CATCH CAT ILLNESS EARLY BY WATCHING FOR YOUR PET'S CUES

Cats are good at hiding signs of illness, and even better at hiding when they're ill. That's why we cat owners need to know our cats well, so we can notice the subtle changes that may mean something deadly is brewing.

Learn to know what's normal for your cat, and what routines he likes to follow. Pay attention to both physical changes, such as a gain or loss in weight, and behavioral ones, especially in these areas:

-- Changes in eating habits, especially loss of appetite: Be aware of how much your cat eats and make a mental note of any changes. More than a day without eating is reason for concern. In a multi-cat household of free feeders, you may have a hard time figuring who's eating what. Make a conscious effort to see each of your cats at the food dish daily, and if you give them canned rations once a day, feed them separately.

-- Changes in litter-box habits: Many times, a "behavior" problem is really a health problem, and avoiding the litter box or using it more often than normal is one of the classic symptoms. A cat with an undiagnosed urinary-tract infection or diabetes, for example, may break his normal patterns of litter-box use. He's not "bad" -- he's sick!

-- Changes in drinking habits: Cats drink more in the summer than in the winter, but even taking that into consideration, you should be aware of changes in your cat's drinking habits -- too much or too little.

-- Changes in grooming: If you notice your cat looking ill-kempt, he likely has a problem, especially if he's normally fastidious. Grooming is one of the most important parts of a cat's routine, and the cat who isn't taking care of his coat isn't well.

-- Changes in voice: You know what's normal for your cat -- how often he pipes up and how he sounds when he does. If your cat is noisier than usual or more quiet or the sounds he makes are different, something is going on.

Wellness examinations (once or even twice a year) are especially important for cats, but cats are statistically less likely than dogs to see a veterinarian at all. That makes keeping an eye on a cat's physical and behavioral variances even more important.

Taking your cat in for what veterinarians call an "ADR" or "Ain't Doing Right" visit may seem unnecessary, but any veterinarian and many a cat lover will tell you about cats whose lives were saved (or about the money that was saved) because their owners turned their observations into a veterinary visit and caught something before it got worse.

Cats can be mysterious creatures, but they typically share clues to their secrets. Careful owner observation and some veterinary sleuthing has solved many feline mysteries. Take the time to be a feline health detective, and you and your cat will both be better off!

Q&A

'Fear-free' vet visits

can ease cats' anxiety

Q: Do you have any tips for getting cats to the vet? I can't tell you who dreads appointments more, him or me. --via Facebook

A: There's a movement in veterinary medicine toward lower-stress care for cats (check out Catfriendlypractice.catvets.com and CATalystcouncil.org), or more broadly, toward "fear-free practices" for all pets, which is my own effort. Together, these projects aim to make veterinary visits far less stressful for both owners and pets.

By the time you read this, I'll have given a major address on "fear-free practices" to veterinarians at one of the big annual conferences, the CVC. I'm now working with veterinarians, trainers and behaviorists, architects who design veterinary hospitals, veterinary technicians and even massage therapists to change the way pets experience veterinary medicine. You'll see these changes in the months and years to come, I promise you!

In the meantime, here are a few tips you can try to make things easier:

-- Invest in a good carrier. I recommend a hard-plastic, solid carrier with doors on the top and front, and that breaks apart to create a bottom level "bed" your cat can stay in at the vet's exam room. Don't hide the carrier in the garage or basement: Keeping it out where your cat can see it prevents the panic some cats get when they see the carrier.

-- Use pheromones to help relax your cat. Feliway mimics the substance mother cats secrete, and it helps cats and kittens relax. Spray it on a towel you put in the carrier, and spritz another towel to go over the carrier.

-- Keep the carrier covered with a towel, and avoid placing it near other cats in their carriers or allowing dogs to sniff it.

Talk to your veterinarian about any other tips that may help your cat specifically. Going to the veterinarian can be easier with your veterinarian's help, and it's going to get easier still! -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE BUZZ

Dog parks continue

to grow in popularity

-- The concept of a public park dedicated for use by off-leash dogs and their owners is a relatively new one, but it has been popular from the start. The nonprofit Trust for Public Land notes that in 2010 there were 569 off-leash dog parks in the 100 largest cities, and that the growth in the number of dog parks has been 10 times greater than the number of parks dedicated to general use. An article in USA Today noted that the trend is not surprising, given that more households today have dogs than have children.

-- Rattlesnakes working for the good of humankind? Yes, say researchers from the University of Maryland. That's because a single snake is responsible for removing 2,500 to 3,500 potentially disease-carrying ticks a year, along with the small mammals that are the snake's prey. So, thank a snake ... but not too closely.

-- Norm Lopez, a friendly cat with a catchy name and his own Facebook page, has attracted fans around the world after a well-meaning passerby picked up the portly pet and took him to the animal shelter in the mistaken belief that he was pregnant and in distress. There, the shelter director recognized him from his Facebook page, and Norm was soon back home. After a burst of media fame, he's back to welcoming guests from his home base near the State Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., but he now has a microchip and is the face of a fundraiser for the city's shelter. -- 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.

MANY JUMPY CATS CAN LEARN TO ACCEPT PETTING WITHOUT BITING

My two cats are both beautiful -- I may be a little biased, but I'm pretty sure it's true. When it comes to temperament, though, their similarities end. One cat is relaxed and easygoing, a born lap kitty. The other is easily aroused, sometimes reacting to petting by scratching the person in whose lap he finds himself -- which, more than likely, of course, is mine.

Over the years, I've worked to lengthen his short fuse, starting with the most important rule when it comes to dealing with feline aggression: Never, ever hit your cat.

If punishment won't work, what will? You need to understand the reasons why cats lash out and learn to read feline body language, while also retraining and managing your cat to prevent bites or clawing. Here's what makes cats go crazy and how to correct these problems:

-- Overstimulation. You're petting your cat, and suddenly he grabs you with his claws and teeth. Don't struggle or fight back, or you may trigger a real bite. Sometimes, smacking your other hand loudly against a hard surface -- a tabletop, for example -- may startle your cat into breaking off the attack. If you stay still, however, he will usually calm down and release you.

Cat lovers often think such attacks come without warning, but they've missed the warning signs of a cat who has simply had enough. The tail is the key. If your cat starts twitching his tail in a jerky fashion, it's time to stop petting. And you can often keep him from getting to that overstimulated place by petting along the side of and under the chin only, avoiding touchier spots like the back or the belly.

-- Play aggression. Never let your cat view you as a plaything, not even when he's an adorable kitten. Wrestling barehanded with your cat or kitten is a no-no, because you're setting up a bad precedent. A stuffed sock is a great substitute for a human hand when it comes to playthings -- let your cat bite, claw and bunny-kick to his heart's content. Give your cat lots of other exercise, frequent sessions that burn his youthful energy, such as playing with a "fishing pole"-type toy.

What if he persists in seeing you as a plaything? As with an overstimulated cat, stop the behavior by freezing if he has you in a painful grip. If he's ambushing you, water from a small squirt gun might help convince him that this is not a game worth playing.

-- Redirected aggression. Your cat sees another cat, an intruder, outside your living room window. He becomes enraged. You walk by, and he nails you.

This is redirected aggression, and it's a management issue. Motion-detecting sprinklers can discourage strange cats from being in your yard. If you can't keep feline intruders out, block your cat's access to the window through which he sees the other cats. And again, be aware of your cat's body language. A cat who's looking for trouble is one who's best avoided.

The trick with cats is to eliminate the triggers for biting or scratching and work on your cat's tolerance levels. If you're patient and consistent, your cat may well improve over time. If you're not getting anywhere, talk to your veterinarian about a referral to a behaviorist experienced in feline behavior. Additionally, veterinary behaviorists can prescribe medications that can help ease your cat's anxiety while you work on permanent changes to his behavior.

While my jumpy cat will never be the completely relaxed purr-machine his housemate is, he's incredibly more tolerant of petting. His purrs let me know that he's as happy with the changes as I am.

Q&A

Pellets, 'people food' form

base of good diet for parrots

Q: Our cockatiel has eaten nothing but a seed mix her whole life, and she's 12 years old. We've read in your book "Birds For Dummies" that seed isn't good for her, but she seems to be doing fine. Should we try to change her diet now? -- via email

A: Parrots -- and this term includes the little guys like budgies and cockatiels -- should eat a diet of a nutritionally balanced pelleted food supplemented by healthy "people food," such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and pasta. Seed should be an occasional treat, not the foundation of a diet.

That said, many people start out with bad advice, or inherit, adopt or buy an adult bird who's already hooked on a diet of seed. Like a person raised on fast food and sweets, these parrots have developed a taste for seeds -- which are the avian equivalent of junk food -- that's going to be hard to shift onto healthier fare. It can be done, but shouldn't be attempted "cold turkey," if you will, because parrots can launch lethal hunger strikes.

Your cockatiel is entering her senior years, a process that may have been sped up because of her diet. There's still time for a healthier bird, though, and a dietary intervention could add considerable time to her life span.

It would be a good idea to take your bird in for a comprehensive checkup. Once your bird's true health status is determined (birds often hide signs of illness from their owners, which is why diagnostics are particularly useful), you can work with your bird's veterinarian to gradually improve the quality of your pet's diet and overall health.

If your bird doesn't already have a board-certified avian veterinarian or one who is comfortable and experienced with treating birds (not all veterinarians are), you can likely find one on the website of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (aav.org). -- Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori

THE BUZZ

A thoughtful guide for

would-be veterinarians

-- Studies show that "veterinarian" is a profession often chosen in childhood, and for many of those goal-oriented youngsters, nothing will change their minds: not keen competition, not years of schooling, not poor job prospects and not the potential for carrying forward a crushing burden of student-loan debt that may prevent young professionals from owning their own practices, buying a home or starting a family. The VIN Foundation, the charitable arm of the Veterinary Information Network, has developed a brochure that offers young dreamers and parents alike a no-nonsense look at the challenges of becoming -- and being -- a veterinarian. It's free to download at iwanttobeaveterinarian.org. First thing to know: "A love of animals is not enough to make veterinary medicine a good career choice."

-- Some adult cats, like some humans, cannot handle milk without ending up with diarrhea. For those cats who can handle milk and like it, though, it's a fine occasional treat, and a good source of protein.

-- Students of canine history will be fascinated when they enter the word "dog" into the search field at the website for old newsreels from the archives of British Pathe (britishpathe.com). From sled dogs to show dogs to military working dogs, it's astonishing how much dogs' lives have changed in the last few decades -- and how much they haven't. -- 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.

REGULAR GROOMING IS AN EASY WAY TO MAKE PETS HAPPY AND HEALTHY

There are few things that make a veterinarian happier than walking into an exam room to see a pet who's squeaky clean and perfectly groomed. That's because it's a sign of a pet owner who's paying attention to all aspects of preventive pet care and overall comfort.

How important is grooming to your pet's comfort? Consider a simple mat, so easy to overlook. Have you ever had your hair in a ponytail that was just a little too tight? A mat can feel the same way to your dog -- a constant pull on the skin. Try to imagine those all over your body, and you have a good idea how uncomfortable an ungroomed coat can be.

Your dog need never know what a mat feels like if you keep him brushed and combed -- but that's just the start of the health benefits. Regular grooming allows you to look for lumps, bumps and injuries, while clearing such things as tangles and ticks from his coat. Follow up with your veterinarian on any questionable masses you find, and you may detect cancer early enough to save your pet's life.

For shorthaired breeds, keeping skin and coat in good shape is easy. Run your hands over him daily, a brush over him weekly and that's it.

For other breeds, grooming is a little more involved. Breeds such as collies, chows, keeshonden and Alaskan malamutes are "double-coated," which means they have a downy undercoat underneath harsher long hair. The down can mat like a layer of felt against the skin if left untended. To prevent this, divide the coat into small sections and brush against the grain from the skin outward, working from head to tail, section by section. A tip: Yes, you can keep these long-haired dogs clipped short to keep grooming easier -- and you'll be rewarded with a dog who sheds the least of all, owing to the longer grow-and-shed cycle of long hair.

Silky-coated dogs such as Afghan hounds, cockers and Maltese also need constant brushing to keep tangles from forming. As with the double-coated dogs, work with small sections at a time, brushing from the skin outward, and then comb back into place with the grain for a glossy, finished look. Coats of this type require so much attention that having a groomer keep the dogs trimmed to a medium length is often more practical.

Curly and wiry coats, such as those on poodles and terriers, need to be brushed weekly, working against the grain and then with it. Curly coats need to be clipped every six weeks; wiry ones, two or three times a year. (But clipping every six weeks will keep your terrier looking sharper.) A good professional groomer, along with your veterinarian, can be a dog's best friend.

Good grooming is about more than keeping your pet looking beautiful and clean-smelling, although those are certainly pleasant payoffs. Regular grooming relaxes the dog who's used to it, and it becomes a special time shared between you both. A coat free of mats, burrs and tangles, and skin free of fleas and ticks, are as comfortable to your dog as clean clothes fresh from the wash are to you. It just makes you feel good, and the effect is the same for your pet.

Some added benefit for you: Giving your dog a tummy rub after every session is sure to relax you (and your dog, of course) and ease the stress of your day.

Q&A

Houseplants can make

chewing cats very sick

Q: I'm tired of shredded houseplants! Can you suggest plants that our two cats won't chew on? -- via Facebook

A: We'd rather you satisfy your cats' desire to chew by offering safe plants for their pleasure, while removing all toxic foliage and cat-proofing the plants you want left alone.

Many common houseplants can make your cats ill, and a few can be deadly. Among the most dangerous are dieffenbachia, lily of the valley and philodendron. Various ivies and yews can be troublesome, too, and the bulbs of plants popular for "forcing" into early indoor bloom -- such as amaryllis, daffodils and tulips -- can cause problems for the cat who likes to dig and chew.

The Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA.org/apcc) maintains a list of problem plants, and you should also be able to find such lists in most basic cat-care books. Check your household inventory against the "bad plant" list, and replace any dangerous plants with safer ones.

Indulge your pets by keeping planters of sprouting grasses growing in an accessible place for nibbling. Special blends of seeds for cats are available in pet stores and specialty shops, or you can purchase rye or wheat grass seeds at the nursery. Catnip, too, is something that's always better when fresh, as is valerian. While not all cats react to the pleasures of these plants, those who do will appreciate your keeping it in-house and using fresh cuttings to recharge cat posts, trees and toys.

When your cats have their own plants, you can work on keeping them away from yours. Plants on the ground or on low tables are the easiest targets, so make your houseplants less accessible to the 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 them with something your cats find disagreeable. Cat-discouragers include Bitter Apple, a nasty-tasting substance available at any pet-supply store, or Tabasco sauce from any grocery store. Whenever you find what your cat doesn't like, keep reapplying it to reinforce the point.

Pot your plants in heavy, wide-bottomed containers, and cover the soil of the problem plants with rough, decorative rock to end digging. Foil, waxed paper and double-sided tape are also effective digging deterrents, albeit less attractive ones. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori

THE BUZZ

Powerful beaks give

parrots big leverage

-- The beaks of most parrots are remarkably well-designed for one of their most important tasks: cracking, crushing, prying or otherwise destroying the protective coatings around many of the foods they like to eat. Beaks should not be given routine trims: Overgrowth of the beak is frequently a sign of illness, such as liver disease or malnutrition. Any bird whose beak seems to be too long needs to see a veterinarian expert in avian medicine to determine the cause of the problem and treat it accordingly.

-- Viagra (sildenafil) is used for more than what it's most famous for. In veterinary medicine, the drug may be prescribed for severe pulmonary hypertension -- high blood pressure in the lungs.

-- Dealing with hairballs -- fur ingested as a cat grooms himself, then vomited back up in clumps -- is a normal part of living with a cat. Canned or fresh pureed pumpkin -- not pumpkin pie filling -- is a good way to increase the fiber in your cat's diet to help the hair work its way through your cat's digestive system. Many cats enjoy a teaspoon of pumpkin daily if it's mixed with something yummy, such as canned food or the water from a can of tuna or clams. Daily brushing can help prevent hairballs as well, by reducing the amount of hair a cat swallows. -- 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.