Never before have we had so many choices in shopping for our pets.

Everyone wants a piece of the pet-supplies pie these days, and with good reason: It's a multibillion-dollar industry that thrives in both good times and bad.

In recent years, pet superstores have popped up everywhere, with a bigger selection of supplies than were carried by the mom-and-pop stores of a generation ago. In the shadow of these behemoths, small retailers have had to find new ways to do business, offering services such as free delivery, superior pet-care advice, or niche products such as fancy collars, high-end toys and treats, and pet-themed products for people.

And then there's the convenience of supermarkets, where the emphasis is on age-old brand names and generic products. Pet supplies are one of the top categories in any grocery store in terms of shelf space, and grocery retailers and their suppliers have done a great deal in recent years to improve the quality of their pet supplies.

General discount retailers and warehouse stores are working hard to attract the dollars of pet lovers as well.

What about catalogs and the Internet? The boom in mail-order business hasn't missed the pet-supplies industry, with available catalog selections as varied as those of the pet superstores and as focused as those of high-end pet boutiques. Big retailers and niche marketers (offering such goods as dog-sports equipment and bird supplies) are both doing a decent trade on the Internet.

And don't forget the little guys! A lot of the most creative and attractive merchandise for pets is handmade in small quantities, such as pet collars, leashes, and all manner of clever, well-made toys for all kinds of pets. Small retailers, crafts fairs, online auctions and pet shows are good places to look for these items.

If you're already overwhelmed by your choices, let me add one more: Buy used! You don't always have to think "new" when you need pet supplies. Many a top-quality cat tree, dog carrier or bird cage has turned up at a yard sale at a fraction of the new cost. So keep your eyes open at such sales for these big-ticket items because it may pay off for you and your pet.

Remember that the final determination of suitability for any product, no matter where you buy it or how much you pay, comes down to two things: First, is it safe for your pet? And second, does your pet like it? A product that's dangerous or that your pet ignores is no bargain at any price.

With so many choices, does it matter where you buy your pet supplies? For me it does. I consciously choose those retailers that put the idea of helping animals into company policy. I prefer to patronize companies that support animal charities at the corporate level, and that offer space at the store level for local groups to adopt out homeless animals.

Likewise, I shop at locally owned pet-supply stores that have owners who are actively supporting community efforts to make life better for animals and those who love them. I even seek out people who don't have stores at all, such as the artisan in my area whose braided leather collars are as durable as they are gorgeous, and who shows by her pet-centered activities such as teaching obedience classes that she loves animals.

Large or small, these retailers and suppliers are working to be successful and to do right by our pets. Sometimes I may pay a little extra to patronize them, but it always seems worth it to me to avoid those whose policies or products I neither support nor recommend.

PETS ON THE WEB

Hollywood Paws (www.hollywoodpaws.com) is a Web site dedicated to helping people get their pets into showbiz. How good an idea that is I don't know, but the Web site is sure interesting, with pictures and stories of pets whose owners have stars in their eyes. The site also offers a column by Anne Gordon, who trains animals for work in commercials, films and TV. There's also a quick test you can take to give you an idea of how bright and agreeable your pet is, and the potential for stardom. While looking at Hollywood Paws isn't likely to turn your dog into the next Lassie or give your cat a career like the famous Morris, it is a well-designed and entertaining site that's worth a look.

THE SCOOP

As we start to head into kitten season, it's good to remember that a big litter box may be too much for a little-bitty baby kitty. The sides may be too tall for a kitten to climb over easily, and the depth of filler that may be right for a full-grown cat may seem like the sand dunes of the Sahara for a youngster. An old 9-by-13-inch metal baking dish, permanently retired from cooking duties, can be a good first litter box for a kitten -- its low sides making it easy for babies to hop in and out of, and its shallowness dictates a level of filler a kitten can deal with.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: We got our daughter a rabbit for Easter. She told her teacher, who just happens to have pet rabbits herself. The teacher sent home some material, including information on getting our rabbit spayed. Is this necessary? -- R.U., via e-mail

A: Since you have just the one rabbit, the surgery isn't really necessary to keep your rabbit from reproducing. But your daughter's teacher is right: Spaying or neutering is a good move, for a couple of reasons beyond preventing babies. Altered rabbits make better pets.

Female rabbits, for example, are at a high risk for uterine cancer, a leading killer of these pets over the age of 2. Spaying also removes the potential for common and potentially lethal reproductive-system infections. Besides extending your pet's life span, altering eliminates sex-related behavior problems. Sexually mature rabbits can be territorial or even aggressive, and may spray urine to mark territory.

Be sure you find a veterinarian with experience in treating rabbits, because anesthesia is generally riskier for rabbits than it is for dogs and cats. The House Rabbit Society (www.rabbits.org) offers a listing of rabbit-friendly veterinarians on its Web site.

Q: My husband and I were adopted by a pair of kittens last summer. We think they're brother and sister from the same litter, since they turned up together. They've both been neutered and declawed, and divide their time between the house and a large screened porch, where their litter box, cat tree, and food and water dishes are.

We're planning a three-week vacation in Europe this summer to celebrate our 30th anniversary, and the graduation from college of our daughter, youngest of three. Do you think a pet sitter would be a good idea for that length of time? We've had a neighbor look in on them when we've taken a weekend trip, but this is considerably longer. -- O.R., via e-mail

A: I don't suppose you could talk that youngest child of yours - you know, the one for whom you made so many sacrifices so that she could go to college -- into staying at your house while you are gone?

Failing that, I think your situation is ideal for a pet sitter. Although every animal is unique, cats generally are more comfortable staying in their own surroundings, as opposed to being temporarily relocated to a boarding situation.

For the length of time you're talking about, I'd be extremely reluctant to lean on the generosity of friends, family or neighbors, or to rely on the trustworthiness of a neighborhood kid. To be sure your pets are consistently well cared for while you're gone, I'd opt for a reputable professional service.

Professional pet-sitting services have come on strong in recent years, and many pet lovers use and love them. Not only will they drop in regularly and reliably to feed and fuss over your pets, but they can also water plants, turn lights on and off, and generally make your house look more "lived in" while you're gone.

If you're considering hiring a pet-sitting service, be sure to discuss services and prices beforehand so there are no misunderstandings, make sure that they're bonded and insured, and ask for references. Pet Sitters International, a trade association, offers member listings on its Web site, www.petsit.com. It's a great place to start looking.

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

A cat show is a rare opportunity to see dozens of beautifully groomed cats, not only of the more common breeds, but also some of the rarest in the world. If you love cats, you'll find spending a couple of hours at a cat show to be interesting, educational and just plain delightful.

You can find out about upcoming cat shows in the calendar section of magazines such as Cat Fancy, or visit www.fanciers.com, the best cat site on the Web, and click on "Cat Shows, Cat Clubs and Registries."

Bring your natural curiosity and your love of cats, and you can have a wonderful time. Here are a few tips to make the visit more comfortable and productive.

-- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Show halls are notorious for being too hot or too cold, no matter the outside temperature. Wear something light and carry a sweater, and you're covered either way. Carry a backpack or big purse and a notepad and pen. You're sure to run across freebies or buy toys to take home to your cat, and you may meet a breeder you want to talk to after the show.

-- Be aware of the demands on exhibitors. Most exhibitors don't mind answering questions and talking about cats to the general public, but not in those tense moments before their animals will be judged. Your first question to any exhibitor should be: "Is this a good time to ask a couple of questions about your cats?" They'll let you know, and if it's not, they can tell you when will be. Never bother an exhibitor who has a cat in her arms. She's almost certainly headed to or coming from judging. And step aside: Cat-show etiquette -- and common sense -- demands that a person carrying a cat has the right-of-way.

-- Be respectful of the health and safety of the cats. Don't ask to pet a cat because you almost certainly won't be allowed to. Breeders are very concerned about the spread of disease. The only people who touch any cats at a show are the people who brought them and the judges, who are careful to sanitize their hands and the judging platform between each cat they handle. If an exhibitor does invite you to pet a cat, you'll likely be asked to wash your hands before and after, which is a small price to pay for the experience of caressing a cat in perfect show condition.

-- Watch at least one class being judged. Unlike dog-show judges, who never share their thoughts with the spectators (or even the competitors), cat-show judges consider education an important part of their job. They discuss the good and not-so-good points of each animal as they judge, and many are not only articulate and knowledgeable but witty as well. After the judging is over, most are happy to answer a question or two.

-- Bring money. Nearly every show has people on hand to sell cat-related merchandise. You often find not only free cat-food samples, but also hand-crafted toys, scratching posts and cat trees direct from the people who make them. Some of the merchandise is more for cat lovers than for the cats themselves: clothing, jewelry, artwork, books. Neat stuff!

Many cat shows also provide booth space for local feline rescue groups, and these deserve your support. If you're spending big bucks on cat toys or cat-themed goods for yourself, be a sport and drop a couple of dollars in the kitty to help out those animals who aren't as lucky as yours or the gorgeous show cats you've been enjoying.

PETS ON THE WEB

The Quaker (or monk) parakeet is a nifty bird of relatively small size who makes a very popular pet in those places where they're legal. (Hawaii and California are among the handful of states that don't allow Quakers, out of concern that the prolific breeders will displace native species and damage the habitat if enough pets get loose.) Stanley's QuakerVille Web site (www.quakerville.com) offers plenty of mostly useful information on choosing and caring for these birds. Especially interesting are the pictures of feral Quakers.

THE SCOOP

The Wall Street Journal reports that flying pets by air has become a very pricey proposition -- when airlines allow it at all. The newspaper reports the changes are partly a result of a relatively new federal law intended to make flying safer for animals. But it's mostly because airlines are struggling financially in the post-Sept. 11 world, and to keep human fares competitive, they've increased prices for other services.

How bad is it? The Journal notes that in some cases, the cost to put an animal in the cargo hold can be double the price of a seat for the pet's owner in the cabin above. And even people with pets small enough to fly as carry-on baggage can be hit for up to $80 each way for bringing them.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: We have two cats and a dog. The dog has a nasty habit: She eats out of the litter box. We have punished her, but if we're not looking she'll make a beeline for the box. How can we get her to stop? -- D.M., via e-mail

A: I get a version of your question at least half-dozen times a week, and I myself live with a dog who happily recycles almost any disgusting thing he can find -- but considers litter-box cruising to be the most delicious of all activities. So at least you're not alone in dealing with this revolting problem.

Dogs are drawn to the undigested protein that remains in feline feces. Faced with constant supply and ready access, no dog will be able to resist for long, which is why efforts to train your pet haven't been successful. The better plan would be to restrict access, which can be accomplished in many ways.

-- Buy a covered litter box. You can find litter boxes with lids at almost any pet-supply store, and this might fix the problem. Some cats like them. Some don't, however. If yours don't, you may develop a second problem -- your cats will stop using the litter box.

-- Change the litter box location. With this, too, you have to be careful not to upset your cats. But it doesn't hurt to experiment with such things as moving the litter box to a location out of the dog's reach.

-- Provide barriers. One way is to rig the door so it stays open wide enough for the cat, but not for the dog. Another possibility is to cut a cat-sized hole through the door to the litter box room.

Of course, the solution will depend on your cats and your dog. Toy dogs won't be deterred by cat-sized openings, and big dogs may not find covered boxes much of a challenge to open. Experiment until you find what works, and this unsettling problem will become a thing of the past.

Q: My dog is always scratching. She does not have fleas or anything else that I can see. She has also been biting herself trying to scratch the itches. She has bitten the hair off in places. Is there something other than fleas that can cause this itching? -- D.L., via e-mail

A: Just because you can't see fleas doesn't mean your dog doesn't have them. It takes only a few fleas to cause misery, and most often, by the time people start noticing fleas, the animal has a severe infestation.

Here's an easy way to figure out if fleas are the problem: Put your pet on a white or very light-colored sheet and run your fingers through her fur, going against the grain. Then look at the sheet. If you see what looks like flecks of pepper on the sheet, then your pet has fleas. Those little dots are flea excrement, which is made up of dried blood. (If you're really curious, add a drop of water to one of the flecks and it will turn red.)

If fleas are present, talk to your veterinarian about Frontline or Advantage. These products have a wide margin of safety for healthy pets and are very effective against fleas. You can also keep flea levels down in your home by washing pet bedding regularly and vacuuming areas where pets hang out.

If you're sure fleas aren't the problem, get your pet to your veterinarian to find out what's making her so miserable. You may need a referral to a veterinary dermatologist.

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

If you think your bird is sick, it's almost certain he is very sick indeed. That's because birds, like many creatures who serve as dinner for others, are born with the instinct to act healthy as long as possible. Those individuals who act sick or weak catch the attention of predators, which means a bird will fight to appear normal until he's too sick to act any other way.

A pet bird in such a state needs help immediately.

That doesn't mean surfing the Web for a home remedy or asking a pet-store clerk for advice. Although the advice given in such places can sometimes be fine, it's not worth risking your pet's life on the chance that you'll learn something helpful. A bird who seems sick needs to see someone who can correctly diagnose and treat your pet. And that means a veterinarian, preferably one who specializes in avian medicine.

Caring for a sick bird can often be a struggle for bird-lovers, especially those who are used to giving pills to dogs or cats. You can't give a pill to a bird, and the options for medicating are not as easy as disguising a pill with a little cheese or a piece of hot dog.

You'll need to discuss with your veterinarian which method of medicating your bird is best for you and your pet, and then you'll need to make sure you're comfortable with whatever method you'll be using.

Ask all the questions that come to mind, watch your veterinarian demonstrate, and then practice under the tutelage of the doctor or a technician before you go home with your bird and the medication. If you run into problems at home, don't be shy about calling for help. Above all, don't take your bird home and skip the medication. It won't do your pet any good if only some, or none, of the drugs you're sent home with get into him.

Here's a rundown of the options, pro and con, when it comes to medicating a sick bird:

-- Adding water-soluble medications to drinking water. Adding medication to water is easy, but it has its drawbacks. You have little control over dosage because you can't count on your bird to drink any set amount of water. Some species drink only a little water anyway, and other birds may not feel up to drinking when they're ill.

-- Offering medicated feeds. As with water, it's easy to offer feed with medicine in it, but you have no way of making sure that any of it gets inside your bird. And some medicated feeds apparently taste awful, so even if your bird feels like eating, he may not touch the stuff with medicine in it.

-- Giving medication orally. Accuracy of dosage is one benefit of putting medicine into your bird's mouth -- assuming you get the stuff inside him instead of dribbling it everywhere but down his throat. You can get the appropriate amount in an eyedropper, or in a syringe with the needle removed, and slide the tip into the side of your bird's mouth. The downside, as you've probably already guessed: Your bird isn't likely to sit still for this procedure, so you'll have to restrain him with a towel. Once he's restrained, a bird who has been hand-fed as a baby will usually go along -- the sight of a plastic tip nearing his mouth will usually get him to open up, because it'll remind him of his babyhood, when he was hand-fed.

-- Giving an injection. This has high marks for accuracy and, once you're used to injecting your bird, high marks for ease. As with oral medications, though, you'll likely need to restrain your bird with a towel to inject his medication. Some people get really good at injecting their pets, even after initial reluctance.

One final thing to remember about medications: Don't stop giving them just because your bird seems to feel better, at least not without clearing it with your veterinarian first. It's important to finish the prescription as directed, because as soon as your bird starts feeling better, he'll start acting better -- even if he's still sick.

PETS ON THE WEB

What plants are safe around pets? It's a good idea to know the answer before heading to the nursery to stock up on spring greenery. One place to find some guidelines is Pet Care Forum's "Safe Gardening" Web page (www.vin.com/PetCare/Articles/VetHospital/m01487.htm), which not only lists some deadly and pet-safe plants but also shows pictures of them. Included in the page is a link to the Cornell University poisonous-plants database (www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants), a highly detailed offering that should be bookmarked on every pet-lover's Web browser.

THE SCOOP

If you're planting vegetables this spring, don't forget to put in the plants your pets love. Fresh veggies of all sorts are perfect for rabbits, guinea pigs and pocket pets such as rats and mice, as well as birds from the smallest parrotlet or parakeet to the largest macaw.

Cats love greenery, too. While the obvious plant choice for cats is catnip, many feline pets also enjoy the mood-altering effects of valerian. Other greens are favored just for nibbling, including tender shoots of alfalfa, rye and wheat grass, parsley and thyme tickle the fancy of some felines, too.

What about dogs? Over the years I've had readers tell me about their dogs' preference in veggies. Common favorites are carrots and tomatoes. (My sheltie Andy loved the latter so much that I had to put fencing around the plants to keep him from stripping every tomato off the vines.)

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Could you pass along this safety tip? While camping or traveling cross-country with your pet, buy an inexpensive nylon collar in a bright color and print your cell phone number on it with a black laundry marker.

Then, should your pet get lost, turn the cell phone on. If you're lucky, someone will call you almost immediately upon finding the animal.

Of course, other ID is permanently on our dog, with our home phone and also an alternate. Plus, we took advantage of having our pound puppy "microchipped" when we adopted her. Doing all these things should get our wonderful black lab mix safely back to us, should she get lost! -- J.T., via e-mail

A: Great suggestion. For years I've been putting disposable key tags on my dogs' collars when we travel. Every day I write the phone and room number of the hotel where we stay, or the name of the campground and campsite number on the tags.

My dogs are also microchipped, and always have permanent ID tags with the phone numbers (area code included) of a good friend, as well as my home and work numbers. They also have tags from 1-800-HELP4PETS, a round-the-clock service that will authorize veterinary care or emergency boarding if someone finds my dogs and I can't be located. (For more about the service, call 1-800-HELP4PETS or visit their Web site at www.help4pets.com.)

This system of tags, chips and services may seem overkill to some, but I figure it's cheap insurance against losing a pet. Your suggestion has made me realize that I need to update things a bit, so I'll be ordering permanent ID tags with my cell phone number on them.

Q: Some weeks ago you had an article in which you mentioned an anti-bark collar that releases citronella spray. Would that be appropriate for a 3-pound Chihuahua who is a very persistent barker? -- L.B., via e-mail

A: The manufacturer recommends that the collar not be worn by any dog less than 6 pounds in weight, so that's not an option for you. (Larger dogs may benefit from having such a collar as part of a training program. They're available at many pet-supply stores or on Web sites such as Foster & Smith's at www.drsfostersmith.com.)

Many people scream at barkers, throw things or even hit them. These techniques don't work. One good strategy is to train the dog to bark on your command. It works because once you install an "on" switch, you also get a bonus -- an "off" switch. You control the behavior! It also helps to teach the dog a substitute behavior. Instead of barking when someone knocks at the door, teach the dog to sit instead and reward him generously.

For these strategies to work for you, it's a good idea to find a trainer in your area who uses reward-based training techniques and will work with you and your dog specifically on the problem behavior. One source of such trainers is the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, which has a directory online at www.apdt.com.

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