Universal Press Syndicate

When the weather turns colder and houses close up for warmth, every little thing starts to annoy us. Like the smell of the litter box, or (worse) the smell of a cat who's not using the litter box at all.

But don't blame the cat.

If your cat is hit or miss where the litter box is concerned, chances are the choices you've made factor into the problem. After all, your cat really isn't asking for anything more than you would when it comes to a bathroom. All that's required for most cats is that the bathroom be clean, quiet and offer no surprises.

That sounds simple, but the failure to use a litter box is the top behavior complaint of cat lovers, sending countless cats to shelters every year. Before you even consider such a drastic step, you need to try to work things out with your cat if you have a litter box problem.

The first step in solving such a problem is to make sure it's not a medical condition -- and that means a trip to your veterinarian for a complete workup. Urinary tract infections and diseases such as diabetes make consistent litter box use impossible for even the most well-intentioned cat. You cannot hope to get your cat using the box again until any health issues have been resolved.

If your cat checks out fine, you need to start working to make sure that everything about the box is to your cat's liking. The second rule of solving a litter box problem: If the cat isn't happy, no one will be happy. Here's what to look for.

-- Cleanliness. Cats are fastidious animals, and if the litter box is dirty, they look elsewhere for a place to go. Clean the box frequently -- twice a day at least -- and make sure it's completely scrubbed clean and aired out on a weekly basis. Having an additional litter box may help, too. (Multiple litter boxes are recommended for multicat households, since many cats simply will not share.)

-- Box type and filler. Many choices people make to suit their own tastes conflict with the cat's sense of what's agreeable. A covered box may seem more pleasing to you, but your cat may think it's pretty rank inside or scary. Likewise, scented litters may make you think the box smells fine, but your cat may disagree -- not only is the box dirty, he reasons, but it also has this extra "clean" odor he can't abide. Start with the basics: a large box with unscented clumping-style litter.

-- Location. Your cat's box should be away from his food and water, in a place he can get to easily and feel safe in. Consider a location from a cat's point of view: Choose a quiet spot where he can see what's coming at him. A cat doesn't want any surprises while he's in the box.

Make the area where your cat has had mistakes less attractive by cleaning it thoroughly with a pet-odor neutralizer (available from pet-supply retailers). Discourage reuse by covering the area with foil, plastic sheeting or plastic carpet runners with the points up.

If changing things around doesn't clear up the problem in a healthy cat, you may need to retrain him by keeping your pet in a small area such as a guest bathroom for a couple of weeks.

Make sure the area you choose has no good options besides the litter box -- no carpet, no pile of dirty laundry. Block off the bathtub or keep an inch of water in it to discourage its use as a place to go. After your cat is reliably using the litter box, let him slowly expand his territory again. As long as you keep up your end of the bargain and keep the litter box clean and safe, you have a good chance the good behavior will become permanent.

If you just can't seem to get the problem resolved, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. These veterinarians are skilled in behavioral problem-solving and are able to prescribe medications that may make the difference during the retraining period.

SIDEBAR

New from the Pet Connection team

As with the two previous titles, "Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?" takes on 101 of the best questions ever asked about the subject animal, offering something for people who live to ride, love to pet or even place a bet at the racetrack now and then. Joining the pair to help write the newest book are Teresa Becker, Dr. Becker's wife, who's also an author and award-winning equestrian, and Audrey Pavia, previous editor of Horse Illustrated magazine and the author of several top-selling horse books, including "Horses for Dummies."

Q&A

Flight no favor to pet parrots

Q: I have a cockatiel, two cats and a miniature poodle. I don't want Spikey to spend his entire life in his cage, so I have given him protection from the other pets by letting him fly free in the house. I don't know why there's all this pressure to keep his wings clipped. I think it's a much better idea that birds be allowed to fly free as nature intended and get away from danger, if needed. Will you please comment on this? -- E.R., via e-mail

A: I face the same challenges you do, with a parrot who loves to wander, a curious cat and four dogs who mostly ignore both the parrot and the cat (as well as the rabbit, Velocity). But interactions between prey and predator species are always tricky, and I'm well aware of the risks and the need for supervision.

That said, I keep Eddie's wings clipped. I give him his "freedom time" on a play stand suspended from the ceiling, or with just the two of us in my home office while I work, with the other pets on the far side of the louvered doors.

Why not leave him flighted? It's a matter of balancing risks and working toward good behavior.

Avian veterinarians see the result of letting pet birds fly free every day: birds who have slammed into windows, landed in sizzling frying pans and touched down in boiling pots of water. Some birds have even flown into open toilets and drowned.

My "Birds for Dummies" co-author, avian specialist Dr. Brian L. Speer, has seen all these kinds of tragedies, along with birds who've landed in ovens, in fireplaces and into the open drooling mouths of dogs and cats. Birds don't always have the presence of mind to fly away from danger, after all.

With wings clipped, Eddie stays pretty much where I put him for his recreation, on a safe play stand with plenty of toys. And if a door or window is open for too long, I don't have to worry about him flying through it, to be gone forever.

These risks are why pet parrots need to have their wings kept trimmed and be trained to stay safely in and on top of cages and play stands. An avian veterinarian or reputable bird shop will be happy to keep your bird's wings properly trimmed so your pet can manage a soft landing in a pinch, but no lift-off.

The benefits besides safety: Birds whose wings are kept in good trim may be less likely to engage in dominant behavior. And a well-socialized bird with wings safely trimmed may enjoy accompanying you on trips outside the home. -- 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

Words for those who love, hate cats

-- An ailurophile is a cat fancier, a lover of cats. Don't like cats? Then you're an ailurophobe, defined as someone who hates or fears cats.

-- Researchers recently sampled shelter dogs to look at the prevalence of canine intestinal parasites in four different regions in the United States. Looking at the data from 6,458 samples, hookworms were found in 19.2 percent of the dogs, roundworms in 14.5 percent and whipworms in 14.3 percent. Some 36 percent of all dogs, and 52 percent of dogs sampled from southeastern states, harbored at least one major intestinal parasite. The research strongly suggests that all pets should be on a parasite control program year-round for their entire lifetime. This not only protects pets, but also the human family.

-- Like people, animals have different blood types. There are more than a dozen known types for dogs, while cats have three types: A, B or AB.

-- The only species that can hold its tail vertically while walking is the domestic cat.

-- A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that lost dogs are found more often than cats. Overall, 71 percent of lost dogs were recovered, compared to only 53 percent of lost cats. The primary reasons given for the difference: About 47 percent of dogs had identification on them, but only 14 percent of missing cats had any ID. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET BUY

Turn great shots into gorgeous art

The digital age continues to astound me. Laser Pals will take your favorite digital image of your pet (or your house, boat, car, what-have-you) and etch it in fine detail onto a piece of black granite. The results are eye-popping, with every hair or detail turned into permanent art by the process.

I found the best picture of my three retrievers that I've ever taken (Woody, McKenzie and Heather) and uploaded it to the Laser Pals Web site (www.laserpals.com) in just a few minutes -- the instructions are easy to follow. Within a few days I held in my hands a lovely laser-etched version of the image. It now sits on top of my desk, and it's truly gorgeous.

Laser Pals will turn your image into a framed etching on stone starting at $70 for the small size (8 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches, including frame). Memorial products are also available, including plaques with the pet's name and other information as well as urns with the plaques on front. -- Gina Spadafori

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Give freedom as reward for your dog's obedience

If the only time you call your off-leash dog is to go home, the "come" command is quickly associated with ending fun, and it may result in your dog deciding there's nothing in it for him to mind you. You need to train your dog to understand that if he comes, it doesn't mean an end to the fun. But if he doesn't, then there is work to do. Here's how to do it:

When out on a walk, begin calling your dog to you when he is not focused on anything else (such as a squirrel). This way, you set a pattern of giving him praise when he comes and sits for you. Provide a treat and lots of praise (or just praise if you haven't any treats) if he sits close enough that you can also touch his collar. Otherwise, he might learn to run off when you reach for him. Try for at least 10 recalls on each off-leash walk.

For the next step, have your dog drag a 20-foot leash that you can step on if he ignores your recall request. This makes it easier to insist that he come and sit. Praise lavishly when he comes to you, and be sure to release him for more freedom after his best recall and sit. Your dog's worst performance is reason to attach the leash and go home.

He should eventually realize that if he comes to you, more freedom is always an option. But if he doesn't come when called, it means several minutes of intensive work, or an end to freedom. A favored food or toy reward is always good. But in the context of teaching your dog that coming when called is never a bad thing, freedom is the biggest payment of all.

(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.)

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

As seen on TV

How do you find out about what's new in pet-care products? If you're like most pet lovers, you see information about new products on TV. What gets the news out, according to a 2006 poll (more than one answer allowed):

TV ad 59 percent

Browse in store 58 percent

Print ad 43 percent

Veterinarian 29 percent

Friend/relative 26 percent

Pet store staff 16 percent

Internet 11 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PETS ON THE WEB

The real story on pit bulls

Throughout the Michael Vick dog-fighting scandal, one group served as a strong and sensible advocate for the dogs that the former NFL quarterback was alleged to have mistreated. Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls -- BADRAP, for short -- also worked to make the most of a prime opportunity to educate people about this much-maligned collection of related breeds.

BADRAP continues to argue against breed bans and in favor of each pit bull being evaluated as an individual when being considered as a pet. The group's new blog added an element of timeliness to a Web site (www.badrap.org) that can't be topped when it comes to pit bull advocacy and education. The site offers information about these dogs in a way that's both sensible and cautionary.

As the pit bull debate continues, it's important to understand as much as possible about what's behind the problems with pit bulls -- and to explore all possible solutions. BADRAP can help. -- 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

When I see a news story about a dog attacking a child, I quickly look for the reason behind the tragedy. It's usually there, if you know what you're looking for -- and no, what I'm looking for isn't a reference to the dog's being one of a current handful of demonized breeds.

What I'm looking for -- and usually find -- are the indicators that the situation was already well on the way to being dangerous when the attack happened. The dog, typically, was young, male and unneutered. He was also unsocialized, usually a backyard dog with little to no interaction with the family. Even more likely, the dog was in effect trained to defend his turf by being kept full-time on a chain or in a small kennel run.

"He never gave us any problem before!" always says the owner of the dog, who really didn't know the animal because he was little more than a lawn ornament or the living equivalent of a burglar alarm sign. Or maybe the owners will grudgingly admit to a bite now and then -- but "nothing serious." Again, more warning signs ignored.

Is there a dog like this in your neighborhood -- or in your own yard? If it's the latter, call your veterinarian and arrange for your pet to be neutered, and then ask for a referral to a behaviorist who can help you with any problems that have driven you to ban your pet from your family (like house-training issues). You can then work on manners and socialization that will turn your pet into a true member of the family -- safe around both family members and visitors alike.

Of course, you can't control what other people do with their animals. That's why you have to make sure your children know how to behave around dogs to protect them from attack.

Here's what every child should know:

-- Never approach a loose dog, even if he seems friendly. Dogs who are confined in yards, and especially those dogs on chains, should also be avoided. Many are very serious about protecting their turf. If the dog is with his owner, children should always ask permission before petting and then begin by offering the back of the hand for a sniff. Further, they should pat the dog on the neck or chest. The dog may interpret a pat from above as a gesture of dominance. Teach your children to avoid fast or jerky movements around dogs, since these may trigger predatory behavior.

-- 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, since some dogs view eye contact as a challenge. Running is a normal response to danger, but it's the worst possible thing to do around a dog, because it triggers the animal's instinct to chase and bite. Many dogs will 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. They may save your child's life.

Discuss safe behavior with your children and role-play how to approach dogs, when not to approach, and what to do if confronted or attacked.

To be fair, dogs aren't the biggest risk that children face growing up. Organized sports, for example, are 10 times more likely to result in a child's trip to the emergency room than are dogs.

But why take a chance? You can help protect your child from a dog bite, and it's always worth the time to do so. And sometimes the place to start is in your own family, with a dog who needs your attention now.

Q&A

Cat's not the son of a rabbit

Q: We were told that our cat was one of five kittens born on a farm near Grand Junction, Colo. Our cat's white fur, with soft tan areas on his body, is beautifully soft, rather short, and his feet remind me of a rabbit's legs and feet. Could our cat be part rabbit?

We don't know whether the farmer had rabbits, but how would we ever be certain that our cat is not part rabbit if he did have rabbits around on his farm? -- H.S., via e-mail

A: What a beautiful pet you've adopted! Your idea that these kittens were somehow the result of a mating with rabbits along the line just isn't possible, however.

While some marking patterns seem to transcend the boundaries of species -- think of the black-and-white markings of border collies, Dutch rabbits and "tuxedo" cats -- it's not because of any breeding between any of these animals. So even if your cat's mom was raised in extremely close proximity to rabbits, I'll guarantee you your cat's dad was no carrot-chomper (absent some top-secret gene-splicing experiments we don't know about!).

You're not the first person to look at a cat's markings and wonder if a little trans-species hanky-panky was involved. The primary example is the Maine coon cat, a native American breed long rumored to have picked up distinctive markings from matings with raccoons.

It's not true, of course, but the markings for which the breed is best known -- a distinctively marked tabby --leaves the cat with a fluffy tail that somewhat resembles the tail of a raccoon. And so the myth continues, along with a companion idea (also incorrect) that the large size of the cat comes from matings with North American bobcats.

Maybe people wouldn't be so quick to believe these myths if they realized that the Maine coon comes in many more colors and patterns than just dark tabby. Markings don't make the cat, and you can find Maine coons in just about every color combination possible in a cat, including calicoes and orange tabbies.

What you won't find, though, is a petite Maine coon -- they're one of the largest breeds of domestic cat (so maybe that bobcat-breeding idea has nine lives). -- Gina Spadafori

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

PET BUZZ

Cats know to stretch well

-- When it comes to stretching before any activity, no personal trainer or coach will ever be as committed to the idea as the average cat. When a cat wakes up, she carefully stretches every muscle to make sure her strong, supple body is ready for action. Typically, the stretching routine starts with a good arching of the back and a very, very big yawn. Next is a full-body stretch, right down to the tip of the tail.

-- If you love your pet, you're in good company. Some 41 percent of pet owners consider their pets family members, 36 percent call them children, 19 percent think of them as friends, and only 2 percent think of them as an acquaintance or property, according to consumer research from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

-- Canine flu has now been confirmed in 22 states. Called "the new Parvo," this airborne virus is much more prevalent than once thought and is extremely contagious. Not just a "dirty shelter disease," canine influenza can be found in veterinary clinics, boarding and grooming facilities, dog parks, dog shows -- anywhere dogs frequent.

-- According to a British study, feline obesity is causing skyrocketing rates of diabetes. Before the explosion of fat cats, hyperthyroidism was the most common hormonal disorder affecting cats.

-- The Animal Radio Network reports that Bob and Betty Matas of New York didn't want to put their pets on an airplane when they moved to Phoenix, so they found a cab driver who agreed to drive with them and their two cats, Cleopatra and Pretty Face. The 2,500-mile drive from New York to Arizona cost $3,000 -- plus gas, meals and lodging.

-- Thirty years ago there were 300,000 white-tail deer in the United States. Today with more forested land and hunting restrictions, there are 30 million, a 100-fold increase according to DVM Newsmagazine. As reproductive hosts for ticks, deer are closing in on the suburbs, putting both pets and people at increased risk for disease.

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 Rx

Prevention best when it comes to feline bite wounds

Nearly every free-roaming cat will one day need to see a veterinarian to have an abscess treated -- surgically opened, flushed clean of debris, and sometimes temporarily held open by drains to let the wound heal with the help of time and some strong antibiotics.

Sound awful? It is. And the cost of treating these injuries can really add up.

The good news is that an abscess is one of those health problems that can usually be prevented by keeping a cat indoors. That's because this common feline health problem is often the result of a puncture wound, specifically a bite from another cat during a fight over territory or mates.

A cat's mouth is a nasty mix of bacteria, and once that bacteria gets punched into another cat's body, the result will probably be an abscess. Think about it -- bacteria being injected with two bacteria-laden hypodermic needles (the cat's fang teeth) into a perfect incubator (another cat's 101 degree-plus body). The only possible outcome is infection.

The best way to prevent your cat from getting a bite-wound abscess is to neuter him to reduce his desire to fight over females. And, again, it would be even better to keep him indoors.

The bacteria in a cat's mouth is also why even relatively minor cat bites can become serious medical issues for humans, leading to hospitalization in some cases. Any time you're bitten or scratched by an animal, you should wash the area immediately with soap and water and have the wound checked out by your doctor. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Pet popularity keeps growing

Pity the pet haters, holdouts in a country gone absolutely pet-crazy. From dogs and cats to guinea pigs, hamsters and snakes, the number of households with pets just keeps growing. The percentage of U.S. households with a pet, by year:

1990 52.6 percent

1994 52.8 percent

1998 61.2 percent

2002 64.2 percent

2006 71.1 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Get kitten used to collar, tags

Don't risk having your kitten get out of the house and wandering away without proper identification on him. Introduce a breakaway collar with an ID tag from the first day he's home, and your kitten will grow up thinking a collar is perfectly comfortable and normal.

Start when your kitten is already relaxed. Put the collar on, giving praise, treats and physical affection for a minute or so. Then take off the collar and walk away so there is a dramatic drop in attention. Do this a couple times a day for a week, and then in the second week, add the collar when your kitten is being fed. When he wears the collar without issue during meals, start leaving it on for longer periods until your kitten is permanently collared.

(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

Little attention used to be paid to animals after back and joint surgery. When the stitches were taken out, we veterinarians figured our job was done.

Looking back, I shudder to think of the withered limbs and stiff joints, and the weakened bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons that resulted. With 20/20 hindsight, veterinarians now know we broke the most basic medical mantra, which is to first, "Do no harm."

But we're making up for lost time with our post-operative care of today's pets, with treatments that include physical rehabilitation.

Dr. Darryl Millis is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, and an author and an expert on veterinary physiotherapy.

Millis remembers witnessing the shift in human health care, where patients with back injuries were being encouraged to get out of bed and on their feet. He noted that at one time if an athlete blew out a knee, it was career-ending. But now with physical therapy, if the patient weren't back to near full function within a year, the treatment is almost considered a failure.

But it was a tank with swimming dogs at the Mississippi State veterinary school that turned physical rehabilitation for animals into the surgeon's life's work.

He watched dachshunds after back surgery be put into a whirlpool to swim. He noticed that these dogs seemed to recover quicker and regain motor function earlier than similar patients who were confined to their cages for rest -- an observation later confirmed by studies.

Millis said today's physical rehabilitation menu includes massage, stretching and therapeutic exercises ranging from leash walks to time spent in a water tank. Rather than just guessing what works, motion analysis and force-plate analysis have shown the true benefit from specific exercises. In veterinary settings where rehab is practiced, there are protocols to follow for a specific pet with a specific mobility problem.

Some rehabilitation can be simple and low-tech. For example, a veterinary technician will not just walk a dog after surgery, but will also get the animal to put weight on the affected leg with each step.

In more high-tech applications, rehab specialists can use an underwater treadmill filled with a certain temperature and depth of water specific to a dog's joint problem, with the platform at a certain incline, moving at a precise pace. Going a step further, the targeted joint is put at the level of the water so it has to break the surface tension, thus ramping up the degree of difficulty.

Specialists can also affect motion underwater by putting water wings on the animal's opposing good limb, forcing tremendous hip and knee flexion so that the stance time on the operated leg is about the same as the good one.

While rehabilitation is typically used as a powerful adjunct therapy with surgery, anti-inflammatory drugs and special diets, sometimes rehab is the primary treatment.

Millis vividly remembers an 8-year-old golden retriever, Maggie, who'd had two knee surgeries on both legs. When Millis looked at the post-operative radiographs, he noted that they were the most arthritic joints he'd ever seen; the surgeries had been failures. Maggie could barely get up and walk 15 feet and couldn't jog at all. Drugs didn't agree with her gastrointestinal tract, and the owner wouldn't authorize any more surgery.

Millis didn't think the underwater jogging treatment plan had a chance, not with knee joints that looked like cobblestone grinding against cobblestone.

But Maggie ended up walking. With about six weeks of therapy (five days per week), the dog was walking normally. By five months, Maggie was jogging, and force-plate analysis showed normal weight being carried on both rear limbs. With therapy, Maggie returned to near normal activity.

As more pet lovers are finding out, rehab is just as important for the full recovery of tiny Chihuahuas as it is for NFL linemen.

(Dr. Marty Becker will be on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, Sept. 19, to discuss the latest and greatest in collars, harnesses and leashes.)

Q&A

Tennis balls without the worry

Q: I have two dogs, an Australian cattle dog and a terrier mix, that came from the local pound and the SPCA. I read recently about the tragic death of one of Oprah Winfrey's dogs, and the article said you should never give dogs anything to play with "that will fit entirely into their mouth."

Well, I toss a tennis ball for my dogs' exercise, and they can both get the ball into their mouths. Was that advice unclear, or could my girls actually choke on the tennis ball? I would be as devastated as Oprah if one of them should die. -- F.E., via e-mail

A: A world without tennis balls? Perish the thought! It's a good possibility that more tennis balls are used to exercise dogs than to play tennis. While most dogs "make do" with used balls that have lost their ideal tennis court bounce, other pets enjoy any number of tennis balls made especially for dogs, including balls of different sizes and colors, and even some with flavorings (mint seems to be a favorite, with people if not with dogs).

But yes, tennis balls do present a hazard that requires they be used only in supervised conditions. The problem is that dogs have strong jaws capable of compressing a tennis ball. If that compressed ball pops open in the back of the throat, it can cut off a dog's air supply. Over the years, I've gotten letters from countless readers who've lost dogs this way.

You don't have to throw away all your tennis balls, but you do need to use them in a way that reduces the risk of choking. Tennis balls should always be put out of reach after a game of fetch, and no dog should ever be allowed to use them as chew toys.

In supervised play, insist that dogs fetch, return and immediately release the ball -- no games of keep-away while the dog works the ball in her mouth. And keep only one ball in play at a time, to minimize the risk of having your dog pick up more than one and getting the furthermost ball lodged back in the throat.

Keep the game of fetch fast and lively to keep the focus on the chase and the next throw. A product I couldn't live without (with my weak throwing arm and strong retrievers) is the Chuck-It, a tool that flings the ball much farther than most of us can throw. (Added bonus: The Chuck-It also keeps dog slobber off your hands!)

Nothing in life is without risk, sadly, but there's no need to deny your dogs the joy and needed exercise that a tennis ball can provide. Just be sure to follow a few simple guidelines to keep playing safely. -- Gina Spadafori

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

PET BUZZ

Quitting for a pet's health

-- A study at the Henry Ford Health System's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention found that if told that secondhand smoke harmed their pets, 22.3 percent of pet owners would think about quitting, and 32.2 percent would try to quit. Even more: 42.5 percent would ask others not to smoke, and 33.1 percent would ban smoking indoors.

-- Virginia became the first state to post a Dangerous Dog Registry. With mug shots, misdeeds and home addresses, the Web site was modeled after the state's sex-offender registry. Texas has enacted some of the harshest criminal penalties for the owners of dogs deemed to be dangerous, making it a felony and possible 10-year sentence for anyone whose dog seriously injures someone while off the leash.

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

-- Toxic tall tales. Myth: Giving your dog beer is no big deal. Truth: Even a small amount of alcohol can disorient an animal and lead to injury. Myth: Cats love milk. Truth: Some cats are sensitive to milk, which can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. Myth: Mushrooms are poisonous for pets. Truth: Grocery store mushrooms are safe for pets and people. But watch out for the ones that grow in your yard, as some of those are dangerous.

-- The Great Dane was the No. 1 breed at risk for a sudden and potentially deadly health problem known as bloat (gastric torsion), according to a Purdue University study. When a dog bloats, his stomach expands and eventually twists, requiring surgical intervention. Male dogs are also twice as likely to bloat, and most dogs who bloat are between 7 and 12 years of age. When combined with other complications of bloat, it is the second leading cause of death of dogs, second only to cancer.

-- At the University of Florida, researchers put tarantulas on a treadmill, measured oxygen intake and energy output, and found out that spiders need 70 to 100 times less food proportionately than humans do, requiring very little energy to stay alive. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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.

DOGCARS.COM

A family car with room for the dog

At the corner diner where I often eat breakfast, the regulars and staff have a keen interest in the test vehicles I drive every week. (Part of this is shop talk, since the diner's on the edge of one of my city's top car-dealer boulevards.)

When I parked the Enclave, Buick's all-new 2008 crossover, in front of the diner, two of the waitresses hustled out to take a closer look. They loved what they saw, but then one of them shook her head in surprise.

"Are you sure this is a Buick?" she asked.

Yes, welcome to GM's latest comeback attempt. The week after I'd driven what has to be the most pointless of GM products ever -- the Hummer H3, all attitude and no space -- I had the Enclave, a sleek and stylish newbie with all the versatility one could ask for. Welcome back, GM.

While it won't ever be a serious dog-hauler -- it's just too nice for muddy paws -- the Enclave's fold-flat third-row seating makes it the roomy update of the classic American family station wagons that helped to raise a generation of baby boomers. Except that this update of the suburban workhorse is more comfortable and versatile than those wagons ever were, with oodles of add-ons and safety features.

You can pack it all in, in comfort: the kids, the gear and the golden retriever. There's room for everyone, at a price that's well in line with comparable offerings (starting at $33,000, although the well-equipped one I tested was a good $10,000 more). Fuel economy is 16/24 mpg for the front-wheel drive Enclave -- again, not great, but in line with others in the class.

The perfect dog car? Not hardly. But there's so much to like about the new Enclave that if your dog is part of your family's life -- as opposed to the center of your universe -- you need to check out this versatile winner. -- Gina Spadafori

(Gina Spadafori reviews new vehicles and pet travel products for the Pet Connection's DogCars.com.)

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

More keeping cats in

Years of trying to convince people to keep their cats contained seem to be finally paying off. A little more than half of cat lovers kept their pets indoors from 1998 until 2004. But in the most recent survey, for 2006, that number jumped to more than six out of 10.

Cats who are strictly outdoors, meanwhile, fell to below 10 percent, from a high of 18 percent in 1998. The breakdown for 2006, where cats stay:

Indoors 63 percent

Outdoors 9 percent

Both 28 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

New pet? Take some 'peturnity leave'

Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, be sure to take some time to settle in with a new pet. Add a new pet when you can be home day and night for at least one week, preferably two.

You want your new pet to learn that life in your household is all about gentle handling, contented confinement, interactive play, learning a new vocabulary and understanding the house rules. By providing 100 percent supervision, a structure and a schedule, you can meet your new pet's needs in ways that shape good behavior for life.

In the first two weeks, even young pets can learn to come and sit for everything they want, to play with appropriate toys and to be relaxed in a kennel.

(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.

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