Q–My husband and I are about to move into an apartment, and we can’t take my sweet Rottweiler, Mandrake, with us. We will spend weekends with him. Mandrake will stay with a friend who offered to “baby-sit” weekdays. Mandrake will be 9 this summer. He’s very loyal to my husband and to me because I spoil him. Will this transition confuse Mandrake at this time in his life? Any recommendations?
L.S., Cyberspace
A–No matter what you do, Mandrake will have some adjusting to do. Overall, dogs are pretty resilient; however, some very attached dogs can spiral into depression. (Yes, dogs can get depressed.)
Barb Williams, president of Recycled Rotties, a Chicago Rottweiler rescue group, suggests a few practice weekends away from home with the same friends who’ll be “baby-sitting” Mandrake. Pack your dog’s favorite toy and his blanket (naturally, all Rottweilers should have their own “blankie” or doggy bed) for those weekends away. Tell your friends to spoil Mandrake even more than you do. Still, make sure Mandrake knows that your friends are in control, and he must obey commands.
Williams says, “Hooray for your concern. Hardly a month goes by without at least someone giving up an adult Rottweiler because they’re moving, or maybe just because they’re tired of the dog.
Q–Our 8-year-old cat had her colon removed several years ago and she was put on a special veterinary diet. Then she developed the habit of licking plastic bags and bed sheets. We felt she was lacking something in her diet that the bags or sheets were somehow providing. Just recently, we started to give her less than an ounce of fat-free milk daily — and she stopped licking completely. Can you shed any light on this?
F.L., Wethersfield, Conn.
A–Once the colon is removed, it’s conceivable that a cat may not absorb all its minerals properly, according to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Gary Landsberg of Thornhill, Ont. “Many cats develop a pica (taste for non-food item) for unknown reasons,” he says. It has been suggested that at least some plastics are made with fish oils, leading to an obvious explanation for why cats like to bite the TV remote, FAX machine or anything plastic, including plastic bags. However, plastic bags are potentially dangerous, says Landsberg, because cats may get trapped inside a bag and suffocate. If your cat is just licking the plastic and bed sheets, there’s no other potential harm, but some cats begin to eat these materials, which are harmful.
“There’s no likely link between milk and your cat’s pica. But who knows, it’s possible your cat is requiring trace elements that happen to be supplied in milk,” Landsberg says. “Try terminating the milk, and see if your cat goes back to licking the bags and sheets.” (Note: Some cats are lactose intolerant, and milk will cause an upset tummy. Also, be sure to keep any supplement to your cat’s regular diet, including milk, to less than 5 percent of the pet’s total caloric intake.)
One of two things will happen. Either your cat will break her licking habit for good, or she’ll return to licking plastic and sheets. If she does, offer her materials safe for chewing (more on appropriate items for cats to nibble on in the next question).
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Steve Dale answers letters of general interest in his column. Write to the Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60611.
