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The behavior you see could also be "an early sign of feline cognitive syndrome (like Alzheimer's disease in cats)," Landsberg says. "It's as if the cat just isn't thinking about what all cats are born thinking about, and that is grooming themselves."

Some supplements, such as Omega 3 fatty acids, could help with both your cat's coat and brain health. Also, ask your veterinarian about a medication called Anipryl (a drug for dogs with mental decline which some veterinarians also use for cats). Meanwhile, you're doing the right thing my maintaining the cat's coat yourself.

Should your cat have a skin problem, a referral to veterinary dermatologist might be in order.

Q: We have a 4-year old English Bulldog, a 3-year-old Shih Tzu and a 2-year-old French Bulldog. Recently, the Bulldog and the Shih Tzu have begun to fight. The Bulldog starts it and the Shih Tzu reacts and doesn't stop. So far, luckily, no one has been hurt. I contacted a behaviorist, who told me to let them "fight it out." I'm not comfortable with that advice. Instead, I separate all the dogs when I'm not supervising. How can we become a family again? -- N.R., Walker, MN

A: Veterinary behaviorist Dr. E'Lise Christensen, of Denver, CO, says if there are periodic mild skirmishes, the general advice is, indeed, to let the dogs "work it out." However, if we're talking genuine combat, Christensen says she can't imagine a veterinary behaviorist suggested your dogs "fight it out." Perhaps, you misinterpreted the recommendation, or you didn't truly see a veterinary behaviorist and received faulty advice.

In any case, you did the right thing separating the combatants. Letting the battles continue would have further damaged the relationships between the three dogs. Also, there's a real possibility one or more could have been injured.

If you can identify a cue that may prompt the attacks, you'll be ahead of the game. Are the dogs battling over a resource, such as food, treats, or toys? Does battle commence in a particular room of the house?

Christensen advices you to contact a veterinary behaviorist. Be sure he/she is a board-certified behaviorist (for names, check www.dacvb.org), not just someone who claims to be a behaviorist but has no credentials.

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