DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 10-month-old kitten who sits in the bathroom while I am in the shower. Before I get out, she usually paws on the shower glass and meows. When I get out, she acts like she hasn't seen me in a month. She wants to be held, meows like crazy and keeps rubbing her head on me and pawing at me.

I was wondering if you had any ideas why she behaves like this. I love it, but I am curious. -- S.E., Crofton, Maryland

DEAR S.E.: Many cats have a fascination with water, be it from a dripping faucet or a shower beating against the glass. They are fascinated by water droplets and will paw and pat their water bowls to create puddles on the floor to play with. When he was younger, one of our cats would race to watch the water in the toilet bowl when he heard the flushing sound. He is still occasionally curious when I am in the shower.

Your cat's intense greeting when you get out of the shower could be because she is concerned that you might get washed away. Most cats have an aversion to getting wet. Your cat could also have been stimulated by the odors of the shower products you use.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing in response to your column about the use of flea control chemicals on dogs. As a doctor of natural medicine, I, too, am aware of the toxic side effects of topical flea control products and no longer use them on my dogs.

After doing some research on the benefits of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids on skin health, I have been adding a half can of sardines packed in water to each dog's diet twice a week. Since then, I have encountered no more flea problems. The fish oil keeps their skin and coats healthy, and it appears to have the added benefit of repelling fleas.

I have also found that a few drops of tea tree oil diluted in water in a spray bottle is an excellent repellent when sprayed onto the dogs before a walk in the park or woods.

Nutrition is, of course, important. Although I do not make my own dog food, I have achieved the best overall results with a fish-based product, supplemented with fresh vegetables. -- D.M.P., Virginia Beach, Virginia

DEAR D.M.P.: Many readers will appreciate your affirmation of what I have long advocated. Unfortunately, some dogs and cats are allergic to fish, so I advise giving omega-3 fatty acids, derived from algae, in capsules available in most drug stores. Alternatively, organic butter from grass-fed cows will work. Some people also find a teaspoon of coconut oil in the animal's food improves the coat and may ward off fleas.

DOG FOOD RECALL

On Aug. 31, 2014, "Mars Petcare U.S. announced the extension of a previous voluntary recall of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products due to the possible presence of metal fragments. The recall initially involved 15-pound bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Dollar General in Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana ...

"The recall is now is being expanded to 55-pound bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products sold in Sam's Club in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

"Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-305-5206 or visit www.pedigree.com/update."

(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: We have an 11-year-old 62-pound female shepherd mix who is a sweet family pet.

She is drinking more water and beginning to have urinary incontinence issues at night. She is still peppy on walks and actually seems to have less stiffness in her joints -- without any pain meds or anti-inflammatories.

After an exam and blood work, the vet said it's probably Cushing's disease, since all tests for diabetes, infectious causes and kidney problems were normal -- her alkaline phosphatase and liver enzymes were up. The vet proposed a crazy day of diagnostic testing, giving Dexamethasone and testing blood every few hours.

I think the testing and treatment both sound too painful and stress-inducing, not to mention expensive. I think we will do nothing and enjoy and spoil her while we can. Do you have any insight into why this happened? -- A.F., Rockville, Maryland

DEAR A.F.: Cushing's disease (hyperactive adrenal glands) is all too common in dogs and does take time and expense to determine the right dose of medication to subdue adrenal activity. I know of no simple and effective herbal or other alternative medication, although some believe that vitamin C and melatonin may be beneficial.

This condition often develops in both male and female ferrets after they have been neutered, which causes a hormonal imbalance. The same may be true for neutered dogs; neutering after 1 to 1 1/2 years of age is less disruptive to the dogs' endocrine systems than neutering at an earlier age. This early neutering is an accepted practice in animal shelter adoptions because of overpopulation.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing to you after reading a recent column, where a cat owner stated that her 10-year-old cat's appetite had diminished. Yes, as you stated, a trip to the vet needed to be considered, as well as possible kidney disease.

However, I was surprised that you did not mention possible dental issues. Cats are notorious for hiding health issues, and teeth problems can be a real health concern. Also, just a visual inspection of the teeth often does not reveal the whole picture. Based on my own dental experience of having an abscess that did not show up on visual inspection, I suggested to the vet to have X-rays taken. My cat also had an abscess that had not shown up on visual inspection. He was eating regularly within a day.

A further testimony to having X-rays done happened in a conversation with a friend who told me that her friend had a cat who was not eating. The cat had every test possible, and a visual inspection of the teeth didn't detect any problems. The vet suggested the owner should have the cat euthanized, despite not knowing why it was not eating. I told my friend my story and how it helped my cat. She called her friend and the cat was taken to a different vet, X-rays were requested and sure enough, there was an abscess. Dental X-rays saved that cat's life.

So many cat owners never pay attention to the health of a cat's mouth, and I would like to see that addressed in your column. -- K.L.W., Mercerville, Virginia

DEAR K.L.W.: Your concern over dental abscesses in cats is, indeed, a red flag for cat owners and for veterinarians who may rely on visual inspection of the oral cavity of cats who have difficulty eating or who have stopped eating altogether. But I would be concerned if dental X-rays became yet another routine, add-on diagnostic procedure for cats who are off their food.

Careful observation of a cat's eating behavior and attempts to eat help in making a diagnosis and justification for dental X-rays, especially if a cat solicits being fed but then avoids the food or cannot chew but is still hungry -- this points to a possible dental abscess, periodontal disease or a fractured and painful tooth.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 40-year-old son has moved in to help care for my wife, who has Alzheimer's disease, and he brought his cat to live here, too. In two years, we fell in love with this little 14-year-old cat.

She recently started feeling ill, and our vet thought she might have a virus and prescribed a medicine for her. After a few weeks, she seemed well. Then, suddenly, she died.

My wife is incontinent and has bowel problems. My son feels that the cleaner he used on her urine and feces might have left a coating on the floors and the cat might have picked up some of that.

We would like to get another cat, but my son insists that cleaning up after my wife could kill it. Would you please offer some comments to help settle this issue? -- R.D.Z., Lakewood, New Jersey

DEAR R.D.Z.: I sympathize with your family caregiving situation, which must be demanding on many levels.

Considering the cat's age and moving into a new environment, such stress could have weakened her immune system, which would have then been impacted by the disinfectant that was used on the floor and other surfaces that the cat may have had contact with.

In the future, I would use a combination of 1 cup distilled white vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda. This is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-mold cleanser and is cat safe.

(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: You recently wrote about a dog with a skin issue. I urge you to inquire about a product that could cure this pitiful dog's problem. One product is Dinovite (dinovite.com).

My neighbor's Lhasa apso was on prednisone and a variety of allergy shots for five years without his terrible skin condition improving. After three weeks on Dinovite, the skin is clear. I've given the name and website to people I see whose pets are obviously in trouble. Months later, I bump into them, and their dogs are so happy. Dinovite cured the problem -- itching, oozing ears, terrible breath and fur falling out in hunks.

I take care of a big female golden retriever. I've done this for two years on weekdays while her owner works. He kept her in a room up to 14 hours a day. I was appalled at the neglect and persuaded him to let me take care of her weekdays, just not overnight. He finally agreed. Weeks later, he and his mother said that the retriever was a different dog: happy and relaxed. She wasn't the sad, depressed dog she'd been for well over a year.

I do not get a penny for taking care of her, nor have I asked for anything. I do this for the dog. Whatever she wants, I give it to her gratis. I have her on Dinovite. I sprinkle it, as prescribed, on her kibble. As a result, she sheds much less than before, her coat is soft now, her breath is sweet and she no longer smells "doggy." She also has stopped scratching herself. I do not get anything from the Dinovite people. I feel that telling people about it is helpful.

The Dinovite company makes a supplement for cats now, too. I wanted to ask you to investigate Dinovite. Some of the supplements you suggest are hard to get. Dinovite even pays for UPS shipping. -- A.G., Norfolk, Virginia

DEAR A.G.: I always appreciate hearing from readers who have discovered the benefits of various companion animal health care products, some of which are posted on my website, DrFoxVet.com.

I checked the ingredients of Dinovite, and, in my opinion, it is an excellent nutritional supplement for dogs and cats, improving coat and general physical conditions, and probably helping repel fleas.

You deserve a medal for caring for that neglected golden. It is disgusting how many people care so poorly for their animal companions, even when they claim to "love" them.

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a 2 1/2-year-old male presa Canario dog who weighs 130 pounds. He started having seizures when he was 1 1/2. He had three to four seizures the first hour, then farther apart -- one hour, three hours, five hours and one or two the next day. These were bad seizures: lying on one side, kicking and shaking. He now has seizures every three weeks.

Our vet prescribed phenobarbital and potassium bromide. He still has seizures every three weeks, almost to the day. We don't know if the medicine is helping, but it might be worse without it. We started giving him levetiracetam eight weeks ago, and there were no seizures for 4 1/2 weeks.

When the seizures come on a timed cycle, almost to a day, shouldn't there be a way to prevent them? -- R.C., Spring Church, Pennsylvania

DEAR B.B.: Seizures are very prevalent in dogs who, as a species, seem especially susceptible. The causes are many, which are difficult to determine and rectify. In some instances, it has a genetic or hereditary basis. In others, an adverse reaction (vaccinosis) to anti-rabies or distemper shots or severe liver disease seems to be the trigger.

Many dogs stop having seizures when their diet is wheat-free or when they are taken off manufactured dog foods that contain other potentially epilepsy-triggering ingredients such as monosodium glutamate.

Try this dietary approach, using my home-prepared dog food recipe posted on my website, DrFoxVet.com. Weigh your dog at the start to be sure you are not feeding too little or too much. Let me know if this dietary change helps. And, of course, gradually take your dog off the anti-seizure medication over a three-day period when you start this trial. Let your veterinarian and me know the outcome.

(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.)