If you're an overweight, unhealthy couch potato, chances are your dog is, too. And that's a situation Dr. Marty Becker is trying to change.

"I was born and raised on a ranch, and we had working dogs. Weight wasn't an issue," says Becker, the veterinary correspondent for "Good Morning, America" and co-author with physician Dr. Robert F. Kushner of the new book "Fitness Unleashed: A Dog and Owner's Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together" (Three Rivers Press, $14). "But I started practicing in 1980, and as the years marched on, I saw fatter and fatter dogs come in. The owners complained the dogs had no energy, and the dogs developed health problems as well."

The increase of obese pets mirrors the increase of obesity in people, says Becker, and the reasons for fat in both people and pets are much the same: too much food and not enough exercise. "Fitness Unleashed" is a plan to deal with both.

"One in two pets is overweight, and one in two people," he says. "People and pets are both trapped in bodies that make them tired and sick, and I asked myself how could that be changed."

Becker got in touch with Kushner, an expert on human obesity and author of "The Personality Type Diet" (St. Martin's, $15). The two decided to work together to produce a plan that built on Kushner's PPET (People and Pets Exercising Together) study, developed in conjunction with the pet-food company Hills. PPET revealed that walking a dog is one form of exercise people are likely to stick with.

"People who decide to walk for the health of their dogs are successful because they take responsibility for helping someone they love get healthy -- their dog. They wind up helping themselves by extension," says Becker. "That was the piece that made it work."

The veterinarian also says it helps that dogs are the most reliable exercise partners imaginable, always ready and more than willing to get you walking. "A dog never has a better offer and never offers another idea to get you off track," he says. "Your husband calls and says, 'Let's meet for supper tonight,' and that's the end of your exercise plan for the night. Your dog won't do that."

A dog can also be a reliable motivator. "To a dog, 'now' doesn't mean 15 minutes later," says Becker. "If you get a dog in the habit of going for a walk at 4 p.m., he'll remind you when it's time to go."

A program for walking isn't expensive -- good shoes and a couple of pieces of dog-walking equipment (see sidebar) are all you need. But that doesn't mean you can just snap a leash on your overweight pet and the two of you can toddle off on a long hike in the hot afternoon. The book takes a positive, practical approach to evaluating your dog's fitness level and your own, and then developing a program to get you both going gradually without injuries or other setbacks.

"Anybody can walk a dog, and that's the beauty of it," says Becker, whom I've known for years and with whom I'm currently writing two pet books for release this fall. "But you need to know what you're doing to prevent injury, to adapt to seasons and to adjust for mismatches when a person needs less or more exercise than the pet. We cover it all."

Spring is the perfect time to start, no matter the age and fitness level of you or your dog. Unlike those New Year's resolutions for demanding, disheartening and likely-to-fail programs that require expensive equipment or monthly memberships, all you need to get healthy by walking is a little expert guidance and your dog.

"Call it Bow-Wow Flex," says Becker, "but walking is the basis for a perfect program for losing weight and keeping it off for both the owner and the dog."

SIDEBAR

Dog walks without the pulling

A walking program for you and your dog won't get very far if getting out isn't a pleasant experience. A dog who pulls you down the street doesn't make for a good exercise companion.

A front-clip harness, such as the Easy Walk made by Premier (www.premier.com), is now recommended by many dog trainers. The harness is comfortable for the dog to wear, and it works to train him not to pull by making the dog's own forward motion work against him. Most dogs learn quickly to quit pulling.

Combined with a high-quality 6-foot leash that's comfortable to hold, a front-snap harness will get you and your dog both comfortably on the road to fitness. Before you hit the streets, don't forget to pack plastic bags for cleanups!

Q&A

Fence can give a dog courage

Q: Our dog and our neighbor's dog run along our common fence line, barking, snarling and pawing at the fence. When they were younger, they were OK with each other. But now, besides the noise, we worry about this aggression.

Aside from this, our dog seems fine with other dogs. We've taken care of other dogs for friends, and he is friendly with other dogs on walks. What can we do? -- F.R., via e-mail

A: Fence-fighting is a common behavior that can be a result of two dogs being stuck in an unnatural situation, says dog-trainer Brian Kilcommons, author of many top-selling books and a new DVD, "My Smart Puppy, With Brian Kilcommons." He says that since neither dog on either side of a fence can go through normal greeting behavior, the situation can quickly become one where each dog ends up snarling canine insults at the other.

Calm the situation by keeping the dogs apart away from the fence line. You can either coordinate the schedule for letting the dogs out at different times with your neighbor, or divide one or both yards to keep the dogs away from the common fence. Without the trigger of having the other dog so close, the fence-running and the barking should greatly diminish.

It's not unusual for a dog who is fine in other situations to develop a nasty personality when behind a fence, says Kilcommons. "Some shy or unconfident dogs appear to get bolder when they are safe behind a fence," he says. "They run up and down, barking canine cusswords at all who pass. But take them out from behind that fence and off their territory, and they suddenly become a 'Meek Melvin.'

"Other dogs are strongly territorial but much less aggressive off their property. And some have learned to amuse themselves by racing up and down the fence line barking."

Pimply cat

Q: Our cat had a problem with pimples on her chin. Our veterinarian asked if we had a plastic dish. When we switched to a ceramic dish, the problem disappeared. Would you please tell others about this? We didn't know. -- L.W., via e-mail

A: Although some feline acne can be triggered by an allergy to plastic, other cats may need other remedies to fix this not uncommon but not serious problem.

Although most classic acne cases occur in cats who are simply not good chin groomers, there are other possibilities, including mites, ringworm and various allergies. As you've done, checking in with the veterinarian will help get to the bottom of the problem. If switching the bowl doesn't work, washing the area frequently may, or medications may be needed clear things up.

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

FOLLOW-UP

Are otter deaths linked to cats?

The recent Pet Connection article on the CatGenie, an automatic cat-waste disposal system, triggered concerned e-mails about the reported link between cat feces and otter deaths. A study at the University of California-Davis suggests that toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a parasite transmitted in the feces of cats, is killing sea otters along the California coast.

But the issue of what to do with cat waste -- or indeed any pet waste -- is more complicated than the cat vs. otter issue first appears.

It's essential to understand that the condition of waste when it ends up in rivers depends on how it enters the system. The main concern with cat waste is not with what's flushed down a toilet and heads through a sewage treatment facility, but rather with the waste from pet and feral cats who use the outdoors as their bathroom. This mess gets washed off the land and ends up in the storm drain system, which goes directly into rivers without treatment.

In fact, the U.S. Environmental Agency recommends that pet waste be either flushed or bagged up and put in the trash (where local regulations allow) rather than be allowed to wash off the land. (More information on the impact of pet waste on the environment is at www.epa.gov/safewater/protect/pdfs/petwaste.pdf, although the document doesn't specifically address the otter issue.)

Sending cat waste through the sewage treatment system via the toilet or a CatGenie may not kill the hardy parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, but it will kill other common organisms that cause nasty diseases in humans and other animals.

Also, it's important to understand that all cat box fillers have an environmental impact of one kind or another. Some fillers require mining operations to obtain them, and all require some form of manufacturing that uses energy. Transporting tons of cat-box filler to market uses fossil fuels, and contaminated litter put in the trash -- even if bagged up -- has an impact on landfills.

In other words: There are no easy answers.

"We're certainly not anti-otter," says Rick Mellinger, president of the PetNovations, which makes the CatGenie. "But we think the issue is more complicated than sound bites suggest. It seems the problem with what's entering the system is not coming from the sanitary systems -- what goes down the toilet. It's coming from runoff, through the storm drainage system, from outdoor cats."

"Also, it needs to be noted that cats who spend their lives inside are less likely to have these parasites than outdoor or feral cats who hunt," he says.

Are there other options for pet waste disposal? The EPA says it's OK to bury pet waste, as long as it's in a hole at least a foot deep covered with several inches of soil and the holes aren't near the vegetable garden. As for composting, that's out if you have cats or dogs. The waste of these pets cannot be safely composted, although vegetarian pets such as rabbits turn out waste that's fabulous for the compost pile.

PET TIP

Dog a mooch? Don't blame the pooch

Puppies soon recognize that people are a source of food, not only at mealtime but also at what at first seems to be random intervals. Sometimes the food seems to be connected to something, a reward for learning and performing a desired behavior.

Other times, though, a dog's cuteness means we reward them for pestering us. When we like the behavior, we call it "sharing." When we don't, we call it "begging." But we're the ones who control the behavior.

Do you think your dog would be begging now if the first few times he tried it he got nothing for his efforts? After this habit sets, some dogs can be very persuasive. If you never want your dog to stick his nose in your dinner plate, put his head on your knee or paw at your arm, then don't ever reward him for doing so by giving him food.

As your dog gradually becomes convinced that he will never again see another piece of food delivered from your plate, he'll stop asking.

If you're inconsistent, you'll actually make the problem worse. Random reinforcement is a powerful force -- it's what keeps the gaming industry afloat. We keep pulling the handle on slot machines because we get a little back now and then. And because sometimes, we hit the jackpot. Dog trainers use these principles to instill good behaviors, but many pet lovers inadvertently use them to reward bad ones.

Preventing a problem is always easier than fixing one. If you don't want your dog begging, then don't reward it, ever.

BY THE NUMBERS

Celebrating animals

Animal planet Expo logo

Caption: Animal Planet's annual tour runs through the end of August.

The Animal Planet network is popular among those who love shows about nature or pets. Animal Planet Expo is kicking off its annual summer tour on May 13 with stops planned for 13 cities (information at www.animalplanet.com). Here's a list of Animal Planet's top-ranked shows and specials in 2005:

1. "Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real"

2. "AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Dog Show"

3. "Animal Cops: San Francisco"

4. "Land of Lost Monsters"

5. "Miami Animal Police"

THE SCOOP

The truth about pit bull jaws

Do pit bulls have "locking jaws"?

Eric Sakach, director of the West Coast regional office of the Humane Society of the United States, knows as much about pit bulls as anyone alive. For 30 years he has been investigating the shady world of dog fighters, and he has testified as an expert witness in court cases. He says dog fighters use the loyalty and affection of a young pit bull to turn a good dog into a killing machine.

Before we as a society can figure out what to do with dog attacks -- it seems better to me to target all vicious dogs instead on one breed with some bad customers -- it helps to know what's real and what's a myth about pit bulls.

The "locking jaw" myth has been around forever.

"That's absolutely untrue," Sakach says. "Pit bulls are no different in skeleton and musculature than other dogs."

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 new dog, a year-old retriever named Woody, came to Northern California just before New Year's. He arrived midway through a weeklong assault of drenching storms, levee watches, flooding, mudslides and lots of worry.

Woody loves to swim, but the rains confused him. He had spent his entire young life in drought-parched Texas and had little experience with rain. He would stand under the patio roof and look out with uncertainty, and he needed encouragement to take care of his business in the rain.

Four months after his arrival, he is no longer unsure about rain. He takes his time now like the rest of my dogs, getting his back wet and his paws plenty muddy before heading into the house.

Mud is the constant nemesis of all dog lovers, and it's never so bad as in the spring.

The best way to keep floors clean is to never let them get dirty. And that means catching those muddy paws before they come inside. Here are some tips:

-- Use mats. Put washable mats both inside and outside the door. A small door mat can be jumped over, so go for something larger, at least during the rainy season. The wider the area of matting, the more chance you have of every paw hitting the mat at least once.

Outside the door to my back yard (currently known as The Swamp), I have a 3-foot-by-5-foot black industrial mat I bought at a warehouse store. It catches lots of mud, and it hoses off easily. The more attractive and traditional decorative door mat sits right on top of it, with another decorative mat on the inside of the threshold. Outside the dog door, the entrance is covered with indoor-outdoor carpeting. Just inside is another mat.

-- Teach dogs to wait for wiping. It's not difficult to teach a dog to wait on the mat for a paw cleaning. If you're patient and positive, you'll be able to teach your pet to offer each paw in turn and stand patiently while you towel it off. One of my dogs used to be so good about this that he'd lift each paw by name: "Front. Now the other. Back. Other."

-- Save your old towels. When towels get too ratty for guests to see, save them for use with your pets. Old towels are great for wiping paws, drying fur and even swiping a muddy paw print off the floor. My old towels have endured years of hot water and bleach. They're ugly, but they still do the job. You can also find super-absorbent towels and mitts made specifically for wiping paws, but I've always found old towels to be more than up to the task. If you do need to buy paw wipes, check prices on shop towels.

-- Never let a mess settle in. If a muddy paw gets past you, don't delay your cleanup. While this isn't such a hard-and-fast rule for such easy-clean surfaces as tile and hardwoods, it's an absolute commandment when it comes to carpets. Keep cleaning supplies well-stocked and at hand, and be sure to jump on a muddy paw print -- or any pet mess -- before it can set.

With 16 paws in my household, keeping on top of mud is a must. What the mats don't catch, I do, and the house stays cleaner for my diligence -- especially with young Woody in the family now, delighting in every mud puddle he finds.

SIDEBAR

Into the bath!

Dogs should be bathed as often as is necessary to keep them clean-smelling. Weekly isn't too often, as long as you use a coat conditioner.

Your dog should be brushed before bathing because mats and tangles, once wet, can only be cut out. Working a little corn starch into a mat and cutting through it lengthwise will make it easier to break up and tease out.

On warm days, dogs can be bathed outside. Otherwise, keeping towels at hand will help prevent too much mess in your indoor bathroom. Let your brushed dog relax while you set up the proper equipment and fill the tub. A bath mat will make your dog feel more comfortable by giving him something secure to stand on. You'll also need a spray nozzle. Some people rinse dogs by pouring dirty bathwater back over them, but that defeats the purpose of bathing a dog.

Don't use more soap than is necessary to make it easier to rinse your dog completely clean. A forced-air pet dryer or blow-dryer set on cool will shorten the time needed for drying.

Q&A

Helping cats with canine intruder

Q: My husband and I have a pair of young cats, two sisters we adopted together as kittens. They are just over a year old. My mother is going to have to give up her dog as part of her move to a place where she can get more care.

Toby is an 8-year-old cockapoo, and he's coming to live with us. He's a sweet little dog and is fine with cats. My mom had two cats when she adopted Toby, although both are now gone.

I don't know how our cats will like having their space invaded by a dog. We would like the transition to go as smoothly as possible. It's a difficult time for us all. Suggestions? -- I.T., via e-mail

A: Before the dog arrives, prepare the cats by setting up a "dog-free" zone for their dishes and litter box. One good way to do this is by choosing a spare bedroom or bathroom and getting a baby gate to put across the doorway. The cats will be able to come and go without any effort, but the dog won't be able to get over the barrier.

Make sure the cats are comfortable with the new arrangement before springing Toby on them. When he arrives, you'll be closing the door on their room so they can feel safe while getting used the sounds, smells and noises of the new dog.

Once the girls seem relaxed, open the door and put the baby gate up. Let the cats choose the level of interaction -- no forced introductions -- and don't worry if they decide to stay on their side of the baby gate for now. Put a line on Toby's collar so you can step on it if he decides to chase the cats. Curiosity is normal from the dog, but don't allow him to chase the cats, even in play.

Be patient. Chances are good that within a few weeks the cats will tolerate the dog, and they may even learn to enjoy having him around.

No 'bye-bye' to this birdie

Q: I have been watching a friend's cockatiel while she's overseas. I have a couple of short trips coming up myself and wonder how long is too long to leave the bird alone with food and water. The longest would be a long weekend, two nights gone. Is this OK? -- S.O., via e-mail

A: No, it's not. Ideally, the bird needs to be attended to twice daily, with once daily the bare minimum standard of care. You need to enlist a friend's help, call a pet sitter, or check with an avian veterinarian or reputable bird shop to find out if there are bird-boarding options in your area.

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

PET Rx

Incontinence? Call your vet

Urinary incontinence is often a health problem, not a behavioral one, which is why when a dog "springs a leak," your first call should be to your veterinarian.

Medical issues that can cause urinary incontinence include: infection in the urinary tract, typically a bladder infection; excessive consumption of water, perhaps from disease; weak bladder sphincter, especially common in female dogs; and spinal cord disease.

Diagnostic tests -- a urinalysis and urine culture, to start -- are essential when it comes to pinpointing a health issue. The urinalysis reveals cell types and biochemical elements in a pet's urine, while the culture isolates any bacteria growing in the urine. The bacterial species are identified and tested for their sensitivity to different antibiotics, with the end result being confirmation of the presence of infection and a list of appropriate antibiotics.

Working with your veterinarian will in many cases resolve this messy health problem.

(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.)

BY THE BOOK

Bored birds need something to do

Parrots are highly intelligent pets, and they can become sick, self-destructive or even aggressive if left with nothing to do but hang out in a cage.

In the wild, parrots spend their days foraging for food and maintaining relationships with their flock. As pets, their food is served in a bowl and their social lives are pretty limited. It's no wonder they become frustrated and act out.

Enter trick training, a great way to keep that bird brain busy and out of trouble. In "Parrot Tricks: Teaching Parrots With Positive Reinforcement" (Howell/Wiley, $20), longtime parrot experts Tani Robar and Diane Grindol help bird lovers teach their pets a wide variety of tricks. The end result: a happier bird and bird owner.

Trick training can save the lives of troubled birds and can make others much more content. This book is a great place to start building a better life for you and your parrot.

PET TIP

Tough case? Consider a veterinary specialist

While many, if not most, health issues a pet will face can be resolved by the animal's regular veterinarian, these days the number and variety of specialists available make consulting on tough cases a viable option. Your veterinarian should be open to referring you to a specialist or consulting one on your behalf, if your pet's condition warrants it.

A specialist will work only with the problem for which the animal has been referred, and then send you back to your own veterinarian for all other issues.

Becoming a veterinary specialist requires additional study in a two- to five-year residency program as well as a specific examination for each specialty. The result is certification over and above that required to achieve a degree in veterinary medicine.

Veterinary dermatologists, surgeons and internists such as cardiologists and oncologists are among the more common veterinary specialists working with companion animals.

Although not as many specialists exist in veterinary medicine as in human medicine, you may find a growing number in your community or within a short drive -- and more are likely to turn up in the future.

Many urban areas support independent specialists or specialty practices. But in less-populated areas you're more likely to find a full complement of specialists at the closest university that has a school or college of veterinary medicine.

For veterinarians already in practice, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners also offers specialty certification without a formal residency program. ABVP certifies specialists in avian practice, feline practice and companion animal practice (dogs and cats). -- G.S.

BY THE NUMBERS

Tops in small pets

Image: ferret

Caption: A pet-industry survey shows ferret popularity to be falling.

Rabbits are now found in 43 percent of homes with small animals, up from 40 percent in 2000. Ferrets are down from 10 percent in 2000. Among those who keep small animals, the rabbit is the most popular (multiple answers allowed):

Type of small animal Percent kept

Rabbit 43

Hamster 36

Guinea pig 20

Mouse/rat 8

Ferret 7

Gerbil 5

Chinchilla 4

THE SCOOP

Sometimes a dog just needs to howl

Howling is like group singing for dogs, or picking up the microphone at a canine karaoke machine.

The racket is a way for dogs scattered across a few miles and separated by fences to get in touch with their inner wolf and be part of something bigger ... a pack!

It used to be thought that sirens hurt the sensitive ears of dogs and that howling was a protest of pain. But now it's thought to be an instinctive group behavior. The right noise -- a siren or even the right notes on a musical instrument -- will get a dog lifting his nose to the sky, and once howling, other dogs just can't help but join in.

Some breeds are more prone to howling than others. The husky-type breeds seem to take to it naturally, as do hounds such as beagles and bassets, with their distinctive baying.

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

When it comes to parrots, too many people get in over their heads, choosing a pet who's too large, too loud, too expensive and, ultimately, too much to handle.

Parrots are wonderful pets, although they are much more work than many realize. Before you fall in love with a parrot who's not a good fit for you, consider a few species who may fit the bill better.

-- Cockatiels: When properly raised and socialized, these popular pets like to snuggle and be petted. If you've seen only the gray bird with orange patches, you may be surprised at how many cockatiel color and pattern variations are available these days. Some cockatiels learn to talk, but many are better at whistling.

-- Budgies: Because of their small price tag and easy availability, budgerigars (commonly but improperly known as "parakeets") are often treated as throwaway pets -- easily purchased, easily disposed of, easily replaced. This attitude keeps people from valuing these birds for their affectionate personality. Some budgies even become very good talkers, albeit with tiny little voices.

Budgies are commonly found in two varieties: the narrow American and the huskier English. Many budgies can be tamed by gentle, patient handling and can bond closely with their human companions.

-- Lovebirds: When hand-raised and socialized, lovebirds enjoy being handled. They're very affectionate, not overly loud and capable of picking up a few phrases. The peach-faced lovebird is the most common, and this species also comes in many interesting color mutations. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to keep them in pairs.

-- Poicephalus: These small parrots are an easygoing bunch. Of the species available as pets, the Senegal is probably the most common, a handsome little bird with a gray head, green back and wings, and yellow-orange underside. Poicephalus parrots are known for their small size -- a little bigger than a cockatiel -- and affectionate personalities. They're not the best talkers, but some will pick up a few phrases.

-- Pionus: Not as flashy as other mid-sized parrots, the pionus is often overlooked. But what they lack in bright colors they make up for with winning personalities. Several varieties of pionus are available as pets, all small enough to be easy to keep and handle. Their personalities are considered among the most sedate of all parrots, and they're not excessively loud.

Those are my top five, but there are other "starter birds" to consider. Among them are the Pyrrhura conures (such as the green-cheeked), the Quaker or monk parakeet (where legal), and the lilac-crowned or other smaller Amazons. The tiny little parrotlet deserves consideration, too.

SIDEBAR

A long-term commitment

Parrots aren't like other pets. They're wickedly smart, relatively high-maintenance and exceptionally long-lived.

That last item in particular should give any prospective bird lover pause. Where will you be in 20, 30 or even 70 years? Are you prepared to provide for a pet who may well outlive you?

Some parrots have outlived multiple owners. My "Birds for Dummies" co-author, renowned avian specialist Dr. Brian Speer, had a scarlet macaw as a patient who was well into his 70s when he finally died.

The current owner had a sales receipt from an Oakland, Calif., pet store that dated back to the 1920s! Since the bird had been caught as an adult in the wild, no one knew for sure how old the parrot really was.

Q&A

Fur coat keeps sled dogs warm

Q: I watched part of the Iditarod on TV, and I just wonder how those dogs can cope with the conditions. Is it really possible for a sled dog to stay warm in a snow bank? -- T.W., via e-mail

A: If you had a coat like a sled dog has, you'd be able to sleep in snow banks, too.

"The sled dog's coat is remarkably insulative," says Margaret Bonham, a veteran of nearly two decades of mushing and the author of more than a dozen books, including "Northern Breeds" (Barrons, $20).

"A few of my dogs have such good coats that the snow would stick to the coat and not melt -- meaning that the coat trapped his body heat remarkably well," she says.

The snow itself helps to keep a dog warm, adds Bonham. When a dog sleeps in a snowbank, the snow insulates the dog and keeps the heat trapped in -- like an igloo. Because the dog's coat works so well, the heat is trapped against his body and isn't radiating into the cold.

"I've had dogs who loved to moonbathe outside in very cold weather -- below zero -- even though they had warm houses full of straw to sleep in," says Bonham.

Cat-box tips

Q: My old kitty kept urinating on the floor just outside the box. We knew she had a bad back, but never connected the two. Finally I got her a litter box with low sides. It was a large acrylic picture frame, emptied out and turned upside down.

Because she no longer had to bend her tail (and therefore her spine) to accommodate the high sides, she was much more comfortable doing her thing inside the box.

Would you please pass this on to people with older pets? -- L.F., via e-mail

A: Thanks for the excellent suggestion. In fact, over the years, people have written in with many suggestions for cat boxes, including using old 9-inch square baking pans (perfect for little kittens), blanket storage boxes (lots of room for a big kitty), and even mixing containers used in masonry work.

Another tip: Melinie diLuck, founder of Happy Tails in Sacramento, Calif., a no-kill sanctuary for cats, says that they've had good results with Cat Attract litter for their cats whose bathroom habits leave much to be desired.

"We use that litter exclusively and keep the cat contained for two weeks," she says. "I don't know what is in that litter, but it retrains the cat."

Cat Attract is available at retail outlets. More information is at www.preciouscat.com.

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

PETS ON THE WEB

Preservation is goal of group

Whatever your interest in marine life and products, the Marine Aquarium Council wants you to understand the impact of your decisions on the health of the oceans and the world's threatened coral reefs.

MAC is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to conserving coral reefs and other marine ecosystems by setting standards and certifying those who collect and trade in ornamental marine life. Their program starts at the point of collection and ends at the point of purchase, from reef to retail.

"Many tropical marine fish in the Philippines and Indonesia are caught using cyanide, a toxin that destroys coral reefs and is also dangerous to the fish themselves," says John Brandt, MAC's North American Director.

"An easy way for pet owners to be environmentally responsible is to purchase MAC-certified marine life, which has been collected, handled and transported to optimize the health of, and minimize stress on, the coral reefs and the fish themselves," he says.

For a list of MAC-certified retailers, importers, exporters and collectors, visit the Web site of the Marine Aquarium Council at www.aquariumcouncil.org. -- Christie Keith

PET BUY

Neatness counts in water bottle

Traditional water bottles for small pets and birds have a small ball at the end of the spout. These can leak, making it difficult to keep cages clean.

The Water Swiggler improves on the concept, with a dispenser made of heavy plastic and a spout that releases water only when the pet presses the stem of the drinking valve.

The units also feature top-loading for quick refills, wide mouths to make cleaning easier and springs for attaching to the cage. In sizes from 8 ounces to 32 ounces, the Water Swiggler's suggested retail ranges from $8.50 to $14.50. More information is at www.waterswiggler.com.

THE SCOOP

More choices in pet food than ever before

Feeding a dog didn't used to be anything you stayed up nights worrying about. They ate what we gave them. They ate what we left behind. They ate what other animals left behind. They killed things to eat, and they ate the remains of what other animals killed. In other words, they got by as best they could with whatever we gave them and whatever they scrounged up.

Unlike cats, who are what are called "obligate carnivores" -- meaning they need meat in their diets -- dogs are carnivores with some wiggle room. They can survive on all kinds of foods, as do many animals who aren't above scavenging.

The this-and-that approach to dog feeding worked well enough for generations, especially when most dogs lived in rural areas, with access to rodents in the barn, rabbits in the fields, or leftovers in the farmer's kitchen or from the butchering of livestock. But as more dogs became urban and suburban companions -- and as leash laws came into play -- living off the land became pretty tough for dogs to accomplish.

From great societal change always comes great business opportunity -- in this case, the pet-food industry.

Commercial pet foods really took off after World War II, when America was starting to put a premium on convenience just as our country's ability to produce food also took off.

Many pet food companies started off as a way to use leftovers from food produced for people, but that's really not the case today. As pets have gained status in our families, pet-food companies have responded. Today you can find hundreds of product lines at all price levels and with all kinds of ingredients, all based on decades of research into what maintains a healthy pet.

BY THE NUMBERS

Treat me right

Image: Cat pic

Caption: We love to give treats to our cats.

Is it any wonder our pets share our tendency to gain weight? The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association reports that in 2004, we gave an average of 3.1 treats per day to our cats. But maybe we're getting a little more conscious of the consequences: In 2002, the average was 3.5. The kind of treats we buy (multiple answers allowed):

Meat-based 75 percent

Nonmeat 22 percent

Vegetarian 4 percent

Other 13 percent

PET Rx

Get the scoop on bird poop

A good way to evaluate the health of a bird is to pay attention to what your pet leaves at the bottom of his cage. Birds produce feces with three components: the stool, which is semisolid and dark in color; the urates, which are a loose, whitish solid; and urine, which is nearly a clear liquid.

Get to know how these wastes look normally, as well as the usual variations. Some foods can change the color of the stools or increase the amount of urine. Once you know what's typical for your bird, you can spot abnormalities that might be an early indication of a serious illness developing. Early detection is essential in birds, so call your veterinarian if you notice changes you can't explain.

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

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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