Does a renewed interest in "green" products mean the economy's improving? We're not sure, but we're still delighted to see retailers and pet owners again trying to reduce the "carbon pawprint" of pets.

Recently, the national chain Petco put on an event at its more than 1,000 stores to promote products that are more eco-friendly -- an event in which the PetConnection team was involved. But, of course, it's possible to do a lot with what you have by making a few good decisions.

Here are a few tips:

-- Go for green products. When looking to buy pet-care items, look for items made from recycled materials (such as toys made from recycled water bottles or cat litter made from recycled newspaper) or from renewable materials (such as collars made from hemp or litter made from wheat, corn or even green tea leaves). Also consider switching to a pet food that's made locally from sustainable or organic ingredients, a move that cuts down on the "food miles" (fuel used to move merchandise) and the waste issued from concentrated animal feeding operations.

-- Meat protein is a must for carnivores -- especially cats -- but if you'd like a pet who can go completely green when it comes to food, adopt a bunny. They thrive on veggies, and will love your kitchen trimmings. (Not to mention, rabbit waste is great for supercharging the compost pile!)

-- A few of the pet-product companies that have made an effort to "go green" include West Paw, Planet Dog, Castor and Pollux, and Earthbath -- and the number is growing every day.

-- Pay attention to packaging. Pet food, pet toys, pet supplies, pet cleaning and grooming aids, pet medications -- pretty much all of these have one serious environmental problem: packaging. Look for alternatives, such as bulk buying that reduces throwaway containers, and use products that come in recycled and recyclable packaging.

-- Toss with caution. Always dispose of drugs, pesticides, shampoos, chemicals and the containers they come in safely. Flea-control products, as well as many pet shampoos and dips, need to be disposed of carefully as well, according to federal, state and local guidelines. (As for those flea-and-tick products, don't overdo it, and follow directions carefully.)

-- Handle the "do" responsibly. Biodegradable poop bags are a must, otherwise the poop you pick up will still be in the landfill decades from now. As for scooping the yard, consider a "pet septic system" like the widely available Doggie Dooley or the new Doggie Doo Drain ($45; DoggieDooDrain.com). The latter fits onto your sewer clean-out and sends the mess to the treatment plant. Keeping cats from roaming keeps their waste in a litter box, where you can dispose of it properly. Usually, that will mean bagging and putting it in the trash. (Check with your local municipal authority for guidance.)

-- Take a hike, or a bike. If you've gotten in the habit of driving to the dog park, consider that six legs in motion -- yours and your dog's -- is good for you both. Put your walking shoes on, snap the leash to your dog's collar and get your exercise in your own neighborhood. Walking (or jogging) is great, and if you want to add two wheels to the mix, look for accessories that allow you to safely take your dog biking with you. Be careful though: Exercise in the cool morning only, and don't let your dog overheat.

-- Don't litter -- and do adopt. Remember to consider adoption when it comes to choosing a pet. Great pets can be found at any shelter, and don't forget to check out rescue groups as well -- Petfinder.org can be a great resource for looking. And do make sure your own pet isn't accidentally "littering." Fences, leashes and neutering can all prevent "oops" litters.

These tips should give you a start on a greener life for you and your pet.

Q&A

Missing the box, finding the bathroom

Q: I have an older cat who was a young feral when I adopted her. This past year, she has begun to miss the litter box. I have taken her to the veterinarian, which is an extremely hard thing to do because I am the only one whose handling she tolerates. She doesn't have an infection.

After some research, I thought I would try isolating her in the bathroom to see if she will start using the litter box. Is this a good idea?-- A.B., via e-mail

A: Assuming your veterinarian did assure you of your cat's complete good health, then yes, retraining is definitely worth trying.

The idea behind putting a cat in a small area such as a bathroom, with the rugs removed, is that potty options are pretty much limited to the box. Because some cats develop negative associations with their boxes, this technique may help them to get back on track. A scrupulously clean box is essential, and any outside-the-box mistakes must also be cleaned promptly and thoroughly.

Before you do that, though, do check in with the veterinarian. Medical issues that cause older cats to miss the box reach beyond urinary-tract infections, and may include arthritis or diabetes. All these problems must be ruled out or treated for retraining to work.

If your cat still will not use the box, go back to your veterinarian and ask for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist, who can develop a program for you to follow in retraining your cat and can prescribe medications that will ease your cat through the transition back to good behavior. -- Dr. Marty Becker.

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

THE BUZZ

Older pet lovers

neuter more often

-- Older pet owners tend to be more likely to alter their pets, according to a study commissioned by PetSmart Charities. The study revealed that 38 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds who have acquired a dog or cat in the last year haven't sterilized their pets, as compared to 24 percent of pet owners over 55 who have yet to spay-neuter.

-- Do as I say, not as I do? Maybe! While veterinarians advise brushing pets' teeth to prevent dental problems, slightly more than half of veterinarians polled admitted (probably sheepishly) that they don't brush their own pets' teeth. Only 8 percent brush their pets' teeth regularly -- still probably a higher figure than the general pet-owning population, but with lots of room for improvement.

-- The main culprit for spreading West Nile virus across the U.S. is mosquitoes, not birds. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health report that the rapid movement of the disease does not match common bird migratory patterns.

-- Although parrot beaks are constantly growing at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per year, depending on the species, the beak of a healthy pet bird will remain at a healthy length with normal chewing activities -- no trimming required. In fact, an overgrown beak is frequently a sign of illness, such as liver disease or malnutrition. -- 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" and "The Dr. Oz Show" 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 more. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

The Scoop

Exercise helps get sleeping pets to settle

For many people, a good night's sleep is hard to come by, for reasons as varied as stress, caffeinated beverages, snoring spouses and one that recently took researchers at the Mayo Sleep Clinic by surprise: pets.

More than half of the people coming to the famous Rochester, Minn., medical center for help sleeping reported sharing their bedrooms -- and often their beds -- with their pets. The physicians started recommending tossing the pets out, but pet lovers don't usually like doing so.

Top veterinarians say there are other options. Their advice can be summed up succinctly: Keep your pets clean, keep them lean and get them on your sleep cycle. With help from your pets' veterinarian, chances are you'll be soon be enjoying sleep instead of counting sheep.

Getting pets on the same sleep cycle can actually be fun, says Dr. Gary Landsberg, a veterinary behaviorist in Thornhill, Ontario. When a pet sleeps all day, it's no surprise that the animal may want to play all night. Dr. Landsberg says exercising pets, both physically and mentally, will help them to settle down when you do.

Dr. Landsberg says pet owners can enjoy keeping their pets active. That means shared physical activity -- play, in other words -- but it also should include keeping cats and dogs busy when you're not home.

"That can be as simple as giving pets their meals out of feeding toys," he says. "You want something that will give them food rewards as they chew on it, or roll a ball and food falls out. These can keep their brains and bodies quite occupied."

And when they nudge you in the night? Dr. Landsberg says if their medical, physical and mental needs have been addressed, you should ignore them, so pets don't get the idea that you'll play with them whenever they want. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Advice that's fishy

When it comes to getting information on setting up, stocking and maintaining saltwater fish tanks, specialty stores remain popular. Fish keepers with saltwater tanks reported getting advice from multiple sources, including:

Fish/aquarium store 71%

General pet store 53%

Internet 39%

Books 34%

Friend/relative 31%

Magazines 28%

Aquarium club 8%

Source: American Pet Products Association

PET Rx

Paralysis always a pet emergency

The inability to walk can develop suddenly, even without a history of injury. 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 veterinary assistance immediately, either at your regular veterinary hospital or an emergency clinic.

Never trust a frightened, injured animal not to bite. A soft muzzle should be kept on hand for emergencies, or one can be fashioned out of gauze or even pantyhose in a pinch. -- 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.

and Christie Keith

Here's the first thing you need to know about rabbits: Given what they need to stay active, these fluffy, nose-twitching animals are affectionate and engaging pets. Kept in a barren cage or hutch and deprived of exercise and mental stimulation, however, they're not just boring, they're bored -- not to mention unhappy and unhealthy.

Despite warnings not to get a pet on impulse, we know it happens. If you ended up with a baby bunny as an Easter present, we want to help you realize what a gem of pet you really have.

The discoveries start by getting your bunny out of that boring backyard hutch or small cage and into your life as a "house rabbit."

The wild relatives of pet rabbits cover ranges of two or more acres every day in their hunt for mates and food. Their powerful hindquarters are built for speed, and they can run long distances at high speed to escape predators. While it's not safe to let pet rabbits roam -- they'll almost certainly fall victim to dogs, hawks, disease or cars -- pet owners can easily and inexpensively give rabbits all the exercise and playtime they need to turn domestication into bliss.

Playtime provides a big payoff to rabbit owners, too. It helps prevent health problems including obesity, decreased bone density, gastrointestinal disease and urinary tract infections. Bunnies who get lots of mental and physical activity are much more likely to confine their chewing and digging to their toys, instead of their owners' belongings.

Judith Pierce, manager of the San Diego chapter of the House Rabbit Society, suggests bunny owners start enriching their pets' lives by thinking inside the box -- the cardboard box.

"We can spend hundreds of dollars on wonderful toys for our rabbits," she says, "but their favorite toy is usually a plain old cardboard box. They love to climb and hide inside them, so it's important to find boxes that have multiple openings."

Rabbits also love to play with the empty rolls from paper towels or toilet paper. "They even like to play with towels," said Pierce "They like to push them around, dig in them, and snuggle up with them."

When it comes to rabbit toys, Pierce suggests forgetting about species. "One of the ways you know someone is a rabbit owner," Pierce says, "is they spend a lot of time at baby stores, even though they don't have babies."

Pierce recommends multicolored plastic linking toys made for babies. "I pull them apart and make them into little circles, and toss them to the rabbits. They love them."

Toddlers' plastic play structures are another rabbit favorite. "A friend has a kid's climbing and slide setup in her yard," Pierce says. "Rabbits love to climb, and hers got up on top of it and looked at the slide. She could just see him thinking, 'What's this?' And he slid down and loved it."

Like cats, rabbits like to perch up high, so play and exercise structures made for cats are suitable for rabbits too. Look for cat condos and climbing trees with ramps, tunnels and platforms, which also have the benefit of helping make the most of a small indoor space.

Don't be afraid of the great outdoors, though. While rabbits should live in the house most of the time, safely enclosed outside patios can be a bunny wonderland. "Just don't leave them outdoors unattended," cautioned Pierce. "Close them inside if you can't watch them."

Other great rabbit toys include:

-- Paper bags and boxes filled with newspaper for shredding and digging, along with balls.

-- Wicker baskets are also a fun. Just make sure the wicker hasn't been treated with anything

-- Hard plastic baby toys like rattles. Don't use toys meant for teething; they're not hard enough for rabbits.

-- Dried pine cones and fresh apple tree branches are favorite toys. Some trees are toxic to rabbits, including redwood, cherry, plum, peach and apricot, so be cautious.

If you don't already have a bunny, shelters and rescue groups always have plenty to choose from. Hop to it: Your next great pet is an adoption away.

Q&A

What to do about egg-laying

Q: We have a little parakeet. Last night she laid her first egg. We threw it away, but we wonder if there will be more since she doesn't have a mate. -- M.C., via e-mail.

A: For help with this one, I turned to Dr. Brian L. Speer, one of the world's top avian veterinarians and my co-author on "Birds for Dummies" (Wiley, $22). Speer says that in such cases, removing the egg is the common recommendation. But there's more to know about egg-laying birds and how to handle them.

"Unlike many mammals, birds do not cycle regularly," says Speer. "Their reproductive cycle is dependent on environmental cues that tend to support and justify the expenditure of energy for reproductive purposes."

Such cues, he says, include thinking there's a mate available, believing there's an adequate nesting site in the cage, having adequate food and a healthy environment. To keep your bird from continuing to lay eggs, Speer says it's important to evaluate the bird's care, especially when it comes to handling and the environment.

Instead of offering your bird the materials that can be used for nesting, says Speer, provide food puzzles stuffed with lower-calorie foods to keep her busy "foraging" for meals in an imitation of how she'd behave in the wild. And just in case a member of your family is being perceived as the "mate," be sure pair-bonding between a single person and bird is discouraged by having all members of the family becoming involved in bird care.

Finally, mix things up. "A bird's environment should be continually changed, altered or moved," says Speer. "That's because constant changes in the environment tend not to encourage or support reproductive activity."

So ... throw the eggs away, and then take a good close look at the messages your bird is getting. If they're saying "lay," it's time to shake things up a bit. -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Pet industry

stays strong

-- The pet market grew in 2009 despite a weak economy. A report by Packaged Facts estimates the pet industry generated $53 billion last year -- a figure the company says will hit $72 billion by 2014. The report credits the industry's strength to the growing importance of the human-animal bond. Even those pet owners who have cut back on some areas of pet-related spending are still buying small indulgences for their pets, increasing the spending in 2009 on dog and cat treats.

-- A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 5 percent of U.S. pets are microchipped, compared to nearly a quarter of European pets.

-- Ferret fanciers have specific terms for their pets, starting with "hob," for an unneutered male ferret, and "jill" for an unspayed female. Babies are called "kits," and the correct terms for altered adults are "gibs" (males) and "sprites" (females). Most charming of all, a group of these playful pets is called a "business" of ferrets (although some use "busyness" instead). -- 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" and "The Dr. Oz Show" 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 more. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

The Scoop

Roll because the stink's so good

While veterinary behaviorists aren't sure why dogs like to roll in stinky stuff and eat rotten things, many believe these pets are marking themselves with their most prized possessions to show them off to all of their two-legged and four-legged friends. For a dog, wearing stinky stuff is like wearing the best of all designer-label scents.

Not only do dogs have millions more scent receptors than we have, they are also polar opposites when it comes to putting stuff on their skin. While people like smells that are fresh, floral and fragrant, dogs prefer dirty, dead and (to us) disgusting.

Forget trying to prevent your dog from rolling in the stinkiest things imaginable. For you it's disgusting; for them it's divine. With thousands of years of practice behind them, dogs will continue to go boldly where no man, or woman, would ever choose to go.

The only way to stop the stinky search-and-roll is to keep your dog on the leash -- or teach a foolproof come-hither when called. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Getting help with the cat

Hiring a pet sitter is by far the most common service hired by cat lovers, and it's becoming even more popular -- and it's a better choice than leaving a cat alone with food and water. Popular cat services:

Pet-sitting at home 62 percent

Other services 16 percent

Boarding 15 percent

Pet transport 7 percent

Source: American Pet Products Association

TIP

'Bad' pet? These vets can help

A veterinary behaviorist can be the answer to many a difficult pet-behavior challenge. These veterinarians have additional training and certification in animal behavior, so they can work with pet lovers to address any problem simultaneously from medical and behavioral angles. And, of course, they can prescribe medications that may help with retraining in the short run or fix a behavioral problem permanently in the long run.

Your veterinarian should be able to refer you to a veterinary behaviorist in your area, or you can contact your nearest school or college of veterinary medicine. -- 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.

Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can make our pets itch and scratch. But did you know that each one of these pests can transmit serious diseases to your pets -- and to you as well?

In a pet with flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), even one flea bite can cause a cascading reaction of itching, irritation and secondary bacterial infection. Far from being a rare overreaction to fleas, FAD is the most common allergic skin disorder in pets. And allergic or not, all pets can be infected with tapeworm from the bite of a flea. Fleas can also bite humans, and a few fleas can lead to a complete infestation of your carpets, bedding, upholstery and yard.

Once it's in full bloom, a flea infestation can be extremely difficult to eradicate.

And what about mosquitoes? These pests make people itch, but their risk to pets goes far beyond discomfort. Mosquitoes can transmit heartworms, a parasite that's a serious problem in dogs and increasingly in cats (even indoor cats). Many cases of feline asthma and bronchitis are now thought to be caused by heartworm infection. Heartworm disease can be debilitating, lengthy, difficult and expensive to treat, but it's easy to prevent with medication from your veterinarian. More information on canine and feline heartworm disease can be found at www.heartwormsociety.org.

Probably the most dangerous of all the pests that afflict our pets is the tick. Ticks can spread Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and babesiosis. These immune-system disorders can be hard to diagnose and difficult to treat. Because their symptoms can mimic so many other diseases, they are often not detected until well advanced, at which time it can be too late.

Symptoms of tick-borne diseases include fevers, lameness that can shift from limb to limb, difficulty breathing, lethargy and not eating. Ticks can be as tiny as the period at the end of this sentence, so relying on combing or hand-searching to control ticks is not effective. Worse, removing them by hand can increase the likelihood they'll transmit disease to your pets.

Even if your dog has been vaccinated against canine Lyme disease, don't let up on the tick-prevention effort. There are no vaccines for any of the other, even more dangerous tick diseases. Many ticks carry multiple diseases and can transmit more than one at the time they bite your dog.

Your veterinarian can detect canine heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and two other tick-borne diseases (ehrlichiosis canis and anaplasmosis) with a single, in-house test. This diagnostic tool is important to detect diseases that, left untreated, can cause life-threatening illness in dogs.

Given the seriousness of the diseases spread by ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, there's no question that prevention is the best course. In the past, pet owners had to rely on messy, time-consuming and non-environmentally friendly dips, bombs and sprays. Those days are gone with the introduction of topical preventives that repel and kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Some even control internal parasites and ear mites.

Diseases carried by parasites vary from region to region, although in today's increasingly mobile society that's less true. Talk to your veterinarian about the problems in your area and about the products that can protect your pet.

When using those products, be careful: Most bad reactions occur when people don't follow label directions, such as using canine products on cats or not using the proper dosage. Follow up with your veterinarian immediately if you have questions or if your pet seems to be having a reaction.

Q&A

Pets, planes and airport security

Q: Regarding your recent column on flying with pets, will you let readers know about the risk of losing a pet in the airport?

Most people don't realize that if they take a pet as carry-on baggage, they'll have to take the pet out of the carrier and hold the animal while the carrier itself goes through screening. I found this out the hard way with a cat who hates to be held!

Everyone who takes a pet aboard a plane as carry-on luggage should have a harness and leash in place to avoid having the animal take off running through the airport. -- J.P., via e-mail

A: You're absolutely right. While a small dog having a bit of a freak-out at the airport can probably be held firmly and without too much difficulty, a cat in full flight-or-fight mode can really create a dangerous scene. That's why your suggestion is important: Make sure any pet -- but especially a cat -- is equipped with a harness and leash before removing the animal from the carrier at the airport screening station.

I've flown with pets as carry-ons a few times and have put larger pets in cargo a few times more -- never (knock on wood) with any problems whatsoever. I've always found airline staff to be caring, helpful and understanding of the needs and worries of pet lovers.

One myth about flying with pets that just won't go away is the assumption that pets need to be routinely tranquilized for flights. Not only is this not true, but it's also dangerous. Tranquilizing limits the ability of their bodies to function normally, and they need all that ability to cope with the stress of flight.

The default mode for pet air travel should be no tranquilizers, although there are exceptions, so a preflight talk with the veterinarian is a must. (You'll need to be there for a preflight health certificate anyway.)

Maybe we think pets should be tranquilized because we wish we were? It sure would make the flights seem faster for us, wouldn't it?

Talking to the airline for pet reservations and conditions also is a must, as is checking en route for any pets traveling in cargo holds. With all precautions in place, air travel with pets should go smoothly -- and it usually does. -- Gina Spadafori

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

The Buzz

Unwanted pet pigs

end up in shelters

-- Pot-bellied pigs are ending up in shelters by the thousands, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Promised to be 40 to 60 pounds by breeders, many of these pigs grow much, much larger, with many ranging in size from 150 to 300 pounds. Pig sanctuaries are overflowing with at least 300,000 of the animals, who are also given up because of their their high need for specialized care and lots of attention, for destructive behavior and noise, and because many areas prohibit pigs as pets, a fact usually not discovered until after the animal has been purchased.

-- The nutritional information on the back of pet food bags may not be reliable when it comes to portion size.The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University did a study on 100 commercially available weight-management diets and found problems with labels regarding recommended feeding and the kilocalories consumed per serving. The label issues may make it more difficult for pets to lose weight.

-- Graduating veterinary students will be relieved of some of their school debt, up to $25,000 of student loan debt per year, if they sign up for a U.S. Department of Agriculture program intended to get more veterinarians into rural areas, where the need for large-animal and food-animal care is becoming a matter of national concern. -- 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" and "The Dr. Oz Show" 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 more. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

The Scoop

Make nail trims feline-friendly

Want to avoid a tussle when it comes to trimming the claws on your cat? Don't trim them until you can massage your cat's paws gently during lap time. As you massage a paw with one hand, offer an irresistible treat in the other. Make the procedure as pleasant as possible -- for both of you.

Timing and size matters when you start nail trims. A relaxed cat is more likely to be a cooperative one. Go for quality, not quantity. Trim only one nail each day and take off only the tip. If you cut down to the quick -- the living tissue closest to the paw -- it will hurt. And if you cause your pet pain, you won't get much cooperation in the future.

So be careful, and be positive. If done carefully, your cat may not hold out his paw for a nail trim, but he won't mind much if the whole experience is a pleasant one. -- Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp, AnimalBehavior.net

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Skin conditions common

More than one-fifth of all claims submitted to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. were for skin conditions. Parasites and allergies were often given as the causes for the misery. The top complaints:

1. Atopic/allergic dermatitis (itchy or inflammed skin)

2. Pyoderma/hotspots (lick lesions or moist sore spots)

3. Neoplasia, or benign skin cancer.

Source: www.petinsurance.com

PET TIP

Daily cleaning for pet dishes

No matter how thoroughly your pet licks clean the food dish, it's not clean enough to use again without washing. That goes for water dishes, too. I've seen water dishes in some homes with the beginnings of algae colonies forming on the sides and the bottom -- who'd want to drink from that?

Pick up your pet's food dish after every meal, scrub and wash in hot water and soap. The water dish should get the same treatment, on a daily basis.

Better still, run them through the hottest cycle of the dishwasher to get them really clean and sterilized. Stainless steel or heavy plastic "crock-style" dishes are best for frequent cleaning: They last forever and stand up well to the abuse a pet can dish out. I have stainless steel pet dishes that still look good after more than two decades of use. -- 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.