and Keith Turner

Universal Press Syndicate

With car companies struggling for sales in a tough economy, it's no surprise that two of them are chasing buyers that have so far proven willing to keep spending when they can: pet lovers.

Toyota rolled out the pet-friendly Venza in February at the massive pet industry trade show, Global Pet Expo. Not content to be the underdog, Honda showed up at the New York International Auto Show with a special edition of its already dog-friendly Element, with a built-in pet ramp, better ventilation and a showy badge with a dog on it.

The Honda development is especially interesting. Our DogCars.com Web site picked the Element as the first-ever "Best in Show" after reviewing dozens of SUVs, wagons and hatchbacks. Honda, which had been marketing the boxy vehicle to young, outdoorsy men, responded with an ad campaign touting the award. And now, a special Element will be for sale in the fall.

Saab and Volvo were first to cater to pet lovers, offering optional restraint systems in a couple of their models. But the new models from Toyota and Honda show just how anxious companies are these days to track down sales like a bloodhound.

The 2010 Element's options for dog lovers include:

-- cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with elevated platform

-- extendable pet ramp that stores underneath the bed

-- pet restraints in the second row and cargo area

-- second-row seat covers

-- electric rear ventilation fan

-- spill-resistant water bowl

-- dog-friendly exterior badge

All of these are in addition to the Element's already dog-friendly attributes, such as an easy-to-clean urethane floor, wide and flat cargo area, and wide-opening side doors.

For Toyota's part, it is offering the Venza with more than a dozen pet-friendly options, available through its dealers, from ramps to barriers to seat covers. Toyota is also promoting the vehicle everywhere it thinks it will find dog lovers, sponsoring both the recent telecast of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show and the new season of trainer Cesar Millan's popular show "The Dog Whisperer." The vehicle will also be on display at pet fairs for animal lovers to get a firsthand look.

Will the Soccer Mom be replaced by the Dog-Park Dad? In the eyes of the car companies, it doesn't matter which market turns out to be the biggest dog of all: Where there are sales to be made, they'll tailor a car to appeal to those buyers.

Q&A

Teeth-cleaning offers many health benefits

Q: My veterinarian has recommended getting my dog's teeth cleaned, and I would appreciate your opinion on this procedure. Is it really necessary? He claims it is preventive health, but it involves putting my dog under anesthesia, and that always worries me. Do you do this with your dogs? -- J.M., via e-mail

A: Yes, my own dogs are subject to periodic dental cleanings, and I am a believer in them as important preventive medicine for three reasons.

First, your pet needs to eat. Broken teeth and rotting gums make eating very difficult and painful, and anything to prevent such an outcome is desirable in my book. When I was doing animal-rescue work, I can't tell you how many pets came in with mouths that caused them a great deal of pain, the result of years of dental neglect.

Second, when gums get infected, your pet is constantly showering internal organs with some nasty bacteria. Over time, this is a grave challenge to your pet's immune system and may lead to some serious health problems.

Finally, there's the cleanliness issue. I live with my pets inside the house. They are family who share beds, furniture and lots of affection. Bad teeth and gums smell awful and make close interactions less than pleasant.

Anesthesia is indeed a concern, but it's a lot safer than it used to be. You can make it even safer by following your veterinarian's instructions exactly, especially when it comes to withholding food and water before anesthesia. Older pets may require some tests beforehand, such as a blood workup and possibly a chest X-ray.

Once your dog has had her teeth cleaned, you can keep them that way -- and extend the period of time between cleanings -- by brushing her teeth regularly. -- 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

Obama's dog not first to fame

-- When the Obamas welcomed a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog into the White House, that dog -- whom the Obama daughters named Bo -- became arguably the most famous of his breed ever. But the dogs, long used as helpers by Portguese fisherman, have had other spins in the spotlight. In addition to the Porties owned by Sen. Edward Kennedy, a team of the dogs delighted fans of the San Francisco Giants by retrieving baseballs from McCovey Cove, the body of water behind the right-field wall.

-- Airplanes are increasingly hitting birds, alarming regulators because collisions can cause fatal crashes and damage jets. The number of bird strikes reported to the Federal Aviation Administration has grown every year since 1990, when there were 2,051 strikes. There were 9,361 strikes in 2007, FAA figures show. A total of 95,000 bird strikes have been reported to the agency since 1990, and the culprits, in decreasing order, are Canada geese, mourning doves and sparrows.

-- Biologists fear a mysterious illness that has been killing bats since at least 2007 is spreading rapidly and has likely wiped out hundreds of thousands of them over the winter in caves throughout the Northeast. Called white nose syndrome, after the white fungus the dead bats have on their faces, affected bats emerge early from hibernation, resulting in starvation. The cause of the syndrome is unknown, reports USA Today. Bats play an important role in nature's balance, eating insects and other pests that can damage crops, along with assisting in plant pollinations. Their decline has the potential for a long-term impact on the ecosystem. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

THE SCOOP

'Learning by earning' gets a dog to mind

If your dog doesn't seem to be paying attention, you need to lay the foundation for good behavior by showing your dog with every interaction that he has to earn what he wants.

This "learning by earning" starts with the basics of dog obedience -- sit and stay. Chances are your dog already knows these commands. If not, check out a class, book or video to help you teach him. Once your dog understands and performs these behaviors more or less on command, you're going to use them to reinforce your authority, gently but persistently.

Ask your dog: To sit before you put his leash on for a walk. To sit before you pet him (which will also keep him from jumping up) or throw a toy for him to fetch. To sit and stay when his bowl is placed before him, and hold that position until released. To sit and stay before the door is opened, to sit and stay before being let out of the car into the park and so on.

Be patient. Your dog will soon catch on as long as you're consistent in insisting on his good behavior before good things come his way.

No sit, no reward, no discussion.

The real beauty is what's happening deep down. Without raising your voice, jerking a leash, spanking or otherwise roughly handling your dog, you've made it clear to him that there are household rules that must be followed. And that's going to make everything else about living with and training your dog easier -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Pet spending still strong

According to the American Pet Products Association, spending on pets and their care continues to grow, despite the difficult economy. Recent annual spending on pets:

Year Billions

2009 $45.4 (est.)

2008 $43.2

2007 $41.2

2006 $38.5

2005 $36.3

2004 $34.4

2003 $32.4

2002 $29.5

2001 $28.5

PET TIP

Fences, patios keep cats out of trouble

Keeping cats indoors is safer for the cats, life-saving for birds and less irritating to the neighbors.

You can keep your cat happier by providing safe access to the outdoors, such as with a cat door into a screened-in porch. You can also buy kits for portable outdoor pens, complete with tunnels for connecting the pens to the house.

Many cat lovers have put together some grand outdoor spaces, such as a two-story enclosure clinging to the side of the house with areas for climbing, sunbathing and hiding. These needn't be expensive, especially if you're a capable do-it-yourselfer.

Also consider cat-fencing, which runs along the top of a traditional fence and keeps your cats on your property. It won't protect the birds, but it will keep your cat out of your neighbors' yards. -- 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

Rabbits aren't just for kids anymore.

In recent years the popularity of "house rabbits" -- litter-box trained bunnies with as many house privileges as some cats -- has made these quiet, surprisingly playful pets more popular among adults.

And now's a great time to adopt one, since it's not long after Easter that the thrill wears off for many children given a baby rabbit -- and for the parents who realize that they'll be caring for a pet that their child will no longer care much about.

So whether you're thinking of adopting a rabbit as a pet for yourself -- or are one of the lucky parents whose child is still in love with that real-life Easter bunny -- you'll want to care for your new pet the best way you can. Here are some tips:

-- Housing. Indoor rabbits are more fun! Your rabbit will need a home base of a small pen or large cage with food, water and a litter box. Rabbits do well with a plain cat box filled with a shallow layer of recycled paper pellets, covered with a layer of fresh grass hay. You don't scoop a rabbit box -- you change it completely, every day. (The ingredients you toss are great for your compost pile.)

Because some rabbits can be chewers, you'll want to make sure any rabbit-friendly area has electrical cords tucked away and to deny access to the legs of nice furniture and the corners of good carpets.

-- Nutrition. Fresh water needs to be available at all times. For food, you can use high-quality commercial rabbit pellets for a base diet (read the label for daily portions and adjust it over time to keep your rabbit from getting fat). You can also skip the commercial pellets. Offer fresh grass hay at will and a wide variety of fresh green leafy vegetables twice daily. Treat your rabbit, too: Bunnies love little bits of fruits and root vegetables.

If you have storage space, hay is cheaper by the bale and lasts for weeks in cool, dry storage if protected from the elements. And stop throwing away veggie trimmings from meal preparation -- give them to your rabbit!

-- Health care. Get your rabbit spayed or neutered. In addition to keeping your rabbit from reproducing, you'll have a better pet. Unaltered rabbits can have behavior problems such as aggression and urine-spraying. Your rabbit will need a wellness check, just as a cat or dog would, and a good rabbit vet will help you catch little health problems before they become big ones.

Check with your local rabbit rescue group for the names of veterinarians who are known to be good with rabbits.

-- Exercise and play. Make sure your rabbit is allowed time outside the cage or pen every day. If you can't manage letting your rabbit roam at will indoors, block off a single rabbit-proofed room. A secure, supervised area outside is fine as well, but don't leave your rabbit unattended. Rabbits can be scared literally to death by cats, dogs and even jays and crows.

Rabbits love toys. Cat toys, dog toys, hard-plastic baby toys and even the cardboard tubes from inside toilet paper and paper towel rolls are fun for rabbits. Cardboard boxes stuffed with hay and treats are also fun for bunnies.

Once you've gotten the hang of rabbit care, think of adding another such pet. Rabbits are social animals and do very well in pairs.

For more information, check out the House Rabbit Society (www.rabbit.org). In addition to volumes of great information online, the HRS also offers a wonderful newsletter with membership and an assortment of books to help you care for your bun.

Q&A

Cat's weight loss reason for concern

Q: I have a spayed female cat who went from 16 pounds to 10 pounds in a few months. (We're not exactly sure when the weight loss started.) We've continued to feed her the same food in the same amounts, and she seems more energetic, but that could be because she's packing less poundage, right?

Should we be concerned with the drastic weight loss? We've tried to reduce her weight many times with no luck, so this is bit of a bonus. -- U.R., via e-mail

A: You have good reason to be concerned about weight loss as dramatic as hers. Since you've said there was no change in the amount of food she eats, I can't imagine she's taken up triathlon training to take off the weight.

That means something else is going on.

Your cat needs to see a veterinarian right away for a thorough evaluation of her health. My concern would be a problem such a hyperthyroidism, a common illness in older cats where the thyroid gland overproduces this essential hormone. Typically, hyperthyroid cats lose weight and seem to be much more energetic, but the disease has a serious downside, too, and needs to be treated.

The good news is that if it is hyperthyroidism, it can be treated successfully in a couple of different ways.

Radiation treatment is considered the best treatment option for a positive outcome, but many owners successfully maintain their cats on daily medication for life. Ask your veterinarian to outline all treatment options so you can decide what's right for your cat. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Keep scooping

Q: How often does a litter box really have to be cleaned? If we're using clumping litter, shouldn't it be OK for a few days? -- P.W., via e-mail

A: Ideally, the box should be scooped every time the cat uses it, or a couple of times a day at least.

Realistically, daily attention is probably fine.

If you're neglecting this chore, you're inviting a behavior problem I know you don't want: a cat who skips the litter box. Cats don't like dirty bathrooms any more than people do, and your pet may start looking for a cleaner place to go if the box isn't to his liking.

So while it may be fine to leave the box unscooped for a couple of days in a pinch, don't let it get to be a habit, or you may end up with a house-soiling problem. -- 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," plus a free monthly newsletter. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Fido, Fluffy just not today's names

-- Forget Fido and Fluffy. The most popular names for pets in 2008, according to a PetFinder.com survey, in decreasing order for dogs, are: Buddy, Max, Daisy, Jack and Lucy. For cats: Lucy, Molly, Oreo, Kittens and Smokey.

-- When a Florida couple's beloved yellow Labrador retriever died, they spent $155,000 with a South Korean biotech research firm to clone a copy one year later. On the "Today" show the couple said they dubbed their doggie double "Lancelot Encore." The puppy was born in late November 2008 and joins Edgar and Nina Otto's large menagerie, which includes nine other dogs. It should be noted the extended Otto family co-founded NASCAR.

-- You've heard of making cheese from goat's milk, but medication? In what would be a scientific first, an anti-clotting drug made from the milk of genetically engineered goats moved closer to government approval recently after experts at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that the medication works and its safety is acceptable. The drug is intended to help people with a rare hereditary disorder that makes them vulnerable to life-threatening ailments, including hemophilia, according to The Associated Press.

-- As the temperature across the United States has gradually gotten warmer, 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 Society study finds. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

THE SCOOP

Split cats up when arranging introductions

Having more than one cat is a popular option for many people, though not always for cats.

But living with more than one cat doesn't have to be contentious. The trick to domestic harmony for co-habiting felines is to introduce -- or reintroduce -- them slowly and carefully.

Since the worst territorial spats are between cats who aren't spayed or neutered, your chances for peaceful co-existence are many times greater if the cats are both altered before any introductions are planned.

Prepare a room for your new cat with food and water bowls, and a litter box and scratching post that needn't be shared. This room will be your new pet's home turf while the two cats get used to each other's existence.

Take your new cat to your veterinarian first, to be checked for parasites such as ear mites and contagious diseases such as feline leukemia. When you're sure your new pet is healthy, the introductions can begin.

Bring the cat home in a carrier and set him in the room you've prepared. Let your resident cat discover the caged animal, and don't be discouraged by initial hisses. When the new cat is alone in the room, close the door and let him out of the carrier. If he doesn't want to leave the carrier at first, let him be. Just leave the carrier door open and the cat alone.

Maintain each cat separately for a week or so -- with lots of love and play for both -- and then on a day when you're around to observe, leave the door to the new cat's room open. Above all: Don't force them together. Territory negotiations between cats can be drawn-out and delicate, and you must let them work it out on their own, ignoring the hisses and glares. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Setting up shop, reptile-style

According to a survey by the American Pet Products Association, the top pet supplies purchased by owners of pet reptiles, by percentage of those who purchased the items, with multiple answers allowed:

Glass habitat 64 percent

Habitat furnishings 58 percent

Books on care 54 percent

Incandescent bulbs 39 percent

Fluorescent bulbs 38 percent

Bedding 30 percent

PET TIP

'Birdify' to get healthy recipes

Looking for a special treat for your parrot? It's easy to adjust everyday recipes to make them more bird-friendly. French toast, for example, can be sprinkled with hulled seeds just after you drench the bread in egg, and then cooked as usual and offered to your bird without the butter and syrup.

You can also make a rice-and-veggie treat by cooking brown rice and then adding fresh vegetables and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Healthy people food is good for birds, too.

Pasta, cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables will all help keep your bird healthy, but remember that avian veterinarians now recommend that the basis of a sound diet should be one of the pelleted diets now available for your bird. If you have any questions regarding proper nutrition for your pet, talk to your veterinarian. -- 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

In the spirit of the great shock-u-mentaries that are late-night cable favorites, I am going to expose veterinary medicine's heinous funny bone with a joke we call "Give your cat this medicine at home."

It starts out with a cat lover putting off the trip to the veterinarian with a sick cat to avoid the following chain of events: cat hides under the couch, human attempts to extricate the cat and stuff it into a carrier, cat claws shred human flesh like a feline Freddy Krueger, cat finally womanhandled (man of the house nowhere to be found, so manhandled not a possibility) into the carrier, and a quick drive to the veterinary hospital, often while being serenaded with the unhappy sounds of a cat plotting revenge.

Finally, the exam room: Let the show begin!

Out explodes the cat, hissing and raking the air with claws extended. Finally, about 325 pounds of restraint (veterinarian plus technician) catch the cat and put on a show called Contortionist Cat Examination. So far, so bad. Everyone except the cat is now covered in cat fur. Some are sneezing. Many are bleeding. All are scared.

Finally, it's our turn to get even by simply saying to Mrs. Client with a straight face: "Socks has an infection that will require treatment at home for the next two weeks. Give Socks one of these tiny pills twice daily." In the eyes of the cat and the owner, of course, the tiny pills look to be the size of tennis balls.

As we watch the rumbling box and dazed owner head toward the car, we can well imagine the World Wrestling Federation Feline Match that will take place once they are home. The very thought makes us smile as we clean up the fur and patch up our wounds.

Once Ms. Trepidation (formerly Mrs. Frustrated Kitty Client) opens the cat carrier at home, a streak of furry flash-lightning can be seen dashing under the same couch where this odyssey began. When Ms. Trepidation's husband and children come home, she announces sweetly and innocently: "We need to give Socks a little medicine. Would you mind helping mommy?"

If they've been through this before, they respond with their own dash for cover. If they are rookies, they may agree to help, having no idea what's about to happen.

Soothing words and food lures are ignored by the cat. A quick grab finally extricates him from under the couch. With pills and fluffy towels out and doors closed, one set of hands pries open the cat's mouth and the bell rings for round one. Socks comes out swinging with a classic "bite or flight" response. The family counterpunches by throwing in the towel, literally, over and around the cat to make a cat burrito that can be stuffed with medicine.

Finally, the pill goes down, and everyone gives a big sigh of relief. Just then, the cat spits out the pill and in a flash is back under the couch. The family takes round two in stride as they put on the leather gloves. Not intimidated by a 575-pound opponent (Mom, Dad, couple of kids), the cat is ready to explore the floor, walls and ceiling of the living room.

Meanwhile, back at the vet's office, the veterinary team is chuckling. "Think of all the suckers we sent home to try to medicate their cats today!"

The truth be known, it's difficult even for veterinarians to give some cats medications. So next time you visit the vet and hear, "Give these little pills to kitty," turn the tables by saying: "No, I think I'll hospitalize her so you can make sure it gets done. As a matter of fact, would you show me the correct way to give a cat a pill, right now?"

Oh no. Payback. The worm has turned.

Q&A

Sensible haircut a must for pets

Q: Our spaniel mix has beautiful "feathers" on his legs and underbelly. He looks great when he comes from the groomer, but it doesn't take long before all that beautiful, long fur is matted, tangled and (in the summer) full of burrs. Any suggestions for keeping him neater? -- P.D., via e-mail

A: A lot of the physical features we see on dogs today are more about fashion than function. The profuse coats and feathering of some breeds and mixes are prime examples of this impracticality. In spaniels (especially American cockers), breeders have gone for more and more "furnishings" -- longer, more luxurious coats that look stunning in the show ring but are too often messy in real life. The overabundance of coat may show up in spaniel mixes as well.

While those who show dogs work to keep every inch of coat, for the purposes of everyday life it's usually better to keep things cut short. That's why pet poodles are kept in body-hugging "puppy clips" and terriers have their wiry coats clipped instead of having dead hairs pulled individually, as is normal for show. (Exhibitors call this "hand-stripping." It's tedious work but essential for winning.)

Ask your groomer to clip your dog's feathers to a functional length -- short enough to keep combed and brushed, long enough to maintain a degree of attractiveness.

As for burrs, here's a tip from hunting-dog trainers: Spray a little nonstick cooking spray (such as Pam) on the area. The lubricating effect will make it easier to slide the burr out of the fur. -- Gina Spadafori

Q: I have a 5-month-old toy poodle, and she isn't very interested in food. She's healthy and playful, but I'm worried she isn't getting her nutrition. I leave dry food down all the time. She waits until I add "goodies" such as broiled chicken breast. Any ideas? -- Y.C., via e-mail

A: Without meaning to, you've taught your puppy that food is always available and that if she waits, something better will come along.

You've taught her to be finicky; now it's time to teach her to eat.

Don't keep food available at all times. It makes house-training more difficult and removes the power of food as a training tool. (Fresh water, on the other hand, should always be accessible.)

Give your pup a quiet place to eat with no distractions. A crate is ideal, but a small room with a baby gate across it will also do. Put the food down and leave your pup alone for 20 to 30 minutes. Then pick up the food, eaten or not, and give your pet no food until the next scheduled feeding. Repeat at every meal: a quiet space, a set time for eating, and remove the remainder.

Don't worry if she misses a meal, or even a day's worth of meals. She won't starve. Above all: Do not, do not, do not give treats between meals, nor add those "goodies" to the meals after she turns up her nose.

I doubt it will take more than a couple of days for your puppy to learn to eat promptly the food that's set down in front of her.

Note: Don't try this on a finicky cat. Cutting off a cat's food supply abruptly can trigger a potentially fatal illness. If your cat's not eating, talk to your veterinarian. -- Gina Spadafori

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

PET BUZZ

Simple TV ad nets big bucks for pets

-- An advertisement featuring singer Sarah McLachlan for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has proven to be a bonanza. The spot features still images of dogs and cats scrolling across the screen while McLachlan croons the haunting song "Angel" in the background. The New York Times reports the simple pitch has raised roughly $30 million for the organization since early 2007. (The ASPCA's annual budget is $50 million.)

-- Nearly 1,000 flute-playing snake charmers protested in Calcutta, India, demanding the right to perform with live snakes. USA Today reports that shows with cobras and other snakes have been banned in India since the Wildlife Protection Act of 1991, though they are still a common site among India's estimated 800,000 charmers.

-- Serotonin is crucial in the swarming of locusts, says a study published in Science magazine. The neurotransmitter, which moderates all kinds of behaviors in all kinds of animals (including humans), has now been shown to be responsible for turning desert locusts from standoffish loners into super-gregarious pests. This discovery may lead to methods to block the formation of locust swarms that can cover hundreds of square miles and involve billions of vegetation-munching insects, devastating agriculture and costing tens of millions of dollars to control. -- 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

Patience, repetition key to parrot speech

Teach your parrot to talk by repeating words clearly. Nurture communication further by using the words in their proper context and setting up an association your bird can grasp.

For example, every time your bird lowers his head to request a scratch, ask him, "Wanna scratch?" and then scratch him. When you give him foods or other toys, call them by name out loud. Play naming games with him: Say "keys" and then tell him "Good bird!" for taking them from you, and then repeat the exercise.

You may have an easier time in a one-bird household. Two birds may be more interested in communicating with each other than in figuring out your expressions. Some experts suggest not attempting to teach your bird to whistle, at least not until he has picked up speech. Whistling birds seem to show a reluctance to use words.

Not all parrots will learn to talk. African greys, Amazons and even tiny budgies seem to enjoy sharing language. Cockatiels are more likely to whistle tunes than talk.

Final note: Even if you're not intentionally trying to teach rude words or sounds to your bird, you might want to be careful about what your pet hears. Any word or sound can end up in a bird's repertoire, whether you want them there or not. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

The best places to be a cat

The CATalyst Council (www.catalystcouncil.org), a coalition of the veterinary community, academia, nonprofits, industry and animal welfare organizations, has named the top cat-friendly cities in the United States. The list was compiled after reviewing the top 25 standard metropolitan areas for such data as cat ownership per capita, level of veterinary care, microchipping and cat-friendly local ordinances.

1. Tampa

2. Phoenix

3. San Francisco

4. Portland, Ore.

5. Denver

6. Boston

7. Seattle

8. San Diego

9. Atlanta

10. Minneapolis

PET TIP

Want a cat? Adopt a pair

If you don't have a cat yet and know you'll eventually want two, it's easiest to adopt a pair at the same time.

It might be even easier if the kittens or cats are siblings, since they'll already be familiar with one another. But even if you adopt two unrelated cats or kittens (or a cat and a kitten), bringing them into a new home together at the same time works well, since neither has established his territory in the new environment.

Having two cats who like each other is the ideal situation, since neither will be lonely when you're at work.

This is especially true of cats who spend their entire lives indoors. Having company can make life much richer for them -- and for you! -- 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.