Dear Dr. Fox • My golden Lab eats the lumps in the kitty liter, and I am worried it will harm her. It's not a case of her being hungry; she is well-fed twice a day. She is 13 years old, but shows no signs of age!

I read that there are studies of Rottweilers who live to be 13 and are immune to cancer. My Lab seems to be in this category. She is obedient, a good watchdog and my dear companion. — D.F., Silver Spring, Md.

Dear D.F. • Your dog is old for the breed and must have some good genes! Dogs self-medicate by eating grass and soil or dirt. Your dog may be craving certain minerals in her diet. Giving her a daily (human) multimineral/multivitamin tablet or capsule that's broken up and mixed with her regular food may be what she needs. Some dogs eat cat feces they find in the litter box because they are motivated to clean up the mess, as they would with their own pups. Eating the litter itself could mean there is some abdominal discomfort, which may need to be checked, especially if other symptoms develop. Set up a low gate so the cat can jump over and use the box, but the dog cannot. More than one dog has developed acute intestinal blockage after consuming cat litter.

Clay-based and especially mineral-based cat litter can also harm cats. Try changing the litter to no-clay, like the corn-based World's Best Cat Litter or Purina's Yesterday's News Paper-Based Cat Litter made from recycled newspaper (primarily harmless cellulose). Avoid all scented cat litters for cat's sake.

Dear Dr. Fox • We adopted a 1-year-old abused and starved female beagle/terrier mix. We have had her for three months, and she is sweet, gentle and lovable. But she is afraid of all except us. When people come into our house, she paces or hides until they leave.

What can you recommend to help make her more sociable? — A.&E.S., Boynton Beach, Fla.

Dear A.&E.S. • Dogs who have been abused or not properly socialized with people as a puppy can be difficult cases when it comes to overcoming fear.

Teach her with praise and food rewards to sit and stay while on the leash at your side in the living room. When visitors come, they should understand what you are doing and be quiet when entering. Keep your dog leashed at your side while you engage in normal conversation. Have the guests ignore the dog because even looking at her could be perceived as threatening. Invite a couple of friends over to help desensitize your dog by coming in, sitting down and chatting, then leaving and coming back several times; repeat over several days. You should not allow your dog to run away and hide, which indirectly rewards/reinforces her avoidance behavior. Give praise and treats when she settles down with guests in the same room.

www.twobitdog.com/DrFox Dr. Fox, c/o "Animal Doctor," United Features Syndicate, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016