Universal Press Syndicate

Here's a riddle for you: How is it that more families have dogs than have cats, but cats outnumber dogs as pets?

The answer: Many families have more than one cat.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 41 percent of U.S. households recently reported having at least one dog, while cats ruled in 35 percent of households. (Some families, of course, have both.) But cats were by far the most popular pet, according to the same trade group, which reported recent figures of 78 million pet cats to 65 million pet dogs.

Problem is, in a lot of those multi-feline families, relations between cats are a bit strained. And when cats aren't happy, nobody's happy. The noise of cats grumbling threats at each other or engaging in frequent rumbles can get on one's nerves and even mean trips to the veterinarian. And the litter-box problems that can be a part of such turf wars can turn an entire house into a toilet.

Living with more than one cat doesn't have to be so contentious. The trick to domestic harmony for cohabiting felines is to introduce -- or reintroduce -- them slowly and carefully.

If you don't have a cat yet and know you'll eventually want two, it's easiest to adopt two kittens at the same time. Kittens don't have the sense of territory that grown cats have and will settle down together into a new home nicely. Second-best: Adopt two adult cats at the same time, so neither has a head start on the other when it comes to claiming territory.

But even a solitary adult cat can learn to enjoy living with a companion. Since the worst territorial spats are between cats who aren't spayed or neutered, your chances for peaceful co-existence are many times greater if the cats are both altered before any introductions are planned.

Prepare a room for your new cat, with food and water bowls, and a litter box and scratching post that needn't be shared. This room will be your new pet's home turf while the two cats get used to each other's existence.

Take your new cat to your veterinarian first, to be checked for parasites such as ear mites and contagious diseases such as feline leukemia. When you're sure your new pet is healthy, the introductions can begin.

Bring the cat home in a carrier and set him in the room you've prepared. Let your resident cat discover the caged animal, and don't be discouraged by initial hisses. When the new cat is alone in the room, close the door and let him out of the carrier. If he doesn't want to leave the carrier at first, let him be. Just leave the carrier door open and the cat alone.

Maintain each cat separately for a week or so -- with lots of love and play for both -- and then on a day when you're around to observe them, leave the door to the new cat's room open. Above all: Don't force them together. Territory negotiations between cats can be drawn-out and delicate, and you must let them work it out on their own, ignoring the hisses and glares.

Eventually you can encourage them both to play with you, using a cat "fishing pole" or a toy on a string. And slowly feed them in ever-closer proximity.

If you already have two cats who don't get along, treat them as if they've both just arrived. Give them their own quarters and let them slowly work out their territorial disputes. But do remember: Some cats will never get along. For these, separate quarters such as one upstairs, one downstairs, may need to become a permanent arrangement.

SIDEBAR

Litter-box rules

One of the most common points of conflict in multi-cat households is over the litter box. Some cats don't like to share, and that may force other cats to avoid the litter box altogether.

The rule of thumb behaviorists use: one box per cat, plus one.

Place the litter boxes in different parts of the house, and arrange each so a cat can feel secure but also keep an eye on his surroundings. No one likes to be ambushed while on the john! And don't forget the first rule of litter-box management: Keep 'em clean.

If it sounds like a lot of trouble, consider this: The one sure loser in any litter-box war is the person who cleans up the messes.

Q&A

Feline diabetes can be treated

Q: My 6-year-old cat has been diagnosed with diabetes. The vet says I can give her shots, but I just don't know. Wouldn't it be kinder to put her to sleep? And what would happen if I did nothing? Could she get better on her own? -- P.S., via e-mail

A: For the diabetic cat, the levels of sugar in the blood -- glucose -- cannot be normalized without treatment. Although a cat may be able to go a few days without treatment and not get into a crisis, treatment should be looked upon as part of the cat's daily routine. Treatment almost always requires some dietary changes. And whether an individual cat will require oral therapy or insulin injections will vary from case to case.

For the owner, there are two implications: financial commitment and personal commitment. Once a cat's diabetes is well-regulated, maintenance is not that expensive, with costs that may include a special diet, oral medication, insulin and syringes.

For many people, the personal commitment seems more difficult than the financial one, but that, too, is not insurmountable. You'll need to pay close attention to your veterinarian's instructions about medication, diet and home monitoring.

Consistency is the key to keeping a diabetic cat healthy. The more you keep the medication, diet and activity the same from one day to the next, the easier it will be to keep your cat's blood sugar regulated.

Insulin injections always worry people the most. But cats seem to be more comfortable getting shots than their owners are about giving them. Honestly, though, it's just a learning process for you both.

If the idea of giving your cat regular injections is what's making you consider putting her to sleep, consider these points:

-- Insulin does not cause pain when it is injected.

-- The injections are made with very tiny needles that your cat hardly feels.

-- The injections are given just under the skin in areas in which it is almost impossible to cause damage to any vital organ.

Although diabetes is a diagnosis that may seem like a death sentence to many upset people with newly diagnosed cats, it doesn't need to be that way. Work with your veterinarian and give your cat a chance. You may be surprised at how well things work out.

By the way, you can find a lot of information and support on the Feline Diabetes Web site (felinediabetes.com), which was started by a physician after her own cat was diagnosed with diabetes. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Got milk?

Q: I can't imagine many people can say this these days, but I was raised on a dairy farm. We always let our barn cats drink fresh milk, and they loved it. Today my cat gets her milk pasteurized from the fridge, but she loves it just the same. But a friend recently told me that she read somewhere that cow's milk was bad for cats.

I just find that hard to believe. We never had a cat get sick on milk, and it isn't making mine sick now. What's the truth? -- J.P., via e-mail

A: No adult cat needs milk to survive, and some cats, like some humans, cannot handle milk without ending up with diarrhea. For those cats who can handle milk and like it, it's a fine treat and good source of protein.

If your cat isn't experiencing any stomach distress -- check the litter box for signs of diarrhea -- then it's perfectly safe to give her milk as a treat. Feel free to indulge her just as you have been. -- Gina Spadafori

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

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Punishing pet will backfire

If you spare the rod, do you spoil the pet? Many people try to raise cats and dogs with the idea that a good spanking will teach the animal a lesson. But it just doesn't work that way. In fact, what physical punishment often teaches a pet is that people can't be trusted.

Because they don't use language as we do and can't understand delayed reactions to their behavior, pets who are physically punished tend to develop unstable personalities. They may become aloof, skittish, hand-shy or even aggressive (i.e., they may bite or scratch in self-defense before being hit).

For example, consider from a puppy's point of view what happens when he runs to you when called and puts his paws up on you when he arrives. You don't like him jumping up, so you yell, spank or knee him.

Instead of learning that he should always come when called, your puppy learns that when he does, he'll be punished. Better to reward him first for coming when called, and then use reward-based training to teach him that the second part of coming to you is keeping his feet on the floor or even sitting in front of you. In other words: It's all good.

(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.)

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.

On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dogmobiles," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.

THE SCOOP

Little dogs need to be good, too

With small dogs so popular today, it's pretty common to run into some truly ill-mannered little beasts. It's not that small dogs are prone to bad behavior, mind you, but rather that the owners of small dogs tend to overlook behavior problems that would be absolutely intolerable in a 50-, 80- or 100-pound dog.

A big dog who can't walk nicely on a leash and snarls insults at other dogs isn't anything you'd want to share with the world: You'd train him, or you'd leave him at home. That's not the case with little dogs, however. An ill-mannered little dog's antics are not only tolerated, but also often encouraged by people who think their tiny terrors are adorable, no matter what.

Are you tolerant of your spoiled little brat of a dog? Wouldn't you rather have a dog that everyone else could enjoy being around, too?

While it might seem easier to ignore bad manners in a little dog, the fact is it's just not that hard to turn around a little tyrant. Little dogs are generally bright and easy to train, once their owners get the idea that training is not only desirable but also very possible.

Reward-based training works well with all dogs, and this is especially true of small ones, who tend to be too fragile and sensitive for punishment-based training.

Whatever you do, don't encourage behavior in your small dog that wouldn't be acceptable in a large one. Your dog's bratty behavior isn't appreciated by others, believe me. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

How many homeless?

Exact numbers are impossible to come by, since no one even knows how many shelters there are in the United States and Canada. But using a survey of 1,000 shelters in 1997 as a base, it's estimated that nearly 10 million animals a year are euthanized in shelters. While some animals entering shelters are not considered to be adoptable, many would be wonderful companions if only given a chance.

More shelter stats:

-- In 1997, roughly 64 percent of the total number of animals entering shelters were euthanized.

-- 56 percent of dogs and 71 percent of cats entering animal shelters were euthanized.

-- 15 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats entering animal shelters were reunited with their owners.

-- 25 percent of dogs and 24 percent of cats entering animal shelters were adopted.

Source: American Humane Association (www.americanhumane.org) and the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (www.petpopulation.org).

PET TIP

Get collar on right

The choke collar is one of the most difficult pieces of training equipment to use properly, which is why in recent years I have discouraged its use. Newer products such as head halters and no-pull harnesses are easier to use and provide control with less strain on the dog.

One of the biggest problems with a choke collar is that people often put it on upside-down. Here's a how-to: With the dog sitting on your left, make a downward-facing "P" out of the collar, with the base of the "P" on your side. Then slip the collar over the dog's head. The moving end of the collar should go over the dog's neck, not under it.

If it's put on incorrectly, the collar will not release easily when the leash is slackened -- and that turns an already controversial training tool into an instrument of cruelty. -- Gina Spadafori

Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

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

Universal Press Syndicate

Even in an off year, the housing market traditionally picks up in the spring, as families who need to change residences get moving so the children can be settled into the new neighborhood before the next school year begins.

But moving is tough on families, pets included. Animals always know when something's amiss, even if they can't understand exactly what's changing, or why.

The key to moving pets is to keep them secure before and during the move, and to settle them safely and quickly into a routine afterward.

Cats are a particular worry at moving time because they form a bond not only with the people in a home, but also with the home itself. Because of their mobility, cats can be difficult to keep around the new home long enough for them to realize that this is where the people they love will now stay.

The family dog is a bit easier to deal with: Put his leash on and drive him to his new address. Show him his new, warm home and the securely fenced back yard. Unless the dog is a high-jumper of Olympic caliber, he'll stay put while he adjusts.

Not so with free-roaming cats. The cases of cats returning to their previous homes are common for people who move short distances, and the instances of cats disappearing forever are just as common for families moving a great distance.

Confinement is essential when moving cats: It keeps them safe while they become used to their new territory and make it their own. Bring your cat inside, if he's not already an indoor cat, before the movers arrive. Set him up in a "safe room" -- a spare bathroom or bedroom is ideal -- and leave him be. Provide him with food and water, his bed, a scratching post, litter box and a couple of favorite toys while the packing and moving is under way.

The cat's ride to the new home is best undertaken in a carrier, especially for the cat who rarely sees the inside of a car.

At the new home, work the "leaving home" procedure in reverse: Put the cat into a "safe room" for a few days -- until the movers are gone, the furniture arranged and most of the dust settled -- and then allow him to explore inside the house on his own terms after things calm down a bit.

Quickly re-establish a routine. Pick a time and a place for feeding, and stick to it for all pets.

If you've been thinking about converting your free-roaming cat to a house dweller for his health and safety, moving to a new home is the perfect time to accomplish this. In your old home, you'd be constantly listening to your cat demanding to be let out into the rest of his territory. In a new home, he hasn't established any territory of his own yet, and you can make the new home his only turf by keeping him inside from day one.

If you don't want to convert him, keep him inside for a couple of weeks, until he seems relaxed. You can introduce your cat to the new yard by accompanying him on short tours with a harness and a leash. But in the end, you'll have to take your chances, open the door and hope for the best.

Moving is stressful for all, but taking a little extra care when it comes to your pets will help to move them safely and with a minimum of stress and mess at the new home.

SIDEBAR

Don't forget ID

Image: dog with old tag

Caption: Get new ID tags on your pets before you disconnect your old phone number.

During a move, your pet is at a high risk for becoming lost. That's why it's essential to get new ID tags on your pets before you disconnect that old phone number, or to update the ID tags with your permanent cell phone number. If you use a tracking service or microchip ID, be sure they know where to reach you as well by updating your records with the registry.

If you're going to need to change veterinarians, let the staff at the old hospital know and provide a working phone number in case anyone calls the hospital because of a rabies tag on a found pet. (Rabies tags usually have the vet's phone number on them.) And finally, check with the animal control department in your new community to get new licenses and find out what regulations cover your pets. -- G.S.

Q&A

Don't play vet at home

Q: At the pet store where I go, they have antibiotics for sale. Would it be a good idea to keep some on hand in case our pets get sick? -- D.F., via e-mail

A: Antibiotics are one of the outstanding contributions of modern medicine and have saved countless lives of both the human and animal variety. But we have become so comfortable with these medicines and their frequent usage that we sometimes forget they are powerful drugs that should be used with care.

And yet, some pet lovers respond to any sign of illness by dosing -- and often overdosing -- their pets with antibiotics commonly available at pet-supply stores (and often labeled for fish). This sort of treatment for your sick pet is a bad idea for several reasons.

First, if your pet has a viral or fungal infection, an antibiotic will not help.

Second, not all antibiotics are the same. They all have their own target bacteria, and they may have little effect on any bacteria they're not designed to combat as well as bacteria that are resistant to them.

Third, regular use of antibiotics may hurt your pet's immune system and may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that will be hard to stamp out even with the "right" medication.

When your pet is sick, see your veterinarian. Getting the right diagnosis and the right medication promptly may well save your pet's life. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Vomiting parrot

Q: When I get home and go to let my sun conure out of his cage, he'll start bobbing his head and then vomit food. How can I get him to stop it? -- B.F., via e-mail

A: Strange as it may seem to those of us who don't have wings, what your little guy is doing is showing you his affection.

He's "regurgitating," and isn't that a much nicer word than "vomiting"? Like many animals, birds feed their young by bringing up food. Bonded breeding pairs do this to each other as a sign of closeness. When your bird brings up food for you, it's because he's showing you that he considers you a mate or companion, and he wants you to eat well.

Birds bob their heads to bring the food up, and when the behavior is performed between birds, the food is put directly into the other's mouth.

You can't stop this natural behavior, so just accept it. The behavior, that is, not the regurgitated food. -- Gina Spadafori

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

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Reward pet's good manners

Animals learn from the immediate consequences of their actions. Reward-based training is based on positive reinforcement -- giving an animal an immediate reward for "getting it right."

A reward can be anything a pet desires, such as food, praise, touch, toys, playtime, and indoor or outdoor access. Reward-based training teaches an animal that you are the provider and controller of everything good. It also builds trust and keeps the animal student eager to learn more.

When teaching your pet what you want him to do, offer what he likes the best as the reward. After the new behavior is learned, continue with intermittent rewards. Once the pet knows a behavior, you can withhold the reward when your pet gets it wrong. For example, the dog who knows how to sit but won't sit for his dinner dish can have his grub withheld for a few minutes. Then try again! Chances are he'll sit, and he'll sit even more quickly the next time.

(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.)

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.

On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dogmobiles," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.

PET Rx

Broken teeth common in dogs

Birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim and dogs gotta chew. But sometimes, that chewing can prompt a painful problem.

Broken teeth are a common problem with dogs. Aggressive chewing on hard objects such as rocks or fencing, or on hard treats such as cow hooves, bones or hard nylon toys, are the primary cause. (Veterinarian's rule of thumb: Don't give your pet any chew toy that's hard enough that you wouldn't want it to hit you in the knee.)

To prevent broken teeth, dental experts recommend regular exercise of your pet to help prevent destructive chewing and having several veterinarian-recommended toys to chew so as to distract them from the bad ones. For extremely aggressive chewers, get a large toy the pet can't get his mouth around, or offer softer chews.

A broken tooth exposes the delicate pulp and nerve endings, making life extremely painful for the pet. Food and other debris can get impacted in the fracture and attract bacteria, leading to infection, the loss of a tooth or worse.

The most common signs of dental problems are: excessive drooling (especially in a pet who doesn't normally salivate much), not eating, or favoring one side of the mouth.

Just as the human family gets regular dental examinations and cleanings, you should take your pet to the veterinarian at least yearly for a comprehensive physical examination that will include a look at your pet's entire mouth. If your pet is having problems sooner, don't wait for the well-pet exam -- dental problems really hurt!

Dental cleanings under anesthesia are a regular part of a preventive-care regimen for many dogs, as is at-home care such as brushing. Ask your veterinarian what's best for your pet's teeth and gums, both to prevent problems and to fix them. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Up and down dogs

The popularity of small dogs (under 20 pounds) has steadily risen over the past decade. Some of the biggest increases in registration are among these breeds:

Cavalier King Charles spaniels: 735 percent increase

French bulldogs: 305 percent increase

Brussels griffon: 231 percent increase

Of the breeds that have seen the highest decrease in registrations during the past decade, larger dogs are affected the most:

Dalmatians: 97 percent decrease

Chows: 91 percent decrease

Rottweilers: 83 percent decrease

Source: American Kennel Club

PETS ON THE WEB

Better care for hamsters

Hamsters are popular pets for children, who often manage to convince their parents to snap up the pets before anyone has thought carefully about how to care for them.

If that's the case, no worries. The Web has hamster sites that can be of great help.

The Hamster Hideout (hamsterhideout.com) is based in Singapore, so some of the information is too regional to be of much help. But beyond that, the Hideout offers sound advice on proper care and encourages sharing of hamster stories and pictures with a reader forum. The links page provides a generous selection of other sites, from those focusing on care to others dedicated to pictures, stories and online games.

Be sure to click on the "All About" link and then on the special sections just for those with a new hamster. A very useful, kid-friendly site. -- Gina Spadafori

Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

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

Universal Press Syndicate

The recent pet-food recall in response to the deaths of pets nationwide brought attention to an important body system that gets little attention until there's a problem: the kidneys.

The kidneys act like a water filtration system in reverse, trapping and recycling substances the body needs, such as proteins, and letting waste materials pass through. If any part of this complex filtration process breaks down, toxins in the bloodstream can rise to life-threatening levels.

"The kidneys are vulnerable, and once the kidney tissue is damaged, it is unlikely to regenerate," said Dr. Nancy Zimmerman of Banfield, The Pet Hospital, which is based in Portland, Ore., and has more than 600 locations nationwide.

Treatment -- often giving massive amounts of fluids -- is aimed at restoring the kidneys to normal function so they can resume doing their job of filtration. If that's not possible, the toxins in the blood must be reduced to safe levels some other way. Diet, drug therapy, agents that bind toxins and eliminate them, and even dialysis (see sidebar) can be used.

Chronic kidney failure is usually found in aging pets and can be detected with a simple blood test. Acute kidney failure is typically marked by vomiting, increased thirst, increased or lack of urination, lethargy, bad breath, diarrhea and lack of appetite. These symptoms signal a health crisis, with time being the difference between whether an animal lives or dies.

The critical issue of response is why veterinarians don't recommend that pet lovers wait a day or more after the onset of symptoms in hopes a problem will go away on its own. When sick pets finally arrive at the veterinary hospital, 75 percent of kidney function can already be gone for good. Wait much longer, and the chances of survival are not good.

Poisoning by pet food isn't by any means the normal trigger for acute renal failure, says Dr. Katherine James of the Veterinary Information Network, an online service for veterinary professionals based in Davis, Calif.

"In dogs and cats, we worry about ethylene glycol -- antifreeze," said Dr. James, who also has a Ph.D. in the study of kidney function. "In dogs, we also have the issue of grapes and raisins. That might be an issue in cats as well, except they won't eat the things. And in cats, of course, you have their sensitivity to lilies, which they will eat."

No matter what the cause is of sudden-onset kidney failure, the treatment needs to be swift. At the very least, says Dr. Zimmerman, the pet will need to be placed on intravenous fluids and may need to be provided with antibiotics as well as other medications to suppress vomiting and diarrhea. The treatment plan is designed to help to flush the kidneys while supporting the body through the crisis.

If the intervention is successful, the animal will be left with enough kidney function to survive, although perhaps with chronic kidney issues that need lifetime treatment.

Although the prognosis can be grim in many sudden cases of kidney failure, Dr. Zimmerman says it's always worth trying to save a pet.

"These cases are hard to predict at the beginning and very few times you can predict the outcome from the get-go," she said. "When there's a quality-of-life issue, then yes, it may be time to let go. But a lot of these animals are saved, and it's always worth trying."

(Gina Spadafori and Christie Keith contributed to this story.)

SIDEBAR

Dialysis, transplants also an option

Sophisticated -- and expensive -- medical procedures might save pets with some forms of kidney failure.

Dr. Larry Cowgill developed the world's first companion animal hemodialysis program at the University of California, Davis, in 1990. "We'll often see an animal with a recoverable disease who just needs to be kept alive until they're well," he said.

Dialysis can also be a near-miracle for pets who have consumed ethylene glycol products such as antifreeze. "If we get those animals soon enough," said Dr. Cowgill, "say, in the first 10 or 12 hours, we can get rid of that toxin before they get any kidney damage."

UCD is also one of the few places in the world where dogs and cats can receive kidney transplants. Cats in need of a donated kidney can get one from one of the hospital's own cats -- a cat who then has to be given a lifelong home. Dogs need to find their own donors. Pets who survive the first year post-transplant may go on to live for many years.

Costs are high. Transplantation costs range from $9,000 to $13,000. Dialysis setup runs around $3,000, with additional costs depending on the length of treatment. Veterinarians can refer clients to specialty practices or veterinary schools or colleges that offer such care. -- Christie Keith

Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

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