DEAR DR. FOX: Was my dad's cat kidnapped by aliens? I'm hoping you can explain my father's -- now my -- cat's abrupt behavior change.

My parents, veteran cat lovers, adopted a brother-sister pair about 12 years ago. The sister got out and disappeared, and the brother became a complete curmudgeon of a cat. Whenever we visited, either with or without my young kids, the cat would hiss, spit and run away, or simply hide under the bed and growl at us. If I tried to pet him, he'd lash out and try to bite me. He behaved this way to everyone except my father and mother.

Fast-forward a bit in time; about four years ago, my mother died and my father developed dementia. My father accidentally let the cat out of the house, and we thought he was gone. Then, he abruptly returned after two weeks and settled back in the house. Soon after that, he spent long periods of time alone as my dad transitioned to an apartment and then nursing home within a few months. I continued to feed him, but could not pet him or pick him up.

In the end, we had to choose either to adopt him or take him to a shelter because he couldn't stay with my dad in the nursing home. We decided to adopt him. Since we had a 4-year-old female cat and 2-year-old dog plus two youngish kids, we figured he'd spend the rest of his life under our beds or in the basement, but that would be better than death (who'd adopt such a mean cat?).

This is where the alien abduction comes in. The cat that we brought into our home is a totally different cat. He purrs, he cuddles without discrimination, he doesn't mind the dog, he plays with the other cat, he hangs out with strangers, he lets us pick him up and he purrs so loud we have to put him out of the bedroom at night.

What on earth could cause such a swing in behavior? We are the same people. But is he the same cat? My explanation is that he was kidnapped and replaced by an alien cat during those weeks of freedom. It's been two years since he moved in, and we still marvel that it is the same animal my parents had in their home. If you have any theories as to how a cat could change so drastically, I'd love to hear them. -- C.T., Webster Groves, Missouri

DEAR C.T.: What an interesting and rather sad feline saga you document!

On my website (drfoxvet.net) is the article "Cat Behavior: Cognitive Disassociation and Social Disruption," which may give you some deeper understanding of cat psychology. In essence, my interpretation of this kind of sudden personality switch is related to the individual cat's situation and degree of fear triggered by a change in the environment and social relationships. The cat seeing your dog and cat being relaxed, friendly and not fearful of you may have facilitated his "recovery." This is one reason why I advocate group housing for shelter cats.

Your letter is also an important reminder that so-called behavioral/temperament tests of cats alone in cages in shelters have serious limitations. Cats who undergo these tests and are considered unadoptable are either euthanized or set free under the dubious banner of trap-neuter-release, when, given more time to adapt and be with other friendly cats in a group might lead to their recovery -- and increase their chances of being adopted.

The Most Animal-Friendly Countries

The animal welfare charity World Animal Protection (formerly known as the World International Society for the Protection of Animals), which has offices in 14 countries, has posted an interactive "Animal Protection Index" on its website: api.worldanimalprotection.org/indicators.

The group ranks some 50 countries on its own animal protection standards, which are based on the following criteria: formal recognition of animal sentience; support for its Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare; laws against causing animal suffering; protecting animals used in farming, animals in captivity, companion animals, animals used in scientific research and welfare of wild animals.

A top grade of A was given to the U.K., Switzerland, Austria and New Zealand. But I was stunned when they gave India a rating of C (also given to Sweden, France and the Philippines), while Canada and the United States were given a lower rating of D.

Having visited and lectured in most of these countries on animal welfare issues, and also spending several years supporting efforts to improve the plight of animals in India, I see yet another major international animal protection organization wasting time and donor money on yet another questionable mission. On the surface it seems laudable, even promising, to help reduce zoonoses (animal-to-human diseases), but it papers over the terrible plight of animals in India, for which I am currently assembling documentation. Ever more laws and declarations are meaningless when corruption, disinformation and lack of enforcement are not addressed.

(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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I have adopted a young cat, and I wonder what is the best cat litter for her. I see so many kinds at the pet store, and I was given a bag of clay litter when I adopted her. It is very dusty and tracks everywhere. Please advise. -- R.K., Arlington, Virginia

DEAR R.K.: Sodium bentonite, silica and other small particle materials in clay litter may lead to respiratory disease. Unlike some other kinds of litter, clay litters do not recycle well, can clog drains and involve mining, which can be ecologically harmful.

Some kinds of litter may be contaminated with cancer-causing aflatoxin from moldy corn. A representative with World's Best cat litter (made from corn byproduct) informs me that they do test for aflatoxin, but not for glyphosate. This herbicide, widely applied by corn producers, has been designated a probable carcinogen and may play a role in chronic bowel disease. Litters made from wheat byproduct may also be contaminated with mold and agrichemicals.

Manufactured cat litter derived from recycled wood and paper products come from the timber industry, which has been a major contaminator of the environment for decades. However, there are eco-friendly paper options. According to Healthy Pet CEO Ted Mischaikov, "Pulp mills have a variety of pollutants, but our fiber is sourced separate from those distilling/chemical processes and contains only water and minute amounts of white fiber. Specific to our paper pellet cat litter, I also want to stress that there is no post-consumer waste, ink or other contaminants. I am glad and proud that we can help reduce the landfill and/or burning of paper fiber from pulp mills via repurposing into healthy and safe pet products."

While some cat litters, like those from Healthy Pet, can be safely and effectively processed into garden compost, they are generally best disposed of in biodegradable bags placed in with household garbage. Disposal by flushing down the toilet may clog drains and spread disease such as toxoplasmosis, which has been linked to often-fatal infections in California's sea otters and other marine mammals.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 13-year-old cat who I took in after her owner died. She is the nicest little indoor cat, except for the fact that she smells like an outhouse! I believe it is more than expelling gas, as it appears to be a constant odor.

She loves to sit on my lap, but sometimes the odor becomes overwhelming. She grooms herself regularly, so I doubt that is the reason. I've had cats all my life, yet never experienced this before. Do you know what could cause this? -- R.R., Sterling, Virginia

DEAR R.R.: Good for you for taking in this older cat after her human companion died. As an old-school veterinarian, I was trained to use all my senses, especially my nose, to help diagnose certain conditions in animals. A healthy animal should smell great and certainly have no sickly, nauseating odor.

The first possible cause to have checked is your cat's oral cavity -- gum and tooth disease is very common in cats. They can have rotting mouths and bacteria and saliva with pus in it that gets all over their fur as they groom themselves, accounting for their nauseating odor. Think how these poor animals feel!

Waste no time and have your cat seen to by a veterinarian. Other related causes of cats becoming smelly include chronic kidney disease and various manufactured cat foods that are not biologically appropriate for cats yet are widely sold, even by some veterinarians. For details, visit feline-nutrition.org and DrFoxVet.net.

Candy Sweetener Poisoning Canines

The artificial sweetener xylitol is found in gum, candies, some peanut butters, gummy vitamins and many other products meant for human consumption, but experts warn that not enough pet owners understand the risk it poses to animals. Veterinarian Ahna Brutlag of the Pet Poison Helpline says her organization has fielded 2,800 calls about possible xylitol toxicity this year, compared with 300 in 2009. Some advocates are calling for warnings on products, while others are urging better outreach to pet owners.

Correction: I recently responded to a reader who had been bitten by her dog and was diagnosed with the same infection that causes cat scratch fever. I wrongly named it bordetella. The organism responsible is actually the bacterium bartonella, which can be harbored by fleas, and possibly transmitted to humans, especially children, by flea bites as well as from bites and scratches from cats. Bordetella causes primarily respiratory diseases and is rarely transmitted from animals to humans.

(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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I volunteer with a local animal rescue, and as you can well imagine, with all the different volunteers who come and go, there are always treats being given to the dogs. In the course of a day, people give all different kinds of dog treats, as well as people food like cheese, chicken, hot dogs, liverwurst -- the list goes on. I asked a volunteer about it, and she got very defensive and said that she asked if she could give treats and was told she could. While we are not prohibited from giving the dogs treats, we should be wary of all the stuff they get over the course of the day. I pointed out obesity and loose stools they have because of all the different crud they're eating. I suggested putting a list on each dog's cage where volunteers have to write down what they give on that day. Then we really will know how much the dogs are getting. The problem is that volunteers would have to be honest.

Treats should be used for rewarding, not to calm a growling or barking dog, which reinforces that behavior. Yet people give treats thinking they will shut the dog up. They give treats because they like giving treats, and they also give treats because they feel sorry for the dogs being in a kennel, even though these dogs get an amazing amount of human socialization. Maybe you can enlighten us to your experience on this issue. -- V.B., Howell, New Jersey

DEAR V.B.: I agree with you absolutely, but volunteers can be difficult to deal with diplomatically; many become defensive when their intentions and affections are questioned. But you can show affection in other ways than giving treats. It might be best to prohibit all treat-giving except for those provided by the shelter in set amounts.

Giving treats can help establish trust and reward desired behaviors, but all things in moderation!

You are correct that giving treats to barking dogs can reward them for barking, as I have mentioned earlier in my column. Some dogs may need to be on a fat- or grain-free diet, and some treats, notably those imported from China, have made dogs ill and even killed them.

The recipe for my home-prepared dog treats, made primarily with buckwheat, is posted on my website, DrFoxVet.net. A volunteer could make batches for the shelter to be given appropriately and in moderation.

DRINKING WATER CONCERNS

As a veterinarian, I am concerned about the quality and safety of drinking water people provide for their animal companions. Older animals -- who drink more water because of kidney and other health issues -- and cats -- who may be finicky drinkers and not maintain adequate hydration, especially when fed only dry food -- are of special concern. Water purification is needed to remove pollutants in most water supplies anywhere in the world. For details, see my article on DrFoxVet.net.

The most effective water-purification methods (such as reverse osmosis and distillation) and filter systems (Zero Water) remove not only contaminants but also minerals from water, including essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which are normally present in drinking water in electrolyte form. These mineral electrolytes are needed for optimal hydration. This is not necessarily achieved when these essential minerals are only present in food. It is for these reasons that I put a few drops of EMDROPS in our filtered, demineralized drinking water for my family, including our animals. For more details, visit watermins.com

(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.net.)