Universal Press Syndicate

The term "dog days" has more to do with astrology and the constellation Sirius than with our canine companions here on Earth. Still, we thought we'd celebrate the warm dog days of summer by offering up some cool facts from one of our books, "BowWOW! Curiously Compelling Facts, True Tales and Trivia Even Your Dog Won't Know." Enjoy!

-- The problem with panting: Compared to their owners, dogs have very few sweat glands. There are some in the paw pads, so dogs do sweat from their feet and from other relatively less furry regions of their bodies. But the primary way dogs cool off is by panting.

Panting is very rapid, shallow breathing that enhances the evaporation of water from the tongue, mouth and upper respiratory tract. Evaporation dissipates heat as water vapor.

Panting can reach frequencies of 300 to 400 breaths per minute (the normal canine breathing rate is 30 to 40 breaths per minute). Yet it requires surprisingly little effort. Because of the natural elasticity of the lungs and airways, panting does not expend much energy nor create additional heat.

And that's a good thing, because dogs are very easily overheated, prone to heat stroke in hot weather, especially when the humidity is also high, which minimizes the effectiveness of panting.

-- Follow the bouncing ball, with caution: A golden retriever named Augie holds the record for the most tennis balls held in the mouth at one time -- five, according to the Guinness World Records book.

Even when a dog can hold only one tennis ball, though, owners need to take care. Veterinarians warn that tennis balls should be used for supervised retrieving play only, and never allowed to be used as a chew toy. That's because a dog can compress the ball, which can then pop open in the back of the mouth, cutting off the air supply.

In other words, we don't recommend allowing your dog to shoot for that record.

-- Drink up: The average daily water intake for a dog is about 3 ounces for every 5 pounds of body weight, so a 25-pound dog would drink about a pint of water per day under average conditions. The amount goes up if the weather is hot, the dog is exercising or both. Depending on whether or not a pet eats canned or dry food, up to half of a pet's daily water consumption can come from food.

Dogs drink a lot of water, not only because they need it for normal bodily functioning, but also to create moist nasal mucous to help them with their keen sense of smell.

-- Computing "dog years": The idea that 1 year of a dog's life equals 7 human ones isn't accurate -- but the formulas to replace that easy-to-remember computation are too complicated to ever really catch on.

The first 8 months of a dog's life equals 13 years in human terms -- birth to puberty, in other words. At a year, a dog's a teenager, equivalent to a 16-year-old human, with a little filling out still to do. After the age of 2, when a dog's about 21 in human terms, every dog year equals approximately 5 human ones. But then you have to adjust for the fact that small dogs live longer than big ones.

-- Problems with pug noses: Dogs with extremely short muzzles and rounded heads are called "brachycephalic," and despite their adorable, almost human expressions, they have a host of health challenges related to their nonstandard-issue canine anatomy. ("Brachycephalic" comes from Greek roots, combining words for "short" and "head" to define these dogs perfectly.)

From the dog's point of view, being pug-nosed isn't much of a plus. The dogs are notoriously heat-intolerant and have such difficulty breathing that air travel is generally not recommended. The malformation of the skull often results in crowding of teeth that can cause dental issues. Snoring and drooling are also an issue.

Q&A

Bird furniture can be found for free

Q: I'm the proud owner of a cockatiel. The pet store set me up with a cage and everything I need, but I'm not sure about the perch. It's just a dowel, and I wonder if a tree branch would be more natural. Can you advise? -- L.P., via e-mail

A: You're on the right track. Pitch that boring wooden dowel and install a variety of perches for your new pet.

A perch is more than something to stand on for your bird. Chosen properly, it's also an important tool for helping to keep your bird physically and emotionally sound.

When choosing perches, think variety and select an array of textures. Choices you'll find at the bird store or through catalog or online retailers include rope, natural wood and concrete, and each should find a place in your bird's cage.

Some of the best perches around won't cost you anything more than the time it takes to trim them from your trees. Limbs from most fruit and nut trees make fine perches, as do those from ash, elm, dogwood and magnolia. Cut the branches to fit the cage, scrub with detergent, rinse well, and let them dry in the sun before putting them in the cage.

A final check is for insect pods -- just break them off and dispose of them in an outside trash can.

Check for wear as your bird chews on the perch, which is actually a good thing. Discard perches as needed and add more. With nature as your supply shop, you'll have no problem finding new ones. -- 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." Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Dog problems pull trigger for cops

-- In New York City, one out of every four times an officer fires a gun, it is aimed at a dog. The New York Times reports that the police department considers dogs to be a top threat to its field forces, especially those animals trained or encouraged to be aggressive.

-- Pet-care services in the United States will expand 9 percent in the next five years, rising to $34 billion in 2013. The pet-care services market was $23 billion in 2008, with veterinary services making up for three-quarters of that amount, according to a study by Packaged Facts. Market growth in the pet industry has been expanding in areas such as mobile grooming, waste removal, pet travel, pet-sitting and pet walking, and funerary/bereavement.

-- The most bizarre veterinary claim incidents are being rewarded by the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.'s first ever Hambone Award, which looked at more than a million claims to find the strangest. The award was inspired by a dog who jumped into a refrigerator and ate an entire Thanksgiving ham before being let out of the refrigerator and taken to the veterinarian with a mild case of hypothermia. One contestant in the running this year is a spaniel mix, Toby, who got a bone got caught around his front teeth and lower jaw. Toby was anesthetized and then had the bone removed with a hacksaw.

-- The first pet-only airline is Pet Airways, which flies with pets in the main cabin rather than in cargo. The airline has been flying since 2005 and serves the five boroughs of New York City, Washington, D.C., Denver, Chicago and Los Angeles, but has plans for expanding nationwide to serve its furry clientele. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

THE SCOOP

Don't discount idea of adopting mature dog

The idea that an adult dog is somehow "damaged goods" as an adoption prospect is strangely pervasive, especially among people for whom an older dog would be perfect -- novices with neither the time nor the experience to raise a puppy properly.

Mature dogs of 5 years and older are especially recommended, since many dogs have an extended adolescence that can be avoided by choosing a dog who's often overlooked in the shelter. Many older dogs have years of loving left, and they deserve a chance.

The older dog can slide easily into your life and will bond just as surely as the dog you took home as a puppy. And older dogs are everywhere, available from private homes, rescue groups and shelters.

If you're interested in a purebred, a rescue group specializing in your breed can be the deal of the century -- these volunteer organizations typically offer their dogs for the cost of the shots and neutering that they've already taken care of.

While the older dog can be a marvelous find, you still have to be selective. While expecting to work on some things as your new dog gets used to you is reasonable, you want to avoid those animals who have too many problems, especially if one of them is aggression. Working with shelters or rescue groups that evaluate their dogs and provide them with basic training is highly recommended, as is signing up your new dog for a training class to help work through the rough patches. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Cats and dogs, happy together

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

Cat 41 percent

Fish 20 percent

Bird 10 percent

Small animal 9 percent

Reptile 7 percent

Horse 5 percent

Source: American Pet Products Association

PET Rx

Even neutered dogs may need Viagra

Viagra (Sildenafil) is used for more than what it's most famous for. In both humans and canines, the drug is prescribed for severe pulmonary hypertension -- high blood pressure in the lungs.

The disease is physically debilitating, and many affected dogs are unable to walk across the room without collapsing. Once they receive the proper dose of Viagra, these dogs can take short, daily walks with their owners and return to a more normal quality of life.

So if you overhear Viagra being dispensed at your veterinarian's, you'll know its more likely for a heart condition than for "performance." That's especially true, of course, in a neutered dog.

And no, dogs aren't prescribed it for that "other" use. -- 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

This is the summer when people are discovering the wonders close by, skipping that exotic jet-away for a vacation that's shorter, cheaper and accessible by car. And that means a lot of pets are going, too.

The trend toward taking dogs along has been building for a long time, with both low-end and luxury hotels increasingly not only accepting dogs, but also actively welcoming them with such previously unheard-of lures as room service and dog walkers.

The best way to plan your pet-friendly vacation? Check out Web sites and guidebooks dedicated to traveling with pets, and look for ads in pet-related magazines and newsletters. You'll find information as to which restaurants welcome dogs on their patios, which beaches or other recreational areas offer legal off-leash exercise, and even the locations of the nearest self-serve dog wash. You'll always want to know the location of nearby veterinarians, as well, just in case.

Don't rely on any listing or book too much, though. Policies change, which is why it's essential to always call ahead and confirm that pets are still welcome where you've made your reservations. And don't forget to ask about weight limits: Some hotels welcome dogs, but only small ones.

Even though more people than ever are traveling with their dogs, there are plenty of people who don't like sharing space with the four-legged tourists. There are also plenty of resort properties that are one pet mess away from changing to a no-dog policy. That means you and your dog must be above reproach, to keep a great place open for future pet travel.

Three rules for considerate pet travel:

-- Keep 'em clean. Your dog should be healthy, well-groomed and clean-smelling. Always dry off wet dogs and wipe off muddy feet -- using your towels, not the motel's -- before allowing your dog inside. Cover furniture, carpets and bedspreads with your old sheets and towels. And if you need to bathe your dog, be sure, again, to use your towels and clean up afterward.

-- Keep 'em under control. Your dog should be obedient, friendly but not annoying, and never aggressive -- not to people, not to pets and not to wildlife. Do not allow your dog to bark uncontrollably. Use your best judgment as to when to let a dog off the leash in areas where doing so is allowed, and be sure that your dog isn't annoying other people or pets.

-- Pick up after 'em. Take your dog to out-of-the-way places on resort property to do his business -- the corner of the far parking lot, not the grassy inner courtyard. No leg-lifting allowed near rooms and eating areas. Make it so the pickiest dog hater on Earth wouldn't notice that your dog has been around.

And finally, don't forget to show your appreciation. Those of us who travel with our pets realize it's a privilege, not a right, to have a nice place to stay in. So along with keeping your pet from being a nuisance, don't forget to say "thank you" to resort staff, and tip generously when appropriate. Pets mean extra work for the people who work at these places, so let's try to keep them on our side.

Q&A

College pets not the best idea

Q: I am going off to college in the fall, and I am going to miss my cat so much. She is as old as I am -- 18 -- which means she's really better off staying home with my parents. What do you think about adopting a kitten now? I'm getting an apartment for school. -- U.T., via e-mail

A: I honestly think you'd be better off waiting until you're done with college to adopt, or at least wait until you've settled in to the college routine for a few months or even the first year.

The shelters and rescue groups of every college town in the country are constantly dealing with the former pets of college students. Finding and keeping housing that allows pets is a major challenge. So, too, can be finding the time and energy to care for a pet when there's so much to do and try when you're in college. And don't forget that pets can be expensive to maintain, and very few college students have much money to spare.

Even if you can find suitable housing, have you thought about what you'll do with your cat during school breaks? If you're planning on going home when you're not in school, you might find your parents unwilling to have your cat become a member of the family, even temporarily. Your elderly cat at home probably isn't going to welcome the company, either.

Why don't you volunteer at a shelter instead? You'll be able to pet all the cats you want, and by helping with their socialization, you'll be making the animals more likely to be adopted.

You'll have plenty of time in your life for a pet of your own. Focus on college now, so you can provide a good home for yourself and your pets in the future. -- Gina Spadafori

Worms? Maybe not

Q: Our dog is dragging his behind on the lawn. Can you recommend the best wormer from the pet store? -- P.R., via e-mail

A: It may not be worms. When a dog scoots across the carpet or grass on his rear, he's trying to relieve an itch or irritation. Parasites like tapeworms can be one source of that irritation. It can also be impacted or infected anal sacks, fecal material that is clinging to the hair, or even constipation or diarrhea.

Your pet needs to see a veterinarian. The only way to relieve your pet's discomfort is to get an accurate diagnosis followed by proper treatment for the condition. Don't guess at what's wrong -- get help. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

PET BUZZ

Canine collar tags have a long history

-- People have always wanted some way to get a roving dog home. And government authorities have always wanted a way to either put a property tax on a dog or, in later years, ensure that the animal was vaccinated against rabies. Dogs have been licensed for centuries, but the idea of a tag to signify that a dog was "street legal" seems to date back to the late 19th century, when Cincinnati started issuing tags on an annual basis, and other cities and states soon followed suit. While governments used to issue some tags that were creative and downright adorable -- shaped like doghouses, acorns, police shields and more -- today's tags are the height of utilitarian design. That's why the old tags are valuable, with prices for examples of whimsical appearance, decent condition and age going for hundreds of dollars.

-- Japanese termites may be beating out rabbits when it comes to breeding, according to the Smithsonian magazine. One species of termites in Japan is capable of cloning, with cloned queens mating with males to increase reproductive capacity for the colony.

-- The canary is well-known for his vocal talents and vibrant color. Canaries hail originally from the Canary Islands, which were named not for their most famous residents, but for the dogs the Romans found there ("canis" being Latin for "dog"). While most people think of canaries as yellow, canaries in fact come in many colors and varieties, thanks to centuries of selective breeding. Canaries can be sleek or plump in body type, and smooth or puffy when it comes to feathers, with colors from yellow to bright orange to greens and browns. Only male canaries sing. -- 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

Open windows can be hazardous for cats

Don't let a cool breeze tempt you to open the window and put your cat at risk. Although cats are able to right themselves in midair and land on all four feet, they're also capable of being badly hurt in the process.

The biggest risk is from a fall that's two to six stories in height. Cats often survive falls from higher floors -- although they're usually injured -- because it's thought they have more time to right themselves and brace for impact. Cats have survived falls of up to 30 stories or more, and have died from shorter falls.

Veterinarians call the phenomenon the "high-rise syndrome," but warn all cat lovers to protect pets from falls of any height.

Many cat lovers assume their pets would be smart enough to be careful when up high enough for injuries, but it's just not in an animal's ability to make that kind of judgment call. Cats are comfortable in high places, and they cannot understand the difference in risk between a one-story fall and a six-story fall.

The best way to prevent falls and injuries is to keep windows closed. But if you must seek a cool breeze, make sure you have sturdy screens to keep cats off the outer sill. Screens are meant for bugs, not cats, so there's no guarantee that they'll hold up to a feline determined to get out. But they should discourage most from trying. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Reasons pets end up homeless

The National Council of Pet Population and Policy has studied the reasons why pets end up homeless, in order to help people work through issues in hopes of keeping pets in their homes. The top reasons pets are given up:

Cats

1. Too many in house

2. Allergies

3. Moving

4. Cost of pet maintenance

5. Landlord issues

6. No homes for littermates

7. House soiling

8. Personal problems

9. Inadequate facilities

10. Doesn't get along with other pets

Dogs

1. Moving

2. Landlord issues

3. Cost of pet maintenance

4. No time for pet

5. Inadequate facilities

6. Too many pets in home

7. Pet illness

8. Personal problems

9. Biting

10. No homes for littermates

PET Rx

Feline asthma can be helped

Labored breathing is always a cause for alarm, and any cat who's in respiratory distress needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. For some cats, the diagnosis may be feline asthma, a condition similar to the human disease that is treated in a similar way.

In cats, labored, open-mouth breathing and a dry hacking cough -- sometimes mistaken for a hairball hack -- can be signs of asthma.

Any cat with these symptoms needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian and to have a treatment plan drawn up and followed. Treatment for feline asthma involves managing the environment to eliminate or lessen allergic triggers, such as dust from certain litters, in combination with medications to relax the airways and reduce inflammation.

Don't take your cat's breathing problems for granted, since feline asthma can be life-threatening if left untreated. Medications and environmental management can help a cat live with the disease, but it cannot be cured. -- 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

Biting, destructiveness, noisiness, house-soiling -- these problems can be more of a threat to a pet than a disease such as cancer. That's because too often behavior problems are eventually "solved" by getting rid of the pet, a solution that's often a dead end for the animal.

Even when people refuse to give up on their pets, behavior problems can mean a lifetime of misery. "Bad" pets may spend their lives locked up, locked out or punished in ways that reflect the frustration and ignorance of their owners but do nothing to solve the problems. It's safe to say that neither side realizes the full benefits of the human-animal bond in such sad situations.

It doesn't have to be that way. While some behavior problems aren't fixable, most can be. To accomplish such change, though, you have to be prepared to put some time into changing the situation. Quick-fix, half-hearted efforts are doomed from the start.

The first rule of solving any behavioral problem is to make sure it's not a medical problem. The cat who won't use the litter box may be struggling with an infection that makes urination painful. A dog who snaps when his ears are touched may be suffering from chronic infections. Situations such as these need to be accurately diagnosed and completely treated with the help of your veterinarian before any retraining begins.

When your pet is healthy, your veterinarian can still be of use. While few veterinarians have the training or knowledge to help solve behavior problems, the numbers of those who do are growing -- and your vet may be one of them. Even those veterinarians who have no interest in behavior work can refer you to someone who can help. Loosely grouped under the term "behaviorist," these pet professionals can help fix what ails the relationship you have with your pet.

Consulting a behaviorist can save you time, money and aggravation. Time, because someone with experience in animal behavior can quickly determine the root of the problem, without the emotional baggage that a pet owner may bring to the situation. Money, because a consultation or two is a great deal cheaper than a new sofa. And aggravation? You understand that one if you're living with a problem pet.

Be aware, however, that animal behavior is an unregulated field -- anyone can call himself a behaviorist.

One of the best choices is a veterinarian who's board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. These professionals have gone through years of study in animal health and behavior and have done a residency in the field as well. A plus with this group: They have access to medications being used now to help correct behavior problems.

People with other academic degrees (such as psychology) and people who've picked up their knowledge in the field also make themselves available for advising on behavior. Some can be excellent, so don't let the lack of a DVM or any degrees at all deter you from getting help from someone who has studied in the "school of hard knocks" (or would that be the "school of bites and scratches"?).

Behaviorists are not "trainers" in the sense of offering group obedience classes to sharpen a pet's manners. Instead, they work one-on-one with you to solve a specific behavior problem. The form the consulting takes varies. Some behaviorists consult by phone; others take appointments with or without your pet, while still others make house calls. All these can work, depending on the problem and the pet.

If you're in a situation where your pet is causing problems in your home -- and certainly if you're thinking of getting rid of your pet -- don't delay: Ask your veterinarian for help, or call your closest college of veterinary medicine.

Q&A

Tips for pictures: Take lots of them

Q: You always have such great pictures with your articles. Do you folks take them? Can you offer some tips? -- U.D., via e-mail

A: Most of the images with our articles are taken by professional photographers -- and it shows! That said, now and then we'll use a picture I've taken. With a houseful of pets and decades of practice, I can proudly say that I now take a pretty decent pet picture. Here are a few tips that might help you:

-- Take lots and lots (and lots) of pictures. Digital cameras have changed everything. I bet I take 200 images for every one I like, and delete the rest. Not only does it not cost me anything but time, but with practice, I keep getting better.

-- Head outdoors. Natural light (early morning is best) avoids the dreaded red-eye shot, where the flash makes your beautiful pet come out as a monster. Taking pictures outside gives your new pet a more natural, healthy look.

-- Get down and get close. If you want a good pet picture, you're going to have to go where your pet is -- on the ground. Shoot from below your pet's eye level and zoom in as closely as you can for good detail. If getting down isn't something your back will tolerate, bring the pet up. Have someone hold him, which will have the added benefit of keeping him still, or put him on an elevated surface, such as on an outdoor table.

-- Watch your backgrounds. I have a wonderful picture of my dear old dog Lance, gone more than a decade now. He's freshly groomed. He's standing perfectly. His ears are up, his mouth smiling, his eyes bright. And he has a utility pole that seems to be growing out of his back. Be sure you have an uncluttered background, so your pet can shine.

-- Be creative. If you want your pet to kiss your children, do as the pros do: Put a little butter on your children and let the pet kiss it off. Another professional's trick: Just before taking the picture, rattle keys, squish a squeaky toy or throw something in the air. Your pet will come to attention, splendidly. -- Gina Spadafori

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

PET BUZZ

Dog's guilty look the owner's fault

-- Your dog may look guilty, but he's not feeling that way. A study published in the journal Behavioral Processes had dog owners tell their pets to leave a tasty treat alone before leaving the room. Researchers found that whether or not the dog showed the "guilty" look did not depend on whether the dog had eaten the treat or not, but rather on whether the owner had scolded the dog. Dogs who didn't eat the treat but were scolded by their owners displayed the "guilty" look more than dogs who had actually eaten the treat, but their owners did not believe they had, and thus didn't get scolded. The research suggests that "guilt" seen in dogs is not really an effect of the unwanted behavior that the dog performed, but is instead a reaction to the owner's behavior.

-- Goldfish are able to avoid running into the side of the fishbowl not because of their ability to see the edge of the tank, but by using a pressure-sensing system. So says "The Book of General Ignorance" by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson.

-- Not only can primates imitate human actions such as sweeping or doing the laundry, but they can also imitate sounds from other species, like whistling. Bonnie, an orangutan at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., has been whistling for about 20 years, although she was never directly taught to do so, but learned from imitation. -- 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.

PET Rx

Seeds a treat for parrots, not a diet

While most pet parrots love seeds, they're not a good regular diet. All-seed diets will make most birds sick over time, denying them the nutrients they need and weakening them to the point where other diseases find it easy to take hold.

The trend in recent years has been toward pelleted diets, and pet birds are healthier than ever before as a result. Pelleted diets are readily available from many reputable manufacturers and can be purchased from any good pet store or from many veterinarians who work with birds. Ask your bird's veterinarian for a recommendation that's best for your parrot.

Pelleted food is a blend of grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits and various protein sources. Manufacturers mix the ingredients and then either bake and crumble them or extrude them, ending up with pellets of a proper size for any given species (large pellets for large birds, small pellets for small birds).

Pelleted foods should be the foundation of your bird's diet, but they're not enough. Your bird also needs a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with other "people foods" such as pasta, eggs, breads, rice and unsalted nuts in their shells.

In addition to rounding out a commercial diet, fruits, nuts and other people food gives your bird something to keep him occupied and entertained. To that end, leave fresh food as "au naturel" as possible. Clean it, of course, but make your bird work some to eat it. Just be sure pellets and fresh water are available at all times.

And what about seeds? Use them for training. Birds love them and will work for these treats as a reward. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Weird pet names

Employees of Veterinary Pet Insurance (www.petinsurance.com) scanned the names of the company's nearly half-million insured pets and then voted on the 10 most unusual names for dogs and cats. Here's what they came up with:

Dogs

1. Doogie Schnauzer, M.D.

2. Sergeant Sausage

3. I Am Spartacus

4. Lunchbox

5. Angus Sir Loin

6. Bam-Bam Noodle Butt

7. Mouse Meat

8. Fluffernutter

9. Kanye East

10. Inspector Foo Foo

Cats

1. Snag L. Tooth

2. Clawed Monet

3. Velvet Elvis

4. Eartha Kitty

5. Blue Man Chew

6. Catzilla

7. Thurston Picklesworth III

8. Yardsale

9. Dishwasher

10. Polly Prissypants

PET TIP

Nontoxic efforts keep fleas fleeing

Flea-control products have gotten so good in recent years that it might be easy to forget one of the best ways to fight fleas doesn't cost anything more than your time, and it uses appliances you likely already have: a washing machine and a vacuum cleaner.

Washing pet bedding on a weekly basis, along with thoroughly vacuuming areas where pets hang out, is a great way to rid your house of any adult fleas, larvae or eggs. An added benefit: Keeping pet areas clean keeps pets cleaner.

Just make sure any pet beds you buy are completely washable or have zip-off covers that are. -- 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.