DEAR JOAN: We dwell in an city space of San Jose, and generally at night time hear the hooting of an owl of some type. Just lately we heard that repeated hooting, however interspersed with a name that I can solely describe as extra like a peacock!
A number of hoots, adopted by a type of “waahh” then extra hoots. I checked on Chicken.internet, which informed me it’s an ideal horned owl and that females could make extra uncommon calls such because the one we heard. Is that true? And, we didn’t know that nice horned owls dwell in city areas!
— Malcolm Smith, San Jose
DEAR MALCOLM: That’s completely true. Nice horned owls don’t have the repertoire of a track chicken, however they do have some vary.
The decision of the good horned owl is described as hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo, and the feminine will typically add in a one syllable name that’s extra guttural.
Younger owls make a high-pitched demanding squawk when telling their dad and mom they’re hungry. When indignant or threatened, the owls make a speedy clicking sound with their beaks.
Now we have all types of wildlife residing largely unnoticed in our suburban jungle, which is why it’s essential to not do issues that may hurt them.
DEAR JOAN: Considered one of our cats is a problem to tablet and I’ve discovered a unique answer that works for us. Now we have a capsule syringe.
We place a capsule within the syringe and open our cat’s mouth and with the syringe shoot the capsule to the again of the mouth. If you happen to get the capsule previous the hump of the tongue, the cat has to swallow the capsule. The plus to this methodology is you possibly can’t by accident put your fingers between the cat’s tooth.
— Scott Gerken, Bay Space
DEAR SCOTT: I’m all for avoiding a cat’s tooth. Thanks for the tip.
DEAR JOAN: Your latest column on a cat not prepared to permit flea remedy resonated with me.
I wanted to determine a strategy to trim my cat’s claws with out taking her to the vet each time. My cat loves moist meals so I put her meals into her bowl and instantly seize the trimmer and get to work. I choose up every paw, separate the toes and nip off the sharp ends.
I needed to acclimate her to this by rubbing her toes whereas she scarfed her tasty meals. I then began gently getting the trimmer close to the claws till I had success. It took a couple of week however now it’s fairly straightforward to do.
The cautious cat in your column may additionally profit from having very tasty kibbles whereas “mom” gently rubs the spot the place flea remedy will finally be utilized.
— Celia (and Mimi the cat), Santa Cruz
DEAR CELIA AND MIMI: What an ideal tip. Thanks.
DEAR JOAN: My method with my canine is to grind the capsule with a mortar and pestle till it’s damaged down, like effective sand. Then I combine it into moist pet meals very well. Often works very well.
— Steve Kessler, Bay Space
DEAR STEVE: Glorious thought, though I’d examine with my vet to see that it’s OK to try this. Some medicines are purported to be given entire.
