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Friday, December 10, 2010
Cats eat grass for digestion
By Dr. Jeff Nichol
Of the Journal
Cats Eating Grass and Plants:
After much investigation, this turns out to be a normal feline behavior. Examinations of stool from free-living cats showed that 10 percent contained grass. (Yes, there are people who hunt and study wild cat feces.) Pet kitties indulge at a rate of 49 percent. Vomiting occurs in 32 percent of adults but in only 2 percent of youngsters. Grass-eating and puking are highly scientific.
There are plausible explanations. It is believed that feral cats eat plant material to induce vomiting and thus expel parasites. A sudden craving for vegetation may be a symptom of intestinal disturbance in a pet kitty, who is actually self-medicating. Other symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite or diarrhea would warrant a visit to the doctor.
For most, a little salad now and then is fine. Just be careful about your cat's menu choices. You can find a list of poisonous houseplants on the ASPCA website, www.aspca.org. The safest bet is a kitty herb garden, available at most pet supply stores.
Q. My beloved 5-year-old fluffball of a toy poodle has turned into a "periodic Tasmanian devil dog." We found it was due to the groomer abusing her. We are racked with guilt; started grooming her ourselves but the problem has gotten worse. I know it's fear aggression, but she has bitten and drawn blood. We have to "ace" her. We tried all the "dog whisperer vs. treat reward" techniques of holding her down, ignoring bad behavior, trying to catch her before she becomes aggressive and treat her with liverwurst, lots of love, all to no avail. It is heartbreaking and frankly dangerous as I am diabetic and allergic to tetanus, so bites are a major issue.
A. This is distressing. When Fluffball sees the grooming brush, she immediately panics. Holding her down adds to her fear; comforting just validates the behavior. Tranquilizers like acepromazine (ace) are another mistake. Terrified to the point of believing she must fight for her life, but no longer capable of normal movement, a sedated dog freaks out even more. There is hope, but you'll need to change your approach.
You need to make grooming fun for Frizzy. Smear peanut butter on a paper plate and allow her to enjoy it while the brush sits near her face. If she refuses the snack, move the brush farther away. Allow her to have a few licks and then quit. Repeat this brief exercise many times each day, positioning the brush a little closer to her face as she learns to relax.
When Fuzzy finally loses interest in the brush, have an assistant hold the plate as you gently and soothingly groom the body parts that are least prone to trigger homicidal behavior. Stop prior to any hint of aggression. No talking because any human feedback may encourage a relapse. With time and patience, your former Tasmanian devil should be floating in a state of bliss as you gently manage her most challenging dreadlocks.
Our dogs need us as their leaders, not adversaries. Force is never appropriate; forget the alpha roles. There is no credible research supporting the nonsense that dogs try to dominate their owners. Healthy relationships are built on trust.
Dr. Jeff Nichol provides medical care for pets at the Petroglyph Animal Hospital in Albuquerque (898-8874). He treats behavior disorders at the Veterinary Specialty Centers in Albuquerque and in Santa Fe (505-792-5131). Contact Dr. Nichol on his website www.drjeffnichol.com (click Submit a Question?) or 6633 Caminito Coors NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Find him on Facebook.
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