DEAR DR. FOX: My daughter has a 6-year-old female bullmastiff who eats napkins, socks and other clothing. These become impacted in her system and require surgery. Is there a way to break her of this habit? -- G.C., Naples, Fla.

DEAR G.C.: Your daughter's dog has what is called pica -- a depraved or abnormal appetite for nonfood materials. For some dogs, this can include rocks, pebbles and soil.

Have your daughter check my website, DrFoxVet.com, for more insights. She also should consider taking the dog to a veterinarian to rule out a physical cause, such as intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease and tonsillitis/pharyngitis. She can also get a referral to a behavioral therapist. It's quite possible the dog is left alone all day and is bored out of her mind. Is it possible the dog could go to work with your daughter?

Your daughter's home should be tidied, and she should keep all chewables away from the dog, with the exception of a variety of safe doggy chew toys, including a flavored Nylabone and rubber Kong filled with peanut butter.

DEAR DR. FOX: Your thoughts regarding euthanasia were both enlightening and heart-wrenching. I have had several wonderful pets euthanized, and I grieved and wondered if I was doing the right thing, even though there was no hope of them recovering from their aged conditions.

My last experience was totally different. Max was my most beloved, sweet, intelligent, gentle giant of a dog, and when he got so bad he couldn't walk anymore, I felt I knew what I had to do. A second before he took his last breath, he looked up at me as if to say, "Thank you, I won't be in pain anymore, and I'll see you again someday."

That was 15 years ago. I can still see those big brown eyes looking at me with love, and I know I did the right thing. -- R.K., St. Louis

DEAR DR. FOX: Thank you so much for your article on euthanasia. Last June, I had to have my Westie, Holly, put down.

Holly had become so ill I had no other choice. She didn't want to eat, and when she did, she was sick to her stomach. I was afraid she would starve to death.

Holly's regular vet did not want to put her down until $2,000 worth of tests were done, so I had to find a more compassionate vet to help me. When I took her to the second vet, she seemed to be at peace with what was going to happen. I held her when she went to "sleep." I know she is in a better place now. -- M.S., Virginia Beach, Va.

DEAR R.K. and M.S.: Your letters are important because they confirm how beneficial it can be for the beloved animal and the devoted caregiver to be together at the time of departure/euthanasia.

Some veterinarians do not allow this procedure after having had rare instances of animals having adverse reactions to euthanasia drugs or the animal's guardians being emotionally unprepared. A few follow the unethical money-making practice of making people feel guilty if they do not pay for all kinds of diagnostic tests and life-extending interventions, which I have documented in "Healing Animals & the Vision of One Health." As a voice of conscience for the veterinary profession -- by default and not by design, since I have nothing to sell except compassion and bioethics -- I have received some castigating emails. But when we put animals before financial interests and do not shy away from euthanasia when quality of life and the degree of suffering justify a humane death, we may call ourselves civilized and human.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have had three cats over the years, and I recently adopted a stray. She has turned out to be a wonderful pet. I had her spayed, checked out and given all the shots she needed when I got her. But I found out quickly that she liked to use my sofa and chair as scratching posts.

My last three cats were all declawed, and I felt so bad when I had this done, as it didn't seem natural and it left them defenseless from other animals should they escape. And, of course, the vets like to make money! I doubt most would ever discourage one from doing it.

I was determined that I would not do it to the next cat I adopted. And I found a wonderful alternative -- a cardboard scratcher. I poured catnip on it, and she absolutely loves it! She has not touched, scratched or bothered my furniture since. It lasts for quite a long time, so you don't have to replace it often. I believe the one I just threw out was a year old. And she lets me trim her nails with no problem.

So tell your readers to rethink declawing their cats. How sad it is that they have to endure this awful surgery when all the owner has to do is buy a scratcher. I hope it works as well for others as it has for me. -- N.B., Cumberland, Md.

DEAR N.B.: Your letter says it all! Readers, clip this letter and give it to your veterinarian when you take your cats in for whatever reason, especially to those vets who may still declaw kittens without question.

(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 wonder why our 10-year-old hound-mix has begun to dig holes in our vegetable garden. In colder weather, this is not a problem; when spring arrives and seedlings are planted, I must admonish her while refilling 6- to 10-inch craters she creates. She loves to be outside on sunny days, and that seems to be her time to dig.

Her health is good, with the exception of some plaque on her molars. I brush her teeth daily, but the plaque is always more than I can treat. Her diet includes fresh fruit (apples, pears, bananas), raw vegetables (carrots, cabbage, sweet peppers) and fresh kibble. She is still very active.

Do you have any suggestions concerning this behavior? -- J.B., Alexandria, Va.

DEAR J.B.: Old dogs do develop new behaviors, and your dog deciding to dig holes in the vegetable patch may well be her way of finding stimulation and enjoyment now that she is becoming less physically active. She may need to be checked for arthritis and may benefit from appropriate supplements.

Allowing her to chew on a 6- to 10-inch length of raw beef marrowbone for about 10 minutes every few days will help keep her teeth clean and provide enjoyable stimulation. I advise short bouts of chewing because some dogs may get so involved that they damage their teeth. For some, a Nylabone may be safer. A daily application of PetzLife oral care gel or spray will help control tartar and keep the gums healthy.

A staked roll of chicken wire around your vegetable garden may be your horticultural solution. You could also set aside an area in the garden where your dog is free to dig.

DEAR DR. FOX: I just want to let you know of my experience with and without knee surgery.

In 2004, at age 7, our dog Hanna tore her right knee ligament. We decided to do the surgery, at a cost of $1,500. Jump forward to age 12, when Hanna tore her left knee ligament. This time, the cost basically doubled. Taking into account the cost and her age, we decided not to do the surgery. Her knee healed nicely on its own, and she is now 15 1/2 years old and going strong. Both legs are working great.

Hanna is a mid-size mixed-breed pup. She's not overweight, weighing around 55 pounds.

I read about the study showing that many dogs heal well without costly surgery for torn cruciate ligaments, especially if given proper rest and physical therapy, and I thought you might like to hear about Hanna's experience. -- R.A.R., Kernersville, N.C.

DEAR R.A.R.: I have been waving the flag of caution over torn cruciate ligament surgery now for several years. It is good that more clinical evidence is being published to support my conservative approach to this all-too-common condition. It may be best prevented by keeping dogs lean and well-exercised, neutering closer to full physical maturity and avoidance of overvaccination, especially for canine distemper.

(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: Your column regarding pets and euthanasia was very touching -- so much so that I felt compelled to write to you.

In July 2011, I had to put to sleep my beloved 13-year-old Shih Tzu, Munchkin. She had severe cardiac issues and was completely blind. It was the most difficult thing I've ever done.

In your column, the writer asked how pets feel about euthanasia. My experience was interesting. When the vet gave Munchkin the initial injection to numb her so she wouldn't feel anything, she started kissing my husband and me.

We thought it was so strange, but in my heart, I knew she was saying, "Thank you. Thank you for releasing me. I love you!" She seemed so happy. It was comforting on a certain level, but still devastating. Her final moments were painless, and my husband and I held her and talked to her. We should all be so lucky. -- L.M., Naples, Fla.

DEAR L.M.: I believe your letter underscores the importance of owners being present when their beloved animal companions are euthanized, either at the veterinary hospital or, ideally, at home in safe and familiar surroundings. Some pet owners are not emotionally up for this final responsibility, just as some veterinarians are leery about occasional adverse reactions to the euthanasia drugs in some animals, which can greatly upset owners in attendance. These vets don't allow owners to witness the termination of life, which almost invariably is accomplished without incident.

We may never know if your little dog, like many others, was licking you to comfort you because she felt your distress and concern or because she knew that her time had come.

The transition to the afterlife or nonbeing was evidently without fear; I wish that for all creatures under our care. Someday, we may enjoy no less for ourselves, provided our culture evolves into one that is more compassionate and more accepting of death and euthanasia.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our 6-year-old male cat has been limping on his left front leg. Not all the time, but enough that it is a concern.

He has a good diet -- no grains and enough fish oil -- and he's healthy and frisky. We've taken him to the vet, who took X-rays. We were told there was nothing wrong with his bones and there were no signs of arthritis. Thinking there might be some muscle strain or soreness, the vet suggested applying a heating pad, but that hasn't made a difference.

Any suggestions? Should we get a second opinion from another vet? -- B.B., Washington, D.C.

DEAR B.B.: Since there is no evidence of arthritis or other joint abnormality and presuming there is no infection in one or more of the claw-beds, I would adopt a wait-and-see approach.

A small heating pad or wrap applied while he's on your lap or lying beside you and very gentle, exploratory massages (as described in my book "The Healing Touch For Cats") may be of benefit. I would discourage him from using a vertical scratching post -- place it on the floor horizontally or keep it out of reach for a while.

Also avoid any vigorous interactive games. A pinch of powdered turmeric, increasing up to 1/2-teaspoon daily, may prove beneficial. If he shows no signs of improvement after six to eight weeks, seek a second opinion and have his neck vertebrae examined.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing to get some advice and help dealing with my cat, Timothy.

Ever since my daughter left for college in August, Timothy has become very aggressive during mealtime. If I put food in his bowl and then try to touch his bowl, he growls and attacks my hand. While he eats, he growls until his food is gone.

He is a good-tempered animal and aggressive only at mealtime. I have tried to make him feel more comfortable by sitting with him in the kitchen while he is eating. I have also tried to feed him by hand, but he just becomes more aggressive.

After my daughter left for college, Timothy became depressed and had a urinary tract infection. He also had constipation problems.

When my daughter comes home on her breaks, Timothy is fine. He does not growl or have problems with bowel movements. I do have children come over once a month to visit, and I worry about him becoming aggressive toward them. -- L.P., Clinton, Md.

DEAR L.P.: As the caregiver of your daughter's cat, you deserve better!

My first question to you is: Have you considered the possibility of your daughter finding suitable accommodations where she is going to school so she can keep the cat with her? Clearly, the cat has a strong bond with her. I know of several cats who have become depressed, disinterested in food or more anxious when their human caregivers have left home for college or a job.

In the interim, give poor Timothy space and solitude while he eats, and put him in a separate room when children come.

Have your daughter mail you a T-shirt (in a plastic bag) that she has slept in for a week or so, and give it to Timothy to snuggle into.

(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.)