Albuquerque Journal Articles
Fat Cats Are in Serious Danger Question: I gave a kitten to a cat-loving family about 6 months ago. He was about 2 months old then. Now he’s HUGE. I almost didn’t recognize him. He is still young and not full-grown yet but he’s really, really fat. The cats knock the bag of dry food over and climb right in to help themselves. For breakfast each cat gets a fried egg!! I was wondering why only one cat is fat and the other is average? Dr. Nichol: All the cats in that family are in hog heaven; some are…
Read MoreMany Dogs Need Less Food. Coaxing a Dog To Overeat May be Bad for her Health. Question: I have a 3-year-old black German Shepherd that rarely eats. She usually only eats once a day, if that. She gets a whole lot of exercise everyday. The only way we usually get her to eat is to throw her ball at the food bowl until she finally eats. Dr. Nichol: I assume that since this girl plays hard and often that she is a healthy dog. If she is free if symptoms of disease and is happy and active you are…
Read MoreMost hungry overweight cats are just bored. Question: My eight-year-old cat, Nelson, was placed on IVD special diet three years ago. I have noticed that giving him the same measured amounts of food have recently caused him to gain weight. He always acts famished, so I am reluctant to reduce the amount. Being a housecat, he is inactive and cannot burn off the calories. Can you recommend another limited diet plan product for him to try? He is my first-born, after all, and I want to keep him around at least another eight years. Dr. Nichol: Does Nelson threaten…
Read MoreRewarding this behavior with food will encourage more of it. Avoid the problem & the weight gain that goes with it by putting your pets outside while you eat. Question: Could you shed some light on giving table scraps like chicken, pork, & beef? I have a situation where some teenagers will give their dog candy because the dog is constantly begging for human food even though it is on the Science Diet program. Dr. Nichol: Your questions show that you are concerned about the health risks resulting from an improper diet. I will first explain how this…
Read MoreAttention Seeking Behavior is a Factor Question: My daughter-in-law feeds the dog from her plate using the same utensils she eats with. I am truly serious. She eats a spoonful of food then gives the dog a spoonful. The dog is at the table with his front paws on the chair and his head under her arm. I would really appreciate you opinion. Dr. Nichol: What’s on tonight’s menu? I might be free for dinner. Do I look like Dear Abby to you? OK, I’ll play. It’s unlikely that your daughter-in-law will get sick from swapping spit with her…
Read MoreDogs are the best trainers. Here’s how you can be the trainer. Teach your dog to eat dog food. Question: I really enjoy the light and amusing style in your writing. My dog will not eat dog food, but prefers “people” food. I know this is not good for her but I don’t know how to change her. I have tried just giving dog food only until she accepts it. It seems almost cruel to do it that way. She always outlasts me and I will fix some chicken and rice or beef stew meat. Dr. Nichol: My…
Read MoreHeinz Body Anemia Results from Onion Powder in Many Baby Foods. Question: My kitty’s special treat is one half jar of meat baby food every morning. I have heard that it’s not good for her as it contains onion salt or onion powder. I have read the labels, and haven’t seen any reference to onion salt. Do you know of any problems that could occur from her having her treat? She is perfectly healthy, and her coat just gleams in the sunlight. We love her so much I don’t want to feed her anything that will harm her. Dr.…
Read MoreCats are Carnivores. They need a Balanced Diet with Meat. Question: I’ve been told about a vegetarian diet that is available for cats. I am thinking of putting my cat on this but I’m not sure that a totally vegetarian diet will be healthy for him. Do you think it would be for the good of my cat to do this? Dr. Nichol: There are hundreds of diets for pets. They seem to come and go every week. A great number of them are marketing fads. What’s important is the health of your cat. Our cats are an…
Read MoreElderly cats who fail to eat may have serious illness. But we can help many. Question: We have a 20 year old female cat. She will not eat canned cat food from the pet stores. I have tried many brands but she will go many days before finally eating a little. My wife wanted to know are there any recipes available she could cook up that our cat might eat. We are worried she is not getting enough food. Dr. Nichol: Thanks for writing. You are right to be concerned but please do not try to manage your…
Read MoreGive Dogs a Structure for Eating Dog Food Question: I’ve tried to find a dog food that will satisfy both of my Chihuahuas but haven’t been successful. As a last resort I started fixing them hamburger, boiled chicken or ground turkey with steamed rice, carrots and scrambled eggs which they love. Is this a healthy regimen; am I doing more harm than good? Dr. Nichol: That’s an impressive menu. I’ll be right over but I’ll leave Maddie, the Nichol family puppy, at home. We love her like a little girl but we feed her like a dog because physiologically…
Read More