Q: We have a terrible gopher problem in our yard. I’ve tried unsuccessfully to trap these varmints. So I talked to a garden expert who suggested poison. But I’m afraid our dogs will get some of the poison, and I know that could be very dangerous. Any suggestions?
A:
Gopher poison bait is dangerously toxic for dogs. And it doesn’t take much to kill your pooch, so your instincts are right on. Most experts recommend trapping gophers, but I have found this to be frustratingly difficult.
I spoke with the owner of a nursery where we occasionally buy plants. He suggested using propane, and I’ve tried this with some success. You’ll need a small tank of gas (you can use the one from your backyard barbeque). Attach a 3-foot-long tube to the outlet. Then with a probe (I use a long screwdriver), find the tunnel where the gopher surfaced. Put the tube down that tunnel as far as it will go, preferably at least 12 inches. Seal the dirt around the tube and turn on the gas valve, putting propane down into the tunnel for 1-2 minutes. Remove the tube without letting any gas escape. Done correctly, this will asphyxiate the pest, all without risking your dog or cat’s health.
By the way, don’t smoke a cigarette while you’re doing this. Enough said and good luck to you.
Q:
My wife argues that the full moon has an effect on our cat’s personality. I think that both she and the cat are crazy, but that’s a different subject. Has anyone ever studied lunar cycle effects on animals?
Q:
This is a tough argument because there are lots of different observations and opinions on this subject. In fact, a veterinarian at Colorado State University did a study about five years ago. She found that emergency room visits actually increased significantly just before and after the full moon. Still, one has to wonder whether or not this is directly due to the moon’s phase or other factors.
Remember that a pet’s personality is influenced by its human companion. Truth is, no one really knows all there is to know about what “makes us tick.” But I’ll tell you that I’ve heard quite a few people say their cat or dog acts differently during a full moon. So perhaps, just maybe, there’s some relationship. I’m not taking sides in your argument. Let’s just say that animal (and human) behavior is full of mysteries that we may never understand.
Q:
Our dog, Rachet, and our cat, Shim, like to share their food with each other. Is it safe for them to eat each other’s kibble?
A:
This really isn’t a good idea, for several reasons. Cat food has a higher protein content compared to your pooch’s ration. If Rachet eats a lot of Shim’s food, he’ll have to metabolize all that extra protein. This puts a heavier workload on his kidneys. And with time, this can lead to some serious health issues.
On the other hand, dog food is missing a key ingredient found in kitty food. Kitty-cats require taurine (an amino acid) in their food. Dogs actually synthesize this protein on their own, so they don’t need it in their diet. If Shim Kitty eats dog food (which has no taurine), he could develop problems with his eyes, his heart or his blood cells.
It’s unlikely any of these problems would occur if the two of them share just a little of their individual rations. But veterinarians typically suggest feeding dogs and cats separately.
Q:
How many bones are there in a giraffe’s neck? It’s so very long, so I bet my brother that there are twice as many as in a dog or cat, right?
A:
You’ll be surprised to hear that the giraffe has the same number of cervical (neck) vertebrae as a dog, a cat or even a human. That’s right, we all have seven cervical vertebrae. These bones are just a lot larger in a giraffe. An adult giraffe’s neck can be more than six-foot, seven-inches long! So there’s a lot of tension on those neck bones.
Here’s something else that’s interesting. The giraffe has a ball and socket joint in between each of these vertebrae. This gives him better support, and it allows him to extend his neck up to the highest part of that tall tree. A guy that big needs to eat a lot of leaves!
