What to put under the tree for your dog or cat to unwrap: 12 perfect pet presents

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

While most of you were out shopping on Black Friday, we were deliberating over the best toys, treats and trappings for good dogs and cats. (That would be all of them, of course.) Based on our finds from walking miles and miles at Global Pet Expo earlier this year, trawling online sites, investigating pet supply store aisles and questioning pet-loving friends, we came up with 12 great gifts your pet will be happy to unwrap during this festive season.

-- Wish your little dog didn’t have to miss out on long hikes? Pack her on your back in Kurgo’s sturdy G-Train K9 Pack. Holds dogs up to 25 pounds, with side and zippered pockets for gear. $130, kurgo.com.

-- Your feline superhero needs a luxury lair where she can plot her next foray against agents of evil, er, dogs. All the best hideaways are ecofriendly and chill, much like the felted wool Cat Cave, colored with nontoxic dyes. $70, lesharmatrading.com.

-- With their erratic flight and bounce, Rogz Pop-Upz present dogs with an intriguing puzzle: Where will they land? But whether you toss them on the ground or in the water, the durable toys always land right-side-up for easy grabbing. Medium, $10.99, large, $13.99, chewy.com.

-- Catch your cat’s attention with the beautiful handcrafted “flies” that go with the extendable Neko Flies Ultimate Rod. Cats will love the dynamic and realistic movement of their “prey,” and you will love the durability. Ultimate Rod, $40; flies, $11 to $16 each; amazon.com.

-- Who doesn’t love a good massage? Your dog will melt beneath the relaxing motion of the PetWell therapeutic massagers developed by certified canine rehab veterinarian Amanda Hensley. With five different designs for different purposes, including grooming and tension relief, choose the one your pet needs most or get them all. $15, gaiam.com/pages/petwell.

-- Catch as cat can? Give your indoor cat the opportunity of a lifetime: catching a mouse! An electronic mouse, that is. With Mousr, your cat can pit himself against a self-driving electronic mouse that operates on any household surface, zigging, zagging and righting itself as needed. Bonus: customizable, replaceable tails. Mousr has a battery life of 40 minutes and a wireless range of 32 feet. $185; petronics.io.

-- Toss your dog a treat, learn that he’s barking because your house is on fire (true story!) and livestream his activity during the day -- even when you’re away from home. The Furbo dog camera and treat dispenser allows you to toss treats via the free app, receive pet “selfies” or notifications that your dog is barking, or subscribe to activity alerts that can let you know if your dog is chewing on cords or displaying signs of separation anxiety such as frequent pacing or licking. Starting at $169; shopus.furbo.com/products/furbo-dog-camera.

-- Want to let your dog dispense his own treats? Introduce him to the Push-N-Pop, an interactive food/treat dispenser that releases kibble or treats whenever your dog nudges it. It’s a great way to keep him entertained and active during the day. $30, amazon.com.

-- Build your cat a custom playground with Catit modules. Interactive pieces include a fountain, food tree, track, digging tubes, grass planter and more. $15 to $30, catit.com.

-- Got a digger and want to save your yard? The iDig by iFetch gives your terrier or other digging dog an outlet for his natural behavior. Load it with treats or toys and then let your pup figure out how to get at them. Get iDig Stay for at-home play by aggressive diggers or the soft iDig Go for travel or for less enthusiastic diggers. $80, amazon.com.

-- Get your cat in the Christmas spirit with a tree-shaped cave felted from Himalayan wool. The lanolin scent is one that cats love, and they will feel safe in the cozy den. $90, dharmadogkarmacat.com.

-- Unless you live somewhere warm, your dog will probably have to wait to splash in this item, but once it’s warm enough, he’ll love the DOOG Pop-Up Pool, available in three sizes. $45 to $60, doogusa.com.

Q&A

Signs of cancer

to watch for

Q: The breed of dog I have is prone to cancer, and it scares me. Are there signs I can watch for to help catch it early?

A: That’s a smart move on your part. In the early stages, cancer is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Among the signs to watch for are soft lumps or bumps on the skin; lameness; swelling or cysts along the mammary chain; unexplained weight gain or weight loss; bleeding or other discharge from the mouth, eyes, nose or urogenital area; blood in the urine; sores that don’t heal; difficulty chewing or swallowing; a bad smell in the mouth or anywhere else on the body; loss of energy; bleeding or broken toenails; and swollen or rapidly enlarging lymph nodes.

Many breeds, as well as mixed breeds, are prone to various types of cancer. We see cancer more commonly in dogs as they age, but it can certainly occur in younger dogs. Common cancers include squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed (between toenail and toe), melanoma, fibrosarcoma of the mouth, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), mammary tumors, lymphosarcoma and cancer of the bladder or urethra.

Different breeds may be prone to different types of cancer. We often see mast cell tumors in boxers, histiocytic sarcoma in Bernese mountain dogs, lymphoma in golden retrievers and osteosarcoma in Rottweilers and greyhounds. Black standard poodles appear to be more likely than lighter colored poodles to develop squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed. Two other black-coated breeds with increased risk of this type of cancer are briards and giant schnauzers, so in some instances, genes that influence development of this type of cancer may be riding the coattails of coat color genes.

Regularly running your hands over your dog’s entire body and paying attention to differences can help ensure that your pet gets an early diagnosis and treatment. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Drug in development

may help humans, dogs

-- In a pre-clinical trial, a drug called Ropesalazine helped improve cognitive function of six companion dogs experiencing severe cognitive dysfunction, according to the manufacturer, GNT Pharma in South Korea. The dogs, whose signs included disorientation, changes in their sleep/wake cycle, increased house soiling and altered interactions with family members, returned to normal cognitive function and interactions after eight weeks of daily administration of the drug. Ropesalazine is intended to prevent inflammation and free radicals that contribute to nerve cell death, amyloid plaque production and neurofibrillary tangle formation. It is being studied for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in humans and may become available for use in companion animals next year.

-- Pet ferrets in North America are at risk for genetic disorders and disease because of a lack of genetic diversity, creating a genetic bottleneck. Researchers at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Wyoming are seeking to understand genetics of domestic ferrets with the goal of treating and preventing disease more effectively. Their findings, published in the journal Evolutionary Applications, determined that North American ferret breeding programs would benefit from introduction of more genetically diverse European ferrets as well as minimizing inbreeding among the animals.

-- The Million Cat Challenge, created by veterinarians Julie Levy and Kate Hurley, set a goal to save shelter cats from unnecessary euthanasia. Their five-year campaign, from 2014 through 2018, was intended to improve the health and ensure the adoption of shelter animals. They succeeded. So far, more than 1,000 shelters together have saved more than 1,500,000 cats, using techniques that include providing alternatives to giving cats up to shelters, removing barriers to adoption, and spaying or neutering, vaccinating and returning unowned cats to their colonies instead of killing them. The final tally will be released this spring. -- 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.

What to know if your dog is coughing and has the sniffles

By Christie Keith

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Dogs, like people, get respiratory infections, and most of the time recover without incident. Sometimes, however, those infections turn into pneumonia, which can be fatal. How can dog owners know if their pet’s runny nose and cough might put his life at risk?

How sick your dog will get from his version of a cold or flu depends on many factors. Puppies and senior dogs are at increased risk of developing pneumonia. So are the so-called brachycephalic breeds, those with flat faces like pugs or bulldogs. Other dogs may have underlying health conditions that put them at additional risk.

Because contagious respiratory diseases are airborne, dogs who mingle with other dogs at dog parks and similar locations are also at increased risk of respiratory disease.

Another important risk factor is the cause of the pneumonia, which can include everything from a bacterial or viral infection, to a structural defect in the respiratory tract, to near-drowning or electrical shock.

Dr. Cynda Crawford of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is the researcher who discovered the first known canine influenza virus (CIV). “There’s an increased risk for progression to pneumonia with CIV compared to other infectious causes,” she says.

Vaccinations can reduce the severity of the symptoms and make dogs less contagious to other dogs, but it doesn't completely prevent illness. What’s more, Crawford says, “The vast majority of pathogens that can cause respiratory infections in dogs are still unknown. Of the small number we’ve identified, only about half of those have a vaccine available.”

So is a canine biohazard suit the only way to protect a dog from a respiratory infection that could lead to pneumonia? Not at all.

“First, be aware that despite your best efforts, your dog may pick up a respiratory infection,” Crawford says. “Fortunately, for the vast majority of cases, these infections will be mild and short-lived, so there's no need to panic by putting your dog in a bubble. But do protect your dog with vaccinations and avoid places where they may encounter sick dogs.”

What should you do if your dog shows signs of a mild respiratory infection, such as coughing and sniffling? If your dog is unhealthy, hasn’t had all his vaccines, is very young or old, or has other risk factors, it’s best to seek veterinary care immediately.

If your dog is otherwise healthy, is not a puppy or senior and has no additional risk factors, Crawford advises you to check with your veterinarian to see if there are canine influenza viruses circulating in your community. If so, you’ll probably want to seek medical care, as these infections are more likely than others to develop into pneumonia.

If there is no CIV circulating and your dog is in good health, your veterinarian will probably advise you keep him home until the danger of transmitting the disease to other dogs has passed. However, Crawford says, “If the coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge persist for more than a couple of days, or if the dog stops eating or develops rapid breathing, contact your veterinarian right away.”

If you do head for the vet, be sure to ask about what you can do to protect other dogs in the hospital waiting area from being infected by your pet. Many veterinary clinics will ask clients whose dogs have respiratory symptoms to wait in the car or enter through a separate door. Be sure to ask how long your dog needs to be kept away from other dogs, as well as what signs to watch out for that can alert you to developing pneumonia.

Q&A

See vet about

litter box problem

Q: My cat stopped using her litter box. We’ve done everything we’ve read about: added an extra box, made sure the boxes are in quiet spots, not used scented litter, scooped daily and washed the box every week. It hasn’t helped, and we’re running out of ideas. What are we missing?

A: You’ve mentioned everything you should be trying, except the most important one: a visit to the veterinarian.

When a cat who previously had no litter box problems suddenly starts eliminating inappropriately, the first stop needs to be the veterinarian. That’s because medical conditions such as bladder infections or urinary tract obstruction are often behind the problem. Another likely culprit: arthritis or an injury that makes getting in and out of the litter box difficult.

If you’ve ever had a bladder infection or back injury yourself, you know both conditions are painful. Your cat may associate that pain with the litter box or may not be able to hold it. Either way, you need to work with your vet to rule out physical causes for litter box avoidance.

After your cat’s condition is treated, will she go back to using the box? Possibly, but it may not be that simple. The association of pain with the box might mean some re-training is in order. If the problem is arthritis, it may be necessary to get a box with only three sides, so the cat can get in and out without discomfort.

If there’s no underlying physical cause, or the problem persists after treatment, it’s time to talk to yet another veterinarian. A veterinary behaviorist can work wonders with management strategies, behavior modification, supplements and medications. Behaviorists often work via telemedicine consultations with your own veterinarian. You can locate one at dacvb.org, the website of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Microchips underutilized

to save pets, shelter animals

-- If your pet goes missing, what are the chances he’ll come back to you? In the United States, that number is low -- between 10 and 19 percent. Now, an international study blames limited adoption of microchipping for that dismal statistic. Published in the latest issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, the study compared how often animal shelters in Florida, Italy and Israel successfully reunited lost dogs with their owners. Thanks to a mandatory national microchip database, Israel keeps nearly 70 percent of stray dogs out of shelters and gets them back to their families. Success like that is possible in the U.S., too, if pets are microchipped. An earlier study found that 74 percent of chipped dogs and 63 percent of chipped cats are reclaimed by their families.

-- Tooth brushing for pets? Yes. Using human toothpaste? Absolutely not. Britain’s RSPCA is warning pet owners not to brush pets’ teeth with toothpaste made for humans. Dental products made for humans can contain a tooth-friendly sweetener known as xylitol, which can cause death in dogs and cats when even small amounts are consumed. Dogs and cats are also not fans of the foaming quality of human toothpaste. While dental disease is common and preventable, pet owners should stick with products made just for animals.

-- For animals as well as humans, medical treatments for some conditions can be unavailable, ineffective or difficult to tolerate. There may be newer or better therapies still in clinical trials, but how can pet owners and their veterinarians locate them? To answer that need, the AVMA has created a searchable database for veterinary health care providers to search for trials, read about eligibility and obtain further information. It’s online at ebusiness.avma.org/aahsd/study_search.aspx. -- 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.

Keep community cats comfortable and safe during winter’s chill

By Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

We tend to think of feral, or community, cats as well able to take care of themselves. For the most part, that’s true -- but helping them to stay warm and sheltered during the depths of winter is not only a kindness, it can also help control outdoor cat populations. Ensuring that cats are in predictable locations makes it easier for managers of feral cat colonies to trap, vaccinate, spay or neuter cats and find and rehome kittens in the spring.

“Shelters provide a cozy spot for cats who live outdoors to sleep, relax, and warm up and stay safe,” says Becky Robinson, president and founder of advocacy group Alley Cat Allies. “They also make them less likely to have to find shelter on their own, which sometimes means exploring neighbors’ yards or areas where they may not be welcome.”

The best kind of shelter is one the cat will use, says Karen van Haaften, DVM, a veterinary behaviorist and senior manager of behavior and welfare at the British Columbia SPCA in Vancouver, Canada. Variables include local climate and the level of fear of cats in the area. Some cats are socialized enough to humans that they can live in proximity to them, in barns, sheds or underneath a porch or deck, but many cats prefer to keep their distance.

“Truly feral cats who have no experience with people won’t get that close, so they may need shelter in a wild area that is away from human interference,” Dr. van Haaften says.

Creating a shelter is as easy as cutting a 6-to-8-inch-wide entryway in a lidded plastic storage bin or foam cooler that is approximately 2 feet by 3 feet and at least 18 inches high. That’s large enough to accommodate three to five cats, Robinson says. Any larger, and it won’t retain heat effectively.

Line the shelters with straw for insulation. Avoid using blankets or towels, which retain moisture and make the shelter wet and cold. To keep heat from escaping, attach a piece of clear plastic in front of the doorway that the cat can easily push through to enter or exit. To keep out rain and snow, make sure the entryway is several inches above ground level.

Be sure to camouflage your shelter.

“Paint the shelter a dark color, or cover it with leaves or brush so it blends in with the environment,” Robinson says.

Positioning is also important for safety and comfort. Place shelters on a level area that’s elevated off the ground to prevent dampness and cold from seeping in.

“Wood pallets are great for this,” Robinson says. “Face the entry away from the wind and preferably facing a wall so that only cats can get in and out. Placing the shelter in a wooded area away from buildings and traffic will also help protect cats, and the neighbors will appreciate it.”

Check shelters periodically to see if straw needs to be changed or snow cleared from entrances. Encourage cats to use them by placing catnip, silver vine or treats inside.

Cats are cautious. They may take their time investigating shelters before deciding they are safe to use. They may also have preferences you can meet with simple modifications.

“You may need to add or remove a door flap, bedding, or both entrance and exit doors to find out what the kitties like best,” Robinson says. “If the cats aren’t using the shelter after a few days, try moving it closer to an area where the cats already prefer to hang out but still gives them privacy. The important thing is that the little house you’ve made for them will be there when the cats are ready to use it.”

Q&A

How to help pets

love their carriers

Q: My dog hates riding in her carrier, and it’s a struggle to get her inside it. Is there any way to make it a better experience for both of us?

A: Yes! That’s such a common problem for dogs and cats -- not to mention their humans. But learning to enter and ride in a carrier comfortably is the first step toward Fear Free veterinary visits and other excursions in the car. It can take some preparation and practice beforehand, but it pays off when your pet stops being afraid.

To start, make the carrier a special place. Place it in an area where your dog likes to hang out, such as the bedroom, living room or kitchen. Spray or wipe it with calming canine pheromones. Put treats in it for your dog to find, or feed meals inside it with the door open. Give praise and treats when you see your dog resting in the carrier. (These techniques work with cats, too; just use a calming feline pheromone product instead.)

When she starts to enjoy being in the carrier, transfer training to the car. Spray the interior with the pheromone product. Have your dog hang out inside the car without starting the engine. Gradually take some test drives, from backing out of and pulling back into the driveway to longer excursions, like to the drive-up bank teller or the drive-through window at your favorite fast-food place. Have treats on hand to reward your pet during the stop.

Tips: Lay a treat trail to guide your dog into the carrier. Choose a carrier with both top and side entry; many pets prefer being placed into the carrier from above. Hold the carrier in both arms instead of letting it swing at your side. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dog foods recalled

for excess vitamin D

-- Natural Life Pet Products, Nutrisca and Lidl US recalled certain dry dog foods this month. The recalled products, which contained excess vitamin D, include 4-, 15- and 28-pound bags of Nutrisca Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food, 17.5-pound bags of Natural Life Chicken & Potato Dry Dog Food and Orlando Chicken and Chickpea Dog Food. Vitamin D has a reputation for being beneficial, but dogs who take in too much can experience vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and weight loss. Extremely high levels of the vitamin can cause kidney disease. Consumers can return affected bags for a full refund.

-- Paws of War, which trains service dogs for veterans, has launched a customized mobile veterinary unit on Long Island, New York, to help treat pets and service dogs of veterans and first responders who may have difficulty getting veterinary care for their animals. Staffed by veterinarians and veterinary technicians, the mobile clinic will travel throughout Long Island, providing physical exams, vaccinations, dental checkups, testing for feline leukemia virus and feline infectious peritonitis, flea and tick preventives, grooming, nail trims, heartworm testing and preventives, and microchipping. For more information, visit pawsofwar.org.

-- If you have a dog who barks ferociously at the sound of the doorbell, then wags his tail happily to greet guests, you probably tell people “His bark is worse than his bite.” The saying dates to Roman times and is attributed to historian Quintus Curtius Rufus, who is said to have written, “A cowardly dog barks more savagely than he bites.” According to the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, the phrase -- which came to mean that a person was less unfriendly than he or she appeared -- was in common usage by the mid-17th century. Just remember: Never rely on proverbs when deciding how a dog may respond. -- 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.