My friend Sonia recently "stole" her uncle's cat for a couple of weeks while he was on vacation. She decided the gregarious orange tabby was lonely in an empty apartment and she took him into her own home for the duration of her uncle's trip.

The cat settled in happily, but Sonia worried, "My houseplants, what if they're poisonous?" After a quick check on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Web site (www.aspca.org/apcc). The apartment soon held fewer plants, but still one happy cat. Sonia then started thinking of adding other plants that are safe for nibbling, just to make the cat even happier. A good idea, I assured her, even in the short run.

For the indoor-only cat, plants are an important part of an ideal environment that should also include a variety of toys, cat trees and scratching posts, and screened porches or window perches that allow the intriguing scents of the hazardous world outside safely into a cat's life.

If your cat loves to nibble on houseplants, make sure poisonous plants are not on the menu. In addition to the Animal Poison Control Center's online reference, "The Cornell Book of Cats" (Villard, $35) also lists those plants that have no place in a house with cats. Among the most dangerous are dieffenbachia, lily of the valley and philodendron. Various ivies and yews can be troublesome, too, and the bulbs of plants popular for "forcing" into early indoor bloom -- such as amaryllis, daffodils and tulips -- can cause problems for the cat who likes to dig and chew.

The other problem with cats and houseplants is strictly irritation -- not to the pet's system, but to the owner's. Some cats are industrious destroyers of household greenery, while others like to kick dirt around or even use larger pots as litter boxes. All of which makes perfect sense to your cat, annoying as it may be to you.

Can people, cats and plants coexist? With an understanding of your cat's needs and a consistent approach to the problem, you bet they can.

Understand that your cat needs and wants plants in your home. Indulge your pet by keeping planters of sprouting grasses growing in an accessible place for nibbling. Special blends of seeds for cats are available in pet stores and specialty shops, or you can purchase rye-grass seeds at the nursery.

Catnip, too, is something that's always better when fresh, as is valerian. While not all cats react to the pleasures of these plants, those who do will appreciate your keeping them in-house, and using fresh cuttings to recharge cat posts and toys.

When your cat has his own plants, you can work on keeping him away from yours. Plants on the floor or on low tables are the easiest targets, so make your houseplants less accessible to the bored and wandering cat. Put plants up high, or better yet, hang them.

For the plants you can't move out of harm's way, make them less appealing by coating the greenery with something your cat finds disagreeable. Cat-discouragers include Bitter Apple, a nasty-tasting substance available at any pet-supply store, or Tabasco sauce from any grocery store. Whenever you find what your cat doesn't like, keep reapplying it to reinforce the point. You can also discourage your pet by shooting him with the spray from a water bottle when you see him in the plants.

Pot your plants in heavy, wide-bottomed containers, and cover the soil with rough, decorative rock to discourage digging. Foil and waxed paper are also useful deterrents to diggers, but I don't like to recommend those products because you're going to get tired of looking at that foil. Decorative rock can stay in place forever.

Remember that resolving behavior problems often takes time and involves a bit of compromise on your part. Give your cats the greens he wants, protect him from the ones that might hurt him and make the rest less attractive to him. And one day, a lush indoor garden will be yours for both you and your cat to enjoy.

PETS ON THE WEB

Although purebred cats aren't as popular as purebred dogs, a handful of breeds do enjoy a dedicated following. Among them is the gorgeous Maine Coon, a large, longhaired breed with an easygoing disposition. The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association's Web site (www.mcbfa.org) offers information on this rugged American cat, which despite stories to the contrary did not develop as the result of matings between raccoons and New England ship cats. (That's biologically impossible!)

The site offers the true story of this special breed – one of whom was the winner of an early North American cat show, in 1895 -- along with information on finding the right breeder, caring and even showing the Maine Coon.

THE SCOOP

Old dogs sometimes get finicky, and it can be a trick to keep them eating. While you may be tempted to add table scraps such as meat trimmings to their dish, it's really not that good an idea. Foods that are too fatty or spicy can cause a tummy ache, or even an attack of pancreatitis, which could be deadly. Onions must be avoided, too.

When I have fussy oldsters, I rely on simple chicken or beef broth to add interest to their meal. Choose a variety that's low on fat and salt, warm to just above room temperature and add to food for a yummy soupiness. (The addition also helps keep older pets hydrated.) You can also squeeze the juice from a clove of garlic into the mix -- many dogs love the stuff!

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Will you remind people about leaving their dogs in cars? The weather got warm in a hurry here in Northern California, but people don't seem to think about the danger that means for their pets until later in the summer when the triple-digit temperatures start.

I have already seen one dog left in a car in a parking lot. He was panting, and I was considering having the owner paged in the store when she came back to the car. I didn't say anything, but I wanted to. (Guess I'm a little shy.)

Will you please spread the word? I don't know why people don't get it. -- P.L., via e-mail, Santa Rosa, Calif.

A: It is indeed remarkable that this warning needs repeating every spring, but clearly, people just don't think about the danger until the weather moves from warm to hot.

A car functions like a greenhouse, and heat can build up to lethal levels in minutes, even on a pleasant day in the 70s or low 80s. Even with the windows rolled down, a dog can show signs of heat stress -- heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, dizziness or vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue -- in the time it takes to carry a carton of ice cream through the "10 items or less" line. Brain damage and death can follow within minutes. Shade is no guarantee of safety, especially on a very warm day.

Many animal-welfare groups have preprinted warning fliers ready to slip under a windshield wiper. You might want to pick up a few to keep in your glove box, along with the number to call if you see a dog who's in trouble. Your local shelter or humane association should be able to give you that information in advance, so you'll have it when you need it, and you won't have to confront someone. (I'm a little shy, too, so I understand.)

If you see an animal is in distress, though, please get help right away. It just doesn't take that long for the heat to kill a pet, and your intervention may save the animal's life.

Q: Is it really safe to use old newspapers in my bird's cage? What about the ink? -- B.D., via e-mail

A: Old newspapers are so commonly used to line the bottom of birdcages that many manufacturers size their products so that sheets of standard newspapers fit the trays exactly. Regular black-and-white newspaper sheets are fine for lining cage trays, although I'd skip the glossy inserts and pages with color inks.

Every morning after I read my newspapers I put the plain "bird pages" in a pile near my parrot's cage and set the color and glossy pages in the recycling bin. Since I take three newspapers, I believe my bird to be one of the best-read pets around!

If you really want to go ink-free, check with your local newspaper. Some sells the ends of the newsprint rolls that go on the presses, usually at a bargain price.

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. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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

The owners of a sparkling white American bichon frise might want to send Elizabeth Hurley a thank-you note after their dog fared so well at the 101st staging of the world's biggest dog show, Crufts, held the first week of March in Birmingham, England.

If it weren't for Hurley's passionate advocacy for the end of the United Kingdom's draconian six-month rabies quarantine laws after her own dog died, the American bichon frise, Champion Paray's I Told You So, likely would have stayed home. And that means he wouldn't have been named the best of the toy breeds at Crufts, giving the British dog-show establishment a bit of a scare that the show's top honor would go to an American dog for the first time ever.

In the end, an English whippet was named Best in Show, and the empire was safe from Colonial invaders -- for another year, at least.

Still, it was difficult not to notice Americans and their dogs at the show, the first one held since the U.K.'s new no-quarantine import laws were expanded to include U.S. and Canadian dogs.

While the bichon, informally known to his admirers as Buster, came over months ago to launch a successful U.K. show career with his new British handler and co-owner, other Americans left just a few days before showing. One of these, Christina Wistrom of Perris, Calif., saw her top-winning Rhodesian Ridgeback sealed into a container at the Los Angeles airport four days before she was to compete. She was reunited with the dog in London a day later. It was a long journey, to be sure, but much easier than a six-month stay in a quarantine kennel.

"They drilled a lot of holes in her carrier, and then sealed her up inside," said Wistrom, looking pretty relaxed for someone who'd just taken her dog halfway around the world. The dog, Champion Deer Ridge Blixen of Afrika, simply looked bored. "I'm Swedish," said Wistrom, "so the travel isn't a big deal for me. And Blixen's traveled before, too."

Blixen, whose grandfather was a best-of-breed winner at the prestigious Westminster show in the United States, didn't do quite as well against the Brits as did Buster the bichon. "We're here for the experience," shrugged Wistrom, when asked about her chances before she and Blixen went into the ring.

And what an experience it was. The four-day show draws almost 22,000 dogs, including more than 600 from 22 different countries. In the massive halls of the National Exhibition Centre -- a complex so large it surely can be seen from space -- hundreds of vendors hawk everything from dog toys to human raincoats to the 130,000 visitors.

In the end, though, all these numbers came down to just seven dogs -- the group winners -- and then one Best in Show. Caught before the finale, one of Buster's co-owners, Lori Kornfeld of Ridgefield, Conn., there with her husband Tracy, seemed more exhausted than excited.

"We're numb," she admitted, before lighting up when prompted to talk about Buster, who loves his toys, sleeps on the bed paws-up and never fails to come alive when it's time to show. The dog was bred in Orangevale, Calif., by Paul Flores and Tray Pittman, who were also on hand to root for Buster.

"We knew early on he'd be special," said Lori Kornfeld. "He knows when it's time to show."

But it wasn't enough on that night. Tracy Kornfeld, who'd put in a call to his sister the minister for a little extra help, nonetheless was able to keep things in perspective. Even without a Crufts Best in Show, the dog had done splendidly, he pointed out, not only as one of the top show dogs in two countries but also as a dad, siring 13 American champions already.

"We win, great," he said. "But at the end of the day, it's just dogs."

PETS ON THE WEB

The Cats' House is back! Artists Bob Walker and Frances Mooney turned their home into a colorful paradise for their cats, complete with floor-to-ceiling scratching posts and overhead catwalks that take the cats from room to room through special passages cut through the walls.

The couple produced some entertaining books documenting their home and their cats. The first, "The Cats' House" ($17, Andrews McMeel), is my favorite. They have been featured on countless TV shows and magazines. While there's nothing quite like a visit to the home, the artists' new Web site (www.pix.tv) comes pretty close, offering a tour of every room as well as pages showing how the house came together.

THE SCOOP

With gardening season at hand, it's important to come up with a safe strategy for eliminating snails. Many brands of snail bait are not just deadly to snails and slugs but also to dogs, cats and birds. Instead of laying out bait, look for snails at night with a flashlight, picking up pests and putting them in a bag that then goes in the garbage bin.

If you suspect your pet has gotten into snail bait -- symptoms include frothing at the mouth, vomiting and convulsions -- see your veterinarian immediately. Your pet's life depends on your prompt action.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: We have a cat with a urination problem. After two different vets, a behaviorist and dozens of tests, it was determined pretty darn conclusively to be a behavior issue. During the course of this year-long battle we've tried adding litter boxes, offering different litter choices, different diets (to address urinary pH as a possible culprit), and just about every prescription drug known to treat this behavior in cats.

We have admitted defeat and have decided to put her outside with inside visitation rights. We would like to keep her confined to the back yard but are unsure the best method to do so. I've seen special cat fences that keep cats in, but that would permit and potentially trap other neighborhood cats in our yard. I've also seen electric collar containment systems similar to the dog shock collars that are made for a cat and can be placed along your fence line. Are there any better options? -- K.T., via e-mail

A: Although I know lots of people who like them, I'm not fond of electronic containment systems. I don't like the idea of shocking a pet -- even though I know the shock is relatively mild. And I don't like the fact that people or other animals can come into the secured area and attack the collared pet.

When it comes to keeping pets secure, I believe in real fences.

Cat fencing would be a good option for your pet. Applied to the inside of a traditional fence, cat fencing consists of inward-facing panels that serve to keep a cat from getting over the top of the fence and out of the yard. While this sort of fencing is no deterrent to keeping other cats (or such predators as coyotes) away from your cat, it should accomplish the goal of keeping your cat in your yard and out of trouble.

You can buy ready-made kits from Cat Fence-In (www.catfencein.com; 888-738-9099) or Affordable Cat Fence (www.catfence.com; 888-840-2287), or put together the materials on your own. One set of directions can be found on the Humane Society Silicon Valley's Web site, at www.hssv.org/behavior/cat/cat_fence.htm.

A better option for your cat would be to build an enclosure that's something like a screened patio, or modify an existing patio to suit. Your cat would then be protected from roaming and from animals who might come in to your yard.

Q: I'm finding contradictory information on the Web on the subject of grit for birds. We have two cockatiels. Do they need grit, or not? I notice the pet store still sells it. -- T.E., via e-mail

A: Grit, or finely ground rock, was for years thought to help birds grind their food, but it's no longer recommended for most birds by avian experts such as my "Birds for Dummies" co-author, Dr. Brian L. Speer, a board-certified avian specialist and past president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

Indeed, grit is now thought to have a negative impact on bird health, removing vitamins A, B and K from the digestive system. And grit occasionally leads to a potentially life-threatening problem, when the amount of the stuff in the bird blocks the digestive system.

Still, some birds can make use of a small amount of grit. Canaries and other finches should be allowed a couple of grains every couple of months. Other birds, from budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds on up, don't need grit at all and shouldn't be offered it.

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. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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

When a dog or cat is sick, you'll usually know it. Sometimes you don't know what it is that you know, just that your pet isn't behaving normally. One of my veterinarian friends call this an "ADR" pet -- "ain't doin' right" -- when the owners bring the animal in to find out what's wrong.

When a bird is sick, though, you often won't know it. And when you do notice a problem, you have a very sick bird on your hands -- and maybe, soon, a dead one. Not because birds are fragile -- they're actually pretty tough -- but because by the time their illness is noticed, birds are usually very ill indeed and sometimes too far gone to be helped.

There's a reason why birds struggle so hard to look healthy. The wild ancestors of most pet birds are prey animals, and with animals on the lower rungs of the food chain it's essential to hide any sign of illness. A wild bird who acts sick will attract the attention of a predator and will soon be someone's lunch.

Most pet birds are at most a few generations removed from the wild -- not near enough to give up the survival behaviors of their species. That's why some birds who seem fine one day are found dead the next: They were likely ill for a long time, but they managed to hide the symptoms.

The best way to catch an illness before your bird gets too sick to be helped is to have your pet see a veterinarian regularly for wellness checkups. Your bird will be better off with a board-certified avian specialist, if there's one available in your area, or with a veterinarian who is comfortable treating birds and who keeps up with the latest health information on these pets.

It's sometimes difficult to judge what needs immediate attention and what can wait until tomorrow. Here are some guidelines in determining how best to respond to any problems:

-- Life-threatening emergencies. These need to be dealt with immediately by a veterinarian. They include bites or deep cuts, bleeding that can't be stopped, burns, poisoning, difficulty breathing, collapse, blood in droppings, or straining to defecate or pass an egg. In these situations, you can't get help fast enough. If it's after hours and your regular avian veterinarian cannot be reached, you'll need to visit an emergency clinic. Not all of these clinics treat birds, so take time now to explore your options so you'll know where to go in an emergency.

-- Urgent situations. Problems that should be seen by a veterinarian within a few hours of your noticing them include eye injuries, or a lack of interest in eating, especially if your bird also seems "puffed up." Sudden swellings also demand relatively fast care, as do broken bones and diarrhea. Direct contact with dog or cat saliva, regardless of whether or not the skin was broken, is also an urgent matter -- your bird will likely need to be started on antibiotics right away.

Everything else falls into the category of not-so-urgent, but even then, don't get complacent. If there's a problem, your pet should see your veterinarian the next day. And if any of the more urgent symptoms pop up, get help sooner. No matter what, remember that a "wait and see" attitude is never appropriate for a sick bird the way it is for dogs and cats. When in doubt, you should at the very least call your veterinarian. Your bird's life may well depend on your prompt attention.

PETS ON THE WEB

Every now and then someone will e-mail me a video clip of someone doing a very elaborate performance with her golden retriever, a choreographed display that looks like nothing so much as a dance routine. That lone clip is just the tip of the iceberg, because the lovely dancers are actually competitors in the relatively new sport of canine freestyle, an entertaining spin-off of classic canine obedience competitions that's set to music. It's fun for competitors and onlookers alike.

The governing body of this sport is the World Canine Freestyle Organization. The WCFO Web site (www.worldcaninefreestyle.org) offers information on the sport for those who'd like to try it, as well as clips of winning performances for anyone to enjoy.

THE SCOOP

Never give your cat any over-the-counter medication without clearing it with your veterinarian first. That's a good rule to remember in general, but in particular, it takes on deadly significance when it comes to painkillers. Although you can safely give aspirin to arthritic dogs, the smaller size and different metabolism of cats make aspirin a dangerous proposition for them. Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, can kill your cat, as can some of the newer, longer-lasting painkillers available in nonprescription form for human use.

If your cat is in pain, call your veterinarian immediately. Cats can be very stoic, and if you're noticing your pet's discomfort, he's really suffering and needs immediate care. As for chronic pain, your veterinarian can prescribe something that's effective and safe.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Thank you for the article on rats. We have had five pet rats and dearly loved them. They were some of the best pets ever. Like you, we encountered the typical "ewww, yuck" reaction from people, but we remain to this day staunch rat apologists. We have lost them to the various typical rat problems -- tumors and respiratory ailments. Each time we lost one, it tore our hearts out. We hope to be able to work up the nerve to have rats again someday. For now, we just can't take losing them so quickly. Thank you for brightening our day with the fond memories of our beloved pets. -– T.A., Butler, Ohio, via e-mail

Q: Your article on rats was great! It's hard to be a rat-keeper because so many people dislike them. Once in a while, I'll take a rat to my son's school when I pick him up. The kids love the rats and are very gentle

with them. The parents, on the other hand, sniff at me as they look down their noses at our unconventional pets. It was wonderful to see some positive rat PR. I can't wait to read future columns on rats. -- S.M., Sacramento, Calif., via e- mail

A: I received a flood of e-mail from people who keep rats as pets and love them for their affectionate, clever ways. "We are not children, and our children are grown. And still, we have rats, and always will. They are so much fun!" wrote one rat fan. A friend of mine confessed that she once took her rat to work in a box, so the animal could be monitored after surgery to remove a tumor. Oh yes, we love our rats!

Other readers pointed out some cautions for would-be rat fans. First, rats don't live that long -- two or three years is the norm. Second, rats will live even shorter lives if some other common pets have anything to say about it.

Dogs developed to hunt vermin (notably terriers and dachshunds) are likely to resent the presence of their traditional nemesis and drive you crazy with their desires to kill the smaller pets. In my home, the retrievers and the toy spaniel could not care less about the rats, but the Sheltie is visibly offended by their presence. In his case, a few sharp words were enough to get him to leave the rats alone, but in a stronger-minded dog such as the average terrier, it's probably easier not to mix species at all.

Rats are especially wonderful for people who can't have dogs or cats because of living-space conditions. These pets don't take up much space (although the larger a cage they have, the better) and are very quiet. When socialized, they can be as affectionate as any dog, and will quickly learn not only their names but also any tricks you take the time to teach them. They will do anything for their favorite foods!

Because rats are inexpensive to acquire, they're also considered by many to be "disposable" and are often dumped on shelters or rescue groups, or simply turned loose to die. If you want a rat, please consider adopting a rescued rat -- they deserve a second chance at a caring home.

For rat resources, visit the Web sites of the Rat and Mouse Club of America (www.rmca.org), the Rat Fan Club (www.ratfanclub.org) or Virginia's Rat Page (home.interlog.com/~audiotre/rats).

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. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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