DEAR DR. FOX: When I started my first household with cats in the '80s, prevailing wisdom was that upgrading the cats' diet to a higher protein (and significantly more expensive) brand was healthier. Plus, the cats would eat less and use the litter box less often. It was also said that varying their diets caused GI distress, and again, resulted in a messier litter box. I want to know if you think this was true and if the contents of the popular brands have changed since the 1980s. -- D.A., High Point, North Carolina

DEAR D.A.: Your question is relevant to both cat and dog food quality and animals' nutritional needs, as I have documented with two other veterinarians in our book "Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Cat & Dog Foods." A snapshot between the 1980s and today, spanning around 30 years, does not give a very good picture, as I predicted in my 1986 book "Agricide: The Hidden Farm and Food Crisis That Affects us All."

Petrochemical-based agriculture, with its synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, has turned good farmland into bio-industrialized wastelands, contaminating both our food and water. Nutrient values of crops and foods have declined and consumer risks have increased with genetically modified crops. Cruel farm animal factories have spread like a blight across rural America, causing further soil, water and air pollution, contributing to climate change and putting consumers at risk from the tons of antibiotics and other drugs used to make them productive and profitable. Outrageous! The health of the public and companion animals have suffered some of the consequences of this "agricide," compounded by increased consumption of highly processed foods and unbalanced diets. This is why I am an advocate for organic and humane farming systems and vegetarianism. For more details, check my website, DrFoxVet.net.

You are correct that for cats especially, many advocate a better-quality, high-protein and ideally canned food diet -- dry kibble is higher in fiber, leading to more feces. Switching diets and brands is debated; some contend it could cause digestive problems, while others advocate for variety. I, for one, promote the idea of rotating to provide variety of nutrient sources to possibly reduce food intolerance and reduce the chances of possible nutrient deficiencies and imbalances. There are many improved cat and dog foods now available. For details, visit truthaboutpetfood.com and my website for home-prepared recipes.

DEAR DR. FOX: A few weeks back, you had an article on cat litters, where you discussed the problems with the unfortunate dust packaged with the litter as a result of manufacturing. The breeder for my ocicat suggested using rabbit food (alfalfa grass pellets) as an alternative. The argument was that it was cheaper and biodegradable. My cat is familiar with it, and it has seemed to work fine for 12 years now. I am not convinced that it is completely biodegradable, and it needs to be changed more often, since it is not as absorbent. But it is cheaper, and the smell of fresh rabbit food is a pleasant alternative to clay litter. -- J.H., Clinton, Missouri

DEAR J.H.: This is indeed a novel idea. Certainly the sweet smell of the rabbit feed would be a good cat-box odor cutter, but probably not as absorbent as the "clumping" litter many people use.

As per my earlier column, I was especially impressed with Healthy Pet LP's wood pulp and recycled wood-based cat litter products, which also have a good natural resin scent, which acts as an odor blocker. Maybe try mixing the two so you can have some easy-to-remove clumps of litter rather than a mush of rabbit food.

(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.net.)

DEAR READERS: Many readers have shared with me their suffering for animals -- be they ailing or deceased companion animals or wild species being killed by humans and their habitats destroyed. I embrace these people, perhaps the last of the truly compassionate and empathically connected of our species. I suffer with them, and I wish to assure them that they are not alone. I am fortunate to have a supportive partner, my wife Deanna Krantz, who has dedicated her life to animal rescue and animal and environmental protection in the United States, Africa and India, giving her wisdom and support to my writing of this column.

The increasingly disconnected state of modern society, beginning with children's limited exposure to animals and nature, is having harmful consequences for the Earth's life community. Examples: Companion animals being treated as disposable commodities and status symbols; billions of farmed animals being kept under deplorable conditions, which, if they were not being kept for our consumption but as pets, would lead to immediate charges of felony cruelty; wild animals being treated as a "harvestable resource" for recreational hunting and commercial trapping.

There is a worldwide community of kindred spirits who support various organizations and causes dedicated to helping animals and to conservation, restoration and protection. Many contribute as individuals, who examine and change their lifestyles and consumer habits. Some turn costly recreation for personal enjoyment into animal and Earth-saving re-creation for the greater good of all life. The Internet is an invaluable resource in this regard, helping make public rallies, demonstrations and civil society initiatives more effective in turning the tide to prevent the slaughter of whales and elephants for their ivory. Animal lovers can also link with support groups for those mourning the loss of a beloved animal or seeking to find a companion animal for adoption.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am the writer who "disgusted" you when I wrote to you asserting, "people who cannot afford to keep a pet shouldn't have one." Next time you choose to quote someone, have more integrity than to quote only pieces of a letter that suit your agenda. My letter gave you some examples of animal neglect and abuse by people who obviously could afford to take care of a pet but refused to do so. I am in rescue, and I know the facts. 

Of course some people have financial reverses and emergencies, but many adopt and buy animals with no intention of providing care; they later dump these creatures in bad physical condition. If you did your homework versus bury facts, you would ask shelters and animal control about the animals they take in and seize for abuse and neglect. A friend who has had animal control oversight for over 30 years in my area wrote, "We get the calls when the animals are dying (because they) had no vet care ever. Also, resources that provide assistance are not available on a moment's notice. Vets are also feeling a financial pinch in this economy." Until people are accountable for their actions and accept responsibility for lives dependent on them, there will never be a fix for the pet overpopulation. Or the world. -- M.G., Rockville, Maryland

DEAR M.G.: My apologies for misunderstanding your letter, which I sincerely regret. I am glad that you have clarified your concerns with the reality of animal neglect and abuse by owners who do not care, have sufficient funds to keep their animals healthy but do not provide veterinary treatment when called for by the animals' evident condition.

However, I never "bury facts." If you would care to check my website and my book "Inhumane Society: The American Way of Exploiting Animals," you will see that I take to task those who do not take good care of animals. But the fact remains, there are people who cannot afford to care for their animals and who know they can and should -- and they need help!

It is a matter of conscience for neighbors who witness animal cruelty or suspect abuse or neglect to report it to the local authorities. But neighbors are often scared or do not want to stand out from the crowd. When there is community support for people on the lookout for animal neglect and cruelty, and local police and animal control who are familiar with and willing to enforce animal protection and anti-cruelty laws, then there are grounds for hope. Judges and prosecutors often need a push in this direction; many cases of animal neglect are treated as mere misdemeanors rather than felonies. In many instances, with a little investigation, there may well be spousal and child abuse in these same homes where animal abuse has been documented.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANIMAL COMPANIONS

Research funded by the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation (some of whose funding comes from the pet industry sector, with vested interests in promoting pet ownership) found that pet ownership results in annual savings of $11.7 billion in health care costs, which the authors attribute to a lower rate of obesity among owners and lower medical care utilization. Nevertheless, the benefits of pet ownership can't all be quantified, according to co-author Terry Clower. "What we didn't calculate is how much better you feel, (when) you come home after a tough day at the office and your pet is waiting for you. But there's value to that," he said.

(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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: We adopted a mother dog, Sunnie, and her son, Danny, from the local shelter.

Sunnie's DNA test says she is half Lab, one-quarter standard poodle and various amounts husky, Australian shepherd, vizsla, one of the coonhounds (I forget which) and "too many other breeds to list out." Gotta love those algorithms.

Danny's test says he's one-quarter beagle and various amounts Aussie, husky, American foxhound, harrier and "too many other breeds to list out." I asked Wisdom Panel (the DNA company) where Sunnie's Lab/poodle genes in Danny were, since there was so much of those in her. They said sometimes the obvious DNA just doesn't show up. They ran the test again with the same results. -- B.W., Zanesville, Ohio

DEAR B.W.: I am amused by the results of the DNA tests of the mother and son dogs, and would like to hear from other readers about curious, dubious and impossible results from the companies they have paid to find their dogs’ recent ancestry. The inaccuracies in this branch of the biotechnology industry in other sectors is concerning and well documented. One veterinarian told me that a client had her two purebred dachshunds' DNA tested, and neither came back with any indication of having any dachshund ancestry!

DEAR DR. FOX: I just wanted to let you know that I did what you said: I am giving my cat Gabby sardines, and she likes them a lot.

Gabby seems to be more alert and playful since I have been giving her these sardines. I am seeing another vet right now, and he examined her and said she is doing very well for her age. Her heart and lungs sound great, and her weight is holding at around 10 pounds.

The vet didn't push booster shots like the other vet did. Also, Gabby is using her litter box more. Thank you so much for helping me with my cat. -- J.B., St. Louis

DEAR J.B.: I always appreciate hearing back from readers who follow my advice and let me know the results.

It is a challenge for me, not seeing readers' animals, but so many conditions that have been passed on to me over many decades have been effectively resolved by addressing nutrition and giving various supplements.

Canned sardines are not a panacea, but as you affirm, they can be a small miracle for many cats. Just remember: All things in moderation -- no more than one sardine a day. And some cats are allergic to fish!

BPA FROM CANNED FOODS MAY BE HARMING DOGS

A study by veterinarians at the University of Missouri found that dogs' levels of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A nearly tripled after the animals ate a canned-food diet for two weeks, and the exposure was associated with metabolic and microbiome changes.

Increased BPA may also reduce one bacterium that can metabolize BPA and related environmental chemicals. The researchers said the findings may have implications for humans, too, saying: "Indeed, our canine companions may be the best biosentinels for human health concerns."

I would add that cats are also very much at risk and that BPA should not be put in the lining of canned products for their consumption, either. This is a factor in the virtual epidemic of hyperthyroidism in cats today.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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.net.)