Weekly article archive

The following questions and answers have appeared in my weekly column in the Albuquerque Journal since July, 1996. Each week a new one is added. You'll find information on the physical and behavioral maladies of dogs and cats and a few other species too. I invite you to use the search feature to find the specific answer that you and your pet need.

Diet: Which Food is Best?

How to tell the good nutrition from the junk. Question: I know someone who feeds her dog people food constantly.  I try to tell her that it is not good…

Vegetables in the Diet

Great for the humans but dogs need them predigested.   Question: My little terrier loves raw vegetables, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, okra, etc. and fruits-apples, oranges. Will eating these harm her?…

Table Food-What’s Toxic & What’s Best

You’ll be surprised by what human foods are dangerous to dogs.   Question: Please lists foods that may be or are toxic to dogs. I know about chocolate but my…

Cat Refuses Canned Food-Holding out for Dry

Failure to Eat, especially for Fat Cats, can be Deadly Question: Our 2 year old cat Zipper REFUSES to eat canned food. He pretends to cover his wet food as…

Feline Obesity & the Risk of Fatty Liver

Fat Cats Are in Serious Danger Question: I gave a kitten to a cat-loving family about 6 months ago. He was about 2 months old then. Now he’s HUGE. I…

Dogs Who Don’t Eat Enough

Many Dogs Need Less Food. Coaxing a Dog To Overeat May be Bad for her Health. Question: I have a 3-year-old black German Shepherd that rarely eats. She usually only…

Overeating

Most hungry overweight cats are just bored. Question: My eight-year-old cat, Nelson, was placed on IVD special diet three years ago. I have noticed that giving him the same measured…

Begging

Rewarding this behavior with food will encourage more of it. Avoid the problem & the weight gain that goes with it by putting  your pets outside while you eat.  …

A Dog With a Place at the Table

Attention Seeking Behavior is a Factor Question: My daughter-in-law feeds the dog from her plate using the same utensils she eats with. I am truly serious. She eats a spoonful…