MIX AND MATCH PERCHES FOR A HEALTHIER PET BIRD

Gravity being what it is, even a creature made for flying spends a lot of time on his feet. This is why it's a shame that too many bird lovers give perches too little thought, forcing their pets to spend their lives on the plain wooden dowels that come as standard equipment with most cages.

The good news is that poor perch selection is easy to remedy, with lots of choices in specialty bird shops as well as bird-supply catalogs and websites.

Remember three things when it comes to perches: safety, variety and destructibility. Safety because, well, that's kind of obvious. Variety because a wide array of shapes, sizes and materials will help keep your bird's feet comfortable and healthy. Destructibility? Perches, like toys, are appropriate targets for the demolition urges that help keep birds busy, fit and free of boredom.

Here's what you'll find when looking for perches:

-- Wooden dowels. There's nothing really wrong with these standard-issue perches, but you can do better by your bird. While it won't hurt to leave a wooden dowel in the cage, take out the extras and add variety to your bird's environment.

-- Rope. Great stuff! Rope perches are both comfortable and entertaining. They're easy to clean, too. Just run them through the washer and dryer, or put them in the top rack of your dishwasher. One kind of rope perch -- the bouncy coil -- is truly wonderful, combining the best elements of a rope, a swing and a bungee cord. These coils are great fun for your bird, and help to keep overweight "perch potatoes" more active.

The downside to rope is the possibility of your pet catching a toe on a frayed part of the perch or swallowing loose strands of the rope. Watch closely and replace these perches when the rope gets stringy.

-- Mineral. Almost every bird should have a mineral perch, also called a concrete or cement perch. The rough texture feels good underfoot, and the surface is great for helping to keep nails blunt and beaks clean and well-groomed (birds like to wipe their beaks against the rough surface).

-- Skip the sandpaper. Sandpaper perches are uncomfortable and have been known to cause foot problems, and they should be replaced with a mineral perch. Read the packaging material to choose the right diameter for your pet.

-- Plastic. Two kinds of plastic, acrylic and PVC, are both popular because of their sturdiness and relative ease of cleaning. If you choose acrylic, be sure to add other chewable perch options to your bird's environment. In general, acrylic is better than PVC, because the latter can too easily end up causing problems in a bird's stomach. (PVC perches can be great for supervised use, though.)

-- Tree branches. Most fruit and nut trees (almond, apple, prune and all citrus) are fine to use, as are ash, elm, dogwood and magnolia. If you can get your pruners on some manzanita, go for it -- it's a hard wood that can stand up to a lot of abuse. Leave the bark on all branches for your bird to peel off.

Cut the branches to fit in the cage, scrub with soap, rinse well and air-dry. Be sure to break off and discard any insect pods before putting the branch in the cage.

Check all perches regularly, looking for wear and safety problems. Think of perches as replaceable cage furnishings, helping to fight boredom and keeping your bird comfortable and healthy. The extra labor and cost involved in keeping a fresh variety of perches in the cage is more than offset by the benefits of good perches for your bird.

Q&A

Dry, flaking skin

needs vet's check

Q: Our cat's skin seems to be really dry and very flaky. Would a humidifier help? We do live in a very dry climate. -- via Facebook

A: I would guess that low humidity is not causing your cat's skin issues. After all, cats are descended from desert-dwelling creatures, and dry conditions alone shouldn't cause a massive amount of flakiness.

Treating symptoms is never as good as treating the condition itself; in fact, it can more expensive, and even deadly. Before you start adding more moisture to the air, oil to the diet or any other quick-fix solution, your cat needs to see her veterinarian. Once the problem is correctly diagnosed, it can be properly treated.

By the way, other pets actually do have a problem with the dry air of the modern home, most notably birds. Many species of pet parrots originally came from hot, humid environments. For these, dry air presents a problem and may contribute to feather-picking. That's why parrots need to be offered frequent opportunities to get damp, such as by being misted or being allowed to bathe. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Q: Is catnip really safe for my cat? -- via Facebook

A: A catnip high is harmless and nonaddictive, so you can stop worrying.

Every cat reacts in his or her own way to catnip. Some will be giddy, some dazed, and a large percentage won't react at all. (Kittens under the age of 3 months are not affected.) The ability to appreciate the herb is genetically programmed, with slightly more cats in the catnip fan club than not.

Catnip contains a substance called "nepetalactone" in its leaves and stems, and this is what sets cats off. Rolling, rubbing, leaping, purring and general uninhibited happiness are all normal for a few minutes after exposure. -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Renters' pets get

to keep their claws

-- Property owners in California can no longer demand that renters debark dogs or declaw cats in order to keep them in a rented home. The law was popular in the statehouse, passing the state Senate by a unanimous vote before getting the governor's signature. The legislation has teeth, with a $1,000 fine for violations. It was the second attempt for the legislation: An earlier version had been vetoed by the previous governor.

-- Most cat lovers have never been very interested in pedigrees: Plain ol' domestic cats of all backgrounds, markings and coat lengths are by far the most popular. Among cats with papers, the most popular breeds are Persians, Maine Coons, the Exotic (a shorthaired Persian), Siamese and Abyssinian. In the United Kingdom, what Americans call DSH (domestic shorthair) and DLH (domestic longhair) cats go by the much more endearing name of "Moggy."

-- Lost dogs are found more often than cats. Overall, 71 percent of lost dogs were recovered, compared to only 53 percent of lost cats. The primary reasons given for the difference, according to a study in the AVMA journal: About 47 percent of missing dogs had identification on them, but only 14 percent of missing cats had any ID. -- 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.

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.