Look Beyond the Ears for Cause of Infections

S.F.

Silver Spring

Many readers have cats just like yours. Such feline behavior is indicative of cats' imaginative and creative abilities. Cats devise ways to satisfy basic instinctual drives and desires that have no easy outlet in their home environments, even when they have the company of one or more other cats (which is a good thing -- too many cats are deprived of even that).

What your cats are displaying are elements of kitten-carrying, nurturing behavior and of prey-catching or coveting behavior. This is why it's a good idea to provide cats with a variety of toys and cardboard boxes to hide in. Scratch posts and climbing cat condos also help enrich their environment.

Older cats that become agitated and vocal at night might be in pain from arthritis or suffering from hyperthyroidism or Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, so a vet checkup might be in order.

Dear Dr. Fox:

We live in North Carolina and have a 10-year-old cat that spends part of every day outdoors. Our veterinarian recommends Revolution for fleas and heartworm. When I asked whether there might be an alternative treatment, he said holistic treatments do not work and this was the most effective treatment to protect our cat, especially from heartworm.

I thought I had read in your column that there were other, less-invasive ways to control fleas and heartworm. Do you have suggestions?

L.G.