Pets with fears are commonplace, and so, too, is confusion over how to deal with a frightened pet. While most people realize that punishing a pet's fear will only make matters worse, they don't know how to turn that fear around.

That's understandable. After all, you can't reason with a frightened pet. You can't explain that thunderstorms or fireworks are just a lot of noise, or that veterinarians are working to help pets feel better.

Pets who aren't comfortable being handled, can't be exposed to new things or have learned to fear life's regular stresses lead lives that are difficult for themselves and for their owners. They often don't get the basic care they need, such as routine nail trims, and their major health problems may go undiagnosed because their behavior at the veterinary hospital is too much for their owners to handle.

It's not just the pets at risk, of course, since one of the ways pets express fear is by biting.

A pet's fear can often be conquered with the help of a savvy owner who knows when to tap a professional for advice. The answer is a program of what behaviorists call "counter-conditioning" -- pairing the scary in a small dose with something the pet likes: yummy food treats and praise. That doesn't mean reassuring a frightened pet -- and rewarding the fear -- but rather changing the way the animal looks at what frightens him.

Always keep the exposure below the threshold level at which the pet starts showing signs of anxiety -- yawning, drooling, scanning the room for escape routes, or changing to a body posture that lacks confidence, including ears back, licking lips. Build on your successes and go slowly.

What if you're not having any successes? Get help. Ask your veterinarian to refer you to a professional pet behaviorist who can help you develop a good program, and may get your pet on medication to make the transition to a fear-free life easier. While it sounds odd to many pet lovers, a medication such as Prozac paired with a well-managed behavior modification plan helps many pets cope with modern life, either short-term or forever.

Don't wait until it's a crisis: Behavior problems are usually easier to resolve before they've become well-established.

The bottom line? Pets don't have to live in fear -- as long as pet owners are willing to help them work through the issues with patience, compassion and, possibly, help from a professional.

Q&A

How to know what's

safe food for dogs

Q: We heard you say on "Good Morning America" that carrots are great treats for dogs. I've always heard that dogs should get dog food and nothing else, so I'm wondering if the thinking has changed? -- via e-mail

A: Yes, and no.

Yes, low-calorie snacks such as baby carrots or apple slices can be shared with your dog as a treat, and I do recommend them, especially for dogs who need to lose weight. But no, not all "people" food is pet-appropriate.

Like all veterinarians, I am aware that the contents of a restaurant leftover box, for example, are more likely to offer a health risk than a tasty treat for a pet. Fat-laden leftovers and sharp bones pose a threat to pet health, causing illnesses such as pancreatitis, accidents such as a perforated intestine, and even death.

If you give meat or poultry to your dog as an occasional treat, trim it carefully to remove the fat as well as the skin, which is a hiding place for more fat.

Even if you're lucky enough that your pet doesn't end up with acute pancreatitis (a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas), a perforated intestine, severe gastroenteritis (aka a big bellyache) or relatively mild cases of vomiting or diarrhea, the fat certainly adds calories most dogs today don't need.

Other "people foods" that need to be avoided include raisins, macadamia nuts, Xylitol-sweetened gums and candies, bread dough, caffeine and chocolate. For a more comprehensive list, check out the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, ASPCA.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.html.

If you still have questions, ask your veterinarian. And when in doubt, don't share. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Chinese pet fad

can be dangerous

-- Pets dyed to look like pandas, ninja turtles or tigers? It's the latest fad in China, where pet ownership is rising in tandem with household income. But turning a pet into a tiger lookalike may be dangerous, because the unregulated bleaches and dyes can be absorbed into the skin or ingested by the animal, triggering serious health repercussions. The transformation can take eight hours, and isn't always about make-believe fun: Sometimes it's done to pass a pet off as something he's not to command a higher price at a pet store. For example, a kitten with black-and-white tuxedo markings was bleached and dyed to look like a seal point Siamese for a higher sale price. The kitten had to have medical care after becoming ill from the dye, according to a story on CNN.com.

-- Half the dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese, meaning 33 million dogs and 51 million cats, according to the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention.

-- Technology has brought a change to the simple pet door, thanks to a microchip that recognizes only the cat or cats who are allowed through the door. The Pet Porte Smart Flap reads an implanted microchip to open the door as soon as the cat is a foot away, and holds the door open for a few seconds before locking to keep out other cats as well as wild animals looking for food. The manufacturer says the door can be programmed to work with up to 30 cats and can be locked to keep all cats contained when desired. Other automatic doors require a cat to wear a special collar. The product is not yet available in the United States. In the United Kingdom, however, more than 2 million cats have been implanted with the special microchip, and the door is a hit with cat owners, even though the unit is considerably more expensive than a regular cat door -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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.

When did Halloween become such a big holiday? It's second only to Christmas, it seems, for decorating and celebrating, with special stores full of frightful fare and merchandise hitting all other retailers before summer is over.

It's all in fun, of course, and whenever pet lovers have fun, our pets are usually included.

But holidays are often anything but fun for many pets. While we humans love the change in routine with the parties, the guests and the decorations, our furred and feathered family members too often find the disruptions disturbing -- and sometimes dangerous.

Like all holidays, Halloween is not without its hazards. The two biggest problems are injuries and poisoning -- and animal emergency clinics traditionally see plenty of both. When you're planning to include your pet in holiday plans, keep pet protection in the mix.

With the increase in activity around the neighborhood, cats and dogs get nervous, and some will take off if they can. That means an increase in the number of animals hit by cars. Other time, animals may be a cause of injury: All those costumed young visitors can trigger territorial instincts or fear responses in some dogs, who may then become a bite risk.

The best solution for nervous pets is to confine them for the evening in a crate or a quiet room far from the front door or any holiday festivities.

Many animal-welfare groups warn that black cats are at special risk around Halloween, claiming that cultists pick up the animals for ritual torture. Such concerns have led many shelters to halt the adoption of black cats in the days before Halloween.

In truth, such cruelties are so poorly documented that they surely happen rarely, if at all. Your black cat is more likely to be killed by a car than a cultist, since it's difficult to see a black cat in the dark. But the threat of either is more than reason enough to keep him inside.

If you keep your pets confined safely inside the house, you will eliminate one source of risk. Keeping them away from the goodies will take care of the other risk.

Candy is a problem more for dogs than for cats because cats are generally picky about what they eat. Not so for many dogs, who'll wolf down candy (wrappers and all) if given the opportunity, giving many a serious case of what veterinarians call "garbage gut." While chocolate really isn't the deadly threat many believe, a small dog who gets a large amount of dark chocolate does need veterinary intervention. A bigger threat to all pets, though, is from candy and gum sweetened with Xylitol. It's deadly stuff for pets, so keep it out of their reach.

And finally, what about costumes for pets? If it makes you happy, go for it. Your dog doesn't care if he has a biker jacket, sunglasses, an ear-hugging visor or even a colorful bandanna. He'll put up with most anything you put on him, as long as it means spending more time with you.

If putting a costume on your dog means you'll fuss over him and maybe take him somewhere interesting, like the costume contests that are everywhere these days, then sure, it's a no-lose proposition. Dress up your dog and have some fun.

Do make sure that any costume you choose or make meets commonsense standards: It's comfortable and nonrestrictive, inedible, and it doesn't involve anything that could be hazardous, such as dye or paint. There has never been a wider selection of silly stuff for pets at retailers, so you can pick up a costume or two easily.

I've dressed up my pets before, and I have to say that my favorite costume of all time -- a first-place prize-winner at more than one contest -- was also the cheapest and easiest. I purchased a package of round white dots from an office supply store, and put them all over my black retriever. His "Reverse Dalmatian" get-up got laughs everywhere we went.

Q&A

All pet birds need

variety underfoot

Q: We just got a cockatiel, and I am reading a copy of your "Birds For Dummies" we checked out of the library. In it, you and Dr. Speer say the perches that come with the cage we bought are not sufficient, but the folks at the pet store say they are. Care to explain? -- via e-mail

A: Aside from the fact that even the manager or owner of a pet store isn't the expert that board-certified avian veterinarian Dr. Brian L. Speer is, there's the matter of common sense.

First, I wonder if the pet-store person didn't have it, since if she did, she could have sold you more equipment. But that's her problem, I guess.

Second, use some common sense yourself: If you were a bird who flies freely in the wild, would you be happy spending most of your life in a cage with just a food bowl, a water dispenser and a couple of pine dowels for company?

Of course not.

A perch is more than something to stand on for your bird. Chosen properly, it's also an important tool for helping to keep your bird physically and emotionally sound. When choosing perches, think variety, and select an array of textures.

Choices you'll find at the bird store -- I generally prefer specialty bird shops over chain stores for supplies -- include rope, natural wood and concrete, and each should find a place in your bird's cage.

The good news is that some of the best perches around won't cost you anything more than the time it takes to trim them from your trees. Limbs from most fruit and nut trees make fine perches, as do those from ash, elm, dogwood and magnolia.

Cut the branches to fit the cage, scrub with soap and water, rinse well, and let them dry in the sun before putting them in the cage. A final check is for insect pods -- just break them off and dispose of them in an outside trash can.

While many people don't think of a cockatiel as a parrot, these birds are indeed parrots, with all the brains and personality their larger relatives are famous for. These brainy birds need to use those minds to be happy and healthy, and a variety of perches (and toys!) will help. -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Safe food rules

for pet food, too

-- Dry pet food has been repeatedly linked to salmonella outbreaks in people. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed outbreaks from 2006 and 2008 and linked both to contaminated kibble. Especially at risk are young children who play with the food and then put their hands or the food in their mouths. Pet food needs to be handled with as much concern for safety as with all food: Wash hands after handling, keep food preparation areas properly cleaned and wash pet food bowls in soap and water and store between uses.

-- Secondhand smoke is a hazard to pets as well as people. Shorter-nosed breeds are at greater risk for lung cancer, while longer-nosed breeds like collies and German shepherds are more likely to get nasal cancer. Dr. John Reif, a professor at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, released the results in a podcast for the American Veterinary Medical Association. Previous studies had noted that cats exposed to second-hand smoke had double the risk of cancer compared to other cats.

-- The Veterinary Pet Insurance company's analysis of its claims shows that accidental ingestion of pet or human medications was the top poison hazard for pets, with an average cost of $791 per claim. These incidents accounted for close to a quarter of all claims to the company for poisoning. The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center also puts human and pet medications at the top of its poison risks list. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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.

Emergencies always seem to happen when your family veterinary office is closed, don't they? You're having a great time and suddenly your pet seems ill. Is he sick enough for a trip to the emergency clinic?

No one wants to see a pet in pain or in danger. But every day, people spend money they didn't need to for emergency clinic trips they didn't have to make.

Some of the things that get people in a panic can be of no concern at all. One time, while working overnight in an emergency veterinary clinic, I saw a woman frantic because she thought pieces of her dog's intestines were leaking out his back end. In fact, the dog was infested with tapeworms. Definitely in need of treatment, but nothing that couldn't wait until the weekend was over.

Knowing what's a true emergency and what's not can save you hundreds of dollars, since emergency clinics -- like human emergency care -- can be quite expensive.

With the holiday season coming up quickly, it's a good time to review when a pet needs to see a veterinarian. Anything is worth at least a phone call if you're not sure what's wrong, while some things require immediate attention by a veterinarian.

How to tell the difference? Here are some signs that should have you heading for a veterinarian, day or night:

-- Seizure, fainting or collapse.

-- Eye injury, no matter how mild.

-- Vomiting or diarrhea -- anything more than two or three times within an hour or so. Also, a dog who's trying to vomit (or may be vomiting foam, licking lips), has a drum-tight abdomen and a "roached-back" appearance indicative of abdominal pain.

-- Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face, or hives, most easily seen on the belly.

-- Any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication. Cats are especially sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medication for dogs) or any petroleum-based product.

-- Snake or venomous spider bites.

-- Thermal stress -- from being either too cold or too hot -- even if the pet seems to have recovered. (The internal story could be quite different.)

-- Any wound or laceration that's open and bleeding, or any animal bite.

-- Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the pet seems fine. (Again, the situation could be quite different on the inside.)

-- Any respiratory problem: chronic coughing, trouble breathing or near drowning.

-- Straining to urinate or defecate.

Although some other problems may not be life-threatening, they may be causing your pet pain and should be taken care of without delay. Signs of pain can include panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, restlessness, crying out, aggression and loss of appetite. Some pets seek company when suffering, while others will withdraw.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution, always. Better to be dead wrong about a minor medical problem than to have a pet who's dead because you guessed wrong about a major one.

Call your veterinary clinic or hospital before you need help to ask what arrangements the staff suggests for emergency or after-hours care. If your veterinarian refers clients to an emergency clinic after regular business hours, be sure you know which clinic, what the phone number is and how to get there quickly and safely.

Q&A

Rats! Do parents

have a chance?

Note: A reader pointed out this question-and-answer in our PetConnection.com searchable archives, and we liked it so much that we're sharing it again. The e-mail is from 2006, so this young woman wasn't at a top medical school ... yet. And we bet she got her pet.

Q: I'm an academics-oriented-to-the-point-of-mania student in high school. My dwarf hamster died a few months ago, and I'm very eager to purchase another domesticated rodent.

I've researched rabbits (I know, I know: They're lagomorphs, not rodents) and guinea pigs, and I've come across an unsettling plethora of setbacks. However, I stumbled upon rats, and I'm now smitten. I've read that they're exceptionally intelligent and willing to be handled by humans (two factors I value), and I've simply realized that I'm quite compatible with them.

Unfortunately, my parents are completely averse to keeping a "filthy creature" that spread an abhorrent plague in "their house," in spite of my fervent assertions that domesticated rats are different than wild rats. My city-bred mother always mentions the fact that rats have infiltrated New York City. She's being so close-minded.

Responsibility isn't an issue, for my parents are completely cognizant of my maturity and dedication. During the school year, I study maniacally, and my parents have always been worried about my unhealthy devotion to my studies. I believe that owning such active pets as rats will calm me during my scholastic frenzies. Could you aid me in this seemingly fruitless quest to persuade my parents? I see a pair of rats in my future. -- P.C., via e-mail

A: I have a feeling that your parents don't stand a chance when you really have your mind set on something. I imagine you will have your rats, and that you will soon have them trained to negotiate mazes, run through tunnels, climb ladders and jump through hoops on your way to winning the state science fair for the best-ever project on operant conditioning.

Like all pets (even dogs and cats), domesticated rats do present some risk of disease transmission, but proper handling, care and sanitation will reduce those risks substantially. Domesticated rats are friendly, easy to train, and much cuter than their wild counterparts, thanks to years of breeding that have introduced all manner of interesting and attractive markings.

I know you won't have any problem presenting a good case to your parents. Just be sure you don't let them see "Willard" on DVD or read the utterly fascinating but unhelpful-to-your-cause book, "Rats: Observations on the History & Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants," by Robert Sullivan.

After they relent, consider adopting a rat from a rescue group or shelter. You can connect with rescue groups through the Rat and Mouse Club of America (www.rmca.org). My favorite sites for rat care information are Rat Guide (ratguide.com) and the Rat Fan Club (www.ratfanclub.org).

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

THE BUZZ

Vets' advice on ears:

Leave the flaps alone

-- While ear-cropping is often defended by breed traditionalists as a preventive measure against ear infections, the American Veterinary Medical Association has long countered that view, pointing to research showing otherwise. In the trade group's online question-and-answer on the subject, the AVMA notes that while surgery to open the canal can be helpful to dogs with chronic ear infections, changing the appearance of the ear flap doesn't do the same. The AVMA first advocated for an end to ear-cropping in the American Kennel Club's standards for the show ring in 1976; the ASPCA first called for an end to the practice more than a century ago, in 1895.

-- One-third of married women believe their pets listen to them better than their spouses do, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll. Among married men, 18 percent hold the same belief.

-- Cancer detection for dogs may be a blood test away. The BioCurex company reports that its test has detected 85 percent of a variety of cancers in dogs in premarket studies. The same blood test is used in humans and detects the so-called RECAF marker in the blood, a sign of malignant cell growth. The RECAF marker is produced from rapid cell growth, a characteristic both of cancer and fetal development. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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.