Pet care
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
After yelping at your dog for biting, deny eye contact for about thirty seconds to signal that they need to bite more gently.
It sends a clear message that gentle bites are required.
- One person noted they do not personally use this method, though they see the logic in it.
one person who lived it
Clip the claws of indoor or elderly cats that do not move enough to maintain them themselves.
They cannot take care of their claws on their own.
- Some consider clipping cat claws inhumane.
one person who lived it
Use pill pockets to hide medication when giving pills to dogs.
Some dogs eat them so fast they do not realize there is a pill inside.
- Some dogs are too smart for this method and may require the pill to be shoved directly into their throat.
one person who lived it
Gently interact with your dog while they are eating—such as touching the food or briefly moving the bowl (adding something back if removed)—to prevent feeding-time aggression.
Dogs can develop aggression around food if not accustomed to human interaction during meals.
- Do not take the food away aggressively; if you remove the bowl, add something back to avoid causing aggression.
- Be gentle, not aggressive, when putting hands in the bowl or mouth.
4 people, independently
Frequently touch and play with a young pet's paws, ears, mouth, nose, eyes, and tail to desensitize them for future grooming and medical care.
This gets them accustomed to being handled, making tasks like nail clipping, pill administration, or teeth brushing easier later.
4 people, independently
- Gradually condition dogs to tolerate handling of their ears, tails, and paws before a child arrives.1
Remove your dog's collar at night to improve comfort and stop tag noise.
It makes them comfortable when sleeping with you and prevents jingling sounds when they move.
one person who lived it
Do not react when a pet acts up to get attention, such as jumping on the dining table, to avoid reinforcing the behavior.
Reacting trains them to perform the behavior to get what they want.
one person who lived it
Allow vet assistants or technicians to hold your pet during exams, as they are trained to make the process quick and stress-free.
Trained staff can hold the animal for a smoother exam.
- One person found that holding the pet themselves, particularly by sitting on the floor, resulted in a more relaxed dog.
one person who lived it
Spend time rubbing your dog down with a towel and scratching them all over after a bath.
The dog loves it.
one person who lived it
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Play noises on a phone, such as doorbells or knocking, to help dogs think these are normal everyday sounds.
To desensitize them to common household noises.
- Playing other dog barking noises did not help one person's dogs.
one person who lived it
For feral rescue cats, follow gentle maintenance tasks like ear cleaning or matting checks with head rubs and tasty treats to distract from discomfort.
It helps the cat associate gentle discomfort with an improved quality of life.
one person who lived it
Apply a microscopic amount of cayenne pepper mixed with canola oil to cables.
It is not toxic.
- One user reported their pet only tried it once.
one person who lived it
Praise your dog calmly when she remains still during toe-fiddling to teach her that the interaction is positive.
It reinforces that toe-fiddling is good.
one person who lived it
Use cayenne dust or pure capsaicin oil instead of hot sauce to avoid encouraging bacterial growth.
- The dust can linger on items for over an hour after contact.
one person who lived it
Get pets used to common restraint positions, such as sitting behind them with an arm around their jaw or holding their leg.
allows for better cooperation during handling
one person who lived it
If your cat enjoys it, knead the muscles in their neck and shoulders.
one person who lived it
- If your cat is older, try rubbing between their shoulder blades to help them relax.1
Accustom kittens to nail clipping early so they associate the sound of clippers with the process and remain calm during trims.
one person who lived it
- Begin trimming foster kittens' nails immediately upon arrival to set a schedule they accept after adoption.1
Hissing back at an aggressive goose may make it back down initially, but be aware that backup geese may arrive and flank you.
one person who lived it
Ensure chain choke collars can be easily removed over the dog's head, especially for fast-growing puppies.
one person who lived it