pet connection

When you imagine a cat, chances are you imagine a tabby. From this week’s Pet Connection newspaper feature:

(T)he tabby pattern, with its familiar stripes, is the most common in all of catdom. It’s so dominant that even some apparently solid-colored cats can be discovered, on close inspection, to have faint stripes, especially on their heads, legs and tails.

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Tabbies can be further distinguished by differences in the pattern of their stripes. For example, a spotted tabby has gaps in the striping pattern, making the dark color appear as spots. The most recognizable is probably the “mackerel” tabby, with parallel lines placed like the ribs of a fish — hence the name. All tabby cats carry a special mark in common, an “M” on the top of their heads.

Read more about tabbies, plus other fun facts about cats, from Gina and Dr. Marty Becker.

Are small and toy dogs harder to housetrain? They can be, Gina says:

But little dogs can be house-trained. Toy breed expert Darlene Arden says you have to start by looking at things from a little dog’s point of view.

For example, you have to make sure your dog feels safe in the outdoor spot you’ve chosen for him. A dog’s guard is down during the act of elimination. And when a dog weighs 10 pounds or less, it’s important for him to feel he’s not going to be attacked. “They feel vulnerable,” says Arden. “You need to find that one very safe spot for them.” And keep the grass short so the dog doesn’t feel as if he’s hacking through a jungle, she adds.

Despite the special challenges the small dog presents, Arden says house-training is possible. Once your dog has that safe spot outside, you can teach him to use it with the aid of a schedule, praise and a dedication to consistency.

“Feed on a schedule,” says Arden. “You must take your dog out after he eats, after play, after any kind of stimulation. Take a special treat and your happiest voice to the special spot. The moment the puppy’s feet hit the ground, get excited.” When the deed is done, says Arden, praise to the heavens and deliver the treat.

Limiting a dog’s range in the house helps, too. “I’m a firm believer in crate-training — as a tool, not a punishment,” says Arden. “A crate keeps a dog out of trouble when you can’t watch him.”

Lots more training tips for small dogs here.

Exotic pets are getting their own vets. From Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon:

By the end of 2009, around 30 veterinarians will pursue certification in a new specialty — Exotic Companion Mammal Practice. The Veterinary Information Network News Service reports that this specialty, the first new specialty to earn the American Board of Veterinary Practitioner’s provisional recognition in at least 15 years, focuses on ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents and other small pet mammals.

Gina reminds everyone to secure their pets safely in the car:

Securing a pet in a vehicle makes sense all around. A loose animal in the car can cause an accident by distracting the driver. In an accident, or even if the driver has to stop suddenly, a pet can hurt himself or other passengers. Fortunately, you can easily secure your pet with new products designed for comfort and safety.

For cats and dogs, crates — secured to the floor or to a safety belt for small pets — are perfect for travel. They keep pets in place and allow for transport straight into the veterinary office for scaredy-cats or nervous dogs.

For dogs, a wide variety of safety harnesses has become available in recent years. Many of these snap right into existing seat-belt buckles, and some double as harnesses for walking the dog once you get where you’re going.

All this and more, in our Pet Connection newspaper feature, which you can read right here.

You can also see it exactly the way we send it to our client newspapers here. (PDF)