DEAR DR. FOX: Our problem isn't a huge one, but it drives us crazy all the same.

We have a wonderful 3 1/2-year-old feral cat who adopted us after a blizzard in 2010. Tips is very sweet and is a really good boy, but he has a habit of laying down in his litter box. He usually lays on his side -- maybe he's trying to scratch his back? Our vet has never heard of a cat doing this. We get unscented, dust-free litter, but when he jumps out, he is covered and smells like litter. If I catch him, I say "No."

He doesn't do it all the time, mostly when I clean the box and add new litter or if I add a refresher scoop when needed. We clean the box every time he uses it, and he has his own box. We have another older cat, Boomer, but they each have their own food, water and litter boxes.

Both cats get along very well; in fact, he's been the best thing that has happened to our older cat, who now plays and acts so much younger! Have you ever heard of such a crazy thing? Maybe he needs his back scratched more often? -- K.O., Brick, N.J.

DEAR K.O.: Your issue has a comic dimension, but I can empathize fully with having to clean the litter from your cat's fur.

I have one solution to offer: Try shredded paper or Purina's Yesterday's News cat litter made from newspapers. It's not very absorbent, but it's at least a recycled product and should not adhere to your litter box-basking feline. He may like the odor and texture of the litter material, so a change may do the trick. I never advise using litter that has chemical fragrances and deodorants added, since these could be a feline health hazard.

Thanks for reminding readers how a younger, easygoing cat can bring new life to an older one like your Boomer.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 4-month-old kitten who doesn't meow! Or at least not that we can hear. She opens her mouth as if attempting to meow, but nothing comes out. She does it when she wants to be picked up. She stops running around the house like she's crazy and just cuddles when she does the open-mouth thing. She only squeaks occasionally, usually when jumping onto the bed.

I have heard about the "Silent Meow Theory," where some cats meow in a pitch that humans cannot hear. Is this a real thing? I'd appreciate any information you could provide on this mystery. -- S.E., Kansas City, Mo.

Dear S.E.: I am not aware of any research regarding the "silent meow" of cats who purportedly emit a high-frequency sound (as "singing" mice do), and I very much doubt its veracity.

My impression from decades of studying cat behavior is that some cats are simply less vocally articulate and motivated than others -- for example, Siamese cats are big "talkers." Furthermore, as they mature, some cats develop more voice. Others cats remain relatively silent while living with a more vocal cat who does all the meowing in the house, but become more vocal after the passing of the vocal companion.

Be patient. As your kitten matures, so may her vocal abilities. Since cats are copycat mimics, you might try making cat "meows" and other cat sounds that may motivate your young cat to be more vocally responsive.

(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: While I agree with all the serious issues regarding the problem of outdoor cats decimating the bird and small-mammal populations, and the dangers of being outside, I wish to play devil's advocate for a moment.

I am concerned about the physical and psychological effects on cats enclosed inside 24/7. Cats are very physical beings who delight in all types of sensation. Indoor cats never feel the sunshine, wind, rain and other aspects of nature. They never feel the earth and its energy under their feet, nor the joy of walking freely outside.

Also, some people live in dwellings that cannot provide any kind of outdoor fencing structure to accommodate cats' needs.

I would appreciate your opinions. -- T.T.

DEAR T.T.: I appreciate your sentiment and concern, though you're somewhat anthropomorphizing cats, since we tend to base our feelings on what we enjoy and need. The accuracy of such empathic projection is determined by the science of ethology: the study of animal behavior, choices and preferences.

In my book "Supercat: How to Raise the Perfect Feline Companion," I spell out how to make the home environment cat-safe, cat-friendly and cat-stimulating. First of all, have two cats instead of one. Be sure to provide scratching posts and sunning areas -- including window-ledge shelf inserts, an enclosed deck or porch or a window box extension -- and engage in interactive games. Our two formerly feral cats have all of these, and they have never cried or tried to get outdoors.

I agree with you: Too many indoor cats suffer a solitary, boring and dispiriting existence, which, with a little effort, can be easily improved.

DEAR DR, FOX: Do you remember Minna, the bossy female German shepherd you met at Battery Kemble Park in Washington, D.C., 13 to 15 years ago?

After Minna's departure, we adopted Markus from the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. He is a very gentle, friendly, beautiful German shepherd. He has a few issues, though, including what we might call obsessive-compulsive disorder -- he licks anything around him. Sometimes, his obsessive licking turns into a crisis. It is as if his throat is blocked; the motion of his tongue goes faster, and he seems to have trouble swallowing. There are usually a few pots of lemon balm outside, and he finds relief devouring them. Otherwise, if he is not watched, he goes for the rug at the front entrance. To prevent this, we offered him a chunk of bread with four drops of Bach Rescue Remedy (a stress reliever for pets), pet him and try to calm him down. At the end, it has worked.

Our holistic vet thinks this situation is related to gastric problems. This, however, has improved since Markus started taking Gastriplex at the vet's recommendation.

Markus started licking his behind in spring 2012, and we spotted a bit of dark reddish mucus stuff in his stools on and off. We took him to his regular vet and his anal glands were checked and drained. His infection was treated with antibiotics. This situation has been going on for some time, including a visit to a surgeon for a second opinion on his anal glands. The glands were normal during the visit.

We read your column every week and have found it very educational and helpful. We also have fond memories of you, your wife and your dogs at Battery Kemble Park. We would appreciate your opinion, comments and advice regarding Markus. -- M. and D.S., Washington, D.C.

Dear M. and D.S.: Yes, I have fond memories of the park and how we all ran to put our dogs back on their leashes when the police came to ticket us -- what a stupid ritual! So much for the freedoms of democracy. Does D.C. have a free dog park yet?

Dog liberation and radical civil disobedience aside, I believe that your veterinarian is correct; it's an OCD issue associated with internal discomfort. You may remember our dog Tanza, which we rescued from Tanzania, running with the friendly pack at the park: She also developed OCD when she had a tummy upset. Markus probably has a food allergy or intolerance to one or more ingredients in his diet, which can trigger anal gland inflammation and colitis or irritable bowel syndrome. German shepherds are especially prone. Check my website, DrFoxVet.com, for my many responses to dogs with these symptoms.

Try my home-prepared diet or put him on a whitefish and potato diet to see how he responds.

A grain-free diet and supplements such as glucosamine, glutamine, probiotics, aloe vera juice, montmorillonite clay or kaolin and pectin may also prove beneficial. Let me know how he progresses.

KEEP UP ON PET FOOD ISSUES

The website TruthaboutPetFood.com provides pet food consumers with the "truth" about the food we feed our pets. This unbiased and 100 percent consumer-supported website provides free education for those who want to understand what they are feeding their pets. Susan Thixton, the website's author, is a pet food consumer advocate providing pet owners a voice with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the Food and Drug Administration. The website offers two products -- Petsumer Report ($17.95 for a one-year subscription) and the List (from $10 for the list of trusted foods) -- to support Thixton's advocacy work.

(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: My 15-year-old male cat has had the feline herpes virus his whole life. I give him lysine paste daily, but he is always suffering from nasal congestion. Antibiotics don't seem to do much good. Do you have any other suggestions to relieve his suffering? -- W.L., St. Louis

DEAR W.L.: Chronic herpes virus conditions are one of the sad afflictions of cats, along with other virus infections, some of which are only just being discovered.

Kittens often become hosts for various viral infections because of early stress, malnutrition or an infected mother. The herpes virus commonly causes conjunctivitis, which can lead to corneal damage. Some cats develop immunity as they mature and when given good care; others, for various reasons, have episodes where their immune systems fail and there is a flare-up of viral proliferation and inflammation. Secondary bacterial and fungal or yeast infections are common after a viral flare-up or primary infection. Appropriate antibacterial and anti-fungal medications may help. Anti-inflammatory steroids are often used in combination but never alone, since steroids can make secondary infections worse.

Your old cat should have a veterinary consultation, ideally an in-home visit. Fish oil for cats could significantly help, as could a diet free of corn and soy. It is also very important that your cat's teeth are examined, since sinus and bronchial infections are often associated with periodontal disease and stomatitis (inflammation of the mucus lining in the mouth), which is all too common in cats. PetzLife and VetzLife oral care products may help your old cat enjoy oral health and provide possible relief from secondary infection in his upper respiratory system.

DEAR DR. FOX: Is it OK to feed a 2-year-old chocolate Lab three times a day? He is currently eating Royal Canin dog food formulated for Labrador retrievers. Thank you. -- M.H., Raleigh, N.C.

DEAR M.H.: The short answer is yes and no: Yes, if the servings are small; no, if they add up to more than the daily recommended amount indicated on the food label.

Labradors are notorious for becoming overweight. With not-always-good hips, they can suffer a great deal. It is imperative, therefore, to monitor your dog's weight after a veterinary examination and appraisal of the dog's condition and discussion of any dietary restrictions that are called for.

It is advisable to weigh your dog every month and keep a record of weight gain or loss. The easiest way to do this at home is to hold your dog and step onto the bathroom scale and note the weight, then deduct your weight without the dog in your arms.

Avoid dog foods with high cereal and carbohydrate content, and check my website, DrFoxVet.com, for some good dog foods that I endorse.

TEA TREE OIL WARNING

I have been an enthusiastic advocate for essential oils because of their many veterinary and human medical benefits. When properly used, they have few, if any, harmful side effects except in rare instances of allergic reaction. They have no known harmful environmental consequences, unlike many prescription drugs.

Many of these essential oils must be diluted in a "carrier" oil, such as almond or olive oil, because they can irritate the skin. A report from the Animal Control Poison Control Center in Urbana, Ill., is a red flag for pet owners who have applied undiluted 100 percent tea tree (melaleuca) oil to their animal companions.

Undiluted, this oil can cause depression, paralysis, loss of coordination, and tremors within hours of exposure, and it can last for up to three days. Younger cats and those with lighter body weight were reported to be at greater risk of developing major illness.

(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.)