By Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp

Universal Press Syndicate

When the weather warms up, so does feline romance. That soon means kittens who need new homes are suddenly everywhere. But with so many to choose from, how can you decide which one fits with your personality and lifestyle?

Work with a reputable shelter or rescue group to make sure the kittens you're considering are in good health and have had the benefits of gentle handling by staff and volunteers. Even kittens born wild can usually be tamed, but they need to be exposed to people early to grasp the advantages of being a member of a human family.

Faced with so many kittens, many prospective adopters choose based on looks alone. Some favor tuxedo cats, others red tabbies. Unusual markings can get other kittens adopted, such as "mustaches" or mittens, perfect symmetrical markings or pretty patches of rich, contrasting colors.

But personality counts, too, which is why when you're looking at choosing from a shelter full of healthy kittens, it's a good idea to look beyond the markings to consider the cat within.

The feline personality ranges from the love-everyone attention-seekers to cautious cold-shoulder types. Remember that what you see in a kitten is a window into the personality of the cat that baby will become. Kittens are creatures of their genetics and of what they experience in the first 10 weeks of life. Sadly, a terrified or unfriendly kitten does not offer the best possibility of becoming a loving family pet. So for most people, it's better to choose from among the more promising contenders.

Based on years of experience, we've "cat"-egorized kittens into five personality types, along with the kind of home each is best suited for.

-- The activity junkie: Look at that kitten go! These crazy kittens are in constant motion and will likely become cats who are also busy-busy. Choose one of these kittens and expect an explorer who's always on the go. If you like an entertaining companion, this is the kitten for you.

-- The me-now meower: Look at me! Pay attention to me! As cute as these kittens can be, remember that if you like a quiet house, you might consider another baby. Cats are nocturnal, and the noisy, demanding kitten can become a middle-of-the-night alarm-clock cat. Still, many people love a cat who communicates.

-- The big-league batter: Your finger? It's a kitten toy! These kittens will reach between the gaps in their shelter enclosures to grab your fingers. These lively youngsters will crave play time with you and will use all the kitten toys you can offer. If you can't provide daily, regular play sessions with these tiny tigers, you may find these felines ambushing your feet.

-- The purr machine: Love and lap time are what these babies crave. Touch them or even look at them and their motors start instantly. As adults, they will be happiest when near you and not happy when left alone. This type is an excellent choice for the person who's home a lot and wants an easygoing lap cat.

-- The socialite: These friendly, take-it-all-in-stride youngsters are a good match for homes with children and other pets. The socialite eagerly approaches the front of the kennel to meet and greet you -- tail is up, ears forward, looking for a finger to sniff. These kittens should mature into cats who aren't easily flustered by a busy household.

Of course, adopting is only the beginning. When you adopt a healthy, friendly kitten, you'll need to build on the good start, by teaching your kitten the house rules and how to play and scratch appropriately. Fortunately, this learning is fun for you both.

SIDEBAR

Win $1,000 in pet supplies

Every month the Pet Connection draws from the subscribers of its free e-mail newsletter for prizes with a total retail value of $1,000. Past winners have received $500 worth of training equipment from Premier Pet (with a $500 matching gift to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue) and $500 in grooming supplies from the Oster Company, along with a $500 PetSmart gift certificate.

Signing up for the monthly e-mail newsletter is fast, free and easy: Just visit PetConnection.com to sign up and find out what company is giving away a grand in goodies this month.

Q&A

Bird body language can warn of a bite

Q: I bought an adult yellow-naped Amazon through an ad, cage and all. She has been settling in well and seems to like me most of the time. She'll get on my hand, take treats and play on the gym on top of her cage. Usually, she's funny and good-natured.

Some of the time, though, she seems to be a bit bipolar, desperate to bite me. I know that parrots bite, but there doesn't seem to be any warning that she's in the mood to attack. I've read that I shouldn't hit my bird for biting me, but what else can I do? She has drawn blood. -- P.F., via e-mail

A: As I wrote with avian veterinarian Dr. Brian Speer in our book "Birds for Dummies," parrots can be loving, cuddly, playful or contemplative one minute, and demanding, aloof, manic or peevish the next. Sharing space with a parrot is like living with another human: Sometimes you just have to pick your moments and know when to back off.

Some of these moods are pretty obvious -- an Amazon in a rowdy state or a cockatoo who wants to be cuddled isn't hard to figure out. Other times, though, behavior signs may be more subtle, and the failure to heed these clues may earn you a nasty bite.

Parrots have keen eyesight and often stare at something that fascinates or frightens them, using one eye and tipping the head, or using both eyes for a head-on look.

When you see that your bird is fixated on something, follow that line of vision. A relaxed body posture accompanies a calm, curious bird's staring, and a more defensive or aggressive body language demonstrates fright. Most often, a locked-on look is a sign of fascination: Like the youngest children, birds can become attracted to something colorful in their environments.

Birds are able to control their irises, shrinking and enlarging their pupils rapidly in a display that's called "flashing" or "pinning."

You have to read the whole bird to put the message in its proper context. Birds may flash their eyes when they're excited or when they're angry. Flashing accompanied by aggressive posturing, such as tail-fanning, signifies a bird who's bound to escalate his warnings -- and maybe even bite -- if not left alone.

Consider flashing to be the physical display of strong emotion -- anything from the "I want to kill you" vibes of an angry or aggressive bird to the "Hey there, cutie" of an infatuated bird.

You might consider getting a copy of Sally Blanchard's "The Beak Book" (CompanionParrot.com, $20) to learn about how to read your pet better as well as how to work with her to modify her biting behavior. -- 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

Birds seeing vets a lot more often

-- Among bird-owning households, 13.9 percent had at least one visit to the veterinarian in 2006, an increase of 18.8 percent since 2001, reports Veterinary Forum.

-- What makes for effective political slang? Legendary language guru William Safire has written "Safire's Political Dictionary" (Oxford University Press, $23). Safire told Newsweek that memorable phrases are often borrowed from zoology ("doves and hawks," "lame duck") and horse racing ("running mate," "shoo-in").

-- Although cats in Los Angeles police stations don't wear badges, they're on patrol against rodents. According to the Los Angeles Times, these furry exterminators are too wild to be house pets, and they don't generally kill the rodents. Seems just leaving their scent while on patrol is enough to make the bad guys go away. If only police work could be that easy!

-- The American Kennel Club's Canine Health Foundation has been working with scientists at the University of Pennsylvania to determine the long-term health impact of search-and-rescue dogs following terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Led by Dr. Cynthia Otto, the scientists have been monitoring the health and behavior of 97 search-and-rescue dogs. As reported in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, no clinically obvious differences have been observed between the dogs and a control group of 44 non-deployed dogs. The proportion of deceased deployed dogs to deceased control dogs is not significantly different, nor is the rate of cancer. More information is available on the foundation's Web site (www.akcchf.org). -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET TIP

Brushing can help tame the spring shed

Dogs typically lose their winter coats in the spring, and that means hair everywhere.

The change is most obvious in "double-coated" breeds, such as collies, Samoyeds and malamutes. These breeds carry a protective overcoat of long hair as well as an insulating undercoat that's soft and fuzzy. These breeds lose masses of fur from both of these coats in spring and fall, but the clumps that come out of the undercoat are especially noticeable.

The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed. German shepherds, for example, are prolific year-round shedders, while poodles seem to lose very little fur at all. Shorthaired breeds may shed as much as longhairs, but since the hair these dogs drop is easily overlooked, it may seem as if they are shedding less.

All shedders -- even the heaviest -- can be tamed by a regular and frequent schedule of combing and brushing. After all, the fur you catch on a brush won't end up on your furniture.

If you have a purebred or a dog that has the characteristics of a purebred, seek out breed-specific advice in regard to the proper kind of grooming equipment. The brush that works fine on a close-cropped poodle may not make much headway in the thick mane of a full-coated Alaskan malamute at the height of a seasonal shed.

Shedding is normal, but some heavy shedding can be a sign of health problems. Skin allergies and skin parasites may trigger shedding, and poor nutrition or other health problems can also be a cause of coat problems.

Become familiar with your pet's normal pattern of shedding. Ask your veterinarian for advice if your pet's coat condition seems too dull, or if you notice excessive hair loss or bare patches. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Cat allergy attacks

Dogs seem to suffer more from allergies than cats do. That doesn't mean things don't get under the feline skin, though. According to claims made to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. in 2007, the top allergy-related problems for cats were:

1. Skin allergies, generalized

2. Ear infections

3. Eye allergies/conjunctivitis

4. Bronchitis/asthma

5. Skin allergies, limited

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Calming cat can minimize marking

While nations use flags to claim their lands, cats unfortunately tend to spray urine or leave feces instead. Such actions can quickly leave them looking for new territory in the least-tolerant of pet-owning homes.

Cats also mark territory by scratching and rubbing their cheeks against objects. Deal with territory-crazy cats by minimizing the need to spray and by channeling their marking behavior toward more acceptable actions and targets.

Encourage acceptable marking by providing plenty of tall scratching posts and cat trees and by praising cheek rubbing. Feliway, a pheromone-based product, may help to calm the competitive stress that leads to marking. When the competition is the neighbor's cat outside, close the blinds or keep cats out of rooms that allow them to see their rivals.

(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Roland 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

Ilario -- aka Larry -- joined my family last month, the orange tabby fluff ball bringing the feline head count up to two. His arrival put older cat Clara's nose so out of joint that she darted out when I opened the back door for the dogs and took up residence on the neighbor's porch for the better part of a week.

She had slipped out a time or two before, but I have been trying to keep her contained to the house and a fresh-air enclosure off the kitchen.

She had accepted indoor life happily. But with an invader in her home, there was no bribing her back inside. She refused to come home until she finally decided the kitten wasn't leaving, so she might as well learn to get along. One night she slipped back in, warily, and hasn't left since.

They're getting along, mostly. But my working to keep Clara (and now Ilario) content and contained is no doubt part of the reason why she decided that rejoining the family inside wasn't such a bad idea after all. And her escape gave me reason to re-evaluate the life I was offering her inside.

Keeping a cat inside reduces the risk of an early death from accident or disease, and it's also more considerate of your neighbors. Indoor cats also can't prey on native birds and small animals.

But when we keep cats from roaming, we take away a large part of what makes them happy, which means we need to put in "environmental enrichments" to make up for the loss. And we need to spend time with our pets -- playing with them, petting them and even grooming them -- to strengthen the bond we have with them.

Giving an indoor cat safe access to the outdoors is always appreciated, such as with a cat door into a screened-in porch. You can also buy kits for portable outdoor pens, complete with tunnels to connect them to the house. I know of several people who have put together some grand outdoor spaces, including a two-story enclosure clinging to the side of the house with areas for climbing, sunbathing and hiding. These needn't be expensive, especially if you're a capable do-it-yourselfer.

Indoors, cats need places to perch and scratch (such as cat trees), greens to nibble on and toys to play with. Food can be made more of a challenge, too, by using toys that make a cat work out a puzzle to find and eat his daily rations.

After she came in from her snit-driven escapade, Clara fussed to go outside again for the better part of a week. But I was more stubborn than she was, and now she has settled back happily into her indoor routine (with visits to her outdoor enclosure).

Ilario hasn't figured out that he, too, can visit the outdoor enclosure, but in time he'll be big enough to enjoy it.

I'm counting on them both being content and contained for many years to come. But that will happen only if I keep the inside almost as interesting as the outside, and work to keep them engaged as part of my family.

For more information and ideas, visit the Indoor Cat Initiative Web site (http://vet.osu.edu/indoorcat.htm), created by the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University.

Q&A

A word to dog walkers

Q: Why are dog people still not getting the idea that you have to pick up after your pooch? My neighbor walks his dog every day, and I think it's so she won't go to the bathroom in his own yard. He lets her go in mine! I guess he figures since she's so small, it "doesn't count." Hey, it's still offensive, and it's still my yard! What can I do with this rude idiot? -- C.Z., via e-mail

A: Every time I write about this, I get hate mail. Why, I don't know, since I've agreed for years -- and so has Dr. Becker and everyone on the Pet Connection team -- that people who do not have pets should not be bothered by the socially annoying pets of others.

That certainly includes having pet waste to clean up on your property from someone else's pet. Not cool. Picking up after a dog is fast and easy. Dog lovers can recycle supermarket plastic bags for free or choose from dozens of bags, scoops and contraptions all designed to make cleanup neat and easy. A dog lover never, ever has to actually touch waste with a hand securely inside a plastic cleanup baggie.

Cleaning up after a pet should be done everywhere -- including areas where you know you won't get busted for not doing so. It's just the right thing to do.

My impression over 20-odd years of writing about pets is that more people than ever before do clean up after their dogs, but plenty still look the other way when a pet poops. Recently, I took my dogs on a trip some 1,300 miles long, and at one stop, I found a litter-strewn vacant lot for them to use. Despite the litter, I didn't add to the mess, and immediately thereafter I got a thumbs-up from a trucker at the adjacent truck stop. I didn't even know anyone was watching, and without even trying, I managed some good PR for pet lovers.

So why do I get hate mail when I address this subject? Because I also think that it's important to shrug off the occasional -- note, I do mean "occasional" -- annoyance so we can all get along, whether it's a barking dog, loud music from the next-door neighbor's stereo or the eager beaver who fires up the lawn mower just a tad too early on a Sunday morning.

Chronic abusers of good will should be talked to. I'd definitely recommend saying a word to your neighbor about the messes if you haven't already, and even offering him some cleanup bags. But the occasional transgression should not cause an end to neighborhood harmony. Just because he's a "rude idiot" doesn't mean you have to be, too. -- 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

Shelters for people and pets

-- Shelters for victims of domestic violence have long recognized that abused families, kept so isolated that pets are their only friends, often won't leave their abuser because they know the animals they leave behind may be harmed as a power play or retaliation. USA Today reports that domestic violence organizations are working with animal-welfare groups to provide temporary pet care, ensuring that everyone gets out of the situation safely. The American Humane Association has just compiled a 40-page guide to help, available online at www.americanhumane.org.

-- How long can your dog paddle? The longest doggy swim was 9.5 miles by two Labrador retrievers -- Kai and Gypsy -- with their owner in Hawaii. The waterlogged trio set the mark in 1995.

-- Disney's Animal Kingdom has turned 10. The 500-acre park (which is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums) has grown in the past decade to include 1,500 birds, 2,500 mammals, and about 600 reptiles and amphibians. It also houses 15,000 fish and 1,500 insects and other invertebrates.

-- Ever been to a busy veterinary hospital or shelter and heard the cacophony of barking? Music therapy is putting a damper on the racket. Veterinary Practice News reports that a recording called "Through a Dog's Ear" (www.throughadogsear.com) is based on psychoacoustic research through the combined efforts of a sound researcher, board-certified veterinary neurologist and a Juilliard-trained chamber ensemble. Hush, puppy! -- Dr. Marty Becker

DOG CARS

Pontiac's Vibe hits right note for dog lovers

Last month I bumped into a veterinarian who is also renowned for her show dogs. She is an enthusiastic champion for her new dog car, a vehicle economical to purchase and to drive, blessed with lots of usable cargo space and surefooted on the icy winter roadways of her home in the upper Midwest.

Her wonder car? The Pontiac Vibe.

Not two weeks later, I got to see it for myself, with a weeklong test drive of the small wagon recently named one of best in the under-$18,000 category by the industry watchers at Kelley Blue Book.

The veterinarian was right: The sharp-looking little Vibe wagon is a super dog car, with a thrifty starting price around $17,000. The Vibe is comfortable to drive and pleasant to handle, with seats that fold perfectly and easily flat, exposing a cargo bay of nearly 50 cubic feet, with hard plastic surfaces that are easy to keep clean.

If your dog car adventures lead you down some dicey roads, you can choose an all-wheel drive model and still stay a tick under $20,000 -- with a 100,000-mile warranty, to boot.

With gas prices likely to keep climbing and dogs who still want to go along for the ride, we're going to want great little cars like the Vibe -- even the all-wheel drive gets a decent 20 mpg city/26 highway, with the basic model in manual rated 32 mpg at best -- to get us there in style, comfort and savings.

(Gina Spadafori reviews dog-friendly vehicles for the Pet Connection's DogCars.com.)

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Dogs have allergies, too

Many people suffer from allergies -- including ones to dogs. But dogs, too, have health problems related to allergic reactions. According to claims made to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. in 2007, the top allergy-related problems for dogs were:

1. Ear infections

2. Skin allergies, general

3. Skin allergies, limited ("hot spots")

4. Eye allergies/conjunctivitis

5. Bronchitis/asthma

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Keep pets from attacking shoelaces

Puppies and kittens love shoelaces, especially when they're attached to moving shoes on human feet. These pets have chase instincts, although some have more than others, with variations due to breed types and genetics.

If you want to stop your puppy or kitten from ambushing your laces, here are a few tips:

-- Be prepared with a toy or ball that you can show, shake around and throw to distract your youngster from you and your shoelaces.

-- Set up your pet for shoelace surprises. Cover your laces with nontoxic Vicks or Listerine for a taste that's repellent for the pet who grabs hold.

-- Add more toy-related play to your pet's routine. Lots of play satisfies natural instincts and helps keep pets healthy, both mentally and physically.

(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Roland 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

Gina Spadafori

Universal Press Syndicate

The homeliness of a baby gate -- typically stark and functional in white plastic or metal -- was always something you could live with in the short term. And when used for its original purpose of keeping toddlers from getting into trouble, the short term was all you asked for, anyway.

But these days, with more pets in American homes than children, the baby gate is just as likely to be used to keep pets in one place or another. And since its use is no longer temporary, the utilitarian look can get old in a hurry.

Companies such as Orvis (Orvis.com, 888-235-9763) are now selling a selection of good-looking barriers to keep pets out of trouble. And at least one entrepreneur has taken the simple gate to an even higher level, by having it made over with the help of the Rhode Island Institute of Design, Babson College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to get an upscale, furniture-grade look with classy curves and ease of use.

"As a multipet-owning homeowner, I tripped over the $20 plastic pet gate too often and said, 'There ought to be a better way,'" said Brad White of Midnight Pass (MidnightPass.com, 877-844-4438) about the pet gate his company is bringing to market this summer, for a projected retail price of $150. "We wanted a product that would look good in a $20,000 or $30,000 kitchen. People will spend $1,500 on a refrigerator. Why wouldn't they spend $150 on a pet gate that looks good?"

Why not, indeed, if you're going to be looking at that gate for years? White says that the response to the prototype pet gate was so popular at a pet-industry trade show earlier this year that he could have sold thousands. And Orvis and other high-end retailers keep expanding their styles of pet barriers and gates, to offer even more choices that look great in any home.

While pet barriers do have short-term uses -- house-training puppies and introducing cats and dogs, most typically -- they're also perfect for long-term behavior management.

For example, it can be a challenge to keep many dogs out of the litter box. A pet barrier across the door of the room with the litter box will allow access for the cat but not the dog, solving this disgusting problem. But as soon as the gate's gone, the problem will return, making a barrier the long-term solution.

In my home, I keep the younger dogs out of the front of the house when I'm not around by putting them behind a barrier that keeps them in a back bedroom, with access through a dog-door to a small, secure outdoor area. Keeping them away from the front picture window reduces barking triggers, keeps the mail carrier happy -- no one likes to be barked at! -- and allows the two senior dogs and the cats to sleep on the living-room couch without the youngsters pestering them. It's a perfect solution, but again, it requires the long-term use of a pet gate.

Barriers can also keep dogs away from guests who aren't as thrilled by pets as you may be, so you can enjoy entertaining people without throwing your dog outside for the evening.

Having tried just about every imaginable kind of baby gate over decades of raising and caring for all kinds of pets, I have to say the "baby" gate is one of the best inventions for pet lovers, ever.

But with two pet barriers set up permanently in my home, I'm delighted to see more options that look as good as they function, and I will be upgrading soon.

Q&A

Lettuce not enough for pet box turtle

Q: My daughter gave me a box turtle. I feed it lettuce and any other fruits or vegetables that it will eat. Its primary source of food is lettuce, though. What else can I feed my turtle to make sure it's getting enough nutrition? I've gone to a pet superstore, but the people there weren't sure what to give it. I've tried dry pellets, but the turtle won't touch them. -- J.D., via e-mail

A: The good news is that your box turtle is eating. Box turtles will often stop eating if they're stressed, cold, weak or sick.

The bad news is that the diet your turtle is eating is very far from nutritionally adequate. Box turtles are not herbivores, so a diet of vegetables and fruit alone is extremely deficient.

Box turtles require around 50 percent animal protein in their diets. In the wild, that comes from worms, grubs, snails, different kinds of insects and even the carcasses of dead animals. Your turtle should eat cooked meat (avoid fat), live earthworms and slugs (make sure they're pesticide-free; you should be able to buy these at pet-supply stores that specialize in reptiles), and feeder fish (available at aquarium stores).

While a little bit of romaine lettuce is fine from time to time, your turtle needs around 10 percent of his diet to be dark, leafy greens such as mustard, turnip, collard and dandelion greens. These are an essential source of calcium and other minerals, and are necessary to keep the turtle's digestion functioning properly.

The protein and greens should be mixed with vegetables, including squash, mushrooms, sweet potatoes and green beans. Be sure to cut everything into very tiny pieces so the turtle doesn't fill up only on his favorite foods. Hard vegetables should be steamed or grated.

Most box turtles love fruit, and it should be around 10 percent of their diet. You can also chop it very finely and mix it with meat and vegetables. This strategy will entice your turtle to eat the foods he isn't so fond of.

Box turtles can rival cats in finickiness, and getting them to eat a balanced diet is sometimes hard. Fortunately, there are some excellent resources available to help you keep your box turtle healthy. Visit the box turtle forums at www.KingSnake.com, where you can ask questions and talk with experienced turtle-keepers.

One of the helpful experts you'll find at KingSnake.com is Tess Cook, who goes by the handle "PHBoxTurtle." She's the author of "Box Turtles" (TFH Publications, $11). Cook also maintains The Box Turtle Care and Conservation Web site (boxturtlesite.info), where you can find plenty of basic information to help keep your turtle healthy and happy. -- Christie Keith

(Pet Connection contributing editor Christie Keith is also the editorial director at PetHobbyist.com. 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

Small pets get their own vets

-- The American Veterinary Medical Association has granted provisional recognition to the first completely new veterinary specialty since 1993. The new specialty will focus on small mammals, including rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, mice and other small mammals commonly known as "pocket pets." The new Exotic Companion Mammal (ECM) specialty was granted provisional recognition last month. Americans own 6.2 million pet rabbits, 1.2 million hamsters, 1.1 million ferrets and 1 million guinea pigs, according to the AVMA.

-- Pet owners are increasingly including their furry loved ones in their estate planning. The Los Angeles Times reports that pet trusts have the force of law in 39 states. In general, the money is turned over to a designated caregiver -- often a family member or friend -- who takes the pet in.

-- The problem: "Pet Eye," in which your pet's eyes appear blue, green or yellow in digital photos, and you can't fix them using red-eye software. The solution: The Wall Street Journal recommends photo-editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or downloading Pet Eye Pilot 3.0 ($50 at www.colorpilot.com/peteye.html), which can be used as a plug-in with many PC-based photo-editing programs.

-- Veterinarians are asking pet owners facing foreclosure not to abandon their animals. Information about pets and foreclosed homes is available on the American Veterinary Medical Association's Web site (www.avma.org -- click on "Issues" and then look under "Animal Welfare"). -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE SCOOP

Cats risk their lives on window ledges

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

While the problem would seem to be one for big-city cats only, that's not really the case. In fact, cats are more likely to survive falls from higher stories and be killed from falls as low as two stories. The reason is what veterinarians call "high-rise syndrome," with the worst falls in terms of feline fatalities coming from the second to the sixth stories of buildings.

Severe injuries are common in falls from higher stories, but these cats often survive. Cats falling from lower floors, without time to get relaxed into a proper landing position, are at greatest risk of death.

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

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

Screens can help a great deal, but since they're designed to keep bugs out, not cats in, they're not foolproof. The only sure way to protect a cat from falling out the window is to keep the window closed. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Will spending on pets stall?

Will a slow economy stall spending on pets? That question has yet to be answered, but it's a sure thing that no matter what, we'll still be spending plenty on our pets. For 2008, the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association has estimated that $43.4 billion will be spent on pets in the United States. The breakdown:

Food: $16.9 billion

Veterinary care: $10.9 billion

Supplies/over-the-counter medicine: $10.3 billion

Live-animal purchases: $2.1 billion

Pet services (grooming, boarding, etc.): $3.2 billion

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Reward cats for being touched

Most cats love to be stroked by their owners. During this pleasant time together, your cat can learn to relax while being examined.

As you stroke your cat from nose to tail tip, feel for any bumps or scabs. Does your cat flinch in discomfort when touched? Your cat can also learn to allow you to hold his head still -- if introduced gradually with praise and treats -- while you look inside his ears and mouth.

If your cat learns to accept gentle exams at home as routine and nonthreatening, he will be less stressed when the veterinarian examines him.

Daily home checkups will also help you find signs of discomfort early, when easiest and most cost-effective to treat.

(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Roland 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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