Universal Press Syndicate

Fall is a wonderful season, and our pets seem to love it as much as we do. They seem to perk up as the evenings get cool and the breezy days gently warn of cold to come.

Dogs seem to be even more excited about walks in the autumn crispness, and cats seem to love playing in the leaves, no doubt looking for the mice who are busy beneath.

But even as we're enjoying the brisk beauty of fall, we need to remember it means winter is around the corner, and with it, an awareness of seasonal challenges for our pets.

Primary among these, of course, is cold weather.

The weather -- heat in the summer, cold in the winter -- is certainly of most importance to outdoor pets. We don't agree with the practice of keeping dogs and cats outdoors all their lives -- these pets are often lonely and bored, and are more likely to be suffering from physical neglect.

That said, we realize some people won't bring animals in the house, no matter what. If you're one of those people, you must provide adequate outdoor shelter. And the time to review your pet's shelter is now.

Animals must be able to get out of the elements. A pet must have a well-insulated structure just large enough so that he can curl up inside to maintain body heat. The structure should also have a wind-block to protect it from wintry blasts. In the coldest parts of the country, it should also have some sort of outdoor-rated pet-heating pad or other device. And be sure that there's always a supply of fresh, unfrozen water by using a heated bowl.

Animals who spend any significant amount of time outside will need more calories during cold weather. Food is fuel, and they'll need to burn it to stay warm.

Final outdoor caution: Remember to thump on your car's hood on cold mornings. You neighbor's cat may be nestled against the engine for warmth, and thumping your car's hood will get the animal to skedaddle to safety.

Indoor pets don't face the challenges outdoor pets do, but winter can be uncomfortable for them as well. For pets with arthritis, cold weather can be more painful, so ask your veterinarian about supplements or prescription medications that may help your pet feel better. A soft, heated bed may be much appreciated, too, especially by older pets. And remember that one of the best things you can do for a pet with joint problems is to keep the extra weight off: A pet who's more sedentary in winter needs to eat less.

What about sweaters and coats for dogs? Some animals really can use the extra insulation of a well-fitted sweater: older pets, and dogs who are tiny (such as Chihuahuas), or who are shorthaired and naturally lean (such as greyhounds or whippets). Overcoats can save you time drying your dog if you walk in inclement weather, especially if your pet's longhaired. And don't forget to wipe your pets' feet, legs and belly after they've been outside to keep the animal from ingesting any de-icing solutions.

Because home heating systems can dry out the air, you and your pets may be more comfortable if you introduce some humidity. Birds, especially those species originating in tropical climates, will enjoy extra opportunities for bathing or being misted.

Cold-weather pet care is a matter of compassion and common sense. Use both in equal measure, and your pet will get through the worst of the season in fine shape.

Q&A

Are dogs supposed to shed in fall?

Q: I've noticed my dog seems to shed as much in the fall as in the spring. Is this normal? I thought shedding was only supposed to be in the spring. He's a husky mix, if that has any relevance. He always has a lot of fur, no matter how much he sheds. -- G.W., via e-mail

A: Fall shedding is perfectly normal.

Dogs typically lose their winter coats in the spring, when it is replaced by a shorter, lighter one for summer. In the fall, this cycle is reversed, as the summer coat is shed to make room for heavy protective fur for winter. The change is most obvious in "double-coated" breeds such as collies, shelties and keeshonden. Those breeds carry not only a harsh, protective long overcoat, but also a soft, insulating undercoat -- and they lose masses of fur from both in spring and fall.

The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed. German shepherds, for example, are prolific year-round shedders, while poodles seem to lose little fur at all. Shorthaired breeds may shed as much as the longhairs, but since the hair they shed 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 comb won't end up on a rug. Work against the grain and close to the skin to catch as much of the ready-to-fall fur as possible.

If you have a purebred, or a dog that has the characteristics of a purebred, ask a breeder for grooming advice, especially in regard to the proper kind of grooming equipment. The slicker brush that works fine on a poodle won't make much headway in the thick mane of a full-coated collie at the height of a seasonal shed. For a shorthaired dog, a curry comb or hound glove will do the job well, catching the short fur before it ends up on your rug.

No matter what the breed, shedding -- and heavy seasonal 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 can also be a cause of coat problems.

Become familiar with your pet's normal pattern of shedding, and ask your veterinarian for advice if coat condition seems to dull or excessive hair loss or patches of baldness are noticed. -- Gina Spadafori

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 monthly drawing for more than $1,000 in pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

-- To avoid becoming dinner, some animals use brilliant, razzle-dazzle markings (such as stripes, zigzags or other high-contrast patterns on their skin or fur) to throw off their predators. A study reported in The New York Times reports that stark, high-contrast markings make it difficult for a predator to judge the animal's speed or trajectory while moving.

-- With an estimated 17 million overweight dogs in the United States, it's probably no surprise that 100-calorie snack packs are now available for pets (from bluedogbakery.com) reports Weight Watchers magazine. The same article noted that 40 percent of cats are obese in part because cat owners leave unmeasured amounts of food out all day. If your pet is fat, talk to your veterinarian.

-- The eight tentacles of an octopus divide up into six "arms" and two "legs," reports a recently released study. The creatures favor their first three pairs of tentacles for grabbing and using objects. Unlike humans and some other animals, most octopuses did not appear to be left-handed or right-handed.

-- The North American market for pet insurance will grow from an estimated $248 million in 2007 to $1.1 billion by 2012, according to a recent Packaged Facts report. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

PET TIP

Moving a cat? Confinement is key

The best way to move with your cat is to confine him before and after moving day in a "safe room."

Choose a room where your cat isn't going to be disturbed, and outfit it with food and water, a litter box, a scratching post, a bed and toys.

Confining your cat not only reduces his stress, but also prevents him from slipping out, which is a danger at both the old home and the new. Your cat could easily become scared, take off and get lost, even in his familiar neighborhood, if he gets disoriented. Even if your cat turns up back at your old place, a reunion can be hard to arrange if you need to leave before you find him, especially if you've moved to another city.

Your cat should be confined in his safe room the day before packing begins, moved to his new home in a carrier, and then confined again in his new safe room until the moving is over, the furniture arranged and most of the dust settled.

Trying to force a scared and stressed-out cat to do anything he doesn't want to is hazardous to your health. After you arrive at your new home, don't pull your cat out of his carrier. Instead, put the carrier in his safe room, open the carrier door, and let him come out into the room when he wants to. After he's a little calmer, you can coax him out with some fresh food or treats if you want. But don't rush him and don't drag him out -- or you may be bitten or scratched.

When you have the rest of the house settled, open the door to the safe room and let your cat explore his new home, on his terms. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Hop to popularity

When it comes to small mammals as pets, rabbits are the most popular, followed by hamsters and guinea pigs. All small mammals are common children's pets, but most have considerable followings among adults as well. Among those households with small mammals as pets, here's how the animals rank in popularity (more than one answer allowed):

Rabbit 43 percent

Hamster 36 percent

Guinea pig 20 percent

Mouse/rat 8 percent

Ferret 7 percent

Gerbil 5 percent

Chinchilla 4 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Cue 'happy' dog with greetings

Help your dog relax when greeting new people or dogs by giving your dog a consistent "be friendly" cue. In a happy, relaxed voice, ask your dog to "Say hi!" Over time, these words will be a sign to your dog that something good is going to happen.

In training, remember to not set up your dog with a bad experience. Observe the body language of dogs you don't know. A friendly dog has relaxed, fluidly moving body postures. Unfriendly dogs are stiff. Do not cue your dog to greet a dog who does not look friendly even if that dog's owner says it's OK. You be the judge!

Praise friendly postures as you allow dogs to touch noses but be prepared to pull your dog back if tensions rise suddenly.

(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

BITE PREVENTION STARTS WITH PROACTIVE PARENTING

By Susan Tripp

and Dr. Rolan Tripp

Universal Press Syndicate

Dogs are wonderful family pets and great companions for children, always ready to play or just to listen. And for the overwhelming majority of children, the experience of having a family dog is a good one.

But not all interactions are of the storybook variety. Every year about a thousand people a day turn up in emergency rooms with dog bites, from pets of all sizes, shapes, breeds and mixes. Most of these victims are school-aged children, with bites to the face being the most common, and boys being seen more often than girls.

Many of these bites could have been prevented, with some parental guidance and care beforehand. How can parents help dogs and children to get along? Make sure your children know the basics for enjoying time with dogs safely:

-- Play by the rules. Children and dogs benefit from the exercise and enjoyment of playtime. Rough play and dog wrestling are against the rules. So is running around shrieking and waving arms wildly. Your children must learn to be calm and relaxed around dogs, and that play must stop if a dog gets wound up or is uncomfortable with the level of activity.

Teach your children that they are the ones who start and end all games with the family dog, so the dog comes to see the children as being in control of the situation. Fetch is one of the best games for children to play with dogs. Have your child start the game by asking the dog to sit or lie down, and to end the game by making sure the dog drops or otherwise gives up the toy. Tug-of-war games are not allowed unless the dog will sit and release a toy immediately at any time when asked.

-- Let sleeping dogs lie. When a dog is asleep, a dog is off-limits. Never let your child be unsupervised around your dog until you are certain he or she has learned not to lunge at or surprise the dog with hugs and kisses. Children should also learn to leave a dog alone while the animal is eating.

Instead of allowing your children to wake up a dog, teach them to call the dog to them. Show your children how to offer the back of a hand to sniff before petting a dog.

-- Help with the training. Let your children feed your dog his meals instead of leaving food out for "whenever" feeding. This lets you and the children use feeding time as a training time. Have children hand-feed the first five to 10 bits of food in exchange for having the dog following an instruction such as sit, lie down, shake, watch, etc.

Having children participate in dog-training gives them and dogs a solid foundation for interacting with each other. Stand behind your child as a backup, to make sure the dog responds correctly.

Training with food and praise helps dogs to associate children with goodies. Set the example for children by giving the dog lots of praise for good behavior. Encourage children to do the same. (And praise your kids, too!)

-- Walk the dog, but don't let the dog walk you. Dogs need daily physical and mental exercise, and walking the dog provides both. Adult supervision is a must away from home, always, because you cannot control who or what your child and dog may run into out there.

Use head collars or front-clip harnesses (the Premier company makes good versions of both) to keep dogs from pulling on the leash. You want the dog to associate your child with these fun excursions. Bring treats along and have part of the walks become training activities.

That's it! Just a few simple guidelines and you'll be doing your part as a parent to help your child get the most out of having a family dog. Leaving things to chance may lead to the emergency room, while being a proactive parent will lead to happy memories.

Don't take chances: Do your part to keep children and dogs safe and happy.

Q&A

Chewed shoes? Not dog's fault

Q: My 10-month-old neutered Lab-border collie gets lots of exercise, and I do mean lots, since I am training for a marathon and he trains with me. I have read that exercise is the key to curing destructive behavior. But he's a big-time chewer, and it's hard to imagine him getting any more exercise than he does! Do you have any suggestions? Those running shoes he destroyed were expensive. -- M.M., via e-mail

A: Sporting breeds, herding breeds and their mixes are notorious for their high activity levels, especially in their adolescent and young adult periods. That's why I never recommend dogs such as border collies for people who plan to do nothing more than give them a sedate daily walk.

These dogs are just too high-drive for many situations, especially when you factor in that these are also some of the smartest pets around. (Contrast the active herding and sporting breeds with sight hounds such as retired racing greyhounds. Those "40-mph couch potatoes" are often a better choice for a more sedentary household.)

You may be going through a rough patch now, but you'll get through this. And you're a perfect owner for such a smart, active dog.

Normally, I'd say a dog like yours needs more exercise, but since you have that covered, you need to manage your dog's environment and offer him alternatives to chewing what you don't want.

I do like the idea of doggy day care for active dogs, providing nonstop supervised play. I've used doggy day care from time to time with one of my young dogs and have liked it a lot.

If that's not possible, limit your dog's range while you're gone and leave him with something to keep him busy. One suggestion: stuffed Kongs.

You take your basic Kong dog toy, stuff it with peanut butter and bits of kibble or biscuits, and freeze it. Then give it to your dog when you're leaving the house. With a simple Internet search, you can find all kinds of recipes and ideas for stuffing Kongs.

Use a baby gate or other barrier to keep your dog in a small area with his Kong and other chew toys while you're gone to minimize distraction and destruction -- no more free run of the house!

Sorry about those running shoes, but that was your fault, not his. Get in the habit of keeping the house picked up. And if you do see your dog chewing on something non-approved, clap your hands to interrupt the chewing you don't want and then switch him to the chewing you do want, with praise. -- Gina Spadafori

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 monthly drawing for more than $1,000 in pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Pets may cause owner insomnia

-- Man's best friend is sleep's worst enemy. In a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, almost one-quarter of patients with insomnia copped to sharing their bed with a furry bedmate.

-- Talk about animal magnetism! Turns out that cows have a built-in compass to help them find north and south, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers studied satellite photos of thousands of cattle grazing from around the world, and they found most cattle that are grazing or resting tended to align their bodies in a north-south direction.

-- Think rabies is so yesterday? Think again. Some 55,000 people die worldwide from rabies each year. World Rabies Day will be observed Sept. 28 to mobilize awareness and resources in support of human rabies prevention and animal rabies control.

-- The Galapagos Islands, 600 miles off Ecuador, retain 95 percent of the islands' original species and all of its birds. According to The New York Times, 97 percent of the land is protected, and the surrounding waters are one of the world's largest marine reserves.

-- The Dallas-Fort Worth airport plans to open a pet hotel on airport grounds, catering to passengers looking to drop their pets off on the way out of town. As reported in USA Today, the facility will be a 24/7 operation, with webcams allowing owners to check up on their pets online. The facility will provide a boarding and grooming service, wading pool and a retail store. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

PET BOOKS

Good reads offer the fascinating and the practical

So you think you know a lot about animals? "The Book of Animal Ignorance: Everything You Think You Know Is Wrong" (Crown, $20) is here to set you straight.

Authors John Lloyd and John Mitchinson are the authors of The New York Times best-selling "Book of General Ignorance," and their beastly follow-up is full of often unbelievable (but absolutely true) facts about the animal kingdom. It's a can't-put-it-down read.

Did you know, for instance, that a female komodo dragon doesn't need a male to reproduce? That an elephant's trunk is powerful enough to kill a lion with a single blow, yet delicate enough to pick up a grain of rice? That a mole will die if it goes more than eight hours without eating? Now you do.

What if your search for animal knowledge is more practical in nature? If, like most dog or cat owners, you need information on how to cut your pet's nails rather than on the mating habits of the hyena? Two new books from Arden Moore have you covered.

After the runaway success of her "Real Food for Dogs" during last year's pet food recall, Moore's "Happy Cat, Happy You" and "Happy Dog, Happy You" (Storey, $11 each) will help make your relationship with your pet less about stress and more about fun. From how to stop your dog's unwanted barking to how to keep your cat calm on a long car trip, these handy guides are jammed with tips designed to make life easier for pets and their owners alike. -- Christie Keith

BY THE NUMBERS

Getting the facts

Past experience counts for a lot when it comes to knowing how to take care of a pet, but a veterinarian's advice is still the most sought after. Here are the top sources for information on caring for dogs (multiple responses allowed):

Veterinarian 66%

Past experience 54%

Books/library 26%

Friends/relatives 25%

Magazines 19%

Internet 19%

Pet store 13%

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Cat toys can be found everywhere

Kittens and cats love to play to satisfy their natural curiosity and chase instinct. The good news: Kitten toys are easy to make!

Cut a piece of rope for starters, and then experiment. Tie a knot around a small piece of paper to make a butterfly. Upgrade to an empty toilet paper roll or a worn-out hair scrunchy. Collect feathers to tie on in place of paper.

Go on a cat toy scavenger hunt around the house, and you will be amazed at what goodies you may find. Besides chasing string toys, kittens love to bat things around. Try pingpong balls, dice, poker chips and plastic container caps on a slippery floor.

(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

and Christie Keith

Universal Press Syndicate

Does the smell of your dog's ears arrive in the room before he does? Does he keep you up at night shaking his head and digging at his ears? He likely has an ear infection.

Understanding canine ear infections won't just make your dog more comfortable or even help you sleep. Their early diagnosis and treatment can prevent a lifetime of ear problems and even save your dog's hearing.

"Ear infections that are not caught early and aggressively treated cause chronic pathologic changes to the lining of the ear canal," warns Dr. Catherine Outerbridge, a professor of dermatology at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.

Long before the dog is shaking his head or producing that smelly discharge, there are small changes happening inside the dog's ears. First, the cells of the ear canal -- an L-shaped tube that runs from the outer ear to the eardrum -- become inflamed and swollen, narrowing the channel.

The ear canal is lined with glands that produce wax and keep the canal moist. A small number of normally harmless bacteria and yeast live in that waxy coating, kept in check by the conditions of the healthy ear canal. When a dog's ear becomes inflamed, that balance is disturbed. The increased heat of an inflamed ear causes the wax glands to become larger and more active, helping create what Outerbridge calls "a perfect incubator" for bacteria and fungus.

If a dog has a single ear infection, diagnosis by your veterinarian and treatment with prescription ear medication can put an end to the story. But in dogs with underlying conditions that cause inflammation, most commonly some kind of allergy, that's just the beginning.

Every time the dog's ears become inflamed, the ear canal becomes scarred and narrower, while the wax glands become larger and more active. This sets up a vicious cycle of inflammation, moisture, itching and infection that is increasingly hard to break. Eventually, bacteria and yeast can spread into the inner ear and even infect the bulla, an empty bony space behind the eardrum. Such infections are painful, can only be treated surgically and can cause deafness.

The key to breaking that cycle is preventing inflammation whenever possible. If allergies are at the root of your dog's ear infections, work with a veterinary dermatologist to bring them under control.

Swimming can also trigger ear infections, but it's probably not the water alone that's responsible. Some of the breeds that love to swim are also those with allergy problems. "Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers," said Outerbridge. "Highly allergy-prone dogs."

Genetics can also play a role in chronic ear infections, and breeds including the shar-pei and the cocker spaniel have more than their fair share of problems. Most people attribute the cocker's problems to his long, hanging ears. But, as Outerbridge points out, bassett hounds have the same kind of ears without suffering from ear infections the way cockers do.

"It's not their big ears," she said. "They seem to have larger and more numerous earwax glands than any other dog breed."

Whether the cause of your dog's chronic ear infections is allergies, genetics, swimming or some combination of all three, the cure is the same. Since heat and moisture are the enemies, ask your veterinarian to recommend a product to keep your dog's ears clean and dry. Use it regularly. But if you spot signs of inflammation -- such as redness, itching or head shaking -- act quickly.

Every day that your dog's ears are inflamed and infected causes permanent damage to the ear canal and makes future infections more frequent and severe. Seek veterinary care right away, and be sure to follow through on the course of treatment. Your dog will thank you.

SIDEBAR

Swimming dogs need to keep their ears dry

If your dog loves to swim but also tends to get ear infections, keep his ears clean and dry when he's not in the water.

Start with a formula recommended by your dog's veterinarian, but realize that not every cleaning agent is right for all dogs. As veterinary dermatologist Dr. Catherine Outerbridge points out, the goal of keeping your dog's ears clean is preventing inflammation. So immediately stop using any product that leaves the dog's ears reddened or warm, or seems to bother him.

She also recommends avoiding any commercial or homemade cleansers that contain alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or gentian violet -- all of which can inflame the ears. For a homemade recipe, she recommends using two parts water to one part table vinegar.

A convenient option is a medicated wipe. MalAcetic Wet Wipes from DermaPet combine acetic acid -- which is found in vinegar -- with boric acid, and they help prevent the overgrowth of yeast and bacteria that can thrive in a wet ear canal. Toss them in with your dog towel, and clean your dog's ears as soon as he comes out of the water. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Christie Keith

Q&A

Golden's behavior needs to be changed

Q: We have an adorable 3-year-old neutered golden retriever. Baxter belonged to a military family in San Diego. When the family was deployed to Japan, they asked my son, Derek, to take him. Derek was just finishing up his five-year service in the Marines, and Derek and Baxter traveled home from San Diego to Georgia.

Derek is now attending college and lives in an apartment. My husband and I live on a farm, and Baxter now lives with us. We really enjoy Baxter, but when he gets excited playing or is with a new visitor, he wants to "hump" them. He was neutered as a pup. So why does he want to do this? -- V.S., via e-mail

A: Humping looks like an R-rated movie, so people assume it is sexual. But this behavior is seen in puppies and (as you've seen) in male dogs who have been neutered. Even some female dogs do it.

One theory says humping is how some dogs take charge or control of a dog, person or object (such as a pillow). Another theory equates humping with dogs who feel uncertain about their status or role in a given situation. In Baxter's case, I would guess all the changes have left him somewhat confused about the rules. Baxter probably needs more structure and clarity on how to be an acceptable canine in a human world.

Dogs learn faster and better from positive reinforcement than they do from punishment. That means stopping all punishment and being clear about behaviors you want.

If Baxter has not been trained, find a basic obedience class that uses gentle, reward-based methods. Complement the training at home by insisting that Baxter sit to earn everything he wants -- greetings, games and meals. Ask your guests to join you in completely ignoring Baxter, not even looking at him or touching him, until he is calm enough to sit and remain sitting for his greeting. This will help Baxter learn self-control.

If Baxter gets too excited, instruct him with a "sit" or "down" command, and praise him for following instructions. Do not allow Baxter to get too revved up during play, now that you know too much excitement can lead to humping. When people visit, you can leash Baxter to a solid object to help keep him settled.

You will be more successful with Baxter's training if you teach him what to do instead of focusing on what not to do. Make it your goal to prevent Baxter from humping by asking him to sit. But if you do see it, interrupt Baxter without any emotion and give him a brief time out to calm down.

When Baxter figures out how to get the attention and fun he craves by sitting and following instructions, and that he won't gain anything from humping, it should stop over time. -- Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp

PET BUZZ

Grass-eating not about tummy upset

-- Most people believe that when a cat chews on grass, it's because of an upset tummy. While that may factor into the urge to graze on some occasions, it's more likely that cats eat grass simply because they like to. And the fiber probably helps with digestion.

-- A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.

-- Dogs find human yawns contagious, suggesting they have a rudimentary capacity for empathy, reported British scientists in the journal Biology Letters. Although yawning is widespread in many animals, contagious yawning -- a yawn triggered by seeing others yawning -- previously has been shown to occur only in humans and chimpanzees. It turns out, however, that man's best friend is highly sensitive to catching human yawns, with 72 percent of 29 dogs tested yawning after observing a person doing so.

-- Cats are able to squeeze through spaces that seem narrower than they are because they don't have a rigid collarbone to block their way through nooks and crannies. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

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 monthly drawing for more than $1,000 in pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

THE SCOOP

Internet scares: Where to go for the facts

Every pet lover with an e-mail address has at one time or another -- or time and time again -- received warnings on potentially deadly pet hazards. Warnings have ranged from produce (grapes and raisins) to garden products (mulch made of cocoa hulls) to name-brand household cleaning products (Swiffer WetJet and Febreze).

Problem is, not all warnings are what they seem to be. Some may be well-intentioned but wrong, while others may be possibly motivated by a campaign against a particular company and also wrong. And then there are those that are legitimate concerns.

How can you tell the legit from the bogus?

The first stop for any pet lover investigating an Internet warning should be the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' poison information site (www.aspca.org/APCC).

The APCC veterinarians respond quickly to Internet warnings, providing information on which reports are a real concern and which should not be. Internet scares covered by the APCC include grapes and raisins (potentially toxic), cocoa-hull mulch (potentially toxic), and Swiffer WetJet and Febreze (safe when used as directed).

If you don't find what you're looking for at the APCC Web site, check out Snopes.com, arguably the best resource for checking out urban legends and e-mail hoaxes of all varieties. The site offers an extensive collection of information on common animal-related myths.

In the name of fairness to your friends, don't forward any kind of e-mail warning without checking it out on the APCC and Snopes.com Web sites first. If you cannot verify the claims in any e-mail, the only proper thing to do is hit "delete." -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Doghouse? Your house!

Fewer dogs are spending their entire lives outdoors, according to a survey of pet lovers. Where dogs hang out:

During the day

Indoors 47 percent

Outdoors 20 percent

Indoors and outdoors 33 percent

During the night

Indoors 65 percent

Outdoors 16 percent

Indoors and outdoors 15 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Bribery makes cats attentive

Do you wish your cat were more eager to hang out with you? Try a strategy to give your cat a greater appreciation for the hand that feeds him.

First, feed him meals instead of leaving food out. Call your kitty to eat and then take a seat and relax. Toss a kibble near your hungry cat to bat around or just gobble. As this game progresses, toss the kibble closer to you. Then hold the kibble in your fingers for your cat to sniff before dropping it.

Over time, your cat will be more eager to be by your side and may even seek you out when hunger strikes. Aloof cats need to know that food does not come from the cat god in the sky -- you are the source of all that's yummy.

(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