On our way back from Florida to our home in California, the dogs and I stopped in Texas to visit with the college professor friend who had bred my youngest dog, Heather.

Mary has been a respected fancier for a couple of decades, breeding a carefully planned litter every couple of years, at most. Her dogs are among the very best of their breed, healthy and intelligent animals with honors galore, champions who also shine in obedience and agility competitions and at field trials. I was nervous about seeing her, because she is not shy with her opinions when something doesn't meet with her approval.

My fears were realized when she took one look at Heather, then cast a stern eye in my direction. "Gina," she said in a voice that surely instills terror in her economics students, "Heather is fat. This will not do."

And so, Heather's diet days began.

As a pudgy retriever, Heather was in good company. Obesity is as common in pets as it is in people, which means there are a lot of overweight animals around.

And just as with people, obesity is far more than an appearance issue. An overweight pet is prone to a host of related problems, including diabetes, joint, ligament and tendon problems, breathing difficulties and heart disease. Overweight cats can even develop skin problems from not being able to groom themselves properly. Pets do not feel the social stigma unfairly heaped on overweight people, but they certainly share the potential for shorter, more uncomfortable lives.

Is your pet overweight? Healthy pets should have some padding, but a little is plenty. Rub your hands over your pet's ribs. The skin should move easily back and forth, and you should be able to feel the ribs. Your pet should have a definable "waist" at the bottom of the rib cage, a small tuck-in at the stomach. Take a look from the side: If your pet looks pregnant, he's fat. From above, a bump out from the middle into an apple shape is equally bad news. And it's not just dogs and cats who can get in trouble: Birds can be obese, too, developing a thicker breast and even rolls of fat.

Crash diets aren't good for pets, especially not for fat cats, who can develop a fatal liver problem if forced to reduce too quickly. A pet doesn't put on weight overnight, and he shouldn't be forced to change course any more rapidly. What you'll need to do is change your pet's eating and exercise habits gradually.

The best place to start is with a trip to your veterinarian. You'll want to make sure your pet doesn't have any problems that might make any lifestyle changes difficult. Your vet can also suggest a food plan that might help. Carve some time out of your schedule to walk your dog or play with your cat -- three times a week, at least. Be sure to work in some aerobic exercise, anything that gets a cat or dog running. Birds can benefit from a curled-rope spring perch. They have to work to stay on them, decreasing boredom and increasing calorie burn.

Whatever food regimen you and your veterinarian decide on, be determined to stick to it. Get out of the habit of expressing your love for your pets by handing them treats. Keep the goodies to a minimum, and switch to a reduced-calorie treat, mini rice cakes or raw carrots.

Heather hasn't been happy with her new food regimen, but she dances with joy at her now-frequent runs alongside my bicycle. And after four months home, I can happily report that we could return to Texas without worry: The formerly fat Heather is now as lean as a marathoner.

PETS ON THE WEB

As the dominant registries of purebred dogs and cats in North America, the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association are understandably interested in legislation that might change the way pets are treated. The organizations issue updates on their Web sites to keep pet lovers informed about laws that might affect them at the national, state and local level. The AKC's legislative alert page (www.akc.org/love/dip/legislat/index.cfm) is the more comprehensive of the two sites, and is updated frequently. The CWA's site (www.cfainc.org/org/legal.html) has a few position statements and an e-mail contact for more information.

THE SCOOP

If your cat had an "oops" litter recently, don't delay when it comes to scheduling a spay for her. Cats can become pregnant as early as a week after delivering a litter, and certainly are ready to breed again when the kittens start to wean at the age of 3 weeks.

Many "oops" litters happen when a new pet owner doesn't pay attention to how quickly a kitten is maturing. It's not uncommon for a cat to get pregnant at 5 months of age or even younger. One accidental litter is bad enough with so many kittens desperate for homes. Don't let your cat surprise you twice: If your cat is a new mother, call the veterinarian today and get that spaying done.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I recently moved in with my significant other, and now my cat is urinating on the shower door. My lady friend is not "pet friendly " at all, and so I put the litter box in the garage, at her request. I installed a cat door between the house and the garage, and the cat knows how to use it. She still insists on urinating inside instead of going to the garage where the litter box is. Can you offer some suggestions? -- R.A., via e-mail

A: The only opinion that counts when it comes to a litter box is the one held by the cat who has to use it. I'm guessing your cat is stressed by the changes and doesn't like having the box in the garage, for whatever reason.

After your veterinarian makes sure your cat doesn't have a health problem that could be causing the behavior, get a fresh start by creating an area in which your pet can establish new habits. The space can be a spare bedroom or extra bath. Ideally, it should be a low-traffic area that can be isolated from the rest of the house. Make sure your cat has everything she needs, including food and water, a soft place to sleep, a scratching post or cat tree, some toys and, of course, the litter box.

In the meantime, thoroughly clean the area near the shower with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the smells that invite a repeat performance. Keep your cat in her new room for a couple of weeks, visiting her frequently to pet her and play with her. The time in the smaller area allows her to get used to the litter box in a spot more to her liking.

Eventually, you can open the door and allow her to expand her range. By easing her into her new home and putting the box where it suits her better, you'll be doing your best to make peace between your pet and your mate.

Q: Our Lab mix died a few months ago at the age of 14. We went back to the humane society where we had such good luck before. After a couple of visits, we found a sweet shepherd-mix puppy and decided to adopt her. The shelter insists on having her spayed before we take her home. She's only 10 weeks old, and we can't believe surgery would be safe for her now. There's no problem with spaying her, but we'd rather do it when she's 6 months old. The shelter says it's now or never. What do you think? -- D.A., via e-mail

A: Follow the shelter's advice. The neutering of puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks of age has become fairly routine, and studies show rather convincingly that there are no long-term health or behavior problems as a result.

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

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

Go to any animal shelter that takes in strays, and you'll find plenty of friendly cats.

It doesn't take an expert to see that these animals may be strays, but they're not wild by any measure. Like millions of other pets, they've likely slept on beds, rubbed ankles lovingly and run to the sound of a can opener at dinnertime.

People are surely missing these cats, looking for them and hoping for their return. Without collars and tags, though, the chances of any of these pets being reunited are very low. Some may get adopted, but most will never get another chance to show what wonderful pets they are. All because they weren't wearing collars and tags.

Why are cat lovers so resistant to collaring their cats? I decided to count the collars on the dozens of cats I see on my morning walks. After a week, the total number of collared cats came to two, both enjoying the morning sunshine in front of the same house.

I know that some people tire of replacing collars their cats keep slipping off, while others are convinced their cats will get caught by collars while roaming. Neither argument holds much credence, though: Cat collars are relatively inexpensive and very safe.

Cat collars are made of lightweight material and designed to "give" enough to let your cat wriggle free should the collar ever catch on something. Don't get a puppy collar by mistake: Dog collars are meant to prevent escapes, while cat collars are made to allow them. The fit should be snug, but not uncomfortably so.

Once you've got the right collar, order a tag. ID tags come in high-impact plastic in a variety of colors and shapes, or in metal, also in many varieties, such as circles, cat's heads, reflectors and so on. Since cat tags are small, don't bother with putting your cat's name on it, or your address. Instead, fill all the space you're allowed with phone numbers -- not only yours, but also those of a friend or relative who can be reached if you're unavailable. I also like to put the word "reward" on the pet tags I order.

You could alternatively consider a tag from a 24-hour assistance service, such as 1-800-HELP-4-PETS. In addition to reuniting lost pets with their owners, the service will authorize emergency veterinary care or boarding if a pet is found and the owner can't be reached immediately. (More information can be found on the service's Web site, www.help4pets.com.)

Microchips are a form of ID that has come on strong in recent years, but they work best as a complement to tags, not as a replacement for them. The microchip is permanent identification that's about the size of a grain of rice, which your veterinarian can insert beneath the skin over your pet's shoulder blades using a large needle.

The chip, encased in a nonreactive glass casing, contains a unique identifying number that can be read by a scanner, kind of like those in the grocery store. The American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery Service offers a microchip registry for all pets, with operators on call night and day to help when a microchipped pet is found. (For more information on CAR, call (800) 252-7894, or visit www.akc.org/love/car.)

Remember, though, that most lost pets are found not by shelter staffers but by neighbors, and neighbors don't have microchip scanners in their collection of home appliances. Which is why even though a microchip can't be topped for permanent identification, you'll still need a collar and tag for your pet.

If more people thought to buy collars and tags, more of those shelter cats would find their way home. Happy endings often start with pet lovers who care enough to prepare for the worst. Doesn't your cat deserve a ticket home?

PETS ON THE WEB

Anyone with an interest in aquariums should visit the Bluebin Web site (www.bluebin.com). The site offers plenty of information on setting up both freshwater and saltwater tanks, as well as on keeping the fish and their surroundings healthy. The section on reef tanks is especially thorough, with information on dozens of species of coral, along with links to message boards for discussing problems with more experienced hobbyists.

The site also includes a helpful glossary and information on various fish diseases. Be sure to check out the Tank of the Month for an eye-popping exhibition of the marvelous ecosystems some people enjoy in their own homes.

THE SCOOP

When it comes to the litter box, the only opinion that matters is your cat's. When a cat doesn't like the box, the placement, the filler, the level of cleanliness or the accessories, he'll be tempted to take his business elsewhere. And nobody wants that.

Two items that are marketed to human sensibilities may be especially annoying to some cats. Litter-box liners make it easier to change out the contents of the box, but some cats don't like the feel of plastic under their paws as they scratch to bury their waste. Likewise, deodorant products intended to make the box smell better to people may be disgustingly strong to the sensitive nose of a cat.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Thank you for coming down on people for letting their cats roam. I think you should know that there's another good reason for keeping cats inside: They kill songbirds!

My husband and I just built a new home in the foothills, and we have put in feeders and birdbaths to attract the birds. We love to watch the birds, but we have found that our bird-feeding efforts also attract the neighbor's cats. They have already killed several birds. We talked to the neighbors and have gotten nowhere.

We don't hate cats, but we like birds better. Would you keep up your crusade to keep cats inside? Songbird populations are dropping because of irresponsible pet owners. -- D.O., via e-mail

A: Yes, it's true that some cats kill birds, but putting the blame on cats for reductions in songbird populations misses the bigger picture. We who live in glass houses (or new wood ones) really shouldn't be throwing stones at cats. Our widespread destruction of habitat has a far greater impact on bird populations than cats ever could.

Still, your neighbors are being less than considerate of you, and less than concerned about their cats. Some people think when they move to "the country" that it's safe for their pets to run free, but rural areas have their own risks every bit as deadly as those in more urban settings.

Outdoor cats in rural areas face one of the most successful predators in the world -- coyotes. An acquaintance of mine who lives on rural property has lost more barn cats than she can count to coyotes. She doesn't like losing them, but rationalizes the loss by arguing that they're feral animals with a job to do -- keeping the barn free of rodents. (She also has two purely pet cats who stay inside.)

Try again with your neighbors, perhaps by explaining the risk their cats take every time they set a paw outside. If nothing else, ask them to put bells on their cats' collars. The strategy isn't foolproof -- some cats get quite adept at silent stalking, even when belled -- but it might give the birds a fighting chance.

Q: Is it true that an iguana will grow a new tail if it loses the one it has? -- A.H., via e-mail

A: The ability to lose a tail can be a lifesaver for iguanas. If caught by a predator, an iguana can escape by dropping the tail, leaving it still wriggling in the mouth of the creature who thought lunch was in the bag. The trick isn't used just with predators: More than a few people who are new to having an iguana as a pet have ended up screaming the first time they find themselves holding a thrashing tail instead of an iguana.

Smaller iguanas are more likely than larger ones to regrow their tails, usually in a few weeks. If the tail is in place but injured, or is only partially broken off, a visit to a veterinarian with experience in reptiles is in order to determine the best course of treatment.

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

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

Where will you be in 10 or 15 years? If you can't answer the question with any degree of certainty, then you shouldn't be in the market for a pet.

For too many people, pets are an impulse purchase made with no thought to the future. At least one prominent behaviorist suggests that half the puppies and kittens born every year won't see their second birthdays. The people they rely on simply stop caring once the novelty of having a pet has worn off.

I've been spending a lot of time in shelters lately, and I'm always most astonished and saddened by the old pets who can be found there. It breaks my heart to see the old-timers abandoned. Who could say goodbye to pets like these, and why would they?

When I was doing foster and rescue work, our little group once got a call about a 10-year-old sheltie. "I'm moving to Oregon today, and I can't take the dog," said the caller. Squelching the desire to say that to the best of my knowledge, dogs were allowed in Oregon, I made arrangements to meet with the man in an hour and take in the dog.

In the parking lot of a fast-food outlet a short time later, I snapped a leash on the sweet old dog. The man signed him over without even a trace of emotion. "Getting rid of the dog" was the last item on his to-do list, and he was in a hurry to accomplish it.

"Too bad the new landlord won't take pets," muttered the man, who then drove off without a pat for the dog or even a backward glance. Was he that disinterested when the dog was a fluffy puppy? I doubted it.

"Too bad you didn't look harder," I muttered to myself, as the old dog leaned against me, his eyes full of uncertainty. I have known people who have gone to incredible lengths to keep their pets, including one military couple who moved nearly every year with a half-dozen cats. They would have no more left their pets behind than they would have their children. Too bad this man wasn't one of the people who at least make an effort for their pets.

Yes, there are times when new homes must be found for pets. Catastrophic events such as serious illness, financial collapse and family breakups often leave pets homeless, despite the best efforts of the people involved. I myself had to give up a dog a few years back, following a near-fatal illness and a long, difficult recovery. I placed him myself, checked on him for a couple of years after he left and worry about him to this day.

Too often, though, people don't even try to make it work: to look a little harder or pay a little more for a place that takes pets, or to work through whatever other problems are challenging the pet's chance at staying in the home. The problem is often that the person who got the pet in the first place didn't think at the time about what it means to care for a pet for the rest of the animal's life.

The dog I picked up that day, from the man in the fast-food parking lot, was one of the lucky ones. While some of the old dogs we took in were too ill to be placed in new homes, this one was very healthy, and was blessed with a sweet and gentle temperament. Renamed Major, he spent the last seven years of his life in the home of my pet-loving neighbors, and no dog was ever more loved or better cared for.

But happy endings such as Major's cannot be assured. Which is why if you're thinking of taking in a pet, you must ask yourself: Where will I be in 10 years, or 15? Because if you aren't prepared to do what it takes to keep a pet for that long, don't get one now.

THE SCOOP

Never give a bath to a pet with mats -- you'll only make the problem worse. Instead, before you pop your pet into the tub, take time to work out the mats gently, or cut out the ones that won't go without a fight.

To work out a mat, sprinkle cornstarch on it and then work the powder into the tangle. When that's done, carefully slide the bottom half of a pair of sharp scissors into the mat at the skin level, and slice through the mess vertically a couple of times from the skin out. You can then pick apart the mat with a wide-toothed metal comb. Be sure to check out behind the ears or under the forelegs, places that seem especially conducive to the formation of mats.

If your pet's coat has gotten completely out of control, make arrangements to have the animal clipped short by a professional groomer. Getting a fresh start is far kinder on a pet than trying to pull apart a badly matted coat.

PETS ON THE WEB

Anyone who has ever shared space with a hamster knows the little charmers have a need to stay busy. Ever wonder how much those hamster wheels roll in a given day? Then check out the San Diego Hamster Cage (http://varesearch.ucsd.edu/KLEMFUSS/sdhamstr.htm), an ongoing project at the University of California-San Diego that tracks not only how far a hamster goes every day on his wheel, but when he uses it.

Sammy the hamster at the heart of the project really travels: Days of eight kilometers or more are not uncommon. He hits the wheel every day at almost exactly the same time, with the dedication most of us on-and-off exercisers will surely envy.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I have an 8-month-old bichon fris who has had ear problems since he was 11 weeks old. We have done the homeopathic route, and it has done nothing at all. I apply aloe vera, Polysporin, tea tree oil, zinc and rosewater, and I clean his ears twice a day. He has not had any shots, and he is on a holistic diet. What am I missing? -- J.P., via e-mail

A: What you are missing is a trip to a good veterinarian. While each of the alternative-care remedies you are using has its advocates, treating a chronic problem without an accurate diagnosis is wasting your time and money and is causing your pup months of ongoing pain.

Stop all the home remedies and see your veterinarian. You need to be prepared to pay for a thorough examination and possibly some diagnostic tests. And realize, too, that ear problems can be very difficult to treat, and you will likely need to return to the veterinarian for re-checks, possibly new medications and additional follow-up care.

Once the ear problem is under control, you'll need to keep your pet's ear canals free of hair. Breeds like the bichon and poodle should routinely have the hair in their ears pulled. Your veterinarian can show you how, or you can have a professional groomer do it when your pet gets his regular wash and trim.

Q: I am owner of a short-haired Oriental cat, white with blue eyes. She is also deaf, which I have been told is very common for her type. She is 1 year old now, but is taking a long time to trust. We are having some problems with scratching furniture. Can you help? -- M.E., via e-mail

A: Yes, you're right: Deafness is not uncommon in blue-eyed white cats. According to the "Cornell Book of Cats" (Villard), between 65 percent and 85 percent of these cats are deaf. White cats with only one blue eye are 40 percent likely to be deaf, with the affected ear usually on the same side as the blue eye.

One of the most important things to do for your deaf cat is to keep her indoors, since she cannot use her ears to alert her to danger.

Build up your cat's trust in you very gradually. Instead of surprising her by picking her up, lure her to you with yummy food treats, and use these rewards to get her to enjoy time in your lap. Be aware always of when she has had enough -- a twitching tail tip is a surefire sign. Never force her to stay longer than she wants to: When she gets fidgety, let her go. You'll find that if you don't push her to the point of irritation, the amount of time she'll tolerate affection will slowly increase.

As for the scratching, make sure she has a cat tree near the furniture she's clawing, and encourage her to use it by offering her treats and strokes when she's on it, as well as playing with her and her toys. At the same time, you can discourage her use of the furniture by applying double-sided tape (or a product like Sticky Paws strips) to the area she's damaging.

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

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