DEAR DR. FOX: I have a mini Chihuahua. He is a six-pound, 3 1/2–year-old dog.

I fed him human meats, hard dog foods and dog snacks. He wouldn't eat a lot of regular dog food, so I gave him chunks of ham, beef and salami. Then I gave him popcorn, Doritos, potato chips or cheese for snacks. He ate about 1 cup of food a day.

I saw that he had dots in both of his eyes, so I took him to the vet. I was told his cholesterol levels may be high and that's what's causing the dots. I then got a cholesterol test, a blood test and had his eyes checked. I was told not to feed him any more human food in the future. I was told that some human foods aren't bad for dogs (like cheese), but one must be careful.

Are there any human foods that won't affect him negatively? If I can feed him any, I would like to when I am eating and feeling guilty. I am waiting for the vet's results -- T.C., O'Fallon, Missouri

DEAR T.C.: I understand how tempting it is to give in to a dog who is looking at you with great expectations. Instead, have a container beside you with some healthy dog treats, such as freeze-dried, preservative- and additive-free beef or salmon. Most human snack foods are full of fats, sugar, salt, MSG, artificial coloring and preservatives. Dried organic fruits and nuts are better for you and your dog (but no raisins for dogs).

As for cheese, all things in moderation. Low-fat mozzarella and white cheddar cheese are better than the cheaper, often high-salt yellow and gold cheeses. These latter cheeses contain a vegetable dye called annatto, which in some dogs can cause seizures.

DEAR DR. FOX: Your recent column about the poor dog with incessant itching reminded me that I had a similar experience with my little Schipperke.

He developed a rash and itched so badly that he was digging out his fur on his back and legs. Our veterinarian gave him prednisone and changed his diet to fish and potatoes. It was by accident that I came across an article about a woman who had a terrible eczema problem and nearly itched herself to death. It turned out that she had an allergy to peanuts. It dawned on me that maybe this was causing my dog's problem, since I had recently started giving him various treats that were peanut butter-flavored, plus a little peanut butter as a reward.

I stopped all of that, and he healed and stopped itching. I just wanted to pass my experience along as a possible solution. -- J.U., Clarksburg, Maryland

DEAR J.U.: Your diligence is commendable. We must be mindful of the treats we give to our dogs on occasion and not forget to mention them when the animal develops an allergy and sees a veterinarian.

DEAR DR. FOX: I think you have the perfect name for my question. Having seen the devastating effects of mange on foxes, I did some research and found a homeopathic remedy, arsenicum album and sulfur, which has been very effective. I had to do some guessing on the dosage, but three pellets of each daily has worked.

However, I currently have a neighborhood fox who doesn't seem to be getting better. Her fur is not really bad, but it seems to be deteriorating rather than improving. I have been treating her for about four weeks, which is usually the amount of time it takes to see some improvement. Because she started showing up younger and smaller than any others, I initially only gave her two pellets a day, so do you think that might not have been enough to be effective? -- J.S., Millersville, Maryland

DEAR J.S.: I appreciate your concern for the little fox, but have mixed feelings about encouraging people to intervene to help wildlife without any experience or qualified rehabilitation training. I also have little clinical experience with homeopathic remedies, any and all of which I doubt would help an animal suffering from mange.

Ivermectin, available only from a veterinarian, is my drug of choice (the amount you put in the food being determined by the estimated weight of the animal, taking 10 pounds off if she has a full coat). Try a half a can of sardines or other oily fish daily to provide omega-3 fatty acids that help the skin fight the infestation.

With good nutrition, many wild canids recover. Mange is highly contagious and often strikes when fox and coyote numbers are high.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: One of my female cats, who is about 10 years old, began vomiting a few months ago. Because she vomited all the food she had eaten, I changed the food to a more natural wet food with fewer additives and no grains. When she vomits, it is usually one to three hours after eating her food, and it is undigested.

Because she continued to vomit frequently, I took her to the vet, who did a basic evaluation that included urinalysis. Nothing unusual showed up on the tests, and the vet diagnosed the problem as irritable bowel disease and prescribed Cerenia. The medication stopped the vomiting, but as soon as my cat was done with the prescription, the vomiting resumed. I took her back for a second appointment, and the vet drew blood to provide a better diagnosis for the vomiting. The vet was surprised when the blood panel results were completely normal. She recommended other tests -- requiring surgery -- that I refused to do, not only because of the cost, but also because of the risk and discomfort for my cat. The vet agreed to keep my cat on a maintenance dose of Cerenia to prevent the vomiting. So far, I have spent $800 for the two vet appointments, which included a rabies shot.

Two days ago, my cat threw up all her food, undigested, three hours after eating. This happened the night before her next dose of Cerenia. My cat has lost weight, and I worry about the possible side effects of her taking Cerenia long-term. I am trying to balance my financial situation with my cat's health, comfort and quality of life.

What would you recommend I do at this point to give my cat the best care and treatment? -- J.G., Kensington, Maryland

DEAR J.G.: Blood tests are not likely to pinpoint the cause, which could well be lymphatic cancer invading your cat's intestines. Costly and risky gut biopsies can help confirm what could be the provisional diagnosis of inflammatory disease.

I am shocked that the veterinarian gave your cat a rabies vaccination, since sick animals should never be vaccinated.

Test for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Try dietary changes. Prednisolone, chlorambucil and fenbendazole may help an occult giardia infestation. Supplements such as vitamin B12, D and E; probiotics; and glutamine or glucosamine may also be beneficial. Discuss this approach with your veterinarian. Be sure there is no carrageenan in the canned food she is eating. Also, try feeding her small meals four to five times a day.

DEAR DR. FOX: I rescued a dog from an animal shelter. He is a beagle mix, about 1 1/2 years old.

After having him for three days, he chewed part of his tail raw. I took him to the vet, and she tested for mites and fleas, but did not see any; I called the shelter where I got him, and they said he was allergic to grain and chicken. I changed his diet and that helped, but he still chews at his sides at times.

The real problem I am having is when I leave the house, he takes all the knickknacks I have on coffee tables and end tables, puts them on the couch and chews on them (he also chews DVDs).

He was in the shelter for more than six months. The vet suggested I put him in a crate while I'm gone, but I just cannot do that to him after he spent all that time in one. I do not have anything around for him to get into now.

Do you have any suggestions for this problem? -- D.A., Hyde Park, New York

DEAR D.A.: Good for you for adopting this poor dog. He was incarcerated for a long time, and this could have harmed him, both psychologically and physically. Many shelters need more volunteers to walk and socialize their dogs.

I am glad the dietary changes have helped. Try a few drops of fish oil and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil daily in your dog's food.

Your dog's destructive behavior when you are gone can mean boredom and separation anxiety. If your workplace is not too far away, you should try to get home for lunch breaks and take him out for a quick walk. Leave a TV or radio on, and get a rubber Kong toy from the pet store that you can stuff with cream cheese or peanut butter -- put it in the freezer and give it to him when you leave. Check my website (DrFoxVet.com) for more details about helping dogs with separation anxiety.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 10-month-old kitten who sits in the bathroom while I am in the shower. Before I get out, she usually paws on the shower glass and meows. When I get out, she acts like she hasn't seen me in a month. She wants to be held, meows like crazy and keeps rubbing her head on me and pawing at me.

I was wondering if you had any ideas why she behaves like this. I love it, but I am curious. -- S.E., Crofton, Maryland

DEAR S.E.: Many cats have a fascination with water, be it from a dripping faucet or a shower beating against the glass. They are fascinated by water droplets and will paw and pat their water bowls to create puddles on the floor to play with. When he was younger, one of our cats would race to watch the water in the toilet bowl when he heard the flushing sound. He is still occasionally curious when I am in the shower.

Your cat's intense greeting when you get out of the shower could be because she is concerned that you might get washed away. Most cats have an aversion to getting wet. Your cat could also have been stimulated by the odors of the shower products you use.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing in response to your column about the use of flea control chemicals on dogs. As a doctor of natural medicine, I, too, am aware of the toxic side effects of topical flea control products and no longer use them on my dogs.

After doing some research on the benefits of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids on skin health, I have been adding a half can of sardines packed in water to each dog's diet twice a week. Since then, I have encountered no more flea problems. The fish oil keeps their skin and coats healthy, and it appears to have the added benefit of repelling fleas.

I have also found that a few drops of tea tree oil diluted in water in a spray bottle is an excellent repellent when sprayed onto the dogs before a walk in the park or woods.

Nutrition is, of course, important. Although I do not make my own dog food, I have achieved the best overall results with a fish-based product, supplemented with fresh vegetables. -- D.M.P., Virginia Beach, Virginia

DEAR D.M.P.: Many readers will appreciate your affirmation of what I have long advocated. Unfortunately, some dogs and cats are allergic to fish, so I advise giving omega-3 fatty acids, derived from algae, in capsules available in most drug stores. Alternatively, organic butter from grass-fed cows will work. Some people also find a teaspoon of coconut oil in the animal's food improves the coat and may ward off fleas.

DOG FOOD RECALL

On Aug. 31, 2014, "Mars Petcare U.S. announced the extension of a previous voluntary recall of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products due to the possible presence of metal fragments. The recall initially involved 15-pound bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Dollar General in Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana ...

"The recall is now is being expanded to 55-pound bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products sold in Sam's Club in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

"Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-305-5206 or visit www.pedigree.com/update."

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)