ILLNESS, CHANGES CAN TRIGGER LITTER BOX ISSUES

When I adopted a second adult cat a few months ago, I knew I was at risk for having one cat or the other -- or both -- avoiding the litter box. And indeed, it wasn't long before I found that one of the cats was skipping the box.

While I was able work out the problem pretty quickly through trial and error, for a couple of weeks I knew I was in good company. That's because failure to use a litter box is the top behavior complaint of cat lovers, sending countless cats to shelters every year. But that doesn't have to be the sad outcome, if you're willing to work on the problem.

The first step in getting a cat to use the box is to make sure there's not a medical condition driving the behavior -- and that means a trip to your veterinarian for a complete workup. Urinary tract infections and diseases such as diabetes make consistent litter box use impossible for even the most well-intentioned cat. You cannot hope to get your cat to use the box again until any health issues have been resolved.

If your cat checks out fine, you need to start working to make sure that everything about the box is to your cat's liking. The second rule of solving a litter box problem: If the cat isn't happy, no one will be happy. Here's what to look for.

-- Cleanliness. Cats are fastidious animals, and if the litter box is dirty, they look elsewhere for a place to go. Clean the box frequently -- twice a day is ideal -- and make sure it's completely scrubbed clean and aired out on a weekly basis. Having an additional litter box may help, too. In my case, the problem was a matter of two cats who didn't want to share (and really, who can blame them?). I followed the rule of thumb: One box per cat, plus one more. I'd always intended to ramp up to three boxes at the time I introduced the second cat, and if I had, I probably would never have had any issues.

-- Box type and filler. Many choices people make to suit their own tastes conflict with the cat's sense of what's agreeable. A covered box may seem more pleasing to you, but your cat may think it's pretty rank inside, or scary. Likewise, scented litters may make you think the box smells fine, but your cat may disagree -- not only is the box dirty, he reasons, but it also has this extra "clean" odor he can't abide. Start with the basics: a very large box with unscented clumping-style litter. You don't have to buy an "official" litter box, by the way; large, shallow storage containers and sweater boxes (lids off, of course) make great litter boxes.

-- Location. Your cat's box should be away from his food and water, in a place he can get to easily and feel safe. Consider a location from a cat's point of view: Choose a quiet spot where he can see what's coming at him. A cat doesn't want any surprises while he's in the box. With multiple cats, try to spread out the boxes so no cat feels his territory is overrun by the other cat.

Make the area where your cat has had mistakes less attractive by cleaning it thoroughly with a pet-odor neutralizer (available from pet-supply retailers). Discourage reuse by covering the area with foil, plastic sheeting or plastic carpet runners with the points up.

If you just can't seem to get the problem resolved, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. These veterinarians are skilled in behavioral problem-solving and are able to prescribe medications that may make the difference during the retraining period.

Q&A

Tennis ball risks

can be minimized

Q: I wish you would warn people about tennis balls. Yes, dogs love them, but they're not meant for dogs. I don't think they're safe, and I won't let my dogs have them. Can you spread the word? -- via Facebook

A: A world without tennis balls? Perish the thought! It's a good possibility that more tennis balls are used to exercise dogs than to play tennis. While most dogs "make do" with used balls that have lost their ideal tennis court bounce, other pets enjoy any number of tennis balls made especially for dogs, including balls of different sizes and colors, and even some with flavorings (mint seems to be a favorite -- with people, if not with dogs).

But yes, tennis balls do present a hazard that requires they be used only in supervised conditions. The problem is that dogs have strong jaws capable of compressing a tennis ball. If that compressed ball pops open in the back of the throat, it can cut off a dog's air supply. Over the years, I've gotten letters from countless readers who've lost dogs this way.

You don't have to throw away all your tennis balls, but you do need to use them in a way that reduces the risk of choking. Tennis balls should always be put out of reach after a game of fetch, and no dog should ever be allowed to use them as chew toys.

In supervised play, insist that dogs fetch, return and immediately release the ball -- no games of keep-away while the dog works the ball in her mouth. And keep only one ball in play at a time to minimize the risk of having your dog pick up more than one and getting the first ball lodged in the back in the throat.

Keep the game of fetch fast and lively to keep the focus on the chase and the next throw. A product I couldn't live without (with my weak throwing arm and strong retrievers) is the ChuckIt!, a tool that flings the ball much farther than most of us can throw. (Added bonus: The ChuckIt! also keeps dog slobber off your hands!)

Nothing in life is without risk, sadly, but there's no need to deny your dogs the joy and needed exercise that a tennis ball can provide. Just be sure to follow a few simple guidelines to keep playing safely. -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Tell your dog to keep

his tongue to himself

-- The idea that a dog's saliva has healing powers has been around at least since the ancient Greeks and Romans, whose physicians believed it to be an antidote for poisoning. Later, St. Roch was often pictured with a dog licking a sore, reflecting the belief that the patron saint of plague victims knew something about a cure and that his dog's saliva made him healthy. Modern medicine, no surprise, doesn't look kindly on such theories. Soap and water, a dab of topical antiseptic and a Band-Aid are much better treatments for any cut. Because no matter what you've heard, a dog's mouth really isn't cleaner than a human's.

-- When it comes to stretching before any activity, no personal trainer or coach will ever be as committed to the idea as the average cat. When a cat wakes up, she carefully stretches every muscle to make sure her strong, supple body is ready for action. Typically, the stretching routine starts with a good arching of the back and a very, very big yawn. Next is a full-body stretch, right down to the tip of the tail.

-- The Great Dane is the No. 1 breed at risk for a sudden and potentially deadly health problem commonly called "bloat" (known to veterinarians as gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV), according to a Purdue University study. Other large, deep-chested dogs are also at higher risk, although any breed or mix can bloat. When a dog bloats, his stomach expands and eventually twists, requiring surgical intervention. Male dogs are also twice as likely to bloat, and most dogs who bloat are between 7 and 12 years of age. When combined with other complications of bloat, it is a leading cause of death in dogs, second only to cancer. Knowing the signs of bloat -- frequent, unsuccessful attempts to vomit, general discomfort, anxiety and restlessness, "hunched up" appearance, enlarged, tight abdomen -- combined with early veterinary surgical intervention, is often a dog's only shot at surviving. -- 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.

TIPS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER ON YOURSELF – AND YOUR DOG

As the veterinarian on "Good Morning America," I'm always hearing about and looking at pictures of other people's pets. I truly enjoy hearing about the love people share with their companion animals.

But being recognized so frequently also means I hear a great deal about the things that bother pet lovers. The other day I was thinking about those annoyances that apply to dogs, and thinking about the knowledge I'm always sharing with people. I've written entire books sharing tips and cutting-edge information, but here's a short list of seven secrets I wish more dog owners knew:

-- Secret No. 1: Shedding is a top complaint of dog lovers, but when people choose a low-shed pet, they're usually barking up the wrong tree. The kind of dog who sheds the least? A small one (less dog, less fur) with long fur (long fur stays in longer than short fur) who's kept clipped short (less left on to clean up when it does eventually fall out).

-- Secret No. 2: Preventing accidents can save more than your pet -- it saves money, too. Veterinarians like me hate to treat -- and even worse, to lose -- pets who've suffered accidents that can be easily prevented. By keeping all medications -- human and pet prescriptions, and all over-the-counters -- safely locked away, you'll protect your pet from this No. 1 poisoning hazard.

-- Secret No. 3: Stop the post-bath shake from getting water all over your bathroom and you. It's simple: That water-spraying shake starts at the nose, and if you hold your dog's muzzle until you can get a towel over him, you'll prevent him from shaking.

-- Secret No. 4: Getting old doesn't need to mean misery for your dog. Working with your veterinarian to provide your old dog "neutraceuticals," such as omega-3 oil and glucosamine, along with prescription pain medications (such as Rimadyl) can put the bounce back in your old dog's step. Ask your veterinarian!

-- Secret No. 5: Most people want to take advantage of the incredible advances in veterinary medicine, from stem cell treatments to chemotherapy, but many simply can't afford them. The solution for them is a pet health insurance policy, which can cover the bulk of costs for an expensive accident or illness without forcing any compromises on care.

-- Secret No. 6: It's easy to save money on pet care without shortchanging your pet. While you shouldn't skip wellness exams (they can spot a problem when it's still easier and less expensive to treat) or lower the quality of your dog's food (good nutrition means good health), you can save money by price-shopping for prescription medications (but do give your veterinarian the option of matching prices), buying items in bulk and sharing with others, keeping your pet thin (and therefore healthier) and even bartering for your pet's needs.

-- Secret No. 7: "Yearly shots" are no longer recommended. Current advice is to tailor vaccines to fit your pet. Most all dogs should now get "core" vaccines on a three-year cycle for the most common and most deadly diseases, including parvovirus and distemper. All dogs need rabies shots on a schedule set by law. But other vaccines may depend on a dog's breed type, size or the region where you live, and you'll need to go over the options with your veterinarian.

It's not hard or expensive to make life easier and better for both you and your dog. You just have to know the secrets!

Q&A

Cats love to chew

on fresh grasses

Q: We have two cats, and I need some suggestions on how to get them to leave the houseplants alone. -- via Facebook

A: Give your cats their own plants and make yours harder to get to. That way you can both be happy.

For your cat's chewing pleasure, 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, stuff into toys or rub on cat trees.

When your cat has his own plants, you can work on keeping him away from yours. 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.

To prevent digging, pot your plants in heavy, wide-bottomed containers and cover the soil of the problem plants with rough decorative rock.

Remember that some houseplants, especially lilies, are toxic to cats. Check the list provided by the Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA.org/APCC) and rehome any plants that are dangerous to your pets. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Cats can -- and do --

fall out of windows

-- If you live anywhere above the ground floor, your cat could be injured falling out of a window. They're just not able to understand the risk, and sometimes jump after something interesting, such as a bird. As the weather warms, people will be opening windows, putting their pets at risk. But it's possible to give a cat fresh air safely, no matter what kind of housing you have. If you're in multifamily housing, you may be allowed to add heavy screening to a balcony to give your cat access to fresh air and a good view. If you're in a detached home, you can put in a more permanent structure, such as a screened-in multilevel cat playground. And don't open any windows that don't have screens.

-- You've made it as a birder if you see a bird with what appears to be bubbles on his chest, making a popping noise in hopes of attracting a mate. Experts in American bird species say the Gunnison sage grouse, which is found in Utah and Colorado, is the country's rarest, with fewer than 5,000 remaining. Discovery magazine says the Gunnison was discovered only 13 years ago, and its numbers have been falling ever since. Private efforts to halt the population's decline have not been effective, leading to efforts for the bird to be included on the federal endangered species list.

-- Obesity is a problem in parrots, too. Some of the signs of obesity include rolls of fat around the abdomen and hip areas, along with cleavage on the abdomen or breast area. The skin of most normal pet birds is typically very thin and quite transparent. When the skin is wetted with rubbing alcohol, you should be able to see dark pink or red muscle underneath. In overweight birds, you see yellowish fat instead. Overweight birds will also commonly exhibit labored breathing after exertion or heat intolerance. Check with a veterinarian with expertise in avian care to determine root causes and develop a plan for your bird's return to full health. -- 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.

A DOG'S SENSE OF SMELL REVEALS A WORLD WE CAN HARDLY IMAGINE

And Gina Spadafori

Is there anything a dog can't use his nose to figure out? Dogs have long been used to sniff out escaped felons and missing children (think bloodhounds), birds and animals for hunters (think spaniels, retrievers and hounds), and even truffles (think poodles).

But in recent years, trainers have come up with all kinds of new ways to use a dog's extraordinary sense of smell. Here are a few you perhaps knew -- and a few more we bet you did not:

-- Drugs. Dogs can be trained to sniff out all kinds of illegal drugs, finding them not only on people but also in massive cargo containers, long-haul trucks and school lockers.

-- Plant matter. Since fresh fruits and vegetables can bring into the country insects and diseases that have the potential to cause great damage to agriculture, dogs are used to detect foodstuffs in the luggage of people coming through customs. Dogs are also used to sniff out invasive weeds in fields, so the plants can be eradicated before they take hold.

-- Insects. Termites? No problem. Dogs are also being used to detect the resurgence of bedbugs in big cities.

-- Mold. It's not just the mold that bedevils homeowners, but also the mold that puts the vines at wineries at risk from disease.

-- Explosives. Meetings of high-profile public officials likely wouldn't occur without the diligent work of bomb-sniffing dogs.

-- Cows in heat. A lot of money depends on being able to artificially inseminate a cow without wasting time guessing whether she's ready. While a bull could tell, he's not always available, as his contribution usually arrives on the scene frozen. A dog can tell when the cow is most fertile -- although it's a good bet the dog couldn't care less.

-- Cancer. While cancer detection is still in the trial stage, it's looking pretty promising that dogs can spot a malignancy. Some day your doctor may order up a "lab test" and send in a Labrador!

-- Chemicals. Dogs have been known to look for items as varied as mercury and the components of potentially pirated DVDs.

While most of us tend to think scent work is the near-exclusive province of a handful of breeds -- bloodhounds, German shepherds and maybe a Labrador retriever here and there -- in fact, a wide range of breeds and mixes are trained to detect various scents. Because of their fine noses and friendly dispositions, beagles are used to work airports by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and any manner of mixed breeds -- lucky dogs pulled from shelters -- have been used for other kinds of detection work.

If you're looking for something fun to do with your dog, teach him to work with his nose, starting with the game of finding which cardboard box contains a treat for him. Trainer Nina Ottosson has developed a line of puzzles for dogs that encourage them to work with their noses as well. Check online for her food puzzles -- your dog will love them!

Q&A

Stock up on remedy

for spring 'skunking'

Q: Our dog has been skunked twice in the last month. We've tried the tomato-juice recipe (and even added tomato sauce for extra "oomph"), but the smell remained. Any suggestions? -- via email

A: Skunks become very active as the weather starts to warm, and that means more skunking. Over the years, the universal skunk remedy has been widely accepted as the canned red stuff in your pantry. However, as reported in the Chicago Tribune several years ago, a chemist by the name of Paul Krebaum discovered what turns out to be the hands-down best solution for eliminating odor on dogs who have been skunked. You can probably find the ingredients in your cupboards. And yes, it really works!

Here's the odor-blasting formula: Take 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid hand soap. Mix and immediately apply to the stinky pet. Then rinse thoroughly with tap water. For a big dog, such as a Labrador, you may need to double the recipe to improve coverage. Common sense dictates keeping the mix out of sensitive areas like the eyes and ears. Also, don't allow your dog to ingest the mixture, because hydrogen peroxide can cause vomiting.

Obviously, you don't want to take the time to run to the store when you have a stinky dog, so buy the ingredients now and keep them on hand if you are likely to have a skunked dog situation! But remember -- don't mix them until seconds before application.

Skunks are a common carrier of rabies -- and, obviously, if your dog is close enough to get sprayed, a bite is always a possibility. Double-check with your veterinarian on your dog's rabies vaccination status. If it's not current, bring it up to date immediately. You do not want to take a chance on rabies, ever, since it puts both pets and people at risk. -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Why cats are attracted

to the feline-averse

-- Why, in a room full of people, will a cat make a beeline toward the one person who is not paying attention? One possible answer: That's the only person who's playing by the cat's own rules for proper behavior. Cats don't like eye contact from strangers. When a friendly cat wanders into a room full of people, he may be intimidated by a new person's stare. So, he heads instead for the people he thinks are being polite -- those who aren't looking. The cat doesn't realize that these people may not be looking because they don't like cats or are allergic. In the end, it's a bit of a cross-species miscommunication. That's one theory, anyway. It could also turn out that rubbing cat fur on the slacks of a cat hater is just the ultimate feline fun.

-- A Maryland man has died from rabies contracted from a transplanted kidney he received from an organ donor. It is the first fatal case in that state in almost 40 years. Raccoons, skunks, bats and other wild animals are the most common carriers of the virus, thanks to widespread vaccination programs in dogs and cats. In a typical year, five people die of rabies in the United States.

-- No matter how thoroughly your cat or dog licks the food dish, it's not clean enough to use again without washing. That goes for water dishes, too. Pick up your pet's food dish after every meal, then wash and scrub with hot water and soap. The water dish should get the same treatment on a daily basis. You can also run them through the dishwasher. Stainless steel or heavy plastic "crock-style" dishes are best: They stand up to frequent cleaning and last for years. -- 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.