Seven reads for animal lovers of all ages and interests

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

We’re always on the lookout for great animal books. Whether your leisure reading leans toward mystery, feel-good stories or nonfiction, we've found some books that are perfect for curling up with your favorite cat or dog and getting lost in a world of words.

In “The Hiding Place,” Afghanistan veteran Mercy Carr is looking forward to her grandmother’s wedding at a tony Vermont inn -- until her mother shows up demanding that Mercy either take over teaching the promised yoga sessions at the wedding venue or find missing spa director Bodhi St. George, who vanished in the night. Mercy and her retired bomb-sniffing Belgian Malinois, Elvis, succeed in finding St. George -- wounded -- before he disappears again. Author Paula Munier masterfully orchestrates suspense, danger, past crimes and family drama -- with Elvis playing a pivotal role -- to bring about a satisfying but perhaps not unsurprising resolution.

You know it’s going to be a good read when the dog has you laughing on the first page. I’m not always a fan of books in which the dog talks, but the Chet and Bernie series has long been a favorite. As Stephen King said, “Spencer Quinn speaks two languages -- suspense and dog -- fluently.” Chet (the dog) and Bernie (the detective) are partners in the Little Detective Agency, and their latest case, in “Bark to the Future,” has them seeking the whereabouts of a missing man who was Bernie’s high school baseball teammate, with only a mysterious switchblade as a clue. Murder ensues, and Bernie learns that the past isn’t dead -- it’s not even past. Will he and Chet be able to scent out the answers before it’s curtains for them?

Dogs are often a mystery to us, but in his new book “Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide to All Things Canine,” Marc Bekoff takes readers from A (starting with “abnormal behavior”) to Zoomies in an encyclopedic look at the whys and hows of dogs. It includes facts such as the number of living canid species (36); science, including the canine ability to do math; and answers to common and not-so-common questions people have about dogs. A foreword by Jane Goodall and whimsical illustrations by singer and dog lover Joan Baez complete the package.

Apparently, people have even more questions about cats because there are two new books on understanding our feline overlords. In “Being Your Cat: What’s Really Going on in Your Feline’s Mind,” authors Celia Haddon and veterinarian Daniel Mills take readers on an engaging tour of what it might be like to be a cat, based on the latest scientific research in feline cognition and physiology. It’s a valuable asset for both new and experienced cat lovers.

In witty, entertaining prose, cat-loving evolutionary biologist Jonathan B. Losos looks at the rise of cats from the earliest feline ancestor to the saber-toothed tiger to the little lions who have conquered our sofas and hearts in “The Cat’s Meow.” “Cats,” he writes, “are a great example of evolutionary diversification.” Early domestic cats looked a lot like their progenitors, African wildcats, but starting about 2,000 years ago, they began showing greater diversity in appearance. Chapters address the differences and similarities between wild and domestic cats, social behavior, breed development, color genetics, tracking studies and more.

Old dogs are special, and in her award-winning book “Extraordinary Old Dogs,” Laura Greaves shares the joys of living with them and their remarkable capacity for inspiring us, loving us and simply surviving against all odds. “Loving an old dog is different, certainly, but it is a unique and beautiful chapter in the story of their life,” Greaves writes.

Cats provide equally heart-warming reads in “A Cat Named Fatima: Tales of 23 Cats and the People Who Loved Them.” The collection, by veterinarian James Kenyon, highlights the devotion and humor in feline relationships with people. It earned a well-deserved nomination from the Cat Writers Association’s annual writing competition.

Q&A

Teach pets

recall cue

Q: How can I get my dog to come when I call? He’s always more interested in whatever he’s sniffing.

A: Responding to the cue “Come” or “Here” is probably the most important thing a dog can learn, but some dogs are better than others at taking it to heart. Herding and sporting breeds and mixes are generally more responsive to it than independent hounds, terriers and mixes of those breeds, but it is possible to teach any dog a reliable recall.

First things first: Coming when you call should be the greatest thing in a dog’s life. Never yell at or punish them once you get ahold of them. Heck, if that’s the response they get, why would they want to come to you? Practice frequently, make it fun and reward lavishly with treats and praise.

For instance, don’t always call your dog for something negative, such as going into the house after play, being put on leash or getting a bath. Call them lots of times to give a treat or toy, then let them go back to playing or sniffing. At the same time, teach the “gotcha” collar grab to get them used to it in case you ever need to stop them quick. See more here: fearfreehappyhomes.com/gotcha-why-grabbing-your-puppys-collar-needs-to-be-fun.

Use a happy, excited, high-pitched voice to call your dog. Walk backward, slightly bent over. A squeaky toy or favorite ball can also capture your dog’s interest. Instead of chasing your dog, run away so they’ll chase you.

Practice "Come" or "Here" daily, using both a standard 6-foot leash and a longer line at different times, and use lots of positive reinforcement. Seek help from a positive-reinforcement trainer if necessary.

Learning a great recall could save your pet's life. Here are some additional tips: fearfreehappyhomes.com/home-school-your-dog. --Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Urban areas

home to parrots

-- Parrots have become residents of major cities around the world, usually after escaping the confines of pet homes and setting up house in habitats ranging from the palm trees of Orange County, California, to croplands in Spain and Uruguay and cities that include Amsterdam, Brooklyn, Singapore and Athens. The smart, social birds are well suited to city life and surviving on their own, but there are drawbacks. An article in the July/August issue of Scientific American details their spread and their impact on agriculture, power outages and fires -- and on other wildlife, whose locales they’ve invaded. Researchers are seeking ways to balance the birds’ environmental effects while still providing habitat for parrot species that may be at risk in their native areas from poaching or development.

-- A new digital tool designed by Nationwide lets pet parents learn about common health conditions by breed and life stage; explore preventive and early detection measures; and obtain information on training, coat care, behavior traits and more. The Pet Health Zone (thepethealthzone.com) is an interactive online platform designed to help owners make informed decisions about their pets’ health and care. It’s built on 40-plus years’ worth of claims data from more than 12 million pets and can be used by anyone, not just Nationwide members.

-- Your favorite air freshener may pose a risk to your pet’s health, experts say. Pets are sensitive to the chemicals and essential oils they contain, especially if the animals are small, young, or have health conditions such as asthma (common in cats), heart disease or cancer. Sprays, diffusers and candles disseminate irritating droplets, volatile organic compounds and smoke, all of which can cause inflammatory reactions. Avoid using them in rooms that pets frequent, and call your veterinarian if you notice your pet coughing or having breathing problems. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker is founder of the Fear Free organization, co-founder of VetScoop.com and author of many best-selling pet care books. Kim Campbell Thornton is an award-winning journalist and author who has been writing about animals since 1985. Mikkel Becker is a behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/Kim.CampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Do you know what your cat is trying to tell you? A new book helps cat lovers interpret body language and vocalizations

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

The ways of cats can be mysterious, especially if you’re new to them. But even lifelong cat lovers can learn something new from author/illustrator Lili Chin’s book “Kitty Language” (kittylanguagebook.com), an illustrated guide to understanding cat body language, behavior and vocalizations.

Playful illustrations and easy-to-read text take readers on a tour of the feline body -- eyes, ears, whiskers, tail, expression -- and explain what those flicks, twitches, pupil changes, postures and more are saying about a cat’s mood, feelings and desires.

Chin first became interested in animal behavior and training when she adopted a Boston terrier, Boogie, in 2007. Learning to understand the small, subtle signals of stress that preceded reactive behaviors was an eye-opener, and she began drawing his body language to help her understand what he was communicating.

“The illustrations went viral,” she says. “I started working with dog behaviorists and trainers to create dog body language charts to educate the public.”

That led to the publication of her first book, “Doggie Language.” It included illustrations of different breeds, since canine body language can vary depending on the presence or absence of a tail or whether ears prick up or hang down.

After Boogie passed away in 2020, Chin acquired two cats, Mambo and Shimmy. Not knowing much about cats at the time, she took a deep dive into what was known about feline behavior to ensure that she could recognize if they were happy and well.

“I did a lot of research. I spoke to a lot of cat experts and read books and was obsessed with watching my cats and drawing them. And then it felt like it was a good time to do a cat body language book.”

One of the ways I judge the value of a book is whether I learned something new. And I did! When cats quickly lick their lip or nose and then swallow, it suggests that they may be feeling uneasy or concerned.

Another fascinating fact is that whisker structure varies by breed. For instance, curly-coated cats such as Cornish and Devon rex also have curly whiskers. Maine coons tend to have longer whiskers than other cat breeds. The hairless sphynx has no whiskers or eyelashes.

For Chin, writing about how to recognize whether cats were playing or fighting was of special interest. Mambo and Shimmy are good friends, she says, but sometimes it’s hard to tell if rough-and-tumble action is done in a serious or lighthearted spirit. For answers, she spoke with Kristyn Vitale, Ph.D., who studied social behavior in cats. Vitale explained it this way: “It’s like sports. You want to win. It’s stressful. There’s stress when you’re trying to win, but it’s still fun.”

If you’re unsure, body language tells all. Fun play is mostly silent, with no hissing or growling; swatting or smacking is done with claws in, not out; bites don’t inflict pain or injury; and the cats take turns being on top.

The book also discusses how cats use scent to communicate, how to recognize the expression of a cat in pain, why cats pretend to sleep and the most entertaining feline stress reliever -- the zoomies.

To successfully interpret what a cat is telling you, consider context, and look at the whole cat. Get to know the cat as an individual, and try to understand what they’re experiencing in the moment. A lot depends on a cat’s age, health, breed and sex, as well as other factors, including environment. With their keen senses of sight, smell and hearing, cats can be exquisitely attuned to sounds or actions we don’t even notice.

Chin hopes her book will inspire cat lovers to observe and pay closer attention to their cats. “That is important in terms of making sure we don’t stress our cats out and that we help them stay safe and comfortable,” she says.

Q&A

Are dental chews

good for teeth?

Q: Can dental chews really help my dog’s teeth? What kind should I buy?

A: While brushing your dog’s teeth daily is the gold standard for keeping teeth and gums healthy, chances are good that you do it only sporadically, if at all. So while I still encourage you to do that, I’m happy to let you know that dental chews can aid in reducing tartar and keeping pet teeth clean -- science confirms it. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Animal Science (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7511057) found that giving a daily dental chew could help slow the development and progression of periodontal disease in dogs.

Avoid chews that are too hard, like bones or antlers. If a chew would hurt if you banged your knee with it, it’s too hard. I asked veterinary dentist Jan Bellows for some additional tips. Here’s what he says:

1. The chew must be safe, digestible and soluble so it will dissolve rapidly and not get caught in the esophagus or intestines, requiring surgery.

2. The chew should contain GRAS (generally regarded as safe) ingredients with few chemicals.

3. The chew should be nutritionally complete.

4. The chew should have proven dental benefits (decreased production of plaque and/or tartar).

5. Most important, the chew should be accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC.org). VOHC reviews applications from chews that have conducted two double-blinded studies that not only show at least 20% plaque/tartar retardation, but are also considered safe.

Dental chews work best when your dog has had a comprehensive dental exam to identify and treat any problems and when you combine their use with an annual professional cleaning performed under anesthesia so your veterinarian can take dental X-rays, clean beneath the gumline and extract any teeth that are broken or causing issues in the mouth. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Parrots flock

to video calls

-- Parrots are highly intelligent and social, but when it comes to meeting their complex cognitive and emotional needs, they often don’t have opportunities to soar. A study that taught parrots to video call each other may be a first step toward remedying that. Eighteen birds of different parrot species, including African greys, cockatiels and macaws, took part in the three-month study, which produced more than 1,000 hours of video observations of the birds’ behavior. With the support of their human caretakers, they learned how to place calls to each other whenever they wanted. Participating parrots engaged more regularly in social behavior like preening, singing and play, and parrots who made the most calls also received more calls. Find out more here: gla.ac.uk/news/headline_949129_en.html.

-- Siamese have a reputation as the chatty catties of the feline world (uexpress.com/pets/pet-connection/2022/09/19), but they’re not the only ones. Other members of the so-called Oriental family of cats, such as Balinese, Orientals, Tonkinese, Bombays and Burmese, usually share their gift of gab. For a quieter companion, look to breeds such as the Persian, Maine coon and Norwegian forest cat.

-- A hospital in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, has built a pavilion to allow pet visits for long-term care patients, Reuters reports. Pets weren’t allowed in St. Trudo Hospital, so patients had to see them in the courtyard. The new indoor space, which is separate from but connected to the hospital building, enables people to have visits with their dogs or cats for an hour per week, thanks to funding from a cancer charity. "For long-term hospital residents, mental well-being is very important in their recovery, and reconnecting with pets really helps," said hospital spokesperson Miet Driesen. Starting in September, the hospital also plans to use the pavilion for animal-assisted therapy sessions to aid mental and motor skill rehabilitation. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker is founder of the Fear Free organization, co-founder of VetScoop.com and author of many best-selling pet care books. Kim Campbell Thornton is an award-winning journalist and author who has been writing about animals since 1985. Mikkel Becker is a behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/Kim.CampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Pet owners are tightening their belts while still making sure their animals get the best they can afford

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Rising prices for veterinary care, food and pet-related products and services have pet owners looking for ways to save while still ensuring that their pets don’t have to do without. Even small changes can make a big difference. Regular wellness care or purchasing pet health insurance call for spending money upfront, but they can save your bacon if they mean discovering a pet’s health condition early or having the means to treat an expensive illness or injury.

We asked pet owners and experts around the country how they recommend dealing with higher costs for pet care. Here are their tips.

-- Take advantage of subscriptions to products you buy regularly. “It was a huge pain initially, but for recurring products, I set up subscriptions,” says Indiana-based Maggie Marton. “For nearly everything -- meds, food, fountain filters, Feliway, litter -- there’s a website out there that offers a discount for a subscription. All told, I spend 10% to 20% less on these items.”

-- Do it yourself. Christie Keith, who has four dogs -- one of them a giant breed -- has begun bathing and grooming her silken windhounds and Scottish deerhound herself instead of sending them to a professional groomer. Beth Quade learned to sew so she could make clothes and collars for her thin-skinned Italian greyhounds.

-- Take preventive care seriously. “Early intervention can save thousands,” says veterinarian Kathryn Primm, owner of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee. “People think they are saving by doing an internet search and trying stuff at home, but many times it won’t work, and the delay makes the pet sicker.”

Preventing parasites also saves money. “Heartworm prevention ranges in cost based on size, but is usually less than $10 per month,” Primm says. “Treatment costs more than $1,000.”

-- Ask if you or your pet might qualify for special programs or discounts. Some veterinarians offer senior discounts, says Jose Kirchner of Sacramento, California.

-- Don’t wait until your pet is sick to establish a relationship with a veterinarian. It’s a good way to head off problems, Kirchner says. “They’ll know your pets and have records and prior lab results, avoiding the need for a more extensive workup and working blind with a pet they’ve never seen before.”

-- Get pet health insurance before problems develop. No pet insurance company covers preexisting conditions. Avery Folsom of Delta, Colorado, says, “I have pet insurance to help with vet costs, and PetCo has a program where they give store credit for taking your dog to the vet as well as discounts.”

Some employers offer discounted pet health insurance as an employee benefit. “It’s cheaper than buying it directly, helps with some routine costs, and is helpful for emergency visits,” says Linda Dennis.

Laura Anne Gilman of Seattle occasionally considers dropping her dog Max’s pet insurance, “then she goes and does something stupid,” and Gilman is glad she kept the coverage.

-- Be creative if your dog is a treat hound. Retired librarian Lis Carey’s Chinese crested service dog Cider -- with Carey as her amanuensis -- landed a gig reviewing dog treats for science fiction fan and industry news blog File 770 (bit.ly/3PHZVBu), for which Carey reviews books. The blog editors send treats directly to Cider, and she shares her opinion. Couldn’t hurt to contact the editor of your fave knitting or other special-interest blog to see if they need a canine or feline pet treat reviewer.

-- Quit smoking. “I have seven dogs, and I am actively quitting smoking,” says Kirst Clements, who is based in the United Kingdom. “I cannot afford to do (both smoke and care for my pets), and my dogs come first.”

-- Shelters may have programs that can help if money is tight. Austin Pets Alive! in Texas (austinpetsalive.org/resources/pass#Affordable%20Veterinary%20Resources), Jacksonville Humane Society in Florida (jaxhumane.org/pet-help/pet-owner-assistance), Calaveras Humane Society in California (calaverashumane.org) and Santa Fe Animal Shelter in New Mexico (sfhumanesociety.org/guardian-assistance) are among the shelters nationwide that provide services or information on local resources for food assistance, affordable behavior and veterinary care and other pet care needs.

Q&A

Can supplements

help senior pets?

Q: Are there supplements that can help my older pet? I want them to be around for a long time.

A: Supplements, sometimes called nutraceuticals, have a reputation for helping the body and brain to function well, but some are more useful than others. Some have clinical research to support their claims, while others may offer only clever marketing or celebrity endorsements. The following types of supplements may have benefits for your senior dog or cat.

-- Essential fatty acids: Known as omega-3 and omega-6, these EFAs are believed to help maintain brain function, boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

-- Glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate: This combo nutraceutical, sometimes used together with EFAs, has some clinical evidence for anti-inflammatory effects and cartilage repair, both of which may help pets with arthritis.

-- Probiotics and prebiotics: Intestinal bacteria break down food into nutrients the body can use. Probiotics are doses of those “good” bacteria. Among their benefits, they can aid digestion, support the immune system and help ward off stress. Prebiotics promote growth of beneficial bacteria.

Choose supplements that have been evaluated in dogs and cats and with claims that are supported by research. Remember that supplements alone won’t help pets who are eating low-quality food or who are so overweight that their joints are begging for mercy. Often, a better diet or a good weight-loss program is what a pet needs more than any supplement. And pets are individuals. Not all of them need the same supplement program.

Talk to your veterinarian about what you’re looking for and whether certain supplements can help you meet those goals for your pet. An overall wellness strategy based on a comprehensive senior pet exam is the best way to help ensure your senior pet’s comfort and longevity. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Slow senior dog gait

indication of dementia

-- If your senior dog is walking more slowly than normal, it could be a sign of dementia, according to a new study from North Carolina State University, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. “Walking speed in people is strongly associated with cognitive decline,” say researchers Natasha Olby, Dr. Kady M. Gjessing and Rahna M. Davidson. “We hypothesized that the same might be true in dogs.” The researchers measured and compared gait speed in 46 adult and 49 senior dogs. Senior dogs who moved more slowly had more severe levels of cognitive decline based on owner-completed cognitive assessment questionnaires and did worse on cognitive testing. “When you look at functional aging, the two most important predictors of morbidity are mobility and cognition,” Olby said in a news release. “Mobility relies heavily on sensory input, central processing and motor output -- in other words, the nervous system -- as a result, mobility and cognition are super interconnected. When you have less mobility, the amount of input your nervous system gets is also reduced. It’s not surprising that walking speed and dementia are correlated.”

-- A tick-borne disease called “bobcat fever” (cytauxzoonosis) kills cats fast, often before owners can get them to the veterinarian. If your cat suddenly seems depressed, lethargic or won’t eat, get them to the vet immediately, even if they’ve been treated with a tick preventive. Learn more in our Q&A: uexpress.com/pets/pet-connection/2016/07/18.

-- Splash! Have you and your water-loving dog tried dock diving? If your dog loves running and jumping into water, this is the sport for him. There are three events: big air, extreme vertical and speed retrieve. Dogs who are good at all three can earn points toward an "Iron Dog" title. To find out more, go to dockdogs.com or northamericadivingdogs.com. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker is founder of the Fear Free organization, co-founder of VetScoop.com and author of many best-selling pet care books. Kim Campbell Thornton is an award-winning journalist and author who has been writing about animals since 1985. Mikkel Becker is a behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/Kim.CampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.