Q: I have a cat named Whitey who lives strictly indoors. My girlfriend says it is mean to restrict her to the house and that cats were meant to roam free. Whitey is spayed and fully vaccinated, but I worry that if I let her go outside she might run away or get lost. Am I overly worried?. A: It has been said that the only safe cat is an indoor cat! While many cats are streetwise and live well outside, letting a housecat go out is a risk. Cats allowed out can be exposed to upper respiratory viruses, feline aids and leukemia viruses. In addition, outside cats are hit by cars. If Whitey is white or fair-complected, as her name implies, she could be at risk for developing skin cancer. Odds are that keeping Whitey inside will be best for both of you!
Q: My dog was recently diagnosed with kidney disease and the vet put him on a special prescription food. I'd like to find something comparable at the grocery store. What do you recommend?. A: Kidney disease is a potentially life threatening condition that is often helped by diet modification. Most prescription foods used for kidney problems contain ultra low levels of very high quality protein and low levels of phosphorus, helping to reduce the burden on the kidneys. Over the counter foods tend not to be formulated in this way, so it would be wise to adhere to your pet's doctor's recommendations.
Q: My 7-year-old son wants a pet, but I am concerned that it may lead to allergy problems. Should I be concerned?. A: One recent study indicated that children who lived in households with pets had fewer allergy problems than children growing up in households without pets. If your son is predisposed to allergy problems, I would recommend consulting with your family physician before adopting a pet.

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