Dr. Marty Becker

Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires and even man-made disasters have brought home to us all in recent years that a crisis can happen at any time, in any community.

Just as you can't leave preparing for your human family members to chance, you need a plan to ensure the safety of your pets. Here are some steps to get you started:

Make a plan. Prepare for all possibilities, including that you may be away from home when disaster strikes. Get to know your neighbors, and be prepared to help each other out. Find out from local emergency operation agencies, shelters, veterinary organizations and your own veterinarian what the local emergency response plans are and what help they can provide for you and your pet.

Keep ID on your pets. Most animals survive a disaster, but too many never see their families again. That's because many pets aren't equipped with a way to determine which pet belongs to which family. Pets should always wear a collar and identification tags. Better still is a permanent identification that can't slip off, such as an imbedded microchip. Make sure one of the numbers on your pet's ID and chip records is your cell phone, as well as a friend or relative living out of the area. That way, if you can't get to your home phone, you can still be reached and reunited with your pet.

Put your pet's records in one easy-to-grab spot. Make a simple file with updated records of your pet's vaccinations and other health records, as well as his license and microchip information, and details on his pet-health insurance provider. Include some good pictures of your pet with simple, uncluttered backgrounds, so if you need to make "lost pet" posters, you can. Put this material with the rest of your important papers in a place safe from fire or flood.

Have carriers and restraints at hand. You're not going to get advance warning of some disasters, such as earthquakes. But if you know a storm is on the way or a wildfire may turn your way, make sure you get your pet inside. Sturdy crates and carriers belong on the list of "must-haves," along with restraints, including comfortable box muzzles for dogs and soft face-shield muzzles and restraint bags for cats. While you may trust your pet to remain calm, it's better to be prepared: An injured or scared pet may lash out in self-defense.

Include your pet's needs in your emergency kit. Always keep ample supplies on hand of your pet's food, medications, litter and enough water to cover your pet as well as your human family members. (And rotate all supplies regularly.) A first-aid kit should cover your pet's needs as well as your own -- and should include a compact first-aid guide geared to pets. If your pet eats canned food, don't forget to throw in a spare can opener and a spoon. Disposable dishes and litter boxes can be useful as well.

One of the best investments you can make when it comes to preparation is to know basic first aid for pets and people alike. For a directory of instructors in your area, check PetTech.net or ask your veterinarian for information.

THE SCOOP

New baby? Your cat

doesn't have to go

You don't need to find a new home for your cat if you are expecting a baby, no matter what well-meaning relatives and friends may say to the contrary.

When pregnant, have someone else handle the litter-box chores, and if you garden, wear gloves just in case a neighbor's cat has left deposits in your flower beds.

After your baby comes home, common sense dictates that no animal be left unattended with a small child. While cats do not maliciously smother or suck the breath out of babies -- as the myths hold -- it's just safer to take no chances. (I have to admit: Seeing proud parents post pictures online of babies propped up on cats and dogs makes my stomach flip. Don't take stupid risks for a "cute" picture.)

After your child is older, you still want to remain on the lookout for problems. Toddlers don't understand that pets need gentle handling, and although most cats catch on very quickly to the notion that small children are best avoided, a possibility always exists that your pet, if cornered, could scratch or bite your child or even be hurt himself.

Cats are wonderful family pets, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Keeping your cat in good health with the help of your family's veterinarian will help make your pet a perfect companion -- a little more flexible and self-sufficient than a dog but still affectionate and nonjudgmental.

If you're always aware that small children and cats have the potential to hurt each other, you'll be ahead of the curve when it comes to keeping everyone safe. -- Gina Spadafori

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

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Some cats don't

mix well with milk

-- Most cats like milk, but milk doesn't agree with all cats. After the age of 12 weeks or so, some cats (like some people) lose the ability to digest the lactose in the milk. For those cats, milk isn't recommended -- it can give them diarrhea. For cats who aren't lactose intolerant, milk can be a nice occasional treat.

-- The average bat eats 3,000 mosquitoes per night.

-- Some birds make more than a thousand trips finding enough material to build their nests. Doves may spend only a matter of two to four days on nest building with twigs, while hawks will take months using sticks to build a nest. Hummingbirds use dandelion down, hair, feathers, spider silk, fine strips of bark and lint to make their nests. Martins and swallows build their nests out of mud, creating nest cups that cling under bridges and eaves. Orioles create a hanging nest by weaving together materials such as grass. Woodpeckers will create nests by excavating them, often using fresh wood-chip bedding.

-- Among the many notable things said or written about cats is this quote from Ernest Hemingway: "A cat has emotional honesty: Human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but the cat does not."

-- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

Dr. Marty Becker

and David S. Greene

As anyone who has ever tried to sleep in the same room with an itchy dog can tell you, canine allergies can be miserable for both pets and people.

People get runny noses, itchy eyes, sneezing or wheezing when allergies flair. For dogs, the problems are mostly skin-related: They scratch, chew their skin, rub against stationary objects or shake their heads in frustration from itchy ears.

Allergies typically show up within the first three years of a pet's life, worsen with age and can't be cured, only controlled. Knowing what causes allergies is an important first step toward treating them, and that means getting your veterinarian's help. Flea bites are a top cause of these allergies, but food and environmental issues are a problem for many dogs. Dust, pollen and spores in the home and yard gather in the pet's fur, and the allergens then trigger reactions.

Your veterinarian will have suggestions specific to your dog, your region and your season, but in general, you can help your pet a great deal with an allergy-prevention regimen in the home. Dedicated parasite control is the first step, and that will mean veterinary-recommended flea-control products along with frequent vacuuming of pet areas and washing of pet bedding.

Concurrently, you can limit the amount of dust and other irritants pets sweep up by keeping floors, furniture and other surfaces where dogs and dust connect clean, as well as by using air filtration systems. In addition, if you smoke, quit. Secondhand smoke bothers pets, too.

And while you may have heard that frequent shampooing strips the skin of essential oils, veterinary dermatologists now recommend bathing pets at least every week (up to every day for extremely at-risk, allergic pets) during the spring and summer to help wash allergens off the coat and skin before they can trigger an allergic reaction.

While regular flea-control, a clean house and frequent bathing may dramatically decrease your pet's allergic response, more powerful treatments are often needed to help a pet ditch the itch. Fortunately, veterinarians have new treatment options that may make a world of difference.

You probably know someone who takes shots to manage their own allergy symptoms. Known as immunotherapy, or hyposensitization, these small injections of allergens under the skin can also be effective for most dogs with atopic dermatitis, which is the medical term for what pet owners would call "constantly itchy skin." Pet owners can administer the injections at home with guidance from their veterinarians, and many dogs respond well to this treatment.

To fight the skin reactions to allergens that trigger scratching and chewing, Atopica is another option. This medication calms the cells that trigger an allergic response, rather than treating the symptoms after a reaction -- and without the side effects of steroid shots. Ask your veterinarian if this treatment is right for your pet.

But it's not just about airborne allergens or parasites: Pets suffer from food allergies as well. Allergy reactions to pet food are usually caused by proteins and can include beef, egg, milk or cheese products, soy, or even fish. If food allergies are suspected, your veterinarian will guide you through food-elimination trials to find the culprit, and then recommend a diet that won't trigger an allergic response.

With modern veterinary options and a world of new products to help, the allergies of dogs can be managed better than ever before. And that means you and your pet will both sleep better, since neither of you will have to be bothered by your dog's noisy scratching.

Q&A

Management key

to a bad habit

Q: I am ready to get rid of the dog because no matter what I do, he insists on eating from the litter box. I have spanked him, yelled at him, and all it did is make him sneaky. If I can't keep him out of the litter box, he's going to a home without a cat. Fix this! -- P.T.

A: Eating things people find objectionable -- to say the least -- is a common problem in dogs. It's generally more effective to change what you're doing instead of what your dog's doing to stop this behavior. (Especially since, as you've learned, punishment isn't doing the job.)

Changing the situation means figuring out how to keep the box where your cat can get to it and your dog can't. How you do that will depend on the size of your dog, the layout of your home and your cat's preferences for what he will and will not tolerate about changes to his box.

Here are a few ideas:

-- Purchase a covered litter box. Some cats don't like them, cats with asthma shouldn't use them, and some dogs find the cover a fun challenge. But this is an easy solution if it works. A box that scoops automatically may also work, again, unless the dog is determined to crack open the container.

-- Change the litter box's location. You must be careful not to upset your cat, since cats often react to change by avoiding the box. But experimenting with ploys such as gradually moving the litter box to a location above the dog's reach can do the job.

-- Provide barriers. One way is to rig the door to the room containing the litter box so that it stays open wide enough for the cat but not for the dog. Another possibility is to put a cat-sized door through the door to the litter box room if your dog is medium-sized or larger. For small dogs, try a baby gate -- the cat can jump it, but the dog can't.

It's a good bet some combination of these strategies will resolve the problem so that you can focus on changing the angry feelings you have for your dog. -- Gina Spadafori

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

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

The kitten's nose

knows where mom is

A kitten's nose may be tiny, but it works well. Kittens are born blind and deaf, but they use their sense of smell to find the nutrition their mothers offer them. The first milk that kittens ingest is very important. Called colostrum, it contains antibodies from the mother and other important substances that give the kittens initial protection against diseases at a time when their own immune systems are not yet functioning well. These antibodies diminish over time, but until they do, they not only protect the kitten against disease, but they also may block the usefulness of any vaccine. That's why kittens (and puppies) need a series of vaccines for protection -- to keep up when the maternal immunity drops.

-- Blood banks for pets have grown in popularity in recent years. Veterinarians used to draw blood from pets of their own or of staff, or keep animals as pampered hospital pets for this reason. While practice pets -- especially cats -- remain popular and are no less pampered, the growth of blood banks means they're not as often made to donate for their keep. As with human blood banks, volunteers are essential to these livesaving efforts. Owners bring their health-screened pets in to donate in exchange for credit toward future care. Ask your veterinarian if your pet is suited to donating to save the lives of others.

-- The noises humans bring to the oceans are bothering the world's fish, some 21,000 species of which rely on their hearing to navigate their underwater world. The fish environment is full of natural noises, but humans have added 10 decibels of ambient commotion to the water during the last half-century. Construction of oil platforms, wind turbines and bridges can interfere both with the normal behavior of fish and with their ability to reproduce. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

Dr. Marty Becker

Many dogs enjoy swimming as much as people do, and cool times in the local swimming spot or backyard pool are one of the best parts of summer. But you have to look out for your pet around water, since even the strongest, most enthusiastic swimmers can get into trouble.

The keys to water safety for dogs: prevention, preparedness and awareness.

Prevention: No dog should be given unsupervised access to a backyard pool or to a neighborhood pond or creek. Swimming pools are best fenced off for safety. And if that's not possible, they should be equipped with alarms that sound when the surface of the water is broken by a child or pet falling in and a ramp to help them find their way out.

Prevention also includes teaching your pet what to do when he's in the pool. Dogs don't get the idea that the steps are on one side only, and they may tire and drown trying to crawl out the side. If your pet likes to swim, work with him in the pool to help him learn where the steps are so he can get out easily.

Finally, obedience training is extremely important. Your dog should come when called, even when swimming, so you can call him back before he heads into deeper water or stronger currents. Emergency shortcut: Always carry extra retrieving toys. A dog who's heading out into a dangerous area after a ball or stick can often be lured back into shore with a second item thrown closer in. It's no substitute for training, but it could save your dog's life.

Preparedness: Before letting your dog swim in any natural surroundings, survey the area for safety. Rivers and oceans can change frequently, and an area that was safe for swimming one visit can be treacherous the next. Consider currents, tides, underwater hazards and even the condition of the water. In the late summer, algae scum on the top of standing water can be toxic, producing substances that can kill a pet who swallows the tainted water. When in doubt, no swimming. Better safe than sorry.

One of the best things you can do is to take courses in first aid and CPR for your pets. Many local Red Cross chapters offer these classes, and some veterinarians may also teach them in your community. A dog who's pulled out near death from drowning may be saved by your prompt actions -- if you know what to do.

If your dog isn't much of a swimmer, or is older or debilitated, get him a personal floatation device. These are especially great for family boating trips because most have sturdy handles for rescue when a pet goes overboard.

Awareness: Be aware of your dog's condition as he plays. Remember that even swimming dogs can get hot, so bring fresh water and offer it constantly. When your dog is tiring, be sure to call it a day. A tired dog is a good dog, but an exhausted dog is in danger of drowning. Be particularly careful of young and old dogs. Both can get themselves into more trouble than a healthy adult dog with lots of swimming experience. Young dogs can panic in the water, and old dogs may not realize they aren't as strong as they used to be. Keep them close to shore, and keep swimming sessions short.

Swimming is great exercise and great fun for all, and with these few simple precautions you can keep the cool times coming, with safety in mind.

Q&A

Look for outgoing

in kitten choice

Q: We're committed to the idea of a kitten this summer, keeping a promise to our daughter for good grades. Other than just picking "the cute one," how do we know we will be getting a friendly pet? -- F.G.

A: In an ideal world, getting to meet both the mother and the father of a kitten would be very helpful in determining what sort of companion that adorable fuzz-ball will become. But since most feline fathers are of the love-'em-and-leave-'em variety, it's likely you'll be lucky to meet the mom alone.

If you get to meet only mom, that's OK. Although there are orphaned kittens who turn out to be great companions, it's more difficult for a human-raised baby cat to learn life's lessons as well as one raised by a feline mother. Cats are generally caring and attentive mothers, and they're responsible for a kitten's early learning and socialization.

Kittens learn their earliest, most basic manners from watching their mothers and from interacting with mom and siblings. For example, if a kitten pounces on her mother's tail in play, mom will quickly and in no uncertain terms teach her baby that the behavior is unacceptable. Kittens who don't have the benefit of a feline family may not learn that biting and clawing hurts and will be more likely to scratch or bite, even in play.

In a shelter situation, though, you may not be able to meet dad, mom or siblings. You don't want to choose on looks alone -- and besides, is there any such thing as a less-than-adorable kitten? -- so take a little time to personality-test the kittens you're considering.

Assuming all the kittens appear healthy (bright eyes, glossy coat, no crusting around the nose or tail, no pot belly, clean ears and no breathing issues or lethargy), you're looking for a youngster who is outgoing and adaptive.

A kitten should be curious and playful, and recover quickly from a scare if in safe surroundings. Don't expect a rambunctious baby to snuggle for long, but no kitten should be afraid of being held.

Congratulations to your future new addition! -- Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp, AnimalBehavior.net

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

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Animal crackers

an American hit

-- Animal-shaped cookies originated in 1890s England, but the American manufacturer National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) displayed marketing genius in 1902 when the company put the now-familiar crackers in a small rectangular box made to resemble a circus cage and added a string to encourage parents to hang boxes as gifts to decorate Christmas trees. According to the book, "Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things," parents were soon writing to Nabisco about how children ate the cookies. The most popular order of dismemberment: back legs, forelegs, head and lastly the body.

-- Only 15 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats lost without an ID tag or a microchip are reunited with their owners, according to DVM360.com.

-- Mammary tumors are three times more likely in dogs than breast cancer in women and are the leading tumor disease in female dogs. A spayed dog is less likely to get mammary tumors, and the age of the dog affects the survival period. A study at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences found that the two most common genes that cause breast cancer in women also increase the risk of springer spaniels getting mammary tumors. The study also found the presence of a gene tied to the immune system protected the dogs who carried it by lowering their risk of mammary tumors. Owners of female dogs should regularly check their females for lumps in their mammary glands, similar to women monitoring for breast cancer. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon