It takes a lot for a new pet product to reduce me to staring in amazement, but the new CatGenie (www.catgenie.com) managed to do exactly that.

The automatic cat box does it all -- removes the waste, disposes of it through the sewer system, rinses the non-absorbent filler clean, and then dries itself before resetting. At last month's Global Pet Expo in San Diego, I stood and gawked at the thing as it went through its cycle. And again. And again.

I wasn't the only one. The massive three-day pet-industry trade show had been open for less than an hour, and it was clear by the crowd around the CatGenie booth that this product was catching more than its share of attention.

It's just a cat box, I reminded myself. A $300 cat box, money that would be spent strictly for our convenience. What we think and what we spend doesn't matter if our cats don't like a box -- although the company says 15,000 test cats like the CatGenie. With all those caveats for a product that won't be on the market for a few more weeks, I still think it's the most gee-whiz pet product I've seen in a long time, maybe even since the first automatic cat-box came on the market.

That was the LitterMaid (www.littermaid.com), and they were there, too, along with PetMate's Purrforma (www.petmate.com), another line of automatic self-cleaning boxes.

LitterMaid has made the most of its early lead and claims sales of more than 4 million units. The company launched new models at the show, one aiming for the high end of the market and the other for the bargain-conscious.

The basic LitterMaid rakes the box clean when the cat owner activates it, not automatically when the cat finishes his business. This model is designed not only for the person who wants hands-off convenience at a lower price (less than $100), but also for those with skittish cats who want to be miles away when the unit starts cleaning.

The new top-of-the-line LitterMaid ($199) sports the cool colors and smooth lines of a sports car, along with a handful of customer-requested improvements. The appliance can now be set to turn off for the night, so a cat's midnight potty run won't set off the motor and wake the owner. The filler rake removes for easy cleaning, there's more room for the cat who doesn't want to be crowded, and the holding cartridge for waste has a carbon filter to deal with odors.

You still have to empty the holding compartments yourself on the LitterMaid and PurrForma but, really, how much effort is that?

For the low-tech cat lover, there are still plenty of products to choose from. Cat boxes of all sizes, fillers made of everything from silicone to corn to old newspapers, scoops, deodorizers and cabinets to hide it all -- if they're not at your pet-supply store now, they soon will be.

Because while product innovations for dogs have a lot to do with being on the go -- leashes, collars, tennis-ball flingers and more -- the emphasis on cats was clearly on where they go.

And on making the chore of cleaning it all up as effortless as possible for cat owners.

SIDEBAR

Be careful with convenience

Any product that makes living with a cat easier will help more pets get into caring homes. That's a good thing. But when it comes to automatic litter boxes, there's a small risk to convenience that cat lovers must keep in mind.

Cats are very good at hiding signs of illness, and sometimes the only way to spot a problem is by noticing subtle changes in eating, drinking and litter-box routines. If you're not paying any attention at all to what's going on in the box, you may be missing important health clues.

So enjoy the convenience, but always be aware of your cat, her routines and what's normal for her. You may be able to spot a health problem before it becomes a health crisis.

Q&A

When ring, ring means yap, yap

Q: Can you give me some advice on how to shut my dog up when I'm on the phone? Every time the phone rings, he starts barking! -- S.N., via e-mail

A: Anyone who has ever worked taking phone orders for a catalog company can tell you it seems half the dogs in the world start barking the minute their owners get on the phone. Why? Because they've been taught to behave that way -- accidentally, of course.

The problem starts when a dog barks at you once when you're on the phone. If he did that while you were watching TV or paying bills on the computer, you'd likely not reward the behavior. You'd probably ignore the dog, and the behavior wouldn't be repeated.

But if you're on the phone, you don't want the person on the other end to hear your dog barking, or to hear you yelling at your dog to shut up. Chances are that you'll pet your dog, just to keep him quiet.

Before too long, you have a dog who starts yapping in anticipation of your rewarding him every time you pick up the phone. Some people take it a step further. There are plenty of people who give their dogs treats to shut them up while they're on the phone. This is a big payoff for the dog, rewarding every yip and yap with a biscuit.

The best way to solve this problem is never to have it -- don't reward your dog in the short term for behavior you don't want in the long run. Instead of rewarding your pet for yapping, work on "sits" and "stays," and ask for those when the phone rings. (Get a friend to call to help you with the training.)

If you can't get anywhere with your dog, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a trainer or behaviorist who can help work through this situation.

Cats, cocoa and snails

Q: Would you pass along a suggestion about cats and gardens? After finding several pots knocked over (or even off the porch), I returned to an old standby for keeping my cats out of my garden -- mulching with cocoa hulls.

Not only do cats not like cocoa hulls, but neither do snails. And, on a warm day, your garden will smell like chocolate!

Of course, this isn't a good idea for people with dogs who might be willing to eat the cocoa hulls. -- K.P., via e-mail

A: You're right about the risk to dogs. The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc) lists cocoa mulch on its list of hazardous garden substances. (Dogs, more than cats, are attracted to chocolate.)

I agree with you on the smell of cocoa mulch -- yum! However, I would suggest covering the soil with sharp-edged decorative rock instead. Cats don't like the rough edges, and there's no potential problem with snacking.

As for snails ... the Hershey Co. agrees that slugs and snails don't like its cocoa mulch. But hand-picking slugs and snails is the safest method of control to use around pets. Sluggo is also often recommended as safe for use around animals.

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

PET Rx

Dog's yawn often a sign of stress

Does your dog yawn at the veterinary office? It's more likely he's stressed than bored or sleepy. Dogs yawn both to charge themselves up and calm themselves down.

A yawn increases the flow of oxygen and boosts the heart rate -- actions that give the brain a wake-up call. If you go to a canine agility competition, you'll often spot dogs yawning at the starting line while waiting for the signal to race for the first obstacle. You'll also see dogs yawning at the veterinarian's as well -- a sure sign that they're stressed and trying to calm themselves.

In training classes, dog owners will often interpret a yawn as a sign the dog is bored. Not so, argues Turid Rugaas, author of "On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals" and a popular lecturer on canine body language. The dog who's yawning in obedience class is more likely stressed than bored, either from nervousness or from wanting to please, but not yet understanding how.

Just as with humans, yawning can be contagious to dogs. If you catch your dog's attention and yawn, you may well get a yawn back. Some experienced dog handlers actually use this to their advantage, training their dogs to yawn on cue as a way to get them either focused or relaxed.

By the way: We bet you yawned while reading this section.

(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

Getting a handle on cats gone wild

Kitten season starts to warm up as the weather does, which means that volunteers working to keep feral cats under control are switching into high gear. When caught young, wild-born kittens can be tamed and placed into responsible homes.

For their anti-social parents, the increasingly popular option is trap, neuter and return (TNR). These programs maintain feral cat colonies in place without an increase in numbers.

TNR programs can be controversial. One Web site that helps to educate on this option is Neighborhood Cats (www.neighborhoodcats.org). The group has plenty of reading on how and why TNR works, and how it can work in any community.

PET TIP

Cats, dogs: Not all can get along

One of the reasons we like dogs so much is that hate doesn't seem to be in their vocabulary. Even when it comes to cats, the answer to why some dogs are unsafe around cats has more to do with instinct than emotion.

Cats are both predator and prey. Their predatory skills and tools are obvious, but perhaps a little less obvious is that to many bigger predators -- such as urban coyotes and some dogs -- a cat looks like lunch.

Aside from dogs who consider cats to be prey, there are dogs who will naturally chase most anything that moves. Such dogs will happily chase a cat and maybe even bite if they catch one in flight, but they would probably back off if faced with an angry cat in full defensive mode.

While some dogs can never be trusted around cats -- their prey drive is just too strong -- many (if not most others) can be socialized from a young age to at least tolerate cats and be trained to leave them alone.

If you have a cat and are thinking of adopting an adult dog from a shelter or rescue group, be sure to choose one who shows no signs of prey drive toward smaller animals. Many shelters have a "test cat" who is relaxed enough to accept the short-term annoyance of being safely introduced to dogs in the interest of gauging the pet's level of interest in cats.

It's important to note that prey behavior toward smaller animals and other dogs does not necessarily mean a dog will be a danger to humans. Many dogs who cannot be trusted around other animals are very reliable around people.

BY THE NUMBERS

Unlucky breaks

Proving once again that it's far less painful to your pet and your wallet to prevent accidents rather than treat them, the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (www.petinsurance.com) has released its top three bone fracture-related claims submitted in 2005 for both dogs and cats.

Kind of treatment Average claim in dollars

Cast or splint $254

Bone graft $206

Bone pin $972

THE SCOOP

Do our dogs really dream?

According to renowned author and veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, the idea that dogs dream is based on the fact that dreaming is a normal part of organizing and reorganizing memories.

Dogs definitely have the capacity for memory, so it makes sense to believe they have the ability to dream just as people do.

Like humans, dogs have two kinds of sleep, the deeper of which is characterized by rapid eye movements (REM). When people are awakened from so-called REM sleep, they've often been able to remember vivid dreams. Dodman points out that the whining, erratic breathing and leg movements we've all seen in our dogs occur during canine REM sleep, making it not too far-fetched to believe dogs are dreaming.

What they're dreaming about, though, we'll never really know.

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

America has gone crazy for pets.

There's just no other message to take away from the Global Pet Expo, the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association's massive trade show, which just wrapped up a three-day run in San Diego.

"You have two-thirds of the households in this country having pets vs. one-third of households with children," says Bob Vetere, director of the APPMA. "Pets are where the money is."

The growth of the show mimics the growth of the industry, with year-over-year increases in the number of companies represented. They take booth space in hopes of selling to buyers from traditional pet stores and chic pet boutiques to the holy grail big-box retailers like PETCO and PetSmart, and the massive make-or-break buying power of Wal-Mart.

The floor of the convention center took up as much space as 11 football fields, and the booths showcased everything from lone inventors hawking their new-product dreams to such longtime pet powerhouses as the Hartz and Sergeant companies.

And it wasn't just pet-supply companies with names you'd recognize.

"Last year we had 200 new members, and 90 percent were start-ups or new companies," said Vetere. "We also have long-established companies like Home Depot working to extend their brand into pets."

This year, according to APPMA projections, spending on pets will be an estimated $38.4 billion, up from $36.3 billion in 2005. Even more astonishing: The figure is up from $17 billion in 1994.

Much of that growth is in products for dogs, who have become substitute children to two key sectors of the society: Young adults who are putting off starting families, and aging baby boomers who have already raised their children.

"It used to be that when people retired, they didn't want the responsibility of pets. They wanted to travel," said Vetere. "We're just not seeing that so much anymore. And then the 'Y' generation -- my kids -- they're pursuing careers. Even if they get married, they're delaying families. But you don't always like to come home to an empty house."

While the trade show floor offered a vast array of products, several trends were apparent. No surprise, given our busy lives, convenience was the main idea behind many products. Companies are scrambling to make it easy and less time-consuming to care for pets.

Products to pamper pets continue to be popular, along with goods that are more about amusing pet owners than caring for animals, such as outfits for little dogs. Still, the number of vendors pushing doghouses for outside pets could have been counted on one hand, while there were easily several hundred different kinds of beds for indoor dogs on display.

The final trend was a natural one, or at least natural in its appearance. I gave up counting the number of products with "nature," "natural" or some variation on the theme in their name. Clearly, a lot of these products were as natural as purple hair, a new label on the same old products. Label reading will be very important for pet lovers, that's for sure.

The "natural" trend was most apparent in pet foods, which is a $15.2 billion piece of the pet-industry pie. We clearly want our pets to eat well, and that too is all about our seeing our pets as family members, according to Vetere.

"If there's a trend in human food, it'll be in pet food in six months," he says.

In the weeks to come I'll write on more of these trends, from the latest in high-tech litter boxes to pet foods so good you couldn't go wrong eating them yourself.

Q&A

Bunnies great for family pet

Q: I just read your article on "Bunny Love Gone Bad," and I couldn't agree more! In January we adopted Grommet from our local humane society. Since then he has become an integral part of our lives.

His cage and "playground," as we have now come to call it, takes up nearly half of my home office. He gives us all so much joy just being the bunny he should be.

Will you please keep sharing the word about what great pets rabbits make? I'm including a picture of my son Garrett with Grommet. -- Maggie Spikes, via e-mail

A: You are absolutely right that rabbits make wonderful pets when given the opportunity to shine. People who throw them in a hutch in the yard or confine them to a small cage in the house will never understand how lively, playful and affectionate a pet rabbit can be.

Rabbits are constantly being dumped on shelters, typically by people who purchased them on impulse. The animals have very low adoption rates, and yet they adapt very well to new homes where proper care and attention is given. The first place for any person interested in a pet bunny to look should be a shelter.

Q: I just got a rabbit from a friend, and I was wondering what fresh foods are OK to give him. -- J.S., via e-mail

A: A rabbit's diet should consist of a nonstop supply of grass hays (timothy, alfalfa or oat hay, brome or orchard grass), plus daily servings of fresh, dark-green leafy vegetables. Your rabbit also needs at-will access to clean, fresh water. Fruits such as bananas, apples or raisins can be used as treats.

I don't use commercial rabbit pellets at all. I feed them "greens" -- collard, mustard, chard, kale, dandelion, etc. -- along with parsley, broccoli and the leafy tops of root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips or beets. If you have room for a vegetable garden, greens are ridiculously easy to grow. I also give my rabbits the parings from all the vegetables I prepare for myself.

I buy hay at the feed mill (even most urban areas have them). When I had one rabbit, I bought hay by the "flake" (10 flakes to a bale in my area). But now that I have three rabbits, I save money by buying hay one bale at a time. If you keep it covered and dry, a hay bale will last for months.

Rabbits are a wonderful pet for any gardener. You don't scoop out their litter as you would with a cat. Rather, you empty and refill the pressed-paper pellets and hay in their litter boxes at regular intervals. It all goes straight into the compost pile, where it helps to produce rich compost.

Final note: "Wild" greens are fine to feed rabbits -- as long as you're sure the area where you're picking is free of herbicides and pesticides.

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

PET Rx

Spring shedding normal, healthy

Dogs typically lose their winter coats in the spring, and that means hair everywhere.

The change is most obvious in "double-coated" breeds, such as collies, Samoyeds and malamutes. These breeds carry a protective overcoat of long hair as well as an insulating undercoat that's soft and fuzzy. These breeds lose masses of fur from both of these coats in spring and fall, but the clumps that come out of the undercoat are especially noticeable.

The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed. German shepherds, for example, are prolific year-round shedders, while poodles seem to lose very little fur at all. Shorthaired breeds may shed as much as longhairs, but since the hair these dogs drop is easily overlooked, it may seem as if they are shedding less.

All shedders -- even the heaviest -- can be tamed by a regular and frequent schedule of combing and brushing. After all, the fur you catch on a comb won't end up on your furniture.

If you have a purebred, or a dog that has the characteristics of a purebred, seek out breed-specific advice in regard to the proper kind of grooming equipment. The slicker brush that works fine on a close-cropped poodle may not make much headway in the thick mane of a full-coated Alaskan malamute at the height of a seasonal shed.

Shedding is normal, but some heavy shedding can be a sign of health problems. Skin allergies and skin parasites may trigger shedding, and poor nutrition or other health problems can also be a cause of coat problems.

Become familiar with your pet's normal pattern of shedding. Ask your veterinarian for advice if your pet's coat condition seems too dull, or if you notice excessive hair loss or bare patches.

(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

'Bettatalk' site witty, helpful

Simply put, it doesn't get any better than a betta when it comes to pet fish. They're beautiful, relatively easy to keep, and are a great fish for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.

The Bettatalk.com Web site is the place to go for information on these fun fish. Not only is it full of helpful care tips and advice, but it's also one of the most entertaining sites created and designed by an individual.

You'll find pictures, videos, games links and even jokes. You can even buy a betta, since Bettatalk's creator breeds and sells these nifty little fish.

PET TIP

Parrot mind can be read in the eyes

From the tiniest budgie or parrotlet to the largest macaw, parrots can be loving, cuddly, playful or contemplative one minute, and demanding, aloof, manic or peevish the next. Sharing space with a parrot is like living with another human: Sometimes you just have to pick your moments and know when to back off.

Some of these moods are pretty obvious -- an Amazon in a rowdy state or a cockatoo who wants to be cuddled isn't hard to figure out. Other times, though, behavior signs may be more subtle, and the failure to heed these clues may earn you a nasty bite.

Parrots have keen eyesight and often stare at something that fascinates or frightens them, using one eye and tipping the head, or using both eyes for a head-on look.

When you see that your bird is fixated on something, follow that line of vision. A relaxed body posture accompanies a calm, curious bird's staring, and a more defensive or aggressive body language demonstrates fright. Most often, a locked-on look is a sign of fascination: Like the youngest children, birds can become attracted by something colorful in their environments.

Birds are able to control their irises, shrinking and enlarging their pupils rapidly in a display that's called "flashing" or "pinning."

You have to read the whole bird to put the message in its proper context. Birds may flash their eyes when they're excited or when they're angry. Flashing accompanied by aggressive posturing, such as tail-fanning, signifies a bird who's bound to escalate his warnings -- and maybe even bite -- if not left alone.

Consider flashing to be the physical display of strong emotion -- anything from the "I want to kill you" vibes of an angry or aggressive bird to the "Hey there, cutie" of an infatuated bird.

BY THE NUMBERS

Pets are big business

Image: GPE

Optional cutline: We love our pets, and we're happy to spend money on them.

At the recent Global Pet Expo trade show, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association reveals figures that show the strong growth of the pet industry. In 2006, Americans will spend an estimated 38.4 billion on their pets, including:

-- $15.2 billion on food

-- $9.3 billions for supplies

-- $9.4 billion on veterinary care

-- $2.7 billion for pet-related services

THE SCOOP

Don't trust dogs with mail carrier

It's natural for a dog to bark when a stranger comes to the door. In the case of the mail carrier, that stranger comes almost every day. The dog barks to alert the family and warn the carrier to go away.

From the dog's point of view, it was his brave warning that drove the stranger away. He doesn't realize the mail carrier's just going to the next house on the route. As the dog sees it: He barked, and the interloper left.

Over time, the dog's reaction intensifies as he tries harder to send a message to the stranger who just doesn't seem to understand. As the dog becomes more and more worked up over time, the potential for a bite increases. In the best interests of dogs and mail carriers everywhere, dog owners are well-advised to restrain or retrain their dogs to keep from adding to those bite statistics. -- 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

Week in and week out, the No. 1 question I get from cat lovers is this one: "Why has my cat stopped using the litter box?"

Start solving this behavior mystery by making sure there's no health issue involved -- and that means a trip to the veterinarian (see sidebar). Once you have a clean bill of health on your cat, you can start going through the list of common reasons why pets start choosing other places to go.

What you need to know:

-- Cleanliness is catliness. Cats are fastidious animals, and if the litter box is dirty, they look elsewhere for a place to go. Clean the box frequently -- twice a day is ideal -- and make sure it's completely scrubbed clean and aired out on a weekly basis.

-- Not all boxes are equal. Many choices that people make to suit their own tastes don't match what their cats want. Covered boxes, hidden boxes, automatic boxes -- these are all just fine, if your cat accepts them. But if your cat wants a plain, open box, that's the one you'll need to buy.

-- Not all fillers are fine. Some kinds of litter that people may like might not be the ones their cats prefer. Litter with scent added may smell great to you but may be driving your cat away. Likewise, "paw feel" is important, since some cats are picky about how a litter feels. An unscented clumping litter suits many cats best.

-- Location is everything. Your cat's box should be away from his food and water dishes, in a place he can get to easily and feel safe in. Consider location from a cat's point of view: Choose a quiet spot where he can see what's coming at him. A cat doesn't want any surprises while he's in the box.

Also, consider adding boxes on each level of the house, to make it easier for a cat to get where he needs to go.

-- Sharing doesn't always work. Multiple-cat households face additional challenges. Some cats will happily share a communal box, but many others won't. The rule of thumb: as many boxes as you have cats, plus one additional box. Watch to see if your cats have divvied up the household real estate, and make sure each cat has a box in his home territory.

Retraining a cat to use a box requires keeping him in a small area with all the basic essentials for a few days. Make sure that the room has no good options besides the litter box -- no carpet, no pile of dirty laundry. Block off the bathtub -- keep an inch of water in it to discourage its use as a place to go.

After your cat is reliably using the litter box, let him slowly expand his territory again.

SIDEBAR

First step: Clean bill of health

You cannot hope to sort out a litter-box problem if your cat is sick. That's why the first step to solving chronic inappropriate elimination is to make sure your cat sees your veterinarian.

Urinary-tract infections are common triggers for unwanted behavior, and diabetes may also be a factor. For other cats, the infirmities of old age may contribute to litter-box problems, with creaky joints making it difficult to negotiate stairs when nature calls.

Your veterinarian will conduct a complete examination, and it's likely that some diagnostic tests will be involved. Any physical problem will need to be resolved for you to have any hope of getting your cat reliably using the box again.

Q&A

Quality of life at end of life

Q: Why do you believe in killing animals who are terminally ill but not people? There is absolutely nothing wrong with allowing a higher being to choose when your pet leaves, as long as one assumes responsibility for pain management and loving care until there is a natural passing.

It's very difficult, time-consuming and scary, but it's how we let people pass, so why are you pushing killing your ill pet? Is it because the veterinarian charges for the killing of the pet? Would you kill a human in this way?

Your article on cancer was very one-sided and rather offensive in that you advocated murder and not end-of-life care. -- M.C., via e-mail

A: I have absolutely no idea how you could have possibly come up with the idea that I advocate euthanasia as a convenience or as a moneymaker for veterinarians. (As for the latter, you don't know anything about veterinarians if you think they like euthanizing animals.)

Veterinarians -- especially cancer specialists -- are all about options for seriously ill pets, from the most high-tech of human-grade treatment to pain-management and hospice care. I am all in favor of getting the most time for any pet, as long as that time is of good quality and without pain or fear.

Too often, though, I have seen people make decisions that do not have their animals' welfare at heart. They are thinking too much of themselves and not enough about their animals. When considering end-of-life decisions, you must put aside your own grief and always be an advocate for your animal's comfort.

I have kept terminally ill pets on pain-control regimens that maintained their comfort and mobility to almost the very end of their lives. But when I could no longer assure my animals a pain-free life, I chose a painless death for them. I consider it nothing less than a final gift of love and respect.

If the course of disease cannot be reversed and an animal's pain cannot be eased, I believe we must act with mercy and choose euthanasia. We all make our own decisions in different ways, but we always need to keep the welfare of our pets in mind when doing so.

Q: I know you've warned people to beware of hip dysplasia in large dogs, but that's not the whole story. The No. 2 breed in the canine hip dysplasia ratings is the pug.

More important, there are other serious problems -- such as congenital heart disease -- that puppy buyers should require screening for. And because buyers usually haven't heard of those problems, they need writers like you to make them aware.

I had my 2-year-old Doberman a mere two weeks when he dropped dead of a congenital heart disease. This is a problem in Dobermans, golden retrievers and several other popular breeds. And few buyers ever hear of progressive retinal atrophy but, sadly, it is a common cause of blindness in many breeds.

Hip dysplasia is well-known, so can you add to the list of things that puppy buyers need to be aware of? -- Diane Blackman, www.dogplay.com

A: Thanks, Diane. In fact, everyone who decides to purchase a purebred puppy -- and yes, those trendy puggle, doodle and schnoodle mixes, too -- needs to find out what hereditary defects affect a particular breed (or breeds). Then, you should ask the seller for proof that the parents have been screened and certified as clear of these defects. Verbal assurances of health are not enough.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has excellent articles on its site (www.offa.org) regarding hereditary defects. This organization maintains registries of health information on dogs certified to be clear of congenital defects. If the puppy being considered doesn't have parents with OFA certifications, the risk of health problems is significant.

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

PET BUY

Pet collar takes a high-tech turn

The PetSafe Co. drew more than 5,000 entries to its IdeaFetch pet product contest, and the winner is a collar that combines the need to keep ID on a pet with the convenience of using a computer for information updates.

The MicroID collar offers a way to keep a digital journal on a pet, storing not only traditional identifying information but also veterinary records such as recent visits, required medication and more. The collar has a memory chip that is inserted into a computer's USB port for updating. Anyone who finds the pet can put the collar insert into his or her computer to access the information.

The winning entry brought its inventor $40,000 plus PetSafe's pledge to develop the product. The MicroID collar will be available through retail outlets with a suggested retail of $30.

The top 10 ideas are featured on the contest Web site, www.ideafetch.com. The finalists include a collar that lights up and sounds off when smoke is detected so firefighters can find pets in a burning house.

ON THE WEB

Spinning clothes from dog hair

Those of us who share our lives with animals often feel as if we're wearing our pets or, at least, are constantly trying to keep pet hair off our clothing. But there are people who value pet hair for its ability to be spun into beautiful yarn and to be knitted into garments as lovely as they are sentimental.

Pat Lee's Chiengora Chic Web page (www.mdnpd.com/pd) shows how to take combings from your dog and spin them in into yarn. ("Chiengora" derives from "chien" -- French for "dog" -- and Angora, which Lee says dog yarn most closely resembles.)

Lee offers guidelines on what breed types have the best fur for spinning (double-coated longhaired dogs) and how to go about it. (She recommends brushing out loose fur after a dog has been bathed.) The end results -- lovely scarves, vests and more -- really make working with dog yarn seem like an interesting project to try for the dog-loving person who loves to learn new crafts.

PET Rx

Urine testing a key diagnostic tool

Performed in the veterinarian's office or by an outside laboratory, an analysis of a pet's urine can be used to rule out certain health problems and identify those that might otherwise go undetected.

Some abnormal results may prompt your veterinarian to do further testing, but they don't necessarily mean a pet is ill. For example, a urinalysis will check for the presence of crystals, which can sometimes mean the pet has urinary stones or an infection. However, crystals will frequently form in urine that has been sitting or has become cold. Also, glucose and pH levels in urine can be disrupted by things other than illness.

A urinalysis will also check for "specific gravity," which gives valuable information about the health of the kidneys.

Urine is tested for the presence of blood, protein, ketones, bilirubin, bacteria and white blood cells. Normal urine will have no blood or protein, although traces may not be significant if the specific gravity is normal. There should also be no ketones present, which would possibly indicate diabetes or other disease.

Bilirubin is a pigment formed when red blood cells are dying or dead. High levels can indicate liver disease, obstructed bile ducts or other problems. The presence of bilirubin is significant in cats, but very low levels in dogs may be normal.

Bacteria or large numbers of white blood cells may suggest a bladder or kidney infection. If bacteria is present, an additional test should be done to identify the bacteria and the appropriate antibiotic to treat it.

Your veterinarian should be willing to answer all your questions about the results of any and all diagnostic testing performed on your pet. -- Christie Keith, pethobbyist.com.

BY THE NUMBERS

Playtime!

Image: Man with bird

Optional cutline: Toys are the top purchase bird lovers make.

A 2004 survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association suggests that bird lovers are getting the message about the importance of toys when it comes to keeping their pets happy and healthy. Top purchases reported include:

Toys 61 percent

Dishes 34 percent

Supplements 28 percent

Cages 18 percent

Water bottles 9 percent

Deodorants 11 percent

THE SCOOP

Problem parrots best avoided

Because of their real or perceived value and long lifespans, problem parrots are often sold time and time again, with each owner hoping to reclaim at least part of the purchase price while dumping a difficult-to-handle bird on someone else. The only absolutely sure way to know a bird's history is to buy a weaned youngster from a reputable source, such as a breeder or specialty bird store. Hand-feeding is not for the novice pet-keeper, so don't buy a baby so young you have to wean him or her yourself.

A reputable seller should know the age of your parrot. Ideally, a "hatch date" will be written on the paperwork that comes with the bird. Good breeding practices include good record-keeping. When you see evidence that the paperwork has been taken care of properly, it's more likely you're dealing with a reputable bird-breeder or knowledgeable and caring retailer.

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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