If your cat is allowed outdoors, you may wonder where he goes. Not far, scientists say

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Not all cats abide by shelter-in-place orders, pandemic or no pandemic. While we prefer cats to live a safe life indoors, we know that some are incapable of being happy indoors all the time, and others live in areas where it’s common to allow them to roam. Well, before the spread of the novel coronavirus, curious scientists began studying the patterns and activities of wandering cats, and their findings were published last month in the journal Animal Conservation.

Turns out, cats mostly stick close to home. In tracking 925 pet cats from six countries, researchers discovered that the feline home range tends to be an approximately 100-yard radius around their house.

That was a surprise, says Roland Kays, Ph.D., research associate professor and director at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. “I really thought we would see more cats moving further.”

At first, Dr. Kays and his colleagues sought cats in North Carolina, where they were located, but they ended up with a global project.

“We had no problem finding people who volunteered to let us track their cat,” Dr. Kays says. “Once we started doing that, we started hearing from colleagues around the world who wanted to do that as well. We partnered with research groups in Australia and New Zealand and the United Kingdom.” At least one cat, Aya, was from Denmark, where he was already famous for burgling gloves, socks and other clothing from neighbors as he made his rounds.

Out of all 925 cats, only three were outliers, traveling greater distances than one square kilometer, or 0.386 square miles. Max, a cat from a village in the United Kingdom, traveled back and forth between his village and a neighboring one using the road to get to his destination.

“He would hang out in one town and then he would walk a few kilometers to the other town, hang out there near a couple of houses, and then he’d walk back,” Kays says.

One cat in New Zealand had a smaller range than a wild animal but spent a lot of time out in the bush. Blue, a New Zealand farm cat, also ranged more widely than other cats in the study.

It makes sense that most pet cats, who receive regular meals at home, don’t go far. There’s no real need for them to range over a large area. Checking out their own yards seems to be enough to satisfy their curiosity.

The presence of predators such as coyotes didn’t deter roaming cats. According to the study, there was no relationship between home range size and the presence of larger native predators. And not surprisingly, intact cats were more likely to roam.

How did the cats feel about wearing a harness with a GPS unit on it? After all, cats are notorious for slipping out of their collars.

Kays and his colleagues purchased harnesses from pet supply stores and had owners put the harness on the cat to wear for a few days before the GPS unit was affixed to it. A harness worked better than a collar because it ensured that the GPS unit would face the sky instead of the ground, allowing for a better satellite fix. Once on, none of the GPS units fell off.

While this study gave researchers a good idea of where cats are going, future studies will focus more on what they are doing.

“We’re working now with a new technology that’s higher-resolution GPS and has a three-axis accelerometer, which will allow us, we hope, to measure the behavior so we can look at where the animals are and what they’re doing in more detail and hopefully be able to tell when they’re hunting, when it’s successful and when it’s unsuccessful,” Kays says.

Q&A

How to socialize

puppies now

Q: I just got a new puppy, and now we’re in quarantine. How can we socialize her if we can’t go to puppy class or take her places?

A: Congratulations on your new puppy. With a little creativity, you can set up socialization situations that allow your pup to experience different sights, sounds and surfaces. Behavior specialists Wailani Sung, DVM, and Lisa Radosta, DVM, and I have the following suggestions:

-- Your puppy can see people -- and other animals -- on walks at a distance of at least 6 feet. Look for opportunities for him to see people wearing hats or uniforms.

-- Expose your puppy to the sounds of cars or buses going by and to the sight of objects such as fire hydrants and trash cans. Let him experience different footing, such as pavement, grass and metal grates.

-- Turn on the TV. Your puppy can see many types of animals and birds on Animal Planet and the National Geographic channel.

-- When you must go out to buy pet food or to pick up groceries curbside, take your puppy along. A car ride is a good experience, and so is seeing delivery people put items into the car.

-- Ask dog-loving neighbors to carry treats with them so that if you and your pup see them on a walk, they can toss her some treats from a distance.

-- Your puppy may need veterinary care during this time, but veterinarians are practicing social distancing, too. You will need to stay in the parking lot while a vet tech takes your puppy inside for treatment. Ideally, the clinic will use Fear Free techniques and treats to make the experience enjoyable for your pup.

-- Most important, make sure these are positive experiences. Your puppy should never be scared by exposure to new things. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

See dogs in

night sky

-- Spring is a good time to see the constellation Canis Major (Latin for “big dog”) in the night sky. Sirius, the brightest star we can see, is the eye of the dog. The story behind the constellation is that a magical hound named Laelaps, destined to always catch his prey, was set to chase another magical creature, the Teumessian fox, destined to never be caught. Zeus, the sky and thunder god of the ancient Greeks, put an end to the never-ending chase by transforming both animals into stone and setting them in the night sky, where they are known as Canis Major (Laelaps) and Canis Minor (the Teumessian fox).

-- Homeless animals still need care, and shelters and foster families are stepping up to make sure they get it. You can help in many different ways: fostering a litter of kittens until they are old enough for adoption; sharing the story of an adoptable pet to help get him a new home; providing pictures or videos of your foster pet to the shelter or rescue group for use in their marketing materials; or giving a shelter pet a break with a field trip of a few hours or a weekend sleepover. Parents who need activities for their kids can find free humane education modules at teachheart.org.

-- Animal sanctuaries and shelters are closed right now, but you can make virtual visits. Find websites or social media pages and look for live feed announcements of virtual tours. Sites to check include Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which includes videos of dogs playing and kittens being syringe-fed; Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, California, with a video on best things to do during the COVID-19 lockdown (most of which involve dogs); and parrots and puppy bellies at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. -- 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.

Two new books help kids learn how to care for pets and build a long-lasting relationship

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

What does it mean when my dog barks or whines? Should I get a kitten or a cat? What makes my dog or cat happy? We all have questions like this about our pets -- kids most of all. They go all in when it comes to finding out what makes dogs and cats tick.

A generation or three ago, when many of us were growing up, we loved our dogs and cats, but in some ways the relationship has changed. It’s more dynamic, more interactive, more public now. Kids these days really love their animals, and they want to know as much as they can about caring for, playing with and teaching them.

A pair of books, “A Kid’s Guide To Cats” and “A Kid’s Guide To Dogs” (Storey Publishing), provide them with answers to questions such as “Why do cats pant?” and “How many treats are too many for my dog?” as well as explain pet behavior and body language; offer tips on training, grooming, feeding and poop scooping; and suggest fun DIY projects for making pet toys, beds, treats and more.

We spoke to author Arden Moore, who teams up with her shelter alum pets, Casey the cat and Kona the dog, to teach pet first-aid and behavior classes around the country. She says the kids she meets are on the ball about their pets.

“They ask intelligent questions, they know things and they really want to know what they can do to make a difference individually,” Moore said. “A lot of them want to know what they can do to help a dog or cat they just adopted have a better life, what they can do in their school, so I’m digging the kids of this generation.”

Moore’s background as a pet first-aid instructor and her Fear Free training come to the forefront. In the pages, kids learn how to perform a weekly wellness check (ticks like to hide between toes), what to include in a pet first-aid kit, and how to recognize when pets are feeling fearful, anxious or stressed.

Photos and illustrations demonstrate pet body language and how to greet animals and teach tricks, identify various breeds, avoid trouble -- like an overturned trash can -- and play games. Lists and charts help readers determine their pet’s age in human years, set up a pet chore chart and know what “people foods” are OK to give and which are harmful. Heck, plenty of adults could benefit from these books.

Throughout, Kona and Casey offer tips and advice from their pet perspective, explaining why dogs feel good about chewing up our stuff (and how to prevent it) or why cats might seem to be finicky. From the human side, Moore gets answers from veterinarians on the real questions kids ask: “How does a dog still walk if he only has three legs?” “Why are dogs so playful?” (answered by our own Dr. Marty Becker) and “How can cats jump so high when they’re so small?”

No kid is ever going to enjoy scooping poop out of the yard or a litter box, but Moore uses her platform to explain why that’s important for a pet’s health and happiness. Parents may want to take a cue from her and make their kids “poopologists,” the family’s experts on pet pee, poop and vomit, responsible for reporting changes that might indicate problems.

Kids are the pet owners of the future, and Moore thinks they’re going to make the planet better for dogs, cats and other animals. “When I ask kids questions about the human-animal bond, they shout back things like, ‘They make me feel better,’ ‘They pick me up when I have a bad day’ or ‘My dog or cat does goofy things and I just laugh.’ They know the importance of all the good qualities that dogs and cats give to us to make us better people.”

Q&A

How to handle

puppy setback

Q: I’ve had a miniature poodle puppy since he was 9 weeks old. He is now almost 14 weeks old. Because it was so cold when I first got him, I started to pad-train him instead of taking him outdoors, where he will eventually be expected to go. I thought we were making great progress -- only three to four accidents. Then I brought him to a groomer for a puppy cut to get him used to combing and brushing and grooming. They gave him a full poodle clip instead, and ever since, he has almost totally ignored the training pad, piddling all over the floor and rugs in the area where he is kept. Do I have to start all over again?

A: Your puppy is still too young to be fully housetrained, even though he was doing well previously. It’s certainly possible that the experience at the groomer could have set him back. You are right to think of starting over with him; moving back to a stage where the dog was previously successful is always a good idea in any kind of training if you run into a roadblock.

For housetraining, take him out on a schedule. Don't let him have the run of the house; he's too young for that. If you can't actively supervise him, he should be in his crate or a small dog-proofed area such as a bathroom, laundry room or inside a pen on an easy-clean surface. Put down a potty pad in that area so he has an acceptable option for pottying if he has to go. Take him out to potty (don't just send him out by himself), and give big praise and food rewards when he goes in the right place. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Veterinarian helps pets

of health workers

-- In Danville, Virginia, pet-owning health care workers and first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic can work with an easier mind. Veterinarian Jeff Smith at Danville Family Vet offered to house their pets at the clinic’s boarding facility if work or illness keeps them from caring for their animals. “If you are a first responder or a healthcare worker and you have to do long shifts at the hospital, or you’re someone who’s gotten sick, (your pets) can come stay here," Smith told WSLS News. Owners should bring pets’ food, needed medication, and toys or beds to help them be comfortable in the unfamiliar surroundings.

-- When their dog Jerry was diagnosed with cancer and lost a leg to the disease, Jim Nelson and Rene Agredano sold their business and home, purchased an RV and began traveling around the country with Jerry so they could all enjoy his last months together. Jerry survived another two years, and the couple found a new life as advocates for three-legged pets, or tripawds, as they call them. Now they’ve written a book about their experiences, and the lessons learned: “Be More Dog: Learning To Live in the Now.” A foreword by Patrick O’Donnell, creator of the beloved “Mutts” comic strip, leads readers into their story, filled with adventure, celebration and sadness, as well as advice on living well and facing loss.

-- Does your cat love to talk? And do you talk back to her? If you love to carry on a conversation with your cat, you’ll enjoy discovering that certain cat breeds are known for their chatty nature. At the top of the list, no doubt about it, is the Siamese, noted for a loud, raspy voice. Other communicative cats include the Oriental, Tonkinese, Singapura, Maine coon, Burmese and Japanese cobtail. -- 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.

12 ways you and your pet can make the most of an enforced “staycation”

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Dog and cat shows -- canceled. Agility trials -- canceled. Training classes -- canceled.

Right now, we all have the stay-at-home blues, including our pets, who may not be getting as much activity as they’re used to. Or they might be a little weirded out that we’re spending so much more time at home. They can probably feel the stress rolling off us, and it’s stressing them, too. We’ve come up with some fun ways that you and your animals can stay sane, have fun, get some exercise and train your brains.

First, it’s still OK to take your dog for a walk. Seek large, open areas where it’s easy to maintain a 6-foot distance from others, or go at off-hours to decrease the likelihood of seeing other people.

Have a treadmill? Teach your dog to use it. No reason your dog can’t follow the same exercise program as top show dogs. The American Kennel Club has an article and video on how to get started. Visit bit.ly/2QHBVPO to see them.

Set up a virtual rally, nosework or obedience “trial” at home. Have a family member record it and share on social media with friends in the sport. Get others to do it and have someone be a “judge.”

Teach your dog or cat some tricks. Janiss Garza shares tips on trick-training cats in “3 Easy Tricks To Teach Your Cat” on FearFreeHappyHomes.com. Dog trainer Kyra Sundance has YouTube videos on teaching spin, shake, bow and more.

Does your pet need to get the zoomies out, but you don’t have a yard or can’t make it to another outdoor area? Toss a ball down the hall for her to chase and fetch. Or blow bubbles in the living room.

Puzzle toys for dogs and cats exercise their brains and reward them for activity. Or stuff a Kong or other hollow toy with peanut butter, aerosol cheese, kibble or treats to keep him busy.

It’s spring. Let your dog help you plant your garden.

Got a new puppy? You can still socialize him -- just at a distance. Expose him in a positive way to the sight of other people and animals and objects such as fire hydrants and trash cans, sounds of cars and buses, and different surfaces such as grass, asphalt and gravel.

What about you? Learn something new about pet behavior. You can find lots of short, free educational videos on body language, behavior, training and care at FearFreeHappyHomes.com.

Take a Coursera class on dog emotion and cognition from canine cognition researcher Brian Hare, Ph.D., at Duke University.

Discover a new fantasy or sci-fi book series with great animal characters or characters who commune with animals. Favorites with memorable animals (and humans) include Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles with Oberon the Irish wolfhound; Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files with Mouse the Temple Dog and Mister the cat; Damien Dibben’s “Tomorrow,” a tale of an immortal dog in search of his human; David Weber’s Honor Harrington books (with treecats!); Tad Williams’ “Tailchaser’s Song” with Fritti; and Connie Willis’ “To Say Nothing of the Dog” with Princess Arjumand the cat and Cyril the bulldog.

Pop some popcorn (go easy on the butter and salt when you share with pets) and have a movie marathon. To get you started: “The Adventures of Milo and Otis,” “The Adventures of TinTin,” “Air Bud,” “The Aristocats,” “A Street Cat Named Bob,” “Babe,” “Balto,” “Benji,” “Best in Show,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Finding Nemo,” “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,” “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Lassie,” “My Dog Tulip,” “Nine Lives,” “Oddball and the Penguins,” “101 Dalmatians,” “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island,” “Seabiscuit,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” “Togo,” “Turner and Hooch,” “Up” and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.”

Enjoy your unplanned togetherness -- and stay healthy!

Q&A

Are lap cats

made or born?

Q: My cat doesn’t like to sit on my lap, and he doesn’t really like to be petted much either. Is there anything I can do to change his ways?

A: Having a cat sit on your lap is something special, and if his motor is running, it’s even better. It would be fantastic if we could train cats to be lap-sitters, but you might be surprised to learn that willingness to sit on a lap is a genetically influenced behavior. It’s not something that can be changed through early socialization or training.

And it turns out that cats who want to sit on a lap all the time have been found to be a little insecure. The fact that your cat doesn’t feel the need to cling to you but is comfortable in your presence says something special about the relationship between the two of you.

The good news is that for some cats, sitting close to you -- within 18 inches -- is their version of being friendly. And there are ways you can communicate with him through touch and body language that may encourage him to show you more affection.

Body language tells you if your cat is enjoying your touch. He may be particular about where you pet him and for how long. Running your hands through his fur might be soothing for you but annoying for him. A twitchy tail, a forward flick of the whiskers, ears laid back and rippling fur are all signs that your cat has had enough.

Grooming is one way to “pet” him that he may enjoy. Being brushed can feel relaxing and helps build that bond. Watch his body language: If ears go back, it’s time to stop. If ears are forward and eyes are half closed, he’s relaxed. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Vet visits take

new forms

-- Your veterinarian is an essential professional who will likely be providing pet care during quarantines to help prevent spread of COVID-19, but procedures for a visit may be different. Many veterinary clinics are asking clients to call from the parking lot when they arrive so that a technician can come out and get their pets. To reduce the risk of exposure, you’ll be asked to wait in the car while your pet is examined. Telemedicine through videoconferencing is another option if you are unable to get to the veterinary office. If you have pet health insurance, check your policy. It may include access to a veterinary help line for 24/7 advice. Try to avoid routine visits that could use up veterinary supplies needed for more at-risk patients.

-- Shelters may be overburdened at a time when some employees are unable to come to work. Would-be adopters may find themselves looking at pets online and making a phone call to express interest. To help shelters function in the event of a shutdown, residents may be asked to foster animals, care for found pets at their home and put off surrendering a pet to the shelter. Call your local shelter to see if help is needed with fostering or donations.

-- Basset hounds are recognized around the world as good-natured clowns and tail-wagging philosophers. With their large head, keen nose, pleading eyes and short legs, they have the charm to win anyone’s heart, even when they’re breaking the rules -- a common basset habit. Bassets descend from hunting dogs developed at the abbey of St. Hubert in what is now Belgium. The short, long-bodied hounds took their name from the French word “bas,” meaning low. Their short stature made it easy for them to find and follow the scent of their quarry -- rabbits and hares. -- 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.