DEAR DR. FOX: I have two indoor cats and have inherited my former neighbor's outside cat, Mickey, who is about 5. I feed him, and I have a small heated shelter for him on our porch.

My husband and I tried to bring him inside and get him used to our indoor cats, but they have not gotten along. Now he is trying to come back in, and it is breaking our hearts. I know he should go to the vet before I really introduce him to our cats, but I cannot pick him up, and he attacks if he feels threatened; he has done it to me inside and outside our house.

I suggested maybe we should have Mickey put down, but my husband does not agree. I am really torn as to what would be best. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. -- E.H.K., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR E.H.K.: You and your husband are what my wife and I know only too well: captives of your own compassion!

You will have to trap Mickey. Then the veterinarian should first do a blood test. If it comes back positive for feline immune-deficiency virus and/or feline leukemia virus, the humane decision would be euthanasia. This would also protect your other cats.

If he is OK, then Mickey needs to be neutered if that has not already been done. That will make him easier to handle. Vaccinations are also necessary, and the veterinarian should check for fleas, ringworm, ear mites and internal parasites.

If all works out well for you and Mickey, follow the steps posted on my website on introducing a new cat into a family with cats, or continue to care for him outdoors. (If he stays outdoors, putting a collar with a bell on him would help limit his predation abilities and save some wildlife.)

DEAR DR. FOX: A few times since your column began appearing our paper, you have mentioned your "home-prepared cat food recipe," which you direct us to find on your website.

You write a newspaper column, Dr. Fox. Your objective is to get readers to affix their eyeballs on your column. My eyeballs are affixed thusly. I would love to have your cat food formulation, but for crying out loud, Doc, put it where you wanted my eyeballs to be: right in front of me on the page. -- D.L.H., Bartlesville, Oklahoma

DEAR D.L.H.: Thank you for reading my column every week! Please understand that there is limited space in my column, and the recipe, which includes essential feeding advice, would take up more than a whole one. There are many issues to cover every week, and so listing my recipe is not feasible.

If you do not use a computer, ask someone who does to print out my basic cat food recipe from my website. Or ask someone at your local library for assistance.

NEW LAW FORBIDS CALIFORNIA PET STORES TO SELL FROM BREEDERS

A state law that took effect New Year's Day restricts California pet stores to selling dogs, cats and rabbits obtained from shelters or rescue nonprofits. The first of its kind in the nation, the law allows only individuals to buy from breeders. (From CNN.com, Dec. 30.)

(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. You can find past columns at www.uexpress.com/animal-doctor.)

On Jan. 31, Hill's Pet Nutrition announced a voluntary recall of 25 different types of canned dog food because of a risk of elevated levels of vitamin D. According to a press release from the Food and Drug Administration, vitamin D is essential for good canine health, but "ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure, and dogs may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and weight loss. Vitamin D, when consumed at very high levels, can lead to serious health issues in dogs including renal dysfunction."

Obviously, if your dog has consumed any of these foods and is showing signs of illness, you should take the animal to a veterinarian immediately. "In most cases," the FDA notes, "complete recovery is expected after discontinuation of feeding."

DEAR DR. FOX: I have read that some dog foods, which have no grains, can cause heart disease. I thought grain is good for dogs. Can you please explain? -- R.E., Washington, D.C.

DEAR R.E.: When pet food manufacturers started putting more alternative, non-grain sources of carbohydrates from various plant sources -- such as potatoes, tapioca, pea flour and other beans/pulses -- into their products, the incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs began to increase. Some breeds may be more susceptible than others.

This heart disease is associated with taurine deficiency (especially in cats that cannot manufacture taurine from other amino acids in their diets as dogs can).

There could be a taurine deficiency because the pet food is too low in animal protein/amino acids to begin with, or because taurine and other nutrients in the food are destroyed by the heat from cooking and from the prolonged storage of frozen meats. And some pet food ingredients, such as beet pulp and rice bran, may interfere with the digestion and absorption of taurine and other nutrients. Also, a high carbohydrate diet that results in the proliferation of certain bacteria at the expense of others may play a role in the absorption of taurine and other nutrients.

Dogs should ideally receive some fresh meats in their diets. Try giving your dog a daily sardine or two, or even chicken or turkey hearts. You can also consider giving your dog daily doses of taurine supplement. For a 30-pound dog, give 500 mg taurine twice daily.

DEAR DR. FOX: I would like to know if a dog could have a condition resembling autism. I have an 8-year-old Yorkie/Maltese mix, and she seems to exhibit the signs. She is very intelligent and easily trained. She has an uncanny sense as to what we are going to do (go for a ride, a walk, etc.). It's almost as if she can read our minds.

She does not like crowds and loud noises. She is not aggressive, but dogs and people other than my husband and me upset her. She likes everything to be the same (bed, food dish, toys, etc.) and done on schedule. She will sit by the door or in the kitchen as if letting us know what time it is. She is not comfortable when one of us is not home and will stay by the door or window until that person comes home.

I have tried to remedy this situation: extra socialization, puppy school, walks, trips to the pet store -- but nothing seems to work. Also, in these situations, she becomes extremely fearful. It's like she is in a panic.

This behavior has been going on for years. It seems to have gotten worse after our two other dogs passed last year.

She also has had some digestive issues that may be related to her hyper-nervous demeanor. I had all areas checked out -- bloodwork, etc. -- and everything was normal. Any insight you could supply would be much appreciated. -- H.H., Kansas City, Missouri

DEAR H.H.: I am not aware of any dog being diagnosed with a neuro-behavioral disorder resembling autism. From what you describe in your letter, you have a physically normal dog with an anxiety/panic disorder. She is shy, sensitive, intelligent and probably felt more secure with the other two dogs who were with her all her life.

Treat her with sympathetic understanding and avoid putting her in unfamiliar situations that would be stressful or leaving her all alone for any extended time.

You are correct that her digestive issues could be stress-related. Discuss with your veterinarian trying her on a low dose of CBD oil (cannabidiol derived from hemp). Also, one or two drops of essential oil of lavender on a bandanna around her neck in the morning and 1 to 3 mg melatonin at bedtime may help, along with a daily full-body massage and lots of physical activity outdoors.

(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: One of my cats had a difficult time with constipation for years. I had switched both cats to raw food a couple of years ago, but I still had to add MiraLAX to the constipated cat's food. I was not really happy about it, but at least it was fairly effective.

And then I found your recommendation to add sardines and chia seeds to the diet, and this has been the perfect solution!

After years of trying all sorts of things, it is such a relief to have found a natural way to solve the problem! Thank you! -- K.C., Madison, Wisconsin

DEAR K.C.: I always appreciate hearing back from readers. Constipation can be a chronic and serious problem in cats; a diet consisting of especially high-fiber dry food and inactivity are major contributing factors. Deep abdominal massage can also help cats with this issue and those with sluggish so-called megacolon.

Some cats are allergic to fish, so a teaspoon of olive oil in their food may help, along with soluble fiber, as from a teaspoon or two daily of mashed butter beans or well-soaked chia seeds.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 15-year-old large mixed-breed is a rescue who had been staked out on a short line for years. I adopted him as a companion dog for my 12-year-old setter. He is sweet, quiet and loving, but I knew he had major medical needs.

After dental surgery, tie-back surgery, neutering due to cancer and removal of a gum melanoma, we seem to be up to date on his medical needs -- except for his arthritis from shoulder to tail.

Our cardiologist recommended acupuncture, but the holistic veterinarian suggested we try laser therapy first. She thought we might get quicker relief.

We have had wonderful results. My big guy gets up and down, walks around, seeks hugs, does all the normal doggie behaviors -- albeit slowly. We have also glued toe tips on his nails to help him grip with his front legs, as he pulls up his weaker back legs. These tips are a great aide for struggling older dogs and are easy to apply.

Please encourage laser therapy for pain. It is relatively cheap and avoids pain meds that have side effects. -- B.C., Fort Myers, Florida

DEAR B.C.: Thank you for sharing your experience. Your letter is affirming the benefits of laser therapy for animals with arthritis. In fact, one veterinary friend of mine is now going to Asia to demonstrate the benefits of such therapy on captive elephants that are prone to degenerative joint diseases.

(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.)