Things to know about flying with dogs or cats in the cabin

By Kim Campbell Thornton

I ran through the Denver airport, pulling Harper's carrier behind me. Luckily for both of us, it was on wheels. A 1 1/2 hour delay at our point of departure had made for a close call in catching our connecting flight.

Flying with pets in the cabin can be fraught with challenges. Will the collar and tags set off the metal detector at security? Will the bag fit beneath the seat? Which has more under-seat space -- a window or an aisle seat? Harper and I have navigated all of these issues and more on recent flights to visit family for the holidays and compete in a nose-work trial.

At check-in, I gave my confirmation number as well as Harper's and received a receipt for her prepaid fare. Keep it handy. I had her rabies certificate as well, but no one asked to see it.

The first hurdle was getting through security. If you're traveling with a dog, cat or other pet, don't try to send him through the X-ray machine in his carrier. You must take him out and walk or carry him through the metal detector. A soft carrier that zips open at the top makes it easier to remove your pet comfortably and safely. Have a leash on him while he's in the carrier so you have full control. Run the carrier through first so it will be waiting on the other side.

Harper and I didn't set off any alarms when we walked through the metal detector, but a random swabbing of my hands for traces of explosives resulted in a full-body pat down and check of our bags. The TSA agent explained that it's not unusual for people traveling with dogs to be selected for this testing. I held Harper on her leash while they tested her bag. Then they had me put her in it while they performed a pat down on me and tested my other bags.

Once on board, Harper's carrier wheeled easily down the aisle. I ponied up for "economy plus" seating to make sure we had plenty of space for her carrier. I chose a window seat so I didn't have to worry about anyone accidentally kicking her bag or a food cart running into it, but Jill-Marie Jones, who travels frequently with her Jack Russell terrier Scribbles, prefers aisle seats for ease of access and a quick exit off the plane.

The carrier fit well beneath the seat. Once we were airborne, I partially unzipped the top so Harper could stick her head out if she chose. The flight attendant brought a cup of water for her to sip. I also had a collapsible rubber bowl attached to my purse with a clip to use for food or water.

As we ran through Denver International to our next flight, we passed one of the relief stations that many airports have installed for the needs of traveling pets. That's thanks to a U.S. Department of Transportation ruling requiring terminals serving more than 10,000 passengers daily to have a post-security pet-relief area. For our return trip, I installed the free Where To Go app on my phone to make finding one just a tap away. Some travelers with pets bring pee pads for use in bathrooms or quiet areas.

Harper has always been a good traveler, but it had been seven years since her last flight. She was a little nervous in the airport because she wasn't used to being in that type of carrier, but she settled down on the plane and slept through all the flights. You might say she completed the trip with flying colors.

Q&A

Maturity brings

pup size surprise

Q: When we got our goldendoodle puppy, Walker, the breeder said he would probably weigh about 30 pounds at adulthood. He's 100 pounds! What happened? -- via email

A: That's quite the size difference! As you've discovered, it's not always easy to predict what size a puppy will be at adulthood, although there are some factors that can help you make an educated guess.

As you may have heard, a puppy's paws can be a predictor of size. Pups who will grow to jumbo size tend to have jumbo-size paws at an early age.

Size can also depend on whether the mother was the larger or smaller of the parents. Puppies generally grow to be approximately the same size as their mother.

Another tip is to look at a pup's overall proportions. Awkward, gangly puppies with big heads and long tails probably haven't grown into their bodies yet. There's a good chance they will be large at maturity. Puppies who are going to be small in adulthood look properly formed at an early age.

When it comes to goldendoodles, one point to consider is whether the poodle partner in the mating is a miniature or a standard. It sounds as if your pup had a standard poodle parent instead of a mini. Between them, standard poodles and golden retrievers can weigh from 45 to 75 pounds (males are bigger).

Goldendoodle size can vary widely. They typically come in three size ranges: 15 to 30 pounds, 30 to 45 pounds and 45 to 100 pounds or more. One way to estimate a pup's future size is to add the weights of both parents and divide by two. But because goldendoodles are a crossbreed, traits such as size aren't always predictable. Their size at adulthood is often a guess, not a guarantee. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

New app calls vet;

sends reminders

-- With the tap of an app, Bay Area pet owners can summon a house-call veterinarian and keep tabs on their pets' veterinary history. For $45 a month, subscription-based Fuzzy provides two wellness visits annually, including services such as microchipping, heartworm testing, annual fecal exam and vaccinations, and monthly home delivery of parasite preventives. Owners can also review and share a pet's health records and will receive electronic notices that a teeth cleaning is due or reminders to give parasite preventive. The company plans to add other markets in 2017.

-- Syrian cats and dogs in war-ravaged Aleppo had a refuge, thanks to the kindness of ambulance driver Alaa Aljaleel, who cared for animals unable to go with fleeing owners. Last month, a bomb struck the sanctuary, killing at least two cats and a dog. Aljaleel's home was also hit, but he was not injured. Donations to the shelter can be made through its Facebook page, Il Gattaro d'Aleppo (Italian for "the cats of Aleppo"). So far, more than 4,000 donors have helped the shelter provide food, warmth and care for nearly 200 cats and some dogs. Donations also benefit humans and have provided three wells and two ambulances.

-- No one knows for sure which breeds were used to create the Bedlington terrier, but the breed with the lamblike appearance shares some similarities with Dandie Dinmont, Kerry blue and soft-coated wheaten terriers. The first dog to carry the name Bedlington terrier was Ainsley's Piper, born in 1825, known for his hunting prowess well into old age.

Quick in mind and body, the Bedlington has a moderate energy level, a happy-go-lucky personality and the independent streak typical of terriers. He needs a trim every four to six weeks, plus maintenance grooming twice a week. -- 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.

A portrait of a beloved pet can bring you happiness every day

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Have you ever admired the portraits of dogs and cats that you see in museums? Immortalizing a pet on canvas isn't just a thing of the past or something for the wealthy. You can commission one yourself to commemorate a special event, such as a dog earning a championship or a sport title, or simply to capture the likeness of a cherished companion. A pet portrait can also be a special gift to a family member or friend.

"I have many pictures of my animals," says Jenn Prendergast of Tracy, California. "Several friends over the years have given them. I feel honored that they made them, and it honors the memory of my beloved pets."

Finding a pet portrait artist is as easy as asking around at local pet boutiques, getting referrals from friends or looking up artists on the AKC's Museum of the Dog registry. Before you choose someone, look at many different styles of dog portraits. Decide if you like a whimsical look or something more formal.

Consider the pros and cons of different media as well. Acrylics and oils look different than watercolors. Pencil art looks different from paintings. Oils and acrylics on canvas or board don't need to be under glass, but pastels, watercolor and pencil art can be damaged by water, so they need protection.

Interview the artists before you hire one. Questions to ask include the size and price, whether it will be matted and framed or unframed, how long it will take, whether you can see a sketch beforehand, what medium the artist will use (some work in more than one), and if the artist guarantees satisfaction.

"I always say I will do it over if they don't like it," says Terry Albert of Poway, California, an award-winning artist whose work has been exhibited at the Museum of the Dog. "Once I had to make a tabby cat browner instead of gray, and once a black Lab just didn't come out the way they envisioned it. The second version in both cases was a hit."

Costs can range from as little as $50 to five figures. Price depends on the medium (oil, pastel, watercolor, charcoal or pencil), the demand and the artist's reputation.

Oils are usually most expensive, often starting at $1,000 and rising from there. Price can also vary by such factors as the number of animals in the painting, the size of the canvas and the complexity of the background. Expect to pay a deposit, with the balance due upon completion.

Cavalier owner Cathy Remoll Torres has an oil painting by artist Dominique Oboyski of her beloved dog Jake, who died three months ago.

"Dominique asked permission to paint him years ago when she was working on painting cavaliers," Torres says. "Years later, she was clearing inventory and offered to sell it to me at a cost I could afford -- it was too expensive for me when she originally painted it. I jumped on the chance, and the painting now hangs in my bedroom."

If you find an artist who works in your area, he or she may meet your dog in person to get an idea of his looks and personality. Otherwise, plan on providing several photographs in different poses. A written description of your dog can help as well. Is he serious or funny? Does he have any quirks? How does he look at you when he wants something? All of these details can help the artist produce the perfect painting.

A portrait of a pet is an everlasting tribute to a friend. When an artist captures an animal's essence, the pleasure a painting brings is immeasurable.

"I have always thought my dogs and cats were true, moving works of art," says Janet Velenovsky. "Having a talented person make that a reality is the logical next step."

Q&A

Teach pup

not to jump

Q: My 5-month-old puppy loves to jump up on me when I come in the door. It's not too bad now, but he's going to be pretty big when he grows up. How can I break him of this habit? -- via Facebook

A: It's really cute and endearing when puppies jump up on us, but you're right: All too soon, they get big enough that the habit of jumping up on people becomes not just annoying, but sometimes downright dangerous. If you're small or you have a toddler or a senior in your household, your dog could knock them down and hurt them.

There are a couple of ways you can deal with this behavior. One is to teach your dog to always sit when he greets people. The other is to teach him to jump up only with permission.

To accomplish the first, stay calm when you enter the house. Greeting your dog should be a routine event, not a matter for excitement. Come inside and put away your keys and coat. Wait until you are away from the front door before acknowledging your dog. If he tries to jump up, turn away, but never yell at him or try to knee him in the chest. Then ask him to sit, and reward him with praise and a treat when he complies. Your dog can learn very quickly that sitting gets him more and better attention than jumping on you.

To teach your dog to jump up only when you ask, dress for the part in clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Pat your chest and say "Up!" When you want four paws on the floor, say "Off" (not "Down"). If he tries to jump on you without an invitation, turn away and say "Off." Make sure friends and family follow the same routine so he doesn't get confused. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Packing for pets?

Here's your list

-- Going on the road with Max or Molly this holiday season? Pack their bags with the following items to make travel a breeze. A collapsible or folding water bowl is lightweight and takes up little space. Look for a soft-sided carrier that expands on both sides so your pet can stretch out at your destination. A quick-dry microfiber towel will help you clean up any accidents or spills in your car, hotel or guest room. Don't forget a bottle of enzymatic stain and odor remover. Of course, plenty of poop pickup bags are a must. Finally, include a current rabies certificate and other vaccination or titer records.

-- Something new you can share with your pet: rising health care costs. Spending on pet health care rose about 60 percent between 1996 and 2012, compared to about 50 percent for humans, according to annual data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. During the same period, the number of veterinarians nearly doubled, and the number of physicians grew by 40 percent -- "significantly faster" than in other sectors. Finally, high end-of-life spending is common: For humans it was more than double than during a "regular" month; for dogs, it was nearly 3 1/2 times higher.

-- How cats manage to land on their feet after falling is a question that has fascinated physicists for more than a century. The mystery went unsolved until 1969, when the International Journal of Solids and Structures published a paper titled "A Dynamical Explanation of the Falling Cat Phenomenon," which addressed the surprisingly complicated problem of forces and motion. Even today, scientists still debate the mechanics of the cat flip, or cat-righting reflex, as it's known. It may just be, says University of North Carolina at Charlotte physics professor Greg Gbur, that cats do whatever works in the moment. -- 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.

Pet mischief and mishaps are a traditional part of the holidays. Here are some things to avoid

The 6-month-old Lab puppy grazed on the Christmas tree, gorging on glass bulbs, shimmery tinsel and more. When his owners brought him to the veterinary hospital, swollen with swallowed ornaments, he resembled a four-legged black tick with a pink tongue. A dose of barium to illuminate the intestinal tract on radiographs and force out the intestinal contents worked quickly, and before long, the dog was pooping out pieces of glass, string and wire hooks. As a big wad of tinsel emerged, it gave him the appearance of a giant New Year's Eve party blower.

No doubt all of us have memories of a cat scrambling up a Christmas tree, a swooshing dog tail overturning a lit menorah or a canine or feline counter cruiser tucking into the roast beast. As we enter the holiday season, it's time to bone up on pet-proofing our homes to prevent pet mischief. After all, no one, least of all our dogs and cats, wants to spend any of the days between Thanksgiving and New Year's in the veterinary ER. We've gathered some cautionary tails -- er, tales -- to help you adapt your holiday traditions to the realities of life with pets.

A pointer we know made the news when he ate a child's pushpin craft made with marshmallows to form a snowman. The dog ate the entire thing and required emergency surgery to remove the pushpins. This year, the family will be surrounding the Christmas tree with a pet gate to prevent unauthorized ingestion of ornaments or presents.

Cats, famed for their ability to leap tall counters in a single bound, and their partners in crime, dogs of all sizes, are notorious for stealing food off plates, tables and counters, sticks of butter left out to soften, chocolate-covered espresso beans and marshmallow Santas (ask us how we know this). And we're not the only ones with larcenous animals.

Dexter, a parson Russell terrier, lives with a family who made the mistake of leaving a box of holiday chocolates sitting on their coffee table. They came home to find the contents strewn all over the floor, with much of it eaten. Dexter, apparently a discriminating dog, picked out his favorite varieties from the box. Fortunately, the only outcome was a case of diarrhea, but now family members make it a point to put unsafe food items (or anything they don't want him to eat) well out of their dog's reach.

In another case, curiosity didn't kill the cat, but it did cause him to get an unusual bath. Amanda Graves recalls the time her husband noticed that their Abyssinian kitten, Peyton, was looking a little greasy. Upon closer examination, he discovered Peyton was covered in chicken broth.

"He had pushed aside the silicone lid on a cooling stockpot of homemade chicken bone broth and had gone for a swim," she says.

Strategies that can help you head off holiday trouble include decorating with unbreakable ornaments, forgoing tinsel and putting unsupervised food out of reach.

To protect her cat Kismet, Sharon Melnyk gave up using ribbons to wrap presents.

"He would try to eat any kind of ribbon and once bit my finger trying to get at a ribbon I was holding," she says.

Choose pet-safe plants, too. Poinsettias have a reputation for being poisonous, but at most they cause mild stomach upset. Of greater concern are lilies, which can be lethal, and amaryllis bulbs and holly.

Our pets don't mean to cause trouble during the holidays; they just want to help us celebrate. These simple precautions make it easier and less stressful to enjoy the season.

Q&A

Pain, scratching

signal ear problem

Q: My cavalier has something called "glue ear." Is this common in the breed? -- via email

A: That's a sticky problem. Glue ear, more formally known as "primary secretory otitis media," is a common problem in cavalier King Charles spaniels. It's not your typical ear infection: The dog's middle ear becomes blocked with a gooey plug of mucus. If it gets really full, the tympanic membrane can begin to bulge, causing pain. While it is seen most frequently in cavaliers, it has been noted in rare instances in boxers, dachshunds and Shih Tzus. In cavaliers, the condition may be hereditary, but as of yet, there's no definitive evidence of a genetic component other than its frequency in the breed.

We don't know what causes PSOM. It may be a problem related to the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear and the back of the nose, which is how air enters the middle ear. Another theory is that it is related to the shape of the tympanic cavity. Signs of the problem include pain, especially in the head or neck area; or neurological signs such as head tilt or rapid eye movement. Dogs with the condition may scratch frequently at their ears, rub their heads, yawn excessively or cry out in pain.

In severe cases, PSOM may be visible via radiograph or even when the veterinarian takes a look with an otoscope. Other times, diagnosis may require a CT or MRI scan. Treatment involves removing the mucus plug and flushing the middle ear (a procedure called a myringotomy), followed by medication with corticosteroids and antibiotics. Treatment may need to be repeated more than once before it's successful, but generally PSOM has a good prognosis. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pets with diabetes

can live normal lives

-- It's National Pet Diabetes Month. The goal of the occasion is to raise awareness of the disease among pet owners. Both dogs and cats can develop diabetes. The incidence in cats and dogs is the same -- between 1 in 100 to 1 in 500 -- and middle-aged or older animals are usually at higher risk. The cause in dogs, who typically develop Type 1 diabetes, is unknown but may be genetic. Risk factors in cats, who usually develop Type 2 diabetes, include a genetic predisposition, chronic pancreatitis or hyperthyroidism, obesity and an inactive lifestyle. Take your pet to the veterinarian if you notice him drinking more water than normal, having housetraining accidents, acting hungry or losing weight even if eating normally, and being unusually lethargic. With treatment, he can live a normal lifespan.

-- Have you met the pumi? The Hungarian herding dog -- don't confuse him with his cousin the puli -- has a gray coat with wavy and curly hair (he can also come in black, white or fawn with a dark mask) and cute, erect ears that bend over at the tips. The pumi coat should be combed regularly and trimmed every two to four months. The smart, lively and vocal dogs are on the smaller side of medium, weighing 18 to 33 pounds. Typical of most herding breeds, pumis have a protective personality when it comes to their people and property, and they require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

-- A Maine coon cat named Ludo is one for the record books. The massive feline measures three feet, 11 inches, making him the longest cat currently living, according to Guinness World Records. That's just shy of the world record, held by the late Stewart Gilligan, also a Maine coon. -- 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.