Some people are born into cat-loving families, while others have cats thrust upon them. And then, of course, there are those who independently make the decision to take up life with a cat.

Cat lovers are members of an exceptional club. A relationship with a cat can be joyful, entertaining and sometimes frustrating, but in the end, it's always rewarding. Life with a cat is special, if you know what to expect.

Cats are so connected to myths and misconceptions that it's no wonder they are often misunderstood. I want to help you separate fact from fiction.

First and foremost, cats are not small dogs. When you are reading about different cat breeds or looking at the personality descriptions of cats at a shelter, you may come across some that are described as "doglike." It's true that some cats, like dogs, will follow you around, play fetch or go for walks on-leash. But that is where the resemblance ends. Cats differ from dogs in many ways, but here are some of the most important:

-- Their nutritional needs are different. Cats are what biologists call "obligate carnivores." That means they must have meat in their diet to survive. Lots of meat. While dogs can exist on a diet that contains large amounts of grains, cats need meat protein to be at the top of their game. Meat contains a nutrient called taurine that is essential for heart and eye health and normal cell, muscle and skeletal function. Cats can't synthesize taurine on their own, so they must get it from their diet. Cats also have other nutritional requirements that vary from those of dogs, such as the type of vitamin A they can use. That's why you should never feed your cat the same food you give your dog.

Their physiology is different. Cats metabolize drugs differently than dogs or people. It's very dangerous to give a cat the same drug that you or I or the dog next door might take, even if it's for the same type of problem. Take pain, for instance. I've seen clients kill their cats by going to the medicine chest and giving their cats aspirin or acetaminophen. The same holds true for parasite treatments: Never apply a flea or tick treatment or shampoo made for dogs to your cat. Always call your veterinarian first and ask if a particular medication is safe for your cat and at what dose.

The way cats express pain is different. Well, it's not really different. It's almost nonexistent. It's much easier to notice pain in a dog because we tend to interact with dogs directly. We take them on walks and we see whether they're limping, for instance, or moving more slowly. With cats, it's much more difficult to see the changes in mobility that signal injury or arthritis. Cats know instinctively that displaying pain puts them at risk from other predators, so they do their best to mask it. That works to their disadvantage when it comes to veterinary care. The signs that a cat is in pain are so subtle that most people miss them unless they are keen observers of their cats.

Cats need to see the veterinarian. It's a mystery to me why people are so much less likely to provide veterinary care to their cats than to their dogs. Cats are the most popular pets in America, yet veterinarians are seeing a decline in veterinary visits for cats. That's a shame, because cats need and deserve great veterinary care to ensure that they live long, happy, healthy lives. They might be intelligent and independent creatures, but they can't doctor themselves -- at least not yet. Providing your cat with regular veterinary care is a good investment, and it's one of the responsibilities you owe your cat when you bring him into your life.

Q&A

Pilling the cat

not working out

Q: Our cat has been put on a drug that she'll have to take for the rest of her life. Given the luck I've had so far with "pilling" her, I have to admit that if her life depends on this medication, she won't be with us very long. What is the best way to pill a cat? -- via e-mail

A: One of the biggest problems veterinarians have in helping pets get better is, well, pet owners who aren't able to give medication as prescribed. You're in good company, since this problem is very, very common.

Here are some strategies to make the pill-popping easier for you and your cat:

Pop and treat. Have your veterinarian demonstrate. Always start with a positive attitude and end with a treat and praise. You can find "pill guns" through pet retailers that help with getting the pill quickly in the right place.

Stealth. Perhaps the most popular method is to hide the pill in something cats love, although most cats figure this out soon enough and start eating around the pill. Try Greenies Pill Pockets -- treats that are designed for pill-popping. They're yummy little bits with pockets for hiding the treats.

Presto-chango. For pets who just won't tolerate pills (or people who just hate giving them), ask your veterinarian about using a compounding pharmacy. These businesses take all manner of medications and turn them into edible treats in pet-friendly flavors.

New technologies. Ask your veterinarian for the latest options. The medication you're using may be available in an easier-to-use format, such as transdermal.

No matter what, always give pet medications exactly as prescribed. If none of these strategies work for you, keep talking to your veterinarian until you find out what does work -- there may be other options that don't involve lifetime medication. Don't give up. Your veterinarian wants your pet to stay healthy just as much as you do and will work with you on your pet's behalf. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE BUZZ

Dogs have benefits

for autistic kids

-- Children with autism showed a reduction in their levels of the stress hormone cortisol when a service dog was introduced to the family. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal, measured cortisol rates before, during and after a service dog was introduced, with positive results. Parents also reported a decrease in disruptive behaviors, such as tantrums, when a dog was present. Previous work has shown that service dogs help autistic children interact with others and acclimate to routines.

-- "Cat Scratch Fever" is probably best known as a hit for rocker Ted Nugent. But the disease, which is really called Cat Scratch Disease (CSD), can be pretty serious, and cats aren't the only animals able to transmit the bacterial infection. Transmitted via a scratch from an animal with fecal material on its claws, CSD is linked to heart valve disease and may have a link to neurologic and arthritic disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are about 22,000 cases reported a year, but there may be many more, since cases with mild symptoms are likely never diagnosed.

-- The Guinness World Records for 2011 note many amazing animals' achievements, including a long jump of 9 feet, 6 inches set by Yabo, a rabbit, and the popping of 100 balloons by a dog. Anastasia, a Jack Russell terrier, set the latter mark on the set of the TV show "Live with Regis and Kelly." -- 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.

And Gina Spadafori

People flip over puppies, but to me, a well-loved older dog is one of the most beautiful creatures on earth. An older dog has a nobleness about him, a look in the eyes that speaks of years of the special love that only a pet can give -- trusting, nonjudgmental and unwaveringly true.

Your dog's health as he ages is not entirely in your control, but you can have a real impact on his attitude. Your dog doesn't know he's getting older. His gray hairs concern him not, nor does he worry about the other visible effects of time -- the thickening of his body, the thinning of his limbs. He doesn't count the number of times he can fetch a ball before tiring and compare that to his performance when he was a young dog in his prime.

A dog lives in the now. Just as he doesn't reflect on his past, he can't imagine his future. Your dog takes his cues from you. When you're upbeat, encouraging and loving, he'll be at his best, no matter his age.

This time can be a special one for both of you, and it's up to you to make the most of it.

As your dog ages, increase the frequency and diminish the intensity of his exercise. Instead of taking your dog to the park once a week to chase tennis balls until he's exhausted, take him for a long walk daily. If your dog is having problems with physical activity, talk to your veterinarian. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may help, as may supplements such as glucosamine and Omega 3 oils, or complementary treatments such as acupuncture. Your veterinarian can also prescribe medications that may address the confusion and anxiety some old dogs experience.

Your dog has no real sense of shame or embarrassment, so he suffers no loss of face if you come up with some ideas to make his life a little easier. Here are a few tips to get you thinking:

-- Beds. Think soft. Think cushioned. Think low. Think heated. Your dog will thank you for all of these thoughts, especially at this time of year.

-- Clothes. Older dogs, like older people, have a more difficult time maintaining their body temperature. This problem is even more pronounced in slender, short-coated breeds like the greyhound or whippet, or in tiny dogs. So check out the sweater selection at your local pet supply store.

-- Ramps and steps. If your dogs are allowed on the couch and the bed, consider buying or building steps to help the dog who can no longer make it in one jump. You wouldn't want to watch TV without your dog at your side, would you? A permanent ramp going down the back-porch step or a collapsible one to help your dog into the car will also be appreciated.

-- While you're making household adjustments, don't forget to make an appointment for a senior dog checkup, ideally twice a year, to improve your odds of catching little problems before they become big ones. Your veterinarian will likely recommend some diagnostic tests in addition to a physical examination -- typically blood work and an X-ray -- to spot problems early, or to establish a baseline of what's normal for your dog. You should also discuss having your dog's teeth treated and cleaned under anesthesia, because gum infections and mouth pain will affect his comfort and health.

The senior dog checkup is also a good time to determine if your dog's slowing down means his diet will need to change to take excess weight off his joints.

Helping to keep your older dog healthy and fit will mean his senior years will be happier and more comfortable. And that will be good news for you both.

Q&A

Dogs on the couch

source of dismay

Q: We had my in-laws over to share Thanksgiving dinner. They have a dog, but they don't let her on the furniture. We have two dogs, and we do let them on the furniture. Also, the bed.

Now, I vacuumed the furniture so there would be as little fur as possible on it, but my mother-in-law complained to my husband behind my back that the dogs shouldn't be up on the couch and that she had dog hair on her pants. He told her that he was fine with the dogs on the furniture, but that if she wanted, he could put down a clean sheet for her to sit on.

Her house is not that clean, by the way.

What do you think I should say about the dogs on the furniture the next time she's over? -- via e-mail

A: Say nothing, and if she says something, smile, nod and change the subject.

You and your husband have an absolute right in your own home to allow your dogs to get on the furniture and the bed. Your husband's offer to put down a sheet to protect his mother from whatever stray pet hair remained after you cleaned was more than sufficient.

The fact is that few things so perfectly reflect the changing attitudes we have about pets as what people believe about pets getting up on beds and furniture.

It used to be that the majority of questions I got regarding furniture were about how to keep pets off. Some people still don't want to share their furniture with their pets, and some allow pets on some pieces but not others, or on the furniture but not on the bed. But more often than not, these days I get questions such as "Where do I buy steps for my older dog?" (several companies make them now, and you can find them in pet care superstores), or "Can you recommend an easier way to clean pet hair off the upholstery"? (use a damp sponge).

For dogs with behavior problems, having access to the furniture and the bed is frowned on by trainers and behaviorists. Keeping them off the privileged people perches is often part of programs that get the pets to respect limits and an owner's authority.

If behavior problems aren't an issue, sometimes allergies and insomnia are. Doctors recommend that people with either (or both) of these health issues establish the bedroom as a pet-free zone, so at the very least the sufferer can get a good night's sleep.

But in the absence of any of those situations, there's no reason why your pets can't sleep anywhere you choose to let them. If it continues to be a problem, you can always have next year's Thanksgiving dinner at your in-laws' home. -- Gina Spadafori

THE BUZZ

Roaming days over

for more pet cats

-- Keeping cats from roaming continues to gain in popularity, with 64 percent of cat owners telling the American Pet Products Association that their pets are not allowed outside. Safety is the main advantage for cats: Indoor cats are protected from infectious disease, from being hit by cars, attacked by other animals or trapped by neighbors who don't want cats on their properties. Despite the advantages, there are some downsides: Indoor cats are prone to boredom and obesity-related health-problems, although both of these can be avoided by providing an enriched environment to engage the animal.

-- Prenatal exposure to farm animals and cats lowers a child's chance of developing atopic dermatitis, according to European research reported in BusinessWeek. The condition affects up to 20 percent of children in industrialized countries and is one of the most common childhood skin diseases.

-- Korean Sapsaree dogs have come back from the brink of extinction. The shaggy-haired, medium-sized dogs were nearly wiped out by the end of World War II after decades of being killed for their fur. Only eight of the dogs could be found by 1980, according to Reuters, when a Korean professor combined traditional breeding with advances in DNA technology to save the breed. The Sapsarees, whose name means "the dogs that ward off evil spirits or misfortune," can be traced to 37 B.C. and are one of only three native Korean breeds.-- 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.

Gina Spadafori

The New Year's "neck check" is a tradition around my home -- one that has outlived three generations of pets, but still works to help ensure the safety of the animals who share my life now. 


I always do my neck checks on New Year's Day. It's easier to remember that way, especially for those of us who have a hard time remembering much of anything. The neck check is easy -- a few minutes to check for wear and fit on the collars, and legibility on the tags.

Consider the collar first. For dogs, a buckled or snap-together collar made of leather or nylon webbing is the best choice, and the proper fit is comfortably close, but not too snug. Make sure your dog's not wearing a "choke" or prong collar for everyday wear -- if you use these, they're for walking and training only, and are dangerous if left on an unsupervised dog.

For cats, a soft collar with an elastic insert and a slide-on tag will prevent a dangling ID from catching on anything.

Next look at the collar carefully, especially the holes and the fasteners. The collar is weakest at these spots, so if you see signs of excessive wear or strain, you'll need to replace it.

Then check the ID tags. A license is great, but since many lost pets are picked up by people in the neighborhood, it's a good idea to supplement the license with an ID tag that has a couple of phone numbers -- yours and the number of a friend or relative. Check to make sure the information is current and legible, and if not, order a new tag.

Your pet's ID tag is best supplemented by a microchip. Talk to your veterinarian about this permanent ID that has helped many a pet find the way home.

Our Pet Connection reviewers especially liked these collars and tags in 2010:

-- Beastie bands (Beastiebands.com). Our product-review coordinator, Ericka Basile, who has eight cats, has been a fan of these cat collars for years. They're soft, fit snuggly and comfortably, and have enough give to pull off in a pinch. As if all that weren't enough, they come in the most spectacular array of colors and patterns. Pair with a slide-on tag from Boomerang Tags (boomerangtags.com) and you're all set. Prices vary by retailer, with most selling the collars in the $5 to $7 range.

-- PlaySafe collar (Premier.com). Countless dogs have been choked to death in play when another dog's teeth caught on the collar. Breakaway collars that snap open under pressure (such as the KeepSafe, also from Premier) are ideal for some dogs, but other dogs need a collar that doesn't give as readily. The PlaySafe bridges the gap between a regular collar and a breakaway. Designed for doggie daycares and perfect for multi-dog families, the collar has two Velcro strips that allow you to remove the collar in seconds if you need to. My dogs are all wearing these now. Prices vary by size and retailer, with most around $10.

-- Dog Tag Art with virtual leash (Dogtagart.com). If the hundreds of styles don't suit you, you can design your own, or upload a picture for your tag. Our reviewer Jill Fisher Gibbs was charmed by these adorable tags, and impressed with the "virtual leash": If your pet goes missing, the finder can access a unique website that immediately sends messages to all your contacts simultaneously and in every available kind of way, including text, e-mail and phone. The tags are $11. The v-leash service is $1 a month.

Q&A

Tips for keeping

a cat inside

Q: I've had indoor-outdoor cats all my life, but after having two young cats disappear within weeks of each other and almost losing a third after she was hit by a car (the veterinary bills almost killed me, but she's worth it), I plan to shut the door on her for good. In the past, I have half-heartedly tried to keep cats in, but gave up when their yowling to go out drove me crazy. To add another twist: I'm moving next month, and I can put netting on the patio in the new apartment. Do you have any tips for me? -- via e-mail

A: Moving is absolutely the best time to convert a free-roaming cat to an indoor-only one. That's because when you move to a new home, your cat is completely uprooted from her familiar territory. What she's given in her new home is all she'll come to know, and she'll soon accept the new living space as her own.

But you must keep her inside, with no exceptions. If you let her out, she'll want out more -- and maybe take off looking for her old digs.

Because cats are so territorial, some cat lovers find that their free-roaming pets keep showing up at their old homes after a move. Converting your cat to an indoor pet is the best thing for her health and safety, but there's more to it than just keeping the door closed.

Make sure your cat has lots of things to keep her active and interested. Spend more time engaging her in interactive games by using a "cat fishing pole" and other toys that require your involvement. You'll both get more out of the fun!

Invest in a good cat tree -- a tall one with cubbyholes for hiding and platforms for looking down on the world. In addition to the tree, offer other opportunities for approved scratching, which is natural, healthy behavior for your cat.

Turn her into a huntress. Use "food puzzles" to add a degree of difficulty to eating, and offer small portions of food in places that require effort to find. Provide outdoor space safely. If you can't screen in a porch or balcony, provide a cat-sized perch near a screened window. Fresh air is always appreciated.

Boredom and obesity are the enemies of indoor cats. It doesn't take much more than imagination to turn your apartment into a jungle gym for your cat. Once you've done it, she won't miss the outdoors anymore -- and she'll live a longer, healthier life for being spared the dangers that lurk beyond the door. -- Gina Spadafori

THE BUZZ

Vision, not smell,

key to recognition

-- Dogs recognize their owners by facial features. A study published in the journal Animal Behavior showed that dogs recognize and pay attention to their owners' faces. When the owners' faces are covered, dogs have a difficult time recognizing them.

-- A weakened immune system makes animals susceptible to disease and parasites, but it doesn't mean they're being removed from the gene pool. A study published in the journal Science found that though a strong immune system helps female sheep live longer, it also is associated with a decrease in reproductive success. Sheep who died younger often reproduced successfully more often.

-- Sea lions on the Oregon coast are dying from leptospirosis. The disease is present in the sea lion's urine and could be transmissible to people and pets if they come in contact with contaminated sand or water, with results that can be grim. Authorities are warning people to keep themselves and their pets away from a beached sea lion or areas where the animals frequent.

-- Veterinarian ranks as one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. Fortune magazine projects 36 percent growth in veterinary jobs by 2018. Other positions projected to grow rapidly within the next 10 years include nurses, network systems and data analysts, software and biomedical engineers, accountants and auditors. -- 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.