Q-My cat struggles and scratches when I attempt to use flea repellent on her. Even putting an ordinary flea collar on her is a battle. I`ve considered buying an electronic flea collar. What should I do?
A-My opinion about the electronic flea collar is based on a recent report in the Cornell Animal Health News. It stated that there is no convincing evidence that these collars are effective. And, despite claims to the contrary, the ultrasonic sound can be heard by people and pets, which could make these collars a real annoyance. Therefore, I don`t recommend such collars.
Q-My blue parrot, Skippy, suddenly began to peck away at her wooden swing. At the end of five months she had gnawed through it. Skippy is working away at her fifth swing. What`s going on?
A-Skippy is behaving normally because her beak grows up to 1/4 inches a year. In the wild, a bird uses its beak for eating and climbing; consequently the outside surface and tip are worn off. The rubbing and abrasion wears the beak down, keeping it from growing out of proportion. Skippy works away at her wooden swing to achieve the same result.
You can divert Skippy from destroying her swing by providing her with some hardwood branches. Never give her pressure-treated wood or pesticide-treated wood. Also, do not deprive her of a chewing object.
Q-When we moved into our home about 14 years ago, a mother cat and four kittens were living in a garage on our neighbor`s property. Shortly after, the neighbors moved, and we were able to bring the cat and three of the kittens to an animal shelter. We felt sorry for the kitten we couldn`t catch and started to give her food and water. Over the years she has become friendly, sits on the patio and likes to be petted. However, she won`t let us bring her into the house.
We`re planning to move and are wondering if we would hurt the cat if we caged her and took her with us.
A-If you take the cat, she will have people who love her, and she will have a home and be fed. But she is 14 years old, and moving would involve a tremendous adjustment on her part. Maybe the next owner of your home will care for the cat. If not, take her with you, but keep in mind that the move will be very stressful and could undermine the cat`s health.
