The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 28, 2007 - 17 Litter box to your cat's liking? F ailure to use the litter box is consistently one of the most common behaviour problems in cats, and often a reason pet owners surrender their feline to an animal shelter. The problem may not be the cat, but the box. Follow litter box basics to ensure that your cat's litter is to its liking. If you observed a cat eliminating outside, you would notice that most cats engage in sniffing, circling and scratching behaviours prior to urinating or defecating. Kittens learn early on to duplicate this behaviour indoors in a litter box. In complete contrast, some cats will use a litter box without these behaviours and quickly leave the area. The absence of these `normal' actions may indicate that something in the box is not to the cat's liking. Alternative explanations may have to be sought if the cat goes into the box, then leaves without relieving itself or approaches the box, sniffs and then walks away without using it. If you observe any of these behaviours or a change in how your cat is using the box (i.e. a cat that used to scratch enthusiastically that has stopped, or one that used to stand in the box, but now perches on the edge) your litter box may be the source of the problem. There could be any number of K.A.P. Air likely reasons why the `box' is not to your cat's liking. Stress can affect humans and animals alike. To help cats remain stress free in your household, minimize change, consider carefully before introducing new pets into the household and make sure that your cat has a safe place to go when visitors come over to visit. Forced interactions can create unnecessary strain on your pet. Have one litter box per cat located where each cat has easy access. Areas not frequented often by dogs or children are well suited to becoming the litter box zone. Once placed, do not move the box to another location in the house. If a move is unavoidable, slowly transition the cat by moving the box from one place to another in small increments. That way the cat will have time to adjust to the new location. Fresh fragrance may be welcomed by humans, but for cats avoid scented litter. Cats can be put off by smell. You'll know you have the right litter when your cat begins to use the box and demonstrate `normal' litter box behaviour. Cleaning the box once a day will keep down any unnecessary odours left behind. Do not Heating & Air Conditioning Comfortmaker Products AC MAINTENANCE SPECIAL Regular price $95.00 + GST Receive $15.00 off with this coupon plus rebate of $50.00 Book now for May Service. Contact us regarding other rebates. 905-637-1906 PET OF THE WEEK: Daisy is an adorable Beagle who is looking for a home that will appreciate her special charms. Many of the other animals looking for homes can be viewed at www.oakvillehumane.ca. use pungent smelling cleaners, which could also cause your cat to be put off the box. Smell can make creating an inviting box more problematic. Annual check ups are a good way to ensure the health of your animals. Cats should be seen by a veterinarian regularly, particularly if he/she begins to demonstrate a reluctance to use the litter box. If you have made every effort to keep the litter box to your cat's liking, avoidance could be a sign of something else going on. For more information about litter boxes for your cat, contact the Oakville & District Humane Society at 905-8451551. -- Submitted by the Oakville and District Humane Society. A MODERN ARBORICULTURE AND TREE MAINTENANCE COMPANY "We treat the cause, not the symptom." Certified Tree Worker Arborists: Certified Consulting Arborists: Don't let hearing loss prevent you from enjoying life! ON SITE HEARING TESTS BY OUR DISPENSING AUDIOLOGISTS The latest in digital technology 60 day trial period & more DVA, WSIB, third party insurers Ministry of Health/ADP approved · Arborist Reports based on · Tree Planting and Fertilization Municipal By-laws · Pruning · New Developmenton Sites · Tree Preservation Construction Sites · Structural Restoration · Tree Evaluations with Cabling and Bracing · Disease and Insect Diagnoses · Tree Removal · Tree Health Care Program® · Mulching Maple Hill Tree Services Serving Oakville & Burlington 905-824-2100 toll-free 1-866-878-0883 contactus@maplehilltree.com contactus@maplehilltree.com www.maplehilltree.com Greg Hill, President Registered Audiologists OAKVILLE'S BEST BUY ON BATTERIES CALL TODAY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT Nurturing Nature for 30 years ates P AN BAY CUSTOM INGROUND POOLS "Your Pool ...Our Reputation" 5 BEAT THE HEAT BOOK NOW, SAVE NOW, SWIM NOW Authorized Dealer of Water Place Pools & Fox Pools 627 Lyons Lane Suite 203, Oakville 905-339-1397 New to the Community? Welcome to the neighbourhood. We have free information & gifts reserved for you. Th f The free service is provided d d by the civic-minded businesses of this community. Our representative visits as a guest in your home, with an aim to help and welcome, without obligation. For further information contact: 905-304-1229 1-866-420-4229 Call now for June Specials! SPACE AGE SHELVING The Storage Specialists Learn English for FREE with Computers NOW offering Levels 1 to 7 ACCEPTING Ages 18 & older CALL & REGISTER TODAY!!! LINC 905-875-3851 Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville Toll Free: 1-866-277-5462 x1369 Visit us on the web: www.lincpeelhalton.com Peel program information: (905) 279-0024 x1369 Funded by CIC. In Home Consultation ³ Ap Apartm me men ents s ³ Ho Home om me O Offi fice fi es s ³ Pa Pa ant try t y ³ Ga Garage ra a ³ La La aun nd dry y ³ Cl C os set ts & M t Mi r Mir ror ro r Doors 3350 Fairview Street between Walkers & Guelph Line 905-333-1322 2555 Erin Centre Mississauga 905-542-0353 1-866-283-7584 www welcomewagon ca www.welcomewagon.ca www.spaceageshelvingburlington.com www.spaceageshelving.ca