Ask Ashley: Great Plains SPCA

I love your articles and you have taught me so much about my nine-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Freddie. I have a question for you concerning Halloween. Freddie is absolutely terrified during Halloween night when the children come over to trick or treat and he will not let anyone pet him. He is usually very friendly to unfamiliar people. What can I do to help him? – Lindsey LaFramboise

Many animals fear trick or treaters and children dressed in costumes. Normally, I talk about desensitization and socialization when animals are afraid of strangers, but if your dog is only afraid of people at Halloween, then I recommend putting him in another room for the couple of hours during the trick or treating since it’s only once a year. I personally put my dogs in my bedroom, use a white noisemaker, put on a TV show in the bedroom, and give them some peanut butter filled Kongs during that time. Hope you have a good and safe Halloween! – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

I have had my cat for about four years and all of a sudden, she started peeing outside the litterbox when I adopted a new kitten a week ago. Do you think she is upset that I got a new kitten? – Rodger L. Wallace

This is a common question that I receive at Great Plains SPCA. If your cat is not showing any issues with the kitten and is only having incidents, then I would recommend getting more litterboxes in the house and cleaning them daily. Many cats just like a clean litterbox, much like many humans like a clean toilet. The rule of thumb is that you should have at least one more litter box than the number of cats that you have in the home and a litter box on every floor. Make sure to clean areas where the cat has peed previously and make sure to fully change the littler about every three weeks. I also recommend not putting food or water bowls near the litterbox. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

I have a dog and his name is Rocky. My mom told me that dogs do not see colors like us. Is it true that my dog cannot see pink? Pink is my favorite color. – Sabella[TL1] 

Dogs see the world very differently than you and me, but it turns out that they can see some colors. They do see a lot of black, white, and grays, but can also see shades of blue and yellow. This is one of the reasons why dogs like tennis balls. They cannot see shades of red, green, or violet, which means that your dog Rocky is unable to see pink. Did you know that dogs are nearsighted? They see things that are close to them well, but can’t see things far away all that well. Tell Rocky that I said, hi! – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Featured Pet: Delilah

So you like big dogs? Delilah would love to join your family! She is a one-year-old American Bulldog mix who is full of personality. She loves to play as much as she loves to show off her commands. She has perfected her “sit” and “down” commands! Delilah is eager to learn and would be happy to join you on any adventure. She does great in the car and loves to go for walks! Because of her size, she will do best in a home with older kids so she doesn’t accidentally knock them over. She can get along with some dogs but is particular with who she befriends. Delilah is a true happy-go-lucky girl who deserves the best life in a forever home! Contact adoptions@greatplainsspca.org to learn more!

Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered here in KC Parent magazine.

Great Plains SPCA is an independent 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter serving approximately 6,000 animals annually in the Johnson County community. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities with which we are contracted including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Lake Quivira, and Johnson County Parks and Recreation and unincorporated Johnson County.

Great Plains SPCA

5424 Antioch Drive Merriam, KS 66202

(913) 831-7722(SPCA)

https://www.greatplainsspca.org