Q: I have had cats and dogs for years, and all of them have been spayed or neutered. I’ve noticed that they — and my friends’ sterilized pets — are almost all overweight, whereas friends’ dogs that are not sterilized usually remain slim. Is it true that spayed and neutered pets are heavier than sterilized…
Veterinary Dentistry Requires Anesthesia
Q: My holistic veterinarian says my 10-year-old cat Moses has rotten teeth, and at least one tooth has fallen out. Because of his age, I don’t want him anesthetized for dental treatment, so the vet said she would clean his teeth using only essential oils and light. I’m concerned about Moses feeling stressed. What should…
Traveling With Pets This Summer? Here’s What to Know to Keep Them Safe and Secure
By Megan Cardona From Fort Worth Star-Telegram As summer vacations kick back into gear this year, millions of new pet parents will have to navigate traveling with furry friends. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported last year that 23 million American households — one in five nationwide — obtained a…
Antlers and Other Hard Chews Break Dogs’ Teeth
Q: Ava, my 2-year-old dog, was chewing an elk antler when she started licking her lips and grinding her teeth. Later, she rejected a small, soft treat, which she’s never done before. Is it possible she broke a tooth on the antler? Are antlers OK for dogs? A: Dogs should never chew hard objects such…
Don’t Feed Neighborhood Pets
Q: Eddie, our neighbor’s indoor-outdoor cat, is very sweet. He often visits us while we’re sitting on our porch or working in the yard. He’s so affectionate that we can’t help but give him a few cat treats. Eddie seems to be gaining weight, and I wonder whether he is charming other neighbors out of…
Raccoon Distemper Transmissible to Dogs
Q: Our dogs killed a raccoon that looked rabid, and we took it away from them. The county animal services people who picked up the raccoon later reported that it had distemper, not rabies. Is raccoon distemper transmissible to dogs? What about humans? A: Distemper is widespread in the raccoon population. The disease is caused…
Scrub Pet’s Food and Water Bowls Daily
Q: A houseguest watched me refill my dog’s food and water bowls without washing them, my usual procedure unless there’s obvious grime on them. She pointed out the slime covering the inside of the water bowl and told me it’s dangerous because the slime harbors bacteria that can cause illness. Is she right? Should I…
Footballer Kurt Zouma Admits Animal Cruelty Charges After Cat-Kicking Video Went Viral
English Premier League footballer Kurt Zouma has admitted animal cruelty charges after a video taken by his brother of him kicking and hitting a cat went viral. West Ham defender Kurt Zouma, 27, pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates Court in east London on Tuesday to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act of causing unnecessary…
Many Animals Have White Bellies
Q: I notice that many cats have white bellies and some also have white paws, even when the rest of the coat is another color. Are white bellies as prevalent among cats as they seem? If so, why? A: White bellies are indeed common among cats, dogs and other species. Each of my tuxedo cats…
Feline Herpes Virus Not Contagious to Humans
Q: Our new cat, Lily, has an upper respiratory infection and goopy eyes. Her veterinarian said these problems are probably caused by a herpes virus that often infects cats. Is this virus contagious to us humans? A: No, herpes viruses are species-specific. That means humans and dogs don’t catch the cat herpes virus, called feline…
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