Universal Press Syndicate

No purchase is more important when you get a parrot than the cage.

The cage is where your parrot will spend time when you're not home, when the family is sleeping, or when you can't pay attention to your pet.

The first rule of caging: Buy the biggest cage you can afford. Forget the generic categorizations you'll find in pet stores. Those descriptions represent the minimum size to consider -- a better bet is at least one size bigger. For a cockatiel, get a cage for a small parrot. The bigger, the better, always, as long as the bar spacing isn't so big that your pet could escape.

Dimensions are important, too. Tall and narrow cages may look nice, but they force birds to fly more like a helicopter than in the style that comes naturally for them. Parrots like to fly horizontally as well as climb up and down in their cages, so a cage should be wide enough to accommodate both activities.

Metal is generally the best material for a cage. Wood is too hard to clean and usually won't stand up to the abuse parrots can give out, and some manufacturers are experimenting with acrylics. But while these components can make attractive housing for your pet, they may not offer enough social interaction to keep a bird happy.

With so many cages available, how can you be sure you're buying one of high quality? Here are a few points to consider.

-- Design. You want a cage to be attractive, but even more important, it should be workable for you and your bird. Look for features such as a birdproof latch; dishes that are easy to move, remove and clean; and a droppings tray that takes standard-sized newspapers. Make sure you can easily reach in and make contact with your bird, wherever your pet may be within the cage.

Mess-catchers can be helpful, too. They look like an inverted metal skirt around the base of the cage. The best position for the slide-out droppings tray at the bottom of the cage is under a grid so your bird can't get to it. High-impact, durable plastic or metal is a good choice for a droppings tray. No matter what the material, the tray ought to slide out smoothly and be easy to clean.

-- Sturdiness. You're going to have your bird and the cage for a very long time, so you need to make sure the construction is solid. Check seams, welds and places where wires and corners meet. Is everything smooth and sturdy, with nothing for a bird to chip off and chew? Beware chipping or flaking paint, or welds that can be broken off and swallowed.

Used cages can be a real value, if well-made to begin with. Look for wear and rust. And before introducing your bird to any cage that another bird has used, scrub thoroughly, disinfect with a bleach/water solution, rinse completely, and allow to air-dry.

-- Convenience. A cage stand is great, especially with cages designed for smaller parrots. You and your bird are likely to appreciate having the cage off the ground -- in your case, for ease of access; for your bird's, visual perspective. Some stands come with shelves, which are handy for storing newspapers, food and other supplies. Casters are a blessing, too, because you can easily move the cage and stand out from the wall to clean behind it.

Take your time and shop carefully. Many parrot species live for decades, so you'll want the best cage you can manage since you and your bird will be enjoying it for a very long time indeed. -- G.S.

SIDEBAR

Don't forget gear to go

No matter what cage you end up with, you'll also need a carrier for safe transport of your pet parrot. Choose one made of high-impact plastic with vents on the side and a grid door on the front or top. These are marketed for cats and small dogs, but they're just as helpful for transporting birds.

Sturdy carriers are important for reasons beyond trips to the veterinarian. In times of disaster, a carrier allows you to evacuate with your pet safely and keep him contained until conditions improve. -- G.S.

Q&A

Dalmatian gets a 'hyper' rap

Q: I've always liked the looks of Dalmatians, but the ones I meet seem so hyper! Are they good family pets? -- W.D., via e-mail

A: For an active family with time to train and exercise an active breed, a well-bred Dalmatian can be an excellent companion. If the breed's a bad fit for your family -- or if you get a dog from a source that doesn't breed for good health and temperament -- you're in for trouble.

Remember that every breed is perfect for someone, and no breed is perfect for everyone. Even a well-bred Dalmatian is going to be too high-energy for many homes. These dogs were developed to run with carriages for hours, so it's no surprise they're going to be very unhappy without exercise. (On the plus side: They're great companions for runners.) Unhappy high-energy dogs dig, bark, chew and generally drive their owners crazy.

Dalmatians also have a high potential for deafness and other health problems if the pup comes from a source looking to capitalize on the breed's popularity, which rises every time the Dalmatian gets another burst of movie-related publicity. The Dalmatian is indeed a breed to investigate thoroughly before adopting -- but honestly, aren't they all?

For more information, visit the Web site of the Dalmatian Club of America (www.thedca.org).

Hush, birdy

Q: My sister-in-law has an extremely loud pet bird. I don't know what kind he is, but he has a bright yellow-orange body with green wings. She is going to move in with us while she finishes grad school. Ours is a quiet home, and I'm dreading this horrid bird being in the house.

Any ideas? Don't say get rid of the bird. My wife won't do it, and she says it's only for a year. She and her sister are very close, and she's determined to help her. I'm the odd man out. -- P.R., via e-mail.

A: From your description, I'm guessing your sister-in-law has a sun conure. They're beautiful, affectionate and playful, but it's true that they're among the noisiest of all parrot species commonly kept as pets. If they weren't so overwhelmingly beautiful, chances are they wouldn't be popular at all -- that's how loud they can be.

To a certain extent, you're just going to have to live with the din and tell yourself it's just a year. Covering the cage or turning out the lights at night will keep the bird quiet while you're trying to sleep. Your sister-in-law should also be careful that she doesn't reward the noise with either positive (picking up the bird or giving it a treat) or negative (punishing the bird) reinforcement. -- G.S.

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

THE SCOOP

Sleeping dogs likely dreaming

When your dog is whining and running in his sleep, is he dreaming? Chances are good that he is.

Dogs definitely remember things, so it makes sense to believe they have the ability to dream, just as people do. After all, dreaming is a normal part of organizing and reorganizing memories.

Like humans, dogs have two kinds of sleep. The deeper kind is characterized by rapid eye movements, so it's known as REM sleep. We know humans dream during REM sleep. We also know the whining, heavy breathing, twitching and leg movements we've all seen in our dogs occurs during canine REM sleep. So it's not far-fetched to believe dogs are dreaming, too.

We may never know for sure exactly what they're dreaming of, but any guess that involves food is a good one. -- G.S.

PETS ON THE WEB

Crazy cat images flood the Internet

It's amazing how popular the seemingly endless variations of cat-picture Web sites are. There's Stuffonmycat.com, where people post images of ... well, stuff on their cats, everything from magazines to empty beer cans to fruit salad. Why? Why not?

Once you get bored with that, you can cruise over to Catsinsinks.com, where you can click on countless pictures matching the theme. The site notes that basins are OK, too, just as long as a cat is in it.

My favorite of these sites is Kittenwar.com, a sort of "hot or not" competition for the feline set. Visit the site, and you'll see two cats. Pick the one you think's the cutest, and you'll immediately be told how many people agreed with you and be offered another pair from which to choose. Top winners of all time are listed as well.

None of these sites will do much for your productivity, but they're entertaining and surprisingly addictive ways to kill a little time. -- G.S.

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

Fat cat? Ask your vet for guidance

Too much food and too little exercise is doing to our pets exactly what it's doing to us -- making them fat. And with cats, just as with as humans, obesity all too often leads to diabetes, joint diseases, heart problems, increased risk of cancer, and other serious health and behavioral issues.

Weight loss is important, but a crash diet for a cat can be deadly. If overweight cats lose weight too quickly, they can develop a serious liver disorder that can be challenging to treat and is occasionally fatal. It's called hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease.

Hepatic lipidosis isn't just a problem with dieting cats, either. It's also a problem with sick cats who cannot or will not eat. And it can rear its fatty head when people switch cat foods and think, "If the cat gets hungry enough, she'll eat." A cat can and will starve herself into this potentially fatal condition.

To be safe, cats should lose weight gradually, no more than 1 percent of their body weight per week. The goal is to drop the excess over a period of five or six months.

The best approach to weight loss in cats is a combination of moderate calorie restriction -- ask your veterinarian for dietary guidance -- and increased exercise. Try throwing a mouse-shaped toy or playing with a fishing pole-type toy -- anything to get your cat up and moving. -- G.S.

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Dog-care gear popular

Keeping a dog well-groomed is as much about health as appearance. Fortunately, most dog lovers purchase the basic equipment for the care and grooming needs of their pets. What they own (multiple answers allowed):

Brush 92 percent

Nail clipper 69 percent

Comb 44 percent

Toothbrush 28 percent

Electric clippers 19 percent

Source: American Pet Products Association

PET TIP

Figuring out a cat's age

Here's a rough way to figure a cat's age in human terms: Count the first year of a cat's life as being comparable to the time a human reaches the early stages of adulthood -- the age of 15 or so. The second year of a cat's life picks up some of that maturity and takes a cat to the first stages of full adulthood in humans -- a 2-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a person in his mid-20s.

From there, a "5 equals 1" rule works pretty well. A cat of 3 is still young, comparable to a person of 29. A 6-year-old cat, similar to a 41-year-old person, is middle-aged. And a 12-year-old cat, similar to a 65-year-old person, has earned the right to slow down a little. A cat who lives to be 20 is the feline equivalent of nearly 100 in terms of human lifespan. -- G.S.

Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

And Gina Spadafori

Universal Press Syndicate

Every year at this time we seem to get a little extra bounce in our step, and our pets do, too. But even as we're enjoying the brisk beauty of fall, we need to remember it means winter is around the corner, and with it, an awareness of seasonal challenges for our pets.

That's why we're focusing here on how to enjoy the season, but also how to prepare pets for what's to come next -- winter.

The weather -- heat in the summer, cold in the winter -- is certainly important to outdoor pets. We don't agree with the practice of keeping dogs and cats outdoors all their lives -- these pets are often lonely and bored, and are more likely to be suffering from physical neglect.

That said, we realize some people won't bring animals in the house, no matter what. If you're one of those people, you must provide adequate outdoor shelter. And the time to review your pet's shelter is now.

Animals must be able to get out of the elements. A pet must have a well-insulated structure just large enough so that he can curl up inside to maintain body heat. The structure should also have a wind-block to protect it from wintry blasts. In the coldest parts of the country, it should also have some sort of outdoor-rated pet-heating pad or other device. And be sure that there's always a supply of fresh, unfrozen water by using a heated bowl.

Animals who spend any significant amount of time outside will need more calories during cold weather. Food is fuel, and they'll need to burn it to stay warm.

Final outdoor caution: Remember to thump on your car's hood on cold mornings. Your neighbor's cat may be nestled against the engine for warmth, and thumping your car's hood will get the animal to skedaddle to safety.

Indoor pets don't face the challenges outdoor pets do, but winter can be uncomfortable for them as well. For pets with arthritis, cold weather can be more painful, so ask your veterinarian about supplements or prescription medications that may help your pet feel better. A soft, heated bed may be much appreciated, too, especially by older pets. And remember that one of the best things you can do for a pet with joint problems is to keep the extra weight off: A pet who's more sedentary in winter needs to eat less.

What about sweaters and coats for dogs? Some animals can really use the extra insulation of a well-fitted sweater: older pets, and dogs who are tiny (such as Chihuahuas), or who are shorthaired and naturally lean (such as greyhounds or whippets). Overcoats can save you time drying your dog if you walk in inclement weather, especially if your pet's longhaired. And don't forget to wipe your pets' feet, legs and belly after they've been outside to keep the animal from ingesting any de-icing solutions.

Because home heating systems can dry out the air, you and your pets may be more comfortable if you introduce some humidity. Birds, especially those species originating in tropical climates, will enjoy extra opportunities for bathing or being misted.

Cold-weather pet care is a matter of compassion and common sense. Use both in equal measure, and your pet will get through the worst of the season in fine shape.

Q&A

Feline intros take time to resolve

Q: I have a docile, 4-year-old spayed cat, and I recently adopted a young, neutered male cat with a sunny and cheerful disposition. The problem is that he is very bossy to the female. He will jump on her back until she hisses or cries -- or I break it up. How do I discourage this? She has become very cautious and edgy when he's running around the house to play, and I have become the cat police. -- T.I., via e-mail

A: Begin by taking him in for a thorough veterinary exam to make sure he is completely healthy and comfortable, and to lay the groundwork for getting further advice or referrals as you need them.

Your veterinarian should also check to make sure your new cat was properly neutered, since what you describe could also be mating behavior, such as if he grasps her neck and is doing any humping. Keep in mind a small percentage of neutered males will continue mating behaviors -- albeit without the ability to make another cat pregnant.

It's more likely that your young cat just needs to learn how to respect his elders. Young cats are normally energetic and rambunctious. You will need to pick up his social education where his mom left off, and you must protect your female cat while he's learning.

Once the newbie's health has been established, put environmental management in place, separating the cats when you are not there. Stock her area with everything she needs to be comfortable: bedding, scratching post, toys, fresh food and water, and clean litter box. You will need to provide the same items for your male cat in a separate room or area. Invest in floor-to-ceiling cat trees with a high platform in the common area so she can have some privacy and he will have a place to climb and expend some feline ya-yas.

Next, teach your young male new ways to have fun. Start a daily routine of playing using interactive toys -- wands, laser pointers, etc. -- keeping him busy until he is panting, which may take 15 to 20 minutes. Keep the interactive toys out of sight until game time. Change the game every few minutes to keep his interest. Praise him when he catches the toy prey, and toss in occasional treats to make the hunt seem more real. During play sessions, let your female cat watch. If she wants to join in, double up on the toys so each has his or her own game going.

Finally, feed them together when you are there to praise these moments of peaceful companionship. Give your female cat "elder support" by giving her first dibs on your lap if you all want to hang out once he's tired enough to relax. Give both cats treats for hanging out together without incident.

Do not allow him the opportunity to jump her, so you can get him into new behavior patterns around her that are more fun and rewarding. Use a water pistol or a loud noise to interrupt the behavior -- making sure you're not seen as the source of the squirt. You can also use a breakaway collar and have him drag a leash if you need another way to interrupt him.

Give him a few weeks, better yet months, to learn these new behaviors before you relax on the separation when you're not around. To be on the safe side, when they are back living together, keep a bell on his collar to warn her that he has entered the room. -- Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp, AnimalBehavior.net

(The Pet Connection recommends starting a discussion of any behavior problem with your veterinarian, who can refer you to resources in your area. Send your questions on pet health or behavior to petconnection@gmail.com.)

PET BUZZ

Truck rides deadly for many canines

-- At least 100,000 dogs are estimated to die each year by falling or jumping from the back of pickup truck beds. If a dog survives a fall, broken bones, joint injuries and severe abrasions are the most common injuries, according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. To protect pets, WSU veterinarians recommend putting a shell on the pickup, or having your dog ride inside a crate strapped down securely. Tethering a dog isn't considered much of an improvement from allowing him to ride loose -- there's just too much risk to the pet.

-- It's good news/bad news for new veterinarians, according to www.dvm360.com. Starting salaries are remaining steady -- up less than 1 percent over the previous year. But job offers are fewer, down 11.5 percent over the same period, although 80 percent of new graduates still have jobs lined up after school. Harder times see more newly minted veterinarians staying in school to continue their education, a 9 percent increase. They're going to have to pay the piper eventually, though, since the average new graduate owes $129,976 in student loans, an annual increase of 8.5 percent.

-- Pets aren't welcome in grocery stores, and Oregon wants pet owners to know it. After numerous complaints from retailers and customers in the dog-crazy Pearl District of Portland, the state is distributing pamphlets and posters to about 4,500 retail stores. Oregon reported more than 600 complaints about people taking pets into places where food is sold or served, according to The New York Times.

-- The economy isn't slowing down spending on veterinary care, with 80 percent of small-animal veterinary practices continuing to grow at a rate of about 3 to 5 percent. The strong growth is thought to be another example of the esteem in which Americans hold their pets. A survey by the American Pet Products Association found the 80 to 85 percent of pet owners have no inclination of cutting back on spending for their pets, with 5 percent expecting to spend more than in the previous year. -- 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 TIP

Get the brushes out for the big fall shed

Fall shedding is perfectly normal.

Dogs typically lose their winter coats in the spring, when it is replaced by a shorter, lighter one for summer. In the fall, this cycle is reversed, as the summer coat is shed to make room for heavy protective fur for winter. The change is most obvious in "double-coated" breeds such as collies, shelties and keeshonden. Those breeds carry not only a harsh, protective long overcoat, but also a soft, insulating undercoat -- and they lose masses of fur from both in spring and fall.

The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed. German shepherds, for example, are prolific year-round shedders, while poodles seem to lose little fur at all. Shorthaired breeds may shed as much as the longhairs, but since the hair they shed is easily overlooked, it may seem as if they are shedding less.

All shedders -- even the heaviest -- can be tamed by a regular and frequent schedule of combing and brushing. After all, the fur you catch on a comb won't end up on a rug. Work against the grain and close to the skin to catch as much of the ready-to-fall fur as possible.

No matter what the breed, shedding -- and heavy seasonal shedding -- is normal, but some heavy shedding can be a sign of health problems. Skin allergies and skin parasites may trigger shedding, and poor nutrition can also be a cause of coat problems.

Become familiar with your pet's normal pattern of shedding, and ask your veterinarian for advice if coat condition seems to dull or excessive hair loss or patches of baldness are noticed. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Why kittens, cats end up homeless

Although the housing crisis and the rough economy are forcing people to give up pets, long-standing trends point to a list of reasons why cats end up homeless:

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

Source: National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy

PET Rx

Pet's paralysis needs prompt veterinary care

The inability to walk can develop suddenly, even without a history of injury. Such paralysis may be the result of a ruptured spinal disc, especially in low-slung dog breeds such as the dachshund. When paralysis is associated with trauma, fractures or instability of the spine may be the cause.

Paralysis should be considered a life-threatening emergency, and you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Prepare to transport your pet, using an ironing board or piece of plywood as a stretcher, keeping the animal as immobile as possible. Covering the pet with a blanket may help to keep him calm.

Don't encourage or allow your pet to move around, and do not provide any medication unless specifically instructed to by the veterinarian. Stay calm, and get your pet some veterinary assistance immediately, either at your regular veterinary hospital or an emergency clinic. -- 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

Each morning, our golden retriever accompanies us on our walk to the horse barn. Shakira is one of many dogs my wife and I have had over our long and happy marriage, and our walk always makes me think of the dogs we had before her, like our much-missed black Labrador, Sirloin.

While we would carry our cups of coffee, Sirloin usually carried a toy, a piece of a tree or something dead in his mouth.

Once we got up to the barn, Sirloin would be ready to top off his tummy tank with some canine haute cuisine, diving head first into a fresh pile of horse dung. After cleansing his palate, he would then flop on his back rolling fervently as if he had a really bad itch and the horse apples were a bed of nails.

Yes, we loved this dog.

The menu at our Cafe McMutts then, as now, featured dead mice, dead birds, assorted dung and the skeletal remains of various forest animals. These dietary indiscretions might freak out some people, but I've lived on a ranch my whole life, as has Teresa, and we think of them as kind of cute.

Or we did, until the day Sirloin went too far in his journey to smell hell.

Early one morning, I glanced out the kitchen window and noticed Sirloin gnawing on something black and furry. At first I thought it was just one of his toys, but then I walked out to investigate. As I approached, Sirloin abandoned his snack and raced over to greet me, wiggling with delight. He jumped up and gave me a wet kiss like a hormonally supercharged teenager. While this type of greeting was routine, this time his breath was -- shall we say? -- revolting. I knew the smell: skunk.

Sirloin retrieved his newest chew toy. It was a rotten skunk carcass teeming with maggots. Let me tell you, it was enough to turn even the cast-iron stomach of this veteran veterinarian.

As I retreated in disgust, Sirloin followed me, with a thought bubble above his head that seemed to read: "Aren't ya proud of me, Dad? Isn't this just the neatest thing I've ever brought home?" Sirloin, of course, didn't think the dead skunk stunk; to him it was just another sample of Ken-nelle No. 5.

While the experts aren't sure why dogs like to roll in stinky stuff and eat rotten things, others believe that pets are marking themselves with their most prized possessions, guaranteed to impress all of their two-legged and four-legged friends. It's like being a furry Fabio with a big gold chain around his neck and the shirt unbuttoned to below the rib cage. Wearing stinky stuff is designer labels for pets.

Dogs not only have millions more scent receptors than we do, they are also polar opposites from us when it comes to choosing scents that attract rather than repel. While we humans like aromas that are fresh, floral and fragrant, our dogs prefer the dirty, dead and disgusting -- the rank, rancid and revolting. And just as my wife enjoys dabbing herself with a favorite perfume, Sirloin enjoyed dousing himself with his favorite fur-pume, skunk in this case. Teresa puts on perfume to impress her friends. Sirloin loved his barnyard bouquet, applying it to impress his friends, too.

To us it's disgusting -- to them, divine. With thousands of years of practice, dogs will continue to go boldly where no man, or woman, has gone before on their journey to find the scent-sational. Ol' Sirloin never could understand why I didn't appreciate his prize that long-ago day -- and he certainly never understood why the next thing I did was scrub him until only the memory of that stench remained.

And it does. Oh, yes, it does!

PET Rx

Pet insurer notes the strangest claims

A cat with a needle in her tongue, a dog who ate gel bra inserts -- if you thought your pet has a nose for getting into trouble, you'd better check out the winners of a pet-insurance company's contest for the craziest claims.

Veterinary Pet Insurance (www.petinsurance.com) calls the contest the "Hambone Awards" in honor of a dog who helped himself to an entire Thanksgiving ham, cleaning it done to the bone -- while trapped inside the refrigerator. (The dog escaped with a mild case of hypothermia. The family, one presumes, ate dinner out that holiday.)

The options available to pet owners in treating their pets nearly rival those for humans. Although the costs for pet care are a fraction of what the same procedures cost in human medicine, the high-tech choices and well-schooled specialists can be beyond the means of many. Veterinarians have a term for the intersection of a sick pet and a tight budget: "economic euthanasia."

No one likes to put down a pet who could be helped, which is why pet insurance is prospering, with more than a dozen companies offering coverage plans. (PetInsuranceReview.com has overviews of all U.S. and Canadian plans, plus consumer reviews.)

The Hambone Awards are, of course, a lighthearted way to bring attention to all the ways pets can end up at the veterinarian's while reminding people that prevention is always better than treatment -- whether you're insured or not.

Check out the stories of the Hambone Awards nominees at vpihamboneaward.com. Based on the number of dogs who get themselves into trouble compared to cats, one can certainly argue that cats have an edge in the self-preservation department, and perhaps the intelligence department, too. -- Gina Spadafori

(Note: VPI is one of the sponsors on the Pet Connection Web site.)

PET BUZZ

Study suggests reason that dogs chase their tails

-- Dogs may be able to blame their tail-chasing habit on high cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice and reported in Veterinary Economics. Turkish researchers found that dogs who didn't chase their tails had lower levels of cholesterol than the tail-chasers did. Dogs may chase their tails because the high cholesterol levels have blocked the flow of brain hormones controlling mood and behavior. The study suggests that an increase in exercise could help lower the tail-chasing.

-- Therapy animals are on the rise in the United States, according to USA Today. Therapy pets are different from service animals, the latter going through rigorous specialized training to assist people with disabilities. Therapy pets are those who have a fondness for people, are trained in obedience, and have a calm and solid personality. The impact of therapy animals on cheering up, motivating and calming people has been so profound that doctors, school administrators, counselors and others across the country are sending in requests for pet therapy team visits. More than 10,000 pet therapy teams are registered by the Delta Society, and the number grows 6 to 8 percent every year. Thousands of teams are registered with other groups, or are just doing the therapy on their own. Not only are dogs used, but other registered animals include miniature horses, llamas, cats, rabbits and birds. Many are from shelters.

-- When searching for a landing spot on flowers, bees search for flower petals with traction. Flower petals differ in texture, as some are smooth and slippery, but others have cone-shaped cells that act like Velcro for the bees when they land. The Smithsonian magazine reports that successful landings equal nectar guzzling access for bees, while steady landings and footing mean longer visits by the bees, which increase a flower's chance of being pollinated.

-- Pets are the key to happiness -- if you're a woman. In a survey of 12,000 women in 21 countries, the Boston Consulting Group found that "pets" was the most common answer given to a question asking what makes people extremely happy. For women, 42 percent chose "pets," followed by "sex" (27 percent), "food" (19 percent) and "shopping" (5 percent). "Men" didn't even make the list. -- 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 TIP

Good groomer a necessity for many dogs

For dogs such as poodles, bichons and many terriers, finding a good groomer is almost a necessity, because the maintenance involved with the coats of these breeds and their mixes is beyond the ability or interest of most pet lovers.

For many other dogs, such as collies, spaniels and the like, regular attention from a professional groomer can make at-home coat maintenance such as combing and brushing more manageable, and can keep dogs looking and smelling better.

Start your groomer search by asking friends, neighbors and co-workers for recommendations. Your dog's veterinarian or trainer may also be able to refer you to one.

A groomer should need only two to four hours for a routine wash and clip, unless your dog is matted and tangled. There's no reason for your dog to hang out all day when he's not being worked on.

Don't wait so long between appointments that your dog is full of mats and then expect the groomer to be able to work them out. Listen to your groomer: If she says clipping the coat away is the best way to go, you're better off following her advice than subjecting your dog to hours of fur-pulling.

Make sure, too, that the groomer is clear on what you expect your dog to look like when she's done if clipping is involved. And if you don't want bows, nail polish and perfume, don't forget to speak up beforehand. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Online shopping jumps for pets

Pet lovers are no different from others when it comes to shopping, increasingly getting the goods they want for their pets with a few clicks of a mouse. The percentage of pet lovers shopping online has doubled since 2002.

2002 14 percent

2004 17 percent

2006 24 percent

2008 29 percent

Source: American Pet Products Association

THE SCOOP

What birds know is their secret

Although you can guarantee that birds can tell the difference, we humans can't easily tell the boys from the girls in a great many bird species. Not knowing may have no bearing on how good a pet a bird becomes, but some people can't stand not knowing. Even if they have no interest in breeding a pet, some people just want to know whether to choose a masculine or feminine name for their pet.

The answer is easy to come by with a blood sample drawn by the veterinarian, which is used to check a bird's DNA.

The eclectus parrot is one bird even we humans can't confuse when it comes to figuring out which birds are males and which are females. The male is bright green with red patches under his wings, while the female is a shimmery purple with a red head and tail.

Male and female eclectus are so different that the two genders were once thought to be different species. -- 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.