I have to be honest: I don't like declawing.

I understand why people do it, and I understand how in some cases it's a cat's last chance to stay in a good home rather than face uncertain prospects at a shelter.

But I also know scratching is a natural and satisfying behavior for cats. It provides a good stretch, marks territory and keeps the claws in good shape. If at all possible, I'd rather a cat be allowed to be a cat, and that includes the pleasures of scratching.

If you absolutely, positively have no tolerance for scratching, please adopt a cat who has already been declawed rather than taking home a kitten and having him declawed. If you already have a cat who's driving you crazy clawing your couch, try the carrot-and-stick approach to changing the behavior to one you can live with.

The carrot: Offer your cat alternative places to scratch.

The stick: Make your furniture unattractive to a clawing cat.

The best investment you can make for your pet's enjoyment -- and your furniture's preservation -- is a cat tree with a high perch for your pet to look down on the family. (Cats like being above it all!) Sisal, a natural ropelike covering, is a good covering for cat trees, as is carpet with loops that aren't too shaggy. If you're even a little bit handy, you can make your own cat tree by using scrap lumber, sisal or carpet remnants.

You can make a cat tree even more appealing by playing games with your cat on the tree, and by petting and praising him for scratching there. Some cats may enjoy having fresh catnip rubbed onto the cat tree as added enticement.

Cat trees aren't the only options. Add other approved places for your cat to scratch, such as vertical or horizontal posts, scratching trays filled with corrugated cardboard or scratching pads hung from doorknobs. Experiment to see what your cat likes best.

Once you have approved scratching areas in place, make the places your cat shouldn't be clawing unattractive by putting double-sided patches (such as Sticky Paws) or tape on the furniture. If the furniture fabric is too delicate, put the double-sided material on a piece of cardboard that wraps around the corner of the furniture. Cats hate to touch anything sticky, and so anything mounted sticky-side out will discourage scratching.

Start with your scratching alternative near the problem area. Your cat may shift his attention away from your furniture to the scratching post or tree. Praise and treat for good behavior!

Once your cat understands what the scratching post is for, you can slowly move it to the part of the room where you'd like it. Leave the sticky deterrent on the furniture during the retraining, and be patient.

Declawing shouldn't be the first strategy for solving a scratching problem. Give your cat a chance to learn and follow the rules before you consider subjecting him to painful surgery.

SIDEBAR

Clipping your cat's nails

Keeping the sharp tips of claws blunt will help to minimize damage from clawing. It's best to start clipping nail tips when your cat's a kitten, but most adult cats can learn to tolerate the procedure.

You'll need clippers -- either ones sold for cats or just regular human nail trimmers will do -- plus a product such as Kwik-Stop in case you draw blood.

To clip your cat's nails, push gently on her pad to expose the nail. In the center, you see a pink area coming part way down: This area is a vein, called the quick, and you want to avoid it to prevent bleeding. Slide your clipper to a spot beyond the quick, and nip off the tip of the claw. If your cat moves and you nick the quick, try to daub on some Kwik-Stop to stop the bleeding. (But if your cat goes crazy, just let go before you get hurt.)

Give your pet treats, praise for each nail, and know when to call it a day. If you can get only one or two nails done per session, that's plenty. You'll get farther in the long run by not making nail trimming a war between you and your cat.

Q&A

Some safe options for socializing

Q: We're confused. We have a new puppy, just 9 weeks old. Our veterinarian says he is not to leave the house until he's 16 weeks old and is finished with all his puppy shots. (The exception is going to the veterinarian's office, and then we are to carry him.) But we've read how important it is to socialize puppies. Whom do we believe? -- S.F., via e-mail

A: Your veterinarian's advice and the advice you've read from dog trainers are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to socialize your puppy carefully while protecting him from contagious diseases until his immune system is strong.

Your puppy should never be allowed around dogs you don't know, or where there's a possibility that other dogs you don't know have been. That means no parks and no walks in the neighborhood for the next few weeks.

But socialization is extremely important to a puppy, which is why you need to seek out safe opportunities for your puppy to see the world. I recommend puppy classes. But before you sign up, be sure to ask the trainer what she has done to sanitize the training area to make it safe. Many such classes are held indoors, in areas that are cleaned thoroughly before the puppies arrive.

If you have friends or family who have dogs you know are healthy and have up-to-date vaccinations, you can take your puppy to visit. Car rides are also good to introduce puppies to new sights, sounds and smells.

Once your veterinarian gives the go-ahead, pull out all the stops and take your pup everywhere you can. The more socialized your puppy is, the happier and more relaxed a pet he will be.

Help for 'leaks'

Q: I'm afraid we're about ready to find a new home for our dog because we're at our wit's end. She's not old, but she leaks urine. We can't deal with mess anymore -- she is ruining our carpets. Is there any remedy? -- T.L., via e-mail

A: You didn't mention having her see the veterinarian. If you haven't taken her, you should. If you have, you need to go back. Urinary incontinence in spayed females is not uncommon, and there are medications that can help.

Even if working with your veterinarian only partly fixes the problem, you can cope with occasional leakage by restricting your dog to parts of the house that are easier to clean (such as tiled areas), putting down rubber-backed mats for sleeping, or even modifying human incontinence products by cutting out room for a tail. But see your veterinarian first.

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

THE SCOOP

Hard to tell girls from boys

Although you can guarantee birds can tell the difference, we humans can't easily tell the boys from the girls in a great many bird species. Not knowing may have no bearing on how good a pet a bird becomes, but some people can't stand not knowing. Even if they have no interest in breeding a pet, some people just want to know whether to choose a masculine or feminine name for their pet.

The answer is easy to come by, with a blood sample drawn by the veterinarian used to check a bird's DNA.

The eclectus parrot is one bird even we humans can't confuse when it comes to figuring out which birds are males and which are females. The male is bright green with red patches under his wings, while the female is a shimmery purple with red head and tail.

Male and female eclectus are so different that the two genders were once thought to be different species.

PET TIP

Kids may like these lizards

Iguanas are just not the most sensible of children's pets. They can grow to be more than 6 feet in length, and their care requirements are beyond the casual pet keeper.

Many children love lizards, and for them, the leopard gecko and bearded dragon may fit the bill. These reptiles are easy to find in the pet trade, are relatively easy to set up and care for, and will remain a reasonable size for life.

Many children are attracted to reptile pets because of an interest in dinosaurs. Caring for a reptile may even spark a lifelong interest in the sciences.

PET Rx

Tempting the finicky cat to eat

Feeding a variety of foods from the start helps to keep cats from becoming finicky, since cats may become overly attached to a single food if allowed to.

Some cats do not like to eat a variety of foods and will refuse to eat anything but their favorite. Others will try to hold out until they get what they like. If your cat is already finicky, you can try offering other foods, warming the food to make it smell more appealing or feeding wet rations instead of dry.

Be aware, however, that your cat may not be as finicky as you think. If you leave dry food down all the time, he may be nibbling more than a dozen times throughout the day and thus never eating very much in any one observed sitting. If your cat is allowed to roam, consider that he may be picking up meals at another house besides your own, or he may be hunting for part of his meals.

Occasional finickiness -- a missed meal or two now and then -- is no reason for concern as long as your cat's not losing weight. But if it goes beyond a meal or two, or if your cat is losing weight, there's reason to worry.

If that's the case, your cat may be at risk and may need prompt veterinary attention.

(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 NUMBERS

Man's best friend?

Don't get between some people and their pets! A survey by the Hartz Mountain pet-supply company found that:

-- 9 percent of pet owners have changed plans with another person, opting to spend time with a pet instead

-- 13 percent have chosen a specific vacation site because it was pet-friendly

-- 9 percent report a significant owner has expressed jealousy of a pet

ON THE WEB

Learning about holistic care

Alternative medicine, sometimes also called "holistic," includes a wide range of treatment options, from acupuncture to chiropractic to homeopathy to traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

In holistic medicine, the whole patient is generally the focus, rather than the specific disease. Traditional Western medicine tends to do better with acute illness, such as a bacterial infection, or with trauma, such as a broken leg. Alternative medicine focuses more on chronic conditions, such as arthritis.

Some Western-trained veterinarians now embrace alternative care exclusively, but others are accepting elements of alternative care as a complement to traditional medicine. These latter veterinarians often refer to their practice as "integrated" -- that is, drawing from both traditional and alternative care to treat an illness.

The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (www.ahvma.org) is a good place to start finding out more about alternative veterinary medicine.

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

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

Every year brings more opportunities for traveling with pets. Guidebooks, Web sites, hotel chains (both modest and high-end), dog camps and special dog-friendly tours -- businesses geared to helping people take a vacation with their pets have never been more numerous.

The best way to plan your vacation? Check out Web sites dedicated to traveling with pets, and look for ads in pet-related magazines and newsletters.

The AAA guide to pet-friendly travel seems to double in size every third year, and it's a must-have for basic information on which hotels and motels accept dogs. For more detailed information, check out any number of dog-friendly guides that offer such information as to which restaurants welcome dogs on their patios, which beaches or other recreational areas offer legal off-leash exercise, and even the locations of the nearest self-serve dog wash.

Don't rely on any listing or book too much, though. Policies change, which is why it's essential to always call ahead and confirm that pets are still welcome where you've made your reservations.

Even though more people than ever are traveling with their dogs, there are plenty of people who don't like sharing space with the four-legged tourists. There are also plenty of resort properties that are one pet mess away from changing to a no-dog policy. That means you and your dog must be above reproach, to keep a great place open for future pet travel.

Three rules for safe and considerate pet travel:

-- Keep 'em clean. Your dog should be well-groomed and clean smelling. Always dry off wet dogs and wipe off muddy feet -- using your towels, not the motel's -- before allowing your dog inside. Cover furniture, carpets and bedspreads with your old sheets and towels. And if you need to bathe your dog, be sure, again, to use your towels and clean up afterward.

-- Keep 'em under control. Your dog should be obedient, friendly but not annoying, and never aggressive -- not to people, not to pets and not to wildlife. Do not allow your dog to bark uncontrollably. Use your best judgment when to let a dog off the leash in areas where doing so is allowed, and be sure that your dog isn't annoying other people or pets.

-- Pick up after 'em. Take your dog to out-of-the-way places on resort property to do his business -- the corner of the far parking lot, not the grassy inner courtyard. No leg-lifting allowed near rooms and eating areas. Make it so the pickiest dog hater on Earth wouldn't notice your dog has been around.

And finally, don't forget to show your appreciation. Those of us who travel with our pets realize it's a privilege, not a right, to have a nice place to stay. So along with keeping your pet from being a nuisance, don't forget to say "thank you" to resort staff, and tip generously when appropriate. Pets mean extra work for the people who work at these places, so let's try to keep them on our side.

SIDEBAR

Secure pets for a safer ride

Securing a dog in a vehicle makes sense all around. A loose dog in the car can cause an accident by distracting the driver. In an accident or even if the driver has to stop suddenly, a dog can hurt himself or other passengers.

Last year I tried out the PetBuckle ($36 in four sizes from www.petbuckle.com), and this year we're testing the Champion Canine Seat Belt (starting at $30 for five sizes from www.champk-9.com). Both products are easy to use, and my two older dogs seem to find them comfortable.

My two young retrievers ride in wire crates secured in the back of my minivan. The Midwest 606SS crates (retailing for around $130 each from www.midwesthomes4pets.com) are designed to fit side-by-side in minivans and SUVs, and they collapse for easy removal and storage.

Q&A

Finding a home for mom's cat

Q: After my mom died a few weeks ago, my dad asked me to take her cat Mandy. We have three cats already, and our attempts to integrate Mandy into our home have not gone well. There has been a lot of hissing from all the cats, and we're seeing lots of accidents, too, although I'm not sure which cat is behind that.

I feel awful about it. But my cats are unhappy, and so is my husband. Things have to go back to the way they were, without Mandy. Can you help? -- K.P., via e-mail

A: I'm so sorry you're in such a difficult position, and I know you want to do your best for your mom and for Mandy. Would it be possible to divide your home so Mandy has her own space temporarily, while all the cats adjust, or even permanently? Would one of your mom's friends or another family member take her? Would your dad take Mandy back if he knew her fate was uncertain otherwise?

If none of these suggestions is feasible, you might have to find a new home for Mandy. It's not easy to place an adult cat, but it's not impossible if you resolve to work at it and be patient.

Make fliers, take out ads, and use the Internet to spread the word. Post the fliers everywhere you can -- bulletin boards at work, pet-supply stores and your veterinarian's office. Talk to everyone, even people who you know won't take her. Someone who doesn't want a cat may know someone else who'd be perfect for Mandy.

Don't be so quick to place her that you aren't careful to check out any home that comes forward. Some people are such bad news that Mandy would be better off dead than to go out your door with any of them. (It's not unheard of for people to take pets for the training of fighting dogs, or for sales to research laboratories.) Ask for a veterinary reference, and ask about previous pets. A person who cannot name a veterinarian or has a history of having pets who have disappeared or have been dumped is not a good candidate. Check references!

Just as you want the person to be honest with you, you should be honest with them regarding any behavior or health problems Mandy has. My experience in placing pets has convinced me that many people will take a pet with problems if the situation is explained in advance. Someone who expects one sort of pet and gets another may not be so understanding.

If you absolutely, positively cannot keep Mandy, a no-kill shelter might be able to provide her with the home she needs while giving her another chance at clicking with someone looking for a cat. If you find a no-kill shelter or rescue group that can take her, please consider giving them a monetary donation to help offset the cost of their operation.

Worms? Maybe not

Q: Can you assume the trouble is worms when dogs drag their bottoms? We're trying to avoid another trip to the veterinarian. -- G.L., via e-mail

A: When a dog scoots across the carpet or grass on his rear, he's trying to relieve an itch or irritation. Parasites like tapeworms can be one source of that irritation. It can also be impacted or infected anal sacks, fecal material that is clinging to the hair, or even constipation or diarrhea.

Your pet needs to see a veterinarian, and there's no way around that. The only way to relieve your pet's discomfort is to get an accurate diagnosis followed by treatment proper for the condition.

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

PET Rx

Some pets need sun protection

Sunblock for your pet? You bet!

The risks of overexposure to the sun can be a problem for many dogs, reminds veterinary dermatologist Dr. Peter J. Ihrke of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

"Unfortunately, dogs can develop a wide variety of sun-associated problems beyond sunburn just as humans can," says Ihrke. "Repetitive sun exposure can lead to chronic skin changes and sun-induced skin cancer, just as it can in people."

Ihrke says the animals most at risk for sun-caused skin disease and cancer are those with short, white coats, light-colored skin and sparse tummy fur. Breeds that fit these characteristics include Dalmatians, bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, whippets, Italian greyhounds and greyhounds. The more sun, the greater the risk, he says, noting that dogs who like to sunbathe and are permitted to do so are at the greatest risk.

Skin cancer can hit dogs as young as 4 years old, he says, which is why prevention is extremely important. Decreasing exposure is the only way to protect an animal from sun-related problems.

"Preventing sunbathing, having roofs over outdoor runs and using solar protective T-shirts or dog shirts can be very helpful," says Ihrke. "We also recommend waterproof pediatric or children's sunscreens. Sunscreens designed for children are less likely to be irritating and commonly do not have scents added."

THE SCOOP

Pets always need water and shade

Shade and access to water is a must for all pets during warm weather. Check to be certain that pets who stay outside while you're gone have a place to get out of the sun both in the morning and the afternoon.

Water should be left in a shaded place as well, to keep the dish and the water from heating up. One way to keep a pet's drinking water cool is to add homemade ice blocks. Freeze water in margarine tubs, and then add the blocks of ice to the water dish before you leave for work in the morning.

On hot days it's perfectly fine to give pets ice cubes to enjoy. Dogs and cats may even enjoy "petsicles" made from chicken or beef broth, which is frozen in ice cube trays.

PET TIP

Grooming is about more than good looks

Keeping your cat well-groomed will help you spot health problems before they become serious. Is your cat's coat thinning? Is his weight where it should be? Are there wounds, lumps or bumps? You'll find the answers to all these questions when you groom your cat.

The amount of time you'll spend grooming your cat depends on a couple of factors, primarily the kind of coat your cat has. With their long, silky coats, Persians and Himalayans need daily brushing, combing, detangling, frequent baths and even professional grooming on occasion.

Cats with medium or short coats are fine with weekly brushing and a bath now and then -- more frequently if you have allergy sufferers in the home or if you're especially sensitive to finding hair everywhere.

Although it's easiest to teach a cat to tolerate grooming when you start with a kitten, even an adult cat can learn to appreciate -- or at least tolerate -- the attention. Here are some tips to get you started:

-- Give yourself a fresh start. If you have a longhaired cat or kitten who's badly matted, arrange to have him shaved down by a groomer so you don't torture the poor thing by trying to comb out the clumps.

-- Go slowly. Introduce new routines a little bit at a time, and it will build your cat's tolerance.

-- Reward your cat. Use treats, praise and gentle petting to let your pet know that you approve of his behavior. You can't make a cat do anything he doesn't want to, so praise is the only way to go.

-- Know when to call it a day. You'll do better if you stop before your cat becomes impatient, annoyed or afraid. But if you miss the signs or feel yourself becoming cross, stop what you're doing and end the session on notes of praise and petting.

BY THE NUMBERS

The lure of the wild

More than 60 percent of people with pet birds also feed wild birds, according to a survey by the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association. Here's what they offer those wild birds:

Food sold for wild birds 86 percent

Bread 39 percent

Food sold for pet birds 22 percent

Other 11 percent

ON THE WEB

Time to book vacation care

Summer vacations are a busy time for boarding kennels and pet sitters. If you're going away this summer without your pets, the sooner you can make arrangements for their care, the better.

For information on choosing a boarding kennel, visit the Internet home of the American Boarding Kennel Association (www.abka.com). New to the ABKA is information on the newest pet-care industry, doggy day-care centers.

Many pets are better suited to being cared for in the home. If yours is among them, check out the Web site of Pet Sitters International (www.petsit.com) or the National Association of Pet Sitters (www.petsitters.org).

And don't forget to talk to your veterinarian. Many veterinary hospitals offer boarding, and some veterinary technicians moonlight as pet sitters. You'll also want to talk with your veterinarian if you have birds or exotics pets, or any special requirements for care.

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'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.

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