If it's true you are what you eat, then many pet birds would look like turtles, on account of all the shells they have to crack to get at the kernels of the seeds we insist on giving them.

And that's too bad, because seeds alone are not enough to keep a bird healthy. If your pet bird's diet consists solely of seeds, chances are good that if he isn't sick now, he will be in time.

The idea that birds should be fed all-seed diets likely has its basis in two facts. First, birds are uniquely adapted to eat seeds and nuts. They are able to effortlessly crack even the hardest shells and extract the tender insides. Second, birds love seeds.

If birds love seeds and are engineered to eat them, doesn't it follow that they should be eating seeds? You might think so, but that's just not the case. You have to remember that the nutritional needs of birds in the wild may well be quite different from those of our own pet birds, living in luxury in our homes. One thing the experts can say for certain about all-seed diets is that they will make most birds sick over time, denying them the nutrients they need for long-term survival and weakening them to the point where other diseases find it easy to take hold. The fact that they can survive at all on such diets is testament to the toughness of birds.

You'd think birds would know what's good for them, wouldn't you? After all, most pet birds are very intelligent. So are you, but I bet that hasn't stopped you from eating things you know aren't good for you just because they taste good. In the case of birds, seeds are the equivalent of a greasy burger. Junk food. And too many pet birds (and people) are junk-food junkies.

The trend in recent years has been toward pelleted diets, and pet birds are healthier than ever before as a result. Pelleted diets are readily available from many reputable manufacturers and can be purchased from any good pet store or from many veterinarians who work with birds.

Pelleted food is a blend of grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits and various protein sources. Manufacturers mix the ingredients and then either bake and crumble them or extrude them, ending up with pellets of a proper size for any given species (large pellets for large birds, small pellets for small birds).

This process produces a food that has a definite and huge overall advantage to the "smorgasbord" way of feeding -- the bird cannot pick out his favorite foods and ignore the rest. Pellets also are convenient for bird owners. These commercially prepared diets are easy to buy, relatively inexpensive (definitely so when you consider the veterinary trips they prevent), and store nicely in a cool, dry place.

Pelleted foods should be the foundation of your bird's diet, but they're not enough. Your bird also needs a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with other "people foods" such as pasta, eggs, breads, rice and unsalted nuts in their shells. Skip the guacamole, though, because avocados can be a deadly treat for birds. Excessively fatty foods should be avoided, too. Most pet birds are perch potatoes, prone to obesity.

In addition to rounding out a commercial diet, fruits, nuts and other people food gives your bird something to keep him occupied and entertained. To that end, leave fresh food as "au naturel" as possible. Clean it, of course, but make your bird work some to eat it. Just be sure pellets and fresh water are available at all times.

Do you really need to deny your bird a treat as appreciated as seeds? The phrase "all things in moderation" definitely applies when it comes to seeds. Given in small amounts, seeds are a wonderful way to help teach your bird tricks or reward him for good behavior. But they should be a treat, not a staple, to ensure proper nutrition for your bird.

PETS ON THE WEB

Ferrets are an ever more popular pet, even in places where they are illegal, such as California. (Isn't it time to stop making criminals out of ferret lovers? When will the state figure out that California has bigger problems than contraband weasels?) A good reference site for both new and experienced ferret fans is Ferret Net (www.ferret.net), with basic health and behavior information, and instructions on how to join a ferret e-mail list. Included are links to breeders, shelters, publications and clubs, as well as to home pages celebrating ferret pets. As the ferrets say, "Dook! Dook!" (Translation: "Way cool!")

THE SCOOP

Flea-control products have gotten so good in recent years that it might be easy to forget one of the best ways to fight fleas doesn't cost anything more than your time, and it uses appliances you likely already have: a washing machine and a vacuum cleaner. Washing pet bedding on a weekly basis along with thoroughly vacuuming areas where pets hang out is a great way to rid your house of any adult fleas, larvae or eggs. An added benefit: Keeping pet areas clean keeps pets cleaner. Just make sure any pet beds you buy are completely washable or have zip-off covers that are.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: What is the largest breed of cat? I understand cats don't range in size very much, but are there any domestic cat breeds that are larger than normal? -- B.C., via the Internet

A: While you'll never see a pet cat as big as a St. Bernard, there are a few breeds that definitely warrant the heavyweight category. Although most healthy cats -- pedigreed and not -- weigh between 8 and 12 pounds, some of the big cat breeds range between 15 and 20 pounds, especially for the males. Now (BEGIN ITAL) that's (END ITAL) a cat who'll keep your lap warm on a winter night!

The biggest domestic cat is thought to be the Siberian, with some males topping 20 pounds. It's a pretty rare breed, however, so if you're looking for maximum cat, you might want to consider the Maine coon or maybe the Norwegian forest, both a good longhaired chunk of cat. Other longhaired cats with an above-average size include the ragdoll, Turkish van and American bobtail. For a lot of cat without the fur, consider the British shorthair, Scottish fold, American shorthair and the chartreux. The large cats are generally fairly easygoing in temperament and more laid-back than many other breeds.

Q: Have you any tips on taking pet pictures? All our dog's pictures have him looking like a red-eyed devil. -- U.D., via the Internet

A: I can proudly say that after 20 years of trying (and heaven knows how many rolls of film), I now take a pretty decent pet picture. Here are a few tips that might help you:

-- Head outdoors. Natural light (early morning is best) avoids the dreaded red-eye shot, where the flash makes your beautiful pet come out as a monster. Taking pictures outside gives your new pet a more natural, healthy look.

-- Get down and get close. If you want a good pet picture, you're going to have to go where your pet is -- on the ground. Shoot from below your pet's eye level and zoom in as closely as you can for good detail. If getting down isn't something your back will tolerate, bring the pet up. Have someone hold him, which will have the added benefit of keeping him still, or put him on an elevated surface, such as an outdoor table.

-- Watch your backgrounds. I have a wonderful picture of my dear old dog Lance, gone more than a decade now. He's freshly groomed. He's standing perfectly. His ears are up, his mouth smiling, his eyes bright. And he has a telephone pole growing out of his back. Be sure you have an uncluttered background, so your pet can shine.

-- Be creative. If you want your pet to kiss your children, do as the pros do: Put a little butter on your children and let the pet kiss it off. Another professional's trick: Just before taking the picture, rattle keys, squish a squeaky toy or throw something in the air. Your pet will come to attention, splendidly.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Write2Gina(at)aol.com.

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

The recent school shootings have us all wondering, asking questions for which we may never know the answers. Guns, video games, parents, the Internet all get their share of blame from the experts, but when it comes to predicting violence, one crucial sign is too often missed or misunderstood.

That sign: cruelty to animals.

An early report on the two Colorado killers revealed an interest in animal mutilation. If that turns out to be true, the two will join an infamous club, whose members all tested their "skills" on animals before killing any of their own kind.

Jeffrey Dahmer was a member of the club, as are many other serial killers. The Humane Society of the United States says the schoolboy shooters who preceded the Columbine High pair also killed animals first. Luke Woodham, who killed three in Pearl, Miss., wrote in his journal about killing his dog, slowly and oh-so-cruelly. "True beauty," he called the killing. Another killer told friends he shot dogs for fun, while still another child bragged about torturing animals to death.

A recent study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reveals that young animal abusers are five times more likely to be violent against humans. They're also much more likely to engage in other criminal behaviors.

It's not just troubled youngsters. Abusive spouses kill family pets to keep their mates in line, and you can bet the parent who beats a child kicked the dog first. And even worse: The child who grows up watching cruelty thinks it normal to become an abuser himself. The circle of cruelty is too often unbroken.

Despite overwhelming evidence linking animal abuse to crimes against humans, in too many cases such cruelty is hardly considered a crime at all. "We have more important crimes to worry about than a dead cat" seems to be the prevailing attitude, along with the idea that "kids will be kids" -- and cruelty is normal.

Is animal abuse just part of growing up, or is it too insignificant to bother with in a world where children bring guns to school -- and use them against teachers and classmates? The answer, in both cases, needs to be a resounding "no."

Intervention for those who can be helped, especially the children, and serious prosecution for those who cannot will do more than prevent animal suffering and death. Human lives will be saved as well.

Report animal cruelty and demand that authorities deal with it aggressively. If you see an interest in hurting animals in any child you know -- a neighbor's child, a friend or relative's child or even your own -- get help.

It's too late when someone "graduates" to hurting people. We need to catch them earlier, and we can do it by defending the most helpless among us. The seeds of compassion and cruelty are both planted early. Let us work together to see that only the former grows.

PETS ON THE WEB

The popularity of iguanas has sparked an interest in the veterinary community in learning how to provide better care for these and other scaly pets. While relatively few veterinarians restrict their practices to reptiles and amphibians, more than a thousand are members of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians. The ARAV Web site (www.arav.org) lists its members by city and state to help pet owners find a knowledgeable veterinarian in their area. The site has a few links and a place to buy ARAV T-shirts, with a very slick frog logo. (The ARAV can also be reached by mail at P.O. Box 605, Chester Heights, Pa. 19017.)

THE SCOOP

Although spaying and neutering has traditionally been performed on puppies and kittens between the ages of 4 and 6 months, the procedure can safely be done as early as 8 weeks. Many shelters, tired of dealing with the offspring of animals whose owners should have altered them, have embraced the news and have kittens and puppies spayed before placement. Some reputable breeders also spay or neuter their fur-babies before placing them in their new homes. At what age should you have your pet spayed? Some vets aren't yet comfortable with early spay-neuter. If yours is among them, follow your vet's advice. But do get it done: Not only are you doing your part to fight pet overpopulation, but you're also protecting your pet from an array of reproduction-related health problems.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: My 2-year-old male bichon frise is coming back to live with me (he has spent the last half-year with my ex-husband). During this time, my 16-year-old son and I have also adopted two kittens, who are about 8 months old. Any suggestions on how to make the transition of Dakota back into our household any easier? -- B.F., via the Internet

A: You didn't mention if Dakota has lived with cats before. If that's the case, the transition will likely be a smooth one. The kittens are still young enough to adapt with not much fuss, and if the dog pays them no mind, you're home free.

Before the dog arrives, prepare the kittens by giving them a "dog-free" zone for their dishes and litter box. One good way to do this is by choosing a spare bedroom or bathroom and putting a baby-gate across the doorway. The kittens will be able to come and go without any effort, but the dog won't be able to get past the barrier.

Make sure the kittens are comfortable with the new arrangement before springing Dakota on them. The stress of a new dog and a new location for litter box and dishes could well be enough to push them into choosing their own potty sites.

Introduce the dog on a leash and watch the reactions. Don't force the issue -- let the kittens be hissy and retreat if they wish. Curiosity is normal from the dog, but don't allow him to chase the cats, even in play. You may need to leave the leash on for a few days to teach him the rules. (Do (BEGIN ITAL) not (END ITAL) leave the leash attached to a slip, or choke, collar -- you're putting your dog's life at risk if you do.)

The situation should settle down in a couple of weeks, but if it doesn't, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a trainer or behaviorist.

Q: I have a 3-year-old Alaskan malamute. I took him to the vet, and she informed me that he is underweight. He weighs 86 pounds. I've been reading up on them and the weight seems to be between 75 to 85 pounds. What is the ideal weight for him? -- S.H., via the Internet

A: You're not going to find the right weight for your dog in a book. In every breed you'll find a range of sizes, and it's important to judge your dog on his own body type.

You should be able to run your hands down your dog's sides without bumping over each rib. If you press in and slide the skin back and forth over the ribs (veterinarians call this "palpating") you should easily be able to feel the ribs. Your dog should also have a "waist," or tuck up behind the ribcage, but not all that much.

If your dog's obviously ribby, with a severe tuck-up at the waist, and if you can feel each vertebra without palpating, your dog could use some extra weight. You might try a food with a slightly higher fat content. Ask your veterinarian for guidance.

Don't go overboard, though. Obesity is a problem in a great many pets, some of whom are overindulged and under-exercised to an outrageous degree. Your veterinarian would rather see your dog a little on the lean side than overweight any day.

Q: Thank you for your column on not giving rabbits for Easter. It's true that rabbits make great pets for adults. We ended up with our granddaughter's Easter bunny a couple of years ago after she became allergic, and he's the best pet we've ever had. One complaint, though: For those of us who don't have Internet access, please include another way to contact groups such as the House Rabbit Society. -- I.R., Carmichael, Calif.

A: You're absolutely right, and in the future I'll include addresses when mentioning the Web sites of animal groups. You can reach the House Rabbit Society at 1524 Benton St., Alameda, Calif. 94501. (The Web address is www.rabbit.org.) Membership is $18 a year, which includes the group's quarterly newsletter.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Write2Gina(at)aol.com.

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

Picture a perfect spring day: warm sun, light breeze, cottony clouds bright against a vivid blue sky. At Joe Carvalho's place, perched above the golf course in an area of million-dollar homes in the San Francisco Bay area, flamingos are visible through a bank of windows, their pastel pink a nice contrast to a well-manicured patch of lawn.

Flamingos? Isn't that a little kitschy for a million-dollar home? You look again, and then one of the birds you thought was plastic bobs its head, and another one stretches a stick leg forward into a graceful walk.

At the Carvalho home, you see, the flamingos are real. And so, too, are the storks, the cranes, an owl, a pair of Andean condors, and a flightless bird from New Zealand called a cassowary. Add a flock of raucous parrots to the mix, and you've got the heart and soul of Joe Carvalho's life and his business. His Friends of a Feather troupes, more than 200 birds and a handful of human performers, play to enthusiastic crowds in Europe, and at three Sea Worlds, two Busch Gardens and the newest hotel in Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay.

What makes the shows so spectacular is that the birds are loose -- free-flying and under voice control, 20 birds a show, seven days a week, five shows a day.

"I've always felt a bond with birds," says Carvalho, a lean, darkly handsome man for whom show-biz patter seems to come as easily as his love of birds. "The better the bond, the better the trust. I just love to see them fly."

He sees it daily, training his birds over the open space below his home. While the more unusual species, the storks and the condors, get shorter turns overhead, closely monitored, the parrots spend hours out and about. He brings them from their nighttime cages in two and threes and tosses them up, blue, yellow and red feathers flashing as the macaws spread their wings and fly.

"It's a very, very risky thing," says Carvalho, who doesn't recommend free-flying for pet birds. "Timing is everything in the training, and if your timing's off, you can lose a bird. You read them as well as you can, prepare them as well as you can."

"I've taken the risks, but I've also taken the losses. And I've been very fortunate -- 98 percent of the birds I've lost I've gotten back."

The risks seem worth it when the birds are aloft, so breathtakingly rare the chance to see such beauty in flight. He demonstrates their biddability with a pair of scarlet macaws named Thelma and Louise, although those are just their stage names -- they haven't been sexed and might not even be female. But it's good shtick, and the pair fly huge loops around the golf course, attentive even at a distance to the signals of Carvalho. He sends them around again and then waves them in, both landing gracefully on his arm and getting sunflower seeds for their reward.

Carvalho's is a seven-day-a-week job, hard work to be sure, all the caring-for and training, not to mention traveling and the challenges of running an international business. But he'd choose no other. He's happy with his birds, and his birds are happy with him.

"I'm blessed," he says. It's hard to argue with him.

PETS ON THE WEB

No matter your level of interest and expertise, if you like fish, you'll like Fish Link Central (www.fishlinkcentral.com). This well-organized site, suggested by a reader, offers information on all kinds of fish-keeping, from goldfish and guppies to the most elaborate saltwater reef systems and outdoor ponds. It also features plenty of fish pictures and links, along with chats and an ask-the-expert forum. Even if you're not that interested in setting up a tank of your own, you can have fun here, with fish e-mail postcards and a handful of computer games, such as fish concentration. The site also offers a goldfish you can "pet" with your mouse (once the program loads, the fish swims to the place you put your cursor, even jumping out of the bowl). Full of both FAQs and fun, Fish Link Central is one fine place for fish fans.

THE SCOOP

If you're feeding your bunny a diet of commercial pellets only, you're likely shortchanging his nutritional requirements. Rabbits need roughage to stay healthy over the long haul, and one of the easiest ways to put indigestible fiber in their diets is to allow them 24-hour-a-day access to grass hay such as oat or timothy. Not only is hay good for their bodies, it also helps with the boredom that's part of every caged animal's life. In addition, rabbit experts suggest adding a variety of fresh leafy vegetables to the diet, such as parsley, carrot tops, broccoli leaves and dandelion greens, along with other vegetables and fruits such as carrots, melons, apples or pears. Give fruits and veggies a good scrubbing before offering them to your pet.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I am a dog person and am interested in joining a dating service geared to veterinary members. Do you know of a vet dating service? I am interested in dating someone who loves pets (especially dogs). -- D.N., via the Internet

A: Now here's an interesting opportunity for some entrepreneur. Perhaps I should suggest to my colleagues at the Veterinary Information network that they add the notation "available" or "not available" to their online veterinary locator service, VetQuest (www.vin.com/vetquest/vqpublic.html).

Believe me, you're not the first person to have this idea. You can go to any dog show, obedience or agility trial and bump into unattached people who would love to find another person who doesn't flinch at the idea of a stray dog hair on the butter cube from time to time. The supply of such people is sadly limited.

And think of the money you'd save. I think of the checks I write to my veterinarian as "the college fund" -- for his kids, not mine. I don't begrudge him a penny of it, however, for he's a wonderful veterinarian (and happily married, or I'd see about setting you up).

Long answer to a short question: No, I don't know of any dating services for hooking up pet lovers with veterinarians. I figure it's not that good of an idea anyway. With the luck most people (and when I say most people, I mean me) have with romance, the veterinarian that you (BEGIN ITALS)could(END ITALS) live with, you might not want treating your pets. And the one who's good for your pets might drive you crazy as a mate.

On the other hand, maybe you should start such a dating service. Or go to veterinary school. Then you'd find plenty of dog lovers eager to hook up with you.

Q: Are dogs supposed to get a new rabies shot each year? I was under the impression that it was a one-time deal until I received a postcard informing me otherwise. -- E.L., via the Internet

A: Your dog needs to be re-vaccinated at regular intervals determined by the local or state law in your area. While many places require vaccination every three years, others insist on an annual vaccination.

When it comes to rabies, the laws aren't really for your pet's benefit; they're for yours. While the risk of contracting rabies from your pet may be small, the disease is deadly if not caught early. People do die from rabies, which is why the law is so unforgiving on the topic of vaccinations.

If you have questions regarding the law in your area, call your local animal-control agency.

Incidentally, while the focus of rabies prevention has traditionally been on dogs, cases of feline rabies are not uncommon. Even if a rabies vaccine is not required by law in your area, public-health officials strongly urge vaccinating cats as well. And more and more places are requiring it.

The bottom line: Keeping your pets' rabies vaccinations current is just good common sense.

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 Write2Gina(at)aol.com.

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