Universal Press Syndicate

As summer approaches, we get a lot of questions about puppies from people who realize that this season is a great time for adding to the family. Long days, no school, warm weather -- what could be better?

A few words of warning, though, if you're one of those people with a new summer pup: Don't let the season pass you by without putting some serious effort into raising the great dog you want your puppy to become.

Puppies need structure, consistency and lots of positive reinforcement. But more than anything, they need your time. Every minute with a puppy spent training, socializing and preventing problems will save you time and aggravation down the road.

Teach your puppy to get things right from the start by removing opportunities for undesirable behavior, such as limiting your pup's access to areas where he can chew things you'd rather he leave alone. Keep him where he can't get into much trouble, and give him a toy to chew on instead. Don't forget to praise him for making the right decision -- even if the right choice was the only one offered.

In training, stick to the positive. Use praise and treats to motivate and reward your puppy as he learns the basic building blocks of good behavior.

You'll need some tools to help you stop unwanted behavior. Here are a few effective ways to turn a situation around without resorting to physical punishment:

-- The ol' switcheroo. Especially useful for the young puppy, this technique stops a behavior you don't want and provides the puppy with one that's acceptable. For example, if your young puppy is chewing on your nice leather shoes, make a noise to startle and distract him -- slap the counter or clap your hands -- and then give him something you do want him to chew on, such as a toy. When he takes it, praise him. (And then put those shoes away.)

-- Ask for another behavior. With older puppies and dogs, you can stop a bad behavior by asking for a better one. Tell the puppy who's jumping up for attention to sit instead and then praise him for planting his rump on the ground.

-- The time-out. Crates, so useful for house-training, give you a break from your puppy and send him a message at the same time. Puppies thrive on your attention, sometimes even if it's negative. The time-out removes this reward and gives a pup a few minutes to think things over. And sometimes, having a place to put your puppy will help keep you from losing your temper.

If your puppy has been running around for a long time and just seems bratty, he may be tired. If that's the case, put him in his crate for a nap, along with a chew toy. Ignore his fussing. Chances are he'll be asleep in a few minutes.

If you're constantly trying to reprimand your puppy, you may be sending him mixed signals: laughing at bratty behavior sometimes, and yelling or hitting your puppy for that same behavior at other times. Discuss the situation with a trainer. You may have some big problems developing if you don't learn how to shape your puppy's behavior in a positive way.

No matter how well you're doing in raising your puppy, a puppy class is time and money well spent. Puppy classes for dogs as young as 12 weeks offer puppies a chance to socialize and give you an opportunity to work with your pup under the expert eye of a trainer.

Q&A

People, pets can get healthier together

Q: My roommate has a little dog who probably weighs one-third more than he should. She shares everything she eats, feeds the dog his regular meals and gives him treats, too. The dog will bark if his begging doesn't get him more. She gives in every time.

How can I tell my roommate she's killing this dog with "love"? -- A.D., via e-mail

A: The experience of being able to move freely and without pain is joyous to all beings. Denying pets the pleasures of such movement by letting them become grossly obese is no act of love.

It's difficult to say "no" to the big brown eyes of a pet who has been taught to beg constantly. But doing so is truly an act of caring -- stuffing an overweight dog is not.

You didn't say if your roommate could stand to be more fit as well. But if that's the case, it may be that both she and her dog can start a healthier lifestyle together, with more exercise and a different diet with fewer calories. Both your roommate and her dog should start with the trip to their respective doctors for a checkup and advice on how best to proceed.

Moving more and getting fewer calories are key. For some of those treats, veggies can make a dog -- and a person! -- feel as if he's getting something good without adding a lot of calories. Baby carrots are especially helpful. Serving reduced-calorie food (talk to your veterinarian for recommendations) or simply adding green beans to a regular diet as filler can also help. It doesn't take much to get a small dog plenty of exercise, but it does start with putting him on his own four feet -- no carrying!

My book "Fitness Unleashed! A Dog and Owner's Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together" ($14, Three Rivers Press) was written with human physician Robert Kushner, M.D., as a guide to getting both man and beast on the road to feeling better. Maybe your friend could use a copy! -- Dr. Marty Becker

(Do you have a question on pets? Send it to PetConnection@gmail.com.)

PET BUZZ

Plants can be deadly to pets

-- The top 10 plants responsible for poisoning dogs and cats, according to a 2008 analysis of claims to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co., were: raisins and grapes, mushrooms, marijuana, lily, walnuts, onion, sago palm, macadamia nuts, azalea and hydrangea. For more information, visit petinsurance.com or the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA.org/APCC).

-- The problems caused by a shortage of veterinarians in federal government agencies caught the ear of the U.S. Senate. Earlier this year the nation's top veterinary professionals met with senators after a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Office has an on-the-job vacancy rate of up to 35 percent, and the agency's Agriculture Research Service has a 12 percent shortage of critical veterinarians. More than a quarter of veterinarians employed by the federal government are eligible to retire in the next three years. The GAO estimated that federal agencies' ability to respond to an emergency in the animal population could be hampered by a lack of veterinarians. The American Veterinary Medical Association is working with Congress to bring more veterinarians into government work by making federal veterinary salaries more competitive and by putting in place loan repayment programs to help veterinary graduates deal with their student loans.

-- Homeless horses have become a crisis in America. Of the estimated 9 million horses in the United States, an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 lose their homes every year, according to the International Animal Welfare Training Institute, which recently held a meeting in California to explore options to help these horses. -- 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

Collar your cat, even if he stays indoors

More than a few cat owners won't collar their pets, fearing that the material will become caught while the animal's roaming. That seems especially true of people with indoor cats, who are certain their cats will never slip out.

If your cat isn't collared, consider this: Less than 2 percent of all lost cats are ever found, according to the National Council of Pet Population Study and Policy. While free-roaming cats are obviously more likely to be lost, even indoor pets can get out. These cats are truly fish out of water outside, since they don't know the neighborhood and will have a hard time finding their way home if they wander very far.

One solution to providing pets with safer collars is to use breakaway collars with a slide-on tag. Breakaway collars offer an elastic panel or quick-release clasp meant to allow a cat to escape the collar if snagged. Slip-on tags such as those made by Boomerang (Boomerangtags.com) will put some ID on the collar without leaving anything dangling and in danger of catching on something.

No matter if your cat has access to the outdoors or not, the best insurance you can buy to increase your pet's safety is a tag and a collar to put it on. For more protection, have your veterinarian give your cat a microchip ID -- and be sure to register your information. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

A place to put a paw

More than two-thirds of pet owners say their pets travel with them routinely, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA.net). The organization says those surveyed report patronizing a variety of places that accept pets when traveling, with popularity as noted (multiple answers allowed):

With friends/family 65 percent

Hotel/motel 43 percent

Campground 22 percent

Rental house/condo 13 percent

Other 7 percent

PET TIP

Don't make dogs 'hold it' too long

Puppies need to be fed more often than adult dogs, and they need to be taken outside more frequently as well.

For feeding, aim for three to four times a day until your puppy is 3 months old. Then drop one meal, then two, until you're on an adult schedule of twice a day.

How long can puppies "hold it"? A good guideline is an hour for every month in age. That means three hours for a 3-month-old puppy, five hours for a 5-month-old.

Ideally, the most any dog should routinely be confined without a chance for relief is about six hours. If you can't provide your dog relief during a longer stretch, look into an indoor dog litter box, potty pads, a dog door or a midday pet sitter's call. -- 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

The Jekyll-Hyde turn some cats make when being petted has their owners convinced they're crazy. But that's not the case: Some cats need to be taught to accept the loving attention of their owners.

The conversion takes time and patience, but it's worth it for all.

Both genetics and social factors contribute to how likely a cat is to bite or claw while being petted. Some cats are born with short fuses; others are made that way (or made worse) through a lack of early socialization or proper training in their kittenhoods. That's why it's important to never let a kitten come to believe fingers are for chewing on, even in play. Redirect your kitten's playful energy to toys instead. And never hit a kitten or cat for biting, since you'll make it more likely, not less, that your pet will strike faster in fear and self-defense the next time.

Natural activity levels also play a part in how much petting a cat will tolerate. Cats from large-breed backgrounds (think Maine coon) are generally mellow in temperament, willing to sit quietly while being petted. So-called Oriental breeds or mixes (think Siamese or Burmese) are usually more interested in being on the go.

But no matter how hair-trigger the setting on your cat's attack mode, you can work to increase your pet's tolerance for petting by paying close attention to his body language as you slowly increase the amount of time during which he'll calmly accept your attention.

You should also be aware that some areas on a cat are more sensitive than others. For a highly reactive cat, restrict your caresses at first to behind the ears, under the chin or the base of the tail. A long stroke down the back is too much for some kitties, and you're really taking chances when you decide to tickle your cat's tummy. The cats who enjoy it are outnumbered by the cats who'll seek to stop it with teeth and claws.

Work to build up your cat's tolerance to touch over time. When you pick up your cat for a petting session, don't surprise him. Come up on him slowly and pick him up gently, making sure his whole body is supported with a hand under his chest and one beneath his legs.

Pet him in less-reactive areas on his body, watching for the first sign of a tail twitch. When you get that early warning sign, stop petting and let your cat leave if he wants to. The idea is to work up to just short of the point where your pet becomes uncomfortable and then stop, so you can gradually increase his tolerance for petting. For some cats, the addition of treats during petting can also help the reconditioning process.

If you miss the signs and end up in your cat's non-affectionate embrace, just freeze. Providing no resistance will help calm your cat so he'll just let go, usually in a few seconds. If you fight back or physically punish your cat, you are more likely to get bitten or scratched in the short run and damage your relationship with your pet in the long run.

Be patient, and be satisfied with small improvements as you go. As any cat lover will tell you, teaching your cat to tolerate petting is well worth the effort -- for both of you.

Q&A

Check the vitals on your pet cat

Q: We used to have dogs, but now that we're retired we don't anymore. We sadly lost our last German shepherd five years ago, and that's it for us. But we were adopted by a stray cat, and he's a joy.

Since we had dogs for decades, we knew a lot about their care and how to know when they were ill. Can you offer advice on how to know if our cat is "off"? -- C.P., via e-mail

A: With a little practice, you can easily learn to take your cat's vital signs.

A cat's heart normally beats between 140 and 220 times per minute, with a relaxed cat on the lower end of the scale. It's not unusual for their heartbeat to be high at the veterinarian's, since cats don't like being away from home, and they certainly don't like being poked and prodded by strangers.

To take your cat's pulse at home, you need a watch that clicks off the seconds. Put your hand over your cat's left side, behind the front leg. You'll feel the heartbeat pulsing beneath your fingers (if you can't, you might talk to your veterinarian about getting some of the fat off your cat). Count the beats while 15 seconds clicks off your watch. Multiply by four to get the BPM, or beats per minute.

While you're at it, check out your cat's respiration rate. Step back and watch your cat when he's relaxed and standing. Count the number of times the abdomen and chest wall moves in 60 seconds. A normal cat takes 15 to 25 breaths per minute.

Normal feline body temperature is between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, read from a thermometer inserted where the sun doesn't shine. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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.

PET BUZZ

Study tracks trends on which dogs bite

-- About 15.8 people per 1,000 are bitten by a dog every year, with about 3.1 of the same people needing medical attention. In a study for the journal "Injury Prevention," researchers conducted telephone surveys and compared the results from a decade ago. People were most likely to be bitten in their own homes by known dogs. As the number of dogs rose above one in the household, the bite occurrence also increased. The study found that dog bites in children had decreased in number, while older adults showed an increased number of bites. The increase in older victims may be linked to the popularity of smaller dogs, more likely to be owned by seniors and statistically more likely to bite.

-- Horses and donkeys burned in Australia's wildfires are getting help from across the globe. The University of Melbourne has been treating the animals, but has been getting much-needed help from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. UCD has sent medications and has paired up the Melbourne team with Dr. John Madigan, a professor of veterinary medicine and head of UCD's Veterinary Emergency Response Team.

-- The smallest dog on record was a Yorkshire terrier, who was 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder, 3.75 inches long from the tip of his nose to the base of the tail, and weighed 4 ounces. According to "The Book of General Ignorance," the dog died in 1945. For the smallest dogs living today, the current world record is shared by a Yorkshire terrier (shortest in height) and a Chihuahua (shortest in length). Whitney, the Yorkie, lives in England and is 3 inches tall at the shoulder. The Chihuahua, called Danka Kordak Slovakia, is 7.4 inches long and lives in Slovakia. Extremely tiny dogs are known for their frail health, so we hope others won't be trying for this dubious record. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

PET Rx

Cats, dogs need blood donors just as people do

Every day, sick or injured pets require blood transfusions as part of their treatment. That blood comes from feline and canine blood donors.

The use of blood products for treating sick and injured pets has increased so dramatically that there is a growing shortage of canine and feline blood. Several commercial blood banks have opened in response to this need, and many veterinary practices, schools and colleges have developed their own blood banks.

The donated blood is used in the same way that blood is used in human medical facilities: as whole blood, plasma and packed red cells. The blood is collected in sterile plastic bags and is handled and stored in the same way as human blood.

Cats and dogs don't get to volunteer for duty, but the ones who do give are generally pretty mellow about it. To be considered, they must be healthy adults, current on vaccinations, with no health problems and no medications. They may be given a mild sedative for the blood draw, and they can donate usually every three months.

Many serve as in-house donors for a while and are then placed into loving homes. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Big dogs have the edge

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

Own small dogs 43 percent

Own medium dogs 34 percent

Own large dogs 44 percent

THE SCOOP

For felines, up is faster than down

The structure of a cat's paw and claws is one reason these animals have such an easy time going up a tree but such a difficult time coming back down.

A cat's paws have claws curved for fast forward motion, which makes rapid ascent easy for the average cat -- grab higher with the front claws, kick higher with the back, and repeat.

Not so easy coming back down, which at best is an ungraceful maneuver of (hopefully) short falls, with a safe but embarrassed landing at the end.

Most cats do find their way back down in time, which is a good thing these days. With municipal budgets being what they are, few fire departments are allowed to respond to "cat stuck in tree" calls anymore. -- 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

The No. 1 behavior problem reported to veterinarians when it comes to cats? Missing the litter box, by far.

But don't blame the cat.

If your cat is hit or miss where the litter box is concerned, chances are the choices you've made factor into the problem. After all, your cat really isn't asking for anything more than you would when it comes to a bathroom. All that's required for most cats is that the bathroom be clean, quiet and offer no surprises.

That sounds simple, but the failure to use a litter box sends countless cats outside or to shelters every year. Before you even consider such a drastic step, you need to try to work things out with your cat if you have a litter box problem.

The first step in solving such a problem is to make sure it's not a medical condition -- and that means a trip to your veterinarian for a complete workup. Urinary tract infections and diseases such as diabetes make consistent litter box use impossible for even the most well-intentioned cat. You cannot hope to get your cat using the box again until any health issues have been resolved.

If your cat checks out fine, you need to start working to make sure that everything about the box is to your cat's liking. The second rule of solving a litter box problem: If the cat isn't happy, no one will be happy. Here's what to look for.

-- Cleanliness. Cats are fastidious animals, and if the litter box is dirty, they'll look elsewhere for a place to go. Clean the box frequently -- twice a day at least -- and make sure it's completely scrubbed clean and aired out on a weekly basis. Having an additional litter box may help, too. (Multiple litter boxes are recommended for multicat households, since many cats simply will not share.)

-- Box type and filler. Many choices people make to suit their own tastes conflict with the cat's sense of what's agreeable. A covered box may seem more pleasing to you, but your cat may think it's pretty rank inside or scary. Likewise, scented litters may make you think the box smells fine, but your cat may disagree -- not only is the box dirty, he reasons, but it also has this extra "clean" odor he can't abide. Start with the basics: a large box with unscented, clumping-style litter.

-- Location. Your cat's box should be away from his food and water, in a place he can get to easily and feel safe in. Consider a location from a cat's point of view: Choose a quiet spot where he can see what's coming at him. A cat doesn't want any surprises while he's in the box.

Make the area where your cat has had mistakes less attractive by cleaning it thoroughly with a pet-odor neutralizer (available from pet-supply retailers). Discourage reuse by covering the area with foil, plastic sheeting or plastic carpet runners with the points up.

If changing things around doesn't clear up the problem in a healthy cat, you may need to retrain him by keeping your pet in a small area such as a guest bathroom for a couple of weeks.

Make sure the area you choose has no good options besides the litter box -- no carpet, no pile of dirty laundry. Block off the bathtub or keep an inch of water in it to discourage its use as a place to go. After your cat is reliably using the litter box, let him slowly expand his territory again. As long as you keep up your end of the bargain and keep the litter box clean and safe, you have a good chance the good behavior will become permanent.

If you just can't seem to get the problem resolved, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. These veterinarians are skilled in behavioral problem-solving and are able to prescribe medications that may make the difference during the retraining period.

Q&A

Agility can be fun for dogs of all ages

Q: I have a question concerning my dog. She's a cattle dog mix, perfect in every way -- love at first sight at the shelter, even though we had wanted a younger dog. She's about 8 years old, they guessed, but very healthy and young-acting.

The only problem: We can't give her enough exercise. She'll play fetch forever, but it's not enough. We took her through obedience class (she rocked!), and the instructors suggested we take an agility class. Looks like fun, but at 8, is Tandy too old? I'd hate for her to get hurt. -- B.W., via e-mail

A: I have never in my life considered acting young to be a fault in an 8-year-old dog! Count your blessings, will you?

I'd take a slightly cautious approach to agility work for Tandy. Ask your veterinarian how he or she would assess the dog's fitness, and make sure she's not overweight so she doesn't stress her joints as she works.

When you start agility training, don't push too hard -- pay close attention and stop when you see your dog tiring. Work on emphasizing "fun" over "competition." That's because in training sessions, you can keep the jumps at levels lower than is required at trials, and spare the wear and tear on your dog's joints.

If you both do really well, though, you might try some limited competition. Top agility dogs in top form compete well into their senior years, and you and your dog may well catch the agility bug.

The bottom line: Proceed with caution, but give it a chance. Agility work is a joy for both dogs and humans, and it will go a long way toward keeping you both feeling young. -- Gina Spadafori

Flap up for new door

Q: I recently installed a panel pet door in a sliding-glass door. My cat will not use it. Only once was I successful in tenderly pushing him through it so he could see how it works. Last night, I tried to coach him through it, but his mind was made up that he wasn't going anywhere near the door. I even placed some treats on the other side of the flap, and he still wouldn't budge.

I read that I should first try taping the flap up so he can see that it's an outlet to the patio and then, over time, let the flap down. Do you have any ideas? -- L.H., via e-mail

A: The easiest way for an animal to learn to use a pet door is to have another pet who's already using it. But since that's not an option for you, you'll now have to start over with the training.

Start by taping the flap securely out of the way, or by removing it completely for the time being. If you are going to tape it up, be sure you use enough tape to keep the flap from falling down. If your cat gets hit in the nose, the training will take even longer.

Next, every time your cat wants to go out, let yourself out the sliding-glass door and close it behind you. Then call your cat, while kneeling on the other side of the flapless cat door and coaxing him with praise and treats. Chances are your cat will look through the wide-open door and come right on through. Never open the sliding-glass door to let your cat out. From now on, go out without him and make the cat door the only way out.

After he's going in and out with confidence, set the flap halfway up so he can still see through opening. Once that's working, you can put the flap all the way down. -- Gina Spadafori

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

PET BUZZ

Parrots like those who sound like them

-- Parrots are attracted to the sound of their own voice, or at least one similar. A study by the University of California, Irvine, found that female budgerigars prefer mates who sound like themselves. Although the parrots have an ability to imitate other voices, which is often used in the mating process where the male learns to sound like the female, the study shows that female parrots are most attracted to the male if he naturally sounds like her at their first meeting, before any imitation is done. The findings also highlighted the greater help males will give to nesting females if her sound is similar to his.

-- Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon kept the ball he threw for the last out in the 2007 World Series. Unfortunately, reports Esquire magazine, his beloved French bulldog, Boss, got a hold of the ball and chewed it up.

-- A growing number of families are choosing unusual animals as pets, but some of these uncommon critters harbor illnesses that can be passed on to people. Turtles, chicks and mice may be carriers of bacteria and viruses such as salmonella and herpes, reports the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Nontraditional pets can introduce kids to new germs that their immune systems aren't prepared to fight," says Dr. Robert Frenck, a professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and a member of the AAP committee on infectious diseases. -- 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

Do you know when to head to the vet?

Knowing what's a true veterinary emergency and what's not can save you hundreds of dollars, since emergency clinics -- like human emergency care -- can be quite expensive.

It's always a good time to review when a pet needs to see a veterinarian. Anything is worth at least a phone call if you're not sure what's wrong. And some things require immediate attention by a veterinarian.

How to tell the difference? Here are some signs that should have you heading for a veterinarian, day or night:

-- Seizure, fainting or collapse.

-- Eye injury, no matter how mild.

-- Vomiting or diarrhea -- anything more than two or three times within an hour or so.

-- Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face, or hives, most easily seen on the belly.

-- Any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication. Cats are especially sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medication for dogs) or any petroleum-based product.

-- Snake or venomous spider bites.

-- Thermal stress -- from being either too cold or too hot -- even if the pet seems to have recovered. (The internal story could be quite different.)

-- Any wound or laceration that's open and bleeding, or any animal bite.

-- Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the pet seems fine. (Again, the situation could be quite different on the inside.)

-- Any respiratory problem: chronic coughing, trouble breathing or near drowning.

-- Straining to urinate or defecate.

Although some other problems may not be life-threatening, they may be causing your pet pain and should be taken care of without delay. Signs of pain include panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, restlessness, crying out, aggression and loss of appetite. Some pets seek company when suffering, while others will withdraw.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution, always. Better to be dead wrong about a minor medical problem than to have a pet who's dead because you guessed wrong about a major one.

Call your veterinary clinic or hospital before you need help, and ask what arrangements the staff suggests for emergency or after-hours care. If your veterinarian refers clients to an emergency clinic after regular business hours, be sure you know which clinic it is, what the phone number is and how to get there. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

It's all about the love

According to a survey by the American Pet Products Association, here are the top reasons why dog lovers enjoy having a canine companion (more than one response allowed):

Source of affection 89 percent

Feel safe in home 83 percent

Beneficial to health 78 percent

Helps me relax 77 percent

PETS ON THE WEB

Don't overlook rats when choosing a pet

Healthy, well-socialized rats can make lively, entertaining pets. And they're easy to train to do tricks.

Still, many people would never consider these as pets because rats have a bad reputation. But healthy pet rats are not street rats. With basic husbandry and an easy-clean housing setup, they are clean and friendly.

If you're open-minded enough to own a rat, check out the Rat and Mouse Club of America's Web site (www.rcma.org). The site packs in a great deal of good information, with plenty of reasons to keep a rat (or more than one, because they get lonely), as well as all the tips you need to care for these pets properly.

Rats are recommended for older children rather than preschoolers, and be sure as with all pets that children practice good hygiene habits with their pets, including frequent hand-washing. -- 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.