Beauty is more than skin-deep when it comes to your dog. Keeping your pet well-groomed not only gives you a clean-smelling companion, it also helps keep your dog more comfortable and allows you to spot health problems before they become serious, even life-threatening.

How important is grooming to your pet's comfort? Consider a hair simple mat, so easy to overlook. Have you ever had your hair in a ponytail that was just a little too tight? A mat can feel the same way to your dog -- a constant pull on the skin. Try to imagine those all over your body and you have a good idea how uncomfortable an ungroomed coat can be.

Your dog need never know what a mat feels like if you keep him brushed and combed -- but that's just the start of the health benefits. Regular grooming allows you to look for lumps, bumps and injuries, while clearing such things as mats and ticks from his coat. Follow up with your veterinarian on any questionable masses you find, and you may detect cancer early enough to save your pet's life.

For short-haired breeds, keeping skin and coat in good shape is easy. Run your hands over him daily, a brush over him weekly, and that's it.

For other breeds, grooming is a little more involved. Breeds such as collies, chows, Keeshonden and Alaskan malamutes are "double-coated," which means they have a downy undercoat underneath harsher long hair. The down can mat like a layer of felt against the skin if left untended. To prevent this, divide the coat into small sections and brush against the grain from the skin outward, working from head to tail, section by section. In the spring and fall -- the big shedding times -- you'll end up with enough of that fluffy undercoat to make a whole new dog. Keep brushing and think of the benefits: The fur you pull out with a brush won't end up on the furniture, and removing the old stuff keeps your pet cooler in the summer and lets new insulation come in for the winter.

Silky-coated dogs, such as Afghan hounds, cockers and Maltese, also need constant brushing to keep tangles from forming. As with the double-coated dogs, work with small sections at a time, brushing from the skin outward, and then comb back into place with the grain for a glossy, finished look. Coats of this type require so much attention that having a groomer keep the dogs trimmed to a medium length is often more practical.

Curly and wiry coats, such as those on poodles and terriers, need to be brushed weekly, working against the grain, and then with it. Curly coats need to be clipped every six weeks; wiry ones, two or three times a year (but clipping every six weeks will keep your terrier looking sharper).

Good grooming is about more than keeping your pet looking beautiful and clean-smelling, although those are certainly pleasant payoffs. Regular grooming relaxes the dog who's used to it, and it becomes a special time shared between you both. A coat free of mats, burrs and tangles and skin free of fleas and ticks are as comfortable to your dog as clean clothes fresh from the wash are to you. It just makes you feel good, and the effect is the same for your pet.

Some added benefit for you: Giving your dog a tummy rub after every session is sure to relax you (and your dog, of course) and ease the stress of your day. And for allergy sufferers, keeping a dog clean may make having a dog possible.

Q&A

Pet risks can be

greatly minimized

Q: I don't expect you people to admit it, but pets can make you sick. I honestly don't understand why anyone would want one, but keep your filthy animal away from me. Why don't you tell the truth? -- via e-mail

A: To each his own, of course, and there's a reason why people have had companion animals for thousands of years -- they make us feel good. Even back in the days when cats were expected to hunt vermin and dogs were expected to do a variety of jobs, animals also served as companions, as is well documented by writings and paintings over the centuries.

Modern research has backed up what our forebearers instinctively knew: The companionship of animals is good for us. Well, most of us, anyway, and since it seems you're not such a person, well, you'll just have to get along with the rest of us pet lovers. We will do the same for you.

But you are right on the disease front, and tips on being safe around pets is, in fact, something we communicate routinely.

It's pretty mind-boggling how many diseases and parasites can be passed from pets to humans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control helpfully supplies a pretty scary list of them. The CDC's Healthy Pets, Healthy People website (www.cdc.gov/healthypets) offers an in-depth examination of these so-called "zoonotic" health risks, and it includes special advice for people at higher risk, including those with immune-system weaknesses and those whose jobs involve working with animals.

At the top of the list of concerns would likely be rabies, a deadly disease more common in wildlife than in pets, thanks to decades of aggressive vaccination laws. Other worries are bacterial, with pets capable of transmitting salmonella, leptospirosis and campylobacteriosis, to name a nasty trio. Diseases caused by parasites include tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, Lyme disease and giardia. And there's even ringworm, which is really a fungus. Toxoplasmosis is a special concern for people sharing their lives with cats. Birds and reptiles can transmit salmonella, and pet rodents can transmit any number of diseases, such as rat fever.

To be informed is to be prepared, and simple precautions such as keeping pets healthy and parasite-free greatly minimize the risks, as does frequent hand-washing, which everyone should be doing anyway, pets or no pets.

It's important to note that pets are not the only source for many of these diseases -- in many cases, improper food handling is a bigger risk for illness for most people. We prefer to tell people: "Reduce the risk and keep the pet," because on balance, pets are still proven to be good medicine for people, and we support that. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Dogs' noses hold

scent for analysis

-- Dogs typically sniff an average of five times per second. And when they sniff, each nostril pulls in a separate odor sample. The separate sampling helps dogs to track by allowing them to determine direction. A dog's olfactory recess retains scent particles even after the dog exhales.

-- Proper use and disposal of medications is an essential wildlife protection issue. Active ingredients in items such as birth-control pills have been known to disrupt the development of frogs and alligators. Antidepressants leaking into water systems is causing serious damage to shrimp populations, giving such a rush of serotonin that their normal danger responses are inhibited. Shrimp exposed to Prozac are five times more likely to swim out of safe water and into areas where they are exposed to predators.

-- Horse owners need to keep a close eye on their animal's care at the boarding stable. A survey of boarding stables by Livery Yard Working Group in the United Kingdom turned up poisonous plants in 21 percent of the sample; other physical hazards, 20 percent; reported injuries, 13 percent; inadequate food or water, 11 percent; no access to fresh water, 10 percent; poor hoof care, 10 percent; and physical abuse, 6 percent. The results were reported in the United States by the website veterinarynews.dvm360.com. -- 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.

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.