Since this site is so new, our expert hasn't been asked many questions yet! Please check back here soon, as we'll be updating it as the expert answers your questions! Question: I’ve a golden 5 years old just diagnosed with arthritis in his hip. What do you have and recommend for long term support? Response: I'm sorry to hear about your golden's arthritis, but I'm happy to tell you that we have some really great products that will help. We strongly recommend JD-Plus Double Strength. It's designed for arthritis and works really, really well. Most of our staff has personal experience with it and have had wonderful results. You'll want to start out with two pills per day at first, then after four to six weeks you can go down to just one pill per day. Thanks and good luck! Question: Am wondering if you know of any alternative practioners that treat cats in the general Burlington, VT area? My cat was diagnosed with this yesterday and while I am making some contacts myself about possible resources, I wondered if you knew of any. Thank you very much for any help or suggestions. I'd like to try an alternative therapy before just putting her on medication. Response: Thanks for asking us! There's a great alternative vet down in Montpelier called Bear Swamp. They are located at 107 East Bear Swamp Road in Montpelier and their phone number is (802) 223-4171. They're a little outside of Burlington, but we've had a lot of experience with them and know that they're excellent. Good luck-- we hope that your cat gets better soon! Question: Hi! I just got a five month old puppy from an abusive home, he has a major meltdown when I leave him home. Unfortunately I have to work and am not able to take time off right now to get him used to me leaving (go outside for five minutes at a time, increasing the time until he's okay with it, etc). I'm home on the weekends and try this but I can't leave for short periods of time before I actually leave for work during the week so when Monday comes he acts like I've never left him before, he throws himself at the door, barks (high pitched, it sounds like he's being hurt) and forgets that he's been potty trained... It has been suggested to me to crate train him. I got the crate I read the crate insert and I'm still clueless. Mostly because people have been telling me that he's going to think he's being punished, he wont be able to be in there all day (he wont get enough exercise), the list can go on. The bottom line is he needs something, I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself, I have a window down low enough if he threw himself at it he would most likely go through.... Do you have any advice on crate training him, is this the right thing to do? What about my friends opinions, is there any merit to their concerns? Thanks for your time! Response: Thanks for e-mailing our experts! We recommend crate training. Dogs like having a "den" area that is uniquely theirs. If done properly, a crate can be that area and a dog won't mind spending time inside. Leaving your dog in a crate while you are at work is safer for both your animal and your house, as a crated dog can't get into much trouble. The trick to it is not to make the dog think that they are being punished. Do not use the crate for punishment. Only use it when you are leaving the house. Leave the crate door open all the time, and occasionally put the dog inside the crate (with the door open) when you are home. Give the dog treats and verbal praise while he or she is inside the crate. Exercise is a concern with dogs that spend eight hours or more inside a crate. Make sure to give your dog plenty of exercise before and after crate-time. If crate training does not work for you, you may consider using a dog daycare facility that does not crate their dogs, like the Dog Zone in Winooski. Thank you and good luck with your puppy! Question: I have a cat that has been diagnosed with F.U.S. I am wondering what pet foods you carry for this condition. Also what preventative measures do you reccomend? Response: Thanks for checking with our experts! The most important thing for a cat with F.U.S. is plenty of fresh water. You should consider buying a Fresh & Flow water filtration system, which keeps water running. Running water is often more appealing to cats. You should also make sure to feed a food low in magnesium and phosphorus, such as Innova Cat Light. An all-natural product, like Cranberry Relief, may also help alleviate the problems associated with F.U.S. Since your cat has a relatively serious condition, however, you should consult with your veterinarian before switching foods and make sure to take your cat directly to the vet if you notice any more F.U.S. related problems. With proper care, a cat can still live a full, healthy life with F.U.S. Good luck! Question: I have a hamster, and I need to know if it can withstand cold temperatures. Is there anything that I need to do to it's living facilities to make the hamster more comfortable in extreme temperatures? Response: Thanks for writing to our experts! First off all, if the type of extreme cold you're talking about is outside, we cannot stress enough: please do not put your hamster outside in Vermont. It is far too cold for a pet hamster to survive the winters here. We feel that the coldest temperature a hamster should experience is 50 degrees F, and even that we do not recommend. Hamsters should be kept at room temperature, around 68 to 72 degrees F. If you are planning on keeping your hamster at between 50 and 60 degrees F, please try to do the following to help him or her keep warm: 1) Make sure to provide plenty of nesting materials. Use at least double what you usually use. Besides the regular, already shredded bedding, also put plenty of unscented, colorless toilet paper or paper towels into your hamster's home. He or she will shred these as needed in order to make more bedding. 2) Give your hamster more, higher-calorie food than usual. Start increasing the amount of fattier food slowly. He or she will need these extra calories to keep warm. Make sure to keep an eye out for obesity problems, though. 3) Make sure that the hamster's water supply does not freeze or get ice in it. Hamsters need a constant supply of fresh water-- if the water supply freezes overnight it could be a big problem. Good luck, and we hope that our advice will help!