Universal Press Syndicate

When other allergy triggers kick in, living with sneeze-triggering pets becomes even more problematic. That's why treating all your allergies aggressively will help make living with pets far easier when pollen is released in the spring.

If you can get a good night's sleep, you'll be better able to cope with almost anything, even allergies. That's why one of the best pieces of advice to those who are allergic to their pets is this: Declare your bedroom a "no-pets zone," at least during the height of spring allergy season.

That can be tough advice to follow for those of us who love to share our bedrooms, and even our beds, with our dogs and cats. (And studies say that's most of us!) For many allergy sufferers, though, establishing a pet-free sleeping area is a necessary compromise that will allow us to share our lives with pets despite our allergies.

Reduce allergy triggers further by keeping your sleeping area sparsely decorated with furnishings that do not attract dust, and be sure everything is cleaned frequently. Bedding should be washed often to combat dust mites, and pillows should be made of non-allergenic material, no feathers. Consider running a HEPA air cleaner in the room at all times.

The idea (both in the bedroom and outside of it) is to keep your total "allergy load" -- pets and other things that trigger your allergies -- to a level that you can live with or that can be controlled by medication. It's worth it to make an effort. Out-of-control allergies can make lives miserable and, in the case of asthma, can be life-threatening.

Here are more tips for those who have both pets and allergies:

-- Limit exposure to other allergens. Avoid strong cleaning solutions, cigarette smoke and perfumes, and consider using a mask when doing yard work and housework, especially when pollen counts are high or your home is especially dusty.

-- Let someone else do the dusting and vacuuming, if at all possible, and if not, invest in a vacuum that filters the air it releases. Allergy sufferers should also leave litter-box scooping to other family members to limit exposure to the allergens in cat urine. If that's not possible, again, wear a mask and wash your hands well afterward.

-- Keep pets well-groomed. The dirt and pollen that pets pick up in their coats can be almost as bad as the hair and dander they generate themselves. It's essential for pets to be bathed frequently and to be kept combed and brushed. Ideally, a non-allergic member of the household should assume this responsibility. Even cats should be bathed, by the way: A weekly rinse of your cat in plain water has been shown to help people who are allergic to them.

-- Work with your doctor. Medication -- short term or for life -- can make living with pets possible. While it used to be that many allergists recommended re-homing a pet as the first course of action, many have now accepted that pet lovers will often refuse. Allergists today seem much more willing to offer treatment options that accept pets as part of the family.

-- Choose pets carefully. Do everything you can to make things work with the pets you have now. But when it comes time to adopt others, be aware that some pets may be better than others when it comes to allergies. In general, dogs are less of a problem than cats when it comes to allergies, and breeds like poodles and their mixes may be easier for allergy sufferers to live with than other dogs. The fur is not the problem, in any case, so hairless pets offer no relief.

There is no such thing as a completely non-allergenic dog or cat, however, no matter what you've heard or read. The best that you can do is to work with your allergist, take medications as recommended and manage your environment -- and your pet's place in it -- to keep all the sneezes and wheezes to a minimum.

Q&A

Keeping the cat's bathroom private

Q: I know a common complaint of dog lovers is "cruising the litter box." We solved this problem by placing a heavy, covered litter box in a corner, with the opening toward the wall.

There's enough space for our cat to slide through and into the litter box, but not for our dog to get inside. Can you share it? -- M.M., via e-mail

A: Your strategy works great for cats who can tolerate covered litter boxes. Those with asthma should have open ones, though, so they are less bothered by the concentration of litter dust and other irritations.

Your note reminds me of the setup a friend came up with, designed to keep the dog out of the cat food. Her husband got a plastic milk crate, set it on its side and secured it with the opening in a corner. The cats can easily hop over the crate, through the triangle-shaped opening and into the crate where the dishes are. The dog can't fit, though, and is forced to watch the cats eating -- a torment the cats likely enjoy immensely.

My solution is to put the cat boxes in my attached garage, accessible through a pet door the cats can get through but the dogs cannot. Baby gates work well, too.

When dealing with litter-box-cruising dogs, you always have to make sure your cat is comfortable with the arrangements you've made to keep the dog at bay. If you don't, you'll be finding little kitty offerings elsewhere in the house. If the cat's not happy, no one is happy! -- Gina Spadafori

Q: My dog has a hair trigger when it comes to barking. What do you think about citrus-spray collars? Do they work? Are they safe? -- L.I., via e-mail

A: The citronella spray anti-bark collar works fine with many barkers. I did Sheltie rescue in my area for a few years and always kept a citronella collar on hand for the noisiest of my foster dogs.

The collar releases a spray of citronella when activated by the dog's barking, but it's not necessary for the spray to get on the face. The collar really works by distraction: The "pfffttt" of the spray being released catches the dog's attention, as does the pungent smell. The dog can't resist taking a whiff, and since he can't bark and sniff at the same time, the disagreeable activity is halted.

You probably don't want your dog to wear such a collar forever, though, so you might ask your veterinarian for a referral to a trainer or behaviorist who can help you with a long-term solution to the barking problem. -- Gina Spadafori

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

PET BUZZ

Animals always put same foot forward

-- In animal art, the wrong foot is often forward. The way four-legged animals move has been well-known since the 1880s, when Eadweard Muybridge's motion-capture photographs revealed the sequence of leg movements. Animals walk this way: The left hind leg moves forward, followed by the left foreleg, right hind leg and right foreleg, in order. You'd think that since this knowledge has been around for well over a century that artists, taxidermists, toy designers and others responsible for depicting animals would get it right. But a study published in the journal Current Biology showed that out of several hundred depictions of walking animals in museums, veterinary books and toy models, the leg positions are wrong in almost half of them. The researchers from Eotvos University in Hungary studied depictions where it could be determined unambiguously that the animal was walking, and not trotting or running, as the leg movements may differ in those gaits.

-- In comparing veterinary earnings for 2007 with other health professionals, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows veterinarians averaged $84,090, compared with $101,840 for optometrists, $147,010 for dentists and $153,640 for family physicians.

-- Fish have not always gathered as a school, according to Vocabpower. They can also be called a "shoal of fish," a shoal (shallow spot) being where fish were generally observed. Want more such words? How about a pod of whales, an exaltation or a murmuration of larks, a drove of pigs, a troop of kangaroos, a parliament of owls, a kindle of kittens, kettle of hawks and -- our favorite -- a scourge of mosquitoes. -- 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." Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

THE SCOOP

Most 'dire warnings' shouldn't be passed on

A few years ago it was Febreze; then it was Swiffer. Now both seem to be in e-mail reruns again.

In the last several weeks I've received hundreds of e-mail "warnings" forwarded by well-meaning readers who in turn had it forwarded to them. The e-mail tells of a dog who died after walking across a damp floor that had been cleaned with the product and claims that Swiffer is "one molecule" off the chemical formulation of antifreeze, the latter a deadly risk to pets. The Febreze warnings seem to circulate regularly as well.

The dire warnings about both products are off-base. The Snopes Web site (www.snopes.com) debunks these as urban myths as does the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc). Both rumors may well have been originally sent into play by those with a grudge against manufacturer Procter & Gamble, which makes both products.

The bottom line on Febreze and Swiffer? As with all household cleaning products, read the label carefully and follow directions to the letter. And don't forward e-mail warnings that you don't know to be true. It's easy to check, and if something doesn't pass the sniff test, just hit "delete." -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Watch out for killer plants

Plant poisonings are sadly common in pets, which is why it's important to make sure potentially toxic foliage is kept out of areas where pets frequent. The Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (www.petinsurance.com), recently analyzed the more than 400 claims it received in 2008 for toxic plant ingestions, developing the following list of offenders. The average amount claimed for plant poisoning was $427.

1. Raisins/grapes

2. Mushrooms

3. Marijuana

4. Lily

5. Walnuts

6. Onion

7. Sago palm

8. Macadamia nuts

9. Azalea

10. Hydrangea

PET Rx

A sick bird needs vet help -- stat

Can you give a cold or flu to your bird? Although the myth is a pervasive one, the answer is likely to be "no."

Because human colds and flus are always around, it seems to make sense that when a bird shows similar symptoms -- congestion, coughing and such -- the pet has the same gunk that has been floating around the rest of the family. But it's a good bet there's something else going on with your bird.

If your bird is showing cold or flulike symptoms, don't just figure the problem will pass in the same way a human bug will. Birds are very stoic when it comes to hiding symptoms of illness, and when a bird does show signs of disease, he's often quite sick indeed. So take him to an avian veterinarian, pronto. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

Over the years, I've put many a pet on an airplane, most times unaccompanied. Some have been rescues going to new homes, some my own pets traveling for competition or training, and a couple of times my pets and I have just gone away for vacation together.

Every time I've put a pet in the air, I've chewed my nails down with worry until they reached their destination. And every time, there hasn't been a hitch or anything worse than a delayed flight.

While no one can guarantee a trouble-free trip, the vast majority of pets get where they're going in fine shape. But to make the odds of that happening even better, you need to be an advocate for your pets when they fly.

Animals move through the airline system as unaccompanied cargo or as travelers' baggage. Unaccompanied pets and most animals traveling as baggage travel in pressurized cargo holds, while some small pets are allowed into the cabin as a carry-on. Before your pet flies:

-- Talk to the airline. The airlines that take pets -- not all do -- have limits on the number of animals on a flight, both in the cargo hold and (for small pets) in the passenger compartment. You also need to know where and when your pet has to be presented, and what papers -- health certificate and so on -- you'll need to bring.

Also be aware that some airlines won't ship pets in the warmer months at all (except as carry-on). Other weather-related restrictions apply as well.

Don't forget to ask about costs, so you won't be surprised. Struggling airlines have dramatically raised fees on many services, including shipping animals. Even pets who travel as carry-ons are subject to fees.

-- Be sure your pet is in good health. Air travel isn't recommended for elderly or sick animals, and is likewise ill-advised for the short-nosed breeds of dogs and cats. These animals find breathing a little difficult under the best of circumstances, and the stress of airline travel may be more than they can handle.

For pets who'll be traveling in the cargo hold, use a hard-sided carrier designed for air travel, and make sure it's in good condition (no cracks in the plastic, no rust on the grating). The crate should be just big enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in. Check and double-check that all the bolts securing the halves of the carrier are in place and tightened.

Pets that are small enough to ride in the passenger cabin will be more comfortable in a soft-sided carrier.

Carry-on pets should have a collar and ID tag, but that's not safe for pets traveling below. Instead, put an ID tag on a piece of elastic around the pet's neck, and make sure contact information is written large and indelibly on the outside of the crate. Food and water dishes should be attached to the inside of the door grate and a supply of kibble duct-taped to the top of the carrier so airline personnel can offer it without opening the door.

-- Consider travel conditions. Don't ship your pet when the air traffic is heaviest. Avoid peak travel days and times. Red-eye flights are often a good choice.

-- Choose a direct flight. If that's not possible, choose a route with a single connection and a short layover. Most animal fatalities occur on the ground, when pets are left in their crates on the hot tarmac or in stifling cargo holds. Better yet: Choose a direct flight with an airline that has special handling available for pets, keeping them off the tarmac until just before flight time and transporting them to and from the plane in a climate-controlled van.

Ask about your pet en route, persistently but politely. Make your presence known! Confirm that your pet has been loaded and has made any connections en route. Get the direct line to cargo operations at any connecting airport and ask for visual confirmation from an airline staffer that your pet is OK. (Most of these people are very nice if you are!)

Contrary to popular belief, an untranquilized pet is safer. Still, your pet may be an exception. Talk to your veterinarian when you get your pet's health certificate.

The Air Transport Association, the trade group for the nation's airlines, offers information on its "Air Travel for Your Pet" section (www.airlines.org/customerservice/passengers). The ATA details the preparation of a pet for air travel, how to set up the carrier and how to check on your pet en route.

Q&A

Young dog serves as alarm clock

Q: We got a Labrador puppy for Christmas. We've gone through puppy classes, and he's doing pretty well with most things. Now we're trying to be patient with things that are mostly "just puppy stuff."

One thing that's rough on us, though: He took the time change as an excuse to drive us out of bed not one but two hours early -- or try to. Four a.m. isn't working for us. Help! -- W.L., via e-mail

A: Your bright young dog has figured out that he gets fed as soon as he gets you out of bed.

Take away his reward for waking you. Do not make feeding him the first thing on his morning agenda -- or yours. Instead, pick the paper off the porch, make yourself breakfast, take a shower, etc., and then, when your needs are met, address his. You need to break the connection in his head between your waking up and his getting fed.

Try not to react to his alarm-clock act. Don't get up, and don't yell. Just ignore him. You'll have a difficult time doing this at first, but he will finally come to understand which behaviors alter your actions and which don't. The ones that don't work, he'll drop.

Even though I haven't a clue as to how much exercise your dog gets currently, there's no such thing as enough activity for a dog, especially a young retriever. An evening aerobic session -- fetch is ideal -- will help him sleep more soundly. Tired dogs are good dogs.

Above all, be patient. Labs are often a big pain in the fanny until they grow up, which eventually happens between the age of 2 and 4. He's a big puppy now, but you'll start noticing a serious trend toward mellow after he gets through his adolescence. -- Gina Spadafori

Q: I have three cats, but only one of them shows any reaction to catnip. That one cat gets so crazy I worry. Is he normal to be a catnip freak? Or are the ones who ignore catnip normal? Should I just make the one go "cold turkey" since the others don't care? Can catnip be dangerous? -- P.E., via e-mail

A: Since our cats don't need to stay alert on the job, pay the bills, get the kids to school or operate heavy machinery, they can afford to be blissed-out on a regular basis. So if your cat likes catnip, indulge him to his little heart's content. For the good of the plants, though, put the pot where he can't get to them and offer him fresh clippings as often as you like. It won't hurt him.

As for your other cats not getting a buzz from the herb, that's perfectly normal, too. Not all cats like catnip: The ability to appreciate the herb is genetically programmed into some cats but not others. Kittens under the age of 3 months are also unaffected by the charm of catnip. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

PET BUZZ

Keeping veterinarians down on the farm

-- The boom in pet ownership is having ill effects down on the farm, as veterinarians are increasingly drawn to practices that care for dogs and cats. Only 10 percent of students entering U.S. veterinary schools pursue large-animal practice, says the American Veterinary Medical Association. Treating pets generally means better working conditions, shorter commutes and fewer on-call nights. Fewer large-animal veterinarians is seen as a concern not only for the animals who need care, but also for issues of public health, since veterinarians help to keep the food supply safer.

-- As the temperature across the United States has gotten incrementally warmer because of climate change, more than half of 305 bird species in North America -- a hodgepodge that includes robins, gulls, chickadees and owls --- are spending the winter about 35 miles farther north than they did 40 years ago, an Audubon study finds.

-- What animal are the Canary Islands named after? Surprisingly enough, it's the dog. Canaries, as in the singing bird, are named after the islands (where they are indigenous), not the other way around. The archipelago gets its name from the Latin for the largest of the islands, which the Romans named (BEGIN ITALS)Insula Canaria(END ITALS) (Isle of Dogs) after the large number of wild and domesticated dogs once found 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." Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

THE SCOOP

Be wary of warming weather when exercising dog

While exercise is important for all dogs, it's important to plan activities during the cooler part of the day to prevent overheating.

Dogs who are overweight, out-of-condition, elderly or pug-nosed are especially at risk. For these dogs, heat stress can quickly turn lethal.

Don't take a chance with your dog's life. Keep exercise sessions short and plan them for early or late in the day. Stop at the first sign of overheating, such as heavy panting.

Always have cool water available both for drinking and for wetting down dogs on warm days. For the latter, concentrate on a constant flow of cool water -- not ice cold and no ice packs -- to the belly. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Dogs loved in all sizes

Although small dogs seem all the rage these days, canine popularity isn't much influenced by size. According to the American Pet Products Association, dog lovers like their pets no matter what size (multiple answers allowed):

Own small dogs 43 percent

Own medium dogs 34 percent

Own large dogs 44 percent

PET TIP

Snail bait can be a pet hazard

With gardening season at hand, it's important to come up with a safe strategy for eliminating snails. Many brands of snail bait are not just deadly to snails and slugs, but also to dogs, cats and birds.

Instead of laying out bait, look for snails at night with a flashlight, picking up pests and putting them in a bag that then goes in the garbage bin.

If you suspect your pet has gotten into snail bait -- symptoms include frothing at the mouth, vomiting and convulsions -- see your veterinarian immediately. Your pet's life depends on your prompt action.

The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc) offers more information on hazards outside and inside the home. Prevention is key! – 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

March is when winter finally lets go, although usually not without a final blast or two. The start of spring means many things -- the first early blooms, longer, warmer days and a time to clean the house -- but for dog lovers, there's one thing spring brings most of all.

Mud, mud and more mud. The soupy remains of winter on the paws of our pets is the constant nemesis of all dog lovers, and it's never so bad as in the spring.

The best way to keep floors clean is to never let them get dirty. And that means catching those muddy paws before they come inside. Here are some tips:

-- Use mats. Put washable mats both inside and outside the door. A small doormat can be jumped over, so go for something larger, at least during the rainy season. The wider the area of matting, the more chance you have of every paw hitting the mat at least once. Outside the door to my backyard (currently known as The Swamp), I have a 3-foot-by-5-foot black industrial mat I bought at a warehouse store. It catches lots of mud, and it hoses off easily. The more attractive and traditional decorative doormat sits right on top of it, with another decorative mat on the inside of the threshold. Outside the dog door, the entrance ramp is covered with indoor-outdoor carpeting. Just inside is another mat.

-- Teach dogs to wait for wiping. It's not difficult to teach a dog to wait on the mat for a paw cleaning. If you're patient and positive, you'll be able to teach your pet to offer each paw in turn and stand patiently while you towel it off. One of my dogs used to be so good about this that he'd lift each paw by name: "Front. Now the other. Back. Other."

-- Save your old towels. When towels get too ratty for guests to see, save them for use with your pets. Old towels are great for wiping paws, drying fur and even swiping a muddy paw print off the floor. My old towels have endured years of hot water and bleach. They're ugly, but they still do the job. You can also find super-absorbent towels and mitts made specifically for wiping paws, but I've always found old towels to be more than up to the task. If you do need to buy paw wipes, check prices on shop towels. Another option: Shammies, which soak up lots of water, can be thrown in the washing machine and air-dried in a jiffy.

-- Never let a mess settle in. If a muddy paw gets past you, don't delay your cleanup. While this isn't such a hard-and-fast rule for such easy-clean surfaces as tile and hardwoods, it's an absolute commandment when it comes to carpets. Keep cleaning supplies well-stocked and at hand, and be sure to jump on a muddy paw print -- or any pet mess -- before it can set.

With 16 canine paws in my household, keeping on top of mud is a must. What the mats don't catch, I do, and the house stays cleaner for my diligence, even in the muddiest season of the year.

Q&A

Follow vet advice on anesthesia

Q: Years ago, our family dog was hit by a car. But it wasn't the car that killed him -- it was the surgery to fix his leg. He went under and never woke up. That's why now, I don't feel comfortable when my veterinarian tells me that my dog needs to have his teeth cleaned -- while asleep. It just doesn't seem worth the risk, even though my vet insists anesthesia is safer now. What do you think? -- G.R., via e-mail

A: You could be shortening your pet's life -- and keeping him in misery -- by not addressing the problems caused by a mouthful of rotting teeth and gums.

And your veterinarian's correct: Anesthesia is a lot safer than it was a couple of decades ago. No anesthetic procedure is without risk, but in the hands of a good veterinarian and his staff, anesthesia has become a routine and very safe procedure.

The risks can be greatly minimized by a veterinary examination and a few basic tests beforehand, including a laboratory evaluation of blood and urine, and possibly a chest X-ray. These tests enable your vet to fully understand and address the health status of your pet before anesthetizing him. During the procedure, placement of an IV catheter and administration of fluids further adds to the safety of the procedure.

No discussion of anesthetic danger can be complete without a few words on your responsibilities where anesthesia is concerned:

-- Follow your veterinarian's instructions on preparing your pet for surgery. If no food is specified, make sure that you deliver your pet with an empty stomach. Following this one piece of advice is one of the easiest and most basic ways to reduce risk. During anesthesia, the contents of a full stomach can be regurgitated with the unfortunate potential complication of being inhaled into the lungs. In general, you should completely withhold food the night before, but continue to allow free access to water until the morning of the procedure.

-- Be prepared to provide special home care for your pet after surgery. If your pet is released before the sedation wears off fully, he must be kept safe from hot or cold environments because his reflexes are reduced. If you do not feel comfortable caring for a sedated pet, arrange for your veterinarian to extend the care. If your veterinarian does not run a 24-hour hospital, be sure to have the number of your local emergency clinic handy in case there are any complications following your pet's anesthesia.

-- Don't hesitate to ask questions. Make sure that you understand what the procedures are and what to expect. Pets commonly have a cough after anesthesia, for example, because the tube used to deliver the gas may cause some irritation. If the cough does not clear in a couple of days, call your veterinarian.

No matter what the age of the pet, the chances are very high that the anesthetic presents no problem if both you and your veterinarian work to minimize the risk. And the payoffs, especially those involving dental care, can be significant. Ask as many questions as you can and make sure you are comfortable with the answers. Work with your veterinarian in the interests of the best health for your pet. -- Dr. Marty Becker.

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

PET BUZZ

Developing babies can take some time

-- How long does it take to make an ass of yourself? If you're a donkey, it takes a year, as 365 days is the average gestation period. Sperm whales are pregnant for 480-500 days, deer for 201 days, dogs and cats both go 58-65 days, kangaroos 42 days, rabbits 30-35 and mice 19-21.

-- Camels don't store water in the hump, but fat, which is used as an energy reserve. Water is stored throughout their bodies, particularly in their bloodstream, which makes them very good at avoiding dehydration. According to "The Book of General Ignorance," camels can lose 40 percent of their body weight before they are affected by it and can go up to seven days without drinking. When they do drink, they do so with gusto, consuming up to 50 gallons at a time.

-- A bill has been introduced in Washington state that would allow cat and dog remains to be buried with humans in cemeteries meant for people. State Sen. Ken Jacobsen, the bill's sponsor, got the idea after his beloved cat, Sam, died and he learned that co-mingling animal and human remains wasn't allowed. -- 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

Longer noses mean a better sense of small

While most of us tend to think scent work is the near-exclusive province of a handful of breeds -- bloodhounds, German shepherds and maybe a Labrador retriever here and there -- in fact, a wide range of breeds and mixes is trained to detect various scents. Because of their fine noses and friendly dispositions, beagles are used to work airports by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and any manner of mixed breeds -- lucky dogs pulled from shelters -- have been used for other kinds of detection work.

Humans have about 5 million scent receptors in their noses; dogs have about 200 million. Dogs can detect tiny levels of odors, even a few parts per billion. Their noses are also uniquely designed to draw air samples through -- for the most part.

You're not going to see a dog with a pushed-in muzzle, like a pug, tracking someone on "America's Most Wanted." That's because when breeding for a short nose -- and a face more like ours -- we've reduced the real estate available for scent receptors in these breeds.

On the other end of the scale, a dog developed for tracking, such as the bloodhound, has a sense of smell so keen, the results of his work are admissible in a court of law. In addition to a long, deep muzzle, the bloodhound has ears to sweep scent from the ground and skin folds to hold scents around the face. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

The lure of the wild

More than 60 percent of people with pet birds also feed wild birds. Here's what they offer those wild birds (multiple responses allowed):

Food sold for wild birds 86 percent

Bread 39 percent

Food sold for pet birds 22 percent

Other 11 percent

Source: American Pet Products Association

PET TIP

White cats may need protection

Although every imaginable feline coat length, type and color has a fan somewhere, you do need to watch out for one thing that's related to coat color: White cats with blue eyes have a high probability for deafness.

Some of these cats have eyes of different colors and are deaf only on the side with the blue eye. (You can check for deafness by snapping your fingers or clapping your hands behind a cat's or kitten's head.)

Though a deaf cat can still be a good pet -- indoors only, for her own protection -- you'll still want to know what you're getting into before you adopt.

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.