CONDITION PETS GRADUALLY WHEN STARTING A NEW EXERCISE PROGRAM

If you are anything like us, one of your top New Year's resolutions is always to get (or stay) in shape. Most of us vow to eat less and exercise more, especially when we wake up on New Year's Day and realize the results of holiday excesses.

When you commit to an exercise routine, don't leave your pet behind. Our dogs (and cats) need exercise as much as or maybe even more than we do, since they have fewer opportunities to get out and do things.

Walking or running with a dog or taking up a dog sport such as agility is a great way for both of you to burn calories, but be sure you start slow and work up to long distances or greater speeds. Like people, dogs are prone to weekend warrior syndrome -- the aches, pains and injuries that come from being inactive and then overdoing exercise.

The optimal amount of exercise for dogs in terms of frequency, intensity and duration isn't known, but factors to consider when planning an exercise program for them include their size, build, fitness level, manners (do they behave nicely in public or do they need an activity that doesn't bring them in contact with other people or dogs?), and past and current orthopedic health. Taking these things into account can help to determine the best form of exercise for them and minimize the risk of orthopedic injuries.

Whether you and your dog will be walking around the block or taking up a new sport, here are our best tips for getting conditioned and avoiding injury.

-- Talk to your veterinarian about your plans. He or she can advise you about whether your dog is ready for certain activities. For instance, large or giant breeds shouldn't run on hard surfaces until their growth plates close, usually at 10 to 24 months.

-- Choose an activity that's appropriate for your dog. Denis Marcellin-Little, professor of orthopedic surgery at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, says the best way to "break" a greyhound is to engage him in jumping sports. Likewise, it's not a good idea to jog with a French bulldog (even if you could get him to consider the idea in the first place).

-- Preventing injury is critical. Know the types of injuries commonly seen in your dog's breed or body type. Cranial cruciate ligament ruptures are common in couch-potato Labrador retrievers. Herding and agility dogs tend to suffer ligament damage because they change direction frequently. Flat-coated retrievers can be prone to patellar luxation. German shepherds can have spinal problems. Search www.pubmed.org for medical problems affecting specific breeds.

-- Balance is a key factor in conditioning. Your dog (and you) should be able to adjust as needed to changes in direction or ground surfaces. Changing direction, both ways, as you jog or run is a good way to improve balance. So is walking over cavaletti rails (a series of obstacles set at certain heights or distances) or on a trampoline if you have access to one. If you teach your dog tricks or movements such as spinning or figure eights, he should learn to perform them in both directions.

-- Rest is critical. Downtime limits fatigue and prevents injuries from overuse. The body needs rest to repair tissues and replace energy.

-- What about your cat? Give him 10 to 15 minutes of activity a day in three- to five-minute sessions. It's as easy as tossing a small tennis ball down the hall for him to chase, encouraging him to climb his cat tree by placing his food on the top level, or dangling a feather toy to encourage him to jump up or bat at it.

We wish you and your pets a happy, healthy new year.

Q&A

Ear canal removal

drastic but helpful

Q: I was told when I adopted him that my cat had some benign polyps in his ear, but lately he's been scratching at it a lot. It smells bad, and I noticed some discharge, so I took him to the veterinarian. He found a tumor in the ear canal and recommends something called total ear canal ablation. It sounds really drastic. Is this a good idea? -- via email

A: Wow! That is definitely a delicate and complex surgery. Known as total ear canal ablation, or TECA, it involves complete removal of the ear canal. Cats have an L-shaped ear canal, so we can't just go in and use a long instrument to remove the tumor. There's too much risk of missing part of it. It takes some fancy handwork to avoid damaging nerves inside the ear, but the surgery can have real benefits for cats with chronic ear canal infections or tumors such as your cat has.

The first thing the surgeon considers is whether the tumor has spread into the bone of the skull. That makes it a much more difficult situation to deal with. If that's not a problem, though, then the surgeon can remove the ear canal and, if necessary, clean out the middle ear and prescribe antibiotics to treat any infection.

Your cat will still be able to hear after the ear canal is removed, although sounds will be dampened, sort of the same way they are when you wear earplugs. You may also notice that he's happier and more active because he's more comfortable.

A veterinary pathologist will biopsy the tumor to see if it is benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous). Sometimes tumors that appear to be benign turn out to be malignant when a larger sample is submitted. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Inquiring minds:

2014's top pet questions

-- Got questions about your pets? Whatever they may be, chances are you turned to Google for answers. The search engine released a list of the top questions asked last year about dogs and cats. Here's what you wanted to know: Why do dogs eat grass? Do dogs dream? Why do dogs howl? Why do dogs have whiskers? Why do dogs chase their tails? How to clean dogs' ears? Why are dogs' noses wet? How to stop dogs from digging? How to introduce dogs? Why do dogs bury bones? Why do cats purr? How long do cats live? Why do cats knead? Why do cats sleep so much? Why do cats have whiskers? What does catnip do to cats? Why do cats hate water? Why do cats eat grass? Why do cats like boxes? What is a group of cats called?

-- The pharaoh hound has a sense of humor, and anyone who lives with this breed needs one as well. He'll steal your stuff and play tricks on you, all while making you laugh at his antics. The blushing breed -- he turns bright pink when he's happy or excited -- was not a companion to pharaohs, despite his name, but was probably developed on the island of Malta in the 17th century.

-- Legislation signed in New York last month by Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlaws Goth cats and tattooed Pekes. The new law, which goes into effect in April, prohibits tattooing or piercing pets, which Cuomo called "animal abuse, pure and simple." The bill was introduced in the wake of pet owners who performed the painful practices on their animals and posted pictures of them on social media or advertised them for sale. The law applies to dogs, cats and other pets, and carries punishments of up to $250 and up to 15 days jail time. Exemptions include tattoos for identification purposes and ear tags for rabbits. -- 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: For dogs and people, fitness requires strength, endurance, flexibility and good cardiovascular function. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: A group of cats is called a clowder, cluster, clutter or glaring, but multiple kittens are a kindle. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

10 New Products -- And A Bonus Item -- To Improve Your Life With Your Dogs And Cats

The multibillion-dollar pet industry keeps coming up with ways to make our lives with animals better. Some are toys, some are veterinary products, some are home and pet-care items. I see them throughout the year as I travel to trade shows and veterinary conferences, and I try them out myself when possible or get my colleagues' input. Here are 11 new products that I think are winners.

-- KittyKaddy Double Diner and Torus Ceramic Diner. As I age -- I just turned 60 and feel stiffer -- it becomes harder to bend over. That's when devices like this, which let you fill and clean pet food and water bowls without bending over, catch your eye. A long, detachable handle allows you to pick up the bowls easily.

-- Zen Clipper. Most nail clippers either crush part of the nail when cutting or make it too easy to cut too close and hit a blood vessel or nerve. Ouch! The Zen Clipper slices the nail 360 degrees at once while preventing you from trimming too much.

-- Tidy Cats LightWeight. Do you feel like you get a workout every time you pick up a container of cat litter? The folks who originated cat litter 50 years ago have developed a new litter that is lighter and more absorbent. Now my 89-year-old mother-in-law, Valdie, feels like Popeye as she carries a jug in each hand.

-- Muffin's Halo. I have a blind 14-year-old golden retriever, Shakira, who looks a little funny running around Almost Heaven Ranch in angel wings and a halo, but the halo protects her face and eyes the same way a face guard does on a football helmet. Now I don't have to worry that she'll hurt herself running into things.

-- Ultra Fel-O-Vax. Cats are small and vaccine volumes seem big, especially as they're being injected. Ultra Fel-O-Vax has only half the volume of normal vaccines, making for a more comfortable vaccine experience. That's what I call state-of-the-art technology with state-of-the-heart comfort.

-- Galaxy Wands. Older cats seem to become kittens again when they play with these wands that mimic the movements of prey. I like the collapsible handles, which make storage easy -- assuming your cat lets you put it away.

-- Ultra Duramune and Bronchi-Shield Oral. These vaccines for dogs improve comfort level in two ways. Ultra Duramune has only half the volume of normal vaccines, so the injection doesn't last as long, and Bronchi-Shield Oral slides down the throat, preventing the gagging that often occurs during intranasal canine cough vaccines.

-- Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Mazee. Talk about a brainteaser! This twist on a puzzle toy engages a dog's senses of sight, hearing and smell as he works to release the treats inside.

-- Apoquel. There's almost nothing worse than an itchy dog. This anti-itch medication is so powerful that the misery some dogs have endured for years is gone after the first dose. (Tip: Always read the label with your veterinarian to make sure a particular medication is appropriate for your dog.)

-- Chuckit! Max Glow Kick Fetch. Nobody wants to come in from playing just because it's dark, and that includes dogs. This ball not only glows in the dark, it has a special grooved design that makes it easy to pick up. Play on!

-- Bissell PowerGlide Pet Vacuum. Everybody needs a vacuum cleaner, but this one has special features for pet owners: It picks up more dirt and hair, swivels around your furniture (where pet hair often collects), and has a filtration system to help reduce allergens. Plus $10 from each purchase ($20 in December) goes to the Bissell Pet Foundation to help homeless pets. That's a win-win.

Q&A

Bite prevention basics

keep everyone safe

Q: I have a tiny dog who goes everywhere with me. People always want to pick him up and hold him. He likes attention, but I'm always worried that he might bite if he is startled or accidentally handled roughly. Do you have any tips on how I should respond when people ask to hold him? -- via email

A: We understand. We all have at least one small dog, so we know how irresistible they can be to others. It's OK to let people admire and pet your dog, and you can take the opportunity to let them know the best ways to handle dogs. This is an especially good lesson for kids; they'll soak it up and share it with their friends. Here are some tips to help make sure everyone stays safe:

-- Give him space. Ask people not to get in your dog's face. Explain that dogs are uncomfortable when their space is invaded that way. When people want to kiss or hug your dog, have them scratch him on the chest, behind the ears or beneath the chin instead.

-- Pickup lines. Most dogs aren't crazy about being picked up and held by strangers. They'll squirm to get free or look away from the person in the vain hope that she'll disappear. Suggest that the person pet the dog while you hold him. If a young child wants to hold the dog, have the child sit on the ground or on a sofa with the dog next to him. That way you don't have to worry that he'll drop your dog or hold him incorrectly.

-- Treat tip. When people want to give your dog a treat, first make sure it's something you approve, and then ask them to offer it with their palm up and flat. Your dog is less likely to nip any fingers that way. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Famous Janus cat

passes at age 15

-- Frank and Louie had two faces but only nine lives, and he lost his last one on Dec. 4, reports Kim Ring for the Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, Massachusetts. The unusual cat, owned by Martha Stevens, held a Guinness World Record for being the oldest of his kind. Most Janus cats -- so-called after the two-headed Roman god of beginnings and passages -- die shortly after birth, but Stevens tube-fed him until he learned to eat on his own. Frank and Louie had two noses, two mouths and two functioning eyes, plus a blind center eye, but only one brain.

-- Is your dog overweight? He might not have the right bacteria in his gut. A report published in November in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that the beagles in the study who gained weight had less diversity of bacteria in their guts than the dogs who ate restricted amounts of food to maintain optimal body condition. The lean dogs also had different types of microbes. It may be that too much of certain types of bacteria can lead to body chemistry changes that cause obesity, but more research is necessary before that can be confirmed.

-- Maine coon cats, despite their name, aren't the result of a fling between a cat and a raccoon. American originals, they were developed in New England as all-purpose farm cats and companions. The winner of the first cat show held in the United States was a Maine coon named Cosey, an apt name for these large, fluffy cats with easygoing dispositions. Maine coons are best known for their striking tabby coats, but they also come in many other colors and patterns. Not surprisingly, they are the official state cat of Maine. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

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: These products help pets and their people live better. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: The sturdy Maine coon is dressed for cold weather with a neck ruff, "britches" on his legs, tufted feet and a big, bushy tail. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

USE DIPLOMACY AND COMMON SENSE TO MODERATE PET DISPUTES

The idea that pets fight like, well, cats and dogs, is a popular one, but it's not always grounded in reality. We've known plenty of pets who had interspecies friendships, sharing a bed or sofa, grooming each other and playing together. Even when animals aren't best buds, they often coexist comfortably, tolerating each other's presence with little fuss.

But conflict can bubble up any time people live with more than one animal of any species. Maybe one is old and grouchy, while the other is a young whippersnapper. Or, one is bossy and the other is too mild-mannered to stand up for herself. Whatever the case, the secret to helping them get along is to understand their behavioral differences and work to meet the needs of each of them. Here we take a look at four situations that can cause problems, with tips to help all of you live in harmony. In most cases, the secrets to conflict resolution call for good management of resources and space, training, behavior modification or separation.

-- Food fight! Your cat's got no interest in your dog's food, but the dog growls every time the cat walks by his bowl. When it comes to meals, dogs don't like to share, and your cat's mere presence may be enough to set off his guarding reflex. Take the simple route to solve the problem: Feed them separately. That's a good rule of paw any time you have multiple animals. It's stressful for our domesticated predators to eat in the presence of another animal, even if normally they get along. Feed each animal in a separate room or in their crates, ideally placed so they can't see each other eating.

-- A not-so-merry chase. Dogs like to chase moving objects. Cats run when they see danger (i.e., dogs). It's tough to extinguish such an instinctive behavior in dogs, but a couple of techniques can help to minimize the problem. Work with a trainer to improve your dog's recall (come when called), even in the face of a fun distraction, such as a running cat. Give him a great reward so he thinks coming to you is better than chasing the cat. Be sure your cat has a place he can escape to, such as under the sofa or up a cat tree. The best solution, when you can do it, is to bring up a puppy with a cat so he learns respect from an early age.

-- Whose is it? Whether we're talking beds, toys or other high-value objects, one pet may lay claim to an item the other wants. The easiest solution is to purchase duplicates, so there's one for everybody. You should also teach the "give it" or "drop it" command so you can remove the bone of contention and put it away when pets fight over it. With resources such as your time and attention, try to do fun things at the same time with each pet. Take dogs on walks together, pet animals at the same time and give treats at the same time.

-- Battle of the bed. Who gets to share your sleeping quarters when a new pet moves in? An animal who is used to sharing your bed with you may not be willing to share space with a newcomer as well. And it can get crowded with more than one pet on the bed, even if they're small. Your original pet should take precedence, but a better solution may be to give all the animals their own beds and reclaim yours for your sole use. You might even find that you sleep better.

Q&A

Hack attack? How to

deal with hairballs

Q: My Maine coon seems to be throwing up more hairballs than usual. What causes hairballs, and what can I do so my cat doesn't have so many of them? -- via Facebook

A: We hear you. There's nothing worse than stepping on a regurgitated wad of hair and vomit when you've just woken up.

When cats groom themselves, some of the hair that's removed by their tongue goes down the hatch. Normally, the hair is passed in the feces, but occasionally some hair remains, causing an upset stomach. That's when you hear that awful hacking, gagging sound that presages the delivery of a wet tube of hair. Not surprisingly, hairballs tend to be more common in longhaired cats like your Maine coon, but any cat can have them.

There are several steps you can take to try to reduce the incidence of hairballs in your cat. The first is to help him out with his grooming. Comb or brush him daily to help remove excess fur. When you finish brushing or combing the cat, wipe his coat with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining fine loose hairs that your cat might otherwise swallow.

Make sure your cat stays hydrated. Feed canned food, which is high in moisture, and provide a pet fountain to encourage him to drink more water. Hydration helps to improve his gastrointestinal motility, which in turn increases the likelihood that hair will move normally out of the stomach and intestines.

Give a daily hairball remedy -- many cats enjoy the malt flavor. You can also find treats and cat foods that contain fiber to help move hair through the digestive tract.

If these tips don't help, your cat needs a full workup from the veterinarian. He may have inflammatory bowel disease, internal parasites, asthma, pancreatitis or some other serious problem. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

English setter

could set a record

-- English setter Shadow Oak Bo has already made history -- twice. In 2013, he became the first setter in 43 years to win the National Championship for Bird Dogs at Ames Plantation in Tennessee, which is dominated by pointers. He pulled a repeat this year, becoming the first setter to win back-to-back titles since a dog named Sioux in 1901 and 1902. Will there be a three-peat? If his owners run him in the 2015 competition in February, he has a chance to become the first dog ever to win three consecutive championships.

-- It's that time of year, when homes are filled with beautiful but toxic holiday plants. Lilies, amaryllis, cyclamen, Jerusalem cherry, mistletoe and yew (often used in wreaths) can all be poisonous to cats and dogs. Signs of poisoning include decreased heart rate, seizures, drooling, tremors, loss of appetite, severe stomach upset, weakness, difficulty breathing and potentially fatal kidney failure. If you catch your pet nibbling on one of these plants or anything else that might be toxic, call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline such as ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). Both charge a fee for consultation.

-- A new treatment may help the up to 500,000 cats annually who suffer from feline idiopathic cystitis -- a chronic urinary blockage of unknown cause. Cats with the condition may have a defective layer of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) lining their urinary bladder. A pilot study of a drug called A-CYST, placed directly into the bladder via a catheter, showed promising results, according to the Winn Feline Foundation. A-CYST, itself a GAG, helps to restore the lining of the bladder wall. In the randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, three of seven placebo-treated cats suffered a repeat obstruction, but the nine cats who received A-CYST did not. -- 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: Pets can get along and provide company for each other when their needs and differences are understood. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Cats with feline idiopathic cystitis urinate frequently, may urinate outside the litter box, and often strain to urinate. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3