ArcaMax

3. The cat is scared.

Adelman, of New York City, says to scoop all the litter boxes at least once daily. If you just changed litter brands, revert to the old one. Your litter box placement sounds OK, but ideally with three cats, four litter boxes is preferred.

Cat dislike change. Adelman says she also wonders if you can identify any variation in the household routine, from home construction to a change in your work schedule, even a houseguest. If so, consider toning down your cat's anxiety by using Feliway, a copy of a soothing pheromone. A plug-in diffuser or collar infused with Feliway can help lessen stress.

"Sometimes we think cats are getting along, and mostly they are," says Adelman. "But it might be that one cat is blocking access to the litter box -- on purpose or just because it's when and where he likes to hang out."

Adelman adds, "Sometimes veterinarians make assumptions, I wonder if there was a truly thorough exam, and if blood work was done for this cat."

A certified cat behavior consultant (www.iaabc.org) could assess the situation.

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Q: We're adopting a dog with heartworm disease from a shelter. He's nearly completed the treatments. What I find odd is that the shelter told us Rudy wasn't the exception, and that a least a quarter of the dogs (at the shelter) have heartworm. I thought that heartworm can be avoided with medication. Why do so many dogs then have heartworm? -- P.S., Cyberspace

A: Dr. Stephen Jones, president of the American Heartworm Society, wonders the same thing. He says you're absolutely right in that "heartworm is a preventable disease. But people need to buy and then use that preventative."

Jones, of Moncks Corner, S.C., notes that 64 percent of dogs (and far more cats) leave veterinary clinics without a heartworm preventative. Most often, it's clients who balk, either complaining about the expense or saying they don't want to use a "drug" (although side effects are exceedingly rare).

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