Three useful behaviors to teach your cat

We know what you're thinking: Cats can't learn tricks.

Not so. Cats are highly intelligent and many of them are amenable to learning tricks -- or, as cats would put it, teaching you to give them treats.

But why train a cat? Doesn't that take away from their inherent "cattitude"?

We like to think of it more as enhancing their lives. Cats are smart and active, and training provides them with mental stimulation as well as a physical workout. It helps you and your cat learn to communicate more skillfully, adding a new dimension to your relationship. And it's just plain fun.

Kittens pick up tricks more quickly because their brains are more elastic, but cats of any age can learn new behaviors. All you need is a clicker, some aromatic treats your cat can gulp down quickly, good timing and a little patience. Here are three easy tricks to teach your feline Einstein.

-- Sit. This is a great trick to teach cats who have a habit of jumping on guests' laps uninvited or chasing people and attacking their legs. It's also the foundation for teaching stay, sit up and wave.

Start by holding a treat just above your cat's head. As his nose goes up to sniff it, his rear automatically goes down into a sit position. The instant he sits, click and give a treat. Click and treat any time you see your cat sitting, whether you've asked him to or not. As you do so, give a name to the action -- "Sit" -- and praise him for it -- "Good sit!"

Once he learns to sit on cue (cats don't respond to commands, you know), you can have your cat sit as an alternative to things he might do that annoy you. For instance, if your cat likes to sprawl across your desk while you're working, make it rewarding instead for him to sit at your feet or on a chair next to you.

-- Come. This may be the easiest trick to teach, believe it or not. Every time you set down your cat's food bowl, make an easily repeatable sound: ring a bell, jingle your keys or whistle a tune (don't use the clicker for this trick). Your cat will quickly associate that sound with mealtime and respond instantly to it.

Learning to come when called can save a cat's life. If you need to evacuate your home because of a fire or other emergency, it saves valuable time if your cat comes when called.

Sound advice: Always reward your cat when he comes to you, and never call him and then do something he doesn't like, such as giving him a pill or taking him to the veterinarian.

-- Touching a target. This is useful because it can help you direct your cat to certain areas.

Use a target such as a pencil with a large eraser on the end or a narrow bird perch. Put a small amount of wet food on the end of the target and show it to your cat, holding it just far enough away that he has to reach forward to get the food. As soon as he touches the target with his nose, click and give him a treat. Gradually extend the distance the cat must come before touching the target.

Once your cat will touch a target, you can use it to teach him to spin in a circle, jump through a hoop or go to a specific place.

-- Tip for success. Keep training sessions short, no more than two or three minutes at a time, since cats have short attention spans.

Q&A

Low platelet counts

are big trouble for dogs

Q: My dog's stool is black, and I noticed when I was grooming him that his body was covered in bruises (he's white, so it's easy to see his skin). My veterinarian did bloodwork right away and says it's something called thrombocytopenia. What can you tell me about this condition? -- via email

A: Thrombocytopenia is what we call it when the body has an abnormally low number of blood platelets (thrombocytes). Normal platelet counts are 180,000 to 200,000. Anytime platelet counts are less than 40,000, spontaneous bleeding can occur in the gastrointestinal tract (which is why you saw black stools and bruising on the body) or in the urinary tract, brain or lungs. It's a good thing you took your dog to the veterinarian right away because internal bleeding can cause dogs to die quickly if they don't receive a blood transfusion.

To figure out the cause of the low platelet count, veterinarians do what's called a differential diagnosis -- you probably heard this term if you were a fan of the television show "House MD." It's a process of elimination that might involve an abdominal ultrasound and chest X-rays to rule out cancer, a test for common tick-borne diseases in your area and a blood chemistry panel.

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is the destruction of the platelets by the dog's own immune system. We don't necessarily know why this happens, but this life-threatening condition can usually be treated.

Dogs with this condition are hospitalized in the intensive care unit and receive corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs to stop the body from attacking itself, and drugs to stimulate the bone marrow to release immature platelets more quickly than normal. In a best-case scenario, dogs usually respond to treatment within three to five days. The condition can be managed, but not cured. Dogs need lifetime medication to control the disease. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

To save cats' lives,

knock on hood

-- Mr. Biscuits, a cat in East Falls, Pennsylvania, nearly died after crawling into a car engine to get warm. The driver was unaware of his presence until he arrived at his destination and discovered the cat, who was severely burned over at least a quarter of his body. Mr. Biscuits, who earned his name by kneading his paws as the veterinarian cared for him, is facing surgery and skin grafts, but he survived, unlike many cats in similar situations. To prevent such accidents, especially with winter coming on, thump your hood a few times or honk your horn before starting the car to dislodge any feline trespassers.

-- If you see a dog who resembles a retriever with a curly coat, don't assume he's a Labradoodle. He may be an unusual breed called a curly-coated retriever. The curly, as he's nicknamed, was developed in the 18th century and is one of the oldest of the retrieving breeds. Bred to hunt pheasant, quail and grouse and retrieve waterfowl, the curly is a wickedly smart independent thinker. His coat has small, tight, crisp curls. (Don't blow-dry it unless you want him to look like a Chia Pet.) The coat sheds a little year-round, with a heavier shed twice a year.

-- Researchers at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Starkville are studying the influence of blood platelets on cancer and healing. The MSU researchers are the first to characterize the full complement of proteins that make up the canine platelet proteome. By knowing what a normal, healthy platelet contains, they can compare it to platelets from patients with cancer to identify which proteins might play a role in cancer metastasis, says associate professor Kari Lunsford. Changes in platelet proteins may one day be used as a simple blood test for early detection of cancer or cancer metastasis in humans and dogs. -- 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 CREDIT

Caption 01: The easiest way to teach a trick is to "capture" a behavior a cat does normally by rewarding him whenever he does it. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: The curly-coated retriever is described as a busy, challenging breed, but with the right person or family, he is a smart and funny companion. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2

EIGHT REASONS TO CONSIDER A SENIOR PET

By Kim Campbell Thornton

She flies down the hall to greet me, mouth open in a toothless grin. She chivvies our other dogs out of the way when treats are on offer, no matter that they are two and three times her size. She rocks nose-work class. If it weren't for the gray on her tiny pointed muzzle and the almost complete lack of teeth, you would be forgiven for thinking she's a much younger dog.

When we adopted Gemma almost two years ago, the shelter estimated that she was 12 or 13 years old. Even if they were off by a year or two, that means she's now at least 13 or 14. You couldn't tell it by me. She has a heart murmur that's being monitored by our veterinary cardiologist, but otherwise she's in good shape, based on her latest lab work. Her teeth were rotten when she was pulled from the shelter, but the rescue group that took her in paid to have them removed, all but the two lower fangs. It doesn't slow down the rate at which she scarfs her food.

What possessed us to adopt a dog who, I must admit, was less than attractive at first glance, not to mention up there in years? As far as I'm concerned, we would have been crazy not to. Gemma embodies all of the rewards of adopting a senior dog or cat. Adopting a golden oldie has more benefits than you might realize:

-- They are a known quantity. You know their personality and that they're not going to get any bigger.

-- They are restful. If you want a pet to hang out with you while you watch TV or read, a senior is the way to go.

-- They aren't necessarily inactive. Gemma is the only dog I've ever had -- including the retired racing Greyhound -- who takes me running, at least for the first five minutes of our walk.

-- They are usually housetrained. They've lived in a home and they know the drill, whether it's going outdoors to potty or using a litter box. Every once in a while you meet one who isn't, but older dogs can learn just as quickly as youngsters if you take them out consistently, keep them on a schedule, and don't give them the opportunity to make mistakes. For older cats, simply putting a litter box in an accessible place and keeping it clean usually does the trick.

-- They are wise in the ways of the world. Older animals are observant and they know how to learn, either by watching other animals in the family or from picking up on your cues. Watching them and seeing what they know and how they apply it to their new life is fascinating. (Gemma clearly came from a home where burrowing under the covers at bedtime was a regular occurrence.)

-- They come with a senior discount. Many shelters reduce or waive the adoption fees for older pets. An "older" pet may be one as young as 3 years old. Some veterinarians may offer reduced exam rates for adopted seniors.

-- They give us the opportunity to save a life. Older animals face a lot of rejection for no good reason. They often fit easily into a home because they are already experienced at living with other animals and people. And they can have more good years left than you might think.

-- They give us the gift of their love and joy. Some people say that older dogs are grateful because they know you gave them a second chance. Maybe that's true. All I know is that Gemma makes me laugh every day. That's priceless.

Q&A

Cat's tongue-lashing

causes bare spots

Q: I know cats are good at grooming themselves, but my cat is taking it to extremes. He's licking himself so hard that he has some bare patches. What could be the problem? -- via email

A: We call these cats fur mowers. The short answer is that your cat may be licking himself bald because he's itchy, in pain or upset about something. Itching and pain can occur for many different reasons in cats, so you and your veterinarian will need to do some detective work to narrow down the cause.

Start with a medical history and exam. The area or areas where your cat is licking may offer clues. For instance, if he's licking at the base of his tail, he may have infected anal glands. If he's licking at a joint, it may be a signal that he's developing arthritis.

For the medical history, your veterinarian will want to know what food and treats you give the cat, what grooming products you use, whether you give him any medications or supplements, any changes in his routine or in the products you use in the home, and so on. This information may help differentiate between an allergy and a behavior problem. He may be anxious about something going on in his environment, such as a conflict with another pet, or a change in the home, such as a new spouse or baby.

During the physical exam, your veterinarian will check the entire body for obvious causes, such as fleas or other external parasites, as well as swelling or signs of pain. It may be necessary to order lab tests to check for diseases such as hyperthyroidism, which can cause excessive licking. Skin scrapings or fungal cultures can also help to identify itchy skin problems.

Once the cause is identified, your veterinarian can prescribe an appropriate treatment. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

You don't mess

around with them

-- A man who jumped the fence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue last month and ran toward the White House made it only about 20 yards before he was taken down by Secret Service K-9s Hurricane and Jordan and their handlers. The man kicked and punched the dogs, but the two Belgian Malinois prevailed with bites to the suspect's arms, back, chest and knee. In addition to misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and unlawful entry, the man faces two felony counts of wounding a law-enforcement animal. Hurricane and Jordan sustained minor bruising and were cleared by a veterinarian to return to duty.

-- No, this cat didn't stick his claws into an electrical outlet. He's a Selkirk rex, a curly coated breed with an easygoing nature. The Selkirk, named after Montana's Selkirk Mountains, is an example of a cat breed developed when someone found and took an interest in a cat with a natural genetic mutation -- one for a curly coat. The first known cat with the mutation was born in 1987 to a feral cat in Montana. She was found to carry a "rex" gene, which causes hair follicles to become oval instead of round, producing hair that curls instead of growing straight.

-- Pet-friendly policies in the workplace improve morale and productivity, reduce stress, and even improve employee health and working relationships. Those are the findings of several studies on the subject, according to an article by Lisa Evans in Fast Company. Office dogs facilitate conversations between employees, leading to more trust between them, and give employees an incentive to get up and take a walk, which has health and creativity benefits. People who bring dogs to work also have lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Office dogs even have marketing benefits, because consumers appreciate their presence. -- 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 CREDIT

Caption 01: Her happy nature helped Gemma quickly charm her way into a new family. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Playful with a bit of a silly streak, the Selkirk rex is an outgoing cat who loves a lap and is smart enough to learn to open doors and drawers to get what he wants. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2

The fitness revolution has gone to the dogs as activity trackers monitor your dog's every step

By Kim Campbell Thornton

I've been wearing an activity tracker for the past six weeks, and it's a good incentive to get up and move a little more so I can make my goal of 10,000 steps per day. But what about my dogs? Are they getting their recommended daily dose of exercise?

You probably won't be surprised to learn that wearable activity monitors are available for pets -- they drew a lot of attention at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas last February -- but how do they work, and how accurate and useful are they?

The tiny accelerometers contain a sensor that detects movement in all directions. Some units contain GPS capabilities that provide specific information on geographic location and distance traveled. They may also monitor heart and respiratory rates.

The benefit for pets -- primarily dogs -- is the ability to monitor how active they are every day. A lot of us probably think our dogs spend time running around in the yard chasing squirrels while we're gone, but that's not necessarily the case. Those of us who work at home know that our dogs tend to snooze the day away, getting up only when we go to the kitchen or call them to go out for a walk. Putting an activity tracker on your pet can be a wake-up call, alerting you that perhaps he's not quite as active as you imagined.

While the monitors are good at detecting movement, they can't always differentiate between types of movement. For instance, a dog who sniffs the ground vigorously while lying down moves his head enough to register activity on the tracker, but that doesn't qualify as exercise. And a dog who scratches all day will rack up minutes of activity, but that's also not true exercise.

Some measurements may not be as accurate for some movements, says internal medicine specialist Bess J. Pierce, director of the Center for Animal-Human Relationships at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.

"For example, in one study, there was no significant difference between trackers in all test dogs for trotting and walking, but the measurements became more variable when dogs were trotting up and down stairs."

An activity tracker can't assess overall fitness, but it can be useful for determining how many minutes per day your pet is active and the distance he logs, whether he's running around in the yard, walking with you on leash or hiking off leash with the opportunity to run back and forth. Most trackers allow you to monitor activity trends over time and keep logs or diaries of downloaded data. An app can allow you to compare his activity level to other dogs of a similar age, breed or size.

And they're not just for young, active dogs.

"These monitors may be especially useful in geriatric dogs," Dr. Pierce says. "For example, if an older dog is arthritic and has a sudden decrease in activity level, then it may be associated with an acute flare-up of joint pain."

Other uses include helping veterinarians follow a pet's weight-loss progress or tracking scratching activity in dogs with allergies who are very itchy. A sudden decrease in activity could also signal a medical problem.

If you're thinking of getting a canine activity monitor, choose one that's pet-specific. Simply attaching your own device to his collar won't yield accurate results.

"As long as a tracker is used within its limits, the information provided can be accurate and useful in monitoring your pet's activity," Dr. Pierce says. "Plus, it's just plain fun to see what your pet has been up to during the day."

Q&A

What we know about

Ebola virus and dogs

Q: The media are reporting that dogs are carriers of Ebola but show no symptoms. What can you tell us about it? -- via Facebook

A: We are still learning about how the Ebola virus affects dogs, and whether or how the virus could be transmitted between dogs and people. And the information we do have could change as we learn more. Here's what we know now, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-- We know that dogs in Africa have become infected with the Ebola virus, usually from feeding off the bodies of animals that may have died from the disease, but dogs don't appear to develop the disease.

-- We have no evidence that infected dogs are able to spread Ebola to people or other animals.

-- The risk to pets in the United States is low. They would have to come in contact with blood and bodily fluids of a person with Ebola. Currently, only eight people in the United States have been diagnosed with Ebola. Three have recovered, four are undergoing treatment and one has died.

-- There is no need to test dogs or cats for Ebola if the animals have not been exposed to blood or bodily fluids of a person showing symptoms of the disease. Routine testing for Ebola is not available for pets.

-- The Centers for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association are developing guidelines to manage dogs exposed to people infected with the Ebola virus. A case in point is Bentley, the cavalier King Charles spaniel who belongs to a nurse who contracted the disease. He is currently quarantined and under the care of veterinarians at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, and has so far tested negative for Ebola.

By the time this is published, Bentley's quarantine period will likely be over and we may know more about the potential risk to pets and whether quarantining them should be a part of helping to manage the disease. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dog overcomes torment,

becomes therapy dog

-- A therapy dog named Susie was named 2014 American Hero Dog at the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards on Oct. 30. The pit bull mix from High Point, North Carolina, survived a savage beating and burning by her owner, who left her for dead. She was rescued and nursed back to health at a local shelter. In a tear-worthy twist, Susie was adopted by Donna Lawrence, the victim of a dog attack that nearly killed her. Together, the two helped each other heal and helped bring about passage of the state's "Susie's Law," which sets harsher penalties for people convicted of animal abuse.

-- When your pet undergoes surgery, is he properly hydrated? A recent study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research confirmed the importance of giving IV fluids to pets during even minor surgical procedures to help maintain blood pressure and compensate for fluid loss. Deborah Silverstein, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, found that increasing the amount of fluid delivered to the animal enhanced the total number of small vessels -- arterioles, venules and capillaries -- receiving blood flow. The American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners recommend IV drips during any surgery.

-- When 76-year-old Judy Muhe of Palmdale, Florida, fell and injured herself, the situation was dire. She was unable to get up on her own, and no one knew of her predicament -- except for her two golden retrievers, Higgins and Dodger. For two days, they snuggled next to her, helping her to stay warm. When a friend, concerned that Muhe wasn't answering the phone, entered the house to check on her, the dogs ran to her and then ran back to Muhe. Thanks to their care, Muhe survived. -- 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 CREDIT

Caption 01: If you are concerned about your dog's activity level or just wonder what he does all day, an activity monitor may give you clues. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Susie overcame a traumatic ordeal and now spreads hope and cheer to people in hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Credit: Angie Smith