Don't be concerned if a cat wants to show a dog some affection
Q: My neutered male cat makes a nightly ritual of climbing on top of our 20 pound female dog, rocking back and forth, using his paws to swim through her coat. It's as if we're watching an X-rated movie. The dog -- who is spayed -- tolerates this until the cat bites her once too often. Then she jumps away. She doesn't act angry. What's happening in our house? Should I get involved in their mishegoss or leave it alone? -- C. P., Indianapolis, IN
A: You may need to call in a rabbi but don't worry, your cat isn't actually sexually interested, or at least thinking he's enamored with your dog. Although, he obviously likes the dog. In fact, kneading or the "swimming" you describe is typically an expression of affection, and comfort. Often cats purr and rub their faces while kneading.
However, the friendship apparently works both ways. Otherwise the dog wouldn't tolerate this fastidious feline strangeness. It's possible that the pooch may even enjoy the display of affection.
As you describe the scenario, your pooch is being a mensch about it. It won't be surprising if one day your cat bites too hard once too often and your pup will snap back, and that will be the end of it. However, if the nightly bizzarro is getting on your nerves, you can direct your cat with a fishing pole toy and feathers, or catnip.
----
Q: Relative to unusual weather here, it's been unseasonably warm -- should I continue heartworm prevention for another month? -- S. J., St. Paul, MN
A: "Yes, you should continue heartworm for another month, and throughout winter as well," says Dr. Shelly Rubin in Chicago, past president of the American Heartworm Society.
"Even when you have those very cold sub-zero days, eventually it warms up for a day or two and that mosquito lurking in a crawl space or garage can become active again; all it takes is one mosquito bite to infect a dog with heartworm. Since, heartworm treatment is very expensive, I think prevention is the only way to go."
Also, many heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal parasites. "Some of those parasites can be active in the winter, and freezing doesn't kill the parasite eggs when dogs eat dog poop," Rubin explains.
"Too many dogs die of heartworm disease because their owners simply forget to give a preventative, or don't purchase it in the first place," says Rubin. "It's sad because heartworm is preventable."
...continued
(c) 2015 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
