Sac Paws - Pet Connection

Do you know what you spend on your dog? Some of us prefer to remain blissfully unaware, while others track every penny. Most of us are probably somewhere in the middle, with a general idea of annual costs that we don't think of much unless we're hit with something out of the ordinary.

I got into it with someone at the dog park two different times over breaking the rules on bringing my daughter and our poodle mix in. Seems to me that if it's a public park, it should be open to everyone. What do you think?

This week's column is an excerpt from the just-released book, "Your Cat: The Owner's Manual." To get the entire first chapter free, visit www.vetstreet.com/ dr-marty-becker.

Animals and plants are always near me, by choice. But some plants are poisonous, and even animals that don't eat plants seem just as intent on otherwise destroying them by sleeping on them or digging them up.

Warm weather came early this year to much of the country, and that means lakes and rivers – and even swimming pools – are already being enjoyed by dogs who love to swim. But every spring, as my field-bred retrievers (who happily swim year-round) greet new dogs at the river's edge, I see dogs at risk of drowning.

My Lab mix loves to wallow in her kiddie pool. Do I need to treat the water for her to be safe if she drinks any?

I read an article that strings are dangerous for cats, but toys with string are all over the pet store. Are they safe?

Last year, my elderly Sheltie, Drew, was diagnosed with canine kidney disease. Medications didn't agree with him, his appetite for a therapeutic diet (or indeed any food at all) was nonexistent, and I was sent home with supplies for giving him subcutaneous fluids at home to see if he could be saved.

I have to be honest. I don't like the idea of declawing cats. I understand why people choose to have it done, and I understand that in some cases it's a cat's only hope for staying in a good home.

My little dog is so finicky. Plain kibble just isn't good enough. I have to doctor it up, adding leftovers, cheese and more. And then he gets bored with that, so I have to add something else. What's the answer?

When Easter draws near, you can be sure of an increase in sales of chocolate and rabbits. And while it won't hurt you much to buy chocolate on a whim, I'd rather you pass on buying a bunny on impulse.

March is when winter finally lets go, although usually not without a final blast or two. The start of spring means many things – the first early blooms; longer, warmer days; and a time to clean the house. But for dog lovers, there's one thing spring brings most of all: mud, mud and more mud.

My 12-year-old daughter wants a pet bird. Can you recommend what kind? Something that's not too hard to care for, please.

We have one problem that we desperately want to end: The dog likes to eat what the cat puts in the litter box. Can you offer a solution?

When my dogs get older, they get twice-yearly wellness checks. I have come to believe that catching changes and problems early is not only better for my pets, but also for my budget. Recently, after just such an exam, I got the news every pet lover dreads: There's a spot on the X-ray of my 7-year-old flat-coated retriever. The suspicion? Cancer.

My cat likes to sit on the balcony of my apartment. We're not that high up, and she has never shown any inclination to escape. Should I worry?

While I like the great outdoors well enough in theory, I don't like mess hall dining, community toilets and showers, or sleeping on cots.

Veterinarians have long recognized something very sad about how cats are treated: Compared to dogs, cats aren't given much medical care at all.

I recently heard that there are cat breeds that are OK for allergy sufferers. What are they?

What's the best way to introduce a new cat to my current cat?

If you want a friendly reptilian pet who's easy to care for, your choice is an easy one: You want a bearded dragon.

Can you recommend a good, safe toy for our golden retriever? Sammy will pick up anything. I thought if I could find something safe for him to carry around, it would save my glasses, lighter, scarves and dishcloths from being stolen.

My macaw is the most unpredictable pet I've ever known. I can't ever tell whether he plans to bite me (and he draws blood when he does) or snuggle. Can a bird have mental illness – is he bi-polar?

With all the pets I've had in my life, you'd think I'd have seen just about everything. And for the most part, that's true. But there's one thing I haven't dealt with because I've been both careful and lucky: I've never had a pet go missing for good.

Have you thought about adopting a cat this year? Whether you are looking for your first cat, a companion cat to one you already love or an addition to a busy, active household, now's a great time to bring home a shelter cat.

For many cats, laser pointers are wonderful for getting a good workout. But for some cats, these toys have been blamed for the development of compulsive behaviors, such as excessive grooming.

Are fluorescent lights bad for birds? I have read online that they cause feather-picking.

If you're looking for a way to lower your stress, improve your health and get your children off the couch, part of the answer may be fish – not eating them, but keeping them.

My cat has developed this really weird habit of sucking on fabric. She seems to be in some kind of a state while she's doing it, almost like she's on a drug. The throw at the end of our bed seems to attract the most attention, and it has three places where there are "sucked-up" areas that are pretty much ruined. Before I replace it, I'd like to cure her of the habit. Should I use that nasty stuff to stop pets from chewing on the areas?