Three useful behaviors to teach your cat

Andrews McMeel Syndication

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 M.D." 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, 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.

What you need to know about feeding your puppy

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

If you have a new puppy, your head may spin as you walk through store aisles trying to decide what to feed him. Puppies have specific nutritional needs if they are to grow at an appropriate pace to adulthood, but no single food is right for every puppy. Among the factors that can influence your decision are age, breed, activity level and size at maturity. All of those can affect what an individual puppy needs from a food. Here’s what you should know as you make your choice.

First, read the food label. It should state that the food is complete and balanced and, ideally, that the nutritional value has been proven in feeding trials approved by the American Association of Feed Control Officials. Look for a statement such as, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Brand A provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth.”

Size matters. Small dogs have high metabolic rates and require a food that will provide them with a steady flow of energy. If they are very young or unusually small, they often need frequent small meals throughout the day. Choose a food that’s easy for these dogs to chew with their little teeth.

While a small-breed puppy might be able to switch to an adult food before he’s a year old, a large-breed puppy may need to stay on an appropriate growth formula until he is nearly 2 years old. Large-breed puppies often undergo rapid growth spurts, but that’s not good for their musculoskeletal development.

Developmental orthopedic disease is one of the most common problems seen in large- and giant-breed dogs. Leaving food out all the time, feeding energy-dense foods or foods with high levels of fat, high calcium intake either from supplements or in the diet, and a rapid growth rate have been linked to developmental orthopedic disease in large- and giant-breed dogs who have the genetic risk for it, says Joe Bartges, DVM, professor of medicine and nutrition at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens.

The best choice for large-breed pups is a food that enables slow, uniform growth. These foods usually contain fewer calories and less calcium, while still providing all the nutrients a growing dog needs. Another option is to feed smaller amounts of a regular puppy food. In both cases, the goal is to avoid excess weight gain at an early age, which can stress developing joints.

Diet benefits the brain, too. The AAFCO and the National Research Council (NRC) now agree that DHA omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in puppy brain development, including the areas of learning and memory.

“A lot of the puppy foods now are containing them,” Dr. Bartges says. “AAFCO and NRC now recognize omega-3 fatty acids as important for both puppies and adults.”

When should you switch your pup from a food for growth to one for maintenance? A good rule of paw is to begin transitioning him when he has reached approximately 80 percent of his anticipated adult weight or size. Small dogs usually arrive at that stage when they are 6 to 8 months old, but large-breed dogs may not achieve it until they are 18 to 24 months old. There’s nothing wrong, though, with switching him to a food for adults once he reaches 50 percent of adult weight, Dr. Bartges says.

“It may slow down the rest of their growth a little bit, but it doesn’t stop them from reaching their genetic potential.”

Q&A

That snorting sound?

It’s a reverse sneeze

Q: My little Chihuahua-mix makes a weird gasping sound at least once or twice a day. I thought she was choking the first time I heard it, but then she seems fine. What could be causing it? -- via Facebook

A: That awful gagging sound -- in veterinary speak called a "pharyngeal gag reflex" or "aspiration reflex" -- is more commonly known as a reverse sneeze.

The rapid and repeated inhalation through the nose is usually caused by throat, sinus or nasal irritation, but it can also occur when dogs are excited or exposed to cold air. As the dog extends his neck in an attempt to relieve the uncomfortable feeling, the throat narrows, making it more difficult for air to pass through. The dog breathes harder, causing the throat to narrow even more.

What happens is that the dog rapidly takes in long breaths as the head and neck are extended. The result is a snorting sound. Once it’s over, he’s back to normal.

We typically see this problem in small dogs, probably because their throats are already small and then become constricted further, but it can occur in any dog. I recall a greyhound client who was known for the frightening sounds she would make during her reverse sneezes. Brachycephalic dogs -- the ones with big heads and flat faces -- are also prone to reverse sneezes. Reverse sneezes may also occur right after a dog wakes up or after he’s been eating or playing.

The good news is that although the snorting and gagging sound scary, this is a harmless behavior and doesn’t require any treatment. There’s no cure, but you can help to end it by gently blowing in your dog’s face and stroking his throat. That interrupts the behavior by causing him to swallow. Petting may also help him to relax. While medication isn’t necessary, if reverse sneezing is related to chronic allergies, your veterinarian may be able to prescribe medication that helps to reduce its incidence. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

New cat museum

opens in North Carolina

-- Cat lovers in North Carolina or traveling through the state will want to visit the newly opened American Museum of the House Cat in the mountain town of Sylva. The museum's collection includes folk art, cat-themed advertisements, vintage and antique toy cats, original art, books, jewelry and more. It was founded by Harold Sims, nicknamed Cat Man, who collected the items over a 35-year period. The proceeds from the small admission fee support the Catman2 Shelter, which places cats in homes and operates a spay/neuter program.

-- The internet makes it easy to make your dog a star. Check out some of our favorite canines with social media status. Boo, a Pomeranian, claims the title World’s Cutest Dog and is “liked” by more than 17 million people on Facebook; Instagram sensations Toast and Muppet live a dog’s life in New York City; Snapchat star Marnie, a shelter Shih Tzu, now lives the good life -- including 1.7 million followers; French bulldog Manny uses his social-media stardom -- can you say 1 million Instagram followers -- to fuel his “philanthro-pup” activities; and Samoyed show dog Floppybear's social-media cred includes 20,000 followers on Facebook, plus TV commercial and film credits.

-- Which foods are toxic to pets? Here are a few you should keep out of reach of Max and Mittens. Baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate contain theobromine, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea or more serious symptoms. Chocolate is toxic to parrots, too. Dogs who munch too many macadamia nuts can suffer weakness in the rear legs, tremors and a low-grade fever. Pets who eat baked goods or other foods sweetened with xylitol, a sugar alcohol, can develop sudden and life-threatening low blood sugar, seizures, vomiting and fatal liver failure. Grapes and raisins, even in small amounts, can cause kidney failure in dogs. -- 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.

Puzzle toys enhance play and put the brain in gear

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Is there anything more fun than watching a pet play? Whether the game is fetching a ball, tugging on a rope toy, “killing” a soft toy, wrestling with a pal or working to solve a puzzle toy, it’s fascinating to see how play mimics key real-life behaviors, such as hunting, exploration and self-defense.

Play is a rehearsal of adult behaviors, including the social signals that allow animals to get along with their peers and their humans. All the cognitive and motor skills a dog or cat needs throughout life are enhanced by play. Toys can help to stimulate a pet’s brain, and toy manufacturers take that into account when creating their designs.

“It’s very important to engage a dog’s brain,” says Elizabeth Fagan, director of marketing for Planet Dog. “When we start the development of a new interactive toy, we want to make sure it delivers on our mission of play, which in itself is critical to health and bonding, but also functions in a manner that makes a dog think.”

When a pet’s brain is working, it can be good or, well, we won’t say evil, but perhaps for ends that owners don’t always like. It’s always the brainiac dogs and cats who seem to get into trouble the most as they use their little gray cells to break into the pantry, refrigerator or trash can; work in tandem to steal food; hide inside child-proofed drawers; make their way over seemingly impregnable baby gates or unzip soft crates; climb onto roofs; or chew their way through a door to get outside.

Interactive, or puzzle, toys are an outlet for these precocious pets. They are an important part of enriching a pet’s life and allowing him or her to productively channel physical and mental energy. Understanding a pet’s natural instincts and movements and how they use their paws, noses and other senses is integral to creating an interactive toy that is attractive to pets and people.

“I always test ideas first with my own dogs, then I have some other testing dogs and cats of different sizes and mental capacities, before I consider if this is a good idea to continue to the next step,” says Outward Hound toy designer Nina Ottosson. “I can see it's a winner in their eyes, body language and in their interest to continue finding all the hidden treats, and I can absolutely see in their happiness that it's a winner the second time they test the idea.”

Toys can be interactive, such as balls or flying discs; treat puzzle toys, which allow pets to release energy by working for food or treats; and treat puzzle games, which offer mentally challenging problem-solving at different levels of difficulty. The best toys are easy for humans to handle and difficult for dogs to destroy. Different types of toys appeal to different pets.

“All dogs are different and like to be rewarded in different ways,” Ottosson says. “Some are very food-motivated, some are object-oriented and some like to play, run, and chase or hunt. Cats mostly like toys that include chasing and hunting in different ways, and some appreciate being rewarded with treats or food.”

No matter how your pet likes to play, the goal is to have one happy, tired, well-behaved dog or cat afterward. You may be surprised at how much of a workout your pet gets from brain games.

“It would significantly reduce the number of ‘problem dogs’ if everyone understood how important it is for the dog to use his head as well as his legs,” Ottosson says.

Q&A

Biting cat may

be in pain

Q: Lately, every time I pet my cat, she tries to bite me. Why has she started doing that? -- via email

A: Your cat may be troubled by back pain. Cats are slinky and athletic, and most people don’t think of them as prone to musculoskeletal problems. But cats are always jumping on and off high places and contorting their bodies into weird positions. It’s no surprise that sometimes they can hurt themselves if they land wrong or run into something as they’re chasing a ball or toy. And with age, cats can certainly develop arthritis. If your cat is stiff or in pain, she may well react with a bite when your hand runs across a tender spot as you’re petting her.

It’s always a good first step to take your cat to the veterinarian for a physical exam to confirm whether she has pain from an injury or arthritis. If that’s the case, there are several options to help your cat enjoy being petted again. Talk to your veterinarian about medication. There are safe drugs available to help relieve arthritis pain in cats.

Nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin may help as well. Keep in mind that it can take up to a couple of months to start seeing an effect.

Your cat may also benefit from acupuncture, chiropractic and massage therapies. The practitioner should be a veterinarian trained in those modalities, or someone who works under the supervision of a veterinarian. Not every complementary therapy is right for every cat. For instance, chiropractic is not appropriate for cats who have fractures, any type of cancer, or who are very old or very young.

Weight loss, a heated bed and warm compresses may benefit your cat as well. With appropriate treatment, your cat should soon be purring again from petting. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Getting down and dirty

with dogs good for kids

-- Early exposure to pets may help reduce an infant’s risk of allergies and obesity, according to a new study from the University of Alberta. Babies from families with pets showed higher levels of two types of microbes -- Ruminococcus and Oscillospira -- that have been linked with reduced incidence of childhood allergies and obesity. The findings build on two decades of research showing that children who grow up with dogs have lower rates of asthma. Researchers believe that exposure to dirt and bacteria early in life -- from contact with a dog’s fur and paws, for example -- can create early immunity.

-- What’s the difference between kitten food and food for adult cats? Kittens grow rapidly and need high levels of nutrients. Foods appropriate for kittens are labeled “for growth” or “for all life stages.” Look for a food that has been tested with feeding trials, meaning the company has fed it to kittens for a specific period of time to make sure it meets their needs. Once kittens reach maturity, they can start eating a maintenance diet for adults. Large cats such as Maine coons, ragdolls or Savannas may do best if they eat kitten food for a longer period than smaller cats.

-- A basset bleu isn’t a fancy French cheese but instead a cousin of the basset hound. The low-slung hound hails from Gascony, in southwest France. The basset bleu was bred down in size from the grande bleu de Gascogne and has a distinctive mottled black and white coat -- giving a slate-blue effect -- with or without black patches. He also has tan markings above the eyes, on the cheeks and lips, inside the ears, on the legs and under the tail. Basset bleus are playful and social, but love following scent trails above all else. -- 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.