Few things are as devastating as the diagnosis of cancer, including for our beloved pets. But chemotherapy can actually be easier on our cats and dogs than on human patients. Here’s the story.

Q: My dog has been diagnosed with cancer, and the oncologist recommends chemotherapy. He says that chemo isn’t as hard on pets as it is on people. Is that true? Will my dog lose his hair or have other side effects?

A: We’re sorry to hear about your dog’s diagnosis. People are often hesitant to have their dogs undergo chemotherapy — the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells — but it can be an effective treatment with fewer side effects than those seen in humans.

Cancer occurs when cells grow uncontrollably, causing abnormal tissue to develop. Chemotherapy drugs affect not only the abnormal and rapidly growing cancer cells, but also other areas of the body that produce normal rapidly growing cells. Think bone marrow, which produces red blood cells; the lining of the intestinal tract, which sheds old cells and generates new ones frequently; and hair, which grows rapidly. That’s why people who receive chemotherapy often suffer painful or unsightly side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, hair loss and weakness. The trade-off is that the high doses they receive improve their response to therapy.

The difference in dogs and cats is the amount of chemotherapy that’s given. The goal is to provide additional time — but not at the expense of quality of life. Most pets do not experience serious side effects from the treatment. Sometimes they are tired afterward or may experience nausea. If that happens, the oncologist (cancer specialist) may prescribe Cerenia, a drug that helps with motion sickness in animals and can relieve the nausea and fatigue caused by chemotherapy. Mild gastrointestinal side effects can be managed with a bland diet. And hair loss is rare in dogs.

Depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is, chemotherapy can decrease tumor size, prolong life and sometimes lead to complete remission.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

We say cats are “finicky,” but the real situation is more complicated. Here’s how I responded to a reader’s question about her finicky feline.

Q: My cat is so fussy about what he’ll eat. How can I get him to be less finicky?

A: While some cats will happily eat whatever you put in front of them, others are more choosy. Missing the occasional meal is normal, but cats who won’t eat and start losing weight need to see the veterinarian — stat!

But first, do some sleuthing to make sure you have an accurate picture of your cat’s eating habits. Cats tend to nibble small amounts throughout the day, so even though it may look as if your cat isn’t eating much, he might be taking in more than you realize. Instead of leaving food out all the time, measure a specific amount and record how much of it is eaten each day.

Remember, too, that if your cat goes outdoors, he may be getting extra meals from the neighbors, stealing food left out for another cat or even hunting mice or other critters.

If you’re sure your cat isn’t eating, or if he’s lost more than a half-pound or so, take him to the veterinarian for an exam and lab work. Even if your cat could stand to lose a few pounds, a cat who suddenly stops eating or starts losing weight can be seriously at risk.

That said, some healthy cats are just finicky. The following tips may help to tempt their tastebuds.

Some cats can be jollied out of finicky behavior with canned food, warmed up to be even more tempting. Serve it fresh and warm on a clean plate, and use the smallest cans possible, since you may well be throwing out the leftovers. Finicky cats don’t much like leftovers, of course! Finally, feeding a wide range of foods, from kittenhood on, helps keep cats from insisting on one brand or variety.

These days, pet cats are “born retired.” That’s not good for them mentally or physically, and it can contribute to behavior problems. Here’s what I told a reader who wanted to know what she could do about it.

Q: How can I get my indoor cat to exercise?

A: Great question, and so important. Kittens are so active that we don’t spend much time worrying about exercise for them, but adult cats like to play, too, especially if we make it part of their daily routine from kittenhood on.

Get your cat moving with a collection of cat toys: wand toys (kitty fishing poles), large peacock feathers that dangle enticingly, balls to chase and bat around, electronic mice that zoom around the room, and even the beam of a flashlight sent up the wall and down the hall. Toss catnip mice for cats to retrieve or stuffed animals that they can bunny-kick.

You’re not always home, but you can provide plenty of play options that don’t require your presence. Cat trees and tunnels are great for kitty cavorting and exploring — as well as the occasional nap or hiding place. Place a cat tree in front of a window so your cat can climb up for a view. If a cat tree won’t fit, attach a kitty ledge to the windowsill so your cat can watch the world go by.

Offer opportunities to “hunt.” Take the amount of food you’d put into your cat’s dish and portion it out onto little plates or bowls and put them around the house so he’ll have to go looking for them. Or buy a puzzle toy or two that you can fill with food, and then let your cat work to get it out.

If possible, provide a safe outdoor space: a catio. You can build one next to the house that your cat can access from a window, or convert a screened sunroom to a feline jungle gym filled with climbing areas and safe plants.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.