Advice for Pet Owners

Do you have a problem pooch or crazy cat? Are you trying to pick the best pet for your family? Are you alarmed by news reports about tainted pet food and looking for better options?

Dr. Michael W. Fox can offer advice on these quandaries, and other issues related to the care and feeding of our furry friends (as well as those with feathers or scales). He is a veterinarian and the author of the syndicated column " Animal Doctor." He has written over 40 books, most recently "Dog Body, Dog Mind" and "Cat Body, Cat Mind," which take a holistic approach to pet care and communications. His book "Not Fit for a Dog! The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food" will be out soon.

Dr. Fox was online Wednesday, April 23 to take questions about pet care and behavior.

A transcript follows.

This discussion is one in a series of pet advice chats we'll be holding over the next several weeks. Please join us again Wednesday, April 30 at noon ET, when Karen "Doc" Halligan, a veterinarian and Animal Planet personality, will take questions. And check out washingtonpost.com's newpets section anytime!

____________________

Dr. Michael W. Fox: This is Michael Fox and I look forward to your questions---anything I can do for the animals---

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: ADVISORY TO READERS: We realize there may be problems in the discussion page updating. Please try holding down the Control button and hitting Refresh on your individual computers. That should temporarily help. We are working on the problem.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: I have three wheaten terriers -- all fixed and all boys, ages almost 2, 3 and 6. They are crated overnight and whenever I go to let them out in the morning, the almost 2-year-old bites the leg and neck of the 3-year-old. This hurts the 3-year-old who cries out in pain. I've tried to let the two older dogs out first to stop this behavior, but he just waits until he is let out to bite him. What can I do to help?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Terriers will be terriers. you must devise some way to break this morning ritual as with a squeaky toy to distract/remotivate---or not crate them overnight. Most dogs sleep on the bed with their pack leaders!

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hi there,

What do you think about pet health insurance? Worth it, or not so much? Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: I think it is a bad move when most policies do not cover diseases of a hereditary basis that are very common in purebreed dogs and cats. And some policies promote over-vaccination and over-medication in general.

_______________________

McMechen, W.Va.: I have a Jack Russell/Boxer mix. He suffers from separation anxiety. He was put on a medication from his vet. After the second prescription was filled, I was told I had to make a behavioral consulting appointment, before I could get any more prescription. I refused. He's very much out of control. In fact, I feel bad telling you this, but I sent him to the animal shelter and when they put him on the internet, I fell apart, and I got him back.

Now, I purchased a prong trainer collar and he and I have a great time walking, he's not dragging me and that part is great. The problem is the separation anxiety. He's constantly bouncing off the walls. I don't leave him alone, he has a sitter when I'm at work. What can I get for the anxiety that is natural and won't harm him?

Thanks so much for your time.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Not an easy problem to solve! a companion dog may help. A rubber Kong stuffed with peanut butter and leaving the TV on can help many dogs with this malady of separation-anxiety. In some cases a few drops of pure lavender oil on a cotton tie around the dog's neck can be calming---also good for dogs who get overwrought in the car.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I have two dogs and a non-profit salary, so even though I'd like to feed them only high-end all-organic, no-filler dog food, I can't afford it.

Of the "mainstream" dog food, what do you think is the best kind?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Check my website www.doctormwfox.org for my dog food recipe that you can make up yourself, save $$$ and have healthy dogs so fewer vet bills!

_______________________

Washington, D.C. - please help my cat! : I have 2 cats (siblings, male and female) and the male is - to everyone except me - very aggressive and territorial. I've had them both 12 years, adopted them when they were weeks old. He hisses at visitors, swipes at them with his paw, and follows them around my house, like a monitor. The vet sedates him with gas every year we go for his exam and though they say it's painless and harmless, it seems wrong. But there's no other way to examine him. With me he's loving and sweet. I just want this great cat to be happy and loved by all for how great he is. Is he okay? Is this just his nature? Is there some underlying problem that needs attention?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Some cats become more aggressive because of hyperthyroidism so have your cat's thyroid function tested.

Some cats are naturally territorial and do not like strangers. so you have to live with it!

The sometimes calming cat pheromone Feliway may help and your vet can get the product as a spray or room-diffuser. Not cheap, but can work wonders in many but not all cases of aggressive cats and unsettled cat-groups.

_______________________

Chicago, Ill.: Greetings,

Cat #2, 15 years old, died this weekend after having to live upstairs to keep the diet for his failing kidneys and accompanying medication away from Cat #1, 17 years old. Since being solo in the downstairs for the past few months, Cat #1 has regained weight.

The two cats weren't particularly fond of each other, but might have been in more proximity at night than we knew. They got into spats on a semi-regular basis.

Cat #1 has begun wandering around the house more, looking at the haunts of Cat #2. Are we attributing a reaction of missing a long-term partner to Cat #1 when in reality she's just trying to figure out where the heck Cat #2 is sleeping?

With a short exception of a few days where Cat #2 wandered off for a few days, the cats had never been apart.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Cats do mourn, and this emotional loss could aggravate senile dementia/dysphoria, as per my book CAT BODY, CAT MIND. Discuss with your vet a short course of treatment with valerian or Seligiline that can help cats with this disorder. All older cats benefit from a few drops of cod liver oil daily in their food---good for failing kidneys and arthritic joints.

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: I've tried numerous things to keep the free-running neighborhood cats out of my planting beds. Let's see, I've used Critter Ridder, orange peels, moth balls, bamboo skewers, black pepper, cedar mulch, and cayenne pepper. And still, they use my beds as litter boxes.

Is there anything you can suggest as a deterrent? Maybe a synthetic urine of a natural predator that I could apply?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Thin---and decorative---bamboo stakes can serve as an effective barrier. Alternatively a strip of chicken wire will deter most cats---they do not like to get there paws between the wires. Good under bird feeders too to keep cats at bay!

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: My two Beagle/Spaniel mix dogs are now 8 1/2 years old. While they are on an organic diet, we have switched their dry and wet food to include more protein and less grain (on advice from our vet). Is this the correct approach, or should we use "Senior" food instead? Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: The higher protein is fine if they have healthy kidneys.

_______________________

Capitol Heights, Md.: Hello Dr. Fox, I have been waiting for a pet discussion for a while now. To feed bones or not to feed bones, that is the question? My husband (I'm guilty as well) has been given our dog Ginger, who is a Rott-Lab mix, bones from leftovers. My Mom freaked when I told her this and she said we had better stop doing that. She said it could hurt Ginger in the long run. Please tell me the rules about bones and dogs. Thank you.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: No bones of any kind except raw beef shank/soup marrow bones, at least 2 inches long, scaled to kill off surface bacteria.

_______________________

Houston, Tex.: Hi Dr. Fox. We have two chocolate Labradors, Cocoa (2 yr old boy) and Mocha (1 yr old girl). The problem is that over the past couple of months they've both gotten the runs on two different occasions - his is usually worse than hers. His have gotten to the point of a little blood in the stool and we have to take him out practically every hour to use the bathroom. After hundreds of dollars in vet bills on both occasions, they can never find anything that's wrong with them. They give us antibiotics for them and change to a prescription dog food and that does the trick.

The only thing that they can come up with is that maybe they're stressed out. They go to daycare 2 to 4 days a week. There's actually a pet-cam there (yes, I know it's over-the-top) and they seem as happy as a lark playing there and none of the others dogs have been sick - I've asked.

Do you have any ideas why the diarrhea could be coming on?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Possibly stress-related Clostridia bacterial proliferation. Give your dogs a tablespoon of aloe vera gel plus probiotics or a couple of tablespoons of live, non-pasteurized yoghurt to help repopulate the intestinal flora.

_______________________

Bully Cat: Dr. Fox, You are my hero. I have learned so much from your columns. We have three cats, ages 10 (female), 7 (male), 2 (female). All three were declawed by their previous humans. We adopted our youngest a year ago and spent about two months integrating her into our household (and then another two weeks trying to re-integrate). She is a tortie Siamese and all of our efforts were for naught. She continues to stalk, chase, and bully the resident cats. We started her on 2.5 mg of Prozac about a month ago in hopes it would help. It seems to help a tiny bit. She remains undeterred by time-outs or "NO!" I spend at least 20 minutes playing with her every night to tire her. Do you have any suggestions on what else we can do? She eats Wellness brand canned food and Innova Evo kibble. She wears a bell on her collar to alert the other cats of her whereabouts. Thanks.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Try spraying or room-diffuser delivery of FELIWAY, a cat pheromone available from your vet that can often help cats settle down amicably.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: My cat (approximately 6 Y.O.) will cry, heart-breaking loud cries -- often overnight, but also during the day. She had done this as long as I have had her (4 years -- she was a non-feral stray). She is in good health, friendly, social, and playful (though less as she has aged). The crying appears to have nothing to do with me or an obvious desire of hers. I worry that she is unhappy or stressed, and I also worry that the crying is disturbing my neighbors. I have been outside my building waiting at the bus stop and heard her crying. What can I do? I tried introducing a second cat as a companion but she hated him and only cried all the more and louder (my neighbors complained).

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Old cats act this way when they have senile dementia. If your cat is young, she may simply want to go out and be with other cats. Try adopting a kitten for her, since a young animal may be less of a threat than an adult.

_______________________

Worcester, Mass.: Hi,

My cockerpoo has some compulsive habits. He twirls around licks the stove or a door and then repeats. Or he will twirl around and then bite the edge of a table and then lick a lamb and repeats the entire process. We would like to stop him from doing this.

He does this for no apparent reason. My husband and I can both be in the room or one of us could get up from the couch or leave the room. It doesn't seem to make a difference.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Your dog has OCD---obsessive compulsive disorder. Try remotivating with a squeaky toy or shake a tin can full of keys. Engage the dog in games, fetch and chase, and tugs of war with an old sock. If this fails, Prozac may really help.

_______________________

McLean, Va.: My rescue mutt has recently been diagnosed with early stage kidney problems. My vet has placed him on a renal diet and that's going well, however he still has bouts of nausea and grass eating. Should I be concerned or are there more obvious signs I should be aware of?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Give your dog up to one tablespoon daily of flax seed oil in the food or a teaspoon of fish oil that will help improve kidney function. Also give potassium supplements from the vet.

_______________________

Brooklyn, N.Y.: I have two cats, male and female and they both use the same litter box. They're not the best of friends, but tolerate each other. However, the female doesn't go in the litter box, but on the newspaper around it. The male uses the litter box and never misses.

The female used to use the box, but hasn't done that in years. I suspect he's intimidating her somehow, I don't know. What can I do to get her to poop in the box?

If you can help I will be forever in your gratitude.

Thanks

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Get one or two more litter boxes and try different types of litter. Have your female cat checked for anal gland impaction and possible spinal arthritis. These problems often make cats reticent over using the litter box. Massage therapy, as per my book THE HEALING TOUCH FOR CATS ( New Market Press, NY) can work wonders on older cats with back and joint problems that are all too common. A few drops of fish oil daily in the food also helps arthritic cats.

_______________________

Over-vaccination: Can you please tell me what is a normal duration between vaccinations of the most common vaccinations for both dogs and cats? I think my vet does them too often, but I'm not sure where to find the bottom line. Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Annual vaccinations are a thing of the past. Except for some types of rabies vaccinations. Check my website www.doctormwfox.org for the latest protocols for dogs and cats. The 'core' vaccinations are good for at least 3 years.

_______________________

Sugar Land, Tex.: My 12 year old Shepherd mix has a big walnut-shaped abscess (I think) on the side of the lip where the top and bottom lip meet. The doctor said she could not operate, but it is big, and often bleeds. Looks like it is her tongue hanging on the side. What should I do? I am so worried and she is old to have surgery. The vet suggested to put aloe vera on it.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Seek a second opinion---could be cancer or a foreign body like a grass seed awn. A biopsy should be taken, and a soft-tissue vet surgeon consulted.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: Hi Dr.,

We have two cats, male, 7 yrs old, brothers. They are both overweight, one slightly, the other extremely. We have gotten toys for them to play (and they do play with each other), and we have begun to really measure and restrict food. However I think the extremely overweight one still eats a lot of food, eating more than his fair share. Segregating the food for the respective cats is not really an option, because we live in a small apartment. Any suggestions on how to deal with this weight issue?

Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: High carbohydrate diets for cats---especially dry cat foods---cause obesity and diabetes. Cat 'diet' foods often cause hunger and suffering and possibly malnutrition, so give your cats some raw or lightly cooked meats and give 4-6 small meals daily.

_______________________

Make Your Own Pet Food in Virginia: I have a 5 year old 15 lb. terrier mix. He had stomach issues when we first adopted him and after testing for serious issues, it was determined that he was allergic to something in his food. We changed dog food to Nature's Recipe Easy to Digest Chicken Barley & Rice, which he has been fine on ever since. But after all of last year's pet food problems I worry about buying dog food and have been seriously thinking about changing to making my own food for him, but I don't want to go back to the problems we had when he first came into our family. It was probably beef, corn or wheat that was the problem, as this is what is NOT in the new food that IS in the old food.

What would you suggest? Stick with what is working? I got the recipe off your website -- no corn, can do something besides beef, but what about the wheat germ? Is that a potential problem for my little guy's tummy? Can I leave it out or is there a substitute? THANK YOU!!!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Wheat, corn, dairy products, eggs and beef are the most common food-allergy ingredients for dogs. You do not always know what is in pet foods---so many 'byproducts'--- so I advise you make your own as per the recipe on my website www.doctormwfox.org.

_______________________

Dr. Fox, a question about car sickness: I am dog sitting for a border collie/lab mix for the next six months while his owner goes overseas. He is a sweet dog, but he has severe car sickness. I believe it is due to motion because he does not seem to be anxious about the car at all. Just curls up and doses off. His owner says he has tried "everything". Can you recommend anything to try. We are planning a vacation that entails a 5 - 6 hour drive and we want to take him with us. Many thanks.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: A small piece of crystallized ginger some dogs will eat, or ginger in a capsule really helps settle the stomach if given 30 min before a car ride. Spray inside the car with lavender oil in water or soak a rag with a few drops of the oil to help calm the dog in transit.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: What do you think of Feline Pine for a Littermaid litter box? We are looking for a more natural litter than Tidy Cats, due to the health concerns from the clay dust. Any other recommendations? Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: newspaper-based cat litter is good. Clay-based cat litters may contribute to bladder stones from cats licking off the mineral particles that cling on their paws.

_______________________

East Lansing, Mich.: Hi Doctor,

We have a 14-year-old Bichon Frise who has been diagnosed with Cushing's disease. She constantly has to pee and is constantly hungry and thirsty. She also has body sores that scab up, but don't seem to fully heal.

Our vet told us that medication is expensive and iffy to manage the problems. Fortunately, we have a rug he visits with regularity for pit stops. But, we wonder if there is anything our midwestern vet doesn't know about that might be a good measure to better control her Cushing's.

Thank you.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: This is an all too common endocrine disease affecting the adrenal glands, often compounded by thyroid disease. For more details on endocrine-immune system disorders see my book DOG BODY, DOG MIND (The Lyons Press, Guilford CT). Your dog's deteriorating condition can be helped with various supplements/nutraceuticals aimed at boosting the immune system. A teaspoon of fish oil daily is a beginning.

_______________________

Pittsburgh: You just wrote, "most policies do not cover diseases of a hereditary basis that are very common in purebreed dogs and cats."

Isn't the solution obvious? Mixed breed dogs and cats make superior pets -- hybrid vigor, I like to think of it -- yet it's harder to find good homes for them, so many are destroyed out of people's vanity need for pure-breeds.

Please, stop the madness!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: I agree totally!

_______________________

Vienna, Va.: Dr. Fox - So happy to see you here!! Our mixed-breed corgi/Australian cattle mix is approaching 12 years old. She is quite arthritic in her hind legs. On vet's advice, had her on Rimodyl, which improved her condition. But we did not keep her on it long-term out of fear of reported kidney problems. We hate to see her suffer. Her whole personality is changed, probably due to pain. Please advise -- thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Try safer products---turmeric, fish oil, Cosequin, and massage therapy works miracles as per my book THE HEALING TOUCH FOR DOGS---and acupuncture can be effective.

_______________________

Gaithersburg, Md.: Dr. Fox, I plan to get a dog in 1.5 years, when I retire. We also need a cat or two, since our last cat just died. Should we wait until after the dog comes before getting any cats? Does it matter?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Knowing cats and their territoriality, I would get an older, easy going dog first from the shelter.

_______________________

Chicago, Ill.: I have a 6-year-old male cat who is on the heavy side.

After consulting with the vet, I stopped letting him "free feed" on dry food and he gets half a can of wet food in the morning, half a can in the evening. It's taken awhile, but he seems to have lost some weight, although still is not thin. Here's the problem: he acts hungry ALL THE TIME. He constantly follows me into the kitchen and yowls. If I were to let him, he'd eat until the point of throwing up. I joke that he's an emotional eater. How do I tell if he's legitimately hungry versus just craving food? My other cat gets the same amount of food and does not seem hungry between meals.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: There's canned food and there's canned food---quality of ingredients makes a big difference. Some cats can do well when transitioned onto mainly raw or lightly cooked foods. Check out YOUR CAT by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins.

_______________________

N.E. D.C.: I cannot keep my 2 cats off the kitchen counters. They go through the sink after I leave, knock over the trash/recycling bin. I am at my wits' end. I never leave anything out on the counter for them to get. But they are compulsive. Do you have any recommendations for changing this behavior? I can't close off the kitchen. Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Get your cats a cat gym/condo or tree branch to climb somewhere in the house. it is part of their nature to get up on things and to look down on the world. Buy some mouse traps and set them to snap under a couple of sheets of newspaper laid over the counters. That should scare them off.

_______________________

Bethesda: Love your column! I have two cats, sisters and littermates, age 13. When I first got them as kittens, they loved each other and would often curl up together to sleep, groom, etc. As they got older, they began to fight, slap at each other, and generally seem to dislike each other. They seem to just barely tolerate the other's presence but are VERY affectionate with my spouse and me.

Will they ever go back to being loving siblings? Why do you think they started to fight? There were no precipitating events that I can recall that led to this behavior change. It was just a gradual change.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: The most common endocrine disease in cats is hyperactive thyroid and that can cause changes in temperament, notably more irritable/aggressive. so have your vet check your cats out thoroughly.

_______________________

Boston, Mass.: I wish you would give detailed advice on what cat owners should feed their cats if they are unable or unwilling to cook the food themselves (and you do not provide information on the amount of food to feed). I've read your web site and columns and the information provided is not detailed enough. You have said not to feed cats flip top cans but I do not know what that means. Should cats get canned food? If so what brands or ingredients should be included? Should cats eat dry food too? If so, what brands or ingredients. Your comments on pet diets frustrate me because you seem opposed to the standard diet but do not provide enough information for pet owners to know what diet choices would be best.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Get a copy of YOUR CAT by Dr Elizabeth Hodgkins, publ by St Martin's Press, NY. There are many new brands of good quality cat foods being marketed---look for organically certified if available.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Dr. Fox,

We have a darling mixed breed, 3-year old, 65-pound dog who looks a bit like a border collie with curly hair. Problem is his weight. The vet says he's at least 10 pounds overweight, but my husband insists on feeding him dry food with beef broth and Parmesan cheese on top (twice a day). And a marrow bone every day! I maintain this is too much for an overweight dog. Your opinion?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Cut the carbs, give regular exercise, and transition onto a higher protein and vegetable-based diet including raw or lightly cooked meats, poultry, cottage cheese, eggs, sweet potato, and a little brown rice or barley. Three small meals a day can take off the hunger-edge.

_______________________

Reston, Va.: Hi Dr. Fox,

Thanks for doing this chat - it's definitely a great thing.

I have a 7 year old mix (we jokingly say she's a beagle, German shepherd mix). Every now and again she seems to have a hard time breathing. She'll sort of start huffing in air and can't catch her breath normally. It never lasts very long and as soon as it's over she's back to looking happy and wagging her tail like nothing happened. Do you have any idea what this could be (doggie asthma)? There doesn't seem to be a "trigger" for when this happens and it happens so infrequently I forgot to ask our vet about it at our last visit.

Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Could be the equivalent of a reverse sneeze, and nothing to worry about. But if your dog starts to show poor exercise tolerance then a heart and lung check-up is called for.

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: Couldn't you break a cat's paw with a mouse trap? Even under newspaper. Seems awfully harsh to me. Just keep your counters clear - a good habit anyway - and let them walk where they want.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: No, the traps are safe---I should have added to lay them upside down for good measure. When I had cats I let them go everywhere, but some folks are more fussy, even to the pint of getting rid of their cats for getting up on counters and tables.

_______________________

moving cat overseas: Dr. Fox,

Do you have any advice for pet owners moving overseas, as far as diet goes? We're moving our cat to Asia in a couple of months and I know I won't be able to find the diet food I've been buying at the vet here. I don't know what kind of food I'll be able to find there or whether worms are prevalent. He's an indoor cat only and will be indoors there too, but if the food quality is lower there, is there a chance he could get worms? Should I get medication here for worms to take with us, just in case? Thanks.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: My new book CAT BODY, CAT MIND, (publ The Lyons Press, Guilford CT) has info. on diet and home-prepared, balanced cat food you can make up yourself. yes, I would be very concerned about the quality of pet foods manufactured abroad---enough problems in the US!

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: Dr. Fox, I lost my 16-year-old miniature poodle a couple of weeks ago, and the house is very empty. I'm thinking about kittens, because I think they fit better into my life just now, but I haven't ever had a cat. I'm thinking about getting two so they can keep each other company while I'm at work; do you think that's a good idea? Can you offer me any other advice? Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Sorry about your loss---I know how it can hurt for months---yes, cats are very adaptable, and get along best if you adopt littermates, or mother and kitten/s.

_______________________

Ft. Washington, Md.: My 12 year old cocker spaniel has developed cysts in several places on his body. His vet says they're harmless unless they burst but they seem to scab over and appear to bother him. What can we do about them?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Probably harmless sebaceous cysts. Your dog may improve in general skin condition with a teaspoon of cod liver oil in the food every day. Cockers often need more vit. A. Primrose oil is an alternative source of omega fatty acids, and give along with a vit. A supplement.

_______________________

St. Louis, Mo.: My dog Millie, a 4 year old neutered Boxer mix, has started either hiding or saving her food (for later). She was rescued 2 years ago and when I first got her home food was definitely an issue with her. She'd eat it so fast I don't think she even chewed it. A few months ago I bought her a raised platform that seemed to slow her down. Now she only eats if I mix the dry food with wet, otherwise, she saves it and eats it throughout the day. She doesn't seem to mind of the other dog eats some of her food. Anything else I give her, a peanut butter filled Kong, a rawhide chew, she saves it or hides it for later. Is this just a quirk, or should I be concerned? Thanks

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Many dogs who have had a hard time earlier in life will cache food, hiding morsels under pillows, edges of carpets etc. Part of food-insecurity/prior hunger. Nothing to worry about.

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: What do you think of wheat cat litter? It has worked okay for us except for getting scattered around the litter box, but are there any problems I should look for?

Also, my cat watches me clean it (almost daily) and then uses it right away. Is that because she likes to use a clean litter box or because she can't stand to let it sit there clean?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Wheat cat litter may be risky for some cats who are allergic to wheat in their diets---more of a problem with dogs. Can even cause seizures in some dogs. But for most cats there should be no problem.

_______________________

Burke, Va.: Dr. Fox, since you recommend that people own more than one dog, I thought I'd provide a different perspective. Four different times I brought home a foster dog (for a few weeks at a time). Initially, my dog welcomed the company, but after about a week or so, he became sad and mopey instead of his usual exuberant self. He never did anything mean to the other dog, but just wasn't himself. After the foster dog would leave, he would go back to normal. Just wanted to let you know that every dog is different, and that before getting a second dog, people should examine their dog's personality to determine if it's what -he- wants.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Very true!

_______________________

Minneapolis, Minn.: I have a 2 year old rescue dachshund. Lovely boy but very fearful. Sometimes I can tell he's trembling and nervous because of a loud sound or anticipation of a loud sound. But sometimes it's completely indiscernible what's bothering him. What can I do?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Lots of TLC---even a gentle massage, and music helps calm dogs---Check out the new book THROUGH A DOG'S EAR by Joshua Leeds and Susan Wagner

_______________________

Ferretville: I love my ferrets, but they are little heartbreakers. I have had several in my life, and all of them have gotten insulinoma or adrenal disease or some odd tumor/cancer thing. My oldest is 9, with adrenal disease, but still very much enjoying life. We've done surgeries, we've done medications, and in the end we just watch them get sicker and eventually euthanize them when we feel they are no longer enjoying a good quality of life.

Are we just bad ferret parents, do we have bad luck, or is there something wrong with the species? Our vet says he sees this kind of thing a lot in his ferrets, but can't give us any advice on how to prevent it.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: This is such a common problem with pet ferrets and it is related to their domesticity and living long lives. My educated guess is that high carbohydrate diets could play a role and that they would do better on raw foods.

_______________________

Give your dogs a tablespoon of aloe vera gel plus probiotics (Houston, Tex.): Can I find this at the pet store?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Try local health store

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: I have a 9-year old female spayed Chihuahua, Gertie, who I adopted when she was 3. She was not socialized properly and has come a LONG way but still has "issues" - particularly when I take her to the vet. I cannot go back with her to the exam room as she is much more aggressive when I am present. They have to forcibly muzzle her because she is so vicious at the vet's. My vet has worked with me for years with Gertie and I am grateful.

However, we have a problem. Gertie has chronic ear infections that seem to be getting worse. I am unable to clean out her ears at all because she gets very vicious and bites me. I am unable to muzzle her myself. The most I can do is sneak up on her and squirt eardrops into her ear when she's not expecting it. We are going to a specialist tomorrow to explore the idea of surgery on her ears which my vet thinks is necessary to solve the problem.

Surgery seems like such a drastic solution to me. Besides the high cost, I am concerned with Gertie's recovery as a 9-year old dog. As well, is it possible to tell if she is in chronic pain or just whether the ear infection is annoying but not particularly painful?

Many thanks for your opinion.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Her aggression goes with the breed. Diet can play a big role in recovery from chronic ear and skin infections, as per my book DOG BODY, DOG MIND. The product Zymogen could work wonders if your dog has a fungal ear infection.

_______________________

Nanjemoy, Md.: I have a 13 week old lab who loves to jump up and bite people. I know when this is coming but my guests do not and I'm afraid he will hurt someone. Especially my niece. Any advice on how to stop him? Thanks for your time.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Call in a behavioral consultant or sign up for obedience school training!

_______________________

Hybrid Vigor: Unfortunately there are new studies out that don't bear out any health advantage for crossbred over purebred dogs. Mixed breeds can suffer from the health problems of both parent breeds. I'm not an advocate for either "side" but I think we need to be fair when evaluating health claims.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Really mixed breeds are healthier, but the 'designer' half-breeds can and do get the genetic disorders of both purebreed parent lines.

_______________________

Bully Cat -- Part 2: Feliway doesn't work. We have them plugged in right now. Nobody seems calmer. I've read that we could spray a towel with Feliway and the rub the cat with the towel. Is that safe? The label says not to spray the cat directly, but nothing about using a towel.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: yes, Feliway does not always work. try rubbing with a towel sprayed with the product, or as per my old advice, put some of your own perfume or aftershave on each cat for a few days so they all smell the same. But avoid products that contain musk, notably from civet cats that can make housecats attack their owners!

_______________________

Sort of different question: I have a 12 year old daughter who LOVES all animals. She will be Bat Mitzvahed in a year and would like to do a pet related project as part of that. Do you have any suggestions?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Volunteer in any way at the local animal shelter as an animal groomer/socializer, cage cleaner etc and have her learn how compassion in action extended to animals makes for a more humane community!My book THE BOUNDLESS CIRCLE: CARING FOR CREATURES AND CREATION ( Quest Books, Wheaton IL) will take her deeper into this important realm of human responsibility and reverence for all life.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: My dog (about 7 years old, hound mix) started several months ago "stealing things" while I am on the phone. Whenever I talk on the phone (and it isn't associated with a ringing sound all the time) he walks all around taking papers off of tables, opening drawers, taking stuff off the bookshelf. What is this behavior about? He could be in a sound sleep and wake up to do this. It gets frustrating to chase him to get the things. Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Clearly your dog wants your attention, or is perhaps bored and bemused by you talking into what for him is thin air. perhaps he thinks you are insane! maybe less time on the phone, or take a break and put him on the phone so he feels part of the conversation.

_______________________

Ruther Glen, Va.: This may seem a little bit of a strange question, but I've often wondered. My big, furry, approximately ten-year old mutt was neutered when I adopted him eight years ago. He is sweet and enthusiastic and loves to go riding in the car. The thing is, when he jumps into the back seat, he starts -- how do I put this? -- making whoopie (?) with blankets or backpacks or even books (!) if any of these happen to be on back seat with him. Sometimes, if we have sweaters or coats hanging over the driver's or passenger's seat, he gets a little love-sick with them, too, biting them and tearing them up also. Recently, I've begun to take the poor blankets and other items out of the back seat, but then he does a kind of phantom mating dance, playing around as though they're still there. What in the world does this mean? He doesn't do this otherwise. The car just seems to get him excited. Any thoughts?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Excitement and objects suitable to clasp with the forelimbs can trigger sex-play. better that than ripping up such objects in pray-killing play!

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Dr. Fox,

I have a cat who is a year and a half old. She has taken up the habit of jumping onto the bathroom counter and drinking from the faucet. If we don't turn it on she cries until we do. Any suggestions for us? We usually give in to shut her up, but it's really getting annoying and we would like her to stop. Thanks for your advice.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Cats love water-games. Your water bill not withstanding, a short period in the early evening should be allowed, or buy a water-drip system for your cat from the pet store.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Dr. Fox! We have been wondering why our 8 year old toy poodle seems to love licking doors, door frames, or wood furniture. She may do it a few times a day for a minute or so each time (and stops when we try to distract her), and we initially thought it was due to thirst, but now we're not so sure. Could you possibly enlighten us? Thanks so much!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Could be OCD, but irritation from infected gums, tonsils, and digestive problems can cause such behavior too so a routine vet check up is called for

_______________________

New York, N.Y.: Hi, Which is best: a harness or choke collar for a shih tzu? We have a 6 year old male and have used a choke collar on him. (half material/chain kind) He stops suddenly on walks and sometimes lunges after larger dogs. I am always afraid I will hurt his neck if I continue using the collar. He had a slipped disc in his neck last year. Should we switch to a harness? If so, what kind? thanks

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Choke collars can cause tracheal collapse. harness is best espec. for small dogs and all who pull hard on the leash.

_______________________

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Cats: Thank you for your columns and this chat. I learn so much from you.

I have had two cats die at age eight of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. They were not related by blood. I have two other cats now who were both rescued from the local shelter a year apart and one of them is also suspected of having this disease. He has a heart murmur. He is almost 5 years old. I am thinking that the odds of having 3 out of 4 cats with this disease unbelievable. My first two cats did not have any symptoms of this disease until it was too late. Do you think it something in the environment, pet food, vaccinations, or something like that that can cause this heart disease in animals? Thank you.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Most likely the disease was related to dietary deficiencies, especially in Taurine. Look out for my new book NOT FIT FOR A DOG: THE TRUTH ABOUT MANUFACTURED DOG AND CAT FOOD, co-authored with two other vets, Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins and Prof. Marion E. Smart, due out this fall and published by Quill Driver Books, Sanger CA

**************************

Time out now ---  I am signing off. Thanks for all your queries, and I regret not being a speed typist and unable to respond to you all. Thanks also to The Washington Post for hosting this event for our beloved animal companions. 

_______________________

Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.