Dear Matthew: I recently saw a story on CNN featuring a 33-year-old cat that's living in Texas.
Apparently, he is the oldest living cat in the United States. While I found that to be very impressive, I was a little startled when I found out what this cat was being given for his meals. The owner feeds the animal bacon, sausage, eggs and coffee for breakfast!Now, I know if a human had that kind of a meal, he'd be in a high-risk group for various types of heart disease. I always sort of figured that it'd be the same situation for a cat. I must say I'm just a little confused.
What type of diet do you recommend for cats? Is there any chance I should consider putting my kitty on a bacon-and-eggs diet? It sounds ridiculous, but you can't argue with the facts.
- Rob in Richmond, Va.
Dear Rob: Maybe you should start your cat out with a somewhat healthier breakfast. Waffles, maybe? A nice bagel and some cream cheese, perhaps?
To be honest, I also saw that CNN story and was amused, to say the least. But consider this: George Burns lived to be more than 100 years old, and he smoked like a chimney. But you don't see crowds of people taking up cigars to improve their health, right?
Just because one cat happens to live to an extremely ripe old age on an odd diet doesn't mean that he's discovered the fountain of youth. I strongly recommend you stick to a quality, name-brand dry cat food for your pet. With a good diet, regular medical checkups and a lot of love, your kitty will live a long, healthy life.
Dear Matthew: I've noticed in some of your columns that you've explained the traits and qualities of certain dog breeds. Most of these have been popular types of canines, with names I recognize.
Recently, however, a friend of mine bought a breed of dog I'd never heard of before. Now, I'm starting to think of getting one, too. She's a great animal, and to be honest, I want one just like her.
Before I make the big leap into pet ownership, however, I thought I'd run the idea past you. What do you think of Shiba Inus? Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
- Rich in Topeka, Kan.
Dear Rich: I'm not surprised this is your first encounter with a Shiba Inu, but they are becoming increasingly popular as pets, so we'll all probably be seeing more of them in the years to come.
Shibas originated in Japan and are beautiful animals that resemble plush foxes or miniature Akitas. These small dogs are compact, clever and very friendly. They are good for both country and city living, and their thick coats allow them to tolerate cold weather.
Some people claim their personality is almost catlike: clean, controlling, aloof with strangers and independent. They can sometimes be aggressive, particularly the females of the breed. A firm hand in training and early socialization with people is important.
Also of note is the fact that Shibas originated as hunting dogs, so they love the chase and will take off after other animals if given the opportunity. Be sure you and your friend keep your dogs on leashes when outside!
Dear Matthew: My Persian kitten seems to consistently have bits of dried goo hanging from the corners of her eyes. It even seems to stain the fur around her eyes, making it look as though she were crying.
I'm not sure what the problem is, but I wish I could find some easy way to solve this unsightly mess. Is this an indication of something wrong with her? Should I take her to the vet?
- Kitty230 on the Internet
Dear Kitty230: Unless this problem persists or your cat shows other symptoms of infection - such as sneezing, runny nose or other eye problems, I wouldn't be too concerned. This type of secretion around the eyes, generally called "sleep," is not unusual for Persian and other short-nosed, long-haired cats.
Probably the best thing you can do is use a moist tissue or cotton swab to wipe away these deposits. As long as you're careful not to poke your kitty's eyes, this should be an adequate solution to your problem.