Beauty is more than skin-deep when it comes to your dog. Keeping your pet well-groomed not only gives you a clean-smelling companion, it also helps keep your dog more comfortable and allows you to spot health problems before they become serious, even life-threatening.

How important is grooming to your pet's comfort? Consider a simple mat, so easy to overlook. Have you ever had your hair in a ponytail that was just a little too tight? A mat can feel the same way to your dog, a constant pull on the skin. Try to imagine those all over your body, and you have a good idea how uncomfortable an ungroomed coat can be.

Your dog need never know what a mat feels like if you keep him brushed and combed -- but that's the start of the health benefits. Regular grooming allows you to look for lumps, bumps and injuries, while clearing such things as mats and ticks from his coat. Follow up with your veterinarian on any questionable masses you find, and you may detect cancer early enough to save your pet's life.

For shorthaired breeds, keeping skin and coat in good shape is easy. Run your hands over him daily, a brush over him weekly, and that's it.

For other breeds, grooming is a little more involved. Breeds such as collies, chows, Keeshonden and Alaskan malamutes are "double-coated," which means they have a downy undercoat underneath harsher long hair. The down can mat like a layer of felt against the skin if left untended. To prevent this, divide the coat into small sections and brush against the grain from the skin outward, working from head to tail, section by section. In the spring and fall -- the big shedding times -- you'll end up with enough of that fluffy undercoat to make a whole new dog. Keep brushing and think of the benefits: The fur you pull out with a brush won't end up on the furniture, and removing the old stuff keeps your pet cooler in the summer and lets new insulation come in for the winter.

Silky-coated dogs such as Afghan hounds, cockers and Maltese also need constant brushing to keep tangles from forming. As with the double-coated dogs, work with small sections at a time, brushing from the skin outward, and then comb back into place with the grain for a glossy, finished look. Coats of this type require so much attention that having a groomer keep the dogs trimmed to a medium length is often more practical.

Curly and wiry coats, such those on poodles and terriers, need to be brushed weekly, working against the grain and then with it. Curly coats need to be clipped every six weeks; wiry ones, two or three times a year (but clipping every six weeks will keep your terrier looking sharper).

Good grooming is about more than keeping your pet looking beautiful and clean-smelling, although that's certainly one of the pleasant payoffs. Regular grooming relaxes the dog who's used to it, and it becomes a special time shared between you both. A coat free of mats, burrs and tangles and skin free of fleas and ticks are as comfortable to your dog as clean clothes fresh from the wash are to you. It just makes you feel good, and the effect is the same for your pet.

Some added benefit for you: Giving your dog a tummy rub after every session is sure to relax you (and your dog, of course) and ease the stress of your day. And for allergy sufferers, keeping a dog clean may make having a dog possible.

SIDEBAR

Dirty dog? Call a groomer!

As I get older, busier and arguably lazier, I rely on a professional groomer to keep my longhaired Sheltie in top form.

Fortunately, I live right across the street from one of the best groomers in town, a neighborhood amenity I happily discovered after I moved into the house. I keep up the regular brushing, and Judy picks up Drew for a bath, trim and de-shedding at monthly intervals. My shorter-coated retrievers I groom myself.

Going to a pro can get a home-grooming program back on track for any dog. If your dog's coat is overgrown and matted, start fresh by having a groomer take it down. Once the mess is removed, you'll have an easier time keeping your pet's coat in good shape.

Q&A

Unspayed dogs cause problems

Q: Too many people have unspayed female dogs, and they walk them where other dogs walk, never dreaming that anything is wrong with what they're doing. Every time a dog in heat urinates, the smell drives male dogs crazy, even the fixed ones. They stop and sniff much harder than usual, making you yell and tug at them to get them to move. Then they look at you with that withering "you spoiled my fun" look.

Please explain that when an unspayed female is in season, the scent is broadcast to all the male dogs within a mile radius. Their lives (and ours) would be so much easier without fertile females being "saved" to have one litter of puppies -- just to know what motherhood feels like! -- D.F., via e-mail

A: Of course, it's always a good idea to spay and neuter pets. In addition to helping to fight pet overpopulation, spaying and neutering have significant advantages to any pet and pet owner. In males, neutering reduces aggression, roaming and marking. In females, spaying protects them from serious cancer and infections. (Spaying before the first heat cycle virtually eliminates the risk of mammary cancer.) Spayed and neutered animals are easier to live with and less expensive, too, without veterinary costs for roaming- or aggression-related injuries and reproductive-related cancers and infections.

That said, I have a better cure for the problem you're experiencing: training. There's no reason why even an unneutered dog cannot be trained to mind, to walk without pulling on the leash and to come when called. The world is full of temptations, and one way to control them is through training.

One of my four dogs is a young, unneutered male retriever. I'd much rather have all my pets neutered, but since this fellow is a show dog, that's out for the foreseeable future. I don't have any behavior problems with him, however, not even if the beguiling scent of a female in heat wafts through the neighborhood. My fences are secure, my dog is not allowed to roam, and when on leash, he knows not to pull me.

Instead of complaining about what you cannot control, get control of what you can -- your own dog. Any trainer will be happy to help.

Jump on agility

Q: I have a 17-month-old springer spaniel mix who is driven to please. He will climb and jump and do everything I ask him to. I wanted to put him in a canine agility class, but I can't find any in my area. Also, I know it's called the AKC agility competition. Does he have to be purebred to compete? -- R.D., via e-mail

A: Agility is a wonderful sport, as its growing popularity testifies. At the top levels, dogs compete over obstacle courses to see who can go fastest and run cleanest -- not going off course or knocking down jumps.

While the elite teams at the top of the sport -- which mostly include border collies -- can give the impression that the sport is only for the fittest and fastest, any dog is welcome to train and compete. Agility can build confidence in dogs, strengthen the bond between owner and dog, and provide a good source of exercise for all.

The American Kennel Club's agility competitions are just for purebreds, but there are also places for you and your dog. The U.S. Dog Agility Association welcomes all dogs. The group lists agility clubs and events on its site (www.usdaa.com) to help interested dog lovers connect. And the Dog Patch (www.dogpatch.org) and Clean Run (www.cleanrun.com) sites also have lots of information on agility.

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

PET BUY

Giving old pet a helping hand

When big dogs age, they often find it difficult to get up on their feet and manage everyday challenges such as stairs. Even young dogs can have temporary problems with mobility, such as after recovering from surgery. While a large bath towel slipped under a dog's middle can help in a pinch, well-fitting aids with handles for easy use are a good investment when it comes to giving an old dog a lift on a regular basis.

The Pet Zone Lift-n-Aid harness is one of several products on the market designed to help old dogs get around easier. The washable nylon device has adjustable straps and a sturdy handle, and is easy to put on and take off after a practice run or two.

The medium aid is designed for dogs 55 to 80 pounds, and the large is for pets up to 125 pounds. Both have a suggested retail of $28 and are available through pet-supply outlets.

THE SCOOP

Why do cats go for cat haters?

Why, in a room full of people, will a cat invariably make a beeline for the one person in the room who hates or is allergic to cats?

Cats don't like eye contact from strangers -- they find it intimidating. When a friendly cat wanders into a room, he'll notice that all the people who like cats are looking at him. So he heads for the one who he thinks is being polite -- the person who isn't looking at him. The cat doesn't realize that the person isn't looking because he doesn't want the cat near him. It's just a little bit of cross-species miscommunication.

That's one theory, anyway. Or maybe putting cat fur on the slacks of a cat hater really is the ultimate in feline fun.

PETS ON THE WEB

Common sense pet care prevents disease

If you think about all the diseases one can contract from animals -- from rabies to worms and more -- it's almost enough to make you want to go pet-free and wrap yourself up in plastic.

In fact, it's pretty mind-boggling how many diseases and parasites can be passed from pets to humans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control helpfully supplies a pretty scary list of them. The CDC's Healthy Pets, Healthy People Web site (www.cdc.gov/healthypets) offers an in-depth examination of these so-called "zoonotic" health risks, and it includes special advice for people at higher risk, including those with immune-system weaknesses and those whose jobs involve working with animals.

At the top of the list of concerns would likely be rabies, a deadly disease more common in wildlife than in pets, thanks to decades of aggressive vaccination laws. Other worries are bacterial, with pets capable of transmitting salmonella, leptospirosis and campylobacteriosis, to name a nasty trio. Diseases caused by parasites include tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, Lyme disease and giardia. And there's even ringworm, which is really a fungus. Toxoplasmosis is a special concern for people sharing their lives with cats.

Pets are not the only source for many of these diseases -- in many cases, improper food handling is a bigger risk. You can reduce the chance of your animal or bird companion making you sick by keeping your pet free of disease and by making sure all family members wash hands frequently when around animals.

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Kids and pets

Some pets just seem to be a natural fit with children. In 2004, a study asked people with small pets what kind of pets they kept, and if the household included children (multiple answers allowed):

Home with children Home without children

Rabbit 40 percent 48 percent

Hamster 25 percent 41 percent

Guinea pig 22 percent 13 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PETS Rx

Quarantine, exam for new pet bird

Thinking of adding another bird to your flock? For the safety of the pet bird you already have, skip any introductions until your new bird has been examined by a veterinarian with experience in avian care.

Even a seemingly healthy bird needs to be quarantined for about six weeks before meeting any other feathered family members. As heartbreaking as it would be to lose a new pet to an infectious disease, having that illness passed on to established pets would be even worse.

After you get the OK from your veterinarian, maintain the birds in their own cages in the same room. Some may mingle eventually, but size and temperament differences may require separate cages for life for others.

(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.)

Award-winning writer Gina Spadafori has two new books out, which were co-authored with "Good Morning, America" veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker: "Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?" and "Why Do Dogs Drink From the Toilet?" 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.petconnection.com.

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

Every year in the fall, I devote space to one of my highest priorities as a pet-care columnist: preventing dog bites, especially attacks on children.

Many people imagine that the biggest threat to their child's safety is an attack by some vicious neighborhood dog and that the risk increases when children start walking to school in the fall. And while it's true those random attacks do happen (and are all over the news when they do), the fact remains that in most cases, children are bitten by dogs they know, animals belonging to family or friends.

Much of the risk to children presented by a family dog can be minimized by making sure an animal is just that -- a member of the family, an indoor dog both trained and socialized. The most common description of a dog involved in an attack: young, unneutered and socially isolated, often kept on a chain.

Reversing those risk factors -- with the help of a trainer or behaviorist, in some cases -- won't make your dog absolutely safe (any dog may bite), but it will go a long way toward creating a safer family pet.

If you've taken steps to make your family dog as safe as possible, the next step in bite prevention is to teach your child what to do if encountering a potentially hostile dog on the street. This is especially important because our instincts, when faced with a threatening loose dog, could not be more deadly. We want to scream and run, which may trigger predatory behavior in a dog.

The Humane Society of the United States suggests teaching your children how to behave around strange dogs and how to react if attacked. Be sure your children know the following:

-- Never approach a loose dog, even if he seems friendly. Dogs confined in yards -- especially those on chains -- should also be avoided. If the dog is with his owner, children should always ask permission before petting the animal and then begin by offering the back of the hand for a sniff. Pat the dog on the neck or chest. The dog may interpret a pat from above as a dominant gesture. Teach your children to avoid fast or jerky movements.

-- "Be a tree" when a dog approaches, standing straight with feet together, fists under the neck and elbows into the chest. Teach your children to make no eye contact: Some dogs view this as a challenge. Running is a normal response to danger, but it's the worst possible response to a dog because it triggers the animal's instinct to chase and bite. Many dogs just sniff and leave. Teach your children to stay still until the animal walks away, and then back away slowly out of the area.

-- "Feed" the dog a jacket or backpack if attacked, or use a bike to block the dog. These strategies may keep an attacking dog's teeth from connecting with flesh.

-- Act like a log if knocked down -- face down, legs together, curled into a ball, with fists covering the back of the neck and forearms over the ears. This position protects vital areas and can keep an attack from turning fatal.

Role-play these lessons with your child until they are ingrained. Dealing with the dangers in your own yard and teaching your children how to cope may spare your child a bite -- and may even save a life.

SIDEBAR

Friendly pet? Choose a different sign

Many people use "Beware of Dog" signs to keep people out of their yards or protect their friendly pets. But these signs may not be your best friend. In fact, if your dog does happen to hurt someone -- even knocking someone down in a friendly greeting -- it may be argued that you knew your dog was dangerous with the posting of the sign.

A better option? A "Keep Gate Closed" sign may do the trick, but even better are the "Dog/Dogs in Yard" signs from The Original Pet Postings company (www.bigdoorproducts.com or 877-995-3667). The signs are $17, including shipping and mounting hardware, available in three different color combinations.

I like such signs -- and recommend them often -- because they can help keep both people and pets safe, while giving a potential intruder reason enough to move on.

Q&A

Can milk make a cat sick?

Q: Is it my imagination, or is my cat allergic to milk? It seems to give her the "runs," to judge by the litter box. I thought milk was good for cats. Please advise. -- W.T., via e-mail

A: Some cats -- like some people -- can't tolerate milk products, and for these animals, a saucer of milk means gastric upset.

In the wild, kittens never drink milk after they're weaned (and never drink cow's milk at all), and domestic cats have no need to either. The inability to digest milk usually starts at about the age of 12 weeks.

For those cats who can tolerate milk, it's fine to offer it as an occasional treat. Milk is a good source of protein and other nutrients for those cats who don't find it upsets their tummy. But if you never give milk to your cat, she's not missing anything important, and for your cat, that's probably good news.

Hairball help

Q: I've had it with hairballs, especially with cleaning them up or stepping in them. I am sick of the sounds of my cat retching. What can I do? -- S.O., via e-mail

A: You'll have to tolerate a certain amount of hairballs, because that's just part of having a cat. But there are steps you can take to help ingested hair to go through the system instead of come back up.

A great alternative to commercial hairball remedies is canned pumpkin. Regularly adding a teaspoon or so to your cat's diet is a safe, inexpensive way to deal with hairballs. If your cat won't eat the stuff undoctored, try mixing it into canned cat food or with the juice from water-packed tuna. Hairball-remedy cat foods also add fiber.

Commercial hairball products are fine, too, if used as directed. But know that overuse of oil-based hairball remedies can interfere with your cat's absorption of some important nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

Talk to your veterinarian about your cat's hairball problems, and discuss home remedies, diets and over-the-counter products. If you're sent home with something from the vet, be sure to follow directions and not overdo any medication. Ask follow-up questions of your veterinarian if you have them.

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

PET Rx

Nicotine danger to curious pets

Everyone knows the surgeon general's warning about cigarette smoking, but what about cigarette eating? Nicotine poisoning is a real concern anywhere a pet may find cigarettes, cigarette butts, chewing tobacco, or even nicotine gum or patches.

The toxic dose for nicotine in pets is 20 milligrams to 100 milligrams. A cigarette contains 9 milligrams to 30 milligrams of nicotine, depending on the type of cigarette, and a cigarette butt contains about 25 percent of the nicotine of the original cigarette, despite its deceptively small amount of tobacco. (Smoking seems to concentrate some of the nicotine in the tail end of the cigarette.) Cigars can contain up to 40 milligrams. Smoking a cigarette yields only 0.5 milligrams to 2 milligrams of nicotine. But eating one is a different ball game, as all of the nicotine becomes available for absorption into the body.

Some good news: One of the first things nicotine does in the body is induce vomiting, which may save the patient's life if there is more cigarette material in the stomach. Still, if you think your pet has eaten cigarettes or other tobacco products, call a veterinarian for advice right away.

And as always: The best medicine is preventive. Watch what your pets get into.

(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.)

PET TIP

For cats, the higher up the better

Most healthy cats are able to jump several times their own height and land gracefully and accurately on a piece of real estate not much bigger than a half-sheet of paper.

That ability comes from their powerful thigh muscles, which constrict tightly and then let go like a catapult. A human with the leg strength and power of a cat could jump from the ground to the top of a house -- the only problem is that his thighs would be as big as his waist.

Their jumping prowess enables cats to put themselves up above it all, where they feel secure and can see everything that's going on. On top of the bookshelf is a safe place to be when the dog or the kids are on the rampage or the vacuum cleaner is roaring -- just as being on top of the garden wall is a great place to be when you're watching for little mice in the grass. Being up high probably also suits a cat's attitude: They like to look down on us.

The desire to go higher is stronger in some cats than in others. Among pedigreed cats, the slender, athletic cats of the Oriental varieties, such as Abyssinians and Siamese, are born to jump. Cats with larger, heavier bodies, such as Persians, are more likely to consider a jump onto the couch to be high enough.

Not all cats are as graceful as they think they are. If you live with a cat who's always bumping things off the shelves, you need to take action to prevent your favorite knickknacks from being knocked down. Your most delicate, darling and irreplaceable items are best kept behind doors in glass-fronted cabinets. For the others, get a product called Quake Hold. It's a putty that museums use to fasten items to shelves.

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Dirty cages, dirty birds

Less than half of all bird owners report sanitizing their pet's cage on a weekly basis. Keeping a cage clean is an important element in keeping birds disease-free. So how often are cages sanitized? Here's the poop:

Weekly or more often 42 percent

Once every 2 to 3 weeks 17 percent

Monthly 17 percent

Once every 2 to 4 months 5 percent

Once every 4 to 6 months 2 percent

Two to three times a year 3 percent

Annually 4 percent

Never 9 percent

No answer 1 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PETS ON THE WEB

Site celebrates Ragdoll cats

A lot of nonsense gets passes around about cat breeds (dog breeds, too), and some of it seems to take on a life of its own. There are claims that Rex cats are hypoallergenic (sorry, no), and that Ragdolls go limp when they're picked up because of some genetic mutation in their nervous system or because human genes were spliced in.

Ragdoll cats are prized for their laidback personality, and the mellowest of these beauties have been used in breeding programs over the years, making an easygoing cat even more so. But there's no weird science behind that Ragdoll flop and not all Ragdolls are floppers.

The ones that are, however, are a major armful of fluffy feline love -- they just relax into your arms when you pick them up. For more on these gorgeous cats, visit the Ragdoll Connection Network site (www.ragdoll-cats.com).

FREE PET PRODUCTS ON NEW WEB SITE

And if you buy a copy of one of the books through PetConnection.com before Oct. 24, you'll also get some gifts worth more than $100 from pet-care companies in celebration of Pet Wellness Month.

"Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?" and "Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?" (each $12.95, HCI) are co-authored with "Good Morning, America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker. The books explore dozens of the serious, silly and just plain quirky questions that pet lovers have about their animals.

No purchase is required to enter the contest, which features prizes from Bamboo and Petmate. Visit PetConnection.com for all the details. You'll also find a searchable archive of past columns, a popular Web log and more.

Award-winning writer Gina Spadafori has two new books out, which were co-authored with "Good Morning, America" veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker: "Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?" and "Why Do Dogs Drink From the Toilet?" 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.petconnection.com.

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

Call them the Finger Crossers, if you will -- those folks who know if their dogs get loose they'll get them back only when conditions are absolutely right (if there isn't another dog to play with, a squirrel to chase or a scent to follow). Or if they're fast or lucky enough to corner their dogs.

If you're one of these folks, you may well be in the majority. While "Come" or "Here" is one of the most basic of dog commands, it's probably the one most dogs know and respond to the least. Some dogs are naturally more inclined to come when called than others: Herding and sporting breeds and mixes are generally more interested in staying close than independent hounds, terriers and mixes of those breeds. But a reliable recall is possible for any dog -- even yours.

Figuring out why your pet won't mind is the first step toward fixing the problem.

Maybe your dog is afraid to come to you. If you're one of those people who have to chase their dogs, you may also be someone who isn't very happy when you've finally caught up with him. Screaming at your dog for running away or punishing your pet when you collar him at last is a good way of making sure the next time he gets loose he'll run farther, faster. Wouldn't you?

Being reunited with you should be a positive experience. Never, ever punish a dog for coming to you or for failing to come.

If you're not punishing him, perhaps your dog really doesn't understand what you want. Few people practice the recall command enough -- or at all. You probably use "Sit" a half-dozen times a day, just around the house, but you probably don't use "Come" or "Here" in the house when you want your dog near you. Maybe all you have to do is open the refrigerator. If that's the case, your dog doesn't understand the relationship between the command and the action of coming to you. He just knows if he's sitting in the right place at the right time, you might drop some food.

Or maybe your dog doesn't see why he should listen to you. You may have a dog who believes what you want is only one of the factors that go into his deciding what he's going to do. A dog who knows what's expected of him and respects you is going to mind you. A dog who thinks you're a dope who couldn't catch a bus is going to treat you like the fool he thinks you are.

If the problems are training and respect, you can fix them both together. Train your dog, work with your dog, treat your dog fairly, and the respect will follow. Teach your dog the "Come" or "Here" command in increments, on a standard 6-foot leash, on progressively longer and lighter lines, and with lots of positive reinforcement. Practice, not just in formal sessions but in everyday life, in ever more challenging situations. Sharpen up all your dog's manners, because they all help build your dog's respect for you.

Elicit the help of a trainer if you just don't seem to be getting anywhere. It's worth the time and trouble: Getting a dog to come when called is more than a nice party trick -- it could save your pet's life one day.

SIDEBAR

Tips for catching a loose dog

Your dog slips out the door and runs down the street, toward a busy boulevard. You know he won't come when called. What should you do?

There are a couple of tricks you can use to catch him. Try to sweet-talk him in with a kneeling, open-arms stance, or run away from him, enticing him to follow -- the chase instinct is very strong in most dogs. Another strategy is to use a command he knows well, like "Sit." Once he's planted, you can take him by the collar. (Don't forget to praise for the sit!) He may respond to treats, if you have time to grab a handful.

A loose-dog situation is not about obedience -- it's about keeping your dog from becoming road-pizza. Once you catch your dog, say a little prayer -- and then vow to train him to come to you when called.

Q&A

Adopting a cat now 'orphaned'

Q: My neighbor died about two months ago; she was only 32. She had a cat, but I don't know the age or anything about the animal except the name.

My neighbor's mom is taking care of the house and cat. She never stays long at the house, maybe 10 minutes at the most. The cat is always at the window either pawing for attention or rubbing her head against the glass so we can pet her.

I know she is lonely and deprived of attention. My heart breaks every day for this cat. I just don't know what is going to happen to her.

Do you think it's a good idea for me to see about adopting her? I have two dogs, and I have never had a cat. -- C.L., via e-mail

A: Your neighbor's mom must be reeling from the shock of her daughter's death, and she's trying to do the best she can. Losing a 32-year-old daughter is not something any parent plans on, that's for sure.

I encourage you to gently ask whether the cat is available for adoption. If she is, I think you should strongly consider adopting her. With two dogs, you're no stranger to the responsibility of caring for pets, and I bet you'd love having this friendly cat in your family.

I'm guessing your neighbor's mom hasn't a clue what to do about the cat, and she would be relieved and happy for the animal to move to your house.

As for your caring for the cat, you'll be fine once the introductions are over. Set the cat up in a room of her own, away from the dogs, and let her get used to her new surroundings without doing anything more than hearing and smelling her new roommates. Once she's settled, introduce the dogs one at a time on leash, and monitor their interactions with the cat until you're certain they know she is family, not a chase toy.

Most dogs and cats can learn to at least tolerate each other. If you have trouble, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a trainer or behaviorist who can help.

Sleep, kitty!

Q: I need my sleep. But just as I'm going to bed, my cat thinks it's time to play. Why does she do this, and how can I make her stop? -- W.I., via e-mail

A: Cats like to play when we're winding down because a cat is a creature of the night -- or at least, the twilight. Cats sleep all day and most of the night, so they can be at their liveliest when the sun is setting. The early bird may get the worm, but it's the twilight kitty who scores the mouse.

While many cats eventually figure out that we're not much fun after dark, some never stop pestering their owners to play -- especially young cats, who just don't understand why you're so willing to cash in your chips when the night is still young.

Try playing with your cat an hour or so before bedtime to take the edge off the kitty crazies. A couple of extra play sessions throughout the day will also help.

Also, feed your cat his biggest meal of wet food immediately before your bedtime, to give you a head start and to take advantage of the natural tendency of cats (and people) to feel a little sleepy after a meal.

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

THE SCOOP

Tiger cats tops in popularity

We humans have long had a desire to meddle with other animals, and that's certainly true of the cat. While we've been content overall to leave most cats in a pretty predictable size and shape -- especially when you consider what we've done with dogs -- we've done a lot with the feline coat. Consider this: The Cat Fanciers' Association lists more than 60 color patterns for the Persian alone.

But the tabby rules. Those tiger-striped markings are the original pattern of our cats' ancestors, and they can still be observed on some wild relatives of the domestic cat.

Tabbies come in several distinct patterns and many colors, including red (more commonly called orange, ginger or marmalade), cream, brown and gray. The tabby pattern is so dominant that, even in solid-colored cats, if you squint a little you can often discern faint tabby markings, especially on the head, legs and tail.

The word "tabby," by the way, comes from Atabi, a silk imported to Britain long ago that had a striped pattern similar to that of the domestic cat.

ENTER CONTEST FOR PET GEAR

"Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?" and "Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?" ($12.95 each, HCI) are co-authored with "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker. The books explore dozens of the serious, silly and just plain quirky questions that pet lovers have about their animals.

The contest features free pet gear from Bamboo and Petmate, with weekly winners choosing between prize packages for either cats or dogs. No purchase is required. For information or to enter, visit www.PetConnection.com. You'll also find a searchable archive of past columns, a popular Web log and more.

PET Rx

Does the nose know dog health?

Can you tell if your dog is sick by checking his nose? Not really, but there's more to the story.

A dog's nose is usually damp because tears are constantly produced to lubricate the movement of the eyes. Because this lubrication is so critical to eye health, the dog's body routinely produces more tears than are needed. These excess tears flow through the naso-lacrimal (literally "nose-tears") duct and out the base of the nose. (People also experience this when crying.)

As the tears drip down into the dog's face, the animal licks the nose, spreading the tear fluid over the nose, which wets it. Then, evaporation causes the nose to be cool. The moistened nose is better equipped to dissolve airborne chemicals, which contributes to a better sense of smell.

When a dog is sick, the body uses up more internal fluids in the process of fighting disease. This increased use, especially with a fever, causes relative dehydration, even if the dog is drinking a normal amount of water. This dehydration results in decreased tear production, and hence a dry nose.

However, the same dry nose could be because of fluid loss from panting on a hot day. Some dogs have problems with blocked tear ducts, so there is less fluid flowing through the ducts to moisten the nose at all times.

The bottom line: A dry nose is one indicator of hydration, but it indicates illness only if it's coupled with lethargy and other symptoms.

A calm, relaxed dog officially has a fever when you either stick a thermometer where the sun doesn't shine or use one of the new instant ear thermometers and determine that the dog's temperature is above 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Tanks for the effort

According to a survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, the top complaints of people with fish have mostly to do with the time and effort spent keeping the tanks and water clean. The top drawbacks (multiple answers allowed):

Cleaning 66 percent

Keeping water clear 42 percent

Algae 39 percent

Fish fighting 22 percent

Equipment cost 22 percent

PETS ON THE WEB

Helping

Why are pets given up? The top reason for dogs is "moving." For cats, it's "too many in home." The rankings and the studies that produced them come from the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, a nonprofit organization of veterinary, humane and breeders' groups formed to get the real story on what causes pet overpopulation and how to deal with the problem.

On the council's well-organized Web site (www.petpopulation.org), you'll find information that challenges assumptions about why pets end up homeless. Behavior and housing problems are significant for both dogs and cats, which makes pre-adoption counseling extremely important.

Getting good information about why people give up on their pets is the important first step when it comes to formulating plans to fight pet overpopulation.

Award-winning writer Gina Spadafori has two new books out, which were co-authored with "Good Morning, America" veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker: "Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?" and "Why Do Dogs Drink From the Toilet?" 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.petconnection.com.

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