Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
Pup is Frightened by Halloween Decorations
Dear Critter Corner: This is our pup's first Halloween. He tends to be cautious and has been startled by decorations while on our walks. Do you have any suggestions for Halloween night? Holidays are a fun time, but for some pups, it can be a difficult time. Many are...
Cat’s Appetite Is Fluctuating
Dear Critter Corner: My cat JoJo has been turning his nose up at his food for the past few days. His appetite has been hit-or-miss -- sometimes he eats all his food and sometimes he just nibbles. I’m worried he might not be eating enough. What can I do? When our...
What to Do When an Indoor Cat Is Marking His ‘Territory’
Dear Critter Corner: Recently I have noticed that my 5-year-old male cat has been inconsistently using the litterbox, resulting in a couple of accidents around the house. He has never had issues with this in the past, and additionally I have noticed that he has been...
Equipment and Training to Stop Pulling on Walks
Dear Critter Corner: We have tried multiple types of equipment on our pup, but nothing seems to help him stop pulling on our walks. Is there anything you can recommend to help? Having the right equipment can be very helpful, but you still need to do the training. For...
Taking a Cat on Vacation
Dear Critter Corner: My family is going on a four-day trip, and we’re planning on bringing our cat Henry in the car with us. He’s very adventurous and social at home and in our yard. Is there anything we should do to prepare for the trip? That’s great that Henry is...
Working with High-Energy Kittens
Dear Critter Corner: The kitten I recently adopted is very energetic and seems to never tire out! I have provided quite a few toy options for him to play with, but he seems to only want to engage with them when I am physically in the room with him. When I ignore him,...
Advice for First-Time Dog Owners
Dear Critter Corner: My partner and I just adopted a new pup that we adore. Both of us had childhood dogs, but this is our first dog as adults. What tips can you give us as first-time dog owners? Congratulations on the new pup! There are many things you can do to set...
What to Do When a Cat Is Having Multiple Accidents
Dear Critter Corner: My cat has been having accidents all over the house, along the bottom of the couches, bottom of doors, and sometimes even the wall next to his litterbox. I’ve been cleaning the spills with bleach, but nothing seems to stop him from using the same...
Introducing Your Cat to Other Cats in a New Home
Dear Critter Corner— My living situation has changed, and I will now be moving into a home with my friend who has newly adopted kittens. My cat has lived with other cats in the past but can get a bit overwhelmed when in a new environment. Adjusting to a new...
Building a Rescue Pup’s Confidence
Dear Critter Corner: We have a new rescue pup who was not well socialized before coming to our home and seems to be terrified of just about everything. While I’m seeing improvement in the few days he’s been with us, I would like to know the best way to move forward...