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We have inherited from our son a cat with arthritis/pain issues. We also inherited a little bottle of CBD oil he was using. It works really well, but we can't find anywhere to buy it again. [more inside]
posted by feelinggood at 11:06 AM - 4 answers

We've finally bowed to the reality of the situation and are adopting the outdoor cat that adopted us these last few years. Help us make the transition for both parties as smooth as possible. I'd love to hear advice, tips, and best practices around how to both move them indoors. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 7:29 PM - 8 answers

I dehydrate raw chicken breast and keep it in the fridge. Each night, I chop up a small amount (about a tablespoon) and put it a little hot a little water then add the "chicken soup" to her kibble (Pica is ~9 lbs and not very food motivated). Given the current bird flu issues and that the chicken is not cooked are there health risks?
posted by pmaxwell at 5:48 PM - 7 answers

What was that Squarrel picture I recall? - a squirrel with a square body [more inside]
posted by Danni Oxblood at 10:11 AM - 4 answers

Our elderly and medically fragile cat is having frequent watery diarrhea. She is drinking but not eating. We saw the vet yesterday. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:49 AM - 14 answers

Given the recent news about raw cat food being infected with the bird flu, should I stop feeding it to my cats? [more inside]
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 5:16 PM - 15 answers

This morning, in a case of mistaken identity, our male cat (Max) attacked our female cat (Milo). Does anyone have any good ideas on how to get them to reconcile? Or just some reassurance that they will be friends again! What we've tried already and some more background below the fold. [more inside]
posted by toebeans at 1:58 PM - 10 answers

I have a notion for how to design an easy-to-sift pine-pellet litterbox. It's inspired in some part by the ideas behind the Omega Paw Roll'n'Clean and compost tumblers. It's lodged in my head and I need to either be talked out of it or given a sense of how I might turn this idea into reality. [more inside]
posted by jackbishop at 7:24 AM - 6 answers

We’re likely losing our dog to a tumor, and I’m having a hard time dealing with both the grief and the relational aspects. Looking for support options… [more inside]
posted by LngGrnd at 8:18 PM - 4 answers

Recently I learned that porcupines and wolverines climb trees. What other US/Canadian mammals climb trees? So far, I have squirrels; opossums; bobcats; Canadian Lynx; racoons; mountain lions; bears; porcupines; wolverines; and various polecats/minks/stoats/weasels. Also some foxes in the deserts in the south of the US. What mammals am I missing?
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 4:26 AM - 25 answers

Graham is an orange cat that we adopted three years ago. He was a stray, and was not socialized to humans during the critical window. Now, we are struggling to manage him for vet visits. Please advise, how might I get to the point where he comes when called, takes medicines, and is not afraid of me? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 11:16 AM - 17 answers

Vet prescribed Bear a weight-loss diet that is completely different from what he's used to eating. Need tips for easing him into it without making him completely miserable. Based on past experience I'm tempted to just refuse to diet him, but figured we would give it one more try, with your expert advice! [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 5:31 PM - 10 answers

I have a 2 year old shelter cat I've had since he was little. I'm not sure what happened to him, but he is very skittish and refuses to be handled. He is not feral or mean, just frightened of everything. He will let me pet him but holding him long enough to clip his nails would put me in the ICU. I've tried CBD and other calming supplements but they aren't enough, I'm afraid. Does anyone have any experience and could recommend something to make kitty go nighty night long enough for me to clip him?
posted by hairless ape at 9:18 AM - 16 answers

I am planning to ask someone who lives nearby whether he can watch my cat for six days. I am hoping he will be willing to stay in my house with the cat the whole time (which may be appealing since he has roommates). But if he prefers only to come visit her once/a few times a day, that would be fine too. How much would you pay someone for this?
posted by justsomebody at 3:51 PM - 14 answers

We’re having a hard time integrating an ~8 month old kitten with our two existing adult cats. He just can’t stop himself from pouncing; they run away, at which point hey gets really keyed up and chases them. [more inside]
posted by alycoop at 7:19 PM - 7 answers

My wife and I recently started fostering for a local pet rescue that focuses on senior dogs. Our first dog came in with a lot of health issues and died within two months, while our second pup initially seemed very healthy relative to his age and had no major issues identified in his vet exam, but died suddenly within just eight days due to congestive heart failure (on Thanksgiving, of all days). While we understand that bad things can happen with older dogs that are coming from neglectful situations, it's really hard to cope with our first two dying so quickly. Please help us understand how we can avoid a similar tragedy in the future. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:32 PM - 4 answers

My 2 year old dog is suddenly terrified of walking on the wood floors of my apartment. Up to this week, she has been 100% fine – playing, running, chasing her toys. Not clear on what happened, but now she stands in the [tiled] kitchen and whimpers and refuses to come out. Sat with her... Tried to coax her out with treats. walked with her slowly... Nothing seems to work. I will trim her nails this weekend (they're due). Any other Suggestions?
posted by pmaxwell at 10:18 AM - 10 answers

So I was reading a book about Marines in Vietnam, and how on some missions dogs were sent out with the Marines to warn of other people, even approximately how many other people. Silence was imperative. Well, these were German Shepards, a pretty basic breed, smart as hell yes but common. Maybe my question is not if dogs can be trained for silence but how.
posted by dancestoblue at 8:08 PM - 13 answers

My father and his large cat have recently moved in with me my wife and our 12 pound dog. Luckily his cat and our dog get along but we haven't figured out a solution to allow the cat to have free range of the house while not allowing my dog into my dad's bedroom where the cat's food and litter are. The cat is a grazer and the dog will vacuum up the food at any chance. Anybody have any tried and true suggestions? [more inside]
posted by lips at 6:52 AM - 27 answers

YANMV. My vet prescribed theophylline as a bronchodilator for Bear for intermittent coughing she suspects might be chronic bronchitis or asthma. The dosage doesn't seem to make sense, although it's very possible I'm just not understanding it. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 5:12 AM - 3 answers