Bad Human! Bad, Bad Human!

Problem: The nerve of some people! They come to your home, which you share with your pet, and complain that they don’t like animals.

Why It Happens: Clearly these people were raised by wolves.

What to Do: If dumping friends or relatives isn’t an option, keep in mind that not everyone loves being pounced or drooled on. Some people are simply scared of animals, especially big dogs, no matter how well behaved. So it’s up to you to be the better person. Instead of spanking your guest with a rolled-up newspaper, say something like “We consider Marmaduke a member of the family, but I hear you. Let me take him into the doggy lounge.” Then give your pet his favorite treat or toy and put him in another room.

Dangerous Indigestibles

Problem: Everyone in your family may have eclectic tastes, but your cat takes the cake and eats weird stuff, like plastic bags, rubber bands, and coins.

Why It Happens: Kitty could be playing with something and then accidentally swallow it, or she may be strangely compelled to eat inedible items. “There is a condition called pica — the eating of objects that are not food. People, horses, dogs, and cats can have it,” says Moser. “It’s been related to several factors, nutritional and behavioral, such as mineral deficiencies, zinc intoxication, hepatic disease, pancreatic insufficiency, permanent anxiety, and psychological disturbances. I’ve had to operate on animals to take things out of their digestive tracts.”

What to Do: “Be very diligent and keep small things, such as string and bottle caps, out of your pet’s reach,” says Shain. “It’s like baby-proofing your house.” Be particularly aware at holiday time. Cats are big eaters of tinsel and Easter-basket grass. Signs that a pet has ingested a foreign body include nonproductive vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. (If Stimpy has a stomachache, signs may include a stilted gait, distended abdominals, sensitivity to being touched in that area, and a posture of relief, which might look as if he’s praying, says Moser.) Get veterinary care immediately if you see these symptoms.

Like Nails on a...Floorboard?

Problem: You love your dog. You like your hardwood floors. It’s the sound of his nails clicking on the floor that you can’t stand.

Why It Happens: Your pup needs a paw-dicure.

What to Do: “Many dogs keep their nails short by pounding concrete pavements. If your dog doesn’t normally walk outside on a hard surface and her nails are clicking away, they’re too long, which is uncomfortable for her and could make walking painful,” says Szabo. If you have trouble clipping them yourself, have a vet or a groomer do it.

Off the Beaten Track

Problem: Your cat tracks litter all over the place.

Why It Happens: Litter might stick to moist paw pads or get stuck in furry feet, only to dislodge later on the living-room carpet — or in your bed.

What to Do: Experiment with different litters (various brands claim to be “no track”) or even yesterday’s newspaper, which is messy to maintain but creates no tracks. Place a rug or a mat next to the litter box, or for the most economical solution, use shelf liner.

Flea Market

Problem: You wonder about your pet’s karma — he’s constantly plagued by fleas.

Why It Happens: Fleas and ticks are parasites that see your pet as a walking filet mignon.

What to Do: Most experts believe you need to use a veterinarian-prescribed treatment, either a topical medication (like Frontline, Advantage, or Revolution) or an oral one (such as Capstar or Program). The Humane Society of the United States advises pet owners to avoid flea-treatment products sold in drugstores and supermarkets (including dips, baths, collars, and sprays) and to use only those recommended by a vet. “We hear of too many pets having bad reactions to over-the-counter flea treatments,” says Shain. Not only does your vet have the knowledge to prescribe the correct product for the age and species of your pet, but she will also show you exactly how to use it.