FALL INTO THE SEASON BY MAKING SURE YOUR PETS ARE READY FOR WINTER

Fall is my favorite season, and I think it's my pets' favorite, too. They all seem to perk up as the evenings get cooler and the days seem to gently warn of the colder days to come. I love walking the dogs as the leaves are turning along the river near our home, watching my little pack as they lift their noses to track the changes in the air.

But even as I'm enjoying the crispness and beauty of fall, I'm aware that it means winter is around the corner, and with it, the seasonal challenges for our pets.

As the days get shorter in the fall, dog walkers may be out in lower light than they were a few weeks earlier, making them less visible to vehicles. The danger is higher if your dog is a dark color, you wear dark clothes or you walk on a road without sidewalks. Take a page from the bicyclist's book: Being seen is being safe. Check out reflective vests (for you and your dog), reflective leashes and collars, or other safety gear.

The change in weather is more critical to outdoor pets. While I am not keen on the concept of outdoor pets -- these pets are often lonely and bored, and are often neighborhood nuisances as well -- I realize that people make their own decisions for many different reasons, and most do the best they can.

If you have outdoor pets whom you cannot bring inside, the time to review your pet's shelter is now.

Animals must be able to get out of the elements. A pet must have a well-insulated structure just large enough so that he can curl up inside to maintain body heat. The structure should also have a wind-block to protect it from wintry blasts. In the coldest parts of the country, it should also have some sort of outdoor-rated pet heating pad or other device. And be sure that there's always a supply of fresh, unfrozen water by using a heated bowl.

Final cold weather caution for outdoor animals: Remember to thump on your car's hood on cold mornings. Your neighbor's cat may be nestled against the engine for warmth, and thumping your car's hood will get the animal to skedaddle to safety.

Indoor pets don't face the challenges outdoor pets do, but winter can be uncomfortable for them as well. For pets with arthritis, cold weather can be more painful, so ask your veterinarian about supplements or prescription medications that may help your pet feel better. A soft, heated bed may be much appreciated, too, especially by older pets. And remember that one of the best things you can do for a pet with joint problems is to keep the extra weight off: A pet who's more sedentary in winter needs to eat less.

Every year, I get questions about sweaters for pets: Are they helpful or just plain silly? Some animals really can use the extra insulation of a well-fitted sweater: older pets and dogs who are tiny (such as Chihuahuas), or are shorthaired and naturally lean (such as greyhounds or whippets). Overcoats can save you time drying your dog if you walk in inclement weather, especially if your pets are longhaired. And don't forget to wipe your pets' feet, legs and bellies after they've been outside to keep them from ingesting any de-icing solutions.

Because heating systems can dry out the air, you and your pets may be more comfortable if you introduce some humidity. Birds, especially those species originating in tropical climates, will enjoy extra opportunities for bathing or being misted.

Cold-weather pet care is a matter of compassion and common sense. Use both in equal measure, and your pet will get through the worst of the season in fine shape.

Q&A

Puppy won't keep

teeth to herself

Q: Please help us stop our puppy from biting us. My husband is ready to take her to the shelter. -- via email

A: If you watch a litter of puppies play with each other, you might be surprised at how rough they can be. As puppies grow older, they learn from their littermates and their mother how to restrain those playful bites. These lessons are important in the development of a well-mannered pet, which is why experts say puppies should stay with their littermates until at least the age of 7 weeks.

When people end up with a pup who missed the crucial lessons taught by her siblings, or if a puppy is naturally nippy (many retrievers and retriever mixes, for example, are very "mouthy" as puppies), there are still ways to teach a youngster to stop biting.

Address the problem from a couple of different directions. The first would be to redirect the behavior. Clap your hands to startle the pup into stopping the nipping, and then give your puppy a toy to chew on instead. Don't forget to praise her for chewing on something that's not a family member.

Even as you're teaching the puppy what is OK to mouth, teach her how to leave family members unchewed by making the nipping unrewarding. Every time the puppy nips, dramatically cry "ouch" and immediately stop the play session. Fold your arms, turn away and ignore the puppy completely. The message to get across: Play stops when nipping starts.

If you're persistent and consistent, your puppy will get the message. It will also help if you make sure she's getting plenty of exercise, because sometimes dogs who don't get enough physical activity get too excited when they're finally offered the chance to play.

If the behavior doesn't show any sign of easing, or if the biting seems more aggressive than playful, don't delay in asking your veterinarian for a referral to a behaviorist or trainer. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dogs help get, keep

children more active

-- Looking for a way to get your children off the couch and more active outdoors? A survey of 1,500 people by the Purina company -- both those who own dogs and those who don't -- revealed that children raised in families with dogs are 20 percent more likely to spend time in active, outside play than those in families without canine companionship.

-- The recent recall of peanut butter due to salmonella contamination is significant to pet owners because it is often used to hide pills, making it easier to get pets to take their medications. More than 30 people in 19 states have been sickened by contaminated products, which all use nuts from New Mexico-based Sunland farms. Updates on the recall and a complete list of affected products are on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website, FDA.gov. Both dogs and cats can become ill by eating salmonella-contaminated products, and the illness can be transmitted to people from pets.

-- While most pet lovers are aware of the challenges of re-homing cats and dogs, relatively few give much thought to parrots in need of new homes. The challenge of caring for these pets is made more difficult because of medical and behavioral issues -- and the fact that many parrot species kept as pets have potential life spans as long as human ones. The nonprofit Gabriel Foundation in Colorado (thegabrielfoundation.org) has for years maintained a model shelter and sanctuary for these pets, with a variety of services including lifetime care for parrots who cannot be successfully transitioned to new homes. -- 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.

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.