Dear Dr. Fox • I read the letter in your column from the older couple who wanted to adopt an older dog. There are some local organizations that specialize in adopting out older dogs.
For instance, the St. Louis Senior Dog Project is a nonprofit that places older dogs. Your readers could see if there’s a local organization in their area, perhaps by Googling “senior dogs for adoption.”
Senior dogs for seniors is a win-win! The senior dogs get a stable and usually more quiet home, and the senior citizens get companionship. Plus, they stay in better shape physically and mentally, due to walking the dog every day, often getting more social interaction in the process.
— T.S., St. Louis
Dear T.S. • Thanks for the information about a senior dog adoption project in your community. I hope that more communities will pick up on this initiative for many reasons, including the fact that dogs are living longer with better care these days. As their caregivers age and go into no-pet retirement centers and nursing homes, these animals need to find new homes if younger family members cannot take them.
Older dogs are generally quick to adapt to a new home environment, and form devoted bonds with family members without the time and effort having to house-train and educate a younger dog or puppy. They are probably the best choice for relatively active seniors who do not wish to have their animal companions outlive them. And many less active seniors have had their lives and hearts enriched by adopting easy-to-care-for senior cats.
Dear Dr. Fox • We found a young kitten and are now having trouble teaching it to go in the litter box. — B.H., St. Louis
Dear B.H. • Do have the cat checked by a veterinarian, since many are born with intestinal worms .
A very young kitten may not be able to climb easily into a regular-sized litter box, so get a cardboard box and cut it to have about a 1-inch lip . Put some cat litter in this “tray,” set the kitten in it and gently massage his/her abdomen.
Very young kittens need to have their rear ends wiped with a moist tissue, like their mothers lick them, to stimulate urination and defecation. Transfer any excrement gathered in this way to the litter in the temporary cardboard container. This will attract the kitten to the litter.
Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxVet.net. Send mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64106.
