Cat’s sensitive ears find 2 sounds especially irritating

Dear Cathy: My cat has a sensitivity to two specific sounds. One is the sound of packing tape being ripped from the roll. The other is the ratcheting noise made by a plastic windup cat toy. He hunkers down when he hears these noises and retches like he needs to throw up. — Carol, Valley Stream, New York

Dear Carol: Like people who can be sensitive to different sounds, every cat will react to sounds differently. But cats also have much more sensitive hearing than humans. So, the truth is, we don’t know what they hear over and above the sounds we hear. Packing tape is a sharp, irritating sound. I can’t imagine what it must sound like to a creature with better hearing.

If the windup toy is a plaything for him, try winding it slower — or in another room to see if that helps. As for packing tape, place him in a bedroom and put a sound machine on when using it. We may not know why your cat reacts to these sounds, but we know he has a visceral reaction to them, and you can easily accommodate his sensitivity by not using these objects around him.

Dear Cathy: Our dog suddenly refused to walk on shiny wooden floors after wearing a cone for days after a procedure. Since removing the cone, he stays on the carpet or rugs and whines and cries as he wants to join the family. Heartbreaking as this is, he is the sweetest pup who loves to be in the middle of the family. Any suggestions? — MaryAnn, Roslyn, New York

Dear MaryAnn: Dogs use their toes and nails to grip the ground or carpet. Floors make that problematic, and it’s not uncommon for dogs to develop a fear of slick floors. If he slipped or fell while wearing the cone, he may have hurt himself (or scared himself ), and he remembers that feeling. Unfortunately, dogs can develop fears from such encounters.

Rebuild his confidence by getting a few carpet runners to help him transition surfaces. Make sure his nails are kept trim and consider getting nail grips for him to wear to improve his traction on the floor.

He can also be led around the house on a leash while wearing the nail grips. Gently encourage him to transition from rug to floor to rug again by spraying small dollops of canned whipped cream across the floor for him to follow and lick up. Praise him as he licks up the whipped cream and goes from one surface to the next. Try this for a few weeks, and see if he improves.