ArcaMax

Dear Cathy,

My husband and I have been feeding a feral neighborhood cat for 14 years. She was nursing two newborn kittens when we found her, so she is probably at least 15 years old. We managed to trap her and have her spayed, but she has lived outdoors ever since. She allows us to get close, but not touch her.

During a brutally cold winter in 2017, she injured a back paw, escaping all our efforts to help her. She has managed well on three legs for the last seven years. She now limits her travels to our yard and seems to enjoy our company. She has ignored every cat shelter we have provided, so we’re concerned about how she'll fare when winter comes again. Is there more we can do? What should we expect as the end of her life approaches?

– Ellen, Milldale, Connecticut

Dear Ellen,

Feral cats can be particular about what feels safe to them. Rubbermaid or plastic storage bins, with a hole cut for entry and lined with straw, make great insulated shelters. Styrofoam coolers, another inexpensive option, can be turned into cozy spaces for cats by cutting a small entrance and filling them with straw for warmth.

Commercial options, like pre-made outdoor shelters offer insulated and heated versions, which she may be more inclined to use for the added warmth. Wooden shelters, raised off the ground, provide more permanent protection, and if you have an old dog house, converting it into a smaller, insulated cat shelter can work well too.

When using these shelters, however, it's important to provide two openings —one for entry and one for exit. Cats tend to avoid shelters where they feel trapped, so adding an "escape hatch" can help her feel safer, especially if they're startled or another animal tries to enter. Sometimes, feral cats prefer spaces that mimic the natural shelters they seek out, such as under decks, porches, or crawl spaces. If she has access to such areas, draw her to them by lining them with straw. Always use straw – not hay -- for insulation as it keeps the interior dry and warm. Use heated water bowls to prevent them from freezing during the colder months and keep her well-fed to help her maintain her body temperature.

Feral cats are remarkably resilient, but as she ages, you may notice changes in her behavior, such as eating less or becoming less active. These could be signs that she’s slowing down as she nears the end of her life. It’s hard to know exactly when that time will come, but you’ve given her 14 years of care, stability, and companionship, and that’s a gift.

As long as she feels secure in your yard, surrounded by the things she’s familiar with, she’ll be able to live out her days in comfort. You’re doing everything right by being there for her, offering shelter, food, and companionship, even if from a distance. You are “her home,” and she knows she’s not alone.

Dear Cathy,

My dog only digs in the yard when I am outside with him, never when he’s by himself. He starts digging within 30 seconds so he isn’t getting bored. I want to eat or read outside without him digging. Right now, I must take him back in. What can I do to get him to stop digging?

— Megan, Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Megan,

The main reason dogs dig is to burn off energy, seek attention, or entertain themselves when bored. In your case, your dog might be digging to get your attention, especially since he only does it only when you’re around. Even if you're not intentionally rewarding the behavior, your reactions — whether it's telling him to stop or bringing him inside — might be reinforcing it.

To discourage digging, try engaging your dog in a 15-minute game when you first go outside to help him burn off some energy. Afterward, redirect his focus with a favorite toy or chew to help him settle down. You can also create a designated digging spot in the yard, like a sandbox, and encourage him to dig there instead by burying treats or toys to make it fun and rewarding. Over time, he’ll learn that digging in the sandbox is OK, while digging elsewhere is not.

We often forget to reward calm behavior, but it’s important in preventing unwanted actions. So have treats ready and praise him for sitting calmly or playing appropriately. Rewarding the behavior you want to see is often the best way to stop the unwanted behavior.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)

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