Do you pause when a black cat crosses your path? I sometimes do, and then I laugh at myself for being influenced by such a silly old myth, even for a second. But that's the funny thing about cats -- more than any other domestic animal, they are the subject of countless myths, legends and old wives' tales.

While some stories about cats are harmless, others are too dangerous not to debunk. Here, from my archives, are some stubborn old myths about cats -- and the facts to counter them:

-- Black cats are bad luck. Black may be an unlucky color all right, mostly for cats themselves. Humane society officials have warned for years that black cats are sometimes the targets of those who practice rituals that include the torture and killing of animals. (Many shelters refuse to allow black cats to be adopted around Halloween for this very reason.) Black may be an unfortunate color for another reason: visibility. Countless cats are killed by cars every year, and the difference between a hit or a near miss may be the driver's ability to see the cat darting across the road. At night, patches of light-colored fur are a distinct advantage.

-- Cats need to drink milk. Is cow's milk the perfect food for cats? Not at all! On the contrary, some cats (like some people) can't tolerate milk well. For these animals, a saucer of milk means gastric upset. In the wild, kittens never drink milk after they're weaned, and domestic cats have no reason to either. On the other hand, if your cat likes and can tolerate milk, feel free to offer it as an occasional treat. Milk's a good source of protein and other nutrients for those cats who don't find it upsetting.

-- Cats purr when they're happy. Expert cat observers know that purring isn't just a sound of contentment. Cats also purr if they're injured, while giving birth -- even when dying. British zoologist Desmond Morris has observed that purring is "a sign of friendship -- either when (the cat) is contented with a friend or when it is in need of friendship, as with a cat in trouble."

-- Cats are a danger to babies. So many cats find themselves looking for new homes when a baby is expected that you could put it another way: Babies are a danger to cats. But the fact is that you don't need to find a new home for your pet if you become pregnant. Cats do not maliciously smother or suck the breath out of babies, as the myths hold. That doesn't mean some considerations aren't in order, however. Pregnant women have to take special precautions when cleaning the litter box (or have someone else do it) because of the risk of disease. And even animal advocates remind new parents that common sense dictates no animal be left unattended with a small child -- for the protection of both.

-- A well-fed cat won't hunt. The ability to hunt is hardwired into all cats, but the level of desire varies by each cat's genetics and early experiences, not by the rumbling in his belly. The play of kittens -- pouncing and leaping on anything that moves -- is really hunting behavior. Observers of feline behavior believe that if the mother is an eager hunter, the kittens may be, too. Putting a bell on your cat won't protect wildlife, but keeping him in will.

Q&A

Little dog won't stop messing

Q: I adopted 2-year-old Oliver several months ago from a rescue group. I was told he was house-trained, but that was wrong. He is mostly Pomeranian, and I've read this breed can be hard to house-train.

I can't seem to break him from the habit of defecating in the middle of the living room. My carpet is new, and this is really a problem. He has a doggy door, yet today he was outside and came inside to go!

He's a sweet dog and is good in other ways, but I'm almost to the point of giving up and giving him back to the rescue group. I have a suspicion that this was the reason he was abandoned in the first place. Do you have any advice? -- K.B., via e-mail

A: Small dogs can indeed be difficult to house-train, for a couple of different reasons. One of the major problems is inconsistency on the part of the owner. A Great Dane who isn't house-trained is a much bigger problem than a Yorkie with the same bad behavior. A lot of people with small dogs decide it's just as easy to clean up a little mess now and then instead of working on a big training problem.

But little dogs can be house-trained. Toy breed expert Darlene Arden says you have to start by looking at things from a little dog's point of view (her new book, "Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog," will be out later this month).

For example, you have to make sure your dog feels safe in the outdoor spot you've chosen for him. A dog's guard is down during the act of elimination. And when a dog weighs 10 pounds or less, it's important for him to feel he's not going to be attacked. "They feel vulnerable," says Arden. "You need to find that one very safe spot for them." And keep the grass short so the dog doesn't feel as if he's hacking through a jungle, she adds.

Despite the special challenges the small dog presents, Arden says house-training is possible. Once your dog has that safe spot outside, you can teach him to use it with the aid of a schedule, praise and a dedication to consistency.

"Feed on a schedule," says Arden. "You must take your dog out after he eats, after play, after any kind of stimulation. Take a special treat and your happiest voice to the special spot. The moment the puppy's feet hit the ground, get excited." When the deed is done, says Arden, praise to the heavens and deliver the treat.

Limiting a dog's range in the house helps, too. "I'm a firm believer in crate-training -- as a tool, not a punishment," says Arden. "A crate keeps a dog out of trouble when you can't watch him."

Mistakes are part of the learning process and should never be punished. "If you see the dog starting to go in the house, pick him up and run him to that special spot," says Arden, and praise him when he finishes up outside.

The fact that your dog comes in to relieve himself suggests he hasn't a clue about what you expect from him. Start from the beginning. Clean up past mistakes with an enzymatic cleaner, restrict his range in the house, take him outside and praise him for getting it right. If problems continue, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a behaviorist who can observe your interactions and set up a program just for you and your dog.

ON THE WEB

Helping horses stay healthy

No matter how attached one may get to them, racehorses such as Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro are not pets. But there are lots of horses -- including many ex-racehorses -- who do qualify as pets in the minds of their owners. Research charities for horses help keep working horses and pet horses healthier and happier, and donations are always welcome.

The injured Barbaro was rushed to the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (www.vet.upenn.edu), which, like all veterinary schools and colleges, accepts donations to aid in its research and educational efforts. Links to help donate to other veterinary schools and colleges can be found on the VetNet site (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetnet.html) of the University of California, Davis.

Other funding for equine health comes from the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (www.grayson-jockeyclub.org) and the Morris Animal Foundation (www.morrisanimalfoundation.org). The latter also funds research into health care for all companion animals.

PET Rx

Cat a mom? Book that spay now

An unspayed cat is either getting pregnant, is pregnant, or will be getting pregnant again soon after weaning her babies. And some of those babies will be getting pregnant, too, as young as 5 months of age.

These "oops" litters are one of the major causes of the surplus of kittens that fill shelters from summer to fall.

Alley Cat Allies, a national group that promotes the humane management of feral cat colonies, recommends spaying a mother cat two weeks after the kittens start to be weaned, which happens between the ages of 4 and 6 weeks. In other words, get that mother cat in for surgery about six to eight weeks after she gives birth.

Kittens can be neutered as young as 8 weeks old. Talk to your veterinarian about getting the timing right to keep from adding to the tragedy of pet overpopulation.

(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

Diet guides push slimmer pups, people

Martha Garvey's "My Fat Dog: Ten Simple Steps to Help Your Pet Lose Weight for a Long and Happy Life" (Hatherleigh Press, $12) is a straightforward guide to turning around a dog's unhealthy life.

The book covers causes of obesity and the effects on canine health, and it offers a comprehensive overview of activities designed to get a dog active and keep her happy as she loses weight. With tips and charts in each section, this little book has all the information you need to get your pet fit and trim again.

Garvey has created a template for keeping track of your dog's weight, food intake and exercise. She includes tips for multi-dog households, senior dogs and dogs with mobility limitations and injuries. For those families with a tubby tabby, she has also written "My Fat Cat" as a companion guide.

You've heard of the Atkins Diet, the Pritikin Diet and the South Beach Diet? Well, get ready for the Dog Diet and the amazing health benefits that author Patti Lawson discovered when she adopted a dog. The result is "The Dog Diet, a Memoir: "What My Dog Taught Me About Shedding Pounds, Licking Stress and Getting a New Leash on Life" (HCI, $17).

Lawson had settled into a routine of binge eating and comforting herself with chocolate after a distressing breakup. She wasn't really looking to change anything, but little Sadie became the catalyst for change in Lawson's life.

Instead of watching TV with a carton of ice cream, Lawson found herself walking her dog and trying to create meals so bland and unappetizing that Sadie would actually let her eat them instead of begging at the table. She changed the whole way she ate -- with astonishing results.

It's hard to take "The Dog Diet" seriously as a weight loss and exercise program. But since it's both humorous and touching, and makes excellent points about the beneficial impact of a dog in our overly sedentary lives, who cares? -- Christie Keith, doghobbyist.com

BY THE NUMBERS

Shopping for Bunny

Basic items such as nesting material and water bottles are the top purchases made by those with pet rabbits, but other items find their way into the shopping cart. According to a 2006 survey, here are purchases reported in the last 12 months:

Nesting/bedding 59 percent

Water bottle 53 percent

Treats 40 percent

Wood chews 31 percent

Toys 24 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

THE SCOOP

Cat bones defy easy counting

How many bones does a cat have? It depends on the cat. The range is usually put between 230 and 250, with the average cat counting about 244 bones in his body, if cats could or cared to count.

The determining factor has to do with how long a cat's tail is, and how many toes the animal has. A long-tailed cat will have more bones than a cat born without a tail, such as the Manx. A cat with extra toes -- they're called polydactyl cats -- will also have extra bones.

The average cat has about 30 more bones than we do. But we have something cats don't: rigid collarbones. Not that a cat would consider that a disadvantage. With the design of their bodies, a cat can fit through an opening roughly the same size as his head.

Assuming he isn't overweight, of course.

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

Ever curious and quick to pounce, cats are the perfect small predator. They're even equipped with the amazing ability to right themselves in midair if they fall while hunting, rotating their bodies from the head back like a coil to align themselves for a perfect four-paw landing.

But what works for a supple small animal falling from a tree branch doesn't cut it in the modern world, where a cat's more likely to fall from a window than a tree.

"When cats evolved, there were no high-rise buildings. There were trees," says Dr. Louise Murray, director of medicine for the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in Manhattan. "Their instincts work against them now. They have a strong instinct to go after any moving object. When they fall ... a cat could grab the bark of a tree and save himself, but he can't grab concrete and metal with claws."

Murray says the problem of cats falling out of windows is a seasonal one, timed to the first nice days of spring and, later, to the attempt to get any fresh air in a home on a hot summer day.

"At this time of year, we get five cases a week, and that's just us," she says. "Think how many other veterinary hospitals there are in Manhattan."

While the problem would seem to be one for big-city cats only, she says that's not really the case. In fact, cats are more likely to survive falls from higher stories -- and be killed from falls as low as two stories. The reason is what veterinarians call "high-rise syndrome," according to Murray.

"We know that the worst falls are from second to sixth stories in height," she says. "Over six stories, the cat has time to right himself. Landing on four feet instead of one point, the impact is spread out. And when they get in that correct falling position, they become more relaxed for landing."

Murray says that cats have survived falls of up to 30 stories or more -- although they certainly haven't walked away from such falls uninjured. Broken bones, broken jaws, collapsed lungs are common in falls from higher stories, but these cats survive. The ones falling from lower floors, without time to get themselves relaxed into a proper landing position, often do not.

That means cats can be killed falling from the window of a two-story home, or from the balcony of a third-story apartment. In other words, "high-rise syndrome" is as much a problem in the suburbs as in the city.

Many cat lovers assume their pets would be smart enough to be careful when up high enough for injuries, but Murray says it's just not in an animal's ability to make that kind of judgment call. Cats are comfortable in high places, and they cannot understand the difference in risk between a one-story fall and a six-story fall.

"People think that cats know not to jump or fall out of a window, but they just don't," says Murray, who believes that some cats fall because they lose their footing, while others are chasing something and jump while in pursuit.

"If you think about a cat's instinct," she says, "you'd buy screens."

SIDEBAR

Screens can save a life

It's possible to give a cat fresh air safely, no matter what kind of housing you have.

If you're in multifamily housing, you can't alter a fire escape because of safety issues, but you may be allowed to screen in a balcony to give your cat access to fresh air and a good view.

If you're in a detached home, you can put in a more permanent structure, such as a screened-in multilevel cat playground. I've seen several, and none were especially elaborate or expensive -- just simple framework, sturdy wire enclosures, and a system of sisal-wrapped posts and platforms to give cats a safe place to play.

If none of that's possible, you don't even have to pop for built-in screens. Most home centers have low-cost adjustable screens that fit into windows and can expand to fill in the gap. These will allow fresh air to flow while keeping cats safe.

Q&A

Little dog best left in house

Q: I have a 3-year-old male Chihuahua. I'd like for him to be outside during the time I'm at work, which is from 5:30 a.m. until about 3:30 p.m. How can I do this safely? My dog's accustomed to roaming inside the house, but I think he may prefer to be outside in good weather. -- M.S., via e-mail

A: I suspect your dog is plenty comfortable lounging around in the air conditioning while you're at work. And I'd be loath to recommend leaving him out all day for a couple of different reasons.

First, the neighbors. A lot of dogs, especially small ones, tend to be more than a little bit yappy when left alone. Keeping a dog in the house buffers noises that trigger barking and, of course, muffles whatever barking there is.

Second, your dog. Even with shade and water, summer afternoons can get pretty hot. And if your dog gets bored, he won't need to find a very big hole in the fence to slip through to search for more interesting activities. Finally, it's not unheard of for a small dog (or cat) to attract the attention of such urban wildlife as a hungry coyote.

All in all, your dog is probably better off indoors while you're gone. If the length of time he's left alone is a problem, consider the possibility of an indoor canine litter box or potty zone.

Q: We made a mistake in putting in the cat door. We didn't follow directions to leave the flap off at first, and we just pushed our cat in and out. Now he won't go near the door. Any ideas? -- C.S., via e-mail

A: Tape up the flap securely for a few days so that he comes to appreciate the fact that he can conveniently come and go on his own schedule through this magic portal. (And I do mean securely. If your cat gets clobbered by the flap, it'll take a long time to coax him near it again.)

Then put the flap down and put a little butter or margarine on the bottom edge of the flap and encourage him with tasty treats and praise from the other side. You can also drag through toys on a string, encouraging him to chase them.

Repeat in very short intervals over the course of several days, and your cat will get the hang of it, sure enough.

If you have another cat who already knows how to use the cat door, you usually don't need to do anything. Just be patient.

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

PET Rx

Picking may be medical issue

Feather-picking is a symptom, not a disease. Any one or any combination of the following can be the problem when a bird starts picking himself bald:

-- Health problems. Medical conditions include allergies, parasitic infections, bacterial infections, abnormal growths in the feather follicle, internal health problems, vitamin deficiencies and hormone-associated problems.

-- Low humidity. Many pet bird species come from tropical environments. The dry air of most houses can be a factor in feather-picking and can also set the stage for some secondary medical problems.

-- Boredom and pent-up energy. Birds are active and intelligent, and they don't handle the strain of being forced to sit around in a cage all day very well. Without things to play with and stuff to destroy and without being able to get out of the cage and exercise, birds may direct all their energy toward self-mutilation.

-- Psychological problems. Obsessive-compulsive disorders or even a bad wing trim can also trigger feather-picking.

-- Attention-seeking. Some birds learn that their owners pay attention to them when they're pulling on their feathers. So they pick more for attention.

Veterinarians with experience in avian medicine will be able to diagnose any medical problems and help with behavioral ones. The sooner you take your bird for help, the better a chance you have at seeing your pet full-feathered again.

(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

A smart site for smart dog

You don't have to have a sheep ranch to keep a border collie happy, but it helps. If not a sheep ranch, then maybe a couple of acres with canine agility gear. Or you could be the kind of person who likes to train for marathons with a dog at your side.

In short, if you're a couch potato, this isn't the dog for you. But the border collie is a breed that can fit into many active homes, whether in a city, a suburb or in the country. The key word: active.

That's the message of All About Border Collies (www.bordercollie.org), the informational Web site of the U.S. Border Collie Club, a group dedicated to keeping the breed's working heritage intact. The site offers good information on what it's like to live with a border collie and how to keep one busy. Anyone thinking about adopting one of these dogs ought to visit here first.

NOTE: Last week the Web address of the Companion Parrot Quarterly was left out. You can find it at www.companionparrot.com.

THE SCOOP

Lifelong friendships can start young

Children and cats are natural together, but you need to lay some ground rules for the safety of both.

Cats can bite or scratch children, and animals can be injured by the well-meaning attention of children, especially young ones. The key to keeping children and cats together safely is to make sure their interactions are supervised, and to teach children how to handle and respect cats.

Under no circumstances should a cat -- or any pet-- be left unsupervised with an infant. While the idea that cats "suck the breath of babies" is a myth, keeping your cat away from an infant while you're not present is just good common sense.

Toddlers can really try a cat's patience, even though they aren't being anything but normal. Young children can't understand that poking, squeezing and patting aren't appreciated. Although most cats figure out quickly that children this age are best avoided, your child could be bitten or scratched if your cat is cornered or startled. Keep an eye on all interactions. And consider putting a baby gate across the entry to a "safe room" for your cat, so he can have a place to go where he isn't pestered.

School-aged children can learn to care for a cat and take an increasing amount of responsibility -- under supervision, of course. One way to teach younger school-aged children is to play the "copycat game." If your child pets the cat gently, stroke his arm gently to show how nice it feels.

Teach your children, too, how to hold a cat properly, with support under the animal's chest and legs. A cat who feels secure and safe is far less likely to scratch or bite.

BY THE NUMBERS

Watch out for summer

According to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (www.petinsurance.com), hot weather triggers an increase in certain health problems. The company reports claims from summer 2005, compared with February 2005 for context:

Feb. June July Aug.

Insect bites/stings 68 207 256 311

Heat stroke 4 36 50 31

Ear infections 3,629 4,285 4,578 4,756

PET TIP

'Just in case' plan for pet

You should have formal plans designating a friend or family member to make decisions should you become incapable of caring for your pet because of illness, injury or death. In case of the latter, you'll need to talk to an attorney to set up a plan giving the pet to a trusted person, along with money for care.

If you have no one willing or able to take responsibility in the event of your death, you might consider leaving your pet to a program that will provide lifetime care for a fee. Typically, these programs are affiliated with veterinary schools or humane societies. (I'm not sure I would trust any organization that wasn't a veterinary school or established humane society, to be honest.)

Making arrangements can be emotionally difficult. But you owe it to your pet to have their care arranged for them, just in case.

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 thinking "puppy" when it comes to adding a new member to your home, you may be missing a good bet.

Adult dogs are a better choice for many of today's busy families. These dogs are past the trials of puppy-raising, and are a known commodity when it comes to size, health and temperament. Even better, they can be an amazing bargain: Nearly every purebred or trendy mix can be found in a shelter or from a rescue group. And if you're patient, you can even find a dog with basic training completed.

No matter the age of the dog you're interested in adopting, you must do what you can to find out everything possible beforehand. While expecting to work on some things as your new dog gets used to you is reasonable, you want to avoid those animals who have too many problems, especially if one of them is aggression. Here are some questions that will help you:

-- What do you know of this dog's history? You may be dealing with a shelter, a rescue volunteer, the dog's original owner or breeder, or a nice person who found a stray. If you find out nothing about him, though, because he was a stray, don't count him out. If he's healthy, friendly, and otherwise fits your size, coat and activity criteria, he's a contender.

-- Why is this dog available for adoption? Dogs become available for lots of reasons, some as frivolous as a change in decor. "Losing our home," "divorce" and "death" are some of the most common and sadly understandable reasons for a dog needing a home. "Bites people" obviously is not. Listen, too, for what isn't said: "He needs more exercise than we can give him" may mean "He needs more exercise than anyone could possibly ever give him, and he eats furniture when he doesn't get it."

-- What behavior problems does this dog have? Many things are fixable and worth considering if you honestly believe you'll take the time to work with the dog. "Pulls on the leash" is fixable. "May bite" is not, at least not by the average pet owner's standards, and not to the extent that you should take a chance on a dog like this. Remember, too, that some problems are the owner's fault, not the dog's. "Won't stay in the yard," for example, may be easily cured by a decent fence and neutering.

-- How is he with children? Other dogs? Cats? Even if you don't have children, you're going to run into some from time to time. The same is true with other dogs. You can successfully avoid cats if you don't have them, but make certain your prospective pet at least tolerates them well if you have a cat in your home.

If you're getting an animal from a shelter, the organization should have asked the former owner to fill out a card on such things as problems with children or other animals -- although there's no guarantee of honesty. If you're adopting from a foster home, ask if the family has other animals and children. If there's no way to determine the dog's attitude toward children and other animals but he seems friendly, he may be OK. If you have doubts, however, hold out for an animal that you're sure fits well with your family.

-- What if it doesn't work out? Obviously you're on your own if the person is moving out of state, but you need to know what your options are up front. You need to know what time frame you're dealing with for returning a dog who's not working out and whether your adoption fees -- if any -- will be refunded, or if you'll be allowed to choose another dog at no charge.

Don't take a dog because you feel sorry for him. If you do, the perfect dog for you may never get a chance to be in a happy home. Choose with your head, not your heart. There are lots of dogs to choose from, and you'll be doing a good deed no matter which one you take.

There's lots of time to fall in love later.

SIDEBAR

Wanted: Good homes for black dogs

Shelters and rescue groups say the hardest dogs to find homes for are typically young, large and black. It may be that some find such animals intimidating, while others find them simply nondescript. But for whatever reason, black dogs are a hard sell when it comes to people looking for a family pet.

There's no reason for it at all. Many of these dogs are Labradors and Labrador mixes, breed types with a well-deserved reputation as outstanding family pets.

Don't overlook the black dogs. You can find a good selection at your local shelter or by checking out the animals for adoption on www.petfinder.org.

Q&A

Senior denied puppy adoption

Q: Our extremely healthy and fit friend who just had his 75th birthday was recently denied the adoption of a 4-month-old dog at a rescue center in the Midwest. He is a widower of 10 years, and he lost his golden retriever to kidney disease about eight weeks ago.

He was drawn to a particular dog, and he says he and the dog "bonded" through the cage. You can imagine how devastated he was when told his age prohibited him from adopting a dog this young.

Is it routine to ask a person's age, and is it policy to hold back a younger dog from a person of a certain age?

It would seem fair that before potential adoptive parents even enter the area to see available dogs, this age thing should be discussed so that older people would only look at older dogs. -- B.R., via e-mail

A: I get a lot of complaints about rescue groups and shelters. And sometimes the reason for the complaints is a lack of understanding of the mission of these organizations.

People must understand that shelters and rescue groups are not about "moving the merchandise." Many pets end up without homes because they were originally sold to people who bought on impulse or weren't a good match. Those helping pets find homes want their next one to be permanent, and that's their top priority.

How they evaluate potential adopters is as varied as can be imagined. Some won't place young dogs with older people, while others won't place cats unless they'll be kept exclusively inside, or other groups may require fenced yards and so on.

The best groups are up front about their placement guidelines and flexible enough to recognize that there are exceptions to every rule. When I was a breed-rescue volunteer, our group had a "no apartments" rule, and yet one of the best placements I ever made was putting a young Sheltie with a woman who lived in an apartment complex. Her history and references were perfect, and the dog lived a long and happy life with her.

I would hope that any rescue group or shelter would look beyond age and see how active a person is. While it's true that a 4-month-old puppy may outlive a 75-year-old adopter, there are no guarantees in life no matter what your age. That pup could go to a young couple who dump the dog when they divorce, or to a middle-aged person who dies unexpectedly.

It's only fair to judge each case on its merits, and above all to be honest, direct and polite in dealing with potential adopters. There are lots of groups and shelters who would be happy to place a pet with an experienced dog lover like your friend, so tell him to keep looking.

Vanilla tip

Q: Would you pass along a suggestion to the woman who's trying to get her late mother's cat to get along with her own cats?

After breeding and showing Siamese cats for 20 years, I use one of the tricks breeders know when introducing new cats. A dab of vanilla extract on the noses of all makes everyone smell alike. It confuses cats, and they chill out! -- G.A., via e-mail

A: Sometimes cats can be fooled by running a towel over one and then the other and back again as well. These tricks are worth trying, but sometimes no matter what you do, some cats will not get along.

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

ON THE WEB

Parrot site gets upgraded

Years have passed since I last visited the Web site of the Companion Parrot Quarterly, and I was delighted to see so many changes. Parrot expert Sally Blanchard has moved her entire operation from California to Colorado, is opening a retail and behaviorist business there, and still manages to put out her fabulous magazine for all kinds of parrot lovers.

The Web site is all new, with a clean look and smooth navigation. As always, Blanchard offers lots of free information to help parrot lovers cope with the occasionally difficult behaviors of these intelligent and long-lived companions. The answers cover the basics, and they refer to Blanchard's books and back issues for more detailed assistance.

Magazine subscriptions and other items can be purchased on the site as well.

PET TIP

Some pets fly as carry-ons

The best way for a pet to fly is with you, in the passenger compartment as one of your pieces of carry-on luggage. This privilege is reserved for small pets -- cats and toy dogs, primarily -- and regulations and fees vary from airline to airline. Typically the pet in a carrier must fit under the seat to be allowed in the passenger compartment.

Several companies make comfortable soft-sided carriers for the transport of cats and small dogs.

Not all airlines allow animal travelers, and even those that do usually limit the number on any given flight. That's why it's essential to talk to your airline well in advance and make sure all regulations are followed. Your pet will typically need a veterinarian's certificate of health dated within days of the flight to be allowed on board.

PET Rx

Chinchilla a pet for quiet households

The chinchilla is closely related to the guinea pig and porcupine and has been bred in captivity since 1923. They are clean, odorless and friendly pets, although they can also be shy and easily frightened.

Chinchillas are not the best pets for children, since the animals tend to be high-strung and hyperactive. These animals generally live eight to 10 years, although some live as much as a decade longer.

Commercial chinchilla pellets are available, but they are not available through all pet shops and feed stores. When the chinchilla variety is not in stock, a standard rabbit or guinea pig pellet can be fed instead. Chinchillas tend to eat with their hands and often throw out a lot of pellets. Timothy or other grass hay can be fed to chinchillas in addition to pellets, and dried fruit and nuts are excellent treats. Fresh water needs to be available at all times.

Chinchillas must be kept in an area that is well-lighted, adequately ventilated, cool and dry. They do not tolerate heat or humidity, and they thrive at lower temperatures. Wire mesh cages are typically used, and lots of room is needed for these active animals.

Dust baths should be provided at least once or twice weekly. These must be large and deep enough to allow the chinchilla to roll over in them. Finely powdered volcanic ash is used to keep the fur clean and well-groomed. Ready-made products are available, or a homemade preparation of nine parts silver sand to one part Fullers Earth can be used.

Chinchillas are prone to digestive and respiratory issues, and veterinary care should be sought out at the first sign of illness.

(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

Biting the budget

A recent poll by Life magazine and the Pets section of America Online asked Americans how they feel about their animals. Among the findings:

Over the last two years, how has your pet budget changed?

Increased slightly 42 percent

Increased dramatically 29 percent

Stayed about the same 25 percent

Decreased 4 percent

Do you spend more time with your pet than your spouse?

Yes 78 percent

No 22 percent

THE SCOOP

More toys the better

Toys are important for any pet. Animals weren't designed to live sedentary lives, whether in cages like birds or rodents, or on the couch like cats or dogs. Pets need something to do to keep their minds and bodies engaged, and that's where toys come in.

People readily accept the idea that dogs and even cats need toys, but they tend to overlook these important items when it comes to caged pets. These animals almost never get enough room to roam, making toys even more important for them.

Toys marketed for birds are usually great for rodents, too, but you don't always need to pay for your pet's play. Freebies that small pets enjoy include the centers of toilet paper and paper towel rolls, old toothbrushes (run them through the dishwasher first), leather shoelaces and small branches, especially from fruit trees.

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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