By Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp

Universal Press Syndicate

What is more adorable than a tiny kitten pedaling soft paws on your chest and purring up a storm? Enjoy your kitten, but never forget to make the most of this special time to ensure you'll end up with a wonderful cat.

Kittens begin to learn life's lessons at an early age -- 3 weeks is the start of a critical period in their lives as companion animals. From the time their eyes open until the fluffy babies are about 10 weeks old, kittens are developing impressions of the world that will stay with them for life.

These early experiences shape an adult cat's personality and attitudes about strange people, pets and places, wearing collars or harnesses, getting baths or nail trims, being examined, or riding in a car or carrier. Within this period -- about 5 to 8 weeks of age -- is a wonderful and important time for teaching a kitten to use the litter box and scratching post, and to play with toys instead of fingers and toes.

But most kitten owners are completely unaware of this small window of teachable moments. Instead of actively and deliberately creating experiences to shape their kittens' perceptions and household behaviors, they let their kittens grow up mostly on their own.

When the owners aren't watching, kittens form bad habits by trying out stretches and nail-sharpening on the furniture, or finding a bath mat or shag carpeting that seems as good a place as any to potty. On their own, they learn to jump on counters and explore tables, and to chew on houseplants and their owners' food. And when no cat trees are to be found, kittens may climb curtains for fun or to perch up high -- both are normal feline behaviors.

And it's not all fun and games: Curious kittens may swallow small objects or fall out of windows if screens are not secured.

All these missed opportunities and potential hazards underscore the need for getting involved in training your kitten. Here are some basic tips to help make the most of this special time in any cat's life:

-- Place your new kitten in a small room or bathroom for at least a week with the litter box on one side of the room, food and water on the opposite side, and a tall cat-scratching post and climber somewhere in the middle. If you limit the options, your kitten will make better choices. Place your kitten in the litter box often and praise him. Use cat toys to encourage your kitten to use scratching posts and cat trees. Praise all behaviors you want to continue.

-- Give your kitten places to hide, to reduce the stress on your youngster. Look for a cat tree with a cubby hole, and provide a carrier both as a hiding place and as transport for visiting friends or the veterinary hospital. Feed your kitten in the carrier and make it a place for surprise treats. Get your kitten used to short car rides with treats, toys and positive attention.

-- Look for every opportunity to shape your kitten into a relaxed, confident, friendly, affectionate and well-behaved member of your family. Hand-feed your kitten before and in between meals. When your kitten is already relaxed, use special treats to introduce new experiences such as gentle handling, wearing collars, harnesses or getting one nail trimmed. Think of teeny-tiny baby steps and of creating a positive first impression. Provide your kitten's favorite treats and finger-scratch your kitten in favorite places to help offset small amounts of stress. Help your kitten recover and relax by going slowly without using any force.

Always keep in mind the cat you want your kitten to be, and create a socialization checklist that gives you homework for shaping your kitten's personality and perspective on life one day and one baby step at a time.

SIDEBAR

Pick a healthy kitten

Kittens are all adorable, and every shelter and rescue group has plenty at this time of year -- colors, coat lengths and markings galore. But how do you know you're picking a healthy baby?

General impressions are important. You should get a sense of good health and vitality from the kitten you're considering adopting. The baby should feel good in your arms: neither too thin nor too fat, well put-together, sleek and solid. If his ribs are showing or if he's potbellied, the kitten may be suffering from malnutrition or worms. Both are fixable, but signs of neglect may indicate deeper problems with socialization or general health.

With soothing words and gentle caresses, go over each kitten you're considering from nose to tail, paying special attention to the following areas:

-- Fur and skin. Skin should be clean and unbroken, covered thickly with a glossy coat of hair. Part the hairs and look for signs of fleas: The parasites themselves may be too small and fast for you to spot, but their droppings remain behind. You shouldn't count a cat out because of a few fleas, but a severe infestation could mean an anemic kitten.

-- Ears. These should be clean inside or, perhaps, have a little bit of wax. Filthy ears and head-shaking are signs of ear mites, which can require a prolonged period of consistent medication to eradicate.

-- Eyes. Eyes should look clear and bright. Runny eyes or other discharge may be a sign of illness. The third eyelid, a semitransparent protective sheath that folds away into the corners of the eyes nearest the nose (also called a "haw"), should not be visible.

-- Nose. Again, no discharge. The nose should be clean and slightly moist. A kitten who is breathing with difficulty or is coughing or sneezing may be seriously ill.

-- Mouth. Gums should be rosy pink, not pale, and with no signs of inflammation at the base of the teeth. The teeth should be white and clear of tartar buildup.

-- Tail area. Clean and dry. Dampness or the presence of fecal matter may suggest illness. Of course, even a healthy kitten will need your veterinarian's help to stay that way. Schedule a new-kitten exam and preventive-care consultation as soon as you get your new family member adopted. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Q&A

Sandpaper tongues have a purpose

Q: My 8-year-old daughter asked me a question that I'd like to ask you. Why does a cat's tongue feel so rough? And why does it need to be like that? -- M.R., via e-mail

A: If you look at a cat's tongue with a magnifying glass (and good luck trying to do that, by the way), you'll see it's covered with row after row of barbs. The little structures that line the surface of a cat's tongue are called "filiform papillae." They're hooked (like the wiry half of Velcro) and are directed toward the throat.

These barbs help to hold prey while eating, and they also help a cat keep her fur in perfect (or should we say purrfect?) condition, pulling out dead and dying hairs along with any debris picked up in the day's travels. Cats can actually feel when a few hairs are out of place, so that tongue is also a convenient, built-in hairbrush.

Other papillae of the tongue are involved with taste detection. The filiform papillae can't taste food, but they do hold food in contact with the tongue long enough to enable the cat to taste it.

Cats can function with no teeth -- and some of the older ones have to -- but they must have at least half their tongue to survive. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

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 "dog cars," 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 BUZZ

Women take over vet med

-- Following the graduation of the class of 2007, there will be more female than male veterinarians for the first time in U.S. history. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, this year's class of 2,489 students in the nation's 28 veterinary schools is 75.3 percent female. Only 5 percent of veterinary students were women in the 1960s.

The Boston Globe reports that while there is little research into the gender shift, some theorize that women are drawn to the field (and that men have left it) as the focus has shifted from large animals to caring for pets and the feelings of pet owners. Another possibility is that veterinary medicine is considered a more flexible career, making it attractive to women who want more time with families.

-- Veterinarians say they chose their careers early, falling in love with the idea of working to care for animals by the age of 9.

-- Dogs are living longer and are affected by cognitive aging signs, but treatments are available. According to veterinary behaviorist and author Dr. Karen Overall, the most common behavioral changes clients bring up are: disorientation (pet gets lost in the house or confused outside), changes in social interaction (plays less, ignores toys, interacts less with fellow pets and withdraws from owners), sleep-wake changes (pets often pace and vocalize at night), and changes in elimination patterns (a loss of house-training).

-- The Humane Society of the United States estimates there are 40,000 professional dog fighters in the United States and 100,000 street-dog fighters.

-- Dog owners take their pets to the veterinarian more than twice as often as cat owners do: The average number of annual veterinary visits is 2.3 for dogs and only 1.1 for cats.

-- When actress Jessica Alba was asked for the September issue of Cosmopolitan what would surprise people, she replied, "I pick up my own dog poo." -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET Rx

Pets give blood for others

The use of blood products for treating sick and injured pets has increased so dramatically that there is a growing shortage of canine and feline blood.

The donated blood is used in the same way that blood is used in human medical facilities: as whole blood, plasma and packed red cells. The blood is collected in sterile plastic bags and is handled and stored in the same way as human blood.

Although most stored blood comes from "professional" donors -- typically dogs living in a veterinary hospital or, more recently, retired racing greyhounds kept in colonies as blood donors -- in some areas, canine blood drives are held. The blood is donated (you can't earn money from your dog's donation), but it's certainly for a worthy cause.

Most dogs kept as blood donors are adopted out after a relatively short period of service. Since they're chosen for their size (bigger dog equals more blood) and temperament (must be easygoing), these dogs make wonderful pets.

Feline donors are also a mellow lot. They normally are given a mild sedative for the blood draw, and they can donate every three months. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE SCOOP

Some people are remembered in a breed's name

A handful of breeds were named for people. Ludwig Dobermann, a German tax collector in the mid-19th century, developed the elegant and protective breed that bears his name to, in the words of Britain's Kennel Club, "protect him and ... 'encourage' slow payers." In the United Kingdom, the second "n" is retained in the name of the breed, but it's missing in the American name of the dog -- as are part of the breed's ears, since ear cropping is common in the United States but illegal in England.

The Parson Russell Terrier -- more commonly known as the Jack Russell -- was named after the Rev. John Russell, a Victorian-era clergyman with a fondness for hunting terriers. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was named after King Charles II -- although the breed was named centuries after his death because the dog was redeveloped by fanciers in England after World War II, separating it from the King Charles Spaniel, which is known in the United States as the English Toy Spaniel, a favorite dog of the British gentry for centuries. There's also the Gordon Setter, named after the Duke of Gordon.

Arguably, you can say that the Saint Bernard was named after a person. But the breed was more likely named after the monastery where the dogs became famous for their heroic rescue efforts. (This is no longer practiced, by the way. The monastery now "borrows" Saint Bernards from nearby towns for tourist season but doesn't keep any otherwise.)

Then there's the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, who isn't named for a real person at all, but after a character in Sir Walter Scott's "Guy Mannering." There's something else fairly unusual about the long-bodied, short-legged dog with a puff of fur on his head and whiskers on his muzzle: Dandies are so rare that the breed is considered on the verge of extinction. Every year, more pandas are born than Dandies. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Forget Fido: Max is No. 1

The Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. lists its top pet names, based on a survey of its policy holders. The days of "Fluffy" and "Rover" are clearly long gone:

Dogs

1. Max

2. Molly

3. Buddy

4. Bella

5. Lucy

6. Maggie

7. Daisy

8. Jake

9. Bailey

10. Rocky

Cats

1. Max

2. Chloe

3. Lucy

4. Tigger

5. Tiger

6. Smokey

7. Oliver

8. Bella

9. Sophie

10. Princess

Source: www.petinsurance.com

ON THE WEB

Straight from the source

Veterinary Partner (www.veterinarypartner.com) is the information source for pet owners provided by the Veterinary Information Network, an online service by veterinarians for veterinarians.

Although I've long been associated with VIN and Veterinary Partner (the latter side holds the Pet Connection archives), I continue to be impressed by the depth and scope of the articles available to pet lovers.

The site is especially strong in its advice on pets such as rabbits and other small mammals, thanks to the offerings of one of the nation's top rabbit vets, Dr. Susan Brown. Veterinary Partner also offers solid information on medications commonly used in veterinary practice and behavior advice for dogs and cats.

The Internet offers a lot of information for pet lovers -- a lot of it self-serving, wrong or both -- but Veterinary Partner always has the best, most current information. It's a great resource that should be bookmarked by every pet lover. -- 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

For years those who care about iguanas have been struggling against ignorance and the toll it takes on these reptilian pets.

Iguanas are relatively inexpensive pets to acquire, which makes them popular, especially for children. But caring for them properly is neither cheap nor easy -- a point too often not realized at the time of purchase -- and there the problems start.

The cost of a proper setup can set a new iguana owner back a lot more than the price of the pet itself, but incorrect housing can kill an iguana. So too can an incorrect diet.

The good news is that the fashion in reptilian pets seems to be changing, with more people migrating toward pets that are easier to care for, such as the bearded dragon or other mild-mannered reptiles. (From 2002 to 2006, iguana popularity fell from 17 percent to 12 percent among people who keep reptilian pets, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.)

Those who do keep iguanas -- or are up to the challenge of getting one -- can find plenty of good information around now, thanks in no small part to the work of avid fanciers, including those behind National Iguana Awareness Day, which is set for Sept. 8 this year.

If you want a pet iguana (or have one already), here are some tips to keep your pet in good shape:

-- Diet. Iguanas should be fed plant matter only, a mixture of vegetation that's high in calcium but low in phosphorus and fat. Choices include mustard, collard and turnip greens, as well as yams, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, alfalfa hay and squash.

Chop the vegetables into a size that can be easily handled by the pet, and mix and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Offer small amounts twice a day and sprinkle the food with a calcium supplement, available from pet-supply stores, catalogs or Web retailers that specialize in reptiles. This diet can be supplemented by high-quality commercial foods.

Water should be available for both bathing and drinking. A ceramic dish in the enclosure is a must. Many iguanas also enjoy being sprayed with mist a couple of times a day.

-- Housing. The bigger the better. Little green babies can grow to be as large as 6 feet in length in as little as three years. Cages or aquariums must be kept scrupulously clean and dry to prevent bacterial or fungal diseases. The iguana's enclosure should be lined with newspapers or, better yet, clean newsprint. (Roll ends of clean newsprint are available from many newspapers.) Other possibilities for good footing include indoor-outdoor carpeting, Astroturf or even paper-towel squares. Avoid sawdust, litter, wood shavings or gravel.

Silk artificial plants can improve the appearance of the enclosure and are easy to keep clean. Provide your pet with a place to hide, such as a cardboard box, and some branches for climbing.

Uneaten food and soiled areas must be promptly removed. For disinfecting, avoid pine oil cleaners and use a solution of 1 part bleach to 30 parts water. Remember that proper sanitation and handling are essential for your protection as well as your pet's, since salmonella is a risk when proper hygiene procedures aren't followed.

-- Heat and light. Instead of a hot rock, use a heating pad or an undercage strip designed for use with reptiles, or a ceramic basking lamp, which emits heat but no light.

Captive reptiles need ultraviolet B light from an artificial source. Pet stores sell lightbulbs that provide the proper light for iguanas. It's best to approximate natural conditions by supplying 10 to 12 hours of light per day.

Those who love and properly care for their iguanas wouldn't have any other pet. But for most people, the work required to keep an iguana (especially a big one) is just too much time and money. It's always better to know what you're in for before you take home that cute little green baby.

SIDEBAR

Check out the best sites for reptile fans

It's not always easy to find good information on unusual pets such as snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and other reptiles and amphibians. These Web sites can help pet owners connect with other herp fans and find reliable care advice:

-- Kingsnake.com (www.kingsnake.com) is the oldest and largest online reptile community in the world. It offers free chats, newsletters and photo galleries, as well as special guest events with leading herpetologists, breeders, veterinarians and researchers.

-- Herp Vet Connection (www.herpvetconnection.com) lists vets who are familiar with cold-blooded animals. Don't wait until your reptile is sick to find a herp-friendly veterinarian

-- Herp and Green Iguana Information Collection (www.anapsid.org) is an encyclopedic resource and one of the most respected herp sites on the Web, covering captive care requirements for lizards, snakes, invertebrates and amphibians. Its iguana resources in particular are a gold mine for anyone keeping, or considering, iguanas as pets. -- Christie Keith

Q&A

Puppy keeping her baby teeth

Q: Our Aussie puppy is losing her baby teeth, which we know is perfectly normal. We have noticed something that worries us, though. On her lower jaw, in the front, one of the adult teeth didn't push out the baby tooth, but came in behind it, making a double row of teeth at the spot.

The baby tooth seems loose, but it's still there and doesn't seem easy to pull when we try (plus, she gets impatient with our fiddling with it). What should we do? -- T.W., via e-mail

A: Dogs are amazingly well-adapted to their original purpose -- versatile eaters of almost anything -- through the virtue of their teeth.

They have 42 of them (puppies have 28), but that's not the whole story. Adult dogs have four different kinds of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars and molars. And though the collection isn't well-suited to grinding down material, the teeth are good for getting meals fresh -- as in, on a dog's own -- or dealing with whatever he may find in a day of doggie travel. (The puppy collection is missing molars because he doesn't have to grind food, as he's on a liquid diet, courtesy of mom.)

It's those large and significant canines that attract the most attention. In fact, the teeth are so famous that even in other species -- cats and humans, for example -- those "fangs" are called "canines."

Puppies start losing those baby teeth at around 4 months of age. The incisors fall first, then the canines at about 6 months, and finally the molars. The adult teeth push the baby teeth out, and all that puppy chewing helps the process, while also making a puppy feel better about the discomfort associated with teething.

Now and then, though, a baby tooth will be retained, a situation quickly remedied by the veterinarian with a quick yank during a puppy visit if waiting it out or wiggling it loose doesn't do the trick. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

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 "dog cars," 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 BUZZ

Among Titanic survivors -- two little dogs

-- The Titanic had many dogs on board, and the passengers enjoyed them so much that an informal dog show was scheduled to be held on April 15 (the ship struck the fatal iceberg on April 14). According to an article on www.animalradio.com, all but two of the pets were lost when the ocean liner went down. A Pomeranian and a Pekinese were lucky enough to accompany their respective owners, Margaret Hayes and Henry Sleeper Harper (of Harper publishing fame) on one of the first lifeboats to be lowered.

-- Worldwide, rabies kills 55,000 people per year.

-- The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center hot line handled 116,000 calls in 2006 and recently released a list of the top 10 hazards reported. On the list: human medications, insecticides, veterinary medications, plants, rodenticides, household cleaners, chocolate, chemical hazards (such as antifreeze, drain cleaners and pool chemicals), physical hazards (objects that are knocked over, broken, chewed up and swallowed), and home-improvement products (paints, glues and solvents).

-- More than 350 service agencies with names like Doody Duty, DoodyCalls, Scoopy-Poo and Pooper Trooper have sprung up to pick up where pets have left off, according to Business Week. The pooper-scooper industry is seeing annual growth nearing 50 percent.

-- Yogurt is good for a dog's digestion. Try a canine smoothie: Use 8 ounces of strawberry or raspberry yogurt, 1 cup of raspberries or 6 large strawberries, 1 very ripe banana, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 cup of ice. Blend at high speed until smooth. You can serve this fresh from the blender or put it in small containers and freeze for a frozen treat later.

-- Portland, Ore., ranks No. 1 among U.S. cities for dog parks per capita. The city offers 31 off-leash recreation spots in all. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE SCOOP

Can't count on feline anatomy

You can't say for sure exactly how many bones any particular cat has, because many cats have some anatomically unusual traits. A cat with a normal tail will have more vertebrae than a Manx with no tail, or a Japanese Bobtail with just part of a tail. No surprise that cats with extra toes sport a few extra bones, too.

The range for all cats runs between 230 and 250 bones, with the "average" cat having 244 bones -- about 30 more than humans do, by the way. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET Rx

New medication halts the canine queasies

While it may be a dog-eat-dog world, it's also a dog-eat-garbage world. Not surprisingly, the indiscriminate snacking habits of dogs, added to the canine tendency toward motion sickness, makes vomiting one of the most common reasons dogs are taken to a veterinarian. An estimated 3 million dogs have a bout of vomiting each year, and an additional 7 million dogs suffer from vomiting caused by motion sickness.

Luckily for dogs with upset stomachs, the owners who worry about them and the veterinarians who treat them, Pfizer Animal Health now offers Cerenia, the first product developed and approved to treat and prevent vomiting in dogs. The drug comes in both an injectable form that is used primarily to treat vomiting in the veterinary hospital and a tablet form that is used by pet owners to prevent motion sickness or treat vomiting at home. (The drug is given one hour before travel.)

"In the past we gave sedatives for motion sickness, and pet owners always faced the dilemma of when to repeat the drug. With Cerenia there's no sedation, and it has convenient, easy-to-understand dosing," said Dr. Tom Carpenter, the owner of Newport Harbor Animal Hospital in Costa Mesa, Calif., and the president of the American Animal Hospital Association.

Carpenter also likes the fact that while in the past medication to stop vomiting had to be given through continuous intravenous infusion or dosed as many as four times per day, Cerenia can be given just once a day.

"I feel safe giving the drug while waiting for radiographs, blood work or other diagnostic samples to come back. Plus by utilizing Cerenia to treat or prevent vomiting, we're going to save pet owners some money," he said.

While vomiting is common in dogs and often no cause for alarm, you should treat this condition as an emergency if you've seen the dog swallow some poison or a poisonous plant, if the vomit has blood in it, if your dog is lethargic or disoriented, or if he's throwing up with alarming frequency. In these cases, every minute counts in rushing your pet to the veterinarian. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Who brings home the kibble?

The kids and dad may beg for a pet, but mom had better be on board with the addition. That's because chances are she'll be the one doing the shopping. Only when the pets are saltwater fish does the percentage of women doing the shopping fall. According to a 2006 study:

Women as primary shoppers

All pets 79 percent

Dogs 79 percent

Cats 81 percent

Saltwater fish 67 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Little dogs need training, too

In our practice we sometimes joke with each other about specializing in aggressive Chihuahuas.

Surprised? Most people don't worry about small breeds developing aggression. But the truth is it's easier to ignore the signs of bad behavior in small dogs because they seem more like babies than dogs to us.

Dogs and human brains share many features. But dogs interpret human behavior in a purely canine way, and that's different from the way we people see it.

When people provide everything the dog wants when he wants it, the dog begins to respond by increasing demands. Then, one day, the owner sees the dog guarding a toy or food and decides enough is enough. The result? A dog bite.

The relationship too often goes downhill from there. Be forewarned and forearmed with proper training and socialization, even with -- especially with -- tiny dogs.

(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.)

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 very reason our ancestors first decided they wanted cats around is used today in arguing against allowing any cats to roam freely: They hunt, efficiently.

The predatory skill cats brought to eliminating rodents in grain storage is now argued to be a danger to endangered species and prized songbirds. That's another good reason for keeping pet cats inside, but what to do with the ferals -- pets gone wild and their unsocialized offspring?

Advocates of TNR -- trap, neuter and release -- say maintaining healthy, neutered feral cat colonies is the best way to reduce feline numbers and problems. And, they argue, it's both a kinder and more effective way than trapping and killing untamable cats.

There have always been kind-hearted people who feed homeless cats, even if it's just sharing a tuna sandwich from a park bench. There have also always been people who find colonies of feral cats to be annoying: The cats make noise, they mess and spray, and they multiply like, well ... cats.

Cities, colleges and military bases -- and others with large pieces of land to manage -- used to routinely handle feral cat colonies by trapping all the cats and killing those who could not be tamed for adoption.

TNR advocates argue that just feeding feral cats makes the problem worse (because the animals keep breeding), but that trapping and killing the cats doesn't solve the problem in the long run, either.

Instead, TNR volunteers trap the cats, place the ones they can in caring homes, and return the truly untamable to their original territory after they've been neutered and vaccinated. These colonies can then be fed and cared for in a hands-off but humane way, while their numbers dwindle naturally because the reproductive taps have been turned off for good.

Trap, neuter and release programs for feral cats seem counterintuitive to many people. If you don't want cats around, wouldn't it make sense just to remove them permanently?

But when you remove cats, TNR advocates say, other animals take their place. That's because the food source that attracted to the cats will still be there, which means more cats (or rats, coyotes or raccoons) will eventually show up. They point to studies showing that TNR policies really do reduce feral cat populations.

Neutering reduces the fighting, yowling and spraying behaviors, many of which are associated with fighting over mates. The neutered cats defend their territory, too, and prevent other animals from moving in -- including unneutered cats who could breed. The colony caretakers are quick to remove and find homes for any abandoned pets who turn up, as well as any kittens.

While such programs aren't perfect -- and aren't considered appropriate for ecologically sensitive locations or areas where the protection of small-prey species is necessary -- trap, neuter and release is an option that must be considered where feral cats are a problem.

TNR is a strategy that's both humane and sensible, and it should be allowed to become the new "common knowledge" when it comes to feral cats.

SIDEBAR

Alley Cat Allies: A cat's best friend

Feral cats have no better friends than the folks at Alley Cat Allies.

The Maryland-based group has spent years challenging and changing the widely held belief that the only way to deal with feral cats is with extermination.

The group's Web site (www.alleycat.org)is a well-organized tribute to the idea that information is power. There's something for everyone, from a kindhearted person looking to help a single feral to local authorities trying to weigh the options for local feral-cat colonies.

The group is more than a Web site, though. Their volunteers were out in force to rescue cats in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and they are active in feral cat management throughout the nation. -- Gina Spadafori

Q&A

Why can't our pugs fly?

Q: We are the proud owners of two pugs. We're thinking ahead to vacation plans to visit my husband's family on the other side of the country. Of course, we want to take our dogs. In doing a little research, though, we discovered that air travel isn't recommended for dogs like ours. Why not? -- T.W., via e-mail

A: Dogs with extremely short muzzles and rounded heads are called "brachycephalic." And despite their adorable, almost human expressions, they have a host of related health challenges related to the non-standard-issue canine anatomy.

The dogs are notoriously heat-intolerant, and they have such difficulty breathing that air travel is generally not recommended, as you've read.

But that's not all the health challenges for these dogs.

The malformation of the skull often results in crowding of teeth that can cause dental issues. And because there isn't a lot of room for eye sockets, the relatively large, round eyes that give these breeds their endearing appearance have a tendency to pop out in response to rough play or other head trauma. Finally, the folds of facial skin on these dogs can be difficult to maintain.

Veterinarians can correct some of these issues with surgery that may seem cosmetic but can actually improve the quality of life for these pets.

Even with a veterinarian's help, though, air travel may be too high a risk for short-nosed dogs. If you can travel with both of yours in the cabin with you -- check with your airline -- the risk will be reduced. But putting them in cargo generally isn't recommended.

Talk to your veterinarian about what's best for your pugs, including any factors that may increase the degree of danger, such as obesity. In the end, you may well decide that if you cannot drive and cargo is the only option for your pugs, it may be best to leave them home. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori

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

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 "dog cars," 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 BUZZ

Implant an alternative to canine neutering

-- A new contraceptive implant that halts testosterone and sperm production for months at a time may be used as an alternative to neutering in dogs. This product in already licensed in Australia, European approval is imminent, and steps are being taken to offer the implant in North America.

-- The oldest archaeological site with a cat burial is about 9,500 years old and was found in Cyprus.

-- A survey of 450 veterinarians revealed their belief that the most important factors causing obesity in dogs are: too much food, 37 percent; not enough exercise, 27 percent; too many treats, 26 percent; and genetics, 10 percent.

The same survey given to 1,000 dog owners found that only 17 percent classified their dogs as overweight or obese, with veterinarians saying that 47 percent of their canine patients were overweight or obese. Guess it's true: Love is blind.

-- The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that $9.8 billion will be spent by pet owners on veterinary care in 2007.

-- Fleas bite more than 400 times per day -- that's more than 4,000 bites a day if a pet has just 10 fleas. No wonder fleas make pets so miserable.

-- Medicines such as Prozac are given to cats who spray urine, parrots who pull their feathers out when bored, dogs who are destructive when left alone and zoo animals missing their natural habitats. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PETS ON THE WEB

Pet emergency advice for free

Are you ready to evacuate with your family -- pets included -- in case of a disaster? If you're not sure, take some time to visit the Ready.gov Web site's special section on pets (www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html).

The federal government site offers a video overview of what's needed, plus a downloadable brochure that can be printed out at home. Guidance on what to think of and have on hand in advance is laid out in simple, concise terms.

In recent years -- most notably in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina -- we've learned to respect how strong the bond is that people share with their pets. Providing for these animals keeps everyone safer, since many people won't look after themselves until they know their pets are OK, too. -- Gina Spadafori

THE SCOOP

Click with your cat for more fun

Some people point to the dog's ability to learn obedience commands and tricks as proof that dogs are smarter than cats. Others point to the same thing as proof that cats are smarter than dogs -- cats don't have to work for a living.

Cats and dogs are different in how they relate to us. Dogs have an ingrained need to be part of a family structure and to have a job to do within that family. Dogs are that way in large part because wolves are that way -- survival depends on the family, or pack.

The cat came from a different place, descended from solitary hunters who didn't need teamwork to survive.

If you want to put a good spin on it as a cat lover, you could say that dogs need to be with us, while cats choose to.

Because of this distinction, you absolutely cannot get a cat to do something he doesn't want to. Something must be in it for him. When training a cat, that something is usually food.

For example, you can start teaching the "sit" command to a hungry cat using a table, a quiet room and some treats. Get your cat to stand up by touching her on her back in front of her tail.

Then hold the treat a little over her head, saying her name and the command "sit." Slowly move the treat between your cat's ears, but not high enough for her to pick her front paws off the ground and grab the tidbit. Instead, she'll sit. After she does, praise her and give her the treat. Work in short sessions and be patient. Your cat will eventually get the idea!

Build on your successes. From "sit" can come "sit up." Many cats also love active tricks, such as jumping through hoops.

"Clicker" training -- marking a correct behavior with a noise and following with a treat -- works great when training cats.

Clicker-training guru Karen Pryor offers a collection of instructions, streaming video, books, and other tools and tips for clicker-training cats on her Web site at www.clickertraining.com. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Parents rush to get pets

Even though many experts caution that very young children aren't always a good match for pets, many parents can't wait. According to a 2006 study, the age of the oldest or only child when a pet was brought into the home:

Dog Cat

Child under 5 61% 57%

Child 6-9 18% 18%

10 and older 21% 25%

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Cats aren't good at sharing

Cats are territorial, which means they are not crazy about sharing.

They don't like sharing anything a cat uses or enjoys, including food and water bowls, litter boxes, scratching posts, resting and climbing areas, toys, and the attention of the people in the home.

To prevent problems, go overboard in adding feline favorites when you add a new cat to your family.

Don't put everything in one location. Instead, spread resources throughout the house. If needed, give one cat a "sacred" room that is off-limits to the others.

Cats are individuals. The more you can pay attention to body language and daily behaviors, the better you will be at making any helpful adjustments. Ears back, tails tucked or tense muscles mean a cat who's not happy sharing.

(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.)

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