FOR MOST DOG OWNERS, THE 'CHOKE' COLLAR IS A POOR CHOICE

Years ago when I started training dogs, I couldn't have imagined doing so without a slip-lead collar, commonly known as a "choke" collar. These days, I can't remember the last time I put one on a dog, and I may never feel the need to do so again.

That's because the options for training and control have changed, and are now easier on dog and owner alike.

The choke chain was never without problems. In the old days, the important thing to remember was to never leave the collar on your dog unless you were training or walking.

It is, after all, a choke collar, and over the years I've heard from readers whose dogs died when the collar rings became caught on the tooth of another dog in play, on a piece of fencing in the yard or even a heater grate in the house. In other cases, dogs were injured and traumatized, and the owners who saved their lives by getting them free of the collar's deadly grip were often bitten by their terrified dogs.

This is what it has come down to, for me: If your dog is wearing a choke-chain collar as his everyday collar, replace it with a buckle or snap-together collar today. And then, like many trainers and behaviorists, I advise that when you take that chain collar off, you throw it away.

Some good dog trainers still use slip-style collars and leads, at least some of the time, and they're still the top choice for almost escape-proof handling in veterinary hospitals.

But this is a piece of equipment that's nearly impossible for the average dog owner to use properly. When the collar isn't used properly, it's ineffective at best, and cruel at worst.

There are only two ways to put on a choke-chain collar: with the moving end over the dog's neck (as intended), or under the dog's neck (incorrect). By the simplest law of averages, you'd think folks would get them on right half the time, but it never seems to work that way. When the moving part of the chain is under the dog's neck, the chain doesn't release easily when the leash is slackened. And that means the collar is constantly tight, choking the dog.

Even if the collar's put on correctly, the choke collar is very difficult to use in the way that expert dog trainers have over the years. A choke-chain collar is meant to be loose at all times, except for the occasional split-second tightening to correct a dog's behavior. But people don't seem to know that, so I am always seeing gasping dogs in tight choke chains dragging their owners behind them.

These days, my advice on choke chains is this: Don't bother. Get the help of a good trainer to choose training equipment that's not so hard to master -- and learn how to use it. For some dogs, a buckle or snap-together collar will be all you need, or a limited-slip collar known as a "martingale." For others, a head halter or front-clip harness will work best. The pinch collar has advocates, too. It looks horrific, but it can't tighten down to choke a dog the way a slip-lead collar can.

They're all easier for the average person to use, and less likely to cause unintentional harm than a slip-lead collar. And that's why after so many years of giving advice, I've changed my recommendation on this topic. You simply don't need to master the choke-chain collar to teach any old dog new tricks anymore.

Q&A

Cat's coughing may be

a dangerous symptom

Q: What can I do to stop my cat's hairballs? I give her stuff from the pet store, but she's always hacking. -- via Facebook

A: Hairballs often take the blame for a cat's chronic coughing, but the problem could be something else entirely: heart disease, heartworms or even feline asthma. Coughing is a symptom, and you need a veterinarian's help to figure out what's really at the root of the problem. Only then can you hope to find an effective treatment.

Even if the problem is hairballs, there are some better options for treatment.

When cats groom, they pull out and swallow a lot of fur. Swallowed fur is indigestible, so when it's in a cat's stomach, it has two ways to go: down and out, or up and out. When it comes up (to the accompaniment of that middle-of-the-night "Ack! Ack!" serenade every cat lover knows so well), it's a hairball.

You'll have to tolerate a certain amount of hairballs because that's just part of having a cat. But there are steps you can take to help ingested hair to go through the system instead of come back up.

Add some fiber to your cat's diet. A little bit of canned pumpkin -– plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling -- added to your pet's regular meals will help the fur ingested by grooming to pass through the digestive system, instead of being thrown up onto your carpets. Combine it with canned food for palatability, or mix it with a little water from canned tuna or clams.

Canned pumpkin has an advantage over oil-based hairball remedies: Overusing the latter can decrease the absorption of some essential nutrients. Regular combing and brushing also helps, especially if your pet has long hair. The fur you catch when grooming your cat won't end up as a hairball, or as hair you'll be cleaning off your clothes. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Drug crackdown leaves

mobile vets in limbo

-- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has sent letters to California veterinarians with mobile practices warning that they are not in compliance with the Controlled Substances Act, a move that could put at risk the practice of at-home euthanasia for family pets and on-site euthanasia for horses and other livestock. According to DVM360.com, mobile veterinarians typically carry controlled substances in locked boxes. The DEA previously considered mobile veterinarians to be a common-sense exception to the law requiring registration of any premise where controlled medications are to be stored. As such, the letter of the law was generally not enforced in this instance. Officials from state and local veterinary trade groups have appealed to Congress to legislate an exemption that will allow veterinarians to care for animals as they need to.

-- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about the potential for salmonella infection in pet hedgehogs. One human death has been attributed to the handling of these pets, and 20 people have been made ill in eight states. Good hand-washing and animal husbandry practices help to prevent passing of the disease from animals to humans.

-- A yearlong battle between a woman who found a dog and the man who lost him was resolved in an Oregon courtroom in favor of the original owner. The husky mix jumped over the fence at his owner's and ended up adopted by the woman who found him. Later spotted at a coffeehouse by his original owner, the dog became the center of an acrimonious fight when the new owner refused to give him back and charged the original owner with neglect. Authorities found no evidence to back up her claim. The legal battles ended when the dog's finder admitted in court that the original owner's claim was legitimate and promised to stay away from the animal. -- 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.

SIMPLE STEPS NOW MAY SAVE YOUR PET IN A DISASTER

Disaster preparedness is so easy to let slide. We get all worked up after something like Hurricane Sandy and decide it's time to "do something." We read up, we make plans, we stock up, we move on. And then, we forget.

We take the can opener out of the emergency kit and don't replace it. We use the food and water we've stored, but we don't buy anything new to rotate into the disaster supplies. We mean to, of course. And yes, we'll get to it ... next month.

The good news is that in recent years, disaster experts have pushed people to prepare for their pets as well -- a 180-degree change in attitude, driven by the risks people have taken with their own lives to protect their pets when disasters strike. And public planning for disaster relief includes temporary housing for pets.

The bad news? Most people aren't as ready. But it's not hard to start, and step one is checking your pet's ID.

Most animals will survive a disaster, but many never see their families again because there's no way to determine which pet belongs to which family if pets and people get separated. That's why dogs and cats should always wear updated identification tags, and preferably be microchipped, too. Take some clear, sharp pictures of your pet as well, to help with any search.

What next? Get a big storage bin with a lid and handles to prepare a disaster kit for your pet.

Then it's time to shop. Keep several days' worth of drinking water and pet food as well as any necessary medicines, rotating the stock regularly. For canned goods, don't forget to pack a can opener and a spoon. Lay in a supply of empty plastic bags, along with paper towels, both for cleaning up messes and for sealing them away until they can be safely tossed. For cats, pack a bag of litter and some disposable litter trays.

Hard-sided crates and carriers are among the most important items to have on hand. Sturdy crates keep pets of all kinds safe while increasing their housing options. Crated pets may be allowed in hotel rooms that are normally off-limits to pets, or can be left in a pinch with veterinarians or shelters that are already full, since the animals come with rooms of their own.

Leashes for dogs and harnesses and leashes for cats are important, too, because frightened animals can be difficult to control. Pack a soft muzzle for each pet to keep everyone safe if a frightened or injured pet starts lashing out in fear or self-defense. And finally, put a first-aid kit in the bin, along with a book on how to treat pet injuries.

Make a note on the calendar to check on supplies and rotate food and water a couple of times a year. You may never have to pull out your disaster kit, but it's always good to be prepared. For more guidelines, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has tips for pet owners at Ready.gov/animals.

Q&A

Get veterinary help

for dog's discomfort

Q: I've read that prescription pain medications are deadly for my dog. Can you suggest an alternative? -- via Facebook

A: There are indeed things you can do to treat your dog's arthritis without using a prescription pain medication from your veterinarian, such as providing soft beds (warmed in the winter), glucosamine supplements and regular moderate exercise, and getting your pet down to a proper weight. But if these measures are not enough, you do need to discuss effective prescription pain control with your veterinarian.

I know a little something about chronic pain, thanks to a chronic neurological condition, and I can tell you it's a miserable way to spend a life. And yet so many pets are in such misery because their owners have "heard" that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are deadly.

While no medication, however helpful, is without the potential for side effects (including very serious ones), the NSAIDs available from your veterinarian have high marks for safety as long as recommended precautionary protocols are followed, including diagnostic tests to spot possible problems with internal organs.

Your veterinarian wants to help, but can't unless you do your part by making an appointment. Discuss all your options and all the precautions, and work with your veterinarian to ease your pet's suffering while minimizing the potential for side effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has an excellent free publication on NSAIDs (tinyurl.com/petpainmeds), and I encourage you to download it and discuss the subject with your veterinarian.

Don't let fear keep you from easing your pet's pain. Work with your veterinarian to find what's best for your pet, while keeping the risks as low as possible. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Feral cat advocates

bash predation study

-- A report asserting that free-roaming cats have a devastatingly large impact on populations of birds and small mammals has conservationists calling for an end to the live management of feral cat colonies, while feral cat advocates argue that the study is based on flawed research and that its authors are known to be anti-cat. The report in the journal Nature Communications drew the conclusion that cats kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds and between 6.9 billion and 20.7 billion small mammals every year.

Alley Cat Allies argues that the study's methodology is inadequate and that the researchers are attempting to make scapegoats of feral cats, while ignoring factors such as deforestation, climate change and habitat destruction.

Veterinary and animal welfare experts have long argued that keeping pet cats from roaming is safer for cats as well as birds and small mammals, but that doesn't address the issue of unowned cats, whose U.S. numbers are estimated to be in the tens of millions. Advocates for these cats argue that caring for altered communities in place is the answer, while wildlife and wild bird groups typically recommend removal of the cats entirely.

-- How smart is your dog? You can get an idea with a smartphone app developed by a Duke University researcher. Dognition uses questions and simple games to rate the intelligence of dogs. The release of the app coincides with the publication of "The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter Than You Think," co-authored by the app's developer, evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Brian Hare. Information on both is available at Dognition.com

-- When a cat rubs against a person, it's accepted that it's a sign of friendliness and affection. Which, of course, it is. But rubbing also performs a very important feline function: scent-marking. Cats want everything in the world to smell like they do, and they spend their lives trying to accomplish that feat. When cats rub against people or furniture, they're depositing material known as sebum from glands on their heads to spread their own trademark scent. -- 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.

DENTAL CARE IS KEY TO KEEPING YOUR PET'S TEETH IN PLACE

Let me get this out of the way up front: Yes, I do brush my pets' teeth. I really do.

I believe the task is too important to ignore, and so, too, are regular veterinary dental examinations and cleanings as recommended under anesthesia. That's why one of my own older dogs went under recently, coming out of anesthesia safely with a couple fewer teeth, but healthier teeth and gums overall.

Does this make you feel guilty? That's not my intent. My goal is to show that I practice what I preach because I believe good dental care is essential not only to your pet's health, but also to his quality of life. Broken, rotting teeth and infected gums make pets miserable, and I can't tell you how many times I've opened a pet's mouth in an exam room to see gums so inflamed they look as if a blow-torch had been passed over them.

A situation like that is what should make someone feel guilty. But the problems -- and the guilt -- are easily avoided. Your veterinarian is ready to get you on the right track.

First thing to remember: Foul-smelling breath from your dog or cat is never normal. It's a symptom of disease that you need to heed.

Second thing: Brushing is easier than you think it will be. Approach the task with a positive attitude, take it slow and easy, and then follow with something the pet likes -- a play session or a food treat.

For kittens and puppies, the focus is on training and prevention, but adult pets will likely need veterinary attention before a preventive-care program can help. Your veterinarian should check your pet's mouth, teeth and gums as part of the regular examination, and make recommendations based on what he or she finds there. For many pets, the next step will be a complete dentistry under anesthesia. The procedure takes 45 minutes to an hour, and involves not only cleaning and polishing the teeth, but also checking for and treating broken or rotting teeth, cavities, abscesses and periodontal disease.

This is a medical procedure, not a cosmetic one, which is why it's absolutely not the same as those "no-anesthesia" cleanings offered by non-veterinarians. I recognize that people worry about anesthesia, but the benefits outweigh the risks. Today's anesthetics are dramatically safer than those of even a few years ago, making the dangers and pain of untreated dental problems the bigger risk to health, even with older pets like my own dog Quixote.

After the problems are treated, at-home care can keep things in good shape. Here are some tips:

-- Brush regularly. Use a toothpaste designed for dogs or cats a couple of times a week at least, although daily is better. If you absolutely cannot brush, ask your veterinarian about dental rinses that can help prevent dental problems. They're usually not as good as brushing, but they can and do help.

-- Discuss your pet's diet with your veterinarian. Some pet-food companies offer kibble with a mild abrasive texture to help keep teeth clean, or with ingredients that help keep plaque from forming.

-- Offer tooth-safe toys to help with oral health. Again, talk to your veterinarian. You'll want to avoid chews so hard they can break a tooth, and you may want to consider those impregnated with enzymes to help prevent plaque buildup.

Once your pet's teeth are in good shape, you'll notice an end to bad breath. The true benefits of dental care go far beyond a better-smelling mouth, however, making what seems like an aesthetic issue one that is in fact a cornerstone of a preventive-care program.

February is Pet Dental Health Month. During the month, your veterinarian may be able to provide special information on your pet's dental care or have special offers on services.

Q&A

'Dry nose' may mean

nothing much at all

Q: In one of your books you said a dry nose on a dog isn't a reliable sign of illness. I'd always thought it was. What changed? -- via Facebook.

A: The link between a dry nose and a fever never really was reliable, but that's not the whole story, because sometimes it can be. Confused? Let me explain.

Tears are constantly produced to lubricate the movement of the eyes. Because this lubrication is so critical to eye health, the dog's body routinely produces more tears than are needed. These excess tears flow through the nasolacrimal (literally "nose-tears") duct and out the base of the nose. (People also experience this when crying.)

As the tears drip down into the dog's face, the dog licks her nose, spreading the tear fluid over the nose, which wets it. Then, evaporation causes the nose to be cool. The moistened nose is better equipped to dissolve airborne chemicals, which contributes to a better sense of smell.

When a dog is sick, the body uses up more internal water in the process of fighting disease. This increased water use, especially with a fever, causes relative dehydration, even if the dog is drinking a normal amount of water. This dehydration results in decreased tear production, and hence a dry nose.

The same dry nose, however, could be because of fluid loss from panting on a hot day. And some dogs (such as poodles) are prone to blocked tear ducts, so there is less fluid flowing through the ducts to moisten the nose. The bottom line is that the dry nose may be an indicator of dehydration, but it indicates illness only if it's coupled with lethargy and other symptoms.

In other words, a sick dog may have a dry, warm nose, but a dry, warm nose can also be the result of something other than illness. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Tomcats: The look we

don't really miss

-- The overwhelming majority (nearly 90 percent) of owned cats are spayed or neutered, which means that many people no longer recognize the look of a mature tomcat on the prowl for a mate. What biologists call "secondary sex characteristics" in unneutered male cats includes the development of heavy jowls (called "shields") and a heavier, more muscular build. It's a good thing we don't see it so often, since cats capable of breeding add to the burden of finding homes for the homeless.

-- Additional dog treats have been withdrawn from sale, as the Hartz Mountain Corp. cited concerns with the use of unapproved antibiotics in the Chinese-sourced chicken. China is not allowed to export chicken for human consumption in the United States, but the ban does not include chicken products intended for pets, according to DVM360.com. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been unable to pinpoint any problem with the pet treats, even though pet owners have reported more than 3,000 sick dogs to the agency, with more than 500 deaths.

-- Four new veterinary schools are in the works -- two of them in Arizona. But the question of whether there will be enough jobs for these graduates is hotly debated in the veterinary community, according to VIN News (news.vin.com). While there's an acknowledged shortage of rural, large-animal veterinarians, most newly minted graduates prefer the hours and lifestyle of companion-animal veterinarians in more urban settings, and competition for these jobs is already keen. Not so keen? Relatively low salaries for these medical professionals, many of whom graduate with a crushing burden of student debt. -- 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.