Get your ducks in a row if you want to add these charming quackers to your family.

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Sara Whitehurst originally planned on getting chickens as pets for her two children, as well as for eggs and to provide pest control in her yard, but a chat with a cousin who had recently acquired some persuaded her that ducks might be a better fit.

Yes, ducks! Chickens have been popular poultry pets for approximately 20 years, but now ducks are taking a quack at being companion birds, too.

“Ducks are great to have around on so many levels,” says avian veterinarian Brian Speer of The Medical Center for Birds in Oakley, California. He not only treats ducks in his practice but has them at home as well. “They are amazingly smart, fun to train, and some of the various breeds are simply fabulous. They are very popular companion backyard birds, and some do live inside the house, wearing their duck diapers.”

Whitehurst, who lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, acquired four female Indian Runner ducks from her local farm store. She describes them as charming and great egg layers. They also protect her garden by eating slugs and other unwanted bugs. (There’s a reason your grandma used the phrase “quicker than a duck on a June bug.”) They can be a little skittish with people, she says, but feeding them kale and other veggie treats by hand has ensured that the ducks are always happy to see her and her children.

Before you run out and get some ducks, be aware of some special considerations. They need water. You don’t need to have a pond or lake, though; a child’s swimming pool can provide them with the water they need to splash around in and clear their bills as they eat.

All that water can make for a big mess, though. Be prepared for daily cleanup of their pen and daily water changes.

Ducks can be destructive to your yard or garden. They may dig holes in the grass with their bills as they search for bugs or nibble on your plants. They can rapidly turn small puddles into large mudholes. At night, they need predator-proof housing to protect them from raccoons, mink and other varmints who might like a duck dinner.

Ducklings have special nutrition needs and require a diet with extra B vitamins. An easy way to provide this is to add brewer’s yeast to their feed every day.

Check to make sure you live in an area zoned for ducks. If not, your neighbors may complain about the noise and force you to rehome them, says Lorraine Aubert, director of Pacific Waterfowl Rescue. A common mistake she sees is people acquiring ducks on impulse and then thinking they can release their ducks “back to nature.”

“Domestic ducks do not have the instincts and skills their wild cousins do,” she says.

But if ducks are for you, you’ll learn quickly that they can be highly personable and enjoy cuddling if they’ve been raised with plenty of human contact.

“They will give their family plenty of laughs and enjoyment,” Aubert says. “They enjoy treats such as fruits and vegetables and will eat out of your hand. They can learn their name and will recognize your voice when you call for them.”

With sound husbandry and nutrition, their medical problems are comparatively few, Dr. Speer says. He typically sees reproductive problems in females, bumblefoot (an inflammatory condition of the weight-bearing aspects of the foot, which promotes bacterial infections), traumatic injuries from predator attacks, foreign body consumption (nails, wires, hardware) and sometimes Aspergillosis infections.

“We are so happy with our little brood, and would recommend ducks to anyone,” Whitehurst says. “They are hardy, don’t mind our Pacific Northwest rain, and are quite easy to care for.”

Q&A

What to do if

dog attacks

Q: We love dogs in our family, but I know that not every dog is friendly. What should I teach my child about how to respond if she encounters an aggressive dog?

A: Great question! That is important information for every child (and adult) to learn so they can stay safe. Being menaced or even attacked by a dog is frightening for anyone, but knowing in advance what to do can help her stay calm and act appropriately.

It’s instinctive to run or scream in the face of any dangerous animal, whether a bear, mountain lion or dog, but the best thing to do is to freeze in place, sideways to the dog, arms crossed over the body. Motion activates an animal’s chase instinct, and high-pitched screaming can make a child sound like prey.

Instead, tell her to stay still and avoid eye contact (it’s OK to watch the dog out of the corner of the eye, but never stare at him). Don’t say anything. The goal is for the animal to view your child as completely unthreatening. Then she can start to move slowly away -- ideally to a spot where she’s more protected, such as behind a wall, fence, door or other barrier. If that’s not possible, she should calmly ask a passerby to help.

If a dog does attack, your child should know how to protect the most vulnerable parts of the body. Have her practice crossing her arms across her body and lifting them to cover her throat and face if the dog lunges forward. If she’s pushed down with her back to the dog, she should curl up into a ball so her knees protect her belly, keep her head down, and cross her hands over the back of her neck to protect it. Learn more here: fearfreehappyhomes.com/dog-bites-6-ways-to-prevent-them. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Meds for cats

may help humans

-- A drug used to treat coronavirus infections in cats may eventually be used to treat COVID-19 in humans: Researchers showed the drug works against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in laboratory experiments, according to an article on Forbes.com by research scientist Victoria Forster. Research published in Nature Communications looked at two similar drugs called GC373 and GC376. Both work by inhibiting proteases, a type of enzyme widely found in several types of living things, including viruses and humans. The coronavirus infection in cats that the drugs have been effective at treating isn’t the same as COVID-19 in humans. In cats, this infection is often mild, but sometimes causes feline infectious peritonitis, which can be fatal. The researchers studied how the drugs bind to the SARS-CoV-2 protease and stop the virus from replicating, giving them confidence that the drug has a good chance of working in humans, too. The research team hopes it will be in human trials by the end of this year.

-- Who are the cutest dogs on Instagram? We found a few. Check out @milo_the_toller, possibly the most colorful of the #dogsofinstagram, not to mention a top dog treat chef; @finnandhiswig, chronicling the hair days of a Cumbrian sprocker (a springer/cocker cross); @dustinpup, an Australian duo who are a Jack Russell/pug cross and a corgi, living the good life in Sydney; @wat.ki, short for Watson and Kiko, who enjoy paddleboarding, music and camping; and @livingwilddogs, living their best life on the road, learning tricks and having adventures.

-- Meet the Bombay. This black cat with copper-colored eyes -- described as a “parlor panther” -- is congenial and intelligent. Bombays have a reputation for inventiveness and curiosity, taking well to leash training and enjoying a good game of fetch. They enjoy attention from their people and can be vocal.

-- 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.

Finding a pet in the time of COVID takes patience and persistence. Here’s one family’s story.

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When their nearly 16-year-old terrier mix, MaeBee, died in mid-May, my niece Laura and her husband, Tyler, weren’t in a hurry to get a new dog. But the more they thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. Some things had changed in their life since the Hendersons had first adopted MaeBee 13 years ago -- most notably, they now have a 5-year-old daughter, Aanika. The COVID quarantine also played a role.

“It made sense to look,” Laura Henderson says. “If we found a dog that felt like a good fit, we knew that we could be home and acclimate together while Aanika was there, because at that point we were assuming she would be in school in the fall. If housetraining needed to be done, we’d be home to do it.”

She began searching on Petfinder.com, but any dog described as “good with kids” or “housetrained” was adopted almost instantly. She went from looking daily to looking multiple times each day. The Hendersons didn’t want an extremely large dog, but for the most part, they were open to a variety of types and sizes, male or female. Most important was that any dog they adopted have a good relationship with Aanika.

Their experience isn’t unusual, says Wailani Sung, DVM, veterinary behaviorist at San Francisco SPCA. “We do not have the same number of animals at our shelter like we did before COVID, but we have a steady number of animals coming into our shelter,” Dr. Sung says. She adds that the habit of looking at a shelter’s website at least daily is a good one, because sometimes they are updated several times a day.

After nearly a month of looking, the Hendersons struck gold with Moose -- now named Joon. The 2-year-old American English coonhound (based on a DNA test), listed on Petfinder, had been taken in as a stray at a shelter about an hour away from their home in Indianapolis, Indiana. Shelter employees didn’t know how he would be around kids, but based on his reactions to adults and other animals, they thought he could be a good choice.

“We went to meet him without any expectation that we would be necessarily taking him home,” Henderson says. “He was really attached to the woman who brought him in, but when she left, he immediately went and sat next to Aanika. He just sat there and let her pet him. He was super-gentle with her. It seemed like a match.”

They brought him home, and the same evening, had a socially distanced porch dinner with friends who were driving through from North Carolina. There were four children all together, and Joon luxuriated in all the petting. “It was pretty immediate affirmation that he was gentle and liked little people,” Henderson says.

While adoptions may begin to slow now that schools are starting to open, many families are still spending unusual amounts of time at home. Sung recommends that potential pet adopters think ahead three to six months, when life may have returned to some semblance of normal. They should have a plan for how the animal will be cared for or walked if they start going back to the office full-time. People who have already adopted should start now to accustom pets to being home alone. (You can find tips here: fearfreehappyhomes.com/separation-anxiety.) As far as finding a dog or cat, Henderson and Sung have some advice:

Instead of searching only for pets that meet your criteria (“housetrained” or “child-friendly”), read all the listings, Henderson says. It’s too easy to miss pets who might otherwise be a good option.

For cats, ask to see video of how the cat behaves in the enclosure or interacts with staff members, Sung says. Some cats are shy with visitors, and you may not get a true picture of their personality.

As for Aanika and Joon? He follows her around and she sings to him. They’re a team.

Q&A

No need to

rehome cat

Q: I’m pregnant with our first child, and my mother-in-law says we should get rid of our cat because of the risk of toxoplasmosis. Is she right?

A: You can safely keep your cat. Toxoplasma is an internal parasite that lives in the muscles of sheep, rabbits and rats. Cats who eat the meat of an infected animal can spread the parasite through their feces. If your cat lives indoors, she’s unlikely to become infected. And in most cases, only young cats pass feces contaminated with toxoplasma eggs (oocysts). If you have an adult cat, the chance of infection is very low.

Veterinarians are well informed on this subject, possibly even more than doctors, because they learn about toxoplasmosis at least four times during their education: in courses on feline medicine, parasitology, zoonotic disease and public health -- including meat and food safety. I can assure you that female veterinarians and veterinary technicians don’t stop working with cats when they are pregnant. You can take the same easy precautions they do to reduce the risk of infection to the developing fetus.

-- Delegate litter-scooping duty to your spouse. (Do this before the pregnancy when attempting to conceive.)

-- Have your spouse scoop the litter box once or twice daily. Toxoplasmosis organisms need time after being passed in the cat’s feces to become infective. Frequent scooping minimizes the risk that the oocysts will be around long enough to become infective.

-- Keep your cat indoors to prevent her from hunting and eating wild prey.

-- Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your cat, cook lamb or rabbit meat well. And wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw lamb or rabbit, just as you would with chicken, beef or other meat.

These precautions apply to anyone who is immunocompromised, not just women who are pregnant. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cat film wins

awards, acclaim

-- The film “Catnip Nation” tells the stories of people who risk job loss, arrest and fines to care for the community cats in their towns and neighborhoods. Director Tina Traster was inspired to make the 75-minute documentary when she became aware of people being punished for acts of kindness to the cats. The film won the 2019 MUSE Medallion from the Cat Writers Association in the Video or Television Production (Rescue and Advocacy) category, and is an official selection of the Nature Without Borders International Film Festival. Stream it on Amazon or Tubi.

-- The Bolognese isn’t an Italian pasta dish, but a member of the Bichon family of dogs, whose other members include the Maltese, bichon frise, Havanese and coton de tulear. The small, fluffy white dogs hail from the northern Italian city of Bologna, where they were known as early as the 13th century. They love people and are described as smart, happy and vivacious. Keep their cottony white coat tangle-free with daily brushing.

-- Domestic guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are popular small pets because they are docile, friendly and easy to handle. Originally from the Andes mountains in South America, they come in many different coat types and colors, and are popular exhibition animals around the world. Guinea pigs are often considered to be good children’s pets, but they deserve to live in a home with a family where they are cared for kindly -- and not roughly handled, as can happen with younger children. They are easy to train with positive reinforcement, and fun to watch as they hop happily in their habitats (an activity known as popcorning). Pet guinea pigs who are well cared for can live up to eight years, and one earned a Guinness record for a lifespan of nearly 15 years. -- 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.

How to prepare pets and yourself for evacuation or sheltering in place in the event of a disaster.

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

The West is on fire. Large swathes of Iowa have been destroyed by a massive windstorm called a derecho. And as I write, two hurricanes are heading for Louisiana. No matter where you live, you’re probably at risk of one natural disaster or another, including floods, tornadoes and earthquakes (although maybe we shouldn’t give 2020 any more ideas). Here’s how to be prepared.

Pack a “go bag” for each family member, including pets. A pet’s bag should include an unopened bag of food (enough for at least three days); copies of prescriptions and vaccination records; a toy, blanket or bed that smells like home; and a photo that could be used for a “lost” poster in case you become separated. Rotate food out of the go bag regularly, replacing it with a fresh bag. If you have to pack in a hurry, don’t forget medication, parasite preventive and grooming tools. Have an ice chest with a cold pack available for food or medications that need to remain chilled.

Remember the five P’s, advises Lorilynn (no last name given), who faced the 2017 Thomas Fire in Ojai, California. Those would be Pets, Prescriptions, Passports, Papers and Pictures.

Carla Wilson-Leff, who lives on two acres in Elko, Nevada, with three dogs and a rabbit, is always ready to go during fire season.

“My van holds 95% of the things I need for my dogs, including a case of water,” she says. “If we needed to evacuate, I add dog food, medications, toiletries and clothes. I keep a cat carrier next to my rabbit’s stall. I could have us out of here in 15 minutes.”

Terilynn Mitchell lives in Forestville, California, with six cats. When her home was recently threatened by fire, she was ready to evacuate with her cats to her brother’s home.

“At the first sign of danger, I loaded a litter box, potty pads, litter, scoop, and wet and dry food,” she said. “My carriers are always set up with towels and potty pads. I planned ahead of time who would go in which carrier.”

She placed important paperwork, electronics, medical equipment, medications and feline paraphernalia in the car first, then placed the cats in carriers and loaded them. “It might have been better to load the cats first before they got anxious, but it was 90 degrees and I feared them overheating,” she says.

Prepare pets for travel. If they aren’t already accustomed to carriers, start teaching them now that the carrier is a great place to be. Leave carriers or crates out in areas where family members spend time. Place treats inside them regularly for pets to find. Put a favorite blankie or toy inside to make the carrier a cozy hideaway. Spraying or wiping the interior with synthetic feline or canine pheromones (not while the pet is in the carrier) that send calming chemical messages can also give it an air of security. You can find more about carrier training at fearfreehappyhomes.com/teach-your-cat-to-go-into-a-carrier-without-a-struggle.

Take a first aid class. Those skills prepare you for the unexpected.

“In a disaster, pets could step on broken glass or flying debris could cause injuries,” says Arden Moore, a master certified pet first/CPR instructor with Pet First Aid 4U. Her advice?

“After taking a first aid class, have some fun practicing wrapping the leg, splinting the leg, getting the dog or cat in or out of a carrier safely so they have that predictability factor,” she says. The same goes for practicing evacuations.

“Do practice drills. Make it a game. You don’t want them freaking out when the real deal hits,” Moore says.

Finally, if you’re in a safe place and have room to spare, offer to take in animals or humans who need shelter from the storm. You can also find more about disaster prep at uexpress.com/pet-connection/2016/6/20/ready-for-disaster.

Q&A

Put poisons

in their place

Q: I’m getting my first cat. Are there any household poisons or other dangers I should be concerned about?

A: Cats are not as likely as dogs to scarf up any old thing they run across, but they are still at risk of accidentally ingesting toxic substances such as ammonia, bleach, cleaning agents, disinfectants, drain cleaner, gasoline, oven cleaner, paint, and rodent poisons -- all of which can kill your cat.

Maybe you mop the floor with pine-scented cleaner and your cat walks across it while it’s still damp. He then licks his paws to clean them off, and the next thing you know, he has been poisoned from ingesting the cleaner. That can happen with many substances if your cat walks through them. Antifreeze drips on the garage floor are a big concern, for instance.

Any time you use cleansers on floors, counters or other surfaces, put your cat in another room until the surface is dry or you have thoroughly wiped up the residue. Clean up antifreeze spills immediately, and never assume that poisons are out of your cat’s reach. Put anything toxic, especially if it could leak, inside a locked cabinet away from your cat’s normal living area. That includes weed killers, pesticides, turpentine and dried-up paint rollers. If you have a rodent problem, use traps that kill instantly instead of rodenticides or sticky traps that cause cruel, painful deaths.

Other household dangers include washing machines or dryers with doors left open. We know of a very sad case recently where a kitten was drowned in the washing machine because no one realized he was inside it. A cat may also find the warm interior of a dryer an inviting place to take a nap, but it could be fatal if someone turns it on without checking first. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pet feeding

needs vary

-- Wondering how much to feed your pet? The right portion size is individual to each dog or cat. Age, metabolism and activity level are factors that play a role in how much a pet needs -- or wants -- to eat. Feeding guidelines on the bag or can of food are just that: guidelines. Your dog or cat may need more or less than the recommended amount. Let your pet’s condition guide you. If she’s putting on weight, cut back a little. If she’s looking skinny, add more. Your veterinarian can help you determine an appropriate weight.

-- Foxtails are grasslike weeds that look harmless, but have barbs that can latch onto your pet’s skin -- becoming embedded between toes, inside the ears or nose, or on other parts of the body. They can work their way through the skin or be inhaled, causing serious injuries that are difficult and expensive to treat, or sometimes fatal. Foxtails that migrate inside the body can travel to the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys or other organs. Check pets for foxtails after they’ve been outdoors or if you notice them licking or biting at an area, especially if it looks swollen. Use tweezers to remove visible foxtails. If your pet is sneezing uncontrollably, squinting or shaking his head frequently, a visit to the veterinarian is in order.

-- Dog showing has its own language. Here are some terms you might have wondered about. Bite: the way the upper and lower jaws meet. Conformation: a dog’s form and structure. Dewlap: excess loose, hanging skin at the throat. Flews: skin that hangs down at the corners of the mouth. Plume: a long fringe of hair on the tail. Self-colored: when a dog is a solid color with no white. Type: the combination of features that make a breed unique. -- 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.