Questions in the Pets & Animals category.
Displaying 1 through 20 of 6298 (random). Subscribe:
April 3
Dog likes being petted but doesn’t show it
My dog, who is otherwise expressive and affectionate, lays like a lump on a log while being petted. She occasionally rolls over to offer her belly or bears into a head scritch and she always reacts when I stop petting, but for the most part there is zero movement. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to get her to let me know what she likes and doesn’t? [more inside]
April 1
Strange cat behavior
We’re fostering a kitty due to COVID-19. She’s 9 years and blind. I’m not sure why she’s blind since her eyes look pretty clear and her pupils react to light. She came from a hoarder situation and lived with 80 other cats, so who knows what she’s been through. [more inside]
Dogs and heart failure - can you tell me what you did?
Our dear old pup has a pretty strong heart murmur that I think is trending into congestive heart failure. Can you tell me about your personal experience managing this? I’d also appreciate any resources for learning more about the prognosis. [more inside]
March 31
Cleaning litterbox using a shop vac - good idea bad idea
So I am doing some studies about the best way to clean a litter box that doesn't make a big mess and doesn't ask the kitties to adjust to any kind of change. So what if I used a dedicated shop vac that had a filter bag inside? What could go wrong? Please tell me. [more inside]
Bird in the damper section of a wood burning stove
My MIL and her partner have a bird in the pipe of their (unused) wood burning stove. Can you please give us tips on how to get it out? [more inside]
Not my puppy.
I need resources for training someone else’s dog from scratch. My next door neighbor has a puppy. And covid-19. I will be walking the puppy (4 or so months old). Puppy only does toileting outdoors, otherwise has not been trained beyond ‘sit’ and ‘lie down.’ Puppy pulls the leash and wants to jump on people.
I would post a photo but it’s not my dog and also he’s pretty distinctive. [more inside]
March 28
How do we deal with our new(ish) nipping, tantrum-throwing dog?
About a month and a half ago, we adopted a dog (what appears to be a pitbull/heeler mix) from a local rescue. And now we’re having some big problems with biting and other tantrum behaviors. I'm at the end of my rope, and I don’t know what to do. [more inside]
March 26
What are these little tiny bug-like things in my freshwater aquarium?
I am setting up a freshwater aquarium for a betta and added some live plants. They must have had hitchhikers- what the heck are these things and how do I get rid of them? Tiny snails?? Or something?
March 22
how can I teach my fastidious dog to 'go' on the balcony?
My dog has shockingly good housetraining and has never had an indoor accident in all the years he's been with me. I'd like him to do his doggy business on the balcony when circumstances make it difficult to go for a real walk. How can I convince him that the balcony counts as outside, not inside? [more inside]
Dog walks in the time of coronavirus
Is it okay for my dog walker to keep working right now? I will preface this by saying that I absolutely intend to keep paying my dog walker regardless -- and she knows this. I live alone with my doofus coonhound in a condo in a large east coast city that has thus far been moderately hard hit by the coronavirus. My dog walker would really like to keep working right now. She enjoys the opportunity to be outside and spending time with animals. I have a high stress work from home job and really appreciate the help with managing dog care. [more inside]
March 21
Where to look for fleas
I feel absolutely dumbfounded when I ask this because I know what a flea looks like. However, heres my conun-dum-drum. I have an all white long haired house cat who never leaves the house. She sits on my lap frequently. I sometimes get the sensation (more to come) [more inside]
March 20
Cat has watery eye; go to the vet now or wait?
For the past few weeks, I've noticed that my cat will sometimes have a tear coming from her right eye. The fluid is clear, she hasn't shown any signs of discomfort like blinking or pawing her eye, there's nothing wrong with her left eye, and her eyes seem perfectly normal otherwise. Should I take her to the vet now, or can it wait? Pics and cat tax here. [more inside]
March 16
Emergency dog fostering in NYC -- is this still needed?
I called the ASPCA and they were like "we have suspended all operations," so, oops. I could take a dog for however long this lasts, and it would probably be good for me, because otherwise I am holed up by myself. I'm in Brooklyn. Caveats: I've never fostered before, so I won't be on any organization's pre-approved list. Anyone know anywhere that is still looking for emergency dog fosters?
March 14
I am the lady in the black and white portion of the infomercial right now
Has anybody actually figured out a way for dealing with cat litter that isn't messy and disgusting AND works consistently AND doesn't need a special litter type? [more inside]
March 8
ode(s) to dog parks
I'm looking for short quotes in which people say what dog parks have meant to them - for example, in this recent interview with Edie Falco in the NYT. Please note: I am really well aware of the potential risks with dog parks, and why some of them fail. We are working hard on that angle as well as on the positive angle. Following up on my earlier post. [more inside]
March 7
Static causing cat's fur to mat
It's so dry this winter that my cat is getting lots of tiny mats in her fur from the static. How can I help her? [more inside]
Quality of life for the last days of my Cat with FeLV
My dear little 7 year old Carioca is dying of FeLV.
Commonly called Cat Leukemia. [more inside]
March 4
Metafilter, what is my cat's name?
I just adopted a giant 4 year old baby-cat. She is the sweetest. I haven't been able to settle on a name yet, so I implore you... Help me name my cat! [more inside]
March 3
Can I pay someone to raise a puppy for its first year?
I have wanted a dog for a long time, but due to a chronic illness, I'm not in a position to manage all the work involved in raising and training a puppy. I can manage caring for an adult dog, however - walking, playing, grooming etc. [more inside]
February 29
Help my Sniffly Cat
My cat has developed a chronic case of rhinitis (sniffling, sneezing) that interferes with his breathing. The vet's been trying to rule stuff out and he's had antibiotics, steroids, etc - still sniffling. She believes there's something setting off allergies in our house. What could it be? More inside. [more inside]