Are turtles good pets? They can be, but they require special care and handling

By Kim Campbell Thornton

With their dark-green shells, green legs with yellow stripes and green heads with a red stripe behind the eye, red-eared sliders are popular pets for kids whose parents may not want to commit to a dog or cat and people interested in reptiles. Problem is, not everyone who gets them realizes that they need a large aquatic environment to thrive. They can also spread salmonella, especially to children, who aren't always careful about washing their hands after handling the shelled reptiles. Here's what you need to know about getting and living with one.

-- Turtles are interesting pets and can have different personalities, but as companions, they are more like fish than dogs. Be sure you or your child have a true interest in them before acquiring one. To learn about them, talk to a veterinarian who is familiar with reptiles or to a turtle rescue organization (an Internet search will turn up many).

-- Tiny turtles are illegal. The sale of turtles with a carapace -- the top of the shell -- smaller than four inches was banned in 1975 because the turtles shed salmonella bacteria. That's a problem when you think about the likelihood of young kids becoming infected after touching the turtles and then putting their fingers -- or even the turtles themselves -- into their mouths. You may see tiny turtles for sale at pet stores, flea markets, swap meets or even online, but always choose one that is legal size or larger.

-- Wait to get a turtle until your child is at least 5 years old. Young children are more susceptible to infection.

-- Turtles need an adequate water habitat. A real or artificial pond is best. You can start them out in a large indoor aquarium, but they need more space as they grow older and bigger.

"They need a place to get out of the water so they can get some sun and completely dry off if they want to, and they need deep enough water so they can swim around," says Scott H. Weldy, DVM, an exotic animal veterinarian at Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital in Lake Forest, California.

The pond or aquarium must have good filtration so waste products don't build up and make the turtle sick.

-- Females lay eggs with or without the presence of a male. They need to be able to get out of the water and go to an area with dirt or sand where they can dig a hole, lay the eggs and bury them to keep them safe from predators.

-- Unless they live indoors, turtles hibernate in winter. They burrow into the bottom of the pond and wait for spring.

-- Turtles eat a variety of foods. Water hyacinths and elodia are common water plants for ornamental ponds, and turtles are fond of them. They are carnivores, so they also eat worms, fish and crawfish. Avoid keeping your turtle in the same pond with your $300 koi, or you may find that his fins have been nipped or even that he has been eaten if he's on the small side. Commercial pellets are available, but Dr. Weldy recommends feeding a more natural diet and not relying solely on pellets.

-- Use common sense when handling turtles, and teach children how to handle them safely. Salmonella bacteria can live on surfaces for days, so even indirect contact can spread disease. The golden rule? Wash your hands before and after handling your turtle, after cleaning his tank or pond and after feeding him, and keep turtles away from areas where food is prepared.

Q&A

Managing a cat's

recurring UTIs

Q: My cat gets bladder infections all the time, and it's driving us both crazy. Help! -- via Facebook

A: Lower urinary tract infections are common in cats, and they can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Possible causes include inflammation, structural defects of the urinary tract and environmental stress.

A complete workup can help determine the best way to proceed. That includes a urinalysis and culture to check for the presence of bacteria, and X-rays to screen for bladder stones. If your cat is a senior with recurring bladder infections, a complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry profile can also be useful diagnostics.

When a cat has recurring cystitis not caused by an obstruction such as a bladder stone and not associated with bacterial infection, medications that may help are those that minimize inflammation and relieve pain, and relax or smooth out the muscle of the urinary tract to relieve frequent or painful urination. Nutraceuticals such as glycosaminoglycans or glucosamine and chondroitin may help as well.

It's also important for your cat to get plenty of water. He may be intrigued by a fountain that provides running water. Feeding canned food is another excellent way to get extra water into your cat. Your veterinarian may recommend a specific diet to help reduce inflammation.

Make environmental changes to reduce stress. Try adding a tall cat tree or window perch for outdoor viewing, build a "catio" so he can get some outdoor time, provide him with puzzle toys that will challenge his mind, and keep his litter box super clean. Give him his food and playtime on a regular schedule so he has something to look forward to. And make sure he's not having conflicts with other pets in the home. If this is a problem, antianxiety medications such as clomipramine may help.

Other strategies may be helpful for individual cats. It can't hurt to try pheromone sprays or diffusers in the home to reduce anxiety, or complementary therapies such as acupuncture provided by a veterinarian with training in that field. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dog comforts mourners

at funeral home

-- Lulu the Labradoodle has an unusual but important job. She works at Ballard-Durand Funeral Home in White Plains, New York, bringing comfort to mourners. Wearing a vest that identifies her as a therapy dog, she's available for petting or as a comforting presence to people who have lost a loved one. The funeral home already had an aviary. After seeing the sense of calm the presence of a dog brought to frustrated airport travelers, owner Matthew Fiorillo decided a dog might bring peace at a funeral home as well. He credits Lulu with an "uncanny knack" for spotting people who need her, AP reports.

-- Can you check out a cat at your office? You can if you work at Dona Ana County Government Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In cahoots with the Animal Service Center of Mesilla Valley, the county office set up a cat habitat. Adoptable cats lounge in the Kitty Kondo, as it's called, and employees can borrow them for an hour or so to hang out at their desks. The socialization benefits the cats, and so far more than 100 have been adopted. No word on whether fines are levied if cats are returned late.

-- In case you've been wondering, here are some ways you and your office mates can celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day on June 26: raise awareness about health benefits of pets; hold a fundraiser and donate proceeds to a local shelter or rescue group; have a dog and owner lookalike contest; host a canine adopt-a-thon and bring in some shelter dogs to meet people; post adoptable pets on your company's website or social media sites; bring in one or more pet professionals to speak at your workplace; have a hotdog lunch for employees, with bone-shaped biscuits for their canine co-workers. -- 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: With good care, red-eared sliders can live for 50 to 70 years and can grow to be 10 to 12 inches long. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Take Your Dog to Work Day, created by Pet Sitters International in 1999, is a way for businesses to support pets in the community. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

Let your small terrier or dachshund test his natural abilities at an Earthdog event

By Kim Campbell Thornton

If you live with a terrier, you know that these dogs love to dig and live to hunt. Those behaviors are strongly developed instincts in these little dogs who were developed to find, dig out and kill rats, moles, gophers and other vermin. Their name comes from the Latin word "terra," meaning earth.

A terrier's love of digging can be frustrating to lawn- and garden-proud owners, but you can channel your dog's natural desire to carry out underground search-and-destroy missions with a sport called Earthdog, offered by the American Kennel Club, which allows him to exercise his instincts in a fun and constructive way.

To get started in Earthdog tests, you can practice at home in your own backyard or a nearby park. Help your dog find the scent of a rabbit or squirrel by showing him where one has just run into the bushes and let him do some sniffing and following. This gives him the idea that his job is to scent out quarry and that the two of you are a team.

Use cardboard boxes to make a tunnel. Throw a favorite toy or ball inside to encourage your dog to enter it. Once he has the hang of that, lay a trail through it for him to follow.

Make the scent with used bedding from the rat or rodent cages at a local pet store. (Ask them to save some for you when they clean the cages.) Soak the bedding in water, strain the liquid and use it to lay the trail.

A simpler route, if available in your area, is to sign up for the Introduction to Quarry class at the next AKC Earthdog event. This basic instinct test is enough to get many dogs started.

If you want to see if your dog can earn a title, sign him up for an Earthdog test. The tests, held at different levels, measure a dog's natural aptitude at hunting underground as well as hunting skills or behaviors he has learned. They are noncompetitive, meaning your dog isn't out to beat any other terriers, but simply to show his skills.

All small terriers and any varieties of dachshund can compete. Dogs must be six months or older to participate in a test, but they can begin training earlier.

The beginner level, called Introduction to Quarry, has a 10-foot tunnel with one right-angle turn. At the end is a cage of rats. (Never fear: The rats are kept safely away from the dogs and are not harmed.) The dog is encouraged to follow a scent trail to the rats and to "work" them by barking or scratching at the area where they're located. This basic introduction to "den work and quarry" requires the dog to show that he's willing and able to seek and find his quarry (the rats) underground.

Once he passes the Introduction to Quarry test, a dog can begin earning titles, starting with Junior Earthdog and moving on to Senior and Master levels. As he works his way up the title ladder, the tests become more difficult, with longer distances, distractions and obstacles such as PVC pipes or narrower tunnels, and work alongside another dog. Depending on the level, the dog must pass the test two or more times under different judges before a title is awarded.

Overachieving terriers can go for an Endurance Earthdog title, awarded to terriers who pass both the Senior and Master classes at the same event on five different occasions.

For more information on getting started, visit akc.org and search for Earthdog clubs in your area.

Q&A

Dog won't go

out in rain

Q: It's been raining like crazy here in Oklahoma, and my dog is starting to piddle indoors instead of going outside. How can I overcome his reluctance to get wet? -- via email

A: Rain and other inclement weather is one of the reasons we think it's a good idea to take a pup out to potty on leash when you're housetraining him. Besides ensuring that he does his business before you let him back indoors, it teaches him that there's no alternative to going outside to potty, even if it's pouring Persians and Pekingese.

Put on your raincoat and do some remedial training with your dog. Lure him outdoors with a favorite treat -- something really high-value that he doesn't get very often, like steak. Or if he's small enough, you can just carry him out. Then be willing to play the waiting game. If he's smart, he'll potty fast so he can get out of there. As soon as he does, say, "Yes!" in a happy tone of voice, give him another treat and hustle him indoors. Put him back on a regular potty schedule, just like you did when he was a puppy, so he doesn't have any opportunities to pee or poop indoors, and always praise and reward him for going out in the rain and pottying where he's supposed to.

Make it more comfortable for him as well, especially if he has a thin coat. Shield him with an umbrella while you're waiting. Even better, get him a raincoat that fits well so he doesn't get as wet when he goes outdoors. In a pinch, a plastic trash bag with holes cut out for the head and legs will do, but a properly fitted raincoat will probably be easier to put on, keep in place and take off. -- Mikkel Becker Shannon and Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Cats by the numbers:

5 facts about felines

-- The total cat population in the United States at the end of 2013 was approximately 74 million, down from 81.7 million in 2006. Spayed cats live an average of 3.1 years longer than unspayed cats, a difference of almost 40 percent. Most cat owners, 41 percent, acquired their cats from family, friends or neighbors, while 22 percent found them as strays and 18 percent adopted them from shelters. In 2011, 42 recognized breeds of cats were being bred in the United States. Persians are the most popular pedigreed kittens, followed by exotics, Maine coons, ragdolls and British shorthairs.

-- Take your dog to work day? One Scottish collie mix apparently thought so. Paddy, who lives in Croy, North Lanarkshire, with his owner Thomas McCormack, bounced over a fence with the aid of a trampoline, tracked McCormack to the train station, boarded the train and plopped down in the seat next to his astonished owner. No word on whether he had to pay for a ticket.

-- The presence of pets may help reduce anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders, according to a new study published online in Developmental Psychobiology. Dogs, cats and guinea pigs may help children with ASDs improve their social skills. "This study provides physiological evidence that the proximity of animals eases the stress that children with autism may experience in social situations," said James Griffin, Ph.D. Researchers speculate that because companion animals offer unqualified acceptance, their presence makes children feel more secure.

The findings do not mean that parents of children with ASDs should rush to buy an animal for their children, cautioned Marguerite O'Haire, Ph.D., at the College of Veterinary Medicine of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, who conducted the study in conjunction with colleagues in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. She says further research is needed to determine how programs aimed at developing social skills might include animals. -- 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: Earthdog tests are a fun way for terriers to fulfill their natural instincts. (Photo courtesy American Kennel Club.) Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Persians top the charts of feline popularity. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

How to put these pesky parasites out of your pet's misery

By Kim Campbell Thornton

If it's not already flea season where you live, it soon will be. Unless you live at an altitude above 5,000 feet or in an area with low humidity and hot, dry temperatures, you'll have to deal with fleas on your dog or cat. Your veterinarian likely has already recommended a good flea-control program, but if you haven't started it yet, now is the time, before the tiny yet vicious vampires send your dog or cat into a frenzy of scratching and biting.

Fleas are wingless insects that feed on blood. When a flea's saliva is injected into a pet's skin, the substances it contains cause severe itching. A pet with flea allergy dermatitis is not just itchy; his skin can be red or crusty, he may have bare patches where he has bitten or scratched himself raw and his skin may smell bad.

Even worse, fleas spread disease. They transmit tapeworms to animals, who can then pass them on to humans, usually children. They are also carriers of bubonic plague. Think that's a medieval disease? It's extremely rare, but it does exist today, and it's carried by fleas.

Just because you don't see fleas doesn't mean they're not there. In fact, fleas spend most of their time in the environment, not on your animal. But even if you don't see fleas on your pet, one dead giveaway is flea dirt -- small black specks you may notice as you groom your dog or cat.

The good news is that flea control is way easier now than it was in the past. It wasn't that long ago that pet owners spent hours flea-combing, spraying, dipping and powdering pets and treating their homes and yards in a frantic attempt to keep the bloodsuckers at bay.

Flea-control products can be topical (applied to the skin) or oral (taken by mouth). Some protect against other parasites, such as ticks or heartworms. They may contain insect growth regulators, which prevent flea larvae from developing to maturity.

Topical products kill adult fleas within hours. They are usually water-resistant, but if you bathe your pet often or he goes swimming every day, they may not be the best choice. Be sure to wear gloves when applying topical products and to use only the amount directed -- more is not better.

Oral products require a prescription from your veterinarian. They are usually chewable, making them easy to give. Mark the calendar so you don't forget when you gave the pill and when you need to give it again.

The product that will work best for your pet depends on your location and your pet's lifestyle. If your cat goes outdoors, your dog goes swimming frequently or your pet has a high risk of tick exposure, your veterinarian will recommend products appropriate for those scenarios.

Most important, never give your cat a flea-control product made for dogs. The formulations made for dogs can kill cats, so read labels carefully before using them on pets.

You can also take steps to control fleas in the environment, not just on your pets. Steam-clean carpets and furniture to kill larvae and eggs, and vacuum frequently. Wash pet bedding weekly, using the hot-water cycle. Keep your yard trimmed, and get rid of leaves or other plant debris in shady areas to reduce hiding places for fleas.

The latest flea-control products are fast-acting and effective, but if you have a flea infestation -- or even if you have only a few -- it's still going to take some time before your pets will be fully flea-free. It could take as long as three to four months from the time you begin treatment until you see results.

Q&A

Big cats, house cats

share many qualities

Q: I'm writing a report for school, and I was hoping you could tell me some of the ways that wild cats and domestic cats are similar. -- via Facebook

A: What a great topic! The ways that domestic cats mirror the behavior of wild cats are fascinating to me as well as to many scientists.

Except for size, the little lion lounging in your den isn't all that different from his wild cousins. All cats share certain characteristics: They eat meat, they are active primarily in the evening and early morning, they have highly developed senses of sight and hearing and, with the exception of lions, most of them prefer to live alone.

All cats like to be up high. Your cat at home probably enjoys lounging on the kitchen counter (when your mom's not looking) or up on top of his ceiling-height scratching post. Cats like to be able to see what's going on while they stay out of reach of danger. Lions and leopards lounge in trees for the same reasons.

Big cats and domestic cats both like to sleep a lot, as much as 20 hours per day. They can be active, or at least awake, in the daytime, but with the exception of cheetahs, who are more active during the day, they prefer to stalk their prey in the dark.

All cats also capture and kill prey in basically the same way. They spring forward, using their front paws to grab and bring down their prey by sinking their claws into the rear, back or shoulder. A precise bite between the cervical vertebrae kills smaller animals instantly. Larger prey is suffocated when the cat's jaws clamp down on the throat or muzzle with sustained force. Kittens and cubs alike practice the stalk, catch and kill techniques until they're pounce-perfect. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Tame tabby? Not as much

as you might think

-- Are cats really domesticated? In an April 30 article by Alicia Ault on Smithsonian.com, Wes Warren, Ph.D., says he prefers to call them "semi-domesticated." Cats have associated with people for only the past 5,000 to 10,000 years, and they are still capable of finding and killing their own food, unlike your average dog. And genetically, there's not much difference between the cat in your lap (Felis catus) and small wild cats (Felis silvestris). Warren, an associate professor of genetics at The Genome Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, says the main difference is that domestic cats have genes that make them more willing to approach and interact with humans. But just as you probably suspected, your cat lives with you on his terms, not yours.

-- A temporary shortage of Immiticide, the drug used to treat heartworm disease by killing adult heartworms, is making it difficult for veterinarians in Florida and elsewhere to treat dogs with heartworm infestations in a timely manner. According to a report by Jennifer Fiala for the VIN News Service, a Merial spokeswoman says the back order will be brief, no more than a few weeks. She attributed the short supply to a miscalculation of the amount that would be needed.

-- Life is merrier with a toy fox terrier, say fans of this miniaturized version of the smooth fox terrier. The made-in-America toy breed has been around for the better part of a century, primarily as little working dogs on farms, whose job it was to clear rats and other small vermin from barns and granaries. The toy fox blends terrier exuberance, noisiness and territoriality with the small size and lap-loving traits of toy breeds. He loves to play fetch, nap in a lap and, being sensitive to cold temperatures, sleep under the covers at night. -- 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: Your veterinarian can recommend a flea-control program that will kill eggs, larvae and adult fleas. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Tameness means an animal needs and accepts the care of humans. Cats can take it or leave it. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1