questions, answered

The vets will see you now

LET THE FUR FLY! ANSWERS TO YOUR HAIRIEST PET QUESTIONS.

Q.

weather pattern Whenever it rains, even if it’s only sprinkling, I find it impossible to get my Schnoodle to go out for his walk. Any tips?

L.G., via Facebook

A. Many dogs just don’t like getting wet, so this is a common reaction. It’s also possible that your pooch was spooked during a past storm, and now, when it rains, that fear resurfaces, says veterinarian Ann Hohenhaus. You need an unwavering approach. Dogs are creatures of habit, so it will be easier to coax yours out if you have a daily routine that you stick to, even on rainy days. Start with a few minutes of playtime. Then, right near the door, clip on the leash and give him some petting and praise (“Good boy!”) as you lead him outside, shielding him with an umbrella. Have a treat in your hand in case he needs extra incentive. (Last resort: Carry him out, if you’re capable of it.) Once he does his business, reward him immediately with another treat and quickly head back inside to towel him off. The more you repeat the routine, the less resistance you’ll get. You can also reduce the icky wet feeling with rain gear, if your dog will tolerate it, says vet Lisa Maciorakowski. Try a slicker (Petco Reversible Blue Dog Raincoat, $15, petco.com), waterproof footwear (Pawz Dog Boots, $17, petco.com), or even an umbrella-collar combo (Pet Life Umbrella Leash Holder, $30, dog.com).

Photograph by John Fulton

Q.

noisy nuisance

My 14-year-old cat sometimes gets restless and howls. What can I do to calm him?

A.M., via Facebook

A. As cats get older, they can become increasingly anxious and vocal. But that doesn’t mean you’re forever doomed to sleepless nights. “Sometimes the howling signals discomfort from arthritis, a urinary tract infection, or hyperthyroid disease, so you should book a vet evaluation with lab work,” says Maciorakowski. If tests are negative, the culprit is probably plain old age. You may relieve restlessness with a soothing pheromone diffuser, which comes in a spray or collar form (Sentry Cat Calming Collar, $13, chewy.com). And just in case evening howling stems from hunger pangs, offer a small nightly snack. OUR PET EXPERTS

ANN HOHENHAUS,

D.V.M., the Animal Medical Center, New York City.

LISA MACIORAKOWSKI, D.V.M.,

Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston.

JULIE MORRIS,

D.V.M., Morris Animal Hospital, Granger, Indiana.

Q.

slobber situation

Our two-year-old black British Lab recently started licking everything—pillows, clothing, even himself. Should we be worried?

J.P., via Facebook

A. Puppies and young dogs love to lick objects, in the same way that babies explore with their mouths. It’s typically not harmful, but if you’re fed up with finding damp socks strewn about, you can try the surprisingly effective step-away method: Whenever the licking starts, instead of yelling or snatching the pillow, simply walk out of the room. (Any attention, even the negative kind, reinforces the behavior.) The habit should subside over time. Another option, with your vet’s approval: Spray a (safe, nontoxic) sour-flavored “deterrent” on your dog’s fur (Grannick’s Bitter Apple, $11, amazon.com) to break the habit. No luck after a few weeks? Consider scheduling a veterinary visit. The doctor may want to do blood work or evaluate the dog’s diet to check for health or nutritional problems, says vet Julie Morris. But most likely the licking is just a phase that you’ll have to wait out.

WINNERS NEVER QUIT

The RS road test hall of fame

BEST OFFICE ORGANIZER Super Stacked Desk Set When Poppin’s zippy-colored supplies launched in 2012, they took desktops in a (way) cooler direction. The uniform pieces impose instant order—and in various sizes, they can corral paper and paper clips. TO BUY: $55 (stapler not included), poppin.com.

BEST STICK VACUUM Electrolux Ergorapido Plus Brushroll Clean This dirt-blaster combo— cordless vac plus pop-out handheld—holds its charge for 20 minutes, allowing you to tackle a whole room and smaller spots in one go. TO BUY: $150, bestbuy.com.

BEST BATHROOM HOOKS Command Hooks With Water-Resistant Strips The latest iteration of RS’s favorite adhesive hooks can withstand wet, humid bathrooms—a no-brainer swap for suction cups that slip. TO BUY: From $9 each, command.com for stores.

BEST LABEL MAKER Brother P-touch PT-H100 Easy Handheld Label Maker Pro organizers overwhelmingly recommend this label maker for its ultra-clear font and heavy-duty labels. TO BUY: $35, staples.com.

THE GUIDE

BEST THERMOSTAT Nest Learning Thermostat The game-changing innovation allows you to input your heating and cooling preferences, and within a week the thermostat automatically adjusts to your schedule. As a result, it’s been a cult favorite since its debut nearly four years ago. TO BUY: $249, nest.com.

Photographs by Jens Mortensen

TWO-TIME RS ROAD TEST CHAMP.

BEST TABLETOP FAN AM06 Dyson Cool Sculptural and sleek, this bladeless model blows all others out of the water, sending out a strong stream of air without any noisy whirring. It’s kid- and pet-safe, too. If tipped over, it shuts off automatically. TO BUY: $300 (19½ by 12 inches), dyson.com.