Universal Press Syndicate

Do you pause when a black cat crosses your path? Even pet experts sometimes do, and then laugh for being influenced by such a silly old myth, even for a second. But that's the funny thing about cats -- more than any other domestic animal, they are the subject of countless myths, legends and old wives' tales.

While some stories about cats are harmless, others are too dangerous not to debunk. Here, from our archives, are some stubborn old myths about cats -- and the facts to counter them.

-- Black cats are bad luck. Black may be an unlucky color all right, mostly for cats themselves. Black may be an unfortunate color for the reason of visibility. Countless cats are killed by cars every year, and the difference between a hit or a near miss may be the driver's ability to see the cat darting across the road. At night, patches of light-colored fur are a distinct advantage.

-- Cats need to drink milk. Is cow's milk the perfect food for cats? Not at all! On the contrary, some cats (like some people) can't tolerate milk well. For these animals, a saucer of milk means gastric upset. In the wild, kittens never drink milk after they're weaned, and domestic cats have no reason to either. On the other hand, if your cat likes and can tolerate milk, feel free to offer it as an occasional treat. Milk is a good source of protein and other nutrients for those cats who don't find it upsetting.

-- Cats purr when they're happy. Expert cat observers know that purring isn't just a sound of contentment. Cats also purr if they're injured, while giving birth -- even when dying. British zoologist Desmond Morris has observed that purring is "a sign of friendship -- either when (the cat) is contented with a friend or when it is in need of friendship, as with a cat in trouble."

-- Cats are a danger to babies. So many cats find themselves looking for new homes when a baby is expected that you could put it another way: Babies are a danger to cats. But you don't need to find a new home for your pet if you become pregnant. Cats do not maliciously smother or suck the breath out of babies, as the myths hold. That doesn't mean some considerations aren't in order, however. Pregnant women have to take special precautions when cleaning the litter box (or have someone else do it) because of the risk of disease. And even animal advocates remind new parents that common sense dictates no animal be left unattended with a small child -- for the protection of both.

-- A well-fed cat won't hunt. The ability to hunt is hardwired into all cats, but the level of desire varies by each cat's genetics and early experiences, not by the rumbling in his belly. The play of kittens -- pouncing and leaping on anything that moves -- is really hunting behavior. Observers of feline behavior believe that if the mother is an eager hunter, the kittens may be, too. Putting a bell on your cat won't protect wildlife, but keeping him in will.

The rest of the secrets behind those beautiful feline eyes will just have to stay a mystery. And that's just fine with us cat lovers, isn't it?

Q&A

Cat introductions require patience

Q: When my next-door neighbor knew she was going into a nursing home, she asked me to take her cat. She passed away shortly afterward.

The problem is, my cat doesn't want another one in the house. Now I could have my neighbor's cat as an outdoor cat -- that's what she's used to -- but I wonder if I should try to find her another home, where she wouldn't be an afterthought. I would appreciate your suggestions. -- L.D., via e-mail

A: Let's look at your options.

First, get your cat to accept another cat inside. This doesn't always work, but if you start out with the new cat in her own room and be patient and never forceful with the introductions, you could end up with two cats who like (or at least tolerate) each other. This seems to me the best solution, and I think you would agree.

A twist on this option is to set up the new cat in a separate living space permanently. I know people with "upstairs" and "downstairs" cats who get along well in their own territory, as long as neither cat breaks the truce by crossing the imaginary line between warring states. This could work if you have a home that lends itself to division, such as putting the new cat in comfortable digs like a bedroom adjacent to a screened patio.

Second choice, leave your neighbor's cat as an outdoor cat, which shouldn't be that hard since you're one house over. If the new cat is older and stays close, this could work, but there are serious downsides. For example, the new cat could insist on revisiting the house next door, even after new people move in. And there are always all the usual hazards that shorten the lives of outdoor cats, such as cars, coyotes and cat haters.

Third choice, find the cat a new home. If you are willing to keep this cat, I'd encourage you to do so and to continue working on the living arrangements. Adult cats can be difficult to place, and in the current economic situation, finding homes for pets is even harder than usual.

You can try to place the new cat, though: Make fliers, take out ads and use the Internet to spread the word. Post the fliers everywhere you can -- bulletin boards at work, pet-supply stores and your veterinarian's office. Talk to everyone, even people whom you know won't take her. Someone who doesn't want a cat may know someone else who'd be perfect for this one. Check references!

If you find a perfect home, then great. Otherwise, keep working toward getting the two cats to get along. It may take weeks or months, but the payoff is you'll have kept your promise to your late neighbor, and both cats will be safe and happy indoors. -- Gina Spadafori

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

PET BUZZ

Cheetahs saved by protection of dogs

-- One dog breed is helping save countless big cats in Namibia. Once shot for eating livestock, cheetahs are kept safe by Kangal Anatolian shepherd dogs who keep them away from livestock. The dogs, originally bred in Turkey for defending villagers from wolves, is skilled at fending off even large cheetahs. The Cheetah Conservation Fund has donated more than 300 Kangal dogs to Namibia, with the program dramatically decreasing the number of livestock and cheetahs killed. According to the Times of London, the program is so successful, it may be used in Kenya next.

-- Moths are not attracted to flames, but rather, disoriented by them. According to "The Book of General Ignorance" by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson, insects navigate by the sun and moon, which helps direct their path in a straight line. Moths become confused when flying by artificial light. With the change in their light path, the moth adjusts by flying in circles around the light to see the light source again as stationary.

-- More organic foods are being fed to our pets, according to the market research firm Packaged Facts. In 2007 organic foods reached $1 billion in sales, representing 6 percent of all pet food sales. That's a 50 percent growth rate since 2003.

-- A fly's ability to avoid a swatter has as much to do with brainpower as raw speed, according to high-speed digital-imaging experiments at Caltech. An article in Popular Science said that within 300 milliseconds before a fly takes off, it compares visual information about the threat to the current position of its body, performs a calculation and moves its legs into the optimal position to prepare for an escape leap. So take your best guess at the fly's escape route and swing the rolled newspaper there. -- 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

Keeping hounds from howling

Howling is fun. It's like group singing or picking up the microphone at a canine karaoke machine. It's a way for dogs scattered across a few miles and separated by fences to get in touch with their inner wolf and be a part of something bigger ... a pack!

It used to be thought that sirens hurt the sensitive ears of dogs and that howling was a protest of pain. But now it's thought to be an instinctive group behavior. The right noise -- a siren or even the right notes on a viola -- will get a dog lifting his nose to the sky, and once the woo-wooing/wow-wowing starts, other dogs just can't help but join in.

Some breeds are more prone to howling than others. The wolfish Northern breeds seem to take to it naturally, as do hounds such as beagles and bassets, with their distinctive baying.

Of course, no matter how much fun your dog is having, the howl-fests aren't winning you any fans with your neighbors. So when the woo-wooing starts, hush your puppy. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Happy families

It's often said that there are "dog people" and "cat people." But a lot of folks are just plain "pet people." For example, many people who have a dog also have (multiple answers allowed):

Cat 41 percent

Fish 20 percent

Bird 10 percent

Small animal 9 percent

Reptile 7 percent

Horse 5 percent

Source: American Pet Products Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Food treats get attention

Because pets communicate with body language more than verbal language, it makes sense to show, not tell, pets what to do. Food gets their attention and makes learning more of a game than work.

For example, before a meal, put a kibble or treat in your hand and let your pet lick or sniff it as you walk backward. Keep the food at mouth level, and your pet will likely follow. Add the word "come" just before releasing the treat, and your pet will eventually learn the word.

You can teach many behaviors this way. To teach "sit," move the treat up and back over the head until it's easier to sit than stand. Just as your pet sits, give the treat and say, "Sit." Add "Goooood!" with a finger tickle to your pet's favorite spot plus some lovey-dovey talk to seal the deal. -- Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp, 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.

and Keith Turner

Universal Press Syndicate

Somebody forgot to tell our pets that we're in a recession.

While the ongoing U.S. economic downturn has forced many industries to cut jobs, close plants or curtail products, U.S. pet industry experts announced at last month's massive trade show that positive growth continued throughout 2008 -- and more is expected for 2009.

At its annual Global Pet Expo, held over Valentine's Day weekend in Orlando, Fla., the American Pet Products Association reported that Americans remain sweet on their pets. Last year the pet products and services industry saw an overall growth of 4.9 percent over the year before -- even though some sectors, such as veterinary medicine, are reporting slowdowns. In all, pet-loving consumers spent more than $43 billion on food, supplies, medicine and veterinary care in 2008, continuing an upward trend that places the pet industry as the eighth-largest industry in the United States, ahead of such stalwarts as toys, candy, jewelry and hardware.

"What we are seeing is that people are more willing to sacrifice on themselves before trimming back on their four-legged friends," said Bob Vetere, president of APPA. "The pet industry continues to grow at a record pace and has proven to remain strong during times of change, stress and economic setbacks."

For 2009, the APPA predicts continued growth, with overall sales expected to rise a moderate 3.9 percent to $45.4 billion. That's more than the gross domestic product of most countries in the world and almost double the amount spent on pets just a decade ago. That number could potentially increase to 7 or 8 percent, Vetere said, as the economy gets back on its feet.

For proof of the enormous popularity of pet products, one needs to look no further than the show itself, which saw a 10 percent increase in buyer attendance. As they made their way through the maze of pet products, store owners and wholesale buyers from all over the world tested, sampled and played with a record 16,000 products offered by nearly a thousand vendors.

Three clear themes were present in the new products being introduced at this year's show.

-- Clean and green. Natural, organic and biodegradable ingredients were prominent among this year's new products, signaling the industry's desire to offer pets the same quality of food their owners eat and to ensure that the materials used in pet products are more environmentally friendly.

-- Made in America. Vendors across all categories were quick to point out when their products were made domestically, a trend likely driven by recalls of imported products and the desire to support the U.S. economy.

-- Quality of life. Enrichment-activity products dominated, including food puzzles for dogs and cats, foraging challenges for birds and even a kit for teaching fish to do tricks.

"People may be changing their purchases and the way they are doing things," said Vetere, "but they are still making sure (their pets) are being well taken care of."

SIDEBAR

The 'Becker Best in Show' awards

This year, for the first time ever, the Global Pet Expo gave out an award to the product that Pet Connection's Dr. Marty Becker chose as his Best in Show.

Five finalists were named, and the top award went to the Bolt Frolicat Laser Light ($20, www.frolicat.com), a battery-operated laser toy that keeps a cat entertained without the owner having to keep the game going. You can't just set it up and leave, though, since the manufacturer recommends supervising the cat's play.

The other finalists:

-- Drinkwell 360 cat bowl ($50, www.vetventures.com). Unlike other models that are more like waterfalls, the 360 allows the pet access to fresh-flowing, filtered water from any angle. Keep your cat hydrated and healthy with this fun fountain that offers multiple streams of fresh, filtered water.

-- Contech Pet Compass ($100, www.contech-inc.com). A transmitter that attaches to a collar and allows tracking within a half-mile with a handheld base unit.

-- High Viz dog toys ($8 to $9, www.furpetssake.com). Toys designed to appeal to the colors dogs can see best.

-- Bissell ShedAway Pet Grooming Vacuum Attachment ($30, www.bissell.com). A vacuum attachment that works on the dog, not the furniture. Fits most models.

Q&A

Reptiles not for preschool kids

Q: My son is dying to have a snake or lizard. He just turned 9, and I have no doubt he'll be able to care for a pet. I won't have a snake in my house, but I could see a lizard. My concern is with our pre-school daughter. I know there have been concerns with turtles in the past. Can we have a lizard safely? -- W.D., via e-mail

A: Because most, if not all, reptiles carry salmonella in their digestive tracks, these pets are generally not recommended for homes with children under 5 or with family members whose immune systems are compromised.

Talk to your pediatrician about your concerns regarding salmonella and your young daughter. It may be a good idea to wait a year or more before indulging your son with his desire for a pet reptile.

Once your pediatrician gives the go-ahead, the risks of owning a reptile (or any pet) can be greatly reduced with proper handling and care. The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians suggests these basic safety precautions for reptile owners of any age:

-- Wash hands with soap and hot water after handling reptiles or after cleaning reptile enclosures.

-- Limit the part of your home that your reptile is allowed to be in, and wash your hands after being in that area.

-- Never allow reptiles in areas of the home where food is prepared. Don't share food or drink with reptiles, and don't eat, drink or smoke while handling them. Don't kiss these pets, no matter how cute you think they are.

-- Do not put reptiles into bathtubs or sinks. Buy a separate tub for bathing these pets. Pour the water down the toilet, and do not use sinks or bathtubs to clean the reptile bathing tub -- or any reptile housing or gear.

-- Supervise older children to be sure they don't touch the pets and then put their fingers in their mouths. Make sure thorough hand-washing follows each exposure to these pets.

The ARAV stresses that the precautions do not mean reptiles shouldn't be kept as pets, but rather that by following basic common sense in handling them, the potential for human health problems can be kept to a minimum. -- 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 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

Careful with that stick!

-- Playing fetch with a stick can be hazardous. Experts at the U.K.'s Royal Veterinary College say that canine injuries from sticks are as numerous as those acquired on Britain's roads. Not only can sticks rip holes in the mouths and throat of dogs, but a dirty stick can also raise the risk of infection.

-- The Nashville Zoo allows visitors to experience animals, even if they can't see them. The zoo recently developed an exhibit for the visually impaired, complete with explanatory Braille signs and life-size skulls for hands-on exploration. The zoo is the first of its kind with such a large-scale model for providing better access to more people, and it hopes to expand the effort in the years to come.

-- Stressed and lonely college students may do well with a pet. Participants in a recent study said the benefits of keeping a pet are companionship, staying active and having help through hard times. Researchers at The Ohio State University noted that pets can help during the difficult time before college students have developed new coping skills, including social networks.

-- Rats are rarely, if ever, infected with rabies and have not been known to cause a single case among humans in the United States. And according the book "Why Do Men Have Nipples," rats are still taking the rap for bubonic plague -- even though fleas were the real culprit. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

DOGCARS

Littlest Honda a Fit for the times

When Honda launched the Fit into the North American market in 2006, the world was a different place. Gas prices hadn't gone crazy, the economy wasn't on the skids, and most everyone's idea of the perfect car for transporting dogs was an SUV, midsized or better.

Even with all that, the Fit made a splash: We chose it as the best small car for dogs in our first DogCars.com Best in Show awards (the overall winner that year was another Honda, the Element).

Gas has gone up and back down since, and the economy ... well, we know where that's gone. That makes the all-new 2009 edition of Honda's little hatchback even better than before.

In fact, it's about as perfect a little car as can be imagined, especially for dog owners. The space inside is so large compared to the tiny size of the vehicle that you start to wonder if the Fit is really a circus car, the kind that an endless number of clowns can fit into and come out of. You wouldn't want to cram that many dogs inside, but you could manage a couple of big ones with comfort and ease, especially since the Fit's seats fold flat and low to the floorboards.

The car sits low on the ground as well, making it easy to get dogs in and out. It's sporty to drive, especially with a stick shift, easy to park, and as fuel-efficient as it gets for a non-hybrid: 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, with a nifty real-time mpg monitor to help you get even more from a gallon of gas. With a starting price under $15,000, it's hard to imagine a better Fit for the times. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Leash 'em up!

According to a survey by the American Pet Products Association, 93 percent of dog owners have purchased a leash for their pet. New leashes are purchased on average every three years. The breakdown by leash type (multiple responses allowed):

Nylon 75 percent

Chain 13 percent

Leather 11 percent

Rope 5 percent

Reflective 1 percent

All others 2 percent

PET TIP

Give your bird a regular bath

Many of the birds we keep as pets are of species most comfortable in places that we would find intolerable: the steamy, hot rain forests of Central and South America. The dry air of human homes is thought to be a contributing factor to feather-picking, a frustrating syndrome that can drive birds to pluck themselves bald.

You don't have to turn your house into a sauna to add some moisture to your pet's life. Many birds enjoy being dampened by water from a spray bottle or being offered the chance to take a bath in a shallow dish of clean water. Some parrot lovers even take their birds right into the shower with them.

How often should birds get a drenching? There are no firm guidelines, but daily would be fine with many birds. -- 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.

Universal Press Syndicate

If told to imagine a "typical" cat, you're doing well if you think "tiger-striped." That's because the tabby pattern, with its familiar stripes, is the most common in all of catdom. It's so dominant that even some apparently solid-colored cats can be discovered, on close inspection, to have faint stripes, especially on their heads, legs and tails.

"Tabby" is a general term for striped cats, and tabbies come in many colors and patterns -- more than 40 varieties in all. Red tabbies seem to have a special following and mythology, perhaps because in male cats the red-orange gene is almost always connected with tabby markings, while in females, red-orange cats can be tabbies, tortoiseshells or calicoes. (About one calico in 3,000 is male, but he's not your usual male, in that he carries an extra "X" chromosome, an abnormality that not only makes him extremely rare but also likely sterile.) Red tabby males are often called "ginger toms" with great affection.

Tabbies can be further distinguished by differences in the pattern of their stripes. For example, a spotted tabby has gaps in the striping pattern, making the dark color appear as spots. The most recognizable is probably the "mackerel" tabby, with parallel lines placed like the ribs of a fish -- hence the name. All tabby cats carry a special mark in common, an "M" on the top of their heads.

The word "Tabby," by the way, is thought to come from the "Atabi," the name of a ancient silk with a striped pattern.

Here are more fun feline facts from our book "MeowWow: Curiously Compelling Facts, True Tales and Trivia Even Your Cat Won't Know" (HCI, $15):

-- While a male cat -- especially an unneutered one -- is today called a "tom," that wasn't always the case. Up until the late 1700s, male cats were known as "rams" (like sheep) or "boars" (like pigs). A book about cats with a character named Tom became popular in the latter part of that century; after that, male cats started being called tomcats.

-- Among cat breeds, the size variation ranges from 5 to around 20 pounds. (In dogs, it ranges from less than 5 to more than 200 pounds.) From the smallest cat to the biggest, some cats are bulkier than others, but they're still basically shaped like cats. (In dogs, consider the difference between the greyhound and the dachshund, or the whippet and the English bulldog. About the only variation in feline body shape is the higher rumps of tailless breeds like the Manx.

--- While the idea of dogs and cats at war with each other is a comedic staple, in fact almost half of people who share their homes with a cat also have a dog. These pets get along to varying degrees, from out-and-out loathing to familiar affection. If properly (as in slowly, at the animals' own speed) introduced, dogs and cats usually at least tolerate each other well.

Q&A

The house rules for small dogs

Q: We're happy with our little dog. She's a Maltese mix, according to the shelter, and she needed a new home after her first owner died. She's such a good little dog, but she's not housebroken. We don't think she ever was, because she comes inside after we take her outside and does her business on the carpet. She has plenty of chances while outside, but I don't think she gets it. Maybe it's the new home, or maybe her old owner just couldn't cope.

We want to make this work, so we obviously need to fix this. She's little bitty thing, but even a little mess can be annoying every day. -- W.D., via e-mail

A: Small dogs can indeed be difficult to house-train, for a couple of different reasons. One of the major problems is inconsistency on the part of the owner. A Great Dane who isn't house-trained is a much bigger problem than a Yorkie with the same bad behavior. A lot of people with small dogs decide it's just as easy to clean up a little mess now and then instead of working on a big training problem.

But little dogs can be house-trained. Toy breed expert Darlene Arden says you have to start by looking at things from a little dog's point of view.

For example, you have to make sure your dog feels safe in the outdoor spot you've chosen for him. A dog's guard is down during the act of elimination. And when a dog weighs 10 pounds or less, it's important for him to feel he's not going to be attacked. "They feel vulnerable," says Arden. "You need to find that one very safe spot for them." And keep the grass short so the dog doesn't feel as if he's hacking through a jungle, she adds.

Despite the special challenges the small dog presents, Arden says house-training is possible. Once your dog has that safe spot outside, you can teach him to use it with the aid of a schedule, praise and a dedication to consistency.

"Feed on a schedule," says Arden. "You must take your dog out after he eats, after play, after any kind of stimulation. Take a special treat and your happiest voice to the special spot. The moment the puppy's feet hit the ground, get excited." When the deed is done, says Arden, praise to the heavens and deliver the treat.

Limiting a dog's range in the house helps, too. "I'm a firm believer in crate-training -- as a tool, not a punishment," says Arden. "A crate keeps a dog out of trouble when you can't watch him."

Mistakes are part of the learning process and should never be punished. "If you see the dog starting to go in the house, pick him up and run him to that special spot," says Arden, and praise him when he finishes up outside.

The fact that your dog comes in to relieve herself suggests she hasn't a clue about what you expect from her. Start from the beginning. Clean up past mistakes with an enzymatic cleaner, restrict her range in the house, take her outside and praise her for getting it right. If problems continue, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a behaviorist who can observe your interactions and set up a program just for you and your dog.

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

PET BUZZ

Exotic pets get their own vets

-- By the end of 2009, around 30 veterinarians will pursue certification in a new specialty -- Exotic Companion Mammal Practice. The Veterinary Information Network News Service (news.vin.com) reports that this specialty, the first new specialty to earn the American Board of Veterinary Practitioner's provisional recognition in at least 15 years, focuses on ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents and other small pet mammals.

-- Two-thirds of pet owners believe they can understand their animals' language, including their barks, chirps and purrs, according to an informal poll on Petside.com. Men are twice as likely as women to say they have no idea what a pet is saying. Only three out of 10 dog owners say they don't "speak dog," while half of cat owners say they can't understand their more mysterious pets.

-- Living in a zoo drastically shortens the lives of Asian and African elephants, possibly because of the effects of stress and obesity. According to a report in The New York Times, researchers who studied data from European zoos are not recommending that zoos abandon elephants but are suggesting that imports of elephants should be limited to zoos that can identify and treat problems. The report draws on data from 1960-2005 and found that the median life span of zoo-born African elephants was 16.9 years, compared with 56 years for animals in national parks in Kenya. The median life span for Asian elephants in zoos was 18.9 years, compared with 41.7 years for elephants used for logging in Myanmar. -- 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.

PET RX

Learn how to check your dog's vital signs

A dog's heart normally beats between 70 to 180 times per minute, with little dogs having a faster heart rate. A puppy will also have a faster pulse -- up to 220 beats per minute. You can take your dog's pulse at home, by the way, but not by putting your fingertips on your dog's wrist, as you would with a person. Instead, check the heart rate in one of two places.

Choice 1: Put your hand over your dog's left side, behind the front leg. You'll feel the heart pulsing beneath your fingers (if you can't, you might talk to your veterinarian about getting some of the fat off your dog).

Choice 2: Put your fingertips on the femoral artery, on the inside of the leg just where it meets the body, right in the middle. (It's a pretty big blood vessel, so you shouldn't have any problem finding it.)

Either way, count the beats while 15 seconds click off your watch. Multiply by four to get the BPM, or beats per minute. Do it when your dog is healthy and relaxed, so you'll know what's normal.

Normal canine body temperature is between 101.5 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take a degree either way. You can use a traditional thermometer, or a newer one that takes an electronic reading from the ear canal. (If you use the traditional kind, be sure to take an indelible-ink marker and clearly write "dog" on the one you plan to use for your dog, so there's no confusion. You don't want something in your mouth that has been in your dog's fanny!) -- Dr. Marty Becker

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Go ahead: Feed a cat

Cat lore dictates that if you feed a stray cat, you've adopted a stray cat. That seems to be largely true, based on a survey showing where people get their cats (multiple answers allowed):

Pet store adoption program 3%

Shelter 15%

Breeder 3%

Friend/relative 43%

Kitten of own cat 15%

Classified ad 8%

Pet store purchase 4%

Stray 34%

Rescue group 3%

Veterinarian 2%

Other 5%

Source: American Pet Products Association

PET TIP

Secure pets for safer car rides

Securing a pet in a vehicle makes sense all around. A loose animal in the car can cause an accident by distracting the driver. In an accident, or even if the driver has to stop suddenly, a pet can hurt himself or other passengers. Fortunately, you can easily secure your pet with new products designed for comfort and safety.

For cats and dogs, crates -- secured to the floor or to a safety belt for small pets -- are perfect for travel. They keep pets in place and allow for transport straight into the veterinary office for scaredy-cats or nervous dogs.

For dogs, a wide variety of safety harnesses has become available in recent years. Many of these snap right into existing seat-belt buckles, and some double as harnesses for walking the dog once you get where you're going. -- 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.