Albuquerque Journal Articles
There is no way to stop plant eating. Give the gift that keeps on giving: a Catnip Garden. Question: We have an 8 year old purebred Manx who seems to really love to eat plants. It was always a problem for the geraniums in his grandma’s house when he lived there (she’s happy to actually have plants now, since he would eat them all), and now he goes completely crazy when my husband brings me flowers. It seems he loves the baby’s breath and the ferns that accompany the roses. We’ve heard that there are plants that are actually…
Read MoreGradual change to a high fiber low fat diet is safe & effective. Question: I have a special problem with my cat “Tigger”. He is fat. But I don’t know what to do for Tigger because if I don’t give him exactly what he wants, he just stops eating. If that happens for too long, I’m afraid he’ll get fatty liver disease. Dr. Nichol: I am glad that you are concerned. For starters, before we try to make diet changes, let’s be sure that he is as healthy as he appears. Get him a good thorough physical exam.…
Read MoreProtect his Kidneys; Try Tough Love Question: My mother took in a throw away dog. He will eat only table scraps and cat food. When she first got him he would get constipation. She would feed him applesauce and he would get better. Now he seems to have gotten used to the cat food. My mother had tried every dry and can dog food but the dog will not eat. I have even tried doggy treats. He seems happy and healthy otherwise. Dr. Nichol: Your mom is a decent human being; she did the right thing by adopting this…
Read MoreFrequent dog food changes, gas, & dry flaky skin. This fellow needs a consistent diet. Question: We adopted “Satchmo” a few months ago–he was the featured pup in the paper one day–and I’m having a heck of a time trying to get the little bugger to eat. I started him right off on Lamb & Rice, but he had the patchy red armpits, itchies, and heavy scalp flaking right away. So, I switched him to a new Nature’s Choice Hound Formula. He ate it initially, but had some nasty gas and started to refuse it completely. Then, when left…
Read MoreLower priced diets boast comparisons to the better brands, but you won’t get what you don’t pay for. Question: I read an article recently in Consumer Reports that said that some of the lower priced pet foods are a much better deal than food like Science Diet because the ingredients are just as good but the price is much lower. But you’ve said that the premium brands are better. Somebody doesn’t have their story straight. Dr. Nichol: You’re not the first person to raise this point. In fact Hills Pet Products, makers of Science Diet and Health Blend…
Read MoreA great way to keep a dog occupied & maintain healthy teeth & gums. Question: I have a healthy 3 1/2 year old female Great Dane. She really likes rolled cowhide chew toys. I let her have one about 5 days a week. Someone at my wife’s work told my wife that cowhide chew toys are bad for dogs. What’s the scoop? Dr. Nichol: You’ll hear old wives’ tales of all kinds. For example that feeding dogs sugar will give them worms or that allowing them to stick their heads out the window of a moving car will…
Read MoreFine-as long as the pig & the dog aren’t related. Question: I was wondering if pig ears are bad for dogs. Dr. Nichol: I’ve always thought that this should be a matter of personal preference. If a dog has no ears at all, then pig ears are better than none. On the other hand a guy or gal with a decent set of God given ears should just be happy and accept themselves as they are. Now eating pig ears is a different story. It seems to be quite a delicacy and does no harm. I have…
Read MoreFeed no bones. Eat without your pets. Table food leads to trouble. Question: Our one-year-old female Jack Russell Terrier might have swallowed some fish bones. She seems fine, but I am worried about if they will hurt her in her stomach and cause problems. Should I be worried and take her to the vet or just love her as usual. Dr. Nichol: The reason for your concern is that you love this girl. The good news is that she’s not likely to have any real problems from fish bones. Unlike beef, pork, or poultry bones fish bones are thin…
Read MoreAre you crazy? Dogs & cats don’t eat corn in the wild. They need meat, right? Question: Can animals, dogs and cats, digest corn? I know that in most cat/dog food the number one ingredient is ground corn meal, or something like that. If they can’t digest it, isn’t most of the dog food you feed your dog or cat is just ‘running though them’? Dr. Nichol: Don’t you know that reading food labels can be dangerous to your health? Why, you can become anxious and stressed. Let me help both you and your pets to live a…
Read MorePrescription diets r/d & w/d make it easy to help your pet keep that slim figure. Question: I have my dog on diet food & he is now @ his required weight. Should I change to regular food or give him more of the diet food, because he acts like he’s starving all the time. Dr. Nichol: Good job! Do you know how often I preach my weight loss sermon to the owners of fat dogs? It’s really remarkable. I tell people that their dog is overweight. I say it delicately. But I get these looks of disbelief.…
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