When it comes to pets in matters of divorce, the fact that we care so much about our animal companions is good news, because it means the courts are starting to look at animals as more than mere property.

Unfortunately, the fact that we care so much about our animal companions is also bad news, making pets a high-value item in the nastiest of marriage dissolutions.

"If you've got a mean divorce, whatever weapon is handy they're going to use," says prominent Manhattan divorce attorney Bernard Clair. "Money. Property. Children. Pets. Find what the other person wants, and want it even more."

Fortunately, Clair sees a trend toward a more humane handling of pets in divorce, perhaps driven by the higher status animals have in our lives.

"If a couple is at a point where a pet is loved enough to become an issue, then they need to ask a tough question and find the answer: 'What is best for this animal?'" he says. "The heart has to rule."

The heart, along with a dose of human decency, is a better arbiter of the issues than is a judge in most cases. That's because although some animal activists believe pet custody cases should be decided in the same way as child custody cases, that's not the way the law sees it now. "The best interest of the pet" is not a consideration, and the animal is pretty much considered property.

"People are better served when they can resolve their own controversies regarding pets during a divorce," says Clair. "It's a crapshoot when you leave the determination to someone else. That's true whether you find an enlightened judge or one who still looks at pets the same as silverware."

While Clair has seen joint custody arrangements where pets are shared, he doesn't think they work all that well. "I've seen little success with sharing a pet. The animal becomes almost schizophrenic."

His favorite arrangements are those where the pets go where the children do and can end up being a stabilizing influence on all involved.

"If the children are visiting the non-custodial parent, the pet follows the children," he says. "It works not only from the pet's point of view, but also from the children's. Mental-health professionals know the importance of a 'transitional object' that goes from one place to another and provides a source of comfort. A pet is perfect for that role."

In a more traditional divorce, says Clair, the mother gets the house, the pets and the children, leaving the father with feelings of loss and grief. "The pain is in the departing, and missing the pet can be part of that. Again, having the pet follow the children can be ideal for the father as well.

"The needs of all parties can be met by having the pet go where the kids do."

While judges cannot legally take the pet's best interest into consideration, Clair feels that some of them factor it in anyway -- and that changes are on the way in how the law will handle companion animals.

"You can't open a magazine anymore without seeing stories about animals. They have pain, and they suffer. As animals become recognized as sentient beings with the right to enjoy their time on this planet, the law will continue to evolve."

In the meantime, says Clair, it's still best for people to consider the needs of everyone involved in the divorce, to resolve issues as fairly as possible.

"Pets represent as much of an issue as how we're going to divide the flatware," he says. "People need to ask: What would be the best situation for the pet?"

Q&A

Confinement key to moving a cat

Q: We've bought a new home, and we'll be moving our cat, Zephyr, with us. He's almost 10, and this is the only home he has ever known since we brought him home as a kitten from the shelter. He is quite the man about town in our neighborhood, and we want him to be happy at the new place. Do you have some tips for making the transition easier? -- D.W., via e-mail

A: The best way to move your cat is to confine him to a small area before and after the move. The ideal place is a spare bedroom where your cat isn't going to be disturbed. Set up the area with food and water, a litter box, a scratching post and toys.

Don't feel bad about confining your pet: He'll be more calm and comfortable in a small space during the transition. Confining your cat also prevents him from slipping out, which is a danger at both the old and new home. Your cat should be confined in his safe room before packing begins, be moved to his new home in a carrier, and then be confined again in his new safe room until the moving is over, the furniture arranged and most of the dust settled.

When you get to your new home, put the carrier down in the safe room, open the carrier door, and let your cat decide when to come out.

After he's a little calmer, you can coax him out with some fresh food or treats, but don't rush him and don't drag him out. A couple of days after the moving activity has settled, open the door to the safe room and let your cat explore at will, on his terms, but just within the limits of the house. He still needs to be kept completely inside for a couple of weeks, to start him forming a bond with his new surroundings.

If you've been contemplating converting your cat to indoors-only, moving into a new home is a great time to do it. He'd carry on like crazy in your old home if locked in, but in new surroundings he'll accept the change better. Part of the reason cats don't like to convert is because they've marked the outside as part of their territory and have a natural desire to revisit and re-mark. A newly moved cat will come to accept the territory he has been offered, and if the outdoors isn't part of it, he won't miss it so much.

Q: We're looking to buy a parrot. We found a breeder who'll sell us one at a discount if we take it just after it has been hatched and hand-feed it ourselves. We've never done this, and we've never even had a parrot before. She says it's easy, though. What do you think? -- H.J., via e-mail

A: I think you should pass, and find a breeder who wouldn't think of selling a baby bird that hasn't been fully weaned to a healthy adult diet.

While an experienced hand-feeder may find the task easy (rote, even), taking care of a baby bird is definitely not for beginners. It's frighteningly easy to bungle the job, with tragic results.

When you factor in the risks, the trouble and all those round-the-clock feedings, raising your own hatchling isn't the bargain it may first appear to be. If you're thinking it's important for bonding, rest easy on that point as well. A healthy, well-socialized and fully weaned young bird will have no trouble at all bonding to you.

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

PET Rx

Regular exams a must for birds

Hiding signs of illness isn't something human beings need to do. Any parent can tell in an instant when a child is starting to get sick, and many of us live with mates for whom even an ingrown toenail is the reason for much moaning. Dogs, too, don't hide how they feel. Whining is a trait known to both canine and human sufferers alike.

Whining is fine when you're a social animal at the top of the food chain. When you're closer to the bottom, though, whining is a stupendously bad idea and can draw unwanted attention. When a prey animal or bird shows signs of weakness in the wild, chances are he's going to become a predator's next meal.

That's why birds are so adept at hiding signs of illness. Every avian veterinarian has dealt with the sad situation of a bird who was "fine yesterday" and now is dead or nearly so. But in most such cases, the bird was sick for weeks or months, hiding signs of illness as best he could.

Regular "well-bird" exams can spot little problems before they becoming life-threatening, and get a sick bird back on track before it's too late. These exams should include not only a physical component, but also evaluations of behavior and nutrition. They are an essential part of caring for a bird, because often when a bird is too sick to hide signs of illness, he's also too sick to be saved.

A list of veterinarians who specialize in avian care can be found on the Association of Avian Veterinarian's Web site, 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.)

Pet Book

Agility is fun for people, dogs

If your New Year's resolution is to be more active, why not involve your dog? Recent studies have shown a trend toward obesity in people and pets alike, and exercise is one way to win the battle of the bulge. In addition, the more time you spend with your dog, the stronger the bond between you.

While at its highest levels of competition, agility is a sport for the elite athletes of the canine set -- border collies rule! -- there's still plenty of room for ordinary people and pets to have fun on the obstacle courses.

Indeed, enjoying time with your dog is what it's all about for Margaret H. Bonham, whose book "Having Fun With Agility" (Howell Book House, $15) is intended to get people started in this popular canine activity.

The book stresses positive training methods and safety on the obstacles, while giving plenty of information to lay the groundwork for the person who truly catches the agility "bug."

THE SCOOP

Pets get the royal treatment from luxury hotels

A few months ago I put in a short stay at Loew's lush Miami Beach hotel. Now, I'm more the kind of person who chooses moderately priced hotels, which until relatively recently were the only kind that put out the welcome mat for people traveling with pets.

Turns out the high-end hotels have discovered the pet market, too.

At Loew's, I saw well-mannered dogs all over the place, from the miniature schnauzer who paused to give me a sniff when I got out of my car to the golden who was heading off for a morning of window-shopping with his well-dressed owners.

Loew's has pet-friendly policies at all 20 of its properties in the United States and Canada, and added special packaged offers for pet lovers starting last June. The hotels charge a pet fee of $25 per stay, but set no limit on the size of the pet in question.

There's even a special page in the room service menu for pet food, with such tempting dishes as "Bow Wow Tenderloin of Beef" (beef, eggs and brown rice) or Kitty's Salmon Supreme (fresh filet of salmon for the finicky feline traveler). High-quality commercial pet foods are also available.

Loew's is not alone in recognizing that people love to travel with and pamper their pets. The Starwood hotels and resorts -- including Sheraton, Westin and W -- worked with the New York-based American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to come up with its own program to attract well-heeled travelers and their pets.

For those of us who just aren't budgeted for such grand accommodations, there are still plenty of comfortable options on the road. Among the more moderately-priced hotel chains, the Red Roof Inns and La Quinta Inns have been my favorites when I'm traveling with my pets.

ON THE WEB

Finding help in time of loss

The time has mostly passed when people who've lost a cherished pet were told "it's just a cat" or counseled to "replace" the animal quickly. Veterinary schools in the United States and Canada have long had pet-loss support hot lines staffed by students who listen to callers cry as well as offer them advice and support.

The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine was the pioneer in providing such services. And its Web site (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/index.htm) backs up the hot line with practical information on loss and links to even more. The list of books on pet loss includes some specifically geared to children, including the classic "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney," by Judith Viorst (Aladdin Books, $6).

In another corner of the Internet, Pet Hobbyist (www.pethobbyist.com) offers a pet-loss online chat 365 days a year, along with discussion boards, a collection of memorial photos and articles on the grief process. -- G.S.

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

The day was still young on Christmas when the first round of dog-dumping began on Internet advertising sites:

"Purebred shih tzu, 7 weeks. Gift, can't keep. $600."

"Allergies force us to part with our beautiful beagle puppy. Paid $300, first $250 takes."

"Yellow Labrador, 9 weeks old. My husband paid $250 for this puppy, and we can't have her in a rental. Make offer. She needs to go before my kids get too attached."

Christmas is a bad time of year for those who work in shelters and who volunteer to do grassroots pet-rescue work. Before Christmas, old dogs get dumped by people who don't want to pay holiday boarding for a pet they figure will die soon anyway, or who are planning to replace the oldster with a new puppy.

And afterward, and for months to come, the Christmas puppy -- the gift that seemed like such a good idea, the one that cannot be returned, exchanged or put on a shelf -- gets sold, is given away or simply gets dumped.

In the Seattle area, a pioneering network of volunteers stands ready to help. Entering its 19th year of operation, Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue (www.spdrdogs.org) will handle more than 3,000 unwanted dogs this year, including many of those abandoned oldsters and second-thought Christmas puppies. A drop in the bucket when it comes to the millions dying in the nation's shelters every year, perhaps, but a miracle to the dogs who don't stand a chance at a new home otherwise.

"We want dogs to stick in their new homes, not bounce back into the system," says Kirsten Gleb, president of the all-volunteer organization. "We're very careful about how we place dogs, making sure the adopter really understands what they're getting into with a certain breed."

SPDR is the second-oldest all-breed dog rescue organization in the country. The first started in St. Louis in 1984, and both were founded by Dixie Tenny Lehmann. The idea of breed rescue is twofold: It's an opportunity for those who love and understand a particular breed to assist the dogs they love, and it's a way to help shelters free up for room for other dogs after rescuers take purebreds into the foster system. In 2003, two-thirds of the dogs placed through SPDR came through shelters first.

"People ask, 'Why purebreds?'" says Gleb. "It's just our niche. Up to 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds. If we get them out, that's help for mixed breeds, too. We're just part of that puzzle, not good or bad, and we're all working for the same goal -- good homes for dogs who need them."

The organization serves as an umbrella group for individual breed representatives who have a fair degree of autonomy when it comes to placing dogs. (SPDR has only one non-negotiable rule: It will not place a dog who has bitten.) In addition to more than 100 breed reps, the group has up to 500 additional volunteers in the Puget Sound area, who do everything from fostering dogs to keeping statistics, from stuffing envelopes to staffing information booths at community events.

"My job is to make the breed reps' job easier," says Gleb, who works as a firefighter for Boeing and who started her volunteer work doing foster care for SPDR. "We know that they know what they're doing, that they know their breed and can educate."

And that's the key: education. For while helping unwanted dogs find new homes makes a difference to this season's Christmas puppies, educating people about breed traits and responsible pet care is the only thing that will help the Christmas puppies in the years to come.

SIDEBAR

Most unwanted

In 2003, the top 10 breeds of dogs handled by SPDR included purebreds that are common in many big-city shelters. The Rottweiler had been the No. 2 most-abandoned breed in 2002 and 2001, but isn't shown in 2003 statistics because the group didn't have a volunteer representative handling the breed.

(1) Pit bull

(2) Labrador retriever

(3) German shepherd

(4) Siberian husky

(5) Cocker spaniel

(6) Dachshund

(7) Australian shepherd

(8) Lhasa apso

(9) Golden retriever

(10) Boxer

Q&A

Risks of spaying outweighed by benefits

Q: Isn't it dangerous to spay a dog? How about the anesthesia? How long is the recovery? I have to know exactly what will happen to my dog before I agree to the operation. The thought of putting her under scares me to death, and I'm thinking of just dealing with the heats instead. Can you advise? -- M.S., via e-mail

A: "Spaying" is the everyday term for the surgical sterilization of a female dog or cat. The clinical term is "ovariohysterectomy."

Spaying must be done by a veterinarian, and it requires general anesthesia. The procedure has traditionally been performed starting at the age of 5 or 6 months. But in recent years, the early spaying or neutering of puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks has been widely approved by veterinary and humane groups.

Spaying involves the removal of the female's entire reproductive system. The uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are taken out through an incision in the abdomen. Your veterinarian may require you to return to have your dog's stitches removed in about 10 days' time, or he may use stitches that are absorbed into the body. Recovery is fast, taking just a few days, during which you should limit your dog's activities -- no jumping or boisterous play.

Although technically not minor surgery, spaying is among the most common veterinary procedures and carries very little risk for your dog. Your veterinarian should discuss your role before and after surgery to ensure that any complications that may develop are dealt with promptly.

Please don't neglect this essential part of responsible pet-keeping. Spaying your pet will prevent the potential for life-threatening infections and cancer, and will of course prevent your pet from contributing to the tragic surplus of animals dying in the shelters.

Q: I'm 8 years old. My parents gave me a hamster cage for Christmas. I get to pick my own pet, and I want to make sure I get a good one. This is my first pet. Mom said you can help. Do you have hamsters? -- J.K., via e-mail

A: Congratulations! Your first pet is a reason to celebrate. I know you'll take good care of your new friend. Have your parents take you to a reputable pet shop, where it's obvious the animals are clean and well-cared-for.

A healthy hamster will have a lush, glossy coat, bright eyes and a clear nose. Any sign of messiness around the eyes or ears or under the tail is a sign the animal may not be well.

Having a pet is a big responsibility. Keep the cage clean, and make sure your pet always has fresh food and water. Be careful to secure your pet's cage carefully, for hamsters are talented escape artists.

I don't have hamsters, but I do have a pair of domestic rats, Ava and Zoe. Small pets can be a lot of fun if you take good care of them.

Q: I know the holidays are over, but I'm still not straight about poinsettias. Many Web sites say they're poisonous, but you say they're not. What gives? -- Q.R., via e-mail

A: The Internet is a wonderful place to do research, if you remember to read with a critical eye and make sure the information you read is adequately sourced. There's a lot of incorrect information that just keeps getting repeated.

If you don't want to believe me about poinsettias, believe my source, the Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc). It says: "Poinsettias are considered to be very low in toxicity. However, they could cause mild vomiting or nausea if ingested by your pet."

In other words, your pet shouldn't be eating them, but it won't kill him if he does.

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

ON THE WEB

One-stop shopping for great dog books

Want to find the cutting-edge books on dog care and training? Check out Dogwise (www.dogwise.com). Mass-market suppliers of books and pet products generally rely on large or well-connected publishers for a rather limited range of titles that may not reflect the latest thinking in training, dog sports or care and nutrition.

The folks at Dogwise have made it their business to figure out what's new and what's likely to change the way we think about dogs. In addition to carrying the books of people who've been steadily changing the way dogs are trained, Dogwise is careful to stock titles that won't sell enough to interest a mass retailer, such as a care manual on a rare breed. The Web site is also the place to look for books on working through a specific training problem, such as aggression, shyness, multi-dog conflicts within a household or poor leash manners.

An especially nice feature is the recommended reading lists, where trainers and other dog enthusiasts share their picks of the best in dog books, including lists that focus on books for those with new puppies.

Pet Rx

Feline asthma can be helped

Caption: A cat's breathing should be effortless.

Labored breathing is always a cause for alarm, and any cat who's in respiratory distress needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. For some cats, the diagnosis may be feline asthma, a condition similar to the human disease that is treated in a similar way.

Asthma is a constriction of the airways, accompanied by the increased production of lung-clogging secretions. In cats, labored, open-mouth breathing and a dry hacking cough -- sometimes mistaken for a hairball hack -- can be signs of asthma.

Any cat with these symptoms needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian and to have a treatment plan drawn up and followed. Treatment for feline asthma involves managing the environment to eliminate or lessen allergic triggers, such as dust from certain litters, in combination with medications to relax the airways and reduce inflammation.

Don't take your cat's breathing problems for granted, since feline asthma can be life-threatening if left untreated. Medications and environmental management can help a cat live with the disease, but it cannot be cured.

(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.)

PET BOOK

Freshwater fish smile for the camera

If one had to chose a single word to describe "Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish" (Firefly, $30), that word would simply be "gorgeous."

That's because of the photography of Geoff Rogers, who presents more 150 fish in incredible detail, floating vividly against glossy white pages and often seeming to look right into the eyes of the reader. The text, by Nick Fletcher, offers both beginners and experienced fish-keepers information on each of the fish, some interesting tidbits about their habits, and how common and how hard to keep they are.

For example, his write-up of the vividly colored and elegantly finned Betta: "Devoted parent but merciless to other males, the Betta (also sold as Siamese fighting fish) lives its short life on the edge. ... Do not taunt him with rival males in nearby tanks; otherwise, he will conduct his aggression dramas through the glass and burn out like the fiery living candle he is."

Truly, there's a visual delight on every page, from the gorgeous catfishes to the cichlids from all over the globe. Even the humble goldfish gets the lush photographic treatment, and some respect in the text, as well.

"Gaze into a tank of fancy goldfish and be amazed at their diversity of form and coloration," writes Fletcher. Or, to make it even easier, just look at the 30 pages of goldfish the likes of which you've never seen handed out in plastic bags at your yearly church carnival.

And about that common goldfish? "This fish has set many hobbyists on the road to keeping more exotic, tropical species," he writes.

This book could do the same. After looking at the stunning variety of fish available for keeping in freshwater aquariums, I felt the urge to start pricing fish-keeping equipment. -- G.S.

BY THE NUMBERS

Who knows you best?

In anticipation of the Jan. 14-16 American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championships for top show dogs as well as agility and obedience teams, the AKC polled dog lovers to reveal the relationship we have with our dogs.

The survey also revealed we are more likely to watch a dog show on TV than we were 10 years ago (88.8 percent in agreement); for program times on the National Championships, see the Animal Planet Web site (http://animal.discovery.com)

Who knows more of your secrets?

Your dog 62.4 percent

Your significant other 22.5 percent

Your best friend 13.2 percent

Your child 1.9 percent

PET TIP

Cats can adapt to life on leash

Many indoor cats can be trained to enjoy an outdoor outing on a harness and leash. Choose a harness designed for cats, not for dogs, in a figure-eight design. As with collars, harnesses come in many colors, with lightweight leashes to match.

Don't expect your cat to heel like a dog, however. Walking a cat consists of encouraging your pet to explore, with you following. Never leave your cat tethered and unattended, which leaves him vulnerable to attack or to a terrifying time of hanging suspended from his harness should he try to get over a fence.

While no indoor cat needs to be walked on leash, some of them come to enjoy it enough to make leash-training worth the effort to try. Be sure to walk your cat in an area that's free of such dangers as off-leash dogs, since a terrified cat on a leash is no fun to handle.

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

Old ideas can be hard to eradicate, even when better ones come along. That's certainly true when it comes to house-training, with many people still following horrid old methods such as shoving a puppy's nose in the mess and swatting him with a rolled-up newspaper.

If you have a new puppy and that's the method you're using, please put down that rolled-up newspaper and learn about crate-training. Every year more people turn to this method, with good reason: It's easier on pup and people alike.

"I find the crate to be very effective when used in house-training for a couple of reasons," says Liz Palika, the author of more than 45 pet-care books who has spent 28 years teaching dog obedience in the San Diego area. Her most recent book is "The KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy" (Dorling Kindersley, $20).

"First, when the dog is confined, he can't sneak off to another room or behind the sofa to relieve himself. Second, when in the crate, he learns and develops bowel and bladder control, because few dogs are willing to soil their bed."

Crate-training limits a puppy's options to three: He's either empty and playing in the house, or he's in the crate and "holding it" because he doesn't want to sit in his own waste, or he's at the place you've chosen for him to relieve himself.

Puppies need to relieve themselves after they wake up, after they eat or drink, or after a period of play. Set up a schedule to accommodate his needs -- young puppies, especially small breeds or mixes, can't go very long without eating, drinking, sleeping or relieving themselves -- as you work to mold behavior. A good rule of thumb: Puppies can hold it as long as their age in months. A 2-month-old pup can "hold it" in a crate for about two hours, for example.

"When the puppy walks into the crate, I praise him," says Palika. "But -- and this is the big thing -- I do not make a huge fuss over his walking in. I praise him and he gets his toy or treat, but otherwise I'm calm and matter-of-fact about it.

"I've found if people are too over the top, the dog may feel that the crate is dangerous or scary, or that it's all a trick."

Let the puppy sleep next to your bed in the crate -- sleeping near you speeds the bonding process -- and lead him to the chosen outside spot as soon as he's awake in the morning. When he goes, praise him thoroughly. Then take him inside for breakfast. Feed him and offer him water, and then take him out for another chance to go. If he goes, more praise and back inside for play. If you're not sure he's completely empty, put him in the crate.

Ignore the whines and whimpers. If left alone, the puppy will soon be fast asleep and will stay that way until it's time for the next round of out, eat/drink, out, play, crate.

Remember, the goal is for your puppy to roam free in your house, not to stay in a crate for life. "A crate is not a storage container for a dog," says Palika.

Eventually, your pet will be spending more of his time loose in the house under your supervision, and he will start asking to visit his outdoor spot. Don't forget to confirm his early attempts at proper behavior by rewarding him with praise and treats.

If you spot an in-house accident, don't punish your pet. Rubbing his nose in the mess is pointless and mean. If you catch your dog in the act, a stern "no" will suffice, followed by an immediate trip to the yard, and praise when he finishes up where he's supposed to. Clean up the inside mess thoroughly, and treat the area with an enzymatic solution to neutralize the smell.

With proper crate-training, the number of such incidents will be relatively few, and you'll end up with a dog who is not only reliable in the house, but also confident in his own ability to stay alone when you are gone.

The lessons pay off for life, too: A dog who is used to being comfortably confined will be less stressed by being caged at the veterinarian hospital if sick and also will have more options for housing in time of emergency.

Q&A

Make sure houseplants are safe for your cats

Q: Our cats like to shred houseplants, so obviously we want to make sure we have safe plants around. Can you offer any suggestions? -- D.P., via e-mail

A: If your cats love to nibble on houseplants, you're smart to make sure poisonous plants are not on the menu. Many common houseplants can make your cats ill, and a few can be deadly. 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 Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc) maintains a list of problem plants, and you should also be able to find such lists in most basic cat-care books. Check your household inventory against the "bad plant" list and replace any dangerous plants with safer ones.

You don't have to give up all your plants to your cats, however. Instead, keep some plants for nibbling and put other safe plants off-limits to maintain a lush indoor environment you and your cats can both enjoy.

Indulge your pets 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 it in-house and using fresh cuttings to recharge cat posts and toys.

When your cats have their own plants, you can work on keeping them away from yours. Plants on the ground 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 them with something your cats find 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.

Pot your plants in heavy, wide-bottomed containers, and cover the soil of the problem plants with rough decorative rock to end digging. Foil, waxed paper and double-sided tape are also effective digging deterrents. But I don't like to recommend them as much because you're going to get tired of looking at these materials. Attractive, rough-edged rocks can stay in place forever.

Q: I have such a hard time getting my dog to take his pill twice a day. What do you think about baking the pills into homemade treats? -- K.M., via e-mail

A: Bad idea. Instead of baking dog-treats, which might decrease or eliminate the potency of the medicine or make delivering a proper dose difficult, why not learn to pill your dog?

Ask your dog to sit, then take the pill, open his mouth, and push it quickly to the back with your fingertip. Then hold his mouth firmly closed, raise his muzzle skyward, and blow gently in his nose while rubbing the front of his throat. The reaction will be a quick gulp. Follow with lots of praise and a yummy treat.

If you don't feel confident enough to manage the technique, stick to the age-old trick of hiding pills in fresh food. Some dogs go nuts over liver sausage, or try hiding the pill in a little bit of peanut butter, hot dog or cheese. You can also ask your veterinarian for a referral to a compounding pharmacy, which can put the medication in flavored paste or liquid form your pet might like.

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

ON THE WEB

Rabbit resources reproduce rapidly

(screen grab if necessary)

As rabbits become more popular as indoor, box-trained pets, the number of places on the Internet that offer good care and behavior advice multiply like ... well, rabbits.

The House Rabbit Network (www.rabbitnetwork.org) offers a well-organized collection of solid information, along with pictures of rabbits looking for new homes and such lighthearted offerings as pictures and trivia. The latter is especially interesting, with answers to such questions as "Do rabbits cry?" (no) and "Are rabbits nocturnal?" (no again -- they're crepuscular, which means they're most active at dawn and dusk).

The site suggests that rabbits do best with another rabbit for company (after both have been fixed, of course), but also notes that rabbits can bond with other animals as well, including gentle dogs, cats and guinea pigs.

THE SCOOP

Newsletter scores with food issue

How do you choose a high-quality food for your dog? Dog-food companies have long targeted human emotions to sell their products, pushing pretty images that often aren't backed up by the ingredients inside the bag.

In recent years the Whole Dog Journal has made sorting dog-food truth from hype part of its mission. Every year the newsletter's February issue lists brands that the editors believe are the best on the market. The criteria include having a high percentage of distinct animal proteins (no general "meat byproducts" allowed), and whole grains and vegetables. Approved foods also do not have artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

In other words, a dog food had better have more than a picture of fresh meat and vegetables on its label and a healthy-sounding name to make it into this select list.

With its emphasis on holistic care and positive training, the Whole Dog Journal is always an interesting read, but its dry food issue is a must-read that's worth the entire year's subscription cost. Subscriptions are $20 for 13 issues from www.whole-dog-journal.com or 1-800-829-9165.

PET BUY

Air cleaner delivers a breath of fresh air

Air quality can decline in the winter for pets and people both, with fur flying in homes closed up tightly to stay warm. As someone who suffers from both allergies and asthma, I'm always looking for anything that can help me breathe easier in a houseful of pets.

Allergists suggest removing all pets from households with allergy sufferers, but that's not an option for most of us pet lovers, nor is keeping pets strictly outside, the allergists' second choice. A pet-free sleeping area is a sensible compromise, but one that I'm rarely able to enforce, what with my weakness for pleading eyes and sad whines from bedroom-banned canines.

Still, with a half-dozen indoor pets, I need help and have long sought an edge with a series of air cleaners.

Recently, IQ Air (www.iqair.com, 1-877-715-4247), a company that makes top-quality air-cleaning systems for both industrial and home use, sent me one of its home units for a two-month trial. At around $750, the Health Pro is not going to win any prizes for low price, but the unit's efficiency at providing clean air was obvious from a few minutes after I turned it on.

And it soon passed an even bigger test with ease.

A few days after the unit arrived, a massive wildfire in the mountains above my home blanketed hundreds of miles with smoke and drifting ash, making breathing so difficult I had to stay inside. While I couldn't venture outside my door until the smoke and ash dissipated, the Health Pro kept the air so clean inside that I didn't have to resort to my rescue inhaler.

The HEPA filter in the Health Pro is of the type used in manufacturing microchips, and it kept the house cleaner and better-smelling throughout the trial. Truth is, I was sorry to see the trial model go to its permanent home at the Happy Tails cat sanctuary in Sacramento, where it'll help make breathing easier for felines waiting for adoption and for their caretaking volunteers. -- G.S.

PET Rx

Ferret lumps need veterinary attention

Lumps and bumps are common on ferrets as they age, but their presence should never be taken for granted. A ferret with a skin mass of any kind needs to see a veterinarian promptly to have the mass evaluated and possibly removed.

The veterinarian will start examining the mass by manipulating it to see its shape and how it's connected to surrounding tissue. The next step is for a needle to be inserted into the lump and some fluid removed for evaluation. This procedure is not very painful and is usually done with the animal awake.

Because lumps in ferrets are often cancerous, the veterinarian will probably recommend that any mass that looks suspicious be removed while the animal is under anesthesia. The mass will then be sent to a pathologist for further identification to help identify proper follow-up treatment.

(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.

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