Many factors go into choosing a pet bed. The most expensive isn’t always the best choice, and what your pet prefers should be at the top of the list

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When canine Juliet was going through chemotherapy, she experienced some nausea and threw up on her bed. Owner Cristi Bennett wasn’t fazed. Juliet’s bed was waterproof and made specifically for larger, older dogs.

“The memory foam is very thick, and the covering is very tough,” Bennett says. “Nothing soaked in, and it washed up very well.”

Washability is one factor to consider when choosing a pet bed. Size, shape and fabric are important as well.

Take size. The late Gemma, my 6-pound Chihuahua-mix, turned up her nose at the small, round, furry dog bed I offered her. Instead, she sprawled across a larger padded bed. Cavalier King Charles spaniel Keeper, who, at 16 pounds, is more than twice Gemma’s size, loves squeezing himself into that little round bed, though. Harper, a smaller cavalier, prefers a flat, furry, rectangular bed with little padding.

It’s not really a surprise that dogs and cats might be picky about what they sleep on.

“People have specific preferences for different kinds of beds, even though they may all have similar arthritis issues,” says Michael Petty, DVM, a pet pain specialist at Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital in Canton, Michigan. “Dogs are no different.”

He recalls buying a dog bed with inner coil technology that he thought would be perfect for his own dog, but she refused to sleep on it. She didn’t like the “springy” feel of the bed when she stepped onto it, and once she was on it, she found it difficult to stand up.

Shape is a factor, too. “Many dogs like to den and burrow in,” says Mikkel Becker, lead trainer for Fear Free and a Pet Connection co-author. “They like beds they can dig around in and snuggle into.”

On the human side, durability and cleanability are important.

Architect Heather E. Lewis of Animal Arts Design Studios in Boulder, Colorado, has seen an explosion in the number and types of cleanable fabrics.

“We find a lot of high-performance materials, fabrics and surfaces,” she says. “Because I have dogs and kids, I really appreciate things that are cleanable.” An antimicrobial fabric can be helpful if your dog has an oily coat that tends to have an odor.

Dogs appreciate comfortable fabric, too. “Most will bypass harder materials for softer beds,” Becker says. But pay attention to the material you choose if your dog is a chewer, she warns. “Many beds aren’t protected underneath, and dogs can chew them to pieces.”

Dr. Petty recommends going to the store and letting your pet try out several there.

“This may require several trips in,” he says. “Some pet stores or brands may let you have the bed for a trial period.”

Other features to consider:

-- Bolster or no bolster? For some dogs, a bolster provides a sense of security. “One of my dogs loves a bolster; the other would prefer to hang her head off the side of her bed,” Petty says.

-- Easily removable covers or entire beds that can be machine-washed. I throw my dogs’ beds into the washer weekly.

-- Impervious to liquid. “Many older dogs have constant or intermittent incontinence issues,” Petty says. “On the other hand, you don't want them sleeping on plastic. There are technologies that minimize absorption into the fabric.”

-- Bed height and the pet’s physical condition. Raised beds on frames look attractive, but a senior pet with arthritis may not appreciate the climb onto the bed.

-- Firmness. Like people, some pets like a soft mattress, while others prefer one that’s firm.

-- Placement. Cats will likely prefer a bed that’s up high. Access to one may keep them from sleeping on your head at night. Dogs who can’t be in the bed with you will appreciate being as near to your bed as possible. At least, that’s what my dogs tell me.

Q&A

Smoking means

pets inhale, too

Q: I’m a smoker. Is it really bad for me to smoke around my pets? It’s not like they’re inhaling.

A: But they are inhaling. Exposure to secondhand smoke -- your exhalations -- as well as thirdhand smoke from lingering particles has a direct effect on pets. Among other things, they are at increased risk for certain cancers, as well as cell damage and weight gain, according to studies by the University of Glasgow and the University of California, Riverside.

Pets are “passive smokers” in that they are not only exposed to the smoke from cigarettes and pipes, but also because they are much closer to carpets, upholstered furniture and other surfaces where carcinogenic particles cling. They are more likely to lie on or even lick those areas. As cats groom themselves, they increase the amount of smoke and carcinogenic particles that go into their body.

The University of Glasgow studies looked at how much nicotine dogs and cats had in their hair, which shows how much tobacco smoke is entering the pet’s body. Veterinary oncologist Clare Knottenbelt, who led the studies, says in an email: “I was really surprised how much tobacco smoke some pets were taking in. When we looked at cats, we found high levels of smoke exposure even in cats that spent a lot of time outdoors.”

If you can’t give up smoking altogether -- the best protection for yourself and your pets -- you should stop smoking in any areas pets frequent, including family cars and outdoors. Human studies have shown that smoking by an open window or door doesn’t help, as it is more likely to mean that smoke blows into the room.

“If you are smoking outside, you should change clothes when you come back in to avoid exposing your pet to harmful carcinogenic particles,” Dr. Knottenbelt says. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

DNA samples

aid cat science

-- Researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University are seeking DNA samples from healthy cats older than 10 years old to add to their Feline Biobank. By comparing DNA from healthy cats with DNA from cats with one or more common diseases, scientists can better understand the role that genes may play in these conditions. This project could one day assist veterinarians in their ability to diagnose and treat common diseases. If you would like to offer a sample from your cat, email vetbiobank@cornell.edu for more information.

-- Most often pet owners worry about contracting ringworm, a fungal infection, from their dogs or cats, but the condition is zoonotic. That means it can be transmitted by animals to humans but also by humans to animals. Wendy Krebs, DVM, a partner at Bend Equine Medical Center in Bend, Oregon, advises that people with active ringworm infections should avoid touching dogs, cats or horses, or their animals’ grooming tools, until the lesions -- the areas of infection -- have been treated for three to four days with a topical antifungal medication.

-- Welcome with open arms any stray torties who show up on your doorstep. Good fortune comes with them if they decide to stay, according to Scottish and Irish folklore. That’s just one of the beliefs associated with the multicolored cats, whose coats are usually a patchwork of black and red. In the United States, tortoiseshells are nicknamed “money cats.” And dreaming about them is said to make the dreamer lucky in love. Not quite as charming, but still lucky, is the English superstition that rubbing a wart with the tail of a tortoiseshell cat -- still attached to the cat, of course -- will cause the wart to disappear. And in Japan, ghosts and other spirits don’t haunt homes with tortoiseshell cats. -- 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, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets 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.

Factors that affect feline life expectancy include maintaining a healthy body weight, a high-quality diet and adequate exercise

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

They say cats have nine lives, and eventually that ninth life comes along. Senior cats may show some gray hairs around the eyes and mouth, the lens of the eye clouds over, and they may think twice and walk away instead of jumping onto the kitchen counter.

The average life expectancy for cats is 10 to 15 years, although some live into their late teens or even 20s. Cats are considered mature at 7 to 10 years of age, senior from 11 to 14 and geriatric over the age of 15.

“This can vary a lot between cats depending on their breed and health status,” says Matthew Kornya, DVM, who practices at the Cat Clinic in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. “In humans, some 70-year-old people are healthier than some 50-year-olds, and the same is true for cats.”

Fortunately, you can take steps to ease your cat into her golden years -- and possibly even extend them.

“Cats are already living significantly longer than they were just 10 years ago,” says Drew Weigner, DVM, a feline practitioner in Atlanta and president of the Winn Feline Foundation. “Advances in treating many diseases seen in older cats, such as kidney disease, diabetes and thyroid disease, have led to not only increased lifespan, but also increased quality of life.”

Keeping weight off is key. By now we’ve all seen the videos of Cinderblock, the 25-pound cat bewailing her time on the water treadmill. Excess weight stresses joints, leading to painful osteoarthritis. It’s better if your cat never packs on the pounds in the first place. Measuring food, hiding small amounts around the house so she can hunt for it and scheduling three to five minutes of playtime a couple times daily are all ways to help cats stay active throughout life.

Some aging cats have the opposite problem, losing lean body mass with age. Smaller, more frequent meals and a fountain to encourage water intake can help them to maintain good body condition.

Senior cat dietary needs vary by individual. Some become less able to digest fat, while others have a decreased ability to digest protein. Cats with chronic kidney disease can benefit from therapeutic foods to help manage their condition. Other diet-sensitive conditions include cognitive dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism and osteoarthritis. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best food for your cat, but in general, a highly digestible, nutrient-dense diet is a good choice.

Evaluate whether you need to make changes to your cat’s environment. Putting his food dish on top of the washing machine to keep it out of reach of the dog may have worked well in his younger years, but it may be time to rethink that.

“Make sure cats can easily get to food and water or their litter box without it being a stressful climb or difficult place to get to,” says veterinary technician Harmony Peraza at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine.

Don’t smoke around your cat. Exposure to secondhand smoke dramatically increases a cat’s risk of lung cancer and other diseases such as asthma.

Take your cat to the veterinarian if you notice behavior changes such as drinking more water, eating less, not using the litter box, producing only small amounts of urine, prowling or yowling late at night or grooming less thoroughly.

“Arthritis commonly affects older cats and may lead to reduced mobility, inability to groom themselves and difficulty using the litter box,” Dr. Kornya says. “Minimizing arthritis pain can dramatically improve quality of life. Dental health is also of crucial importance, as many older cats suffer from tartar, gingival disease and oral infections that cause chronic pain and may lead to systemic disease. A healthy older cat is free of pain and infection, well-groomed and has a healthy body condition.”

Read more about caring for senior cats at FearFreeHappyHomes.com.

Q&A

Saying “Rabbits”

for good luck

Q: Why do some people say “Rabbit, rabbit” on the first day of each month?

A: This is one of those interesting but little-known sayings or superstitions that people either grow up with or have never heard of before. It’s thought to have originated in Britain.

The idea is that the first words a person says on the first day of the month -- even before greeting their rabbits, dogs or cats -- are “rabbit,” “rabbits” or “white rabbits.” Some people say it twice, others three times. The person who does this will have good luck for the rest of the month, according to the superstition.

Another belief is that saying it will ensure that a present is delivered by the end of the month, or that a wish will come true.

The tradition of saying “rabbit, rabbit” occurs in the United States as well. It’s sometimes associated with New England, but in an informal and completely unscientific poll, plenty of people from New England said they had never heard of the practice.

Storyteller Sue-Ellen Stillwell-Jones, from the Midwest, first heard it when she was in her 20s, from other storytellers. Sally Bahner of Connecticut was familiar with it, and Megan Bellue learned it from a friend from Iowa. A colleague from Ireland told Lynn Miller to say “white rabbit” three times at midnight.

Folklorists have gathered many examples over the years, including from people in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Mexico. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, from New York, said “rabbits” on the first of every month, according to one newspaper article. Author Simon Winchester claims to have gone 696 months -- or 58 years -- before forgetting to say it one month.

If you forget, wait until the end of the day, and say “Tibbar, tibbar” -- rabbit backward, in other words. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Studies aim to

keep pets healthy

-- Morris Animal Foundation is awarding more than $1 million in grants for 16 canine and feline research projects. Among the studies being funded are one to evaluate the potential of treating aggressive cancers with a new drug derived from a medicinal plant called feverfew; development of an oral vaccine for use in shelters and other multicat environments against feline enteric coronavirus, which can mutate to the deadly disease feline infectious peritonitis; and an inexpensive prognostic test to enable more rapid and appropriate treatment for canine neural injuries, such as strokes and acute spinal cord injuries.

-- Many pets and people were separated during Northern California’s Kincade Fire, and rescuers are turning to social media to help reunite four-legged and two-legged family members. The Kincade Fire Pet Rescue and Reunification page on Facebook posts photos and descriptions of lost and found pets. In Southern California, volunteers from the equestrian community often pitch in to help rescue horses through a Facebook group called Southern California Equine Emergency Evacuation. Cowboy 911, also on Facebook, has listings to help connect rescuers, shelters, owners and animals, including dogs, birds, horses, pigs and even wildlife. Reunification can take months as people seek new housing or more animals are found, so it’s important to continue checking or to renew a lost or found pet’s listing.

-- Often, dog breeds come in different coat varieties. There’s the familiar rough collie -- think Lassie -- as well as a smooth, or shorthaired, collie. Fox terriers have smooth or wire coats; Chihuahuas have short or long coats; dachshunds come in smooth, long or wirehaired coats; Jack Russell terriers have smooth, broken or rough coats; Brussels griffons have rough and smooth coats; Portuguese podengos have smooth and wire coats; and Pyrenean shepherds have smooth- and rough-faced varieties. -- 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, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets 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.

Whether you’re buying for pets or pet lovers, we’ve found the perfect gifts for anyone on your list -- even the naughty ones

Andrews McMeel Syndication

It’s that time of year again: turkey, football and Black Friday shopping. If you’re reading this, we’re pretty sure that you probably have dogs, cats and people who love pets on your gift-buying list. To make shopping easy for you -- so you can spend more time with your animals -- we’ve come up with a gift guide that has something for everyone.

Treats for good dogs

-- Pet Connection team member and Fear Free lead trainer Mikkel Becker says her dogs love the foraging challenge of the iDig. Bury chews, treats and toys for dogs to find. Goifetch.com; $79.99.

-- Shaped like a suitcase, the Travel Dog food puzzle tests dogs’ dexterity, concentration and “scentsability.” Two dogs can play at the same time. Myintelligentpets.com; $76.

-- Load ’em up and launch! Ring toys, that is. The Chuckit! Ring Chaser Launcher Dog Toy saves your arm during endless fetch sessions. Bonus: hands-free pickup to prevent getting slimed with slobber. Available from Amazon and Chewy; $12.95.

-- Reward your good dog -- and they are all good dogs -- with a daily treat from Bosco and Roxy’s Bark the Halls Advent Calendar. Each window for the 24 days leading up to Christmas contains a biscuit made with applesauce and crushed peanuts. Available at Cost Plus World Market and online at worldmarket.com; $24.99.

Purr-fect for cats

-- The classic, of course, is an empty box, but if you want to go all out for your cat, the IntelliKatt food bowl has three levels of difficulty and more than 500 different combinations, offering your cat a stimulating hunting challenge. Even “mewbies” can have fun with it. Beonebreed.com; $19.99.

-- Cats who love to climb will be thrilled with the wall-mounted Ultimate Cat Climbing Tower & Activity Tree. Just over 6 feet tall, it has two resting areas where up-high cats can monitor their territory. Amazon and PetFusion; $109.95.

-- If a traditional cat tree isn’t right for your home, consider the Happy Stack, which is easy to set up and can be moved as needed so your cat always has a place to climb, scratch, nap or hide. Happystack.net; $179.

-- Grow grass for your cat to nibble with the Organic Cat Grass Growing Kit. The cute planter with a kitty face comes in black or white. Amazon; $15.97. (Hint: Dogs will like it, too.)

Pet-people pleasers

-- An abundance of fiction and nonfiction featuring animals will have book lovers settling in to enjoy their new read -- dog or cat on lap, of course. Look for “Here Comes Santa Paws” (Kensington Books), the latest in Laurien Berenson’s long-running series featuring standard poodles and their mystery-solving owner, Melanie Travis. “Cat Life” by Amy Shojai looks at cats big and small, cat culture and history, anatomy, behavior and more (Furry Muse Publications). Photography buffs won’t lose focus while admiring the stunning photos in National Geographic photographer Vincent J. Musi’s “The Year of the Dogs” (Chronicle Books). Science-loving kids with cats can experiment -- in a good way! -- guided by “Cat Science Unleashed: Fun Activities To Do With Your Feline Friend” (National Geographic Children’s Books) by Jodi Wheeler-Toppen. There’s also “Dog Science Unleashed.” Pet-loving friends will also enjoy a copy of the latest issue of Happy Paws magazine, with articles on kids and dogs, pet care hacks and the secrets behind canine senses.

-- Make someone smile every morning as they drink coffee or tea in a mug customized with a portrait of their pet. Find artists on Etsy who will take a photo and turn it into a work of art (search “pet portrait mugs” on the site).

-- Cat lovers can settle in to play Cat Crimes on a cold winter day. This feline version of Clue, with six cat tokens, lets players use paw prints, toy placement and other evidence to solve the crime.

Happy shopping!

Q&A

Which dog for

a couch potato?

Q: I’m not a super-active person, and I want a laid-back dog. Are there certain breeds I should consider?

A: Plenty of dogs will suit your needs -- with some caveats. Any puppy or adolescent dog, no matter what breed, is going to be active and playful. If you choose to get a puppy, be prepared for a higher activity level for one to two years before your dog settles into sedate adulthood. Or consider acquiring an adult dog so you can skip the puppy antics.

Some breeds to consider:

-- Cavalier King Charles spaniel. My writing partner, Kim Campbell Thornton, loves these dogs for good reason. They’re small -- but not too small -- and they’ll adjust their activity level to yours. Be aware that the breed has heart problems.

-- Greyhound. It seems counterintuitive to recommend one of the fastest dogs in the world, but greyhounds are happy with a nice walk around the block or a few minutes of running flat out (in a safely fenced area), then they’ll be a couch potato with you.

-- Keeshond. As an adult, this medium-size spitz breed (weighing 35 to 45 pounds) is typically satisfied with a couple of walks on a leash and some playtime in a yard. He can be a barker, so plan on teaching the “quiet” cue.

-- Lhasa apso. Calm and watchful, this former Tibetan temple dog enjoys one or two brief walks daily or some indoor or outdoor playtime. He’s a nice size at 12 to 18 pounds.

-- Shih Tzu. An in-your-lap kind of dog, the Shih Tzu is a toy breed that will appreciate a short daily walk. He may also get his zoomies out by racing through your house -- but that’s on him, not you.

Both the Shih Tzu and the Lhasa require frequent grooming or a short pet trim. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pet prep tips for

emergency bug-outs

-- There’s always the possibility of having to evacuate with pets due to fire, flood, hurricane, earthquake or other disasters. Pack a pet go-bag containing vaccination or titer records and other important medical history; medication; food; food and water bowls; a carrier marked with your name and phone number; a photo of your pet -- especially one of you together in case you become separated; a sheet listing medication regimen, food and amount fed and your contact info; a blanket or bed; a favorite toy; and for cats, a litter box, litter and scoop.

-- A therapy used to treat overdoses in humans is reversing signs of toxicity in sea turtles exposed to Karenia brevis algae, which cause toxic algal blooms that kill many sea turtles annually. The treatment, intravenous lipid emulsion therapy, involves injecting a fatty solution into the bloodstream. It causes toxins to bind to fats instead of organs. "This therapy has been used in dogs and cats for more than a decade. It's been very successful in treatment of ivermectin toxicity. Ivermectin and similar drugs are familiar to most people as a key component in many heartworm preventive medications and they're very safe, but sometimes pets can overdose if they eat lots of preventive at once or get into products used in horses," says Dr. Kelly Diehl, senior scientific programs and communications adviser at Morris Animal Foundation.

-- A 25-pound cat named Cinderblock has gone viral after videos of her weight loss routine -- including using a water treadmill -- were released by veterinarian Brita Kiffney, who is supervising the cat’s diet and exercise program. As many of us have done, Cinderblock complained about using the treadmill, meowing plaintively while dabbing at it with a single paw. Dr. Kiffney hopes the videos will raise awareness about the importance of keeping pets in shape. -- 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, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets 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.