By Christie Keith

Universal Press Syndicate

It's easy to see why cats are such popular pets. Unlike dogs, they don't need to be walked, usually come litter-box trained by their mothers and rarely dig huge holes in the yard -- or bite the letter carrier. Unfortunately, in a lot of people's minds this translates into "Cats need absolutely no care and exist just to sit on my lap and purr while I watch TV."

Instead of living the challenging life of a hunter, our cats have food delivered to them on a predictable schedule. We rarely do anything to make up for their lack of mental stimulation, and we consider their natural behaviors, such as scratching and nocturnal play, to be behavior problems.

As a result, we've ended up with fur-covered, purring sofa cushions who are fat, flabby and prone to diabetes, kidney disease and boredom.

An exercise program will keep your cat happy and minimize health and behavior problems. But before you begin such a program, make sure there isn't a physical reason for any feline misbehavior by scheduling a visit with your veterinarian. A cat who previously used the litter box and then stops doing so probably has a health -- rather than a behavioral -- problem. Cats who develop aggressive behavior later in life are also more likely to be sick than misbehaving.

Then think about where your cat spends his days. Your home might be cat-safe -- but is it cat-friendly? Are there places for her to climb without knocking over your most precious tchotchkes or unraveling your drapes? A few strategically placed cat trees and a high shelf or two can do wonders for your cat's mind and body. Climbing exercises your cat's muscles, claws and mind.

Next, encourage play. Teaching your cat to play with you has a big payoff. Kittens who are conditioned to respond when their owners instigate play can be enticed to play when they're adults, too. If you don't train your young cat -- and yourself -- to incorporate regular active play into your relationship, your cat will probably not continue playing once he hits middle age, no matter what you do then. You can teach your kitten to play with you by using interactive toys, such as "cat dancers" and other fishing pole-style toys.

If you're not starting out with a kitten but trying to enrich the life of an older cat, your invitations to play may be met with a disbelieving stare. If that happens, try breaking out the laser pointer. Laser pointers are wonderful toys for any cat and the only thing that will get some older cats to play. Be extremely careful not to shine the light into your cat's eyes, and keep the laser away from children.

Lazy cats can be encouraged -- OK, forced -- to climb if their food bowl is moved to the top of the refrigerator or the highest platform on their cat tree. (Be sure your older cat is physically up to it before trying this.) Make your cat work for his food.

There are safe ways to give your cat fresh air and sunshine and allow him to pursue his lifelong interest in ornithology. Wired-in porches, window perches and outdoor enclosures are available as kits or can be custom built by a handy cat owner or contractor. There are also bird-feeding stations that can be mounted outside a window, so your cat can sit and watch the birds in safety -- his and theirs.

No matter how old your cat is, no matter how out of shape, even if he's too ill for any form of play, there is one thing you can do that will improve his quality of life and relieve the stress of boredom: Love him. Pet him, talk to him, cuddle him and hang out with him. Take him with you from room to room, feed him from your hand, tease him with catnip and groom him if he enjoys that.

Cats have given up a lot in the transition from tiny tiger to house pet. Don't let your playful little tiger turn into a purring heating pad with a weight problem. And if your older cat already has gone that route, take steps to fix it. Your cat's life -- and your relationship -- will be richer for it.

THE SCOOP

Black cats get a holiday bump

Used to be true -- and in some places still sadly is -- that around this time of year black cats were kept out of the adoption offerings of many animal shelters.

The thinking went that sick pranksters would adopt the cats to torture or kill them as part of some Halloween fright-night activities. These stories were mostly urban myths, but the fear of cat mutilation tied to Halloween killed a lot of cats anyway: They died in shelters rather than being adopted out.

The progressive movement that's sweeping shelters -- the building of no-kill communities nationwide -- has many of today's shelters using any reason to highlight pets who need new homes.

That's why this year, you'll be seeing some shelters focus on the holiday by actually featuring their black feline beauties, in order to get these cats in new homes instead of letting them languish or be killed in shelters for lack of space.

The Greenhill Humane Society (www.green-hill.org) of Eugene, Ore., is taking it even further, with a "half-price sale" on the adoption of a black cat -- altering and vaccines included for $27 -- and the slogan, "Going black can save you green."

Of course, all the standard screening for potential adopters will apply in these promotions. But it's a great way to get more good pets in more good homes.

Black pets -- dogs and cats both -- are considered more difficult to place than others. Theories range from the idea that dark-colored pets seem intimidating to some people to the fact that black pets can be difficult to photograph, making them look like a personality-less dark blob on a shelter's Web site or on Petfinder.com.

As a longtime owner of "black goldens" -- aka flat-coated retrievers -- I can vouch for the ebony pets. Go adopt. You'll have a happier Halloween with a new family member by your side. -- Gina Spadafori

PET BUZZ

Herding as dog sport replaces herding work

-- Since 1945 the number of sheep in America has dropped from 46 million to 7 million. The annual per-capita consumption of lamb has also dropped from 6 pounds annually in 1940 to 1 pound today. One reason for the decline, according to The New York Times, has been attributed to soldiers in World War II who ate partially cooked mutton and became ill, and then refused to eat mutton once they returned home to the United States. Raising sheep became even more difficult after 1972 when the federal government passed a ban on a common poison used to kill coyotes, who are one of greatest predators of sheep. The one thing bucking the trend? Sheep are being kept by some dog enthusiasts to give their animals work to do, and sheepdog trials have become a passion among some dog owners.

-- Dogs' noses aid society in numerous ways, including drug and bomb detection, but now are even able to detect water pollution. Sable is a 3-year-old shepherd mix known as the only detection dog able to reliably detect illegal pollutants that flow into sewer lines. Sable was 87 percent accurate compared to traditional laboratory water tests. The New York Times reports that the dog's sniffing abilities may save money as more pricey and time-consuming dye tests could be in large part replaced by dogs such as Sable. For Sable and his trainer to travel for the week, the cost would run between $5,000 and $10,000, which would be low in comparison to traditional tests, which can run more than $100,000.

-- A spice found in the kitchen could hold the secret to curing feline cancer. Curcumin, a compound in turmeric, stops the growth of cancer in laboratory testing. According to DVM360.com, the herb is closely related to ginger and can be found in foods such as mustard, canned beverages, baked and dairy products, Indian cuisine, including curries, and home-canned foods such as pickles. The benefits of curcumin are found ineffective in humans, dogs and many other mammals, as their livers metabolize the compounds in a way that make it useless in fighting cancer. The livers of cats, however, don't metabolize many drugs as well, which may allow the benefits of curcumin to aid them in the fight against cancer. -- 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

Veterinary specialists can help your pet

Although not as many specialists exist in veterinary medicine as in human medicine, the number and the kinds of certified veterinary experts grow every year.

Current companion-animal specialties include such "system" areas of expertise as cardiology, dentistry, dermatology and oncology. There are also "species" specialists, such as those veterinarians certified as experts on bird health. Behavior specialists are becoming more common as well. These veterinarians help people and their pets work through such problems as house-soiling or separation anxiety with the aid of medication and behavior-modification techniques.

"System" specialties usually require additional study in a two- to five-year residency program, followed by a rigorous examination. These certifications are handled by a board such as the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, which is why certified specialists are sometimes referred to as "boarded" or "board-certified."

For veterinarians already in practice, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners also offers specialty certifications, including those in feline and avian practice. The certifications also require passing a difficult examination.

Many urban centers support independent specialists or specialty practices. But in less populated areas, you're more likely to find a full complement of specialists at the closest university with a school or college of veterinary medicine.

The relationship between your pet's regular veterinarian and a specialist is one of cooperation and trust. Your veterinarian will consult with or refer you to a specialist, knowing that when the situation he sent you there for is resolved, you will be sent back to his practice. Without this understanding, your regular veterinarian would be understandably reluctant to refer a client he will not get back.

If your veterinarian is reluctant to refer you to a specialist, remember that the final decision in your pet's care is always yours. Keep the lines of communication open with your veterinarian if you can, but realize your pet's care is your responsibility, and seek a second opinion or specialist on your own. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Lucy, I'm home!

Veterinary Pet Insurance analyzed its insured pets list to find the most common names of 2008, with Max turning up at No. 1 for both dogs and cats. Some of the most popular dog and cat names -- Bella, Chloe, Sophie and Bailey -- are also included in the most popular name database of the Social Security Administration for babies. The top 10 names for dogs and cats are:

Dogs Cats

1. Max 1. Max

2. Bailey 2. Chloe

3. Bella 3. Tigger

4. Molly 4. Tiger

5. Lucy 5. Lucy

PETS ON THE WEB

Check out those Internet scares

Anyone with a pet and an e-mail address receives a constant barrage of "warnings" on products that are said to be deadly to pets. The most pervasive in recent years have been warnings on Febreze and Swiffer. Neither product is dangerous to pets, according to veterinary experts in poison-control. And yes, the "warnings" just keep circulating.

It's neither right nor fair to pass on unsubstantiated claims. When you get such an e-mail, don't forward it automatically to 600 of your closest friends. Instead, check it out.

A good general site for rumors is Snopes.com, which keeps up with all urban myths and e-mail rumors and fairly evaluates them. Specifically for pets, you can usually find out the information from the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/APCC). -- 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

Puppies are overrated. I say that after spending the last six months working on raising one who's still a work in progress. Faith is a darling, bright retriever who is as good a puppy as anyone could ever hope for. I love her! But after piddle puddles, chewed headphones and all the normal silliness and mess that go along with raising a puppy, I'm reminded why most of the dogs who've ended up as part of my family have come into my home as adults.

October is Adopt-a-Dog month, and that also reminds me why, when people with a lot on their plates ask me about getting a puppy, I encourage them to consider a grown dog instead. Chosen carefully, an adult dog will be well past puppy foolishness and may have had some basic obedience training. Unlike puppies, who need constant monitoring, an adult dog should be able to be left alone while a family is at work or school after a much shorter period of training and re-adjustment.

For today's time-crunched households, there's no better deal than a good adult dog. But getting the right one is a little more difficult than going down to the shelter and picking out the cutest one.

While expecting to work on some minor behavior issues 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. Here are some questions that will help you:

-- What do you know of this dog's history? You may be dealing with a shelter, a rescue volunteer, the dog's original owner or breeder, or a nice person who found a stray. The more information you can get, the better. If you find out nothing about him because he was a stray, don't count him out. If he's healthy, friendly and otherwise fits your size, shedding and activity criteria, he's a contender.

-- Why is this dog available for adoption? Dogs become available for lots of reasons. "Losing our home," "divorce" and "death in the family" show no fault on the dog's part, but "bit our daughter" obviously is a problem.

Listen, too, for what isn't said: "He needs more exercise than we can give him" may mean "He needs more exercise than almost anyone could possibly ever give him, and he eats furniture when he doesn't get it." If you live a sedentary life, this isn't the dog for you.

-- What behavior problems does this dog have? Many things are fixable and worth considering if you honestly believe you'll take the time to work with the dog. "Pulls on the leash" is fixable. "He bites people, but only sometimes" is not, at least not by the average pet owner's standard, and not to the extent that you should take a chance on him with so many other dogs available.

Remember, too, that some problems are the owner's fault, not the dog's. "Won't stay in the yard," for example, may be easily cured by a decent fence and neutering.

-- How is he with children? Other dogs? Cats? Even if you don't have children, you're going to run into some from time to time. The same is true with other dogs. You can successfully avoid cats if you don't have them, but make certain your prospective pet at least tolerates them well if you have a cat in your home.

If you're getting an animal from a shelter, the organization should have asked the former owner to fill out a card on such things as problems with children or other animals. If you're adopting from a foster home, ask if the family has other animals and children. If there's no way to determine the dog's attitude toward children and other animals but he seems friendly, he may be OK. If you have doubts, however, hold out for an animal that you're sure fits well with your family.

Above all, take your time. This is a decision that should be for the dog's lifetime, and there are lots of pets to consider. Make the decision with your head as much as your heart. There's plenty of time after adoption to fall in love with your new canine companion.

ADOPTIONS ON THE INTERNET

Petfinder (www.petfinder.com) has become the No. 1 place to look for a pet to adopt, with thousands of listings searchable by species, breed type and geographic area. Shelters and rescue groups of all sizes use Petfinder to bring attention to the animals they're trying to place. Your local shelter will likely have listings of pets for adoption on its own Web site, as well.

While some rescue groups that work with a single breed use Petfinder, many do not. To find these organizations, visit the American Kennel Club's Web site (www.akc.org) and look up the breed you're interested in. The national rescue contact will be listed.

THE SCOOP

Universal registry helps with microchip IDs

Microchips are a modern miracle when it comes to positive identification of pets. Inserted into the skin over the shoulder blades of dogs and cats and into the breast tissue of birds, microchips can be a ticket home for a pet who's lost.

But competing microchips, incompatible scanners and too many registries have always kept the technology from achieving its full promise. While many pets have been reunited with owners because of their microchips, countless others have not.

At least one aspect of the problem is now being addressed by the American Animal Hospital Association, which has created the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. Created to remove some of the guesswork for veterinary hospitals and shelters, the free, Internet-based resource assists with microchip identification -- helping reunite pets and owners by checking participating pet recovery services' registries to determine which registry should be contacted.

The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool can be accessed online at Petmicrochiplookup.org.

The association has been working with microchipping and pet recovery industry leaders for the past year on the development of this new tool. The participating companies include AKC CAR, Home Again, Petlink by Datamars and resQ by Bayer.

The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool works by checking the databases of participating pet recovery services to determine which has registration information available for a microchip. Once a microchip identification number is entered into the tool, within seconds a list of all the registries with microchip registration information available along with the registries' contact information will appear in chronological order. The registry with the most recent update appears first.

If the microchip has not been registered with any participating pet recovery service, the result returned will default to the microchip's manufacturer or distributor. While the tool will not return the pet owner information contained in the registries' databases, it will identify which registries should be contacted when a lost pet is scanned and a microchip is found. -- Pet Connection staff

PET BUZZ

Coughing cat may have asthma

-- Hairballs may be blamed for a cat's chronic coughing, but the problem maybe asthma. Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, open-mouthed breathing and heaving may indicate a cat with asthma, according to the newsletter of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. These attacks can be brought on by stress and allergens, with common allergens including cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, mold, aerosols, perfume, deodorizers, dusty cat litter and food. Common treatment ranges from allergy medication similar to bronchodilators to oxygen therapy.

-- The famed polydactyl cats from the Hemingway House museum have been allowed to keep their home, thanks to special fencing keeping the cats contained within the museum's grounds. USA Today reports that the fence was built in response to a warning from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stating the museum did not have the proper animal exhibition licensing and threatening the museum with a fine of $200 per day. More than half of the cats at the museum have more than the normal amount of toes, with many of them descending directly from Snowball, a six-toed cat given to Ernest Hemingway in 1935.

-- Animals of military personnel can find a foster home while their owner is away on duty through NetPets.org, which provides volunteer foster parents nationwide.

-- Dogs who swallowed pennies did better before 1982, as pennies were made mostly with copper. In 1982, pennies changed composition to 95 percent zinc with a copper coating -- and that presents a problem for pets. A penny can get stuck in the pet's stomach and dissolve, releasing high levels of zinc into the pet's body and causing red blood cells to rupture, which could result in anemia and multiple organ failure. Symptoms that indicate penny ingestion include vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, pale gums, a small amount of diarrhea, weakness and depression. -- 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

Watch for signs of obesity in pet bird

Is your parrot fat? Life with little activity while in a cage with an all-you-can-eat buffet has many birds overweight and struggling with health problems. Poor food choices -- too many seeds, processed or otherwise fatty foods -- also pack the pounds on.

Amazon parrots, large cockatoos, cockatiels and budgies seem more prone to obesity than other species of pet birds. Some of the signs of obesity in birds include:

-- The presence of rolls of fat around the abdomen and hip areas, along with cleavage on the abdomen or breast area.

-- Visible fat under the skin. The skin of most normal pet birds is typically very thin and quite transparent. When the skin is wet with rubbing alcohol, you should be able to see dark pink or red muscle underneath. In overweight birds, you see yellowish fat instead.

-- Breathing difficulty, such as labored breathing, especially after physical exertion.

-- Heat intolerance, shown by excessive wing drooping or open-mouthed breathing in a hot environment.

-- Overgrown upper beaks. Some birds will grow their upper beaks excessively long if they have obesity and fatty liver disease problems. This is particularly true in Amazon parrots and budgies.

If you suspect your bird is fat -- and especially if you already know your bird is fat -- see your veterinarian right away for nutritional counseling and other ways to attack the problem. Long-term obesity and a poor diet is a major cause of joint problems and heart disease in birds in middle age. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Why puppies, dogs 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 dogs end up homeless:

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

Source: National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy

PET TIP

Loose dog? Don't punish him!

Punishing a dog for running from you is one surefire way to make sure he's even harder to catch the next time. Wouldn't you keep running if you knew you'd get punished when caught?

If your dog takes off on you, kneel down and open your arms when calling to make yourself more inviting. If that doesn't work, try to use a command he knows well, like "sit" instead of "come." Many dogs know "sit" so well that they'll plant their rumps, and once they're sitting, you might be able to walk up and take their collars. Another possibility is to catch your dog's attention and run in the other direction, enticing him to follow you. The chase instinct is very strong in dogs, and it may well work.

Remember, a loose dog situation is not about dog training, but about dog saving. When you have your dog safely back on leash, praise him, be grateful and make a vow that you'll take the time to teach him this most important of commands. Because next time he's out, you may not be so lucky to get him back in one piece. -- 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

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.