It's the question every pet lover dreads, the one for which there's often no easy answer:

"When is the right time to say goodbye?"

Choosing to end a pet's life is the hardest decision we make when it comes to our pets, and I can tell you from three decades of personal experience that it's a decision that never gets any easier. Your veterinarian can offer you advice, and friends and family can offer you support, but no one can make the decision for you. When you live with an elderly or terminally ill pet, you look in your pet's eyes every morning and wonder if you're doing what's best.

Everyone makes the decision a little differently. Some pet lovers do not wait until their pet's discomfort becomes chronic, untreatable pain, and they choose euthanasia much sooner than others would. Some owners use an animal's appetite as the guide -- when an old or ill animal cannot be tempted into eating, they reason, he has lost most interest in life. And some owners wait until there's no doubt the time is at hand -- and later wonder if they delayed a bit too long.

There's no absolute rule, and every method for deciding is right for some pets and some owners at some times. You do the best you can, and then you try to put the decision behind you and deal with the grief.

The incredible advances in veterinary medicine in the past couple of decades have made the decisions even more difficult for many people. Not too long ago, the best you could do for a seriously ill pet was to make her comfortable until that wasn't possible any more. Nowadays, nearly every advantage of human medicine -- from chemotherapy to pacemakers to advanced pain-relief -- is available to our pets.

For me, the addition of high-level care doesn't change a thing: If I can have a realistic expectation that a course of treatment will improve my pet's life -- rather than simply prolong it -- then that's the direction I'll go. But I find I must constantly examine my motives and ask: Am I doing right by my pet, or am I just holding on because I can't bear to say goodbye?

If it's the latter, I know what decision I must make.

Many people are surprised at the powerful emotions that erupt after a pet's death, and they can be embarrassed by their grief. Often, we don't realize we're grieving not only for the pet we loved, but also for the special time the animal represented and the ties to other people in our lives. The death of a cat who was a gift as a kitten from a friend who has died, for example, may trigger bittersweet memories of another love lost.

Taking care of yourself is important when dealing with pet loss. Some people -- the "it's just a pet" crowd -- won't understand the loss and may shrug off grief over a pet's death as foolish. I find that the company of other animal lovers is very important. Seek them out to share your feelings, and don't be shy about getting professional help to get you through a difficult time.

I am always firm in my belief that choosing to end a pet's suffering is a final act of love and nothing less. Knowing that my decisions are guided by that love is what always carries me through the sad and lonely time of losing a cherished animal companion.

SIDEBAR

Help with pet loss

You're not alone in losing a pet, and many resources are out there to help you cope with your emotions during a difficult time. Here are places to go for help:

-- Pet-loss hotlines. Most veterinary schools offer pet-loss support lines staffed by volunteer veterinary students. The University of California, Davis, had the first, still taking calls from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday; 800-565-1526. A list of other pet-loss hot lines can be found on the American Veterinary Medical Association's Web site at www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/goodbyefriend/plhotlines.asp.

-- Pet-loss chats: The Web site PetHobbyist.com offers a pet-loss chat every night of the year, staffed with volunteer moderators and attended by other pet lovers. Petloss.com is another online resource for information and help.

-- Memorials: Grave markers and garden plaques can be found advertised in the back of many pet-related magazines and on the Internet. The catalog company Orvis (www.orvis.com; 888-235-9763) offers a nice selection.

Q&A

Don't give up on a lost pet

Q: I read your piece on lost pets, and I hope you will remind people not to give up!

My dog was scared by fireworks last summer while we were camping in Arizona. He is my travel buddy and best friend. He was gone in the desert for eight days before another camper discovered him about 10 miles away. All the old-timers said there was no chance he could survive, and I had given up. There were coyotes making a kill nearby the night he ran off.

Remind people to put both cell phone and home phone numbers on the tags (and that the pet is microchipped, if applicable), to put up posters, and to make calls and visits to all the shelters. Make sure the animal is microchipped, as that is the first thing the shelters check when an animal is delivered. -- R.B., via e-mail

A: It's true that lost pets have been located months (or even years!) after they've gone missing, and often a great distance from their where they were lost. These kinds of stories turn up in the news regularly, and are usually the result of someone taking in a pet as their own and then losing the animal later.

The longer you look and the more extensive your search, the better the chance of finding your lost pet.

You are absolutely right, too, that steps you take before a pet is lost can increase your chances of getting the animal back. Collars with up-to-date phone numbers and implanted microchips can help reunite a lost pet with the animal's family. I never waste space putting an address on an ID tag. Instead, I put the word "Reward!" with as many different phone numbers as there's room for. There are many kind people in the world, but the hint of a reward will help to motivate those who really don't care if a pet gets home or gets dumped in a shelter.

And speaking of shelters: It's important to check and check again at shelters in as wide an area as you can. Since shelter populations are constantly changing, visit area shelters every couple of days. Phone calls often aren't much help, since busy staff might not recognize your pet from your description.

I'm glad you got your dog back!

No head halters

Q: I've heard that head halters can cause serious injuries if used wrongly. A too-abrupt tug could jerk a dog's head, causing neck or spinal injuries, couldn't it? -- A.K., via e-mail

A: Anything's possible, which is why I don't recommend using a head halter with one of those long, reel-type leashes. The force of a running dog hitting the end of a 30-foot line does have the potential to cause injury.

In truth, just about every piece of canine equipment has the potential for problems if used incorrectly. Slip-chain collars can choke a dog or injure his neck. Breakaway collars, designed to release a dog who's caught on something, can result in a dog being off-leash when it's least safe, such as next to a busy street. And head halters can jerk a dog's head around.

If you don't know what's right for your dog or how to use it, find a trainer who can help you choose the appropriate equipment and show you how it works. Every piece of training equipment is right for some dogs, but no single item is right for all. And no piece of training equipment is safe or effective unless it's fitted and used properly.

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

PET BUY

New cat door fits in window

The sales representative who pounced on my interest in the Let Meow't cat door knew all the right things to say. The well-designed unit fits in a window like an air conditioner, and features a turn and a series of flaps that eliminates drafts as the cat goes in and out. Very clever!

But then, he offered a bit of information that didn't go over so well: "Once your cat learns to use it, you can ditch your litter box," he said.

Well, uh, no. Believe me, my reader mail reveals that our neighbors do not appreciate cat mess in their flowerbeds. Letting your cat roam puts him at risk not only from the crankiest of those neighbors, but also from such other hazards as cars, dogs or accidental poisoning. For every person who protested the recent Wisconsin cat-hunting proposal, there were those who thought it wasn't such a bad idea, even if they may have kept their thoughts to themselves.

The latter are the folks your cat may run into on his rambles, which is why I recommend keeping your cat safe on your property.

Still, there's no denying the Let Meow't is a pretty nifty product. It's perfect for use in providing access to a screened cat porch or other secure area. Suggested retail is $100 from pet-supply stores or catalogs. The unit can also be purchased at www.letmeowt.com. -- G.S.

PET Rx

Thyroid malady common in cats

When an older cat starts losing weight and gaining energy, the diagnosis is often hyperthyroidism, a common malady in which the thyroid starts overproducing. If thyroid production is not checked, cardiac and liver problems develop, and the cat dies.

Veterinary medicine offers three methods for treating hyperthyroidism.

Radioactive iodine therapy offers a cure rate of 90 percent to 95 percent, with no further treatment. The cat gets one dose of a radioactive substance that kills the overproducing cells without harming any other of the body's functions. The problem: The procedure is available only in large urban areas or at veterinary schools, and requires a two-week stay that some cats don't tolerate well.

The surgical removal of the offending parts of the thyroid gland is an option that usually doesn't require travel or an extended hospital stay. The problem: Some cats are not good candidates for this delicate surgery, and there's a chance that other problems may result after the surgery.

Finally, hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication. The problem: Some cats don't tolerate the medication well, and some owners aren't up to the task of administering daily doses for the duration of a pet's life. Because of this, medication is sometimes used short-term to get a pet to the point where he can better tolerate one of the other, more permanent treatment options.

If your senior cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, your veterinarian will discuss the options to help you make the best choice for you and your 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.)

THE SCOOP

Pools can pose a problem for pets

Backyard pools present a drowning hazard to pets and wildlife alike, which makes pool safety important for animals as well as for people.

The best way to keep pets safe around a backyard pool is to fence off the pool from the rest of the yard and never leave animals unsupervised within the fenced pool area. Alarms that sound when a child or animal falls into the pool are also a worthwhile investment.

Not all dogs can handle the water. Many bulldog breeders and rescue groups will not place these dogs with families who have unfenced pools. The breed's front-heavy design makes swimming difficult, if not impossible, for these dogs (and similar kinds) who tire quickly and can drown easily.

Even dogs who love to swim can be at risk of drowning if left unsupervised, which is why it's a good idea to teach them how to find the pool steps just in case. You can do so by having one person help the dog in the water while another stands on the steps encouraging the animal to find and use the exit. Painted or taped stripes at animal eye-level may help orientate a pet toward the steps.

Because fences won't keep cats or wildlife from failing into the pool and because even the best intentions can't keep gates closed to dogs, it's a good idea to install an escape ramp such as the Skamper-Ramp. The ramp anchors to the side of the pool and is designed to attract drowning pets and wildlife to it.

Once on the ramp, the surface helps an animal crawl to safety. The Skamper-Ramp comes in two sizes and retails for around $40 (for animals up to 40 pounds) and $55 (for animals up to 90 pounds).

Currently available in pool-supply outlets, the Skamper-Ramp is now showing up in pet-supply stores and catalogs, and can also be purchased from the company's Web site. For more information: www.skamper-ramp.com or 877-766-5738.

PETS ON THE WEB

No need for war with wildlife

As we've grown out from the cities and developed more and more land for housing, it's no surprise that conflicts between humans and native wildlife are a big problem.

Conflicts can be kept to a minimum by blocking off attics, chimneys and crawl spaces to prevent wildlife from setting up housekeeping, and by keeping garbage cans and other food sources securely sealed.

The Humane Society of the United States has an excellent collection of articles on the group's Web site (www.hsus.org/wildlife/urban_wildlife_our_wild_neighbors) that offers more suggestions on living peacefully with urban wildlife. From coyotes to skunks to deer, the site provides information that will minimize the potential for nuisance. The site offers advice on products that can help discourage animals, along with case studies of non-lethal methods of dealing with conflicts.

The HSUS also offers tips on creating urban sanctuaries for animals and birds displaced by development.

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

If you could do one thing that would improve not only your dog's health but also your own, you'd do it, wouldn't you?

If your answer is "yes," then it's time to start walking your dog.

A lot of dog lovers have no choice but to walk the dog. They live in apartments and have to take their dogs out two or three times a day because there's no door to open to even the smallest of back yards.

But for the rest of us, taking a dog out is something we don't have to do, so a lot of us don't. And that's a shame.

Recent studies have shown that our pets are having as much trouble with obesity as we are, and the reasons are the same: too much food and not enough exercise. Many dog breeds were developed with hard work in mind -- herding sheep, retrieving birds, pulling sleds -- but today's descendants of these hard-driving dogs spend their days getting most of their exercise waddling to the food dish.

Our dogs deserve better, and so do we. Want more convincing? Here you go:

-- Walking is good exercise for any age or type of dog. Unlike other forms of exercise where a dog could get injured or overheated (especially if unfit, aged or obese), a walking program is a low-impact alternative that can start modestly when it comes to pace and distance.

-- Walking can help take weight off you and your dog -- and keep it off. A recent study conducted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago showed that people who started a walking program with their dog were more likely to stick with it. Think of it as having an exercise buddy who will never bail on you and will always be happy to go along.

-- Daily exercise helps to alleviate the boredom and nervous energy behind many canine behavior problems. Veterinary behaviorists have long recommended increased exercise as part of any plan to overcome problems such as nuisance barking or destructive chewing. A tired dog is more likely to be a good dog.

-- Walking is a good way to socialize, for both humans and dogs. Dogs are a great conversation-starter, a way for even shy people to break the ice. Organizations that train service dogs learned long ago that having a dog at one's side is a way out of the isolation so many of us feel.

So what are you waiting for? Spring is the perfect time to get started, and there's no special equipment to buy or health club dues to pay. No reason to procrastinate.

Grab a leash, whistle up your dog, and hit the road. You'll both be healthier and happier for it.

SIDEBAR

Good gear for walking

Recent innovations offer alternatives to putting a choke collar on your dog. Instead of having your gasping dog drag you down the street, try either a head halter or one of the new front-snap harnesses. Both offer increased control over even strong dogs without making the animal uncomfortable.

A leash that feels comfortable in your hands is a must. So choose one made of fabric or leather (no chain leashes) in either 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch widths, and in a 6-foot length for good control. If you use a reel-type lead, don't combine it with a head halter (it's not safe), and do use a safety loop to keep the handle from popping out of your control.

For walking in anything other than broad daylight, use some sort of reflective product -- either vests for you or your dog, or a reflective leash.

Finally, be sure to carry bags for cleaning up after your dog. Many pet-supply companies sell such products, but I've always used free plastic grocery bags for the job.

Q&A

No magic pill to fix urine burns on lawn

Q: My dog's urine is destroying my lawn. Last year, I tried a product I bought from a pet catalog that is for this specific problem, but it hasn't worked well enough to justify buying more of it. There must be something I can add to her food or water to prevent this problem. What's the secret? -- J.J., via e-mail

A: I used to joke with the garden editor of The Sacramento Bee newspaper that if he and I could only come up with the miracle cure for lawn burns, we could retire wealthy.

No such luck.

Over the years I've heard of all kinds of supplements to fix this problem, from tomato juice to garlic to salt to vitamin C, along with all kinds of commercial products. I haven't seen good evidence that any of them work all that well. Furthermore, some additions to your dog's food or water can increase the risk of illness for your pet, and that's never worth a greener lawn, in my opinion. I only put things in my pets' mouths that are good specifically for them and them alone.

Probably the best solution to lawn burn is to set aside a part of your yard for your dog's potty needs, and train or restrict her to use this area exclusively. Replace the lawn in this area with decomposed granite, pea gravel or other kill-proof cover that will present a nice appearance and offer easy cleanup.

If it's not possible to split off part of the yard for your dog's potty area, then this will help: After your dog squats on your lawn, take the hose and flush the area with lots and lots of water to dilute the urine to non-damaging levels. You need to do this fairly soon after your dog urinates. You cannot rely on every-other-day water from the sprinklers to help much in this regard.

Years ago, a dog-loving friend of mine with an exceptionally lovely yard came up with a solution that takes some effort but worked well for her. She kept a fresh roll of sod growing in an out-of-the-way corner of her yard, and when a spot on the lawn turned started to turn yellow, she'd cut it out and replace it with fresh sod. The maintenance was constant, but so was the green of her yard.

Snail bait

Q: With warmer weather finally arriving, will you remind people that snail bait is deadlier to more creatures than just snails? I hate to think of pets being poisoned. -- L.D., via e-mail

A: Like most gardeners, "hate" isn't all that strong a word to use when it comes to how I feel about snails. But I never, ever use snail bait, because it's deadly not just to snails and slugs but also to dogs, cats and birds.

Instead, I conduct "snail safaris" with a flashlight, picking up snails by the shell and putting them in a bag that I then place in the garbage bin. Another alternative to traditional snail bait is iron phosphate, which is marketed under the brand name Sluggo.

Any pet suspected of having gotten into snail bait -- symptoms include frothing at the mouth, vomiting and convulsions -- needs to see a veterinarian immediately. The animal's life depends on prompt action.

All garden pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers need to be used with extreme caution around pets. Use as little as possible and follow directions to the letter.

Better still: Avoid using such products at all around pets if there's an alternative that will get the job done.

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

PET BUY

A neater way to buy life food for reptiles

Build a better bug box, and the world will beat a path to your door.

At least, that's the hope of Gordon Vadis, a self-described "cricketeer" who has come up with a way to make the handling of live food for reptiles easier for customers and pet stores alike.

Vadis took over a family business that produced bait for fishermen, but he soon realized that unlike the bait business, providing feeder insects to pet stores wasn't seasonal. In 2000 he sold the bait business to focus solely on the pet trade with The Bug Company (www.ebugco.com).

"More than 80 percent of cricket sales are to mothers whose kids have pet reptiles," says Vadis. "And they don't want to be driving home with a plastic bag full of bugs."

To make things neater and to spare pet-store staff the time it takes to fish crickets out of a tank, Vadis came up with a self-contained biosphere box that contains healthy crickets and enough food to keep them that way for the time it takes them to get from his Minnesota bug farm to a reptile's stomach. All a customer has to do is grab a box from a display and head for the register.

Punch-out holes in the package mean no cricket-handling for the squeamish. The 25-cricket Bug Box has a suggested retail price of $2.49, the 50-cricket box for $4.49.

THE SCOOP

Proper handling keeps parrots tame

Altitude has a lot to do with attitude, at least when it comes to parrots. In the wild, dominant members of a flock choose the highest branches on which to rest, with the lower-ranking birds settling on perches below. Pet parrots who see themselves as dominant to their owners can often be retrained just by getting their height adjusted.

The rule is known among behaviorists as "your head, my heart" and requires you to keep your bird's head no higher than your heart. That means canceling shoulder rides in favor of letting your bird perch on your waist-level arm or hand. It also means removing cage-top play gyms and lowering the height of the cage itself by removing the stand on which most models rest.

When your bird no longer looks down on you physically, he won't be as likely to look down on you socially. You'll then be in a better position to train him in the basics of well-mannered behavior.

PET RX

Pick plants with an eye to pet safety

The Animal Poison Control Center has come out with a list of five plants with the most potential to cause illness or death to pets. Check your plants against this list, and make sure your pets do not have access to them.

Better still, don't keep these plants in your home or yard:

-- Lilies. The APCC says lilies are at the top of the list for calls regarding plant toxicity. Pretty they may be, but lilies are highly toxic to cats. Even a small amount can damage an animal's kidneys, and some cats who eat these plants die of kidney failure.

-- Azaleas. The bright colors of azaleas are one of the signs that spring is finally here, a welcome antidote to months of gray weather. But according to the APCC, azaleas can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and central nervous system depression. Severe cases could lead to death from cardiovascular collapse.

-- Oleander. Hardy oleanders are another easy-care landscaping favorite. But oleanders contain toxic components that can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, hypothermia and potentially severe cardiac problems.

-- Sago palms. This plant may trigger vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures, liver failure and death.

-- Castor bean. Although all parts of this plant are dangerous, the APCC warns that the seeds contain the highest concentration of toxins. Ingestion can produce significant abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. In severe cases, dehydration, tremors, seizures and death could result.

For more information on poison risks to pets, visit the Animal Poison Control Center on the Web site of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org). Veterinary Partner (www.veterinarypartner.com) also has information on choosing pet-safe plants on its Web site.

(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.)

PETS ON THE WEB

Plenty of help for ferret fans

There's a reason for the growing popularity of ferrets: They're small, affectionate and playful pets who keep their owners smiling. As with any pet, though, the key to successful ferret-keeping is making sure you're the right fit for a pet ferret, and then providing what your ferret needs to thrive.

Ferret Central (www.ferretcentral.org) has the answer to any questions you could possibly have about ferrets -– and in several languages, to boot! The site is clean, information-packed and easy to navigate, with tons of links to explore.

California has thousands of ferrets, even though they're illegal in the state. But ferret fans there are nothing if not persistent. After failing again in their quest for legalization -- the last time with a veto by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who once had a ferret co-star in one of his movies -- ferret forces are back with a bill they hope will finally pass. Details are on the Ferrets Anonymous Web site (www.ferretsanonymous.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

Anyone who has yet to be convinced that Americans are crazy about their pets would see things differently after a couple of hours at Global Pet Expo.

The pet-industry trade show, held last month in Orlando, Fla., attracted vendors from massive corporations to individual inventors, all working to catch the eyes of buyers looking to put the hottest new products in their stores. The convention center floor was packed with more than 2,000 booths and marked the launch of some 600 new pet products.

Plenty of traditional pet products where on display as well, although many of these have had makeovers. It's amazing the variety possible in product as simple in concept as a dog leash or a cat bed. But if there is a way to update such gear, it was shown off here. The most popular modifications to leashes, collars and dog toys were those that made them light up or flicker, and these were so common as to be ho-hum by the time one walked the length of the display hall.

Among the show trends:

-- Togs for small dogs. Pet-supply manufacturers are clearly hoping the craze for small dogs has staying power, judging by the number of booths showing clothing, hats, jewelry or other accessories for dogs who themselves seem at times to have been purchased as fashion statements.

Everything from wedding apparel (white dresses for first-time doggy brides, of course, and tuxedos for grooms) to pink leather biker jackets and sports-team jumpers was on display. Hats, too, including black baseball-style hats with "FBI" on them and traditional white sailor hats. Rhinestone jewelry for little dogs? Why not? After all, how fashionable could a plain old ID tag be?

And what good is a well-dressed dog who never goes anywhere? The simple pet carrier has gone up-market, too, with several manufacturers offering a wide range of styles, colors and patterns, and others pushing dog strollers as nice as any human baby could want.

-- Litter boxes and accessories. We want the cat to use the litter box, we don't want to see it or smell it, and we want it to clean itself. That seems to be the message from the inventors and companies trying to improve on the time-tested basic litter box.

Two manufacturers offered their versions of self-cleaning electronic litter boxes, while other companies looked for buyers of litter box hiding spots. Some of the latter were disguised as cabinets, while the most clever hid the box in the bottom of a planter, complete with plant on top.

Getting rid of what gets scooped was another source of innovation, with companies offering products in which clumps of dirtied litter could be dropped in and sealed for later disposal. No mess, no smell.

-- Gear for small pets. A cramped cage in a corner of a children's bedroom or a hutch in the back yard used to be about the best many small pets could expect, but things are changing. The popularity of animals such as ferrets and rabbits as indoor pets for adults was obvious in displays of bigger, multilevel cages and racks of toys designed specifically to keep these animals from being bored.

-- Brand names. Pets may not be interested in brand names, but it's clear the sellers of pet products are hoping pet lovers are. One of the biggest displays at the show was Jeep's, promoting a line of rugged-looking gear for dogs. Other companies were offering items with brand names such as Harley-Davidson, the American Kennel Club, Barbie and even cartoon characters such as Scooby-Doo.

All these products will be showing up in pet-supply stores and catalogs before long, and everyone at Global Pet Expo is betting on each item being a hit with consumers.

Only time will tell.

Q&A

Parrots don't take to pills

Q: This may seem like a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyway. How does one "pill" a parrot? -- F.W., via e-mail

A: You don't "pill" a parrot. Here's a rundown of the options when it comes to medicating a bird:

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

-- Offering medicated feeds. This has the same pros and cons as medicated water. It's easy to offer medicated feed, but there's no way of making sure any of it gets inside the bird. And some medicated feeds apparently taste awful, so even if a bird feels like eating, he may not touch food with medicine in it.

-- Using a syringe or eyedropper. Accuracy of dosage is a benefit of giving medication orally -- assuming it's possible to get the stuff in him instead of dribbling it everywhere but down his throat. The appropriate amount can go in an eyedropper or a syringe with the needle removed, and can be given by sliding the tip into the side of your bird's mouth.

The downside: A bird isn't likely to sit still for this procedure, and he'll have to be restrained by being wrapped in a towel. Once restrained, a bird who was hand-fed as a baby will usually go along -- the sight of a plastic tip nearing his mouth will usually get him to open up.

-- Giving an injection. High marks for accuracy, and once the owner is used to injecting the bird, high marks for ease as well. As with oral medications, though, a bird will likely need to be restrained with a towel to get his medication. Some people get really good at injecting their bird, even after initial reluctance.

When a bird needs medication, either short-term or for life, it's essential that the bird's caregiver and the veterinarian are on the same page when it comes to how to administer medication. The person who'll be giving the medication needs to ask lots of questions, to watch while the veterinarian demonstrates, to practice while at the clinic, and to speak up if there's a question or problem.

One final thing to remember about medications: Keep on giving them even if a bird seems to feel better. Or at least, don't stop early unless your veterinarian says it's OK.

True Grit

Q: How much grit does my cockatiel need? Should I just let her have all she wants? -- P.R., via e-mail

A: Some pet birds, such as finches and canaries, can make use of an occasional small amount of grit, but most budgies, cockatiels and other parrots don't need grit at all.

It's still commonly believed that grit helps in the grinding organ of the gizzard, assisting in the breakdown of foods. But birds do fine without grit, and the material has been shown to remove vitamins A, K and B2 from the digestive system.

A tiny -- as in a couple of grains of grit every couple of months -- is fine for finches and canaries, keeping in mind that no pet bird needs to have access to all the grit he or she wants.

For parrots large and small, though, skip grit entirely. Overconsumption of grit can lead to life-threatening problems in pet parrots, especially young birds and smaller species, such as budgies or cockatiels.

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

THE SCOOP

No meat for iguanas

An iguana may look like a carnivorous dinosaur, but when it comes to diet, the reptiles could not be more different.

Iguanas should be fed plant matter only, a mixture of vegetation that's high in calcium but low in phosphorus and fat. Choices include mustard, collard and turnip greens, as well as yams, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, alfalfa hay and squash.

Chop the vegetables into a size that can be easily handled by the pet -- smaller pieces for smaller iggies -- and mix and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Offer small amounts twice a day and sprinkle the food with a calcium supplement, available at a pet store. This diet can be supplemented by commercial foods.

And don't forget water! Iguanas should always have water available not only for drinking but also for getting wet. A ceramic dish in the enclosure is a must, and spraying mist on the pet regularly is also a good idea.

PET RX

Bite-wound abscesses require prompt attention

Spring means breeding season for free-roaming cats, which also means cat fights -- and bite-wound abscesses. Prompt veterinary attention is called for with these nasty infections.

The veterinarian will need to lance an abscess that has not ruptured and flush the area clean of debris. Depending on the size of the abscess and the temperament of the cat, sedation may need to be part of this procedure.

An abscess that has been left untreated may have enough dead tissue to require a more involved procedure under anesthesia. The surgery may require cutting away the dead tissue, inserting a drain and stitching up the wound.

At-home care following the stay at the veterinarian's may involve flushing the wound and will almost certainly require giving your cat antibiotics. Warm compresses applied for five to 10 minutes twice a day may also be recommended to help speed up the healing process. Follow your veterinarian's advice.

The best way to prevent your cat from getting a bite-wound abscess is to neuter him and keep him as an indoor pet.

(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.)

BREED TYPE

Chihuahua a little dog with a big attitude

The first thing you'll notice about the Chihuahua is that he's small. The second thing you'll notice is that he has absolutely no idea about the first thing.

Described as everything from "saucy" to "courageous," the Chihuahua is one of the 10 most popular dogs in America, and the second most popular toy dog.

The breed originated in Mexico, stands only 6 to 9 inches at the shoulder and weighs in at under 6 pounds -- sometimes as little as 1 pound. Despite their confident temperament, their tiny size makes them inappropriate for homes with boisterous children or playful larger dogs.

They are, however, perfect lap dogs and devoted companions, and make excellent apartment dwellers. They can easily be trained to use a litter box or small patio to relieve themselves. They come in two coat lengths, short and long. The longhaired Chihuahua does require regular brushing to prevent mats, but by and large they are easy to groom and care for.

Chihuahuas are notoriously jealous and will want all your love and attention, all the time. While they are active and entertaining dogs, they do not require large amounts of exercise. Dainty and delicate, they will need to wear a coat when weather is cold and cannot live outdoors under any circumstances.

There are a few things to be aware of when seeking a Chihuahua. Since a badly bred or unsocialized Chihuahua can be aggressive or impossible to housetrain, be sure you get your Chihuahua from an ethical breeder who is a member of the Chihuahua Club of America, or from a reputable Chihuahua rescue organization.

Chihuahuas are mostly healthy dogs, but the smallest ones tend to have more health issues than the larger dogs, and any Chihuahua can have heart, knee, eye, dental or other breed-related health problems. -- Christie Keith, www.pethobbyist.com

PETS ON THE WEB

Miniature horses roam the Internet

Most people don't consider a horse to fit into the category of "pet." The exception might be the miniature horse, some of which aren't that much bigger than a large dog.

Originally developed to work in mines and other tight confines, miniature horses can be used to pull carts and serve as backpacking companions. Any even if you don't intend to do anything more than just let them hang out on your property, they can be charming to have around.

The American Miniature Horse Association's Web site (www.amha.com) offers information on these distinctive horses, as does the Web site of the Small Horse Press (www.smallhorse.com). The AMHA site shows the versatility of these little guys, while the Small Horse Press site offers hundreds of links to miniature horse associations and breeders.

For folks with room and zoning approval, a miniature horse can be a wonderful pet indeed.

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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