Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
Helping cat settle into new home
Dear Miss Behavin’: I’m planning on moving to a new apartment and was wondering how to get my cat Princess settled into her new home. Change can be quite unsettling for a cat, even if it’s good change in the long run. Cats can be creatures of habit, preferring their...
Dog barking and lunging at other dogs on leash
Dear Miss Behavin’: My dog seems to be the life of the party when we go to the dog park, but when we come across a dog on our morning walks, she barks like mad! What’s the deal? While it may seem like she has split personalities, it’s not uncommon for dogs to behave...
Finding a good cat groomer
Dear Miss Behavin’: We tried to give our cat a bath and ended up with kitty scratches all over our arms. Ouch! We want to try a groomer but don’t know what to look for. Any tips? A cat groomer is a specialist to say the least. They’re able to keep the grouchiest...
Best cat breeds to adopt?
Dear Miss Behavin’: My friend and I have been debating the best cat breeds to adopt. She thinks Maine Coons are perfect and I love Torties! Any thoughts on which breeds are the best to adopt? That’s actually a pretty tricky question. Cats come in all sorts of breeds,...
Tips on preventing cat from scratching furniture
Dear Miss Behavin’: My indoor-only cat “Denver” scratches my furniture and plays too rough with me. What I can do to make him stop acting out, and would you recommend declawing him? Thank you for seeking advice before resorting to declawing Denver. Not only is...
Is it okay to leave the dog in the backyard all day?
Dear Miss Behavin’: With summer on its way, I feel bad leaving my dog cooped up inside all day. Is there anything wrong with leaving him in the backyard while I’m at work? We’re often asked, “What’s so bad about leaving Rover outside all day?” The answer in short is...
What to expect when a cat ages
Dear Miss Behavin’: My cat just turned 13 years old and has been gradually slowing down over the years; no longer jumping on the highest perches or zooming around all hours of the day. So far she’s been in good health, but what types of changes can I expect as she...
Bringing the dog to work and keeping him calm
I’m lucky enough to bring my dog to my office each day, but “Scooter” has become territorial of my office and will bark at anyone who walks by or tries to enter. How can I get him to be a well-behaved coworker? First, make sure you communicate to your human coworkers...
New Dog Sitter Tips
Dear Miss Behavin’: We’re going away this summer and I’m worried about our dog, Mimi, staying at home with a new dog sitter. Any tips for ensuring things go smoothly for everyone? Whether your dog is staying at home with a pet sitter or going to stay elsewhere...
Helping cat adjust to being an indoor cat
Dear Miss Behavin’: Over the past few years I have been feeding a neighborhood feral cat that likes to visit my patio. The cat is really sweet and affectionate and I would like to bring her indoors. How can I help her adjust to no longer being an outdoor cat? It can...
