CHOOSING A PET AT THE SHELTER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE OVERWHELMING. HERE ARE 8 TIPS TO HELP YOU MAKE THE DECISION

We are big fans of adopting from animal shelters. We each currently have two dogs acquired from shelters or rescue groups. They are all the absolute best -- not that we're biased or anything. But we know that the idea of going to a shelter to pick out a pet can seem like an intimidating prospect. Won't you want to take them all home? And how do you pick the right one?

To give you some top tips, we drew on our own experiences and spoke to experts on the subject: Elizabeth A. Berliner, DVM, a shelter medicine specialist at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, and Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of Michelson Found Animals, a nonprofit organization that's dedicated to helping shelter pets find homes.

-- The first thing to think about, Gilbreath says, is energy level -- yours and the dog's. Your pet's energy level should complement your lifestyle. If you love spending time outdoors every day hiking, running or riding your bike, an active "teenage" or adult dog has reached physical maturity and is ready to be your workout buddy. Be realistic about your activity level and your willingness to exercise a dog.

"If your ideal weekend is curling up on the couch having a movie marathon, a low-energy cuddle buddy will be a better fit for you," Gilbreath says. Or even a cat.

-- Speaking of cats and lifestyle, it's true that in some respects, cats are less of a commitment than dogs: they don't need walks, for instance, and you don't have to take them to obedience class (they train you instead). But they do need and enjoy more attention and interaction than you might think. If you work crazy 12-hour days, your cat will be OK with that as long as she gets your attention when you're home.

-- If you think you'd like to have two cats so they can keep each other company, the best choice is a pair of kittens from the same litter or an already-bonded adult pair. Ask shelter employees for their recommendations.

-- Some shelters use the ASPCA's "Meet Your Match" program or their own systems to identify different pet personalities to help potential adopters make the best choice for them. When it comes right down to it, though, many of us go by looks.

"As in dating, this can be more or less effective," Dr. Berliner says. "However, there may be some surprises once you get home. Many shelters provide ongoing support to help nurture your new relationship if there are elements that are challenging at first."

-- Got kids? Keeping them safe is your No. 1 priority. If you're getting a shelter dog, how do you know which one is good with kids?

"When adopting from a rescue or smaller pet-adoption center, many of the available dogs will have spent time with a foster family, many in homes with children," Gilbreath says. "Talk to the adoption counselor about your concerns. They will be able to tell you which dogs play well with children. It's also a good idea to bring your children along to meet your potential new pet."

-- Tell the adoption counselor as well if you have other pets. She can suggest dogs or cats who are known to get along with other animals.

-- Take advantage of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to keep tabs on available pets. Many shelters have Facebook and Twitter accounts where they announce adoption events and post videos and photos of adoptable pets.

-- Be clear about what you are looking for in a pet. It can help to make a list of attributes such as weight, coat type and age before you go to the shelter so that it's easier to narrow your choices.

Q&A

How to choose the

right puppy food

Q: I see so many different puppy foods and claims about feeding puppies. How can I choose the best food for my new puppy? -- via email

A: We don't doubt that it can be confusing to know what and how to feed a puppy. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, though, because their needs vary. Factors that affect what a particular pup needs from a food include activity level, age, breed, gender and size at maturity.

A puppy's growth rate should be not too fast and not too slow. Puppies who grow too quickly and become overweight may develop bone and joint problems as they mature. Puppies who grow too slowly may not be getting enough nutrients. Growing at that "just right" pace ensures that they get the nutrition they need, but don't experience painful growth spurts or get too heavy at an age when their skeleton isn't developed enough to support their weight.

So what you feed depends a lot on your puppy's breed or mix. Toy-breed puppies, with their high metabolism, need a food that gives them a steady stream of energy. Really tiny puppies often need smaller, more frequent meals to make sure they don't develop low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Large-breed dogs grow more slowly than toy and small breeds. It can take two to three years for them to reach physical maturity. They need foods that provide less energy and calcium so they grow at a slow, steady rate. You can give a food that's specially formulated for large and giant breeds or provide the same effect by feeding smaller amounts of a regular puppy food.

To know if your puppy is in good shape, use your eyes and hands. He should have an hourglass figure when you look down at him, and when you put your hands on him, you should be able to feel the ribs beneath a light padding of fat. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

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

PET BUZZ

The Internet knows

where your cat lives

-- A data experiment launched by Owen Mundy at Florida State University -- "I Know Where Your Cat Lives" -- maps the whereabouts of a million cats worldwide, all from photos posted on the Internet. The cats' locations are based on their photos' latitude and longitude coordinates embedded in their metadata, information about an image such as its size and when and where it was created. On his blog, Mundy writes, "This project explores two uses of the Internet: the sociable and humorous appreciation of domesticated felines and the status quo of personal data usage." You might want to check your camera phone's privacy settings.

-- Charlie, a 2-year-old female Labrador, recently earned the title "Most Unusual Claim of the Month" from Veterinary Pet Insurance after she slipped beneath a piece of farm equipment. The injury didn't seem severe at first, but the next day she wasn't able to stand up. Her veterinarian recommended that her owner, Jessica Parsons of Indianapolis, Indiana, transfer her to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. There it was discovered that she had a spinal fracture and internal bleeding, requiring spinal surgery and removal of a damaged kidney. Charlie is recovering well with crate rest and limited activity.

-- A national homebuilder has gone to the dogs -- in a good way, reports AP's Sue Manning. In 27 developments across the country, Standard Pacific Homes is offering buyers the option of a 60- to 170-square-foot pet suite with such amenities as a step-in wash station, commercial-size pet dryer, water station and automated feeders, cabinets for toys, treats and food, a stackable washer and dryer, and a French door that opens to a dog run. Don't want to buy a new house? Ask a contractor about installing pet-friendly features such as a built-in bed, special shelves for pet bowls or a raised bathing area. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: If you're looking for a new pet, see if your local shelter has any adoption events planned. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Caption: Charlie received two life-saving surgeries at one of the nation's top veterinary teaching hospitals, thanks to her pet insurance coverage. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2

A COMMON TYPE OF RAT POISON DOESN'T HAVE AN ANTIDOTE, SO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU BUY

It's never good when a pet downs mouse or rat poison, but rodenticides containing anticoagulants are treatable with blood transfusions and vitamin K if the poisoning is caught in time.

However, the Environmental Protection Agency is canceling eight such products, in part because they endanger wildlife such as hawks, owls, bobcats and cougars. A common alternative contains a neurotoxin called bromethalin that can be more harmful to pets -- dogs in particular, who tend to eat anything they come across.

"Often, by the time clinical signs appear, it's very difficult to treat," says veterinary toxicologist John Tegzes, a professor at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. "There's no antidote. The only good news about it is that dogs need to eat a bit more of it than they would the anticoagulant rodenticides."

A typical medium- to large-sized dog would have to eat approximately three bait packs to reach a toxic dose of bromethalin, Dr. Tegzes says, while just a portion of a box of anticoagulant rodenticide can poison a dog. The trouble is, people may place four or five bait packs in their garage or yard.

The products the EPA is banning are known as second-generation anticoagulants. When Dr. Tegzes walked the aisles of a Home Depot last month in California (which has also banned second-generation anticoagulants), he saw only two kinds of rodenticides: first-generation anticoagulants and poisons containing bromethalin.

"The bromethalin was definitely more prominent on the shelves," he says. "When the average consumer is walking down the aisle, if they go to the one at eye level that has the biggest box, they're going to end up with bromethalin."

If you use any kind of rodenticide, you should know how it works and the signs of toxicity.

Anticoagulants prevent the blood's ability to clot, causing microhemorrhages in the gastrointestinal tract, the chest cavity or the brain. The hemorrhages cause anemia, heavy panting with even slight exertion and an increased heart rate. Dogs treated quickly usually recover well.

That's not always the case for dogs poisoned by bromethalin, Dr. Tegzes says.

They often begin to press their heads against objects or become uncoordinated.

"What it looks like is the dog is trying to walk from one part of the room to another and just circles around and can't quite make it across the room," Dr. Tegzes says.

Dogs with bromethalin poisoning may also have seizures, become depressed, and stop eating or drinking. The poison isn't detectable with blood work, and often by the time the cause is discovered, treatment comes too late.

Liz Palika, a dog trainer in Oceanside, California, is lucky her dog survived bromethalin poisoning. She doesn't use poisons in her home or yard, so when her young Australian shepherd, Archer, was acting a little clumsy, she didn't pay attention, but when he jumped off the bed and his back legs did the splits, she took notice.

"That evening, he began acting like an old dog with vestibular syndrome and had trouble eating and drinking," she says.

Fortunately, her veterinarian started treating Archer for poisoning as Palika questioned neighbors and the handyman at her dog-training facility. She discovered the handyman had put out bromethalin for gophers.

Archer's symptoms worsened over 24 hours and peaked with a seizure. Supportive treatment with fluids and prednisone kept him alive until his body could overcome the poison, fortunately with no lasting effects.

If you have problems with rodents, take the following steps:

-- First, try to manage the problem by blocking access or removing food sources.

-- Use traps instead of poisons.

-- If you use a poison, choose a first-generation anticoagulant, such as one that contains diphacinone, not brodifacoum, and not one that contains bromethalin.

-- If you think your pet has been poisoned, take your dog and the container of poison to the veterinarian so she can treat your pet appropriately.

-- Ask your neighbors if they use poisons, what type, and where they are set out.

Q&A

Food-guarding dog needs

private dining area

Q: My older dog gets really mad when our new puppy comes anywhere near her stuff, and she won't even let her into the kitchen when I'm fixing their meals. Now our puppy is afraid to come into the kitchen even when Delilah isn't around. Is there anything I can do to put a stop to this? -- via Facebook

A: What Delilah's doing is called resource guarding, and it's a common behavior problem in dogs. They are most likely to guard food -- as you discovered -- but many also protect other prized possessions, such as toys, a favorite bed or chair, or even their best buddy -- you.

It's understandable why dogs would guard things they need for survival, like food or shelter. It's an instinctive trait passed down from their ancestors, but in modern times, when dogs live in our homes and have their food handed to them twice a day, it's an annoying and even dangerous habit for them to develop, especially if you happen to have young children in the home who may approach or reach into the dog's bowl.

Probably the easiest way to put a stop to Delilah's behavior is to feed her separately from the puppy. Put each one in a separate room or in her own crate or feed one indoors and one outdoors. They shouldn't be able to see each other eat. Having another dog in the same room while they're eating can be stressful for dogs anyway, so this is a good practice to adopt even if you don't have a resource-guarding dog.

Don't let Delilah out of her crate or room until both dogs have finished eating and you have taken up the puppy's bowl. What Delilah doesn't see won't make her mad. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

New treatment may

help dogs with cancer

-- Researchers in Vienna, Austria, have developed a form of cancer therapy that uses antibodies to inhibit tumor growth in dogs. The research was published last month in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. Known as cancer immunotherapy, this type of treatment has been used successfully in human medicine for approximately 20 years, but until now it has not been available for animals. Researcher Erika Jensen-Jarolim says, "We expect dogs to tolerate these anti-cancer antibodies well. This will be investigated in clinical studies in the future and is expected to greatly improve the treatment as well as the diagnosis of cancer in dogs."

-- Shopping at Ikea? You may see a cardboard cutout of your next pet there. The Ikea store in Tempe, Arizona, uses furniture and rugs in its showrooms to display life-size cardboard images of shelter cats and dogs available at the Arizona Humane Society. If you see one you like, you can scan a bar code with your smartphone for more information on that particular pet. Thanks to the clever campaign, the six pets featured so far have all found new homes. After all, you already know how cute they'll look on your new bed or sofa.

-- Trying to get your dog to pose for a picture is often a losing proposition, but now there's an app for that. The BarkCam photo-sharing app allows you to choose sounds that will get your dog's attention -- cat meows, squeak toys and doorbells, for instance. Tap the shutter to set off the noise and your pet will look at the camera so you can get the perfect shot. That's how it's supposed to work, anyway. Once you have an image you like, you can add text, filters, stickers and chat bubbles or post it on social media. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: Rodenticides containing a neurotoxin are more challenging to treat than those containing anticoagulants. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Say cheese! A new app prompts dogs to look at camera. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

LIZARDS, TURTLES AND SNAKES CAN BE GREAT COMPANIONS -- IF YOU'RE PREPARED TO GIVE THEM APPROPRIATE CARE

By Kim Campbell Thornton

They aren't at the level of cats and dogs yet, but reptiles are scaling upward in popularity. More than 5.6 million homes in the United States keep at least one of these cold-blooded creatures as pets, and their total numbers top 11.5 million, according to a 2013 survey by the American Pet Products Association.

Reptiles have a number of advantages as pets. They're quiet, can have long life spans, require little to no exercise, usually don't need to be fed daily, and their waste is easy to remove. They even have personalities, believe it or not, and form bonds with their people. Many are active and curious, making them interesting to watch as they explore their habitat. Depending on the species, reptiles can be good choices for both children and adults.

What should you think about if you're considering a reptile companion? They need more space than you might realize. Plan to provide a reptile with plenty of room to move around. Some are arboreal, meaning they like to be up high. Species that will grow to be six feet or more, such as iguanas and some snakes, need floor-to-ceiling enclosures. Others need aquatic habitats. For instance, an adult red-eared slider turtle may need an aquarium that holds 55 to 120 gallons or more. All species need a place to hide and a heat source to keep them warm.

Other reptile-care basics include spot-cleaning cages to remove waste and uneaten food. The cage must also be disinfected regularly so your reptile doesn't develop bacterial infections of the skin or digestive tract. Some reptiles carry salmonella bacteria. It's important to always wash your hands -- and make sure your children do, too -- after handling them.

Reptile diet varies by species. Your reptile may eat daily fresh greens, crickets, mealworms or frozen mice that have been thawed. If you're tenderhearted, the good news is that you don't have to feed live prey. In fact, it's best not to because your reptile could be injured by a live mouse or rat defending itself. A reptile may also need vitamin supplements.

Good "beginner" reptiles for children and adults include ball pythons, bearded dragons, corn snakes, and small box turtles or tortoises. Whatever you choose, do your homework to make sure you understand and can meet the animal's needs.

Talk to an accredited expert before acquiring a reptile. That can be a veterinarian who specializes in exotics or a person who does reptile education for a rescue group or other organization.

"Every species has its own special requirements," says certified veterinary technician Johanna Hanlon, practice manager and head nurse at Ani-Care Animal Hospital in Dallastown, Pennsylvania. "There is a lot of misinformation on the Internet, so use sources linked to veterinary professionals and herpetological societies."

She also recommends finding a reptile-savvy veterinarian who can provide the specialized care the animal will need, as well as knowing whether the reptile you're considering is regulated by local, state or federal laws.

Also consider as well whether you can care for a reptile for its lifetime, which in some cases can be 30 years or more. Herpetologist Chad Griffin of CCSB Reptile Rescue and Rehab Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, says the most common reasons reptiles are surrendered to rescue groups are that a student is going to college and parents don't want to care for the animal, the reptile became larger than expected, the expense of caring for the animal became too high, or the person is moving to a place that doesn't permit exotic pets.

If you aren't sure if a particular reptile is right for you, talk to a rescue group or shelter about fostering, Hanlon says. They may be able to provide you with the resources you need to care for the animal without a long-term commitment.

Q&A

Be prepared to treat

insect bites, stings

Q: My dog just got stung by a bee. He didn't have an allergic reaction, but is there anything I can do in the future to relieve the pain? -- via email

A: You were fortunate that your dog didn't have an allergic reaction to the bee sting. That can occur when a dog has been stung previously or receives many stings at once.

Bees, ants, wasps, mosquitoes and spiders can all sting or bite, causing small swollen areas that are painful or itchy. Signs of an allergic reaction include hot and swollen areas at the site of the sting. Your dog may also bite or scratch at the area.

If a bee stings your dog again, first look to see if the stinger is still in the skin. It resembles a small black sac. You can brush it off with a finger, scrape it out with a fingernail or grasp it with tweezers and pull it out.

To soothe the painful area, apply a paste made from water and baking soda. A cold compress can also help to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

Take your dog to the veterinarian right away if you see signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or neck, agitation, drooling, vomiting or difficulty breathing. Dogs can die of anaphylactic shock if they don't receive treatment right away.

A bite from a venomous spider such as a black widow or brown recluse can cause severe pain at the bite site, fever, weakness, and muscle and joint pain. That also calls for a veterinary visit -- pronto -- for a shot of antivenin. Left untreated, venomous spider bites can cause seizures, send a dog into shock or even kill him, so don't delay. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Secondhand smoke

threatens pet health

-- Do you smoke around your pet? You could be threatening his health and even his life. Secondhand smoke can cause malignant lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, and respiratory problems and allergies in both species, according to studies conducted at Tufts University's School of Veterinary Medicine and other colleges, reports Sue Manning for The Associated Press. A 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's report also warns that animals are at risk from secondhand smoke. Other potential side effects include inflammation and pulmonary cancers. E-cigarettes aren't any safer. Pets can be poisoned if they eat the nicotine cartridges.

-- Dogs are trained to sniff out cancer, explosives, drugs and bedbugs, to name just a few of their scenting skills. Add a new target to the list: hidden memory cards, thumb drives and storage drives that contain child pornography. Rhode Island state police have the assistance of golden Labrador Thoreau to search out the contraband, which may be hidden deep inside metal boxes or in such areas as ceiling tiles or radios. Thoreau underwent 22 weeks of training at the Connecticut State Police Training Academy. He participated in his first search in June, which led to an arrest.

-- Veterinarians will soon be able to transport medications they need to anesthetize, manage pain in, or euthanize animals without fear of arrest. The U.S. Senate passed the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act in January, and the House of Representatives followed suit on July 8. Previously, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency had ruled that the Controlled Substances Act barred veterinarians from carrying the drugs when making farm or house calls. Before it finally becomes law, the act must go to the Oval Office for President Obama's signature before the current congressional session ends on Dec. 12. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: Habitat needs for certain reptiles can be larger and more expensive to meet than new owners expect. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Veterinarians who make house or farm calls will soon be able to transport certain medications without fear of arrest. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3