My Pet World: Why pets must be supervised with their toys

Dear Cathy,

I look forward to your weekly column in my paper, however, I'm afraid I must disagree with your mention of foam and aluminum foil as good toys for our cats to play with. Foam is easily bitten in to and swallowed, as is aluminum foil, both of which can cause intestinal problems and blocked colons (where the object can't be passed). Aluminum foil is also deadly. Ask any veterinarian and they will agree of the dangers. In fact, most cat toys out there are harmful to cats. Pom-pom balls and feathered toys should be used under close supervision.

If the consumer reads the warning label on our cat toys, they would see that it says under warning, "product could cause harm if ingested." The best toys are handmade crafted organic pet toys in Chesterton, Ind. I've bought my cat toys from them for many years, and my "girls" are perfectly happy and safe, giving their cat-mom peace-of-mind. This "helicopter mom" thanks you for letting me voice my opinion. -- Bonnie, Demotte, IN

Dear Bonnie,

Thanks for your insights. I followed your suggestion that I ask "any veterinarian," and reached out to the American Veterinary Medical Association. They basically said they have no official policy on cat toys or comments on aluminum foil, and that one should contact their local veterinarian for advice. That doesn't help us, so I contacted a few veterinarians that I know, and while there are better toys for a cat, aluminum foil balls are not generally a big concern, they say. (They did say never to use foil that had been used with food, since the food smells could be tempting to dogs.)

I also called two national animal groups, but they couldn't give me a definitive answer either. If I hear something in the next few weeks from the groups or from readers that contradicts my comments here, I will follow up on this topic.

In the meantime, almost every toy on the market has a tag on it that says the item could be harmful if digested. Anything eaten in large amounts, including food, can cause an intestinal blockage.

Of course, if one has a cat that likes to bite or rip things apart, an aluminum foil ball is not a good choice for a toy. While cats are less likely than dogs to chew apart and swallow their toys, there are a few felines that are up to the task. All dogs and cats should be supervised when playing with their toys, and the toys should be taken away if they start to eat or destroy them.

Dear Cathy,

My 7-year-old brown Shih Tzu has a black "hot spot" on his right-hind quarter. It was a small dot but has grown to over three-inches and is raised. The vet said not to worry about it, but we are concerned. Is it a mole, is it cancer, is it nothing? While it doesn't appear to bother Theo, we would like a definitive answer. -- Nick, Medford, New York, NY

Dear Nick,

Has your veterinarian seen the hot spot since it turned big and ugly? It may have started out as nothing but could be morphing into something. The change in shape and size is worth a second trip to your veterinarian's office to find out what's going on. Even if it's not serious, your veterinarian may recommend a different course of treatment.

Dear Cathy,

I have a 6-year-old indoor cat. He was rescued from the shelter several years ago by my daughter. He is incredibly sweet and affectionate and very attached to me. However, clipping his nails is almost impossible. He just won't allow it. I must bring him to a pet store to have it done. Is there anything I can give him to relax him? Taking him out to the pet store is extremely stressful for him. Melatonin, perhaps? If so, how much? -- Linda, East Northport, NY

Dear Linda,

It's normal for cats to get anxious and tense in new situations. While melatonin can be administered to cats for anxiety and fear, cats are not like dogs and humans and metabolize things differently. So, please consult your veterinarian on dosage and maybe a recommended brand.

Until then, look for an over-the-counter calming aid, especially for cats, that has melatonin listed as an ingredient. Often these products will contain other ingredients like thiamine, L-Tryptophan, ginger, and chamomile, which can also ease your cat's anxiety. The proper dosage will be on the package.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)