The signs of illness in cats can be particularly subtle, so much so that owners often don't realize their cats are sick until they're REALLY sick -- and sometimes that's too late.

To keep your cat healthy, you must be able to recognize what is normal for your pet so you can tell when something isn't right. Changes in appetite, drinking habits, litter-box routines, grooming, and even a change in the sound of your cat's voice can all mean trouble -- and should mean a trip to the veterinarian.

Physical changes are important, too. A monthly hands-on examination will help you become aware of changes that could signify something serious.

Before starting a hands-on exam, though, stand back and study your pet for a few minutes. Consider his posture, activity level, gait, coat and overall appearance for an impression of good health. Trouble signs include exposed skin, thin or dry coat, ribs showing, sluggishness, limping, or just lack of "spring" in his step.

Pick up your cat and head for the bathroom scale. Note your weight with your cat, then yours alone. The difference is your cat's weight, and it should be between 8 and 10 pounds. Your cat is normal if a comfortable pad of fat lies over his ribs but you can still feel the ribs if you press your hands in gently. A difference of a pound up or down is fine over the course of a few months; anything more or rapid weight loss is reason for concern.

Now for the hands-on part. Here's what to look for:

-- Nose. Your cat's nose should be moist and clean, not dry, scabbed or cracked. There should be no discharge or bleeding.

-- Eyes. Probably the most beautiful part of any cat, eyes should bright, moist and clear, centered between the eyelids, with the pupils of equal size. Eyes that are dull or sunken, that appear dry or have thick discharge are not right. Take your cat into a darkened room, then quickly turn on a light. The pupils should contract quickly, with no difference between them.

-- Ears. The skin should be clean, dry, smooth and without wounds. The ear canal should be clean and almost odor-free. Crust, moisture, discharge or strong odor in the ear canal is bad news, as is pain at the touch or an unusual way of holding the head or ears.

-- The mouth. Your cat's teeth should be clean and white, with gums that are uniformly pink. Press on your pet's gum with your finger or thumb and release quickly. The color will be white but should return to the same color as the surrounding tissue within one or two seconds, a sign your cat's circulatory system is working well. Problem signs here include loose or missing teeth, tartar, or gums that are red, pale, inflamed or sore in appearance.

-- Breathing. It should be hard to hear your cat breathe, and his chest wall should move easily in and out as he does. Most of the act of breathing should be performed by the chest wall; the stomach should barely move. "Crackles" or wheezes indicate a problem, as does labored or rapid breathing.

-- The abdomen. Start just behind the ribs and gently press your hands into the abdomen. Proceed toward the rear of your pet, passing your hands gently over the abdomen. Some bumps should be there -- they're internal organs, such as the kidneys. You should find no other lumps, bumps or masses, though, and your pet should feel no discomfort as you press gently into him.

-- Hydration. Check to ensure your cat has enough fluids by pulling the skin just behind his shoulder blades into a tent and then releasing quickly. Your pet's skin should snap immediately back into position. Another good sign of hydration is that the gums just above the teeth are moist when touched.

Chances are your cat will check out fine, in which case your exam should turn into a long, loving petting session. If anything came up that worries you, see your veterinarian to ensure your cat's good health.

Pets on the Web: The incomparable Cat Fanciers Web site (www.fanciers.com) should be the first stop for any cat-lover in cyberspace. You could explore their medical page for days and still not take in all of it. Great articles, great links.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Drop-kick dogs. Yap-yaps. Lap sharks. Dust mops. Fur balls. Mutants. Darlene Arden has heard all the nasty terms used to describe the tiniest of canines, the toys, and doesn't understand the problem so many people have with them.

"They're the Rodney Dangerfield of the dog world," she says. "They don't get much respect. People say about toy dogs, 'Why don't you get a REAL dog?' They ARE real dogs, believe me."

If anyone can argue the case for these little wonders, it's Arden. A lifelong fancier of small dogs and an award-winning writer on animals for nearly two decades, she has put her heart into a thoroughly researched and entertaining new book "The Irrepressible Toy Dog" ($17.95; Howell Book House/Macmillan General Reference). It's a must-read for anyone who lives with a small dog or is thinking of doing so.

The latter group is getting bigger, says Arden, another in a seemingly endless string of cultural phenomena associated with the aging of the baby boomers.

"Toy dogs are the American Kennel Club's fastest-growing group," said Arden, "and it's not that hard to see why. We have an urbanized society, an aging society. Toy dogs are easier to travel with and easier to exercise. It's easier to take a 5- or 20-pound dog to the veterinarian."

Despite all the advantages, people still have problems with these breeds. Arden says the problem is that few owners realize small dogs need training and structure just as large dogs do. Because the dogs are small, it's easy to consider their behavior problems as annoyances that can be lived with, however grudgingly.

"These are very smart breeds," said Arden. "They're up in your face, in your lap, and they learn to read you very quickly. They can be tiny terrorists, because they learn they can get what they want by being pushy. They look so cute and innocent, you never realize you're being suckered."

The top behavior problems in small dogs is house-training, mostly because it's easy to be inconsistent when working on the problem. Like the dogs themselves, it's not that big a mess to cope with. "People think toys can't be housebroken," said Arden. "I disagree. While it's true that little dogs find it more comfortable to eliminate in the house than to go outside -- especially since they're sensitive to the cold -- they can be trained.

"You have to be consistent, and that's usually the problem. Owners are generally not as concerned with the housebreaking lapses from a toy breed as they would be if they had an Irish Wolfhound."

It's worth the effort to train even the smallest dog, notes the author, because these are the longest-lived breeds -- 12 to 15 years as an average, with some reaching the age of 20. "Train them gently," said Arden, "and they'll respond very well."

But will those who make fun of small dogs ever come around? Arden says she has been surprised how people who never liked little dogs become thoroughly besotted with them once they own one. She likes to tell the story of one man, 6-foot-4 and plenty tough, who loves the Yorkie he and his wife have every bit as much as if the dog were a "guy breed," such as a Labrador retriever or a Rottweiler.

"He likes to say, 'It takes a big man to walk a little dog,'" she said, laughing.

Pets on the Web: A good place to start researching the toy breeds is the American Kennel Club's Web site (www.akc.org). The AKC has an area devoted to each of its seven breed groups (sporting, hound, working, terrier, nonsporting, herding and toy) with information and pictures of each breed within the group. The toy-group page notes that although toy breeds can be "tough as nails ... it's still easier to control a 10-pound dog than it is one 10 times that size." The AKC site also has links to Web sites of national breed clubs as well as information on how to choose a breeder or find a rescue group; you can also order book and pamphlets online, as well as a nifty jigsaw puzzle. This site has always been good and keeps getting better.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Common sense, as a friend reminds me often, is anything but common. And that's never so true as when it comes to children and pets.

Pets are good for children. Parents know this instinctively, and so do children. Caring for animals can teach responsibility, it's true, but I always think the more important lessons an animal can offer a child are those of love and compassion. The value of an animal's unconditional love to a child is priceless, as is the lesson a child learns in living with an animal -- that all life is dear.

But with bites and scratches so common -- as well as such other hazards as salmonella -- parents need to work to ensure the relationship between children and animals is rewarding and safe for both sides. And that's where common sense comes in.

The first thing to remember is that you don't have to get rid of your pet when you're expecting. While it's true that a pregnant woman should not clean the cat box because of the risk of toxoplasmosis, it's not true that your cat will be a risk to your baby. The myths that a cat will try to smother a baby or suck the breath from one is not backed up the facts, according to the Humane Society of the United States, which tracks animal-related human injuries and fatalities.

On the other hand, anything is theoretically possible, which leads to the second rule of children-pet interaction: Preschool children should never be left unattended with any pet. I don't care how much you trust them both; every pet has a limit, and when hurt or scared it may hurt your child. It's not the fault of either the child nor the animal; it's just natural behavior.

You can help prevent problems, however, by working on the natural behavior of both your children and your pets.

Dogs should be given training, especially in "down" and "stay," before your baby comes home. You don't want a dog jumping up on you while you're carrying a baby. Cats can be trained to leave the nursery alone -- with squirt guns and other deterrents such as noisemakers or training mats -- before the baby comes home. One of the best solutions: Put a screen door on the nursery. It looks odd, but works well.

Baby-gates work well for dogs, but prove no barrier for cats. The gates can, however, be used to give a cats a child-free escape route into a place where they will not be pestered.

Teach your child how to handle animals safely: how to hold them, how to pet them and when to leave them alone. Pets must be held securely or they may panic -- in the case of rabbits, with a kick that can break their backs. The very youngest children cannot understand that animals are fragile. Don't let young children hold them without your hands underneath to keep them from being dropped.

Dogs sometimes find petting on the head threatening and should be patted on the shoulder or chest (strange dogs should be left alone!). Cats will often lash out at a tummy rub that most dogs would enjoy. Your children need to know this.

All animals should be left along when sleeping or eating. But if you have problems with them growling during either -- or any kind of aggressive behavior -- ask your veterinarian for a referral to a behaviorist to work on the problem.

Keeping pets and children together safely is work at times, but it's well worth it for the benefits your children and your pets will get out of the deal.

Pets on the Web: The PBS series "Nova" recently aired an episode that followed students through their final year at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Titled "Animal Hospital," the show was fascinating in its exploration of the breadth of services available in veterinary medicine and of the hopes and challenges of students about to enter the real world. This episode is well worth catching when it repeats. Check your local listings. "Nova" has put together an accompanying Web site (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vets/) with a place to ask pet behavior questions of five experts -- one each for questions on dogs, birds, cats, small mammals and reptiles. The resources page is worth a look, too.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600