Dear Dr. Fox: I have a 12-year-old neutered half-Siamese black-and-white cat that does strange things. I have an idea why he does these things, but I want your opinion on them.
When I am sitting on my couch watching television, he will meow loudly, then jump on the back of the couch and start kneading with his feet around my head. Then he begins to make a thrusting motion.
If I try to pet him when he does this, he meows loudly. He does this for a couple of minutes then jumps down and licks his privates. I think his affection for me is very strong. My hair excites him.
He also will pick up one of my slippers and while meowing loudly, will bring it into the room I'm in, drop it near me, then walk away.
What are your ideas on these behaviors? -- E.S., Red Bank, N.J.
Dear E.S.: Cats do many curious and seemingly bizarre things. They are copycats and are extremely observant of our behavior and creative in their game play.
Much of this creativity is partly their way of adapting to captivity. (Most domestic cats are still wild at heart.) Often (and regrettably), with no feline companion to interact with naturally, they will displace and redirect various instinctual behaviors toward their human companions.
What you are witnessing are elements of kittenish nursing and sexual behavior when your cat is by your head; and kitten or mate prey-giving behavior when you are in bed and given a slipper.
Such is the nature of feline affection in the distorted realm of domesticity. Some animal-derived products and scents in your hair may indeed trigger ancient longings and instinctual reactions.
Dear Dr. Fox: Angus is my 9-year-old Labrador retriever adopted from Lab Rescue when he was 1 1/2 years old. At that time, he was about 100 pounds and had such severe infection in both ears that black goo would fly out of them when he shook his head. It took three months of constant cleaning and medication to get it under control.
In late 2005, Angus was diagnosed with anal furunculosis (boils). He was on high-dose antibiotics, ketoconazole and Atopica, for nearly a year before it was under control. The drugs made him sick and he was depressed.
I asked my vet if his diet had anything to do with him getting this disease and she said no. He has been on Atopica ever since he was diagnosed and it seems to keep his rear from flaring into an infection. I give him one 100-milligram tablet three times a week and wipe his rear every time he has a bowel movement to keep the area clean. He tolerates the Atopica well, but I'd rather treat him holistically, if possible.
He eats 1-1/2 cups of Iams dry dog food twice daily. He also has a few small milkbone-type treats and sometimes table scraps. I also give him one Pedigree Dental Styx every day (which he really loves), and this has improved his breath and keeps his teeth clean.
Do you think diet has anything to do with this disease? -- S.I., Ashburn, Va.
Dear S.I.: Your poor dog has an impaired immune system that makes him prone to infections, unable to throw them off without medication and is experiencing harmful side effects.
I am not surprised that your veterinarian does not believe that diet or nutrition has any role to play in your dog's chronic illness or in his recovery.
Too many animal doctors believe pet-food manufacturer claims that all the nutrients cats and dogs need to be healthy are in their products because they have been "scientifically formulated" and are "complete and balanced."
I urge you to transition your dog onto a fresh, whole-food diet as per the recipe on my Web site at www.doctormwfox.org. Your veterinarian should also visit www.RxVitamins.com/pet and explore a more integrative treatment approach using beneficial nutrient supplements. Fish oil is one that tops the list for many conditions.
To order Dr. Michael W. Fox's newsletter, Animal Doctor, on providing the best care for your animal companion, send a check or money order for $2 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Send your questions to Dr. Fox in care of this newspaper. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
