Tips from Vicky Halls and Arden Moore

Animal Radio® phones ring wild with questions about feline inappropriate urination. Often time it's stress or territory related. A recent national survey showed that about 2/3 of cat owners have problems with their litter, whether it is the smell or mess. Animal Radio® has called in the two top experts to help you.

If your cat won't use his litter box you need to go back to the basics. Just because you picked out the litter, as well as picking out the location, doesn't mean that your cat will agree. Sometimes they want their box placed in a more private location, or may just want the cover removed.

If you cat has always used his litter but now goes besides the box, perhaps he never liked it in the first place and sudden stress, brought on by any changes in the household, have made him decide that he isn't going to tolerate it any more.

You may also find litter problems with cats that have been declawed. Because their claws and "knuckles" have been removed, it can sometimes be painful to use litter. You may find these cats urinating in smooth places, such as a sink or bathtub, where they don't have to scratch any litter.

Spraying is different from using a litter box. Both females and males, spayed and neutered cats can spray. Spraying is the process where they stand up, tail quivering, and squirt a small amount of urine on a surface such as a wall. If the urine seems excessive and runs down the wall into a puddle, there is something else going on. He might be uncomfortable urinating. When this happens, take him to the vet to rule out any medical problems.

The rule of thumb is one plus one ­ which means if you have two cats, then you should have three litter boxes. And if there is a change in your cat's litter habits take him for a checkup to rule out any medical problems.

DO'S
Clean the box on a daily basis
Provide one box plus one (if you have two cats you will need 3 litter boxes)
Pay attention to the kind of litter you use ­ just because you like it doesn't mean your cat will
Use a fine granule clumping litter

DON'TS
Don't use a perfumed litter
Try not to use covered boxes ­ it traps the smell and most cats don't like them
Do not place the box in a high traffic area

A lot of what type of litter you use and the box you use will depend on your cat. Just like people, cats are individuals and what may work for one, will not necessarily work for another.

Another choice you have is to toilet train your cat. But remember if you do this, make sure your cat will still use a litter box. This will come in handy if you have to board your cat or if you travel with him. Can you imagine being at a rest stop and someone brings their cat into the "loo"?

(Arden Moore is the editor of Catnip Magazine, http://www.ArdenMoore.com
Vicky Halls is a Cat Behaviorist, http://www.VickyHalls.net)

Learn more Litter Box Lessons on Animal Radio®

By Karen Lee Stevens

It’s all Captain Kangaroo’s fault. Because of the round-faced, mustachioed man who donned a cap and jacket with oversized pockets every morning for his popular television show, I have a one-inch scar in the crook of my right elbow.

Let me explain.

Bob Keeshan (a.k.a. Captain Kangaroo), the grandfatherly host of the longest-running children’s television show of all time (1955-1984), often shared the spotlight with a wide assortment of guests—both two- and four-legged. I cracked up at Mr. Green Jeans and the mischievous Mr. Moose, but I really went bananas over one particular TV personality: a baby monkey who paraded across the stage in pink frilly dresses, denim overalls, and diapers. Watching that little gal as she wrapped her long arms around the Captain’s neck and snuggled close, I began having grand visions of cuddling with my very own chimp. I’d dress her in cute clothes and carry her around like a baby. I hadn’t quite worked out that whole diaper duty part in my head, but that was a small detail in the scheme of things, right? I would soon learn that I had bigger things to worry about.

Growing up, my father indulged my insatiable love of animals by bringing home every kind of creature imaginable: cats, chickens, dogs, fish, hamsters, parakeets and the occasional chinchilla graced our yard and our home throughout my childhood. I think I even had a pet snail at one time, but then I ate him (give me a break, I was only 2!) And then there was Pancha. The little spider monkey had fur the color of milk chocolate and eyes rimmed with black fur that made her look like she had two big ol’ shiners. The first time I saw her, she was playing in her “family’s” backyard, trailing a long, thick chain behind her. The family had decided to sell their pet and my dad and I were more than happy to take her off their hands, much to my mom’s chagrin. I don’t remember the asking price, but I do remember that we went home that afternoon with a monkey on our backs. Literally.

Things went well at first. Pancha seemed quite tame and she enjoyed sitting in my lap as she slowly peeled a banana and ate it. Still, she was tethered to a long chain and there she sat, day after long day, in our avocado tree. Oh, how she must have hated that confinement! What must she have been thinking?

When I look back with the eyes of an adult, I see how incredibly cruel it was to try and make a domestic pet out of a wild animal. Oh sure, we played with her and gave her food and treats. But that couldn’t begin to make up for what she had lost. This wasn’t her real home, after all; we weren’t her real family. That had all been taken away from her when she was snatched from the South American jungle as an infant and smuggled into the United States.

One day, I decided that it was time to show off my new pet, so I gathered up her chain and set out for a walk in the neighborhood. We couldn’t have taken more than 10 steps when Pancha let out a primordial shriek, whirled around, and bit me. Hard. I realize now that the poor animal was probably terrified. I, too, was petrified. Blood was streaming down my arm and spilling onto the sidewalk, where it commingled with my tears. Neighbors poked their heads out of their houses to see what all the commotion was about. My dad ran out, scooped us both up, and raced back home. I think he was frightened too. Once Pancha settled down and my mom had bandaged my arm, my parents made a call to Animal Control. It wasn’t long before a big white truck arrived to whisk away my furry friend. The officials said something about “quarantine.” As Pancha sat hunched in the cold, metal cage, our eyes met—the primate and the preschooler—and in that moment, I realized that we should never have forced Pancha into being a pet.

I never knew what happened to my little spider monkey and to this day, I get pangs of guilt about abandoning her the way we did. I like to believe she was returned to her native land, where she spent her days swinging from trees with her quadrupedal kin and foraging for food, but I know I’m kidding myself. More than likely, she ended up at a zoo or in an animal research laboratory. Perhaps she was euthanized. I hope she didn’t suffer.

The scar on my arm has slowly faded over the years, but my memories of the little monkey who used to grasp my tiny hands in her black leathery paws are still vivid and will remain with me always. And the lesson I learned from her will never disappear: she taught me that humans should never monkey around with wild animals.

(These days, Karen only shares her heart and her home with domestic animals. Let her know about your pets by sending an email message to her at karenleestevens@cox.net.)

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Earth conscious consumers now have an eco-friendly choice in pet care. The Natural line of products by Simple Solution is completely, 100% all-natural. Simple Solution Natural is based on a way of life! Find Simple Solution at Petco, PetSmart or your local pet retailer. www.simplesolution.com

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Is your dog out of control ­ barking non-stop, pulling on the leash, chewing your belongings, digging in the backyard, growling or possibly biting? If you have a problem - Vladae has the solution. Animal Radio® welcomes Vladae, the World Famous Russian Dog Wizard, as a weekly regular host. Ask him your toughest dog-behavior questions at 1-866-405-8405.

How do I stop barking dogs in my neighborhood?
(in Russian accent) First, approach your neighbors and let them know that you appreciate them as neighbors, and then ask them politely to control their dog. In the meantime, you can purchase a product called Good Neighbor Barker Breaker. Place it next to the fence (it will work up to 50 feet away from the barking dog) and when the dog barks, it will emit a high pitched sound, which will startle the dog, but is harmless.

How do I teach my dogs to go potty on my boat?
Collect pee and poop from your dogs and saturate newspapers or cloth. Then place this on your boat in a designated area. You can even place pee pads in this location. One product called Patio Park Potty uses real sod, so training is easy to do since it's very natural for dogs to urinate on grass. Once the dog urinates on the grass, he will continue to use it without having to scent it. You can also try the product Penta, which is a water that can be found in health food stores, which make dogs urinate quickly. This can also be used along with the attractant.

Listen to Vladae every week on Animal Radio®

(Animal Radio News with Bobbie Hill)

More than a year after the biggest pet food recall began, sales of wet pet food continue to struggle and many products are still missing from store shelves. At least 20% of recalled products, mostly wet foods, have yet to return and 10% of those recalled products have been discontinued. That's according to PetSmart, the nation's #1 pet food chain.

While sales of dry food grow, sales of wet food are still off at least 25% of their pre-recall levels. That's according to Dave Bolen, the Chief Merchandiser Officer at Petco, the #2 chain in the country.

Both chains say sales of dried pet food has fared much better, especially premium and natural brands, and both chains are devoting more floor space to the more expensive foods.

Menu Foods, a contract manufacturer that made most of the recalled products, launched a recall a year ago after cats and dogs were sickened or died after eating food containing contaminated ingredients imported from China. The recall affected hundreds of products, including high and low end brands. It was the first recall in a series involving imported products that focused attention on the safety of the U.S. food supply and how vigorously U.S. companies checked suppliers, especially those from China.

Pet food makers of all sizes say they have since tightened safeguards. Nestle Purina Pet Care, for instance, no longer imports Chinese wheat gluten, the tainted ingredient in many of those recalled foods.

Listen to this news story on Animal Radio®

Our studio cats go crazy over a cat food called Kit' N Kaboodle. We actually call it "Kitty Crack" as we know it is strangely addictive and they will do almost anything for it. So, we had to call in the expert, Anitra Frazier, to find out just exactly what is in it.

Anitra tells us corn is the first ingredient listed, which is not what cats need, as they are carnivores and they don't digest carbohydrates easily. There is also a lot of salt added, which is not labeled as such. In other words, you will find listings as sodium chloride and cheddar cheese, which is very high in salt. You will also find a listing of chicken "by products" which can include beaks, feathers, heads, maybe intestines, which all are parts of a chicken that would not normally be used. And the color of the food ­ it is just added to make it appeal to the humans.

For a truly nutritional food, look for the first item on the label to be meat (chicken, beef, lamb, etc.) not anything followed with the words "by products," or just the word "meat" alone without the type being listed. If only the word "meat" is listed, this could include horse meat or euthanized cats and dogs.

Look for Anitra's book, The Natural Cat, later this year to help you make the right choice in food for your cat.

Hear Nutritionist Anitra Frazier on Animal Radio®

Actor Dick Van Patten dines on dog-food with Hal and Judy.

Actress/Comedienne Victoria Jackson has gone as far as getting her dog "Buddy" married. Crazy or just a big animal lover?

Dr. Justine Lee answers the big questions, like....are animals ever gay?

Actor Dom DeLuise is the biggest-bird-lover this side of the galaxy.

Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan comments about Pet Breed Ban legislation.

Dog expert Jan Rasmussen is back with the Top 5 things your Vet won't tell you.

Listen now

Legendary singer and talent DONNY OSMOND joins Animal Radio® from his treadmill. It's all part of the nationally syndicated program's "Girth Week" - focusing on fat pets and the problem of obesity. Pet guardians will learn how to train their cats and dogs to use treadmills to work off those extra pounds. "The pet is the perfect workout partner - he'll never stand you up" says OSMOND.

Donny Osmond has always been a big pet lover and grew up around pets. Currently, Donny lives with his wife, children and his two birds.

Studies reveal that American jobs have become more sedentary and that employees are working 164 more hours a year than they did 20 years ago. So, grab your dog (or adopt one if you don't have one) and starting walking more. Walking has the lowest drop out rate of any other type of exercise, and it is free. Also, it's healthy for both you and your dog!

Hear Donny Osmond on Animal Radio®

The weather is starting to heat up and just like us, Fido likes a quick treat to cool him off. But don't give him just anything, give him a special treat made just for him, a Puppy Popsicle.

Recipe:
1 Package Skinny Rawhide Sticks (the rolled kind)
Beef Bouillon cubes
Small Plastic Juice Cups (or popsicle molds)

Prepare the bouillon according to directions. Allow to cool completely. Pour about 3 inches of liquid into the juice cup (you can make them bigger or smaller depending on the size of your dog). Put in freezer ­ when the bouillon gets really slushy, place the rawhide stick in the middle of the liquid. You want the liquid slushy enough to hold the rawhide in place. After completely frozen, pull the plastic cup off and viola ­ Puppy Popsicles just for your pooch!

Listen to Animal Radio® Podcast

Think only puppies get intestinal worms? Think again! Intestinal worms can infect dogs at any age – even dogs who are on heartworm prevention medication. Since adult dogs often show no symptoms, your dog could be infected without your knowledge, contributing to the spread of intestinal parasites to other dogs… and perhaps even to your family.
Don’t take any chances! For more complete protection, start your dog on a regular deworming program that includes Safe-Guard® (fenbendazole) Canine Dewormer – a safe and effective way to eliminate and prevent the major intestinal worms that can infect dogs. Just sprinkle it on your dog’s food for three consecutive days twice a year, for complete peace of mind!

Visit www.Safe-Guard.com for information on treating and preventing intestinal worms, and to sign up for our free e-mail reminder service.

(Dr. Jim Humphries, Veterinary News Network)

On a frigid February evening, Thomas Rodriguez climbed behind the wheel of his Oldsmobile with his 7-year old miniature poodle, Holly, perched in his lap. The pair was headed to visit a friend in a nursing home. They did not count on hitting a patch of ice. "We were in a head-on collision," remembers Rodriguez, 75, a retired airline employee.

"I was okay, but Holly was sitting on my left leg when it happened, and the airbag came right out and hit her. I could hear her whimpering, and I thought Oh my God, I've broken her neck!" Rodriguez asked the police officer at the scene to call an ambulance. He said, "Are you hurt?" "No, not for me, for my dog, please call an ambulance, I'll pay for it!" But he couldn't call an ambulance for a dog. So, a passerby rushed Rodriguez and Holly to the Animal Emergency Center, where the severely injured poodle was treated for the next several days.

Now fast-forward four years, Holly is completely blind since the accident, says Rodriguez, who has made it his mission to educate the public about the dangers of dogs riding in cars with airbags. People strap their children in the back and they protect them, but we don't think about our pets. Veterinarians often see dogs who have been driving down the road with their heads sticking out the window and they get a bug in their eye or other foreign debris.

If Rodriguez had his way, all dogs would ride in the backseat secured with safety restraints. Holly now travels strapped inside a carrier in the backseat, and Rodriguez says it doesn't bother her at all.

Hear Dr. Humphries on Pet Carriers

(Karen Delise, The Pit Bull Placebo)

First it was the Bloodhound, sensationalized in the dramatizations of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Then it was the Doberman Pinscher, symbol of the Nazi menace for a nation at war. Now, it is the Pit bull that is vilified for the depravity of his master.

Today, police chase down fleeing Pit bulls in the street, firing dozens of wild shots in response to media-fed rumors of supernatural Pit bull abilities. Politicians coach and nurture this fear with their own brand of rhetoric used to assist in the passing of quick and ineffective legislation created to pacify communities ignorant of the real cause for dog attacks. Hundreds of animal shelters throughout the country kill all unclaimed Pit bull-looking dogs, as they are deemed "unadoptable" solely on their physical appearance.

Karen Delise is the founder of the National Canine Research Council, comprised of canine experts created to present accurate statistics and to provide detailed information on the human and canine behaviors which have contributed to cases of severe and fatal dog attacks.

Karen reveals how our views and beliefs about canine aggression have changed over the last 150 years and how our perceptions about the nature and behavior of dogs has been influenced and shaped by persons and organizations who often times disseminate information about dog attacks. By examining actual cases of severe dog attacks during the last 150 years-the circumstances, the individual dogs involved, the victims, and our interpretations of these events-Karen attempts to offer a reasoned and balanced perspective on the behavior of dogs and the critical role humans play in the management and treatment of our canine companions.

Hear Karen Delise on Animal Radio®

The term "three dog night" originates with the Inuit tribes of Alaska, who measured nocturnal temperatures based on how many of their sled dogs they needed to bring indoors to serve as bed warmers. And, especially at this time of the year, not only do we want to keep warm, but our pets want to keep warm as well.

It seems that everyone we speak with has stated that at one time or another their pet has slept in the bed with them. But if they have a spouse, how did that spouse feel about the sleeping arrangement?

A recent Adweek study revealed, of the 63% of households that own a pet, the majority (88%) viewed that pet as part of the family, and 69% allowed their pet to sleep in bed with them.

Animal Radio® discussed this problem with world-renown psychiatrist, Dr. Joyce Brothers, who feels that pets can easily come between partners when they don't agree on sleeping arrangements. In fact, she mentions that divorce frequently is the result.

Animal Radio® listeners speak-out on how they cope with this problem. One couple has actually worked out a compromise. The husband's dog is "technically" not allowed in bed, but when he sneaks in at 4:00 am, the wife turns the other cheek. She states, "Sometimes you just have to pick your battles!"

If you would like to tell Animal Radio® how you keep the peace in bed, call toll-free 866-405-8405 or email yourvoice@animalradio.com.

Listen to Animal Radio® Podcast

(Joel Norton, Hollywood Paws)

Have you ever wondered how to train your dog for the movies? Hollywood Paws is an Elite Animal Training Academy where people are trained to train their pets for movie and television. Learn the tricks of the trade ­ from the commands for basic obedience to the complex cues used in movies, TV and commercials. Their graduates are equipped not merely to give effective commands but to get a perfect performance out of an animal actor under the most demanding circumstances.

At a young age Joel Norton knew he wanted to work with animals. Like most children he wanted to be a veterinarian but discovered there was more out there than just healing the sick. After seeing a few episodes of "The Crocodile Hunter" he wanted to be just like Steve Irwin and learn hands on as much as he could about animals.

Joel states that if you think you will become rich by having a dog in the movies, think again. Dogs, unlike people, unfortunately do not get residuals. Dogs get paid a flat rate (no overtime), sort of like being paid for a "prop," which can be around $300 a day ­ which is still not too bad!

Joel also tells us some behind the scenes stories. Like the dog who had to be trained to nudge Tom Cruise in the crotch and the dog who was fired at the last minute for being "too large," because the star preferred a smaller dog.

Hear Joel Norton on Animal Radio®

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