An eye-popping $50 billion dollars is spent on pet care every year, with the lion's share going to the dogs, literally. But even though thousands of dog-care supplies are on the market now with thousands more introduced all the time, I think there are but a handful that have been game-changers.

Here are my top five:

Crates

Shipping crates for animals have been around forever. But the original Vari Kennel line of high-impact plastic crates forever altered the way we raise and train our dogs. Most notably, crates are now used routinely for housebreaking -- working with a puppy's natural desire to keep the area around him clean to help him learn to "hold it" until he can be taken outside and praised for going in the right place.

Crate training also helps to teach growing puppies which items are OK for chewing and which are off-limits, based on what's inside the crate and what's not. A crate also provides a safe place for a dog to ride in a vehicle, teaches him to be more relaxed when confined at the veterinarian's and even provides him a safe, secure place to be when evacuated during a disaster.

Kong

Formed from durable rubber, the Kong is arguably the best dog toy ever invented. Kongs now come in a wide range of sizes and chew strengths. But it's the hollow center of most Kongs (the floatable Kool Kongs are the exception) that gives this toy superstar status.

Dog trainers recommend keeping crated dogs busy with Kongs stuffed with a variety of fillings, such as kibble, cheese, peanut butter and rawhide sticks. There's no telling how many happy dogs have been distracted from destruction by the mighty Kong.

Snap buckles

Early dog collars were made of metal to protect the necks of war dogs; later ones were made of leather to identify owners and allow for controlling animals with leashes or keeping them from roaming with chains. But fashionable collars weren't available for the ordinary dog until the invention of the snap-together clasp.

The plastic clasps also help make collars so affordable that many dogs have more than one, and not a few have collars for every occasion.

The Chuckit

I throw like a girl. But even if I didn't, I know that no one with the possible exception of a major league outfielder could throw a ball far enough to keep my two retrievers happy. Since I like my retrievers to be happy -- not to mention exhausted, so they don't drive me crazy -- I own a Chuckit. Actually, I own three. Maybe four. Simply put: I can't live without them.

Seemingly based on the cesta used to fling the pelota in jai alai, the Chuckit gives even the wimpiest dog owner a rocket launcher for an arm. With little effort you can fling to the point of your dog's happy exhaustion without working up a sweat yourself.

Head halters

Legendary veterinary behaviorist Dr. R.K. Anderson had a simple idea: Why wouldn't something that has worked with horses for countless years control a dog just as painlessly? Head halters for dogs are simply modified versions of horse halters, and they work on the same principal: Guide and control where the head goes and the rest of the body will follow.

How many shoulder joints has the head halter saved? Hard to say, but the ability to take an unruly dog for a walk benefits both pet and owner, helping lessen behavior problems caused by inactivity and health problems caused by excess weight.

Next week, I'll have my five cat-care products that have changed the world.

Q&A

Is grinding nails

really OK for dogs?

Q: What do you think about "grinding" a dog's nails rather then cutting them? I often see an ad for a tool that can do it. Is it safe? -- via email

A: Grinding your dog's nails is safe if done properly, and can be easier on you both. I'm not personally that big a big fan of the one "as seen on TV," but there are other options for getting the job done -- including an ordinary rotary grinder such as the Dremel with a medium-grit tip. Both cordless and corded models seem to work just as well for this task, but the cordless may be easier for beginners to handle.

In the early stages of training, just let your dog see the grinder, and praise and treat. In a later session, turn the grinder on and praise and treat. Praise and treat your dog progressively, allowing the grinder to get closer to a paw and to briefly touch a nail tip. The first time you grind -- which may be several sessions after the first introduction -- be happy with working a little on just one nail, and don't forget to praise and treat.

Be sure to either clip the hair of longhaired dogs or to hold it back so it won't get wound in the shaft of the grinder. (One trick is to slip an old nylon stocking with a hole for the nail over the paw to hold the hair away from the grinding tip.) Support the dog's toe, but don't squeeze too hard. Hold the grinder against the nail for no more than a second or two at a time to prevent heat buildup, and don't push the grinder hard against the nail -- just hold it there and let the tool do the work.

Grind across the bottom and then carefully in from the tip of the nail. Just a little bit at a time is plenty. If you do this weekly, you'll be able to maintain short nails on your dog with ease. (If you do an Internet search for "grinding dog nails," you'll find a couple of well-done step-by-step guides with pictures.) -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

'Net tool locates

vets when you travel

-- The holidays are a major travel season, and these days travel often includes the family dog. But what if your dog sniffs out the raisins between the seats and hoovers them up before you check the rearview mirror? Or, at the in-laws', your pet gets hold of grandma's medication? The American Animal Hospital Association noticed the upward trend in roaming Rovers and launched a pet-focused trip planner. The planner pinpoints veterinary clinics and hospitals along your route. Just plug in your starting point and final destination, and you'll not only get driving directions for your trip, but the name, location and contact information for pet help along the way. Find it at healthypet.com/RelocationAndTravel/TripPlanner.aspx.

-- If you've been looking for one more reason to make kicking cigarettes your New Year's resolution, how about this one: Second-hand smoke has been linked to cancer in pets. A study by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University looked at the link between second-hand smoke and cancer in cats, and found not only a strong link, but an increased risk for pets exposed for five years or longer. For dogs, a study by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University noted a higher risk of nasal tumors in dogs with longer muzzles, and lung cancer in dogs with shorter muzzles -- the carcinogens being stopped in the noses of some dogs but going through to the lungs in others. In pet birds, it's the "canary in the coal mine" all over again, with lung cancer turning up at higher rates in homes with smokers. -- 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 affiliated with Vetsteet.com and 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.

In pets, as in people, having one doctor to oversee and coordinate care has definite advantages. But in these days of larger veterinary hospitals, it can be more difficult to see the same veterinarian routinely.

Is it worth the effort to have a "primary care veterinarian"? For the most part, it is, and if you shift how you manage your pet's care, you can make coordinating care with one veterinarian easier to manage.

But first, those advantages. When you routinely see the same veterinarian, you're working with a doctor who is familiar not only with your pet and his medical history, but also with you. Over time, you and your veterinarian can develop a mutually respectful relationship that promotes a partnership dedicated to keeping your pet healthy.

That's not the end of the story, of course, because your pet may need to be seen by other veterinarians, not only when your veterinarian isn't available for urgent or emergency care, but also when your pet can benefit from a referral to a specialist. Ideally, your veterinarian will help you to decide when calling in colleagues can help your pet. She'll also work to integrate the specialist's work into the overarching care plans for your pet.

What happens when you can't see your regular veterinarian? Seeing a different veterinarian in the same practice isn't the worst thing that can happen. After all, your pet's records will bring the attending veterinarian up to date, and the practice's expert veterinary technicians are there to help with continuity of care as well. In a well-run veterinary hospital, the standard of care is very high overall, and your pet will be well cared for, no matter what.

What may suffer, though, will be your ability to communicate with a doctor you don't know as well. That's especially important if you don't feel as comfortable about asking questions of a new veterinarian or following up on recommended treatments.

Fortunately, there's a way to resolve this for the most part: Shift your focus to preventive care.

When you concentrate on working with your veterinarian to prevent health problems instead of reacting to health emergencies, you'll not only save money by catching little problems before they become big ones, but you'll also be saving your pet the suffering and stress that comes with a full-blown illness.

The cornerstone of preventive care is a once-a-year -- or, ideally, twice-a-year -- comprehensive veterinary visit that gives your vet the chance to go over your pet nose to toes to tail and utilize simple diagnostic tests that can spot problems before symptoms show. During these visits your veterinarian can review other preventive care strategies, such as good nutrition, parasite control and maintaining a healthy weight and an active lifestyle.

In terms of seeing the same veterinarian, when you switch to focus on preventive care, you can schedule your veterinary visits far enough out to almost always see the same veterinarian in the practice. Though accidents and other emergencies will still need to be treated urgently by the first veterinarian available, with a preventive care plan the majority of your pet's care will be in the hands of the same doctor.

Communication and respect is key to a great relationship with a doctor, no matter if it's your own or your pet's. It's worth working at it to make that work.

Q&A

Some tips to keep

senior pets warm

Q: While it seems like just yesterday that my husband and I started with two kittens and a young dog, we've now got a houseful of senior pets. Do you have tips for easing their discomfort over the cold months? -- via email

A: Keep them lean, provide warm, soft resting spots and talk to your veterinarian about relief from joint pain, and your pets will get through the winter more comfortably.

For older dogs, especially large ones, check out beds made of therapeutic foam that conforms to your pet's body shape while supporting every joint. Some of these beds come ready to plug in, but you can turn any of them into heated sleepers by adding a pet-safe heating element. For cats, heat that's all around like surround sound will keep them feline groovy. Look for a heated cup-style bed with plush insides.

While soft beds and leaner bodies have always been best for our pets, it's only in recent years that veterinarians have been able to offer medications, supplements and other measures that can reduce or even eliminate the pain of osteoarthritis. All pain-management plans need to be developed by your veterinarian -- guessing with over-the-counter pain meds can kill your cat (acetominephen) or cause ulcers in your dog (aspirin).

Modern prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can seem like miracle drugs, and the risks of using them can be greatly minimized by following your veterinarian's recommendations for checking for kidney and liver problems before and during long-term use. You also need to be aware of the signs of a problem: Stop giving the drug immediately and call your veterinarian if you observe vomiting or lethargy, or if your pet stops showing interest in eating. These drugs help millions of pets, but I would not be doing my job as a veterinarian if I didn't alert you to potential problems. I know your veterinarian will do the same. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Why cats beeline

for non-cat guests

-- Why, in a room full of people, will a cat invariably make a beeline for the one person in the room who hates or is allergic to cats? Cats don't like eye contact from strangers -- they find it intimidating. When a friendly cat wanders into a room, he'll notice that all the people who like cats are looking at him. So he heads for the one who he thinks is being polite -- the person who isn't looking at him. The cat doesn't realize that the person isn't looking because he doesn't want the cat near him. It's just a little bit of cross-species miscommunication. That's one theory, anyway. Or maybe putting cat fur on the slacks of a cat hater really is the ultimate in feline fun.

-- Some pets just seem to be a natural fit with children. According to the American Pet Products Association, many small "pocket pets" are more likely to be found in homes with children present. While rabbits are now slightly more popular as a pets for adults, guinea pigs, for example, are far more likely to be a child's pet.

-- Circumstances are a more likely indicator of a dog's potential to bite someone than the animal's breed or mix, according to an analysis of bite statistics. Loose dogs, territory-protecting dogs, frightened dogs and dogs involved in fights with another animal were those most likely to be involved in biting a person. Most bites in the home were triggered by a dog guarding food or a toy, or biting a visiting friend or relative in a display of territory- or object-guarding. The number of bite incidents roughly correlated with a breed's popularity -- more of a certain kind of dog meant more bites from that kind of dog. Age and gender also played a role, with adolescent male dogs more likely to bite -- and bite more severely -- than older dogs or female dogs. And children were bitten more often than adults. -- Gina Spadafori

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 affiliated with Vetsteet.com and 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.

Is "people food" safe for dogs? Some is, some isn't, and knowing what's OK to share can mean the difference between a healthy treat and a trip to the emergency clinic.

-- Sugar-free candy and gum.

Read the label of your favorite sugar-free gum, candy or even cough drop, and you'll likely find xylitol on the ingredients list. The sweetener has become extremely popular in recent years, and its increased use has led to many cases of poisoning in dogs. The product causes low blood sugar and liver failure in canines. If you carry sugar-free gum or candy in your purse or backpack, make sure you keep it out of reach of your pet.

-- Chocolate.

Though xylitol's toxicity comes as a surprise to many people, pretty much everyone knows that chocolate can be a problem for dogs. And it is, but it's not as dangerous as most people think. The thing to remember: The darker the chocolate and the smaller the dog, the more dangerous the combination. If your Labrador Retriever eats a small bar of milk chocolate, she'll likely get only a bellyache. But a tiny Maltese who eats a few ounces of dark chocolate could land in the emergency clinic.

-- Raisins and grapes.

No one really knows why grapes and their dried relations, raisins, are a problem for dogs, but they surely are. Dogs who eat a large amount of either may go into renal failure. It may be that some dogs are sensitive and others are less sensitive, and it's unknown if small amounts over time can be as dangerous as one large bunch of grapes or raisins. Due to the uncertainty, the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center advises against giving any amount of raisins or grapes to any dog at any time.

-- Macadamia nuts.

Another medical mystery, these nuts are best not shared with your pets -- especially if they are cloaked in dark chocolate. Though fatalities are rare, as few as 10 nuts can cause frightening symptoms in a small dog, such as muscle weakness, tremors and vomiting. It's just not worth it.

-- Onions and garlic.

Garlic and onions can damage healthy red blood cells, leading to life-threatening anemia if not caught and treated in time. Final note: Veterinarians often recommend that ill pets who won't eat be tempted with meat-variety baby food. But be careful to read the label, as some baby foods contain garlic and onions. Choose a brand without them.

Now that I've told you what you can't share with your dog, I'm happy to share my favorite treats that you both can eat. Some words of warning first:

Treats count as food. More than half the nation's pets are overweight or obese. So while it's OK, in general, to share healthy food with your pet, watch the size of the treats (break them up -- dogs can count, but they can't measure) and the frequency.

Treats also can lead to behavior problems. If you give your pet a treat whenever he asks, be prepared for him to ask often -- and to move to demand when a polite request doesn't bring forth the goodies. Make sure every treat you give is on your terms, not your dog's. Even better: Use treats for training, which means you'll be working toward a goal when the goodies come out.

So what kinds of people food are good for sharing? My favorites are baby carrots and apple slices. I also like sharing blueberries, yogurt and lean bits of meat, such as baked or boiled chicken with the fatty skin removed. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian if a particular food is safe for your pet.

The bottom line: A little sharing can be OK. Just know what's safe for your pet and make sure you're not either helping your dog pack on the pounds or learn tricks you'd rather he not.

Q&A

Raising two pups

can be too much

Q: I'm thinking about getting a pair of puppies, so they can keep each other company. Would you suggest choosing two from the same litter or different litters? -- via email

A: I don't usually recommend raising two puppies together. The first-year start-up costs of puppies -- vaccinations, spaying or neutering, as well as unexpected visits to the ER because youngsters often get into trouble -- easily outpace the routine costs of adult pets. And that's not counting all the other supplies you'll need for a puppy, including toys, a collar, a leash and a crate. Multiply that by two and you face some serious budget implications.

There's also the issue of time. Raising a puppy requires a serious commitment, from properly socializing a youngster to attending puppy kindergarten sessions and training classes for more mature puppies. Youngsters who miss out on early socialization and opportunities for learning are more likely to turn into problem adult dogs -- and you don't get a second chance to raise a puppy right. If you have two puppies, you'll need double the time to provide each one with the socialization and training he deserves.

If you believe that you can handle the time and money constraints, you may be better off selecting puppies from different litters. Puppies from the same litter, especially those of the same sex, may have dominance issues. Reputable breeders often raise promising show or working puppies in the homes of friends or family to allow the youngsters to blossom in environments free of bossier siblings.

As an alternative, you may consider getting a puppy and a well-mannered adult dog. There are many advantages to this scenario: Adult dogs are generally less costly than puppies to get and to care for. Plus, an older dog can be a good influence on a puppy, as long as you allow the adult dog to settle in for a month or two before bringing the youngster home.

Regardless of your decision, I applaud your intention to provide the best quality of life for the two dogs you bring into your family. They will be very lucky indeed. -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Key to knowing

what cat says

When you're visiting a foreign country, you probably try to learn some words and phrases in the native language to help you get around -- magic words like "please," "thank you," and most important: "Where is the bathroom?"

It's smart to do the same thing when you get a cat. The ability to understand your cat's body language and vocalizations will help you understand him and communicate with him. As a bonus, your cat will think you're a genius.

Here's a short feline phrasebook to get you started:

-- Head butt: "I like you."

-- Face rub: "You belong to me."

-- Whiskers forward: "I'm feeling friendly or curious."

-- Whiskers moving during a nap: "I'm dreaming about chasing mice."

-- Ears up, whiskers straight out, staring intently: "I'm on guard here."

-- Arched back with tail bushed out: "Back off."

-- Crouching, ears low, whiskers back, pupils wide: "I'm ready to defend myself."

-- Narrowed pupils: "I'm feeling aggressive."

-- Tail swishing rapidly: "Leave me alone!"

-- Tail low, twitching erratically: "I'm on the prowl!."

-- Tail moving languidly: "Keep petting me."

-- Tail upright: "I'm happy."

See? There's a lot more to a cat then the purr. -- 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 affiliated with Vetsteet.com and 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.