GIVE CATS SOME PLANTS OF THEIR OWN TO KEEP OTHERS UNMOLESTED

In the spring and summer, it's easy to enjoy greenery. It's all around us, and if we don't have any in our homes, we're outside enough to see all we want. But when the days shorten, we start to crave our indoor gardens.

Unfortunately, our cats do, too.

But cats and houseplants don't have to be an either-or proposition. To have both, all you need to do is give your cats some plants of their own and make the other houseplants less attractive. And don't sweat the occasional chewed leaves or knocked-over pot.

Your cat needs some plants for nibbling, some for sniffing and some for play. For chewing, always keep a pot of tender grass seedlings -- rye, alfalfa and wheat -- growing in a sunny spot. Parsley and thyme are herbs that many cats enjoy smelling and chewing, and both can be grown indoors. Try some different varieties, especially with the parsley.

Catnip is a natural for any cat garden, but the herb is so appealing to some cats that they just won't leave it alone. Keep seedlings out of reach of your pet, or the plant may never get a chance to reach maturity. Once you've got a mature plant, snip off pieces to give your cat, to stuff into toys or to rub on cat trees. Catnip can't hurt your pet, so let him get as blissed out as he wants. Don't be surprised, however, if catnip has no effect at all: The ability to enjoy the herb is genetic, and some cats do not possess the "catnip gene."

Valerian is another plant that some cats find blissful, so be sure to plant some of this herb, too. When your cat has his own plants, you can work on keeping him away from yours. Plants on the ground or on low tables are the easiest targets for chewing, digging up or knocking asunder, so make your houseplants less accessible to a bored and wandering cat. Put plants up high, or better yet, hang them.

For the plants you can't move out of harm's way, make them less appealing by coating leaves with something your cat finds disagreeable. Cat-discouragers include Bitter Apple, a nasty-tasting substance available at any pet-supply store, or Tabasco sauce from the grocery store. Whenever you find what your cat doesn't like, keep reapplying it to enforce the point.

Once your cat learns that the leaves aren't so tasty, you can teach him that dirt isn't for digging and pots aren't for tipping. Pot your plants in heavy, wide-bottomed containers and cover the soil of the problem plants with rough decorative rock. Foil and waxed paper are less attractive deterrents, and I don't like to recommend them as much as decorative rock because you're going to get tired of looking at that foil.

You can also deter your cat from approaching pots by using carpet runners around the plants, with the pointy-side up.

Whatever tool or combination of tools you choose, remember that the most important ones are patience and compromise. Give your cat the greens he wants and make the rest less attractive to him. A lush indoor garden is within the reach of any cat lover willing to compromise for the happiness of the cat.

A final note: Not all plants are safe around cats and other pets. Lilies, in particular, are toxic -- and a common source of pet poisoning. Check the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center's list of toxic and safe houseplants (aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants) before buying any indoor greenery.

Q&A

Constant cleanup

a parrot problem

Q: Exactly how much effort do I need to put into caring for a parrot? I have always wanted one, but I know they're very messy. Help me decide if I'm "parrot parent" material. -- via email

A: Yes, parrots are messy. Very, very messy. They seem to take particular pride in covering every surface, including walls and ceilings, with not only poop, but also food. There were times with my late parrot Eddie that I considered putting a shower enclosure in the corner of the room where his cage was to make it easier to wipe down the constant mess.

Keeping mess to a minimum (and providing a safe, healthy home for your bird) requires a proactive approach. Every morning and evening you should replace soiled cage liners. Putting newspapers both above and below the grid at the bottom of the cage makes it easier to "clean as you go." You can put a few layers at the base of the cage and remove layer by layer throughout the day whenever droppings appear.

You should also change food bowls and water bowls (or bottles) twice a day. Some birds get feathers or even droppings in their bowls, and you need to constantly check for bowls that need cleaning. If you use a water bottle with your bird, check every morning to ensure that it's not clogged by pressing the ball with your finger. (Birds can become seriously dehydrated very quickly.)

Birds usually prefer to eat after dawn and near dusk, so these are great times to provide fresh fruits and vegetables -- and remove the leftovers before you go to work or bed. Leftover food pellets should be discarded every morning and replaced with fresh ones.

Finish off your twice-daily routine by using your cleaning solution and paper towels, and use a handheld vacuum to clean up any other messes in the vicinity. And remember: Your dishwasher is a great tool for cleaning everything from perches to dishes to toys.

While daily attention will keep things pretty clean, you'll need to do a big scrub on a regular basis -- walls, floors, cage and all its contents. Scrub well with soap and water, soak in a mild bleach solution, rinse and air-dry before re-introducing your bird. -- Gina Spadafori

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Impact of pet loss

keeps some pet-free

-- The lasting effects of pet loss may be underestimated, with a fifth of respondents in a recent poll saying they didn't currently have a pet because the loss of their last one was too painful. The strong response came as a surprise to the American Humane Association, which polled 1,500 non-pet owners and past pet owners last February, asking why they did not currently own a dog or cat. Other respondents gave answers that were more anticipated, citing the time and expense of keeping a pet.

-- Complaints to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that the number of pets sickened or killed by chicken jerky treats have topped 1,300, and the agency recently expanded its investigation after receiving additional reports of illness caused by Chinese treats made of yams or sweet potatoes. To date, there have been no recalls, and no indication of what the problem could be.

-- A multistate outbreak of salmonella linked to pet hedgehogs sickened more than a dozen people, half under the age of 10, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. No fatalities were reported. The outbreak is a good reminder that while small pets are popular for children, parents need to be sure that safe handling practices are followed, especially hand-washing after playing with pets and keeping the animals out of food-preparation areas. The CDC offers guidelines on children's pets at cdc.gov/Features/HealthyPets. -- Dr. Marty Becker and 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 Vetstreet.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.

BAD PR ASIDE, RATS CAN BE WONDERFUL PETS FOR KIDS -- OR ADULTS

People are always asking me to recommend a good pet for a child -- an affectionate animal that can be cared for with a minimum of adult assistance.

"A rabbit?" they ask. I shake my head. Rabbits, especially the bigger varieties, are hard for a child to hold. When they don't feel secure, rabbits will kick -- and by doing so will sometimes break their backs. The result? A dead rabbit and a heartbroken child. So no rabbits, at least not for young children.

Mice? "Too small, too fragile," I reply. Hamster? "Better, but too interested in sleeping during the day, plus they're natural escape artists and somewhat nippy," I say.

"Well, what then?" the parent will finally demand.

To them I say, "Rats."

And after the air clears of expressions of revulsion and disgust, I explain why a healthy rat from a reputable source is a great pet for a child -- and indeed for almost any animal lover.

Forget horror movies and the bubonic plague. We're not talking about wild rats, but domesticated ones. Let go of everything you've ever thought about rats and consider the benefits with an open mind.

-- Rats are social animals. Many small pets don't like being handled, but rats get used to careful socialization easily, and come to enjoy riding in pockets and on shoulders. They like people!

-- Rats are smart. Rats respond quickly to food-based training and seem to love performing. A friend of mine trained a rat for her college-level psychology course, and came to like the little guy so much that he's now a doted-on pet in her home.

-- Rats are agile and sturdy. Try to get a guinea pig to run a maze or climb a ladder and you'll appreciate the fleet-footedness of a rat. Unlike mice, rats can stand up to the handling and, occasionally, to the unintentional mishandling of well-meaning children.

-- Rats are cute. Think sleek, shiny fur with dark, glossy eyes and cute little ears. You say it's the tail that gets to you? Give a rat a break. If he just had a fluffy tail, he'd be a squirrel, and people would give him nuts in the park. Really, is that fair?

-- Rats are diverse. Did you know that rats come in many more colors and patterns than the gray-brown of a street rat and the white of a lab rat? Think colors such as silver mink, platinum, blue and chocolate, and markings including hooded (the head a different color than the body) or masked. Gorgeous!

-- Rats are easy to keep. Get a cage sized for a slightly larger animal, such as a chinchilla or guinea pig, and your rat will be content. Add bedding, a place for the animal to hide and sleep, a food dish and a water bottle, some toys, and you're set. Your rat will happily eat the food manufactured for him, and he will love you if you add fruit, nuts, vegetables and other "people food."

It is essential to get your pet from a reputable source. And as with all pets, teaching children safe handling skills -- especially with regard to hand-washing after playing with pets -- is a must. You should also prepare to teach your child lessons in life's losses, since rats typically live about three years.

Even with those caveats, the only thing rats need to become more popular as pets is a good public relations campaign, and maybe a new name. Skinny-tailed squirrels, perhaps?

Q&A

Two cats can't be

expected to share

Q: We already had an adult cat. We adopted a kitten, and now that she's half-grown, we have litter box issues, specifically wars over the box. What should we do to make them "share the bathroom"? -- via email

A: One box is not enough. You should have one box for each cat, plus one. If you have one cat, you need two litter boxes. Two cats, three litter boxes. Put them in different locations. For instance, keep one upstairs and one downstairs. That way, one is always convenient. And with more than one cat, it prevents fights over who gets to use which box when it's needed.

Some cats like to ambush others when they use the litter box, so place litter boxes in locations with easy escape routes. Privacy is important, too. Cats don't want to pee or poop next to each other any more than you'd want to do so with somebody right next to you. Another good reason to have multiple litter boxes: Each cat may prefer a different type of litter.

What about what goes inside the box? There are all kinds of different cat litter, and they all have pros and cons. Most cats prefer clumping litter because of its soft, sandy feel. It's easy on the paws and easy to scoop. Other cats might like a fine-grained clay litter. Look for one that comes in a dust-free formula. Some cat litter is easier on the Earth, made from recycled paper or natural substances like corncobs or wheat. But if your cat doesn't like it, you'll be throwing a lot of it out, which is not that environmentally friendly, so you may be back to regular clumping litter. Let the cats pick their preferences by offering a "litter box buffet."

Avoid scented litter. It might smell good to you, but that perfumed odor can be sensory overload for a cat. Using scented litter can be one of the quickest ways to encourage your cat to go outside the litter box. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Purebred dogs help

with human health

-- Efforts to identify genetic markers for diseases are getting a boost from purebred dogs. While people (aside from, possibly, royal families) breed more or less randomly, purebred dogs have traceable lineage, and typically trace from a small population of dogs. Writing in The New England Journal of Medicine, Elaine Ostrander of the National Human Genome Research Institute noted that this means canine genes may hold the answers to conditions such as epilepsy and those that cause blindness and kidney cancer.

-- The trend toward ever-fatter dogs and cats continues, according to DVM360.com. Citing data gathered by Banfield Pet Hospitals, the industry news website noted that veterinary visits by more than 2 million dogs and 430,000 cats revealed weight gains in both populations. The incidence of excessive weight in dogs is up 37 percent since 2007. The incidence in cats is worse, with the prevalence of overweight cats increasing 90 percent since 2007.

-- Many cats in chronic renal failure are maintained for months and even years with regular at-home administration of subcutaneous fluids. (A wonderful tutorial is on the DVM360.com website at http://tinyurl.com/PetConSubQ.) While at-home treatment is relatively easy and inexpensive, the future of kitty kidney care may be stem cells. Colorado State University researchers are conducting a study of cats who have chronic renal failure but no other health problems to determine how stem cells affect kidney disease. -- Dr. Marty Becker and 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 Vetstreet.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.

HAVE A PLAN FOR YOUR PET JUST IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU

It's a sad fact of modern life that when we think about disasters, our minds now add terrorist attacks and mass shootings to the natural calamities for which we've long been urged to keep our families prepared -- pets included, of course.

But the fact remains that we're far more likely to encounter a tragedy that won't make the news. Accidents, illness and even sudden death are regular visitors to our lives, and they commonly don't raise an eyebrow outside our immediate circle of friends and family. If something happens to you today, your pets need to be looked after, whether the situation will be temporary or, sadly, permanent.

Are you prepared?

The first step is to make sure someone (or better yet, a couple of people) know that you have pets, where they are and how to care for them. Trade information with other pet-keeping friends, family or neighbors, along with the keys to each other's homes.

I like to recommend making a folder with all your pet's information. Pictures and a physical description of your pet are a good place to start. Add to the file an overview of your pet's medical records, including proof of altering and dates of vaccinations. Instructions for any medications should include not only the dosage and where to find the bottle, but also whatever method you use to entice your pet to swallow the pill.

Don't forget a copy of your pet's license, as well as the name, address and phone number of the animal's veterinarian. Write down some information about the tricks and commands your pet knows, as well as any unique personality quirks, such as a favorite spot to be petted. Keeping all this information in an electronic file is also a good idea -- as long as there are directions on how to find it!

As part of your preparation, talk to your veterinarian about setting up plans for emergency care or boarding. If you're a long-term client who always pays bills promptly, you should have no problem getting your veterinarian to agree to run a tab or charge to your credit card if you cannot be reached immediately. I have an arrangement with my veterinarian that if anyone -- absolutely anyone -- comes in with one of my animals, the doctor will take the pet in and do what needs to be done. And he knows that either I or my heirs will settle the bill later. If you are able to make such arrangements, put those details in the folder, too, and include any information on pet health insurance policies, as well.

The final bit of information for the folder should concern arrangements for your pet if you never come home again. While no one likes to think about this possibility, you have a responsibility to your pets to provide for them after your death. You cannot leave money directly to an animal, but you can leave the animal and money to cover expenses to a trusted friend or relative. In some states, you can establish a trust in your pet's name. Talk to an attorney about what arrangement is best for you and your pets.

You should keep a copy of the file on hand in case you ever need to be evacuated with your pet. And be sure to trade copies with the person you'll be counting on to rescue your pet should you ever not be able to.

Once you have made all the arrangements, make up a card for your wallet. On it, you should note that you have pets, how many and what kind, and the names and numbers of the people whom you have designated to care for them should you suddenly become unable to do so.

A few years ago, I had major surgery, and although everything turned out well, I didn't take it for granted that I would survive, much less thrive. I put such a folder together for each of my pets, complete with arrangements for the worst-case scenario. I surprised myself in that I didn't find the exercise frightening or depressing. On the contrary, I found great peace in knowing that if something happened to me, my beloved pets would be taken care of.

Q&A

'Toweling' keeps parrots

from biting when handled

Q: My parrot has bitten me badly when I've tried to clip flight feathers or nails. How can I make this easier on us both? -- via e-mail

A: Make sure you're doing these procedures properly to minimize pain. Have an expert show you exactly where and how much to clip those flight feathers and nails, and learn what to do if things get bloody by accident. Ideally, that should be an avian veterinarian, a veterinary technician or someone on the staff of a reputable bird shop.

You'll also need a towel to restrain your bird, and ask for a demonstration of the art of "toweling." An old, clean hand towel is fine for small parrots such as cockatiels and budgies, while a larger bath towel is better for large parrots such as cockatoos and macaws.

My "Birds For Dummies" co-author, avian veterinarian Dr. Brian Speer, says that toweling shouldn't be frightening for the bird. He suggests that you hold the towel with the ends draped over each hand, make eye contact with your bird, and approach from the front. Show your bird the towel and then gently wrap it around the bird, usually from the front. When using a towel to restrain your bird, you do not need to keep direct hold of the head, but do expect a few new holes to be chewed in the towel while you're working with your bird.

Wrap the towel tightly enough to control your bird, but not so tightly as to restrict breathing. Pet birds breathe by moving their breastbones forward and back, like a bellows. You must leave the towel wrapped loosely enough for your bird to draw breath normally.

When your bird is gently wrapped up in the towel, you are in control and can take care of grooming or of investigating any injuries. Attitude is everything: Always handle your bird with respect, but also with gentle firmness.

Keep in mind, too, that the towel is not supposed to terrify your bird. It's a good idea to play "towel games" now and then, covering and uncovering your bird while providing praise and special seeds for treats. That way, your bird won't come to believe the appearance of the towel is always a sign of something uncomfortable and unpleasant to come. -- Gina Spadafori

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Obesity clinic opens

at Tufts vet school

-- Can fat camp be far behind? Veterinarian Dr. Deborah Linger, a certified veterinary nutritionist, has opens an obesity clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. In yet another example of how trends in human medicine are mirrored in veterinary medicine, the program offers a medical-based regimen that includes counseling on nutrition and exercise, all aimed at helping pet owners trim down their animal companions. More than half of all pets are overweight or obese, and the problem is far from cosmetic -- excess weight triggers chronic disease, including diabetes, and makes problems such as arthritis worse.

-- Following the shocking deaths of lions, tigers, bears and other exotic animals last fall on an Ohio farm after their owner released them before committing suicide, the state has now put regulations in place in hopes of preventing similar tragedies. Ohio was once one of the easiest and least regulated places to keep exotic animals, but no more: The new law prohibits buying, selling, transferring and trading exotic animals. Those who already have them will be allowed to keep them, but they must obtain a license, insurance and have the pets microchipped, among other requirements.

-- The latest specialty in veterinary medicine is one that focuses specifically on animal welfare, reports DVM360.com. The American Veterinary Medical Association's recent recognition of the American College of Animal Welfare gives 23 veterinarians the right tobe certified as experts in the field. Others will be granted the status after meeting requirements set by the new group. The ACAW's mission is to advance animal welfare through education, certification and scientific investigation, and to ensure that the veterinary profession leads advances in animal welfare knowledge. The AVMA currently recognizes 22 other veterinary specialty organizations. -- Gina Spadafori

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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 Vetstreet.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.