Dear Dr. Fox: Your column recently dealt with feeding dogs raw meat and bones. I share your determination that "raw meats can be problematic," but I was confused by your statement about bones given to dogs.
I understood the type of bones that are safe, but don't understand why these large marrow soup bones cannot be cooked somewhat before being given to dogs rather than giving them raw. I recently bought two smoked-beef marrowbones. Are these safe?
G.D., TOMS RIVER, N.J.
Dr. Fox says: I advise putting beef marrowbones in boiling water for no more than a minute or two to kill off any potentially harmful bacteria. Cooking longer can make the bones very brittle, which can easily splinter when chewed by the dog.
I would never purchase smoked-beef marrow soup bones and other chew treats for dogs. You don't know where they come from or how safe they are. Remember, bacterial food contamination leads to food poisoning that a sickened dog can pass on to humans, or vice versa.
Cat cries after sister's death Dear Dr. Fox: I would like an explanation for my 14-year-old cat's behavior. Only in the past year, after her sister died, she has begun to cry the most distressed calling -- either from downstairs or when standing outside our bedroom door. However, when we call her name and tell her to come up, the crying stops and she comes into the bedroom and sometimes onto the bed. Why is this?
D.W., STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.
Dr. Fox says: Give your cat extra love and attention. The yowling is an expression of grief, and the mourning cat is calling and looking for her deceased companion.
