Meneka responds to queries raised by animal lovers across Mumbai. Write to her at maneka@dnaindia.net
My cat loves to sit on my chest when I am laying on my back, hold a bit of my shirt in his mouth and knead my stomach with his front paws. Can you tell me what this means?
I think your cat is demonstrating the greatest compliment you could have. He is enjoying the warmth that you supply him with and bonding with you by savouring the taste of your shirt. The kneading of his paws is just a manifestation of him being content, quite like how humans will wiggle their feet in bed.
My cat has started drooling a lot. Why?
Excessive drooling is usually associated with illness or injury. There are a whole host of possible causes why your cat might be drooling excessively. Here are just a few — Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), dental disease, tongue injury, mouth ulcer, oral or oesophageal tumour, nausea and others. You need to take your cat to the vet for a thorough examination.
Our 15-month old dog loves kids. The problem is, when she sees kids she gets very excited and gives too many kisses — usually ending up knocking kids over. How can we stop this behaviour while not discouraging her love of children?
You need training exercises. Brief the children in advance on the appropriate behaviour for them to demonstrate. Your dog needs to learn that he will only be petted by your children when he is seated down. As soon as your dog starts showing ‘too much’ affection, your children should turn their backs on your dog and become silent and stationary. As your dog rotates to see their faces, they should continue to turn. The importance of you being there is that you need to instruct him to sit. In the beginning, give him a small treat and tell your children to turn and give him affection. Every time he stands back up, have your children turn their backs and be silent again. This will take time. But you are likely to see rapid improvements in the short term, even if not every time.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}