Question:

I have a rescued cat who is approximately 10 months old. I noticed a little swelling on his lower lip. I took him to the vet, and she suggested switching from plastic bowls to china and prescribed Clavamox Drops. The condition seemed to disappear, and all seemed well until a few days ago when the swelling reappeared. Then I saw your article on problems relating to pet food with flip-top can liners. I changed his diet from Friskies to Whiskas pouches. The swelling is not so visible now.

I''m wondering if I should give him only dry food. He is on Royal Canin Green Peas and Rabbit formula.

J.B., Mantoloking, NJ Dec 27, 2009

Answer:

Some cats get swollen lips that can develop into "rodent ulcers" when they drink and eat from plastic bowls. But some cats develop this abnormal cellular reaction in and around the lips and chin because they are allergic or hypersensitive to ingredients in their drinking water (fluoride, chlorine and other chemicals in municipal tap water) and ingredients in their food that could be fish, eggs or other protein. Corn is a major feline allergen. Avoid all cereal-filled cat foods. I would never feed a cat manufactured moist or semi-moist cat food that comes in a plastic bag. Check my Web site for a list of cat foods that I recommend or go to the Feline Nutrition Education Society''s Web site, www.fnes.org. Canned and dry cat foods, some organically certified (also for dogs) are available in health stores and include Karma, PetGuard, Wellness and Castor & Pollux. Try distilled water for your cat.

Question:

Regarding your column and the question about the cat that stood erect while urinating due to bone problems: this is exactly what my 13-year-old cat started to do. I found that her hips had such bad arthritis that they were almost frozen.I solved the problem by using a large, hooded litter box, which prevented her urine from shooting all over. Additionally, I started treating her with glucosamine, but that didn''t seem to help.What seems to have helped most of all is acupuncture. She''s had four such visits so far and can now squat to about 50 percent of the way.

E.L., Mantoloking, NJ Oct 31, 2004

Answer:

Thanks for your important advice on helping old, arthritic cats not mess outside of their litter boxes -- and enjoy some quality of life.I have received many letters from readers who have discovered the benefits of acupuncture for their cats and dogs suffering from arthritic pain. Acupuncture works, and it''s 100 percent safer than giving steroids.