Dear Appy,
I like to sharpen my claws on the couch, but my human doesn’t like it. I don’t want to be declawed! Help!
– Shredder the Cat
Dear Shredder,
A good solution to diverting your claw sharpening hobby is to have a cat tree or scratching post made of a material that you can shred easily, and tall enough for you to get a good stretch. Remind her that you already know how to scratch and what your post is for, so your human doesn’t need to grab your paws and show you how.
There is also a product on the market called Soft Paws that is a great alternative to declawing. They are vinyl tips that are glued over the claws and last several months. They come in different colors and sizes, too. Have your human ask your veterinarian about Soft Paws.
Dear Appy,
I was out playing in my backyard early one evening, and met up with a very funny looking black and white cat. I ran up to see if he wanted to play, and found out the hard way that he wasn’t a cat after all! My human can’t get rid of the smell and I’m in the doghouse!
– Skunked
Dear Skunked,
A skunk’s natural defense system is very effective, as many a dog parent can attest, the scent is very potent and can linger for weeks. Here’s a simple home remedy for skunk odor remover that really works:
- 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon liquid soap
Mix ingredients together, thoroughly scrub the mixture into the dog’s coat and let stand for five minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water, and voila! One un-stinky dog!