Most pets stay calm when they see people wearing masks, but these tips can help those who might be a little worried

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Most of our pets are exposed to masks -- scary or otherwise -- at least annually, thanks to the Halloween season. But over the past six months, seeing people in masks has become a daily occurrence for them: on walks, at the veterinary clinic and even at home.

According to interviews with experts, and a completely unscientific survey on social media, animals rarely respond to masks with concern.

Professional dog groomer Julie Ellingson in Sacramento, California, says none of her canine clients bat an eye when she greets them in a mask. They just look for a new place to deliver a kiss, usually targeting her glasses.

Veronica Barker of Tustin, California, wore a mask long before COVID-19 came along in order to protect herself from inhaling dust while grinding the nails of her English springer spaniel, Polly. Barker says Polly is unfazed by the face covering.

That’s probably because animals rely on more than a view of our face when it comes to identification.

“They have other points of reference, such as eye contact, our tone of voice, scent, body language -- and in some cases, familiarity with the person,” says Wailani Sung, DVM, veterinary behavior specialist at San Francisco SPCA. Other cues such as gestures or movement can also contribute to their recognition of a particular person.

Masks muffle voices, and that can be an issue when working with or training dogs, so it’s important to speak clearly. Wearing a mask with a transparent section over the mouth allows other humans -- and very likely dogs -- to read lips and better understand what’s being said.

Some dogs have learned that masks mean good things are about to happen. Shelley Bueche of Austin, Texas, says her dog interprets the donning of a mask as a signal that she’s going to get to go somewhere. “She’s usually right,” Bueche says.

Similarly, Labrador mix Rio and miniature poodle Peach, who both live with Jen Reeder in Denver, get excited and rush toward the door when they see her putting on a mask. That usually means they’re going for a walk, Reeder says.

That’s not to say that every dog reacts to masks with nonchalance. “One of my regular patients growled at me the other day when I was wearing a mask,” says behavior specialist Lisa Radosta, DVM, who practices at Florida Veterinary Behavior Service in West Palm Beach.

Alastor, a flat-coated retriever, first saw owner Jill Gibbs wearing a mask while they were at a Barn Hunt event. “He wanted to pull it off my face, and almost broke my nose trying,” says Gibbs, of Billings, Montana. “He is better now, but still jumps for it.” Her other flat-coat, Izzy, looks twice before she recognizes Gibbs, and her golden retriever, Henry, avoids her until she pulls the mask down so he can see her whole face.

Mask design may affect a pet’s reaction. Some animals might be taken aback by masks with images of dog or cat faces.

“Hopefully, the dog would recognize the family member behind the mask and quickly habituate, especially if engaged in an enjoyable activity,” says Toronto veterinary behaviorist Gary Landsberg, DVM, who heads up research for Fear Free Pets. “However, one would also expect and hope that the owner would recognize, remove and replace a mask if the image evoked fear.”

If you have a new pet or one who doesn’t like masks, the following tips can help:

-- Wear a mask around the house to accustom your pet to seeing people in them.

-- Put on the mask while your pet is watching so he knows it’s you.

-- Don’t stare at your pet (whether or not you’re wearing a mask).

-- If a mask with a particular image causes fear in your pet, remove and replace it.

-- Offer favorite treats or toys while wearing a mask so your pet develops a pleasant association with it.

Q&A

Parrots need

more than seed

Q: What should I feed my new baby parrot? Her veterinarian recommends a pelleted food, but I heard seeds were better.

A: The idea that birds need only seeds for a complete and balanced diet is one of those myths that keeps hanging on. Seeds are high in fat and don’t provide the nutrition that birds need. Feeding only seeds is like giving your kids a diet of hamburgers, hot dogs, and mac and cheese every day. Birds who eat only seeds are prone to obesity and other health conditions caused by poor diet.

Pellets are a mixture of grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables, and provide appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals. Different types of pellets are made for different species and sizes of birds. But not even pellets offer a complete meal for every bird. Many species have unique nutritional requirements.

Adding fresh foods such as vegetables, fruits, pasta and various types of protein -- including lean poultry or cooked eggs -- is important for giving your bird a well-rounded diet. Birds enjoy fun foods that they have to work at: think corn on the cob, a slice of watermelon, the core of a bell pepper, sprouts, or a nut in the shell. Your bird-savvy veterinarian can advise you about the proper percentage of pellets and fresh foods for your bird’s species, but in general, pellets should make up about 80 percent of your bird’s diet.

When are seeds OK? I’m not saying you can never give seeds to your bird; in very small amounts, they are a great reward when you are teaching her something new, or when she has just done something you like. Just remember that they should be a special treat, not a large percentage of her intake. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Airport deploys

virus-sniffing dogs

-- Travelers arriving in Finland’s Helsinki-Vantaa Airport will now be greeted -- at a distance, of course -- by coronavirus-sniffing dogs, who will check to see if they are infectious. The dogs, trained to recognize the virus that causes COVID-19, are located at specially built sniffing stations. Passengers swipe their skin with small pieces of gauze, then put the samples in a beaker and pass it to a dog handler on the opposite side of the booth. The dog sniffs the beaker and indicates any samples that may belong to an infectious person. Results for the free, voluntary tests are available within 10 seconds, and the entire process takes less than a minute. Dogs and passengers don’t come in contact with each other, which helps to protect the dogs from potential infection.

-- Teens in Hungary who participated in a program that involved working with horses two days a week had fewer emotional and behavioral problems, and better “prosocial behavior” -- actions that benefit other people or society as a whole -- than students in the control group, who did not work with horses, according to a report in the journal Environmental Research and Public Health. Researchers’ analysis found that equine-related activities were a significant factor in development of the positive traits. Working with horses requires students to understand equine communication and behavior. The relationship-building skills they learn translate to developing trust, acceptance and understanding with humans as well.

-- Burmese cats, with their unique brown coats, were known as copper cats in Southeast Asia. Smart, funny and playful, they enjoy interacting with people and have a loyal, loving temperament. Burmese aren’t as talkative as their Siamese cousins, but they will carry on a conversation with you in their raspy voices. The medium-sized cats have eyes ranging in color from yellow to gold and a short, glossy, solid-colored coat. -- 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.

Eleven ways to cope with copious shedding

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

It’s October, and that means you are probably in the middle of fall -- the season of flurries and “furricanes” as double-coated dogs shed their summer coats so their winter coats can come in thick and heavy. Even if you don’t live in Alaska or Maine, your Alaskan malamute, Bernese mountain dog, Great Pyrenees, Norwegian elkhound or pretty much any dog with a thick, furry coat will go through this seasonal shedding process, making your life furrier in the process. And don’t think you are home-free if you have a short-haired dog. Labrador retrievers, beagles, pugs and puggles are also among the dogs who shed like nervous Chihuahuas this time of year.

Seasonal shedding, known to the dognoscenti as “blowing coat,” usually begins in September and completes its mission to layer your home, clothes and belongings in fur by November -- just in time for the holidays. (Maybe you can collect it to weave scarves and socks for loved ones?)

People new to double-coated dogs are sometimes stunned by the amount of hair that comes off their pets. Ankle-deep in dustpuppies, they call their veterinarians, wondering if their dog has a skin disease.

Nope, it’s normal. The good news is that it doesn’t last forever (it just seems that way). The better news? You can take steps to help relieve your dog of fur faster. The following tips can help you get through it, sense of humor and sanity intact.

-- Brush daily to remove dead hair.

-- Brush outdoors to keep hair in your home to a minimum.

-- Invest in fur-removal tools: wire slicker brushes, undercoat rakes, shedding blades, Furminators, hound gloves and Zoom Grooms are just a few of the options available.

-- Go easy. With tools such as Furminators, you can become so enthusiastic at the amount of hair that’s coming out that the next thing you know, your dog is bald. Don’t go there.

-- Go to the experts. If you purchased your dog from a breeder, ask about the best grooming tools to use on your dog. For instance, hound gloves, grooming mitts and Zoom Grooms work best on shorthaired dogs. A professional groomer can also give good advice (and take much of the labor off your hands).

For dogs with big, thick coats, pro groomer Julie Ellingson of Sacramento, California, uses a slicker, comb, de-shedding shampoo and conditioner, silicone brushing spray, a Mighty Wind high-velocity dryer and “a liberal yet scientific application of elbow grease.”

-- Draw a warm bath for your dog. That helps to release loose coat. A warm bath every two weeks for her collies encourages dead hair to let go, says Rosemary George of Virginia. Follow the bath with conditioner, and then blow-dry, brushing your dog thoroughly to remove loosened hair and undercoat. For best results, be sure your dog is dry all the way down to the skin.

-- Between baths and brushings, pull out your trusty lint roller and go over your dog with it to remove small amounts of loose hair.

-- Buy a good vacuum cleaner, one that won’t balk at sucking up all that fur. Better, choose one with an attachment, such as an upholstery tool, that allows you to vacuum your dog. If they are introduced to it at a young age and aren’t fearful of the loud noise, many dogs enjoy the feel of being vacuumed. Introduce him to the experience slowly so he doesn’t feel as if he’s being attacked.

-- Ask your veterinarian about fatty acid supplements. They may help to reduce the volume of shedding.

-- De-fur furniture and carpets with a rubber dishwashing glove, hound glove or squeegee. You can find pet hair lifters, lint removers or similar items online or at pet supply stores.

-- Most important, relax. Every fashionista knows dog hair is a neutral.

Q&A

Hair-raising query

about cat fur

Q: Why do cats shed so much hair when they go to the vet?

A: That’s a fascinating phenomenon. They’re just sitting there on the exam table and you pet them and wads of fur come off in your hand. What’s up with that? Your cat’s fur, literally.

When cats get scared, they get goosebumps, just like us. But instead of manifesting as bumps on the skin, the feline physiological reaction is hair-raising, so to speak. Goosebumps occur in humans and apes as a result of stress and have the purpose of making them appear bigger and more frightening in the face of a threat. In cats, piloerection, as this vestigial reflex is known, results in raised fur to make the animal look more fearsome in the face of a stethoscope wielded by a strange veterinarian.

The phenomenon occurs when tiny muscles called arrector pili are stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system -- responsible for the famous fight-or-flight response -- causing them to contract. The arrector pili are located at the base of each hair -- so there are a lot of them -- and when they contract, the hairs are pulled erect. As an intimidation display, it works pretty well.

But then what happens? Lots of that raised fur comes out. That’s because certain of the hairs were already primed to be released. These telogen hairs are in the resting phase of the growth cycle, meaning they are about to be shed anyway. The anxiety caused by a vet visit or car ride or whatever has sent your cat into a tizzy simply accelerates the process, causing your cat to drop fur in an attempt to lighten his body’s load so he can make a run for it. Fortunately, the sudden hair loss isn’t harmful -- in fact, it’s perfectly normal. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dogs at risk for

Chagas disease

-- As if we didn’t have enough to worry about with our dogs -- heartworms, ticks, fleas -- now they are at risk from “kissing bugs.” The blood-sucking insects, found primarily in the southern United States and into Mexico, Central America and South America, seek out animals on which they can feed, including dogs, birds, reptiles and, yes, humans. Dogs can become infected with what’s known as Chagas disease when they are exposed to the bugs’ feces or when they eat the bugs. The potentially fatal disease affects the heart and other organs. According to Sarah Hamer, DVM, at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, approximately 60 percent of kissing bugs in Texas are infected with the disease-causing parasite. To help prevent infection, keep dogs indoors at night, seal cracks and gaps around doors and windows, and keep pet areas clean and bug-free.

-- Who is that masked cat? It’s not just Siamese and other pointed felines that can hide behind a facial mask. Bicolor cats -- a pattern also known as piebald -- have white fur and fur of another color or pattern. Depending on the spotting genes they have, some may sport what are known as “mask-and-mantle” and “black-mask” patterns. Mask-and-mantle cats resemble superheroes, with a colored “mask” and color over the back that looks like a cape. Black-mask cats look just the way the name sounds: They have a mask of black over the head.

-- When immunizing pets, don’t forget ferrets and other exotics. They are as susceptible to influenza, distemper and rabies as dogs and cats. Vaccines are not readily available for exotics, but they may be used off-label at a veterinarian’s discretion. Consider your exotic’s exposure to other animals when discussing the issue with your veterinarian. -- 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.

Animals with jobs are tired of staying home, too, though some are able to work remotely

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Basil is bored.

Turns out that even cats are out of work because of COVID-19. The orange tabby, who in the past has appeared in Bissell vacuum commercials and made frequent therapy visits to nursing homes and hospitals, has been grounded since the pandemic started, and it’s getting to her.

“Production on movies and commercials is at a standstill,” says Tina Parkhurst of Beaverton, Oregon, who lives with Basil and manages the cat’s career. She and Basil make only rare facility visits now -- carefully coordinated to keep everyone, including Basil and Parkhurst’s other cats, safe.

“It’s tough, because cats can’t transmit the virus to humans, but they can get it and give it to other cats, which could stand my entire herd on its ear if I’m not careful,” she says.

Basil just wants to be back on the job. She tries to follow Parkhurst out of the house and waits outside the shower, knowing that if she gets a bath, a facility visit is coming up. “She’s more calm, more attentive, just better behaved overall,” Parkhurst says. “It’s like she thinks that if she’s on her best behavior, she’ll get to go back to her peeps and kids at the hospital.”

Summer is a social media influencer and lifestyle blogger at sparklecat.com. The Somali cat (the longhaired variety of an Abyssinian) still posts about her daily life, but modeling catwear, making appearances at cat shows and other events, going on photo shoots, making therapy visits at hospitals and auditioning for television and movies are all on hold.

“With the pandemic, all this has ground to a halt,” says Janiss Garza of Los Angeles, Summer’s personal assistant, stylist and bodyguard.

Like Basil, Summer is bored staying at home.

“She is a busy cat by nature, and it’s been kind of difficult keeping her occupied since she is so used to traveling and being the center of attention,” Garza says.

Other animals are used to working from home. Belinda, a New Zealand white rabbit, is a spokesbunny for Small Pet Select in Pittsburgh. She writes a weekly blog, “Belinda Says Hay,” and posts on social media every Tuesday and Friday.

“I write about my life at home and as a remote worker for a pet food company,” she responds in an email (typed by her roommate Mary Cvetan). In her latest blog post, she shared her concerns about her friends on the West Coast -- including Abigail, the other rabbit writer on the team, who lives in California.

Even animals with more outdoorsy jobs have been affected. Lola, a 7-year-old dingo, is a canine ambassador at Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Naples, Florida, but she doesn’t have many people to greet these days. The sanctuary used to welcome 20 to 30 community groups per month, but the pandemic put a halt to community education and outreach events until recently, says Deanna Deppen, Lola’s handler and executive director of the sanctuary.

But training and enrichment keep Lola and Deppen busy. Lola is trained as a search and rescue dog -- a job for which she’s well-suited, thanks to her problem-solving ability and independent nature. To maintain their status, she and Deppen must complete continuing education courses and annual testing.

“National certifications require dogs to identify different types of human remains” and differentiate them from animal remains, Deppen says. “Test areas include vehicles, buildings, fields and woods. Dogs must pass all sectors and identify ‘negative’ areas with no remains in double-blind scenarios.”

But there’s good news for some working pets. At least seven airports, including ones in Philadelphia; Reno, Nevada; and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, have recently allowed therapy animal teams to come back to work. Here’s hoping other animal employees are back on the job soon.

Q&A

Cleanliness is

next to catliness

Q: How often should I clean my cat’s litter box?

A: If you’re referring to scooping poop and urine clumps, the answer is daily -- at a minimum. Cats are like the rest of us: They prefer a clean bathroom instead of a stinky, unflushed toilet. Your cat will appreciate your keeping her personal potty area clean. It’s a good idea to scoop the box any time you notice it has been used. That’s why we recommend uncovered litter boxes: They ensure you notice right away that the box needs to be cleaned. And covered boxes hold odors in, which can make them unattractive to cats.

Add new litter as needed. That can vary from cat to cat. Some cats like a deep bed of litter, while others have a “less is more” attitude. It can also depend on the type of litter. Usually, 2 to 3 inches is a good depth for clay litter, or 3 to 4 inches for clumping litter. Stick to unscented kinds; cats have very sensitive noses and they may not like the smell of scented litter.

If you’re referring to the actual litter box, we recommend dumping litter in the trash and cleaning the box every one to two weeks. Use hot water, a mild, unscented dishwashing soap and a brush dedicated to that purpose. Never use ammonia, bleach or pine-scented cleansers, all of which can repel or be toxic to your cat. Dry thoroughly and then add new litter. Clean the litter scoop, too, and store it in a plastic bag or hard-sided plastic container.

Keeping the box clean not only keeps your cat happy, it also helps to keep her healthy. A clean litter box, especially in a multicat home, is less likely to harbor bacteria, viruses or parasites. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Learn a new

language: dog

-- Ever wish your dog could talk to you? He’s doing it all the time, but using body language instead of words. Artist and dog lover Lili Chin, whose illustrations have appeared in books, museum exhibits and dog-bite prevention campaigns, recognized the need for a dog body language guide -- a canine phrasebook of sorts. “Doggie Language: A Dog Lover’s Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend” (Summersdale) contains illustrations and explanations of what dogs are saying when they tilt their heads, yawn, blink their eyes, grin, lick their lips, and more. The book helps readers look at the “whole dog” to interpret posture, tail movement, facial expressions, eye and ear signals, and what it means when a dog has “the zoomies” or offers a kiss.

-- Dogs and cats with osteoarthritis, a painful, degenerative joint disease, may signal the condition by limping, hesitating to jump on or off furniture or go up or down stairs, reducing their activity level, or appearing slow or stiff when they stand up or lie down. If you suspect your pet has osteoarthritis, take her to the veterinarian for an exam. A number of medications and therapies are available to reduce pain and improve mobility. Checklists of signs are available at zoetispetcare.com/checklist/osteoarthritis-checklist (dogs) and zoetispetcare.com/checklist/osteoarthritis-checklist-cat (cats).

-- One of the requirements on a pet food label is a nutritional adequacy statement. It tells you whether a food is appropriate for a puppy or kitten or for an adult animal, for instance. Young animals need high levels of nutrients to fuel their rapid growth, but adult dogs or cats with normal activity levels don’t need those extra calories or nutrients. A nutritional adequacy statement says which life stage the food is meant for, whether that’s “growth” or “maintenance.” An “all life stages” food can be fed to any animal. -- 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.