Dr. Jon Klingborg

This is the time of year when we find out which pet has won the Rover Awards—the canine and feline version of the Oscars.
    
The Rover Award winner for Art Direction goes to Molly the anxious cat.  Her creative placement of cat poop in the middle of the den was her attempt to spell S-O-S.  She stopped using her litter box when the household teenager started playing the video game Rock Band. Molly may not be entertained by the loud music, but sure certainly has a flair for ‘carpet art.’  Perhaps it is time to find a new location for the litter box?
    
This year’s Rover Award for Costume Design goes to a talented puppy named Chewy.  A sculptor at heart, he carefully reshaped the shoes in the house to resemble modern art.   Of course, Chewy’s muse was Ennui, the Goddess of Boredom .  A little exercise and a few toys might have saved those shoes.
    

While conducting some ‘field research’ for my latest article, I was fortunate to stumble upon a secret society that knows the answer to one of the world’s most perplexing mysteries.  For years, the Knights Fescue have closely guarded the truth, but they let me into the inner circle and now I can finally explain “Why do dogs eat grass?”
    
Insisting that we meet on his turf, the Chief of the Knights Fescue gave me directions to his hidden fortress—the Temple of Sod.  It was located in the old, seedy side of town.  The Chief Knight was dressed in green and wore a ceremonial blade around his waist.
    
When I asked why dogs eat grass, the Knight answered, “Because they don’t have thumbs.”  He went on to explain that dogs understand their world based on how it feels in their mouth. Dogs test everything for pressure, taste, and texture. Since they can’t pick things up with their paws, everything ends up in the mouth!

Holistic or “natural” products are now being heavily marketed to pet owners.  Many people feel that natural products are safer because they don’t have "medicine" in them.  Before you give your pet a natural pill that promises good health and vitality, it is important for you understand the potential risks.

What separates a ‘natural’ product from a medicine?  Medicine, simply defined, is a substance that is used to treat or prevent a health problem.  If you are giving your pet a natural supplement with the expectation that it is going to help treat a health condition (for example, arthritis or a dull coat), you must admit that you are giving your pet a form of medicine.  

In this dream, you’re standing on dirt road in a town out of the old west. As your pet walks into the street to face you, shutters slam shut and doors lock—there’s going to be a showdown!  Your pet flexes his paws; his long nails glinting in the hot sun.  He gives you the squinty-eyed look that says, “Do you feel lucky?  Well, do you?”    He’s ready for a fight, and your heart starts to beat fast, because it’s another ‘Showdown at the Toenail Corral.’

    If this scene is similar to Toe Nail Trimming Day at your house, then you feel like most pet owners. Trimming an animal’s nails is unpleasant for everyone, including the pet. Dogs and cats seem personally offended when their nails are trimmed, and really, who can blame them?