If your cat obsessively grooms, she will groom to the point of damaging her coat. Her barbed tongue breaks the hair shafts, causing her to swallow healthy hair that has been barbered and broken off in addition to the loose fur. Check your cat for bald patches. Typically affected areas include the tummy, the back of the hind legs, and the flanks. You should not be able to see the skin, so if these areas lack fur and you can see the skin, the cat is likely to be obsessive-compulsive about grooming. One of the reasons your cat may obsessively groom is due to fleas. This is because some cats are over sensitive to flea bites and have an allergic reaction to the presence of flea saliva. This creates an intense itch sensation on the skin, which triggers the grooming behavior. If you find fleas, apply an appropriate flea treatment (such as Frontline) as directed. These treatments often last for a month or more. You should apply to all pets in the house that can harbor fleas to prevent the resurgence of fleas after the treatment application. Some cats obsessively groom due to simple boredom. Try engaging your cat with more playtime than usual and some new toys. Anytime you notice your cat grooming for excessive periods of time, distract her from the behavior with playtime. Just like humans, cats can have allergies that lead to itchiness and therefore excessive grooming. Allergies can range from pollen allergies to food allergies. If your cat obsessively licks her back or abdomen, allergies have a higher chance of being the culprit. See your veterinarian and discuss the symptoms. Your veterinarian may place your cat on a monitored hypoallergenic diet to test for a food allergy. Follow your vet’s instructions to ensure that your cat maintains a well-balanced diet. Some cats over groom because of stress. Anything from stray cats in the yard to moving to the arrival of a new pet or baby can cause stress in your cat. Give your cat time to adjust, and try using a synthetic feline pheromones (such as Feliway), which can have a calming effect. Obsessive grooming can also be the result of medical conditions such as neurological disorders. If other steps haven’t stopped your cat from over grooming, then you should see your veterinarian to rule out more serious conditions. If your cat has episodes of retching without producing the hairball, then you should also seek assistance from your vet. This can be a sign that a hairball has past into your cat’s intestine—which can create a dangerous blockage—or it can also be a sign of a respiratory ailment such as asthma.

Summary: Monitor your cat for obsessive grooming. Check for fleas. Provide new toys and more playtime. Have your veterinarian test your cat for allergies. Take environmental changes into account. See your veterinarian.


You will need to store your lipstick in something so that it doesn't get dusty or dirty. Here is a list to give you some ideas:  Contact lens case Empty lipstick or chap stick tubes Empty lip balm container Empty eye shadow or blush containers Pill boxes Your lipstick will start to harden quickly and you will need to pour it into its container before it sets. Make sure that your containers are within reach and open, so that they will be ready.

Summary: Select your lipstick container. Keep the container open and set it aside.


Playing with other vaccinated dogs is a normal part of your dog's puppyhood. And just like your own childhood, this is a time for exploration and learning lessons. Regular play with other well-mannered dogs, who don't need to act to teach bite inhibition, will encourage her to play nicely around other dogs and you. Consider enrolling your puppy in a puppy training class, where your dog can learn essential skills while having fun. Take out a toy or bone and let her bite on it. This will teach her that her teeth belong on a toy or bone instead of on your skin. Playing rough with your hands is plenty fun, but it might be giving your puppy the wrong idea. Encourage other forms of play that don't involve your puppy nipping at your fingers, hands, ankles, and toes.  Learn how to play fetch with your dog. Stick to the same rules every time you play. Learn how to play tug-of-war with your dog. Stick to the same rules to encourage your puppy to stop mouthing if she gets close to your hands. Provide plenty of interesting and new toys so that you keep your dog engaged. A bored dog is a lot more likely to seek attention from you by biting. Cycle out your toys so that your dog is less likely to get bored. Before you start playing with your dog, spray a taste deterrent on areas of your body and clothes that you dog likes to play rough with. When your dog starts biting you, stop all movement and wait for her to react to the taste deterrent. Praise her and continue playing with her when she lets go.  Some options for taste deterrents include bitter apple, vapor rub, tea tree oil, or white vinegar.  Alternatively, you can spray breath freshener spray (such as Binaca) into the puppy’s mouth as both a taste and sound deterrent at the moment of a bite. Spray the taste deterrent on your body and clothes (if it is fabric-safe) for at least two weeks. After two weeks, your puppy will likely have developed a strong distaste for your hands and ankles. A well-exercised puppy (exercised to the point of being tired) will not be as rough when playing with you. This will help avoid forming bad habits in the first place.  A tired puppy is often a well-behaved puppy. It's sometimes tempting to want to physically punish your puppy by slapping, hitting, or waving your fingers in her face. The problem is that these responses can do one of two things: they can encourage your puppy to continue playing rough, or they can encourage your puppy to act out with real aggression. Avoid other methods of physical punishment that might scare or intimidate your puppy. If you are contemplating this sort of retaliation, you should contact a professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist for assistance. You might not enjoy being bitten every time you go out to play with your puppy, but you do want to forge a real bond between you and your puppy, and playing is partly how you do this. Don't give up on play time just because your puppy doesn't yet know how to play gentle. Teaching her the difference between right and wrong, not abandoning play altogether, will be best for both of you.
Summary: Encourage your puppy to play with other friendly puppies and dogs. Substitute your puppy's favorite bone or chew toy for your skin whenever she bites you. Engage in other forms of play. Use a taste deterrent to keep your dog from biting. Make sure your puppy is getting plenty of exercise. Don't treat like with like. Don't discourage normal forms of play.