Hello Dr. Barchas - I am a new pet owner, and I am unfamiliar with the behavior of dogs. For example, how do I know when dogs are playing compared to fighting? Please help… I am afraid to take my sister’s dog, Buster, to the dog park.

Laurie
CA

You are wise to be concerned about taking Buster to the dog park. My practice is very close to one of San Francisco’s most active dog parks, and there are days when I spend hours on end patching up dogs who get into fights there.

Dogs have a complex system of body language. Signs of good humor include a raised, wagging tail, alert but comfortable ears, and a stance with the head held high. Signs of fear (which frequently precede a fight) include a head held low, a tail tucked between the legs, an averted gaze, ears held back, bared teeth, or growling. Overtly aggressive dogs that may start a fight without provocation frequently bark, act agitated, and wag their tails.

Although the behaviors listed above may give a general sense of a dog’s temperament, it is not safe to rely upon them completely. Some dogs do not display typical behaviors. As well, dog fights can break out very rapidly between two dogs who seemed to be getting along well at first.

I have two recommendations. First, before you set your dog loose with another dog, get to know the other dog. Watch him for a while to get a sense of his behavior. Also, become acquainted with the other dog’s owner. Try to determine whether he or she is a responsible dog owner. A disproportionate number of dog fights are caused by dogs whose owners have not properly socialized them.

If you take these steps, Buster will be less likely to get into trouble at the park.

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Dear Dr.,

My vet told me that male cats develop stones in their urinary tracts
and kidneys. He told me I should feed my male cat Science Diet and not
the Purina I had been feeding him. My cat hates the Science Diet and
refuses to eat it. So I have been mixing it with some Purina, in hopes that
I can eventually feed him just SD. Do you think that I have to feed
him SD to avoid stones? Thanks so much.

Meredith
Philadelphia, PA

Some young male cats suffer from a syndrome in which their bladder and urethra become chronically inflamed (irritated). Cats with mild cases suffer pain and discomfort, and may urinate with increased frequency. They also may urinate outside the litter box. Cats with severe cases may develop a life-threatening condition in which they are completely unable to urinate.

This syndrome, known as FUS or FLUTD, is hereditary in nature. In other words, it is caused by an irregularity in some cats’ body chemistry. It is not caused by diet. However, feeding a high quality diet helps to prevent the syndrome in cats who are predisposed to it.

In my practice, cats fed Science Diet and cats fed Purina both have low rates of FUS, so if your cat prefers Purina it probably won’t be a problem. However, cats who are predisposed to FUS can develop troubles no matter what they’re fed. If you’re worried, you can ask your vet to run tests on your cat’s urine to determine if he is predisposed to the problem.

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Hi Dr. Barchas,

In your most recent column, you mentioned foxtails. I have heard of these, but I don’t know what they are. What are they, and what’s the big deal?

Janine
Fairfield, CA

Foxtails are a type of plant sticker. They are produced by grasses that are allowed to grow and go to seed. They are arrow shaped and have a sharp end that can penetrate a pet’s skin. If you have ever walked through a field of weeds and wound up with a number of stickers in your socks, most of them probably were foxtails.

Anywhere that grassy weeds grow, foxtails pose a risk to pets. And they can be a serious threat. Foxtails get caught in pets’ hair. From there, they can move into the skin. Foxtails have barbs that make it possible for them to travel only in one direction, so they gradually work their way further and further into the pet’s skin, causing a painful sore that must be treated by a veterinarian. If left untreated, a chronic infection can result.

As well, foxtails can become embedded in pets’ ears, eyes, and nose. In the worst cases if left untreated, foxtails can travel through the body to the heart or lungs, causing pneumonia or even death.

There are several steps you can take to protect your pet from foxtails. First, avoid unmaintained grass fields and areas with weeds. Large numbers of foxtails may be present in these areas. If your pet has long hair, you can trim it (as discussed in the previous column) to reduce its attractiveness to foxtails. And finally, check your pet after each walk. If you find and remove foxtails in the hair before they have made their way into the skin, you can save yourself a trip to the vet.

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Hello, we have a seven-year-old Rough Coat Saint and as new Saint owners, we are wondering if we can shave him for the summer. I have heard from
some that you can and from others that you can’t. He is soooo hairy and
hot, plus he has a few mats. Thanks for the advice.

Tina
Castleton On Hudson, NY

As long as you follow some basic rules, there is nothing wrong with having your pet’s coat clipped. In fact, in your dog’s case, it sounds like a very good idea.

Trimming coats has a number of advantages in both dogs and cats. It eliminates tangles of hair (mats), which are very uncomfortable and can make pets cranky and unhappy. Although over time pets with all types of coats can adapt to a wide range of temperatures, long haired pets may be more comfortable during warm months if they are clipped. Keeping your pet’s hair short during the summer may help to reduce certain types of skin infections. Finally, pets with short hair are less likely to suffer from foreign matter, such as plant material, getting stuck in their coats. In California, plant stickers known as foxtails cause huge problems for pets when they imbed in their hair.

Although keeping your pet’s coat trimmed short has many advantages, there are several ground rules to follow. First, during colder periods, pets with clipped coats can get cold and even suffer hypothermia. Also, if your pet’s hair is clipped very short, he will have no protection from the sun and can suffer a bad sunburn. Finally, the actual process of trimming the hair must be done carefully. I recommend that you have a professional groomer take care of it. If you decide to do it yourself, use clippers, rather than scissors. Several of my clients have accidentally cut their pet’s skin with scissors, requiring medical intervention.

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Hi! I was really careful to get a dog who was good with other pets
because we already had a cat. Well, my dog likes the cat BUT the cat
doesn’t like the dog. She growls when the puppy is near. Is there
anything I can do?

“Pupster XOXO”
Iowa

In a previous column I discussed introducing a new cat to a household where a cat already lives. Believe it or not, successfully introducing a dog or puppy to a house with an established cat is not that different. The trick is to go slowly.

Cats are creatures of habit. They instinctively dislike any change in their lives, such as moving houses, going to a boarding facility, or adding a new pet to the family. It takes time for them to get used to these changes.

Your cat views the house as her own. She likely considers the puppy as an interloper in her territory. As well, the rambunctious behavior of puppies is a considerable affront to the dignified sensibilities of most cats.

The good news is that ultimately, dogs and cats who live together usually get along splendidly, and I have seen countless examples of dogs and cats who are firm and fast friends. However, it takes time for this relationship to develop.

As I mentioned above, I recommend that you make the process of introduction a slow one. The two pets do not need to come face to face at first. Believe me, they will both know the other one is in the house.

When it is time for them to meet in “person,” I recommend that you keep the puppy restrained on a leash.

Give the cat time to adjust to the presence of the dog in the room, and let the cat be the one to approach the dog. If the dog is allowed free access to the cat, his exuberant efforts to meet her may result in an injury such as a damaging claw to the eye.

Finally, be patient. It could take weeks or longer for the cat to approach the dog. But take comfort in the fact that over time, the two pets probably will learn to live together as friends.

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