Pet food safety advocate and author Susan Thixton's truthaboutpetfood.com has published her official list of pet foods for 2019 that she says are safe enough to feed her own pets and, by extension, an... more
DEAR DR. FOX: My cat, Sophia, had diabetes and yet she still lived to be 18 years old. I fed her dry food, and when I changed to wet, I did not give her any injections anymore because her blood sugar ... more
I have been a longtime advocate of using nutraceutical dietary supplements and natural herbs, such as cannabis, in veterinary practices, and have called for more research and evidence-based clinical s... more
DEAR DR. FOX: In some earlier columns, you have spoken about animals’ spirits and souls, but I am still confused, having been raised as a Christian. What is your opinion concerning animals having soul... more
PETCO announced on Nov. 13 that it is making a commitment not to sell dog and cat food and treats with artificial colors, flavors or preservatives -- making it the first and only major retailer of pet... more
On Nov. 16, members of the House of Representatives, including Minnesota’s soon-to-be governor Tim Walz, passed bill HR 6784, the “Manage Our Wolves Act.” If passed in the Senate, the bill will allow ... more
DEAR READERS: If your dog or cat has been vaccinated, you may be able to avoid revaccination -- which is never without health risks -- by having blood tests done to check for protective antibodies. Th... more
DEAR DR. FOX: My dog is a 16-pound rescue, probably 8 years old, with a heart murmur. His vet says he needs a Bordatella booster and Lyme disease shots, along with vaccines called DAPP and 4L.... more
DEAR DR. DOX: I have always loved cats, and in my earlier years, I often had two at a time. I currently live in a small condo, and the complex’s rules mandate only one pet per family.... more
DEAR READERS: Several readers have commented about the demise of insects in their communities. As a veterinarian and a former Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society in the U.K., I have always consi... more
DEAR DR. FOX: A few years ago, my wife trapped, neutered and released a feral cat. We continued to feed it for about six years, with no problem -- until it was either killed by poisoning or by a coyot... more
DEAR DR. FOX: My dog loves to help me in the garden, but he will sometimes eat a slug or two, and he also likes earthworms. I know foxes like them, too.... more
DEAR DR. FOX: In response to the request in your recent column for what our companion animals have given us, I am submitting the list that I have kept and added to for many years about the life lesson... more
President Trump has stated that scientists have a “political agenda” (interview with Lesley Stahl, Oct. 15). This is a convenient fabrication -- like calling the press the “enemy of the people” -- tha... more
DEAR READERS: Earlier this year, the newly formed International Partnership for Dogs announced the launch of a new database providing guidance on genetic testing of dogs as part of the much-needed Har... more
DEAR READERS: If we do not feel for animals, how can we accept that they, like us, have feelings? In many species, these range from terror to joy. Many mourn the loss of a mate or offspring.... more
An article recently published in “Contingencies,” the American Academy of Actuaries’ journal, about pet health insurance in the United States provided some helpful information.... more
DEAR READERS: The owners of 47 dogs in 14 states say their pets died during or soon after being groomed at a PetSmart, and 32 of those deaths have occurred since the company was purchased by a private... more
DEAR DR. FOX: I read your column every Sunday, and know your concern about flea and tick treatments. I refuse to use the topical or oral treatments on my dogs any longer, no matter what the vet says.... more
DEAR DR. FOX: I was so glad to read your letter about “community cats.” I recently became aware of this craziness when I took yet another feral cat to our local animal control facility.... more
DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 6-pound Yorkie who recently needed a cystostomy for removal of stones. They turned out to be calcium oxalate stones. The vet who performed the surgery suggested Royal Canin Urin... more
DEAR READERS: The labels on pet foods are often in such small print that a magnifying glass is needed. I read the contents of one widely marketed canned food that indicated, in bold print, “Prime File... more
DEAR DR. FOX: I am worried about this “dog flu” virus that is going around, but I do not want to have my 12-year-old dog vaccinated. Should I stop taking her to the groomer and to our local park until... more
DEAR DR. FOX: This summer, we had a bad time with fleas on our two cats. I know I should not be letting them outdoors, as you say, and we will be doing our best to get rid of the fleas and keep the ca... more