DEAR READERS: No country can yet claim to be a fully democratic society, because democracy calls for inclusivity and equal consideration of the rights and interests of all. This “all” includes not only its citizens -- regardless of race, tribe, caste, gender, age and religion -- but all other species, plant and animal, especially those we consume and others we are driving to extinction. It also requires responsible care for the natural environment we all share.

From my perspective as a veterinarian and advocate of the One Health concept, our own health and the ultimate well-being of future generations are dependent upon a healthful environment, growing plant and animal populations and natural communities. The call for animal rights and eco-justice, too long ignored, now means that planetary CPR -- conservation, protection and restoration -- needs to be immediately implemented. Our commerce with the Earth must become one of mutually enhancing relationships, rather than relentless exploitation, destructive invasion and human infestation.

Climate change, ocean acidification, loss of cultural and biological diversity and pandemic diseases are evidence enough that democracy must become all-inclusive. “When we take care of the Earth, the Earth will take care of us,” a Pennsylvania Dutch farmer once told me, adding, “and that includes caring for the animals.”

DEAR DR. FOX: For people like me who are up in age and worried about who will take care of their animals when they pass away -- three rescue dogs, in my case -- there is a need for a solution.

My local Humane Society has not made a commitment. “No-kill” sanctuaries have said no.

What am I to do? Any suggestions are welcome -- my family cannot help. -- C.S., Bethesda, Maryland

DEAR C.S.: You have my sympathy, and I embrace you for considering the fate of your beloved canine companions, who may outlive you. I understand that your family cannot or chooses not to help, but I am dismayed that your attempts to find peace of mind and assurance that your dogs will be well cared for if you die before them bore no fruit within your community.

I would advise the executor of your estate to go online to find nonprofit organizations dedicated to finding foster homes and forever homes for companion animals -- especially for those belonging to people with terminal illness or having to go into a retirement or nursing home. There are many such networks of dedicated volunteers in most metropolitan areas across the U.S.; some take animals into their own homes on a temporary basis while the pet owners are hospitalized or sent abroad for military or other reasons.

I have urged active retirees to consider dedicating their time and effort to providing temporary foster homes and forever homes for animals in need in their communities by joining with other volunteers associated with legitimate charities dedicated to this humane purpose. I would have a person you trust visit any no-kill operation or animal sanctuary that may promise to take your dogs to determine how well the resident animals are being cared for, including veterinary attention as needed.

DOG FOOD RECALL

Blue Ridge Beef of Eatonton, Georgia, is voluntarily recalling one lot of its Turkey with Bone raw frozen product due to its potential to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. The affected product is sold in 2-pound chubs. Visit dogfoodadvisor.com for more information.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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: We are planning a 14-day overseas trip this April, and I do not have anyone I can ask to stay in my house with my cat Toby (who will be 15 in March) for the duration. I can't imagine that having someone come in for an hour or two a day will be helpful. He is alone much of the time since our other cat, Morticia, died last March at 18 years of age.

I am beside myself with concern about what to do. I have never boarded any of my cats. There are several "cat hotels" that I've researched that seem to be good. I know I need to visit them in advance, but a cat Toby's age, who has never been away overnight, who is very spoiled by me, loved beyond belief -- will he be able to handle a two-week boarding? I know he'll survive it, but when I get him home, will he be the same? Will he forgive me?

I know this sounds ridiculous, but the planning of the trip is nothing compared to my stress over this issue. -- G.C., St. Louis

DEAR G.C.: It is always a problem having one or more animals who may not take well to a boarding facility when you wish to go on vacation, and have no one to housesit or visit twice a day to feed, clean the litterbox, groom and play with the animals.

A pet sitter may be the best option to explore. There are licensed and bonded professional sitters who will spend time with your cat, and a few will stay overnight.

Cats generally do not do as well as dogs going to a boarding facility, but for both species I highly recommend having your animal spend two nights away, then pick him up. The next time he goes, he may not then feel that he is being abandoned. Take along familiar toys, his regular food and an unwashed T-shirt smelling of you -- and if possible, his cat bed or blanket with his own scent on it.

The boarding facility should have an open space where your Toby can get out of the enclosure for some activity at least twice a day, and his holding cage or pen should have plenty of space so he does not have to nap in his litterbox. Too many cat boarding facilities that I have visited have enclosures that are too small with no shelf or perch for the cat to get on or box to hide in, which many cats need because they are fearful in strange surroundings.

The place should be quiet; soft music has a calming effect and serves as a sound barrier. Toby should be regularly handled, groomed and allowed out to play if not too recalcitrant. With two cats used to each other, they should be kept in a double-sized enclosure, and better cat facilities have windows so the cats can see outdoors, often at an array of bird feeders. There should be no barking dogs to terrify them in any adjacent boarding kennels.

So go visit the facilities available in your area with these pointers in mind. The boarding operation will probably insist on Toby having blood tests for feline viral leukemia and immunodeficiency virus, as well as up-to-date vaccinations. The latter may not be needed if they accept blood titre results indicating he does not require shots other than the mandatory anti-rabies vaccination. If vaccinations are needed, be sure they are not given at the last minute, but three to four weeks before Toby goes into the facility.

STRESS MIGHT CAUSE DOGS TO GO GRAY EARLY

A study of 400 dogs found fear of loud sounds, unfamiliar people and animals was associated with gray hair on and around the muzzle. Premature graying in dogs under 4 years of age may be a possible indicator of anxiety, fear or impulsivity issues. The findings were reported by Dr. Camille King and associates at Northern Illinois University in the December 2016 edition of Applied Animal Behavior Science.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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: My 12-year-old cat eats grass -- I mean like a sheep eats grass! She eats it for about 15 minutes every day when I take her out in our enclosed backyard.

She always ate some grass, but seems to do so constantly now. A hairball shows up every third day or so. I've tried hairball products, but she hates them so much that she spits them out or vomits them up almost immediately. Do you have any advice on this? -- S.N., Washington, D.C.

DEAR S.N.: Your cat is displaying her biological wisdom, consuming a small amount of "cat tonic" grass, and I wish that more cats had such opportunity. A few pots of sprouting wheatgrass for indoor cats can be a daily delight.

Like dogs and other animals, cats will eat grass and various herbs when they feel the urge, which may be stomach or intestinal irritation from a hairball or parasites, or nausea from chronic liver, kidney or other health issues. Such behavior may be innate and reinforced by the animal feeling better after consuming the selected plant. I have also seen puppies and kittens engaging in observational learning, trying out eating grass after seeing their mothers or an older animal munching away.

This behavior calls for caution: Cats nibbling on lilies and other potentially harmful plants put themselves at risk, possibly because they want to eat something green like grass, which is safe. As for manufactured cat foods and treats that are supposed to help rid the cat of hairballs in the stomach, I would go for the grass instead. For some cats, a teaspoon of fresh catnip or cat mint herb will evoke vomiting. For cats with a hairball problem, this can be a good weekly purging if the sprouted grass does not trigger emesis (vomiting).

DEAR DR. FOX: We lost our beloved 17-year-old cat just before Thanksgiving. Now that the holidays are over, we are thinking of adding to the family again.

We are a family of four with two children ages 3 and 9. The cat that passed away was an “only child” from the time she came home, but we have read that two kittens can adapt better than one. What do you recommend? -- L.T., Fargo, North Dakota

DEAR L.T.: I strongly urge that people keep two cats rather than just one cat, who is likely to be alone in the home all day, becoming bored, depressed, obese, anxious and stressed by becoming hypervigilant in the empty place.

Ideally, adopt kitten littermates. They will already be bonded. Otherwise, adopt one young cat and then introduce the second following the steps posted on my website article “Introducing a New Cat” (in your case, a second cat).

I urge all people with just one cat to consider doing this. Socially bonded cats care for each other, grooming and playing and being generally more active and healthier than those who live just with people.

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a situation that you have probably seen before, but we haven't.

We adopted a 7-year-old poodle from an animal shelter about a year ago. He is a joy to have, well behaved, friendly -- we love him. We have worked with him on housebreaking and have found out he was in the shelter because he wouldn't potty-train for his former owners.

When we are gone, and even when we are home, he goes into the carpeted bedroom and urinates. We take him out often and reward him for good behavior. Sometime he gives a signal that he wants to go out, but most of the time he sneaks into the carpeted bedroom and does his thing.

We won’t give up on this little guy; however, we would like to solve this problem. -- B.P., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR B.P.: This is a place-fixation habit that is not easy to break. Your dog may be choosing the bedroom carpet to mark as a way of affirming his bond with you, just as a dog will often urinate over the urine mark of a buddy dog. Such "marking over," as I call it, is a way of giving a signal to other dogs that "we are together." Some degree of anxiety or insecurity may be an additional motivating factor.

If making your bedroom inaccessible to the dog during the day or laying down a sheet of plastic to try to break the habit does not work, discuss with your veterinarian -- after ruling out any question of cystitis and chronic kidney disease -- about prescribing a short course of treatment with Prozac.

But first, I would try the natural supplement called @-Eaze, which can help take the edge off an anxiety condition with elements of compulsive behavior and help calm your dog. For details, visit petzlife.com -- and keep me posted on your results!

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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.)