We’re here to help you choose fun gifts for pets and people

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Are your pets hard to buy for? We’re lucky all of ours adore treats, which makes shopping for them easy, but some dogs and cats are a little more demanding in the entertainment department. It’s not always easy to know what to get pet lovers, either. But we’ve come up with what we think are some great gift options for all the animals and animal lovers on your list -- whether they’ve been naughty or nice. Look for them on Amazon, Chewy or other pet-tastic websites.

Gifts For Pets

A 12-days-of-Christmas Advent calendar filled with toys is a fun way to kick off the holiday season. Open a door each day to bring out a new plush, rope or squeaky toy for your pooch pal.

Anxious dogs can get their calm on with the Busy Buddy Calming Toy, which releases kibble or treats as it’s rolled, and also emits a soothing chamomile scent.

The Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Dog Toy was a Secret Santa gift for some of our large doggie friends. Any dog with a love-hate relationship with squirrels will find joy in searching out the stuffed squirrels tucked into the soft-sided tree trunk.

Any pet who loves warmth -- and that’s most of them -- will appreciate the Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Bed. And you’ll appreciate the washable cover.

People with puppies who haven’t yet learned to keep teeth off skin will want to get one or more of the colorful (and machine-washable!) braided Polar Fleece Happy Hands Happy Dogs Tug Toys: They’re long enough to keep hands safe from ravening shark puppies, and fun enough to entertain them year-round.

Put your kitty connoisseur’s discerning palate to the test with the Catnip Flight from Litterbox.com, containing buds and blends of organic catnip and silvervine (for cats who don’t respond to a hit of ‘nip).

The monthly subscription box from Litterbox.com includes an assortment of six to eight items such as plush or crinkle cat toys, catnip products, and cat-safe household cleaners or grooming products -- not to mention a delivery box for cats to play in.

Cats who love to knead, scratch and burrow will revel in the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug, with strategically placed holes and a thick covering perfect for cat play.

Not all cats run around like maniacs, especially seniors, but they still need play and mental stimulation. The Tower of Tracks by PetStages has a stable base and three levels with movable balls for cats to bat at.

Gifts For Pet Lovers

Pet lovers overwhelmed by fur will thank you profusely for the gift of a ChomChom. This reusable pet hair remover grabs fur, hair and lint, pulling them into a receptacle that can be emptied when full. And for crafty cat lovers who have given up and just live with the fur, there’s “Crafting With Cat Hair,” a how-to book on making things with fallen cat fur.

Sock aficionados -- yes, we’re out there -- adore foot cozies featuring their breed or even personalized with their own pet. Cat-loving kids and grownups alike will love the soothing glow of the multicolor Kitty Night Light. Other good gift ideas for pet lovers are cat- or dog-of-the-day calendars, a custom pet portrait or a session with a pet photographer.

For the bookworm set, look for “Dog’s Best Friend” by Simon Garfield, a guide to the ancient relationship between dogs and humans; “Hit and Run,” a thriller by Amy Shojai, whose dog and cat characters help solve the mystery; “Dog-eared,” a collection of some of literature’s greatest poems about dogs, edited by Duncan Wu; and “Alfie the Christmas Cat” by Rachel Wells, a lighthearted look at the true spirit of the holiday that will appeal to all ages.

Q&A

Ways to get a

sick pet to eat

Q: My dog is sick, and he has lost his appetite. Do you have any tips on how we can get him to start eating again?

A: It’s distressing when our pets are sick and don’t want to eat, especially since we can’t explain to them that eating is an important part of their return to health. Fortunately, there are a few tricks that can encourage your dog (or cat) to start eating again.

-- Try baby food. Giving your pet the pureed meat in those tiny jars -- on its own, or mixed with some rice or his regular food -- may help to jump-start his appetite. It’s not a long-term solution, but rather a strategy for getting him to eat again until he’s starting to feel better. Then you can slowly transition him back to his regular diet. Before trying this, read the baby food’s label to make sure it doesn’t contain onion powder, which has health risks for dogs and cats.

-- Warm the food. Heating your pet’s food on the stove, or briefly in the microwave, can increase its smell. If your dog can’t smell it, he won’t be inspired to eat it. Serve it just above human body temperature -- about 99 degrees Fahrenheit -- so that it’s warm, but not hot. Stir it first to eliminate any hot spots. It can also help to use a damp washcloth to gently wipe away any mucus accumulation from your dog’s nose so he can better smell what you’re offering.

-- Offer small meals several times a day. Your dog might not feel like eating his normal amount of food all at once.

-- Ask your veterinarian about medication that can help. If your dog has an upset stomach, your veterinarian can prescribe nausea-relief medication or an appetite stimulant. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Heart disease, diet

link still unclear

Veterinary researchers and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration have been investigating causes of nonhereditary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which has been seen increasingly since 2014, with more than 1,100 case reports over a six-year period. The disease of the heart muscle, which results in an enlarged heart, is primarily linked to a genetic predisposition, but it is now occurring more frequently in dogs in which the disease is not commonly seen. Increasingly, the nonhereditary form is thought to be a complex interaction of multiple factors such as genetics, underlying medical conditions, and diet.

Potential dietary links include the use of ingredients such as potatoes (including sweet potatoes and red potatoes), peas and lentils in both grain-free and grain-containing diets. Those types of ingredients aren’t new in pet foods, but their proportions may have changed over the years. Dry, canned, raw and home-cooked formulations have been named in the reports.

The FDA met in September with veterinary, academic and industry experts at Kansas State University, which hosted the scientific forum, to review current research and discuss findings. Veterinary cardiologists reported that veterinary treatment and dietary changes brought some good results in improving heart function when DCM was caught early. Among the areas for further exploration are ingredient levels and sourcing, bioavailability of nutrients, and diet processing, with the goal of finding common factors that may play a role. Pet food manufacturers have been asked to share diet formulation information to aid understanding of diet’s role.

No recalls have been made of pet foods associated with nonhereditary DCM because the FDA does not believe it has substantive evidence that the diets are unsafe. Pet owners and veterinarians can check the FDA’s website (fda.gov) for updates as research continues. Signs of DCM and other heart diseases include decreased energy, coughing, difficulty breathing, rapid respirations and collapse.

-- 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.

The first pedigreed cat to claim the “made in America” label, the Maine coon has a long history of charming people

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

They make them big in Maine. Cats, that is. The Maine coon -- the state cat of Maine -- is not only one of the largest domestic cat breeds, but also one of the most popular in the United States. It ranks fifth among the 45 breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association. The laid-back cats enjoy playing in water, take well to walking on-leash, are known to play fetch, demonstrate mousing prowess, and are usually happy to keep four on the floor instead of seeking out the heights that attract other cats.

No one really knows how the breed was developed, but there are a number of fanciful stories behind its origin. One is that the first Maine coon was the result of a hookup between a cat and a raccoon -- or in some tales, a domestic cat and a bobcat. It’s easy to see why those stories popped up, given the Maine coon’s long, bushy tail -- said to resemble that of a raccoon -- and pointed ear tufts (known as lynx tips), like those of a bobcat.

It’s also suggested that they made their way to North America some 1,000 years ago, arriving with Vikings who came, saw, and went back home -- perhaps leaving some of their cats behind to colonize the new land. The Maine coon and the Norwegian forest cat share a resemblance, although breed experts can point out differences in head shape and body type.

Another theory is that Maine coons descend from six of Marie Antoinette’s Angora cats, sent to New England in advance of the French queen. Not as lucky as her cats, she was unable to escape before being taken into custody.

The most likely origin story is that New England sea captains and sailors brought home long-haired cats from exotic ports, and that those cats then mixed with the local domestic cats to create the medium- to long-haired beauties we know today. In 1895, a brown tabby Maine coon named Cosey took Best in Show at the National Cat Show at Madison Square Garden, going home with a silver collar now on display at the Cat Fanciers Association’s Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio (sadly, closed indefinitely due to COVID-19).

Nicknamed “gentle giant,” or sometimes “coonasaurus,” Maine coons can weigh as much as 25 pounds! It can be a surprise when they open their mouth and out comes a small trill, chirp or coo, as well as the usual meows and purrs, all delivered in a quiet tone of voice.

Besides the large size and fancy ears, other distinctive characteristics include a ruff around the neck; tufted paws; soft fluffs of fur, known as furnishings, inside the ears (protecting the delicate interior from snow, ice and chilly temperatures); and a coat that comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Brown tabby is the classic Maine coon look, but the cats also come in solids, calico, tortoiseshell, parti-color (one color plus white), and more. The only colors or patterns you won’t see are chocolate, lavender and Himalayan (pointed).

Not surprisingly, given their shaggy coats, these cats shed up a storm. If you take one home, grooming will become an important part of your life. It’s often said that Maine coons don’t mat excessively, but that’s only true if you comb or brush them out at least weekly. More often is better.

One health issue to be aware of is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of heart disease in cats. Using a genetic test, breeders can screen adult cats for the mutation that causes HCM before breeding them. Walk away from kittens whose parents haven’t been tested. Maine coons’ large size also makes them prone to hip dysplasia, which you may have thought only affected dogs.

For mouse patrol and companionship, you can’t go wrong with a Maine coon. Given good care and nutrition, the furry giants can live 12 to 15 years -- or even more.

Q&A

Teach pups

not to bite

Q: Our new puppy’s nickname is Jaws. Even though we give her lots of chew toys, which she likes, she bites our hands and feet -- hard. We withdraw attention when she bites, but it doesn’t help. Any advice?

A: Mouthing and biting are normal behaviors for puppies -- it’s how they explore their new environment and people -- but it’s important for them to learn that it’s not polite to put their teeth on humans.

Teach your puppy to replace her mouthing of humans with a chew or other toy. Whenever she mouths or bites your skin or clothes, freeze. Don’t move until your puppy lets go. The more still you are, the less fun you are. As soon as she lets go, give her a proper chew toy. Puppies sometimes mouth or bite humans because they learn it brings attention -- even if it’s negative -- so praise her for calm behavior and appropriate play with toys rather than reacting to biting behavior.

Keep chew toys in hand so that she grabs onto what you’re holding instead of the hand itself. Praise her for chewing on a toy.

You can also walk away each time she bites. This will help her learn to decrease the strength of her play biting so as not to lose your attention. The goal is for her to apply no pressure at all to your skin with her mouth.

Pay attention to when she typically mouths or bites. She may be seeking your attention, wanting to go out to potty, or still be excited after play. Knowing this will help you better focus your training and understand her behavior.

Finally, give her plenty of naps throughout the day. If she’s not sleeping enough, she’ll be less able to control the impulses that can lead her to bite you. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cat losing fur?

See the vet

-- If your cat is losing fur like crazy, or has patchy areas of hair loss, that’s not just normal shedding. Alopecia, as hair loss is known, can have many causes, including parasite infestations, allergies, and fungal infections such as ringworm. Cats who are losing an abnormal amount of hair may also have accompanying signs such as itchiness, sores or a change in appetite or energy level. Sometimes pain may cause them to chew at or pull out fur. A visit to the veterinarian can help to uncover underlying health problems.

-- While many dog breeds were developed in the United Kingdom and Europe, more than a few can be said to have been “Born in the USA.” They include the Alaskan malamute, American Eskimo dog, American foxhound, American water spaniel, American Staffordshire terrier, Boston terrier, Boykin spaniel, Carolina dog, Catahoula leopard dog, toy fox terrier and Chesapeake Bay retriever, as well as various coonhound breeds such as the black and tan, bluetick and redbone. Perhaps the most surprising of the lot is the Australian shepherd, who isn’t from Australia at all. Canada has its share of native breeds as well, including the Labrador retriever, the Newfoundland and the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever.

-- Does your cat get the “zoomies” at night? Cats -- including big ones, such as the fleet cheetah -- are built for quick bursts of speed that allow them to surprise and take down prey. They can’t maintain their top speeds -- as much as 30 mph for the average domestic cat -- for long, though. Their bodies overheat quickly, and they must stop and cool down after about one minute. Indoor cats who get the zoomies are burning off excess energy that they haven’t expended in explosive chases during hunting. -- 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.

Need a hand caring for your dog or making pet care decisions? A veterinary social worker may be able to help

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When my father died in July, I flew out to Oklahoma to help my stepmother with the funeral and other arrangements. I expected to be there for a week, but then my stepmother fell and broke her wrist and kneecap -- necessitating surgery and a lengthy stay in a rehab facility.

That brought up a big question: Who was going to care for her pets? I was able to stay an additional two weeks, but I had to be home by the end of the month to take care of my husband and our dogs after his hip replacement surgery.

My stepmother, Ann, didn’t have a regular pet sitter, and her animals -- an elderly toy poodle and a skittish cat -- were not good candidates for a boarding kennel. We needed someone who could stay in the home or make multiple visits daily, give medication, and spend time with 16-year-old Spike, who was grieving for my father. I wasn’t familiar with the resources in the area, and I had my hands full with everything else that was going on.

A veterinary social worker might have been able to help us navigate this quandary.

“These kinds of situations crop up all the time,” says Jeannine Moga of Smithfield, Virginia, a licensed clinical social worker. Moga’s work takes her into the places and situations where human and animal needs meet: homes, hospitals and veterinary clinics, to name a few. She also works in cases involving domestic violence.

Veterinary social workers have training in human-animal interactions and relationships, and may be employed by veterinary hospitals or have their own practices. Their clients might have an acute illness, an unexpected surgery or an injury from a fall or car accident -- any of which could render them unable to care for their pets for days, weeks or even months. In other instances, clients may be facing a long-term health crisis, such as a diagnosis of cancer or dementia, or a dangerous home situation involving domestic violence. They may not have family members or friends who can help.

The role of the social worker is to help clients figure out how to manage not only their animals’ care, but also their own.

“Sometimes the difficulty of finding care for an animal can prevent people from staying on track with their own health care needs,” Moga says.

It’s important to make pet care contingency plans now, so they can be set in motion if you face an emergency. This is also something that seniors and their adult children should discuss. Moga says that since the pandemic began, this issue has been “at the forefront of people’s minds, because you might get sick very suddenly.” She adds that pet owners should “plan in advance for any potential interruption in their animal’s care related to their own health and well-being.”

She recommends starting with small steps, such as writing down details about animals’ daily needs: where they eat and how much, where you keep their food, whether they receive regular medications, how often you change the litter box, what the dog’s walk or play routine is like, and so on. Include a list of pet care contacts, such as the veterinarian, the nearest emergency clinic and the groomer (if pets have regular appointments) -- as well as someone who has agreed to provide emergency pet care or transportation, and who has a key to your home. Post the information on the front of your refrigerator where it can be easily found.

In my stepmother’s case, we were fortunate that her great-granddaughter was able to move in temporarily to take care of Spike and Daisy. But helping Ann put together a care plan -- and updating my own -- is now at the top of my to-do list.

Q&A

Why is my pet

acting up?

Q: How can I better understand my pet? She often misbehaves or seems angry, and I’m never sure why.

A: When I work with clients, I see three common causes of problem behaviors in dogs and cats. Here’s what they are and how to get back on track to a good relationship.

The first is misunderstanding or ignoring a pet’s body language. You may not notice that your pet is asking for space because she’s afraid, anxious or stressed. When you don’t respond to signals such as yawning or lip-licking in dogs, or squinting or turning the head away in cats, your pet may progress to growling or snarling to get the message across. You, in turn, read that as “bad behavior” instead of recognizing that your pet is expressing fear, anxiety or stress.

Another common mistake is putting a pet in a situation she’s afraid of -- one involving small children or loud noises, for instance -- so she can get used to it. Insisting that she allow your 5-year-old nephew to hold her or running the vacuum in the same room with her can cause panic and increase fear. Instead, use gradual desensitization and counterconditioning to help reduce her stress and be better able to manage it in scary situations.

I also see people forcing pets to accept nail trims or having tangles combed out. In the struggle to escape what may have previously been a painful experience -- it hurts to have nails “quicked” or hair pulled -- pets may struggle, potentially injuring themselves or the person handling them. That makes it difficult to ensure that they get good care. A better approach is to work quietly and calmly to teach pets that rewards come with calm cooperation. You can find videos and articles about body language, behavior and training at fearfreehappyhomes.com. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dogs vie for

mayoral title

-- A 6-month-old French bulldog named Wilbur prevailed over incumbent Brynneth Pawltro, a pit bull, in the heated race for mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky (population 426). In this quadrennial contest, it’s common practice to pay for votes -- $1 each -- and anyone is eligible to do so. People from around the world determine the election’s results while raising funds for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, which benefited this year to the tune of nearly $23,000.

-- November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Among the types of cancer pets can get are lymphoma, bone cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, anal sac cancer and oral cancer. Watch for these warning signs, and take your pet to the veterinarian if you see any of them: loss of appetite or difficulty eating; rapid weight loss; diarrhea or vomiting; loss of interest in play or exercise; difficulty defecating or urinating, or changes in frequency of defecation; abnormal stiffness; severe lethargy; unusually strong or foul odors; blood coming from the mouth or rectum; increased thirst and urination; respiratory changes; abnormally firm swellings; or masses along the jaw or toothline.

-- Baby, it’s cold outside! Protect pet skin, fur and paws from winter’s chill with the following tips: Ward off itchy, flaky skin by using a humidifier in your home and drying your pet thoroughly when he comes in from playing in the snow. Rub petroleum jelly into paws before taking your dog outdoors to help pads retain moisture and protect them from deicing salts and other chemicals on streets and sidewalks. For dogs with longer hair on their face, belly, legs, tail or paws, prevent development of ice balls by trimming hair (especially between toes) or putting a coat on to protect the belly area. -- 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.