All parts of the plant cause kidney failure in cats. The flower is the most toxic part, though eating a leaf or even brushing up against the pollen and licking it off the fur can severely damage the kidneys. Cats also can be poisoned by drinking the water from the vase that holds the lilies.
Clinical signs, including lethargy, loss of appetite, and vomiting, begin within hours of exposure. Immediate veterinary care is needed to reverse the kidney damage and save the cat’s life.
For unknown reasons, many cats are attracted to lilies. So, my advice is to choose some beautiful silk Easter lilies for your home. You and your cats can safely enjoy them every spring for years to come.
Your job as a puppy parent is to teach Zoey what her mother and littermates would have taught her if she'd remained with them longer. These lessons translate well to living with humans.
One of the most important lessons a puppy must learn is bite inhibition. Once Zoey understands this concept, she‘ll gently carry your fuzzy slippers to you, and she’ll have a soft mouth around other people.
But you must teach her, because bite inhibition doesn’t come naturally. Puppies explore the world by putting things in their mouths, just as human babies do. Biting and mouthiness are normal parts of puppy play and also help relieve the discomfort of teething.
Moreover, biting is genetically programmed into many dogs. For example, some working breeds control their flocks and herds by nipping at their heels.
Pups also use biting as a communication tool. It can mean anything from, “No, don’t do that” to “I want some attention.”
As you can imagine, a puppy that hasn’t learned bite inhibition may grow into an adult that bites to get attention, to resist nail trimming, or even to herd running children together into a group.
To manage puppy biting, don’t play tug-of-war games or tease with your hands. Instead, redirect the biting puppy to appropriate chew toys.
Distract your pup from biting by asking her to sit or retrieve a ball.
If she bites, yelp as though you’ve been hurt and walk away, just as her littermates would do.
Exercise Zoey to tire her out. If she gets so wound up that she can no longer focus, calm her down with a brief timeout in her crate.
If these measures don’t work, firmly say, “No bites!” and move your hand away. Don’t hit or otherwise punish her, because that doesn’t teach her the desired behavior, and it can lead to fear, anxiety, and aggression.
Remember to always reward good behavior. Praise and pet Zoey when she’s calm, and give her a small treat when she’s not mouthy.
