Pawprints

Question: Why do I keep hearing that dogs should stay away from peaches and plums? Are they poisonous? 

Answer: Nope! Your dog is an omnivore and can definitely have a little bit of peach or plum flesh. I bet those people are referring to the pit of the fruit, which if eaten, can cause GI upset or even get stuck in the intestine requiring surgical removal. Never give your pooch whole stone fruits and if introducing a new food, give very little to make sure it doesn’t upset the stomach, causing any diarrhea or vomiting. 

Question: Is there a way to discourage my new kitten from jumping on tables? 

Answer: This can certainly be a difficult feat! As an owner of FIVE mischievous cats, sometimes it feels that there is just no hope! Nevertheless, if you start to discourage this behavior early, it may just stick. You must understand that cats love a high perch, this lets them observe and rule over their domain from a safe position. Providing tall cat trees and safe areas where your kitten is allowed to hang out may make the lower table just seem boring. If the table is still too tempting, try pacing “scary” objects to deter the behavior. Aluminum foil and sticky tape can do the trick, as can more fancy motion detectors that spray a scary puff of air or citronella to repel. 

Please send your questions to Dr. Marina Shepelev at OwegoPawPrints@gmail.com, or visit www.emvets.com.

Dr. Marina Shepelev is an associate veterinarian practicing medicine at the Endless Mountain Owego Vet Center. She welcomes weekly questions concerning your furry friends.