’s not only a normal behavior for them, it’s an essential one. Just as you “mark your territory” with art, photographs or furniture of a certain style, cats lay claim to a place through scent and visual markers. Scratching performs both functions by leaving gouges -- the higher the better -- in the scratched item as well as depositing scent from glands in the cat’s paws. Both signals tell other cats that yours is a force to be reckoned with and help cats feel comfortable in their environment. Scratching keeps claws sharp and removes the dead outer layer of the claw. And we can infer from our own experience that stretching -- a big part of scratching action -- feels good.

“Scratching has a communication function, it has a grooming function, it has a comfort function,” says veterinary behaviorist Debbie Horwitz in St. Louis. “It isn’t really in the best welfare of cats to declaw them, to remove their digits, simply because it’s easier than us doing something else to stop a normal but unwanted behavior.”

It can be frustrating when a cat scratches an expensive carpet or piece of furniture, but a little feline psychology and feng shui go a long way toward solving the problem. Teaching a cat where to scratch involves not only choosing the right size and type of post but also placing it in an area that gives your cat the most bang for his communication buck.

Cats scratch in both vertical and horizontal positions. A vertical scratching post should be at least 3 feet high with a sturdy base so the cat can stretch out to full length as he lets loose with his claws. Ceiling-height posts encourage climbing as well, which is good exercise and allows cats to enjoy a high vantage point where they can feel safe and survey their surroundings. Horizontal posts don’t have to be long, but cats will appreciate sturdiness and texture.

Placement is important. Cats like to show off their scratching prowess. If you shove the post down in the basement or some other out-of-the-way area, no one can see his masterpiece. With the number of attractive and stylish cat trees available, there’s no reason not to have one front and center.

“I have one in my kitchen (that) is a big platform so he can look out the window,” Dr. Horwitz says. “I have one in my family room, which is where I spend time watching TV, and I have one in the dining room.”

Placing a post in areas where you spend time and next to items that your cat might otherwise scratch encourages its use and allows you to notice unwanted scratching and redirect your cat’s attention to the post. Run your fingers up it -- he’ll be attracted by the motion and sound. A product called Feliscratch uses pheromones and catnip to entice cats to use the post. Its blue coloring enhances the visual message of the scratch marks.

Teaching a cat scratching manners protects our belongings, but it has a deeper benefit, Dr. Horwitz says. Preserving the natural, instinctive behaviors of cats enhances their well-being.

“They have a lot of natural behaviors that are objectionable to us, but we should give them alternatives to do those normal behaviors in a way that they’re not objectionable to us or other people.”

Q&A

What to do when

dog eats glass

Q: My friend’s American Eskimo dog bit down on a glass Christmas ornament and swallowed some of the pieces. Should she have induced vomiting?

A: Dogs are equal-opportunity eaters. If it smells or even looks edible, they won’t hesitate to ingest it. I never cease to be amazed at the things dogs will put in their mouths and chomp down on. That includes glass ornaments and lightbulbs.

The real surprise is that biting down on a glass ornament is typically less dangerous for dogs than it might seem. Most often, dogs appear to realize they’ve made a mistake and don’t swallow the shards. They still run the risk of cutting their tongue or lip, of course, with the resultant bleeding. If it’s severe enough, the dog may need a trip to the veterinarian for treatment.

When dogs do swallow the pieces, your veterinarian may feel it’s safer to let the glass pass naturally instead of trying to bring it back up by inducing vomiting. I have heard of people who have induced vomiting in cases like this, but we usually don’t recommend it. The dog runs a greater risk of injury bringing back up sharp items such as glass or needles.

If you know that your dog has swallowed something dangerous such as glass, call your veterinarian immediately for advice. If your dog isn’t showing signs of choking -- gagging or pawing at the throat, for instance -- your veterinarian may suggest giving bread, pumpkin or mashed potatoes to help encase the glass as it passes through the intestinal tract. Any signs such as straining to defecate, lethargy, blood in the stool, lack of appetite or abdominal pain call for an immediate trip to the veterinarian. These signs may indicate a blockage or damage to the intestinal tract that requires surgical repair. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Research shows hope

for cats with FIP

-- Trials of two antiviral drugs show promise in treating feline infectious peritonitis, a fatal disease caused by a type of coronavirus. It is most common in large groups of cats, such as those in shelters and catteries, and is the leading infectious cause of death in young cats. In the abstract of one study published in May 2016 by the journal PLoS, researchers wrote: “We found that antiviral treatment led to full recovery of cats when treatment was started at a stage of disease that would otherwise be fatal if left untreated. Cats returned to normal health within 20 days or (fewer) of treatment.”

-- Does your town’s disaster plan include pets? It should, especially if you live in an area that’s prone to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or tornadoes. Most high-population areas have pet issues covered in the event of evacuation or other need for rescue, but locales with smaller populations often lack the training, expertise, equipment and shelter needed to rescue, manage and house pets and livestock when emergencies strike. To improve their communities’ emergency preparedness response, veterinary professionals and humane organizations can obtain the Community Animal Disaster Planning Toolkit from the Colorado State University Extension website at extension.colostate.edu.

-- Christmas trees, candles and other holiday accoutrements offer ample opportunity for pets to show their naughty side, leaving you to scramble to save the tree, the trimmings or the roast beast. To keep holidays safe, fun and happy for all involved, adapt your holiday decor to the realities of life with pets. Use pet-safe ornaments -- no tinsel or glass, please -- avoid poisonous plants such as lilies and mistletoe, and set plates of food out of reach of a counter-surfing dog or cat. The holidays will be easier and less stressful on all of you! -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Is it an emergency? Here’s what you should know when minutes count

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Our dogs and cats hate to let us know when they’re not feeling well. It’s instinctive for them to hide illness and even injuries if possible.

Some emergencies are obvious, though, and an emergency, by definition, requires immediate treatment. Any time your pet experiences one of the following conditions, you need to get him to the veterinarian on the double, whether it’s noon or nighttime, weekend or holiday.

-- Hit by car. Even if your pet appears to be OK, he could have serious internal injuries.

-- Falling out a high window. Cats have a reputation for surviving high falls, but that doesn’t mean they don’t sustain injuries.

-- Blood gushing from an artery or bleeding from the mouth, nose or rectum.

-- Loss of consciousness.

-- Difficulty breathing, which can indicate choking, poisoning or heart failure.

-- Sudden collapse or paralysis.

-- Bloody vomiting or diarrhea.

-- Broken bones, difficulty walking or reluctance to put weight on a limb.

-- Gums that are pale instead of a healthy pink.

-- Seizures, tremors or staggering, which can indicate poisoning or neurological problems.

-- Known ingestion of antifreeze, Easter lilies, rat poison, items containing xylitol or other toxic substances.

Some pets are more prone to certain types of emergencies than others. Cats, for instance, love to nibble on plants and can develop fatal kidney failure from eating any part of a lily, even small amounts of pollen.

In male cats, straining to urinate can signal an obstructed urinary tract. When that happens, toxins build up quickly and can kill the cat if the blockage isn’t relieved rapidly. Cats who strain to defecate should also be seen right away.

Dogs, especially males but sometimes females, can also develop urinary obstructions from bladder stones or prostate disease. Breeds at higher risk include Dalmatians, bulldogs and black Russian terriers.

An enlarged stomach accompanied by drooling, panting and retching without bringing anything up is a sign of gastric dilatation volvulus, commonly known as bloat and often seen in deep-chested dogs. Never “wait and see” if your dog shows these signs.

Dogs are notorious for eating anything they run across, which leaves them open to ingesting toxic foods and pharmaceuticals. Take your dog in if he eats grapes or raisins, fungi such as mushrooms or toadstools, dark chocolate, any food containing the sweetener xylitol, or drugs such as Tylenol, nasal spray or eye drops.

Another common pet emergency is severe vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by appetite loss. Those signs may be early indicators of life-threatening disease or gastrointestinal obstruction. Pets left untreated, especially cats or toy-breed dogs, can quickly become weak and dehydrated.

Pets with flat faces such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are prone to heatstroke. If these pets are restless, have a rapid pulse, have trouble breathing or are panting or drooling, it’s an emergency.

Cat and dog breeds such as Maine coons, ragdolls, Persians, American shorthairs and cavalier King Charles spaniels are at risk for congestive heart failure. Signs include unusual inactivity, tiring quickly, restlessness, panting, difficulty breathing, crackly breathing sounds and pale gums.

A pet who has trouble walking may have a spinal cord injury. Dogs or cats with long backs such as dachshunds or munchkins are susceptible to ruptured intervertebral disks.

If your pet experiences an emergency, the best thing you can do is to stay calm in the moment. Have your veterinarian’s phone number and that of the nearest emergency clinic on speed dial, and call to let them know you’re on the way and what the problem is.

Most important, know your pet’s normal behavior. Noticing changes early can help you catch problems before they turn into emergencies.

Q&A

Cat’s wake-up

call is unwanted

Q: Our 11-year-old male cat has some new behaviors. He used to sleep at the foot of our bed, but now he cuddles, purrs and sleeps with me. At about 4 a.m., he starts walking around the bed, meowing and nibbling on my fingers and chewing on my husband’s hair. If we shut him out of our room, he cries and paws at the door relentlessly. I don’t mind having him in the room until the nibbling and meowing start. Is the nibbling an alpha behavior?

A: It’s great that your cat is so affectionate, but I can certainly see how the early-morning attention could get old -- fast! The nibbling isn’t alpha behavior, because that’s not a concept that applies to cats (or to dogs, for that matter). Your cat does want your attention, whether it’s because he wants to eat breakfast -- now! -- or because to him it seems like a good time for some interaction.

The other possibility is that his behavior is changing because he is showing early signs of dementia.

As with any change in behavior, we recommend taking your cat in for a veterinary exam to rule out underlying health problems. Sometimes being obnoxious is the only way cats have to tell us that they’re not feeling well.

If your cat gets a clean bill of health, he may simply be ready for breakfast at that time of the morning. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Your cat’s body clock may be telling him that it’s time to eat. To ensure uninterrupted sleep for yourself, try purchasing a feeder with a timer. You can set it to go off just before the time your cat normally wakes you. If you feed canned food, look for a feeder with an ice pack to keep food chilled. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Legal beagles frown

on frigid canines

-- Heavily furred pets can thrive in cold conditions, but in some states, it’s a misdemeanor or felony to leave animals outdoors for long periods in freezing weather. Most animals need protection from winter’s chill just as humans do. Pennsylvania is the most recent state to mandate protecting pets from freezing temperatures, joining Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas, as well as certain municipalities. Michigan requires outdoor dogs to have “adequate shelter” from the elements. Penalties range from fines to jail time.

-- A Brussels griffon named Newton was top dog at the 2017 National Dog Show in Oaks, Pennsylvania, which aired on NBC Thanksgiving Day. More formally known as GCH (for Grand Champion) Wynzall Hashtag, the toy-breed dog -- described as resembling a mini version of Chewbacca, the Wookiee character from "Star Wars" -- took the best in show title by beating out a whippet, a Portuguese water dog, an English springer spaniel, an old English sheepdog, an American Staffordshire terrier and a French bulldog. Brussels griffons were created in the 18th century from a blend of English toy spaniel, pug and affenpinscher. Cute, bossy and self-important, they are known for a sometimes-naughty nature, but their love for people usually gets them out of trouble.

-- How long have dogs been walking on leashes? Based on rock art discovered in Saudi Arabia, humans and dogs have been linked by leashes for at least 8,000 years, according to an online report in the journal Science. It may also be the earliest depiction of humans and dogs hunting together, not to mention the earliest depiction of dogs in general. With their pricked-up ears, smooth coats and curved tails, the dogs depicted resemble primitive, or pariah-type, dogs such as Canaan dogs, Carolina dogs or the village dogs found around the world. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

When you don’t know what gift to buy, a book is often the perfect answer

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

It’s that time of year again -- the season of gift giving. We gave up long ago trying to find just the right trinket for family and friends; we just give books instead. There is always something to suit anyone’s interests. If you’re buying for pet lovers this year -- or for yourself -- there’s a “bone-anza” of books from which to choose.

Raise a glass to working-class cats employed in security, brand management and customer relations at breweries, distilleries and wineries. You’ll giggle your way through Brad Thomas Parsons’ “Distillery Cats,” profiles of 36 feline members of the organic pest control brigade. With its charming illustrations, quotes from cat lovers and drink recipes, it’s a spirited choice for anyone who appreciates cats and cocktails.

Does your cat have mojo? He will if Jackson Galaxy, star of “My Cat From Hell,” has anything to say about it. Cat mojo is all about confidence, Galaxy says, in his new book “Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide To Life With Your Cat.” Filled with Cat Daddy Facts about feline genetics, anatomy, habits and history, the crash course in cats, co-authored with animal behavior expert Mikel Delgado, Ph.D., covers the whys and wherefores of cat behavior, physical and emotional needs, and how to troubleshoot tabby tizzies.

First-time dog owners will benefit from “Modern Dog Parenting” by trainer and behavior consultant Sarah Hodgson. There’s advice on understanding canine behavior, dealing with dog dramas; recognizing fears; providing good grooming, first aid and nutrition; and, of course, having fun together.

John Shivik didn’t like cats. Then Pinguino entered his life. The relationship they developed led to the wildlife biologist’s study of animal personalities, presented in his book “Mousy Cats and Sheepish Coyotes.” With humor, heart and science, he explores the bonds between humans and animals. “All of us would do better if we learned to accept individual personality in all animals, even when it means giving up a little of our own individuality,” he writes.

Here’s one for the murder-mystery fans. At a Christmas tree farm, Melanie Travis finds a surprise beneath one of the trees -- a dead body guarded by a shivering Maltese. Travis finds herself plunged into a mystery as she seeks to identify the man and notify his family. In “Wagging Through the Snow,” the 21st of the series, author Laurien Berenson weaves together mystery, humor, dogs (of course!) and the effects of alcoholism and homelessness on families to create a short but sweet holiday tale.

Readers with a strong interest in the science behind the workings of the brain will appreciate “What It’s Like to Be a Dog: And Other Adventures in Animal Neuroscience.” Author Gregory Berns, who trained dogs to willingly enter (and lie quietly in) an MRI scanner so he could better understand how they thought, follows up by addressing the complexity of animal intelligence and emotions.

Remember ultramarathoner Dion Leonard, who unexpectedly acquired a canine teammate during a 155-mile race through China’s Gobi Desert last year? His book “Finding Gobi” chronicles the story of how the little stray dog attached herself to him during the race, determined not to fall behind, and how he grew to love her. But love is never easy, and Leonard encountered numerous obstacles to bringing Gobi home to Edinburgh, not least of which was her mysterious disappearance after the race, miraculous recovery and a four-month quarantine in China before they could go home together. He writes: “...from the moment I said yes to Gobi, my life has been different. She has added to all the good things in my life and brought healing to some of the bad.”

Q&A

Should we get an

Abyssinian cat?

Q: My 12-year-old daughter has her heart set on an Abyssinian cat. What can you tell us about this breed? Are they good family cats?

A: In the right family, Abys are wonderful cats. Kids love them because they’re active and smart, good at learning tricks -- including walking on leash and playing fetch -- and funny as can be. There’s a reason they are nicknamed the clowns of the cat world.

Count on an Aby finding the highest spot in every room and then scaling it. They are highly athletic climbers and jumpers, so be prepared to find your cat on top of the refrigerator or taking a look inside your cabinets. They’re perfectly capable of getting around any child locks you may have installed. Abys get along with children who respect them and don’t disturb them during naptime. They love attention from and interaction with their humans, so living with one is a big commitment.

Abyssinians have an average lifespan of 15 years, but they have been known to die as young as 10 years or to live as long as 18 years. I asked my colleague Marybeth Rymer, DVM, who has loved and lived with Abyssinians for 25 years, to weigh in on their health. She says Abys can live long, healthy lives, but like any cat, they are at risk from certain genetic diseases.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory offers testing for erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency, a disease of the red blood cells, and for progressive retinal atrophy, an eye disease that can lead to blindness. A fatal kidney disease called amyloidosis does not yet have a screening test. The bottom line, Dr. Rymer says, is to buy a kitten from a breeder who tests for genetic diseases and whose line of cats doesn’t carry amyloidosis. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Burned cat home

after 10-year odyssey

-- A cat who survived last month’s California wildfires has been returned to his family -- 10 years after he disappeared. A microchip was his way back home. Pilot was found with severe burns and taken to Petcare Veterinary Hospital in Santa Rosa. A microchip scan turned up the name of his owners, who said he disappeared in 2007, three years after they acquired him as a kitten. They checked shelters for months with no luck. A few years later they moved to Colorado, with no expectation of ever seeing their cat again. Jennifer Leigh Thompson flew out to California to retrieve Pilot, and he is home recuperating from his injuries.

-- Because of their frequent exposure to chemicals and toxic fumes, firefighters are at risk for certain types of cancer, including respiratory and urinary cancers. A Canadian organization called Cancer Dogs is hoping to reduce that risk through screenings with dogs trained to detect cancer by sniffing the breath and alerting when they smell signs of disease. More than 20,000 firefighters have been tested since the program began in 2011. People who have been diagnosed with cancer but have not yet begun treatment can donate breath samples to help train the dogs. For more information, visit cancerdogs.ca.

-- Veterinarians from the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California, are helping people and pets who are homeless through Pets Without Walls, a program to provide health checks, preventive care, vaccinations, microchips, flea and tick medication, and food. The organization also offers the AniMeals program to help ensure that people who are homebound or have disabilities can feed their pets. It currently feeds more than 250 pets per week in the San Diego metropolitan area, thanks to the approximately 40 volunteers who package and deliver pet food donations to distribution centers. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.