Here's a riddle for you: How is it that more families have dogs than have cats, but cats outnumber dogs as pets?

The answer: Many families have more than one cat.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 40.6 percent of U.S. households in 2002 reported having at least one dog, while cats ruled in 35.3 percent of households. (Some families of course, have both.) But cats were by far the most popular pet, according to the same trade group, which reported 2002 figures of 77.7 million pet cats to 65 million pet dogs.

Problem is, in a lot of those multi-feline families, relations between cats are a bit strained. And when cats aren't happy, nobody's happy. The noise of cats grumbling threats at each other or engaging in frequent rumbles can get on one's nerves and even mean trips to the veterinarian. And the litter-box problems that can be a part of such turf wars can turn an entire house into a toilet.

Living with more than one cat doesn't have to be so contentious. The trick to domestic harmony for cohabiting felines is to introduce -- or reintroduce -- them slowly and carefully.

If you don't have a cat yet and know you'll eventually want two, it's easiest to adopt two kittens at the same time. Kittens don't have the sense of territory that grown cats have and will settle down together into a new home nicely. Second-best: Adopt two adult cats at the same time, so neither has a head start on the other when it comes to claiming territory.

But even a solitary adult cat can learn to enjoy living with a companion. Since the worst territorial spats are between cats who aren't spayed or neutered, your chances for peaceful co-existence are many times greater if the cats are both altered before any introductions are planned.

Prepare a room for your new cat, with food and water bowls, and a litter box and scratching post that needn't be shared. This room will be your new pet's home turf while the two cats get used to each other's existence.

Take your new cat to your veterinarian first, to be checked for parasites such as ear mites and contagious diseases such as feline leukemia. When you're sure your new pet is healthy, the introductions can begin.

Bring the cat home in a carrier and set him in the room you've prepared. Let your resident cat discover the caged animal, and don't be discouraged by initial hisses. When the new cat is alone in the room, close the door and let him out of the carrier. If he doesn't want to leave the carrier at first, let him be. Just leave the carrier door open and the cat alone.

Maintain each cat separately for a week or so -- with lots of love and play for both -- and then on a day when you're around to observe, leave the door to the new cat's room open. Above all: Don't force them together. Territory negotiations between cats can be drawn-out and delicate, and you must let them work it out on their own, ignoring the hisses and glares.

Eventually you can encourage them both to play with you, using a cat "fishing pole" or a toy on a string. And slowly feed them in ever-closer proximity.

If you already have two cats who don't get along, treat them as if they've both just arrived. Give them their each their own quarters and let them slowly work out their territorial disputes. But do remember: Some cats will never get along. For these, separate quarters such as one upstairs, one downstairs, may need to become a permanent arrangement.

SIDEBAR

Litter-box rules

One of the most common points of conflict in multi-cat households is over the litter box. Some cats don't like to share, and that may force other cats to avoid the litter box altogether.

The rule of thumb behaviorists use: one box per cat, plus one.

Place the litter boxes in different parts of the house, and arrange each so a cat can feel secure but also keep an eye on his surroundings. No one likes to be ambushed while on the john! And don't forget the first rule of litter-box management: Keep 'em clean.

If it sounds like a lot of trouble, consider this: The one sure loser in any litter-box war is the person who cleans up the messes.

Q&A

Preventive care can keep teeth healthy

Q: My 5-year-old Pomeranian has had three teeth cleanings so far, as insisted on by her vet. I am afraid of having my dog put under anesthesia, but the vet says leaving her teeth alone can cause long-term problems. She eats dry food, which is supposed to help with plaque buildup. It doesn't seem to help. I can't believe how fast her teeth gunk up. Why is this such a problem with her? -- H.O., via e-mail

A: As a general rule, the smaller the dog, the faster the plaque buildup. For most dogs and cats, regular dental cleanings (as often as twice a year in some cases) are as important to pets' long-term health as they are to ours. Keeping teeth in good health prevents bad breath, preserves teeth into old age, and protects the pet's organs from the constant shower of bacteria caused by rotting teeth and gums. Over the course of a lifetime, good dental health will add significantly to your pet's quality of life and perhaps even extend her lifespan.

Many pet owners shy away from dental work for their pets for the very reason you do: They're worried about losing their companion to anesthesia. In recent years, however, the use of safer anesthetic agents has become nearly universal, making dental work advisable even for older dogs and cats. In short: The long-term risk of ignoring your pet's teeth is now greater than the short-term risk of anesthesia.

You can extend the time between cleanings, however, by taking on some of responsibility for keeping your pet's teeth clean.

Start your pet's dental health regimen with a trip to your veterinarian, who should check your pet's mouth, teeth and gums. Then he or she can make recommendations based on what is found. For many pets, that'll mean a complete dental cleaning under anesthesia, possibly some periodontal work, and even the removal of broken or rotting teeth.

After the problems are treated, at-home care can keep things in good shape. Here are the basics for both dogs and cats:

-- Brush or wipe the teeth regularly. Use a toothpaste designed for pets a couple of times a week at least, although daily is better.

A children's soft toothbrush works well, as does one made especially for pets. You can also use a brush that fits over your fingertip, or plain gauze wrapped around your finger.

-- Feed pets dry food and offer teeth-cleaning toys. Dry food does help, but it must be used in combination with regular brushing and with toys that help wipe the teeth. Soft chewies or a rope toy are best. Avoid chews that are rock-hard or are prone to breaking into sharp pieces, as these can break teeth or slice gums.

Q: We have just adopted our fifth retired racing greyhound. We discovered these marvelous dogs more than 20 years ago and will never be without one. (We have lost dogs to health problems and old age, and with the recent addition we have two.)

People just can't imagine how quiet, calm and gentle these dogs are. Even the males, who can be quite large, seem to take up no space at all. I want to ask you to encourage others to look into retired racers. They'll be happy they did! -- V.R., via e-mail

A: I love making the case for greyhounds. They're everything you say they are, and they always seem to be aware of how lucky they are to be in a loving home.

In adopting one, you need to work with a reputable rescue organization that'll match the dog with your household. One of the biggest problems: Some greyhounds -- but not all -- don't mix safely with cats.

A good place to start researching is the Greyhound Project Web site (www.adopt-a-greyhound.org). You'll find lots of information pro and con, as well as links to regional rescue groups.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

THE SCOOP

Two million happy endings for adoption program

When you're the dominant player in your industry, you don't really have to make that much effort to be nice. Which is why PetsMart deserves a big helping of respect for not selling dogs and cats in its stores, and instead making prime retail space available for community-based pet-rescue groups. The company says more than 2,700 non-profit groups use the in-store adoption spaces in 700 PetsMart locations, and in mid-October the chain-wide program marked its 2 millionth pet adoption.

The lucky animal was a 3-year-old beagle mix named Louie, who was adopted by the Armstrong family at the O'Fallon, Ill., store.

Now, if only PetsMart would take the lead once more and stop selling other pets in its stores. By making relatively inexpensive small pets such as rats, rabbits and budgies available, PetsMart is encouraging impulse purchases, especially by parents giving in to the wheedling of their children.

There are rescue and shelter groups finding new homes for almost every kind of pet imaginable. I urge PetsMart to take its notable accomplishments in helping homeless pets once step further by replacing all live-animals sales with in-store adoption outreach.

ON THE WEB

Candidates all agree: Pets are wonderful

The Presidential Pet Museum's Web site (www.presidentialpetmuseum.com) is the place to go for a fairly comprehensive list of all presidential animals, from the hounds and horses of George Washington to the dog and cats of George W. Bush. The animals kept by presidential families started out being more purposeful than companionable, with horses and milk cows commonplace.

By the turn of the last century, though, animals were welcomed just for keeping the president and his family company. Theodore Roosevelt brought in the new era with eight dogs and cats and a pack of presidential guinea pigs. But it fell to another Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, to bring the presidential pet into the political spotlight. His dog, Fala, is still arguably the best-known and most-loved White House pet in history. You'll find Fala's picture and much more on the Presidential Pet Museum's site, which is both attractive and easy to navigate.

PET TIP

Rabbits would really rather use a litter box

Recently, I was talking rabbits with a person who'd had them as a child. Hers were a series of outdoor pets who spent their lives on the wire flooring of an elevated hutch not 3 feet square.

Think about it: Spending your entire life on wire, barely able to move, much less to run the way rabbits are born to. Instead of considering how miserable a life this must have been for her childhood pets, she wondered how I could stand having my rabbit as an indoor pet.

"My memory of the rabbits, mostly, is that they smelled bad," she said.

I haven't noticed it. But then, my house rabbit Turbo has a large two-story cage with carpet on the top floor and solid flooring below. He has the run of the house when I'm home to monitor him, and he loves not only to run but also to leap into the air with joy, kicking his legs out sideways in a move that rabbit lovers call "a binky."

He doesn't stink, and he doesn't leave messes around the house. The reason? He has a litter box.

Rabbit litter boxes are a little different from those set up for cats. You don't scoop, but rather toss the entire contents regularly, clean the box and refill. (Unlike the waste of carnivores like cats, rabbit waste is a super-charged addition to any compost pile.)

You also need to be careful about your litter -- no clumping, clay or corn-based fillers. Since rabbits may munch box contents, you need to use one of the brands made of paper. Using a deep box (Turbo's is a dishpan), put a couple of inches of paper-pellet litter in the bottom, then cover with 3 to 4 inches of hay.

Best yet: no smell. The pellets absorb the urine, and the box allows the rabbit to keep himself and his surroundings clean.

PET Rx

True grit: Your bird doesn't need it

Avian veterinarians no longer recommend offering grit to most pet birds. The substance, made of finely ground rock, is now thought to have a negative impact on bird health, removing vitamins from the digestive system and causing potentially life-threatening blockages.

That said, there are some exceptions to the rule. Canaries and other finches should be allowed a couple of grains every couple of months. Parrots (including budgies and cockatiels) should not be offered grit at all.

Outdated advice on bird care is everywhere. To make sure you have the latest information, find a veterinarian who's a board-certified avian specialist, or who takes the extra time to stay current on avian care. You can find such a veterinarian through the Association of Avian Veterinarians (www.aav.org).

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.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 petconnection@gmail.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

Urban living for dog lovers can be a challenge, especially when it comes to finding housing. "No dogs" is the rule at many otherwise promising properties, and those buildings that allow dogs often do so grudgingly, forcing pets to use service elevators or back entrances, and to avoid any common areas.

But there's a new trend in high-rise living: projects that not only allow dogs but also welcome them with animal-friendly features. In Washington, New York and Florida, high-rise condominiums are going up with dog parks and grooming rooms built in.

"The two hottest cultural trends in America: pets and real estate," said real-estate expert Bradley Inman, publisher of the Oakland, Calif.-based Inman News. "It is no surprise that they are being married in new and creative ways. Developers are quick to pick up on new trends to differentiate their products and find ways of feeding new niches."

Consultant John Rymer of Atlanta-based Rymer Strategies has observed the same trend. "We recently did a focus group in Tampa for a project and found that pet-friendly activities were at the top of potential home-buyers' list," he said. "The condo project has yet to break ground, but the developer has made it a priority to include pet-friendly amenities."

In Seattle, a rooftop dog park was added to plans for the Cristalla project after focus groups expressed an interest in a safe place for canine exercise. "I would absolutely classify Seattle as a dog-friendly city," said Steve Washburn, the self-described dog lover who's a principal with Cristalla LLC. "I was excited when we were able to develop such a place."

Some dog lovers were just as excited to hear about it. Tom Taylor and Heather Hayes of Seattle, who have bought into the under-construction Cristalla, felt downtown living was a better match with their lifestyle, except that they were unwilling to compromise when it came to their dogs Madison and Jackson.

"Our dogs are so important to us that we consider them in just about everything we do," said Hayes of the couple's two wirehaired fox terriers. "We never would have moved to a place that would not have welcomed our pets. When we heard about the Cristalla's rooftop dog park, it made moving downtown a real possibility in our minds. The fact that the developer considered the dogs was a big part of it for us."

While its multiple dog parks and restaurants that cater to dog lovers mark Seattle as one of the more dog-friendly cities, the trend toward putting dog-friendly amenities in housing is gaining ground elsewhere as well. In New York City, for example, Manhattan Skyline Management's project on the Upper East Side will also include a dog park, on the fifth floor above the retail levels.

And while the Seattle and New York buildings are both pointed at the luxury market, the DUO condominium project in Hallandale Beach, Fla., is aiming for a more middle-class group of dog lovers. The draw at DUO is a "groom room" equipped with bathing, blow-drying and grooming stations for keeping dogs tidy. The room will be available for residents to groom their own dogs, or they can make arrangements for a groomer to make a house call.

"It's not the first time we've developed a property that allows pets, but it's the first that incorporates pet amenities," said David Reich of Triad Housing, developer of DUO. "We have people who are moving from houses and don't want to give up their dogs. We hear, 'Finally, I found a place that welcomes me!'"

Back in Seattle, Heather Hayes is used to the surprised reaction from people who assume she and her husband will be dumping their dogs as part of their move to high-rise urban living.

"A lot of people ask what we will do with the dogs when we move," she said. "You would never move into a place where your kids aren't welcome or have room to play. Our dogs are part of our family. A place that isn't pet-friendly isn't even a consideration for Tom and me."

Q&A

Pet songs are silly, but they sure are fun

Q: Thank you for your column on pet songs crooned by loving owners. Tonight during dinner I sang your song about your dog Andy to my husband, and we both teared up in recognition of this special tribute to your longtime canine companion.

Our dog Maybe certainly needed a song, and it did not take long for us to come up with one for the abandoned puppy who has become my husband's constant companion for seven years now. As soon as we started experimenting with the tune, Maybe became very excited, and we all had a dance around the kitchen, singing and barking. Thanks for a sweet idea and a fun evening. -- S.D., via e-mail

A: One of the most wonderful things about sharing our lives with animal companions is that around them we can indulge our silly side without worrying about anyone laughing at us.

I have always had "theme songs" for my pets. My darling Sheltie Andy, gone almost two years now, had the mottled gray and black coat common in breeds such as the Australian shepherd. His stunning markings attracted attention where ever we went, and it also inspired his "theme song," sung to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine":

"You are my Andy, my only Andy/You make me happy, because you're gray ..."

Like most of the animals in my home, he came to recognize "his" song and seemed to smile when I sang it. Now it makes me smile to remember it. Thank you for reminding me.

Q: I take issue with your view of dogs who display aggression. As a second-time Akita owner, I have known members of this breed to be highly intelligent and often assertive when protecting their owners.

On one occasion, my 2-year-old male Akita snapped at my former mother-in-law after she startled him. Given the fact that my mother-in-law was no stranger to him, I was alarmed by this behavior, immediately consulted with our veterinarian and subsequently worked with an animal behaviorist.

After weeks of advanced obedience training (consisting mostly of socialization techniques), the dog mellowed into a sweet family member and remained so for the rest of his life.

This is why I take issue with your staunch and unyielding view on aggressive dogs. With love, socialization and consistency, most dogs can be trained to be safe companions. Your article indicated little hope for aggressive dogs. I trust you don't share similar views on the child who, on occasion, "acts out." -- B.M., via e-mail

A: I trust you aren't serious in equating a child who throws an occasional tantrum in grocery store with a dog who has tried to bite or has succeeded in biting a human being.

Every time I share my "staunch and unyielding view" on aggressive dogs, I get letters from people who make excuses for their animals. Your reasoning is very common: The dog's breed is "naturally protective" and some degree of aggression toward people is normal for the breed.

What's essential for all dogs, regardless of breeding, is that we don't make excuses for aggression toward humans. You did the right thing by recognizing the problem and getting help immediately, which is exactly what I advise other people in your situation to do. In some cases, aggressive animals can indeed be rehabilitated.

I don't suggest, however, that all or even most dogs who are aggressive toward people can be cured. For those animals who cannot be made safe, I advocate euthanasia. No dog's life is worth putting a child through the hell of an attack and the reconstructive surgeries that often follow. And statistics show that in the most serious of attacks, a child is indeed the most common of victims.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

ON THE WEB

Cat-friendly ideas for home design

Tops on my all-time list of favorite cat books are "The Cats' House" and "Cats Into Everything" by Bob Walker and Frances Mooney (Andrews McMeel). The books illustrate the creative and colorful way the artistic couple have converted a fairly ordinary Southern California tract house into a feline paradise, with overhead cat walks, floor-to-ceiling scratching pillars and kitty shortcuts sliced through walls.

Tours of the property are few and far between -- a recent fund-raising open house was the first in five years -- but the couple's books and Web site (www.thecatshouse.com) give a good look into the extraordinary environment of a handful of very lucky cats.

You really do have to see the pictures to believe the place. The bright colors alone are not for the timid. One of my favorite pictures has always been one of cat hair drifting down from above onto the breakfast table -- a good illustration of how much the cats are adored.

Whether you're thinking of making a couple of cat-friendly modifications to your living space or are just interested in seeing what the creative mind can do when inspired by cats, you should visit the house -- in print, on the Web or (if you're lucky) in person.

THE SCOOP

Target reaches out to help bull terriers

The Minneapolis-based Target retailing chain uses a white bull terrier in its advertising, modifying the dog's look with bright red circles drawn around one of the animal's eyes. The company mascot, dubbed Bullseye, gave the Bull Terrier Club of America the idea of asking Target for help. The BTCA applied for a charitable grant to assist in its work rescuing bull terriers in need of a new home -- and picked up a $20,000 check from the company.

The American Kennel Club noted in announcing the grant that many times a turn in the spotlight can be bad news for a breed, leading to a surge in popularity followed by a bump in the number of dogs needing homes after the novelty wears off.

The list of breeds affected by publicity is long and includes Dalmatians, following the Disney movies based on the book "101 Dalmatians," Chihuahuas, following a Taco Bell advertising campaign, and an even earlier burst in popularity thrust on bull terriers following the Spuds McKenzie Budweiser commercials.

It's good news to see a company helping those dogs whom publicity has put at increased risk, and I can't help but hope others will follow Target's example.

BY THE BOOK

The perfect gift for the literate dog lover

Some books teach you something you didn't know about yourself, while others remind you of something you knew but didn't like to admit. Still others boldly celebrate things that you knew but didn't think others would understand.

"Dog Is My Co-Pilot: Great Writers on the World's Oldest Friendship" (Crown, $25) manages to do all three and more. This makes it a wonderful gift for the well-read dog lover.

The book is a solid compilation of short pieces with dogs at the heart of each. Chosen by the editors of The Bark magazine, the pieces cover a wide range of writing styles and points of view, but each piece is thought-provoking and sometimes breathtaking in its execution. This is not surprising, given that The Bark's editors have managed to get the work of some of the most renowned authors between the covers, including Alice Walker, Erica Jong, Donald McCaig, Pam Houston, Mark Derr and many more.

"The Color of Joy," the piece by the late Caroline Knapp, had a great deal of resonance for me personally, as I have often been made to feel just a little bit crazy for the love I have for my dogs.

"Dog love, popular wisdom suggests, should be limited love," writes Knapp, in an excerpt from her best-selling book "Pack of Two." "Let on the depth of your true feelings about a dog -- how attached you are, how vital the relationship feels -- and risk being accused of any number of neuroses ..."

Not all the stories are about people besotted with their canine companions, of course. Some are even written by people who don't like dogs -- but with children who felt strongly otherwise. Other stories address what the relationship between humans and dogs means, and how it has changed, for better and for worse.

Work of this quality, not incidentally, is the hallmark of The Bark, a magazine that serves no one but dogs and those who love them, as opposed to most pet-themed magazines, which exist primarily for their advertisers. The magazine is $15 per year for five issues. Order on the Web (www.thebark.com), by phone (toll-free 1-877-227-5639), or by mail (2810 Eighth St., Berkeley, CA 94710).

PET Rx

Calming cats after veterinary visit

A trip to the veterinarian can send a cat into a full-blown snit that can last hours after the return home. The smells of a veterinary setting can even set off other feline family members, who may become aggressive toward the returnee.

Let your cat pick the speed at which he settles back into the household after a trip to the veterinarian. When you get home, put the carrier down in a quiet place, open the carrier door and leave him alone. Your cat may stay in the carrier for a while, may head for the nearest bed to hide under, or may step out and be just fine.

To help "de-vet" the scent of the returnee so other family cats will settle down, try running a towel over the cat who stayed behind and then swiping it over the returning cat.

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.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 petconnection@gmail.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

Three years ago, Kendra Luck was starting to wonder what else could possibly go wrong with her life. She'd lost her brother, and staff reductions at her newspaper had claimed her job as a photojournalist. Suddenly, she was left with her dog, Gladys, her skills as a photographer -- and her love of both dogs and photography.

She had a Web site (www.dogumentarian.com) and the germ of a business idea to go with it. "You get laid off, your brother dies, your world changes. I said to myself, 'I can't keep waiting to do the things I want in my life.' It was just time to do something."

And so, Kendra Luck became the Dogumentarian. "I was interested in doing happy work," she said. "After working in journalism so long, you get a little depressed."

Working out of her San Francisco Bay Area home, Luck started taking artistic portraits of dogs, avoiding the modern appeal of color or digital in favor of black-and-white film images that work to reveal the true personality of their subjects. From the beginning, Luck's work stood out as something different.

"Part of it is my background," said Luck, acknowledging how different her work looks from the studio shots more common in pet photography. "When I decided to start doing this, I saw there were pet photographers, but no one was doing exactly what I do.

"I shoot in a documentary style," she said. "There are hobbyists, who decide to start charging for their work, and there are studio photographers, who decide to add pets to their business. But I'm a photojournalist, and I apply that documentary style to my work with dogs."

Luck shoots on location, using available light and backgrounds. In addition to her eye for just the right shot, Luck says patience is, for her, more than mere virtue.

"I follow the dog around," she said. "I want the dog to just be a dog, and I don't want the dog to perform. You want them to get to know you. It's like working with people: You need to get them comfortable, get them to relax, get them to show their true colors."

A portrait involves eight to 10 hours of Luck's time, she says, and runs from $200 to $500, but Luck says her clients aren't necessarily affluent. Among her clients, she has single women, gay couples, and more traditional families without children or whose children are grown. "I have some clients with children," she said, "But not many."

She works not only in Northern California, but also in Seattle, Austin, Chicago and Phoenix, and her portraits have also been shown in art galleries.

"My clients are people who not only love their dog, but also love the personality of their dog," she says. "The portraits are driven more by personality than by looks."

SIDEBAR

Choose pet photographer by style, personality

By Morgan Ong

Like professional wedding photographers, photographers specializing in pets have experiences and skills that set them apart when capturing the essence of their subjects. As with selecting a wedding photographer, choosing someone to take an artistic portrait of your pet requires some research to achieve a lifetime of satisfaction.

The primary consideration in selecting a local or regional professional is a photographer's style. Do you want formal portraits, or do you prefer the documentary style that has become so popular? Is it possible to have a mix of the two styles? Will the style you choose satisfy you over the years when the photographs are on your walls, on your desk or in albums?

Also, don't overlook rapport. The best results usually happen when there's an emotional connection at the earliest stage of the session. Make sure both you and your pets are comfortable with the photographer you choose.

Get a start on the selection process by clicking on the Web sites of a few of the scores of professional pet photographers to help you grasp the range of photographic styles available.

(RYAN: Maybe break Web site listings into two columns?)

www.dogumentarian.com

www.mattmendelsohn.com

www.lauraciapponi.com

www.amandajones.com

www.heidiladendorf.com

www.agpphoto.com

www.maryludington.com

www.kerrymansfield.com

www.masonart.net

www.pawcassoart.com

www.wendygrossman.com

www.suemuir.com

PET TIP

Proper tools make trimming cat claws easier

Your cat keeps his claws in shape by removing the worn outer coverings -- called sheaths -- and exposing the new claw below, either by chewing the sheaths off or leaving them in whatever he claws. (If you look closely at your cat's scratching post, you'll probably find old sheaths stuck in the fabric.)

Keeping your cat's claws trimmed is a good practice for two reasons: First, doing so cuts down on destructiveness by removing some -- but not all -- of your cat's desire to dig his claws into objects. Second, it makes things a little more comfortable for us thin-skinned humans to live with cats -- as anyone with a cat that likes to "knead" with claws going in and out while napping on a lap can testify!

You have two choices in terms of nail trimmers: guillotine or scissors-type. Guillotine trimmers have a little oval guide into which you slip your pet's nail and a blade that extends into that guide after you squeeze the handles together. The scissors-type works like scissors, not surprisingly, with the nail going between two small, crescent-shaped cutting blades. Either kind works perfectly well and is a matter of personal preference. Human fingernail or toenail trimmers will also work, although they're not as easy to handle if your cat's a squirmer.

You also need to pick up something to stop the bleeding should you nick the vein in your pet's nail. Kwik-Stop powder is available in most pet-supply stores or catalogs.

Don't be put off by packaging suggesting that either kind of clipper is for use on dogs -- they work just fine on your cat, too. Some scissors clippers are made just for cats, but you may find these a little too small to use easily.

Q&A

Altering your rabbit makes for a better pet

Q: We have an affectionate and playful miniature lop rabbit who lives in the house and is a full member of the family -- no outside hutch for her! One of my daughter's classmates has a rabbit that her family no longer wants, and my daughter is asking us to adopt him. I've said yes. But the new rabbit is a male, and we certainly don't want the pair of them to do what comes naturally (if you get my drift). Can rabbits be spayed or neutered? -- B.W., via e-mail

A: Yes, rabbits certainly can be altered. And just as with dogs and cats, neutering and spaying eliminates many health and behavior problems. 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 lifespan, altering eliminates sex-related behavior problems. Sexually mature rabbits can be territorial or even aggressive, and may spray urine.

Put simply: Spayed and neutered rabbits make better pets. Despite all the benefits, however, anesthesia is a little trickier with rabbits than with dogs and cats. Be sure you're dealing with a veterinarian who is experienced with rabbits, and ask about anesthesia options and precautions. Do your part to help by following your veterinarian's pre- and post-operative directions precisely.

And bless your kind heart in giving an unwanted rabbit a second chance. Too many parents dump pets when the child for whom they were purchased loses interest. The message this sends to children -- living things are disposable -- is perfectly dreadful.

Q: We're having a problem with our cat, who doesn't want to seem to stay put after our move. Our new home is two miles from the old one, and Justin keeps going back to the house where he grew up. The people who live there now keep calling us to pick him up, and we don't know what to do to keep him home. Any suggestions? -- L.W., via e-mail

A: Because cats bond to places as well as to people, some cat lovers find that their free-roaming pets keep showing up at their old home after a move, especially if the new home, like yours, isn't very far from the old one. My best suggestion for you is to convert your cat to an indoor pet, because crossing streets to go "home" considerably ups his risk of getting hit. Remember, indoor cats in general live longer, healthier lives.

If permanent confinement is not possible, bring your cat inside for a couple of weeks. While he's cooped up, dedicate extra time to playing with him, especially interactive games such as with a toy on a string. This play helps to relieve him of some of his stress or excess anxiety and also aids him in forming attachments to his new home and to the idea of you in it.

After a couple of weeks, let him out for short periods into your yard with you, and take him back in when you go inside again. You should be able to get a feel for when he's starting to recognize the new digs as his home, and increase his freedom accordingly. There are no guarantees, but if you've taken your time to let him adjust, he should stay close by.

Make sure the new people at your old home aren't encouraging your cat to stay. Ask them not to feed him or pet him and to use a squirt bottle or a noisemaker to deter him from staying if they see him around.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

PET RX

Variety the key to healthy bird diet

No matter what your bird thinks, seeds are not the best diet for pet parrots, a group that includes everything from the tiniest parakeet to the largest macaw.

An all-seed diet contributes both directly (through malnutrition) and indirectly (by weakening the bird, making it easier for infectious diseases to take hold) to a serious reduction in the possible lifespan of any pet bird -- by half or more in many situations, in fact.

What should you be feeding him instead? No one food is currently all your pet bird needs to thrive, not even the wide array of commercially prepared food pellets that should make up the largest portion of a typical pet bird's healthy diet. Variety is the name of the game when it comes to feeding your pet bird. This means in addition to offering high-quality pelleted food, you should be offering a wide array of healthy "people food" -- fresh vegetables, fruits, pasta, bread, scrambled eggs. Whatever has good nutrition for you is also good for your parrot.

If your bird is a "seed junkie," talk to an avian veterinarian about a strategy for converting your pet to a base diet of pellets supplemented by a variety of healthy foods.

As for seeds, they're still OK to give your bird as an occasional treat, or for an incentive used in training.

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.)

ON THE WEB

California ferrets still illegal -- and popular

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made it clear recently in vetoing the state's latest ferret amnesty plan that he didn't have anything against the pets, which are legal in every other state except Hawaii.

"I love ferrets. I co-starred with a ferret in 'Kindergarten Cop,'" said the movie-star governor. "However, this bill is too bureaucratic, and it legalizes ferrets prior to conducting an environmental impact report."

The governor's action ensures another round of silliness by the California Legislature when yet another bill is introduced trying to reconcile the law with the fact that tens of thousands of ferrets already live in the state, so many that pet-stores openly sell ferret supplies.

In the meantime, ferret lovers in California and elsewhere will find good information on caring for these lively pets on the Ferret Central Web site (www.ferretcentral.org). The page isn't pretty, but it certainly is functional, with links to dozens of pages on every imaginable ferret-related topic. -- G.S.

BY THE NUMBERS

Love me, love my dog -- or get lost!

Have dogs replaced diamonds as a girl's best friend? It's certainly open to debate, with some supporting evidence for canine companionship revealed in a Harris Poll conducted over the summer for the makers of Milk-Bone dog treats.

Among the results:

-- Thirty-two percent of current dog owners agree that their dog is their best friend, with women (34 percent) more likely than men (29 percent) to think so.

-- Women are twice as likely as men to talk to their dogs on the phone or leave a message on their home answering machine while they're away.

-- While 38 percent of dog owners overall refer to themselves as "mommy" or "daddy" to their canine companion, there are differences by both region and gender. In the Northeast, 48 percent of dog lovers refer to themselves as parents, and women are more likely than men to do so, by 44 percent to 30 percent.

-- If you're a dog, you're better off with a single woman than a single man. Women are more likely than men to pass on marrying someone who doesn't like the dog, by 40 percent to 34 percent.

THE SCOOP

Head-butting cat's message: You're mine!

When your cat rubs his head against your leg, he's doing it because he loves you, right? Sort of. Your cat is definitely showing his affection for you, but he's also marking you as his property by putting his scent on you.

Your cat has sebaceous glands at the base of his hair follicles that produce sebum, a substance that serves two purposes: coating the fur for protection and depositing scent on objects in the cat's environment.

These glands are most numerous around your cat's mouth and on the chin, lips, upper eyelids, on the top of the tail base, and near his anus and genitals. If a cat rubs with his head (a behavior known as bunting), or any of these scent-loaded parts of his body, he's depositing both sebum and his own distinct scent on everything he touches.

Our pitiful noses can't detect these deposits, but other cats surely can.

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

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