Offer Your Cat Its Own Garden

December 13, 1987|By Ann Huntington, D.V.M., Tribune Media Services.

Q-My cat munches on the green plants in my apartment constantly. What type of house plants could I get that she wouldn`t devour? Also, what exactly is catnip and how does it work?

A-Some cats truly enjoy fresh greens; so grow some just for your pet. Kitty Greens are available at most pet shops. Other kinds are available in pet catalogues-various little planters filled with seeds. Actually, if you planted some ordinary grass in a pot on your windowsill, your cat would probably enjoy grazing on that just as much. Once some birdseed I had fell into a big pot, and my cats enjoyed the sprouts.

If you provide some greenery for your cat and she still goes for your plants, scold her and bring her over to her ``garden.`` When she does nibble on her own crop, give her lots of praise.

As for catnip, it`s an herb. It`s not totally understood how catnip works, though it does have a mild stimulant effect on cats. It doesn`t make them ``high`` as much as it merely seems to tickle their noses enough so they want to play.

Q-Recently, my 15-year-old Vizla/Lab mix had surgery for testicular cancer. The procedure was very risky, and it started me worrying about my dog`s death and the necessary arrangements.

I don`t like the city`s method of handling these matters, but I know very little about pet cemeteries and pet cremation. My vet hasn`t been very helpful. What are some of the options available?

A-Pet burial and disposal regulations vary from state to state, even within municipalities, on what is permitted.

In some areas, pets can be buried at home in the yard. However, you must be certain you dig a hole deep enough so that at least a foot and a half or two feet of soil will cover the animal.

Most veterinary hospitals have some standard arrangement if a pet dies. Often, a pet burial or cremation service comes to the hospital to pick up animals that have died or been put to sleep and disposes of them in accordance with the owner`s wishes. Cremation is one option. Several animals may be cremated at once, to cut fuel costs. Individual cremation may also be requested but is more expensive. In the latter case, the ashes usually are returned to the pet owner and may be kept in an urn or scattered. -
