Q: I usually walk my golden retriever, Jake, on a retractable leash, which we both love. Our local park requires dogs to be on leashes no longer than 6 feet and bans the use of retractable leashes. Would you give me some ammunition so I can convince them to change their policy? A: Sorry, I…

Q: My 7-year-old, 20-pound mixed breed dog has a heart murmur. Her veterinarian thinks it’s due to chronic valve disease. What is this? A: Each time a normal dog’s heart beats, it produces two sounds: lub-dub. A murmur is an extra sound, for example, a “swish,” as in lub-swish-dub. In dogs under 45 pounds, the…

Q: Baxter, my 5-year-old retriever mix, broke a tooth while gnawing on a bone. The veterinarian extracted the fractured tooth and remarked that Baxter’s enamel was badly worn, probably from chewing on tennis balls. Can you suggest some safe chew toys? A: The nylon fuzz on tennis balls damages enamel two ways: it’s abrasive, even…

Q: I grew up with dogs, but my husband wasn’t as fortunate. We now have a dog—and a toddler who loves to hug him and bury her face in his fur. My husband worries that this is unsanitary, while I say it’s fine because our dog is healthy, takes monthly antiparasitic medication and sees his…

Q: I am about to adopt a cat, my first. I want to understand what my new cat is trying to tell me through meowing and body language. Please educate me. A: Congratulations on adopting your new family member and learning how to communicate with your kitty. Feline vocalizations, body language, scent communication, visual signals…