All posts by Dr. Marty Becker

Does a dog’s color control his personality?

Pet Connection,

Do dogs’ personalities vary depending on their coat color? That’s what a reader asked, and here’s what science tells us about the answer.

Q: I’ve heard that Labs have different personalities depending on their color. Is that true?

A: That’s a persistent myth about many breeds, including Labrador retrievers. For instance, chocolate Labs are thought to be difficult to train. Some people believe black Labs make the best hunters. Yellow Labs have a reputation for being mellow.

In other breeds and species, Dalmatians with liver-colored spots are said to be more laid-back. Black pugs have a reputation as high-energy criminal masterminds, while fawns are said to be sweet and gentle. Orange cats are sweet while tortoiseshells have “tortitude.” Calico cats are clowns.

In some breeds, temperament differences are seen between working and show lines of dogs and may be associated with color — as in the idea that black Labs make the best hunting dogs. But all colors of Labs can make excellent companions, family dogs and hunting dogs.

In any breed, breeders may select for a specific color and temperament. Any time breeders select for a particular coat color, they may unintentionally end up with a particular behavior characteristic. Conversely, when breeders select for temperament, ending up with a desirable color or pattern is a bonus.

In Labs, at least, the two genes that decide coat color are unrelated to anything else about the dog, including personality or temperament. All three colors can appear in a single litter. And genetically speaking, yellow Labs are yellow only because they have a recessive gene from each parent giving them that color. Without those recessive genes, they would be black or chocolate Labs.

Just as in the human population, personalities differ among individuals, and not along color lines. A Lab is a Lab is a Lab. Color doesn’t affect temperament, but parents and ancestors do. Remember the saying: No good dog is a bad color.

Read more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

Stress, crowding spread cat virus

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

No, you can’t get herpes from your cat. But feline herpesvirus is common in cats, usually causing mild symptoms but sometimes much more serious. Here’s what I told a reader.

Q: My cat has been diagnosed with feline herpesvirus. What is it, and can she transmit it to me?

A: First, the short answer, to put your mind at ease: Every species has its own version of herpesvirus. Feline herpesvirus can’t be transmitted to humans, and human herpesvirus can’t be transmitted to cats.

Feline herpesvirus is widespread in cats, highly contagious and causes upper respiratory infections or eye problems such as conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. Some cats experience both.

Usually kittens acquire FHV from their mother. Cats in crowded shelters or catteries are also at risk. The disease spreads through direct contact with saliva or eye or nose secretions from an infected cat or contaminated objects. When cats sneeze, the virus becomes aerosolized, spreading through the air.

Vaccination helps reduce the severity of FHV, but it won’t necessarily prevent it. Often the virus lies dormant until the cat experiences a stressful situation that overpowers the immune system, causing signs to manifest.

Typically, cases resolve on their own, but severe cases or ones that don’t improve are treated with antivirals and sometimes antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections. If eyes are affected, your veterinarian may refer you to a specialist. Eye infections that are severe or not improving should be treated without delay because they can cause permanent damage to the eye, says veterinary ophthalmologist Cindy Mar, DVM.

Even after they recover, the virus persists in the cat’s body, waiting for another stressful situation or immune suppression from medications such as corticosteroids to allow it to reappear. In homes, shelters or other situations with multiple cats, it’s a good idea to isolate the sick cat, provide separate food and water bowls and other items, and disinfect the environment thoroughly. You can find other ways to help your cat de-stress at FearFreeHappyHomes.com.

Read more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

‘Superhero’ trainer positively solves pet problems

Fear Free

Of course this is partly a proud father moment. My daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker, is being featured by Barcroft Animals as she helps dogs and a pet pig with behavior challenges using reward-based methods.

But it’s more than just a proud father moment. Mikkel is the Chief Trainer for Fear Free, and her strength, compassion, and dedication to preventing and relieving pets’ fear, anxiety, and stress are immeasurable. I know the animals of the world could have no better friend.

I know you’ll love this video as much as I do. Please share it!

Yes, your pets need sun protection, too

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine,

We all know we need protection from the sun. What about our pets? Here’s what I told a reader who asked about her cat’s love of sunbathing.

Q: My cat loves to nap in the sun. Why is that, and do I need to worry that he’ll get sunburned?

A: Cats have made their way around the world and now live in all types of climates, but they are descended from desert animals. Their wild relatives like to bask in the sun during the day and hunt in the cool of the evening, and our domestic cats carry on that tradition as much as they are allowed.

We’ve all seen cats lying in a patch of sunshine, catching a few rays wherever they can. If your cat is indoors, you probably don’t need to slather him with sunscreen, but cats who have access to a catio or a yard with a cat fence preventing them from getting out can benefit from sun protection.

Cats most at risk are hairless or have thin, light-colored coats. If they go outdoors, put pet-safe sunscreen on their nose, ears, belly and tail, and protect the rest of the body with a T-shirt or other item of clothing — preferably one that provides protection from UV rays. You can find UV-protective clothing for pets online or at pet boutiques. The label should say “certified UPF 50+.”

For cats and dogs, avoid sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or salicylates. If licked, those ingredients can be toxic or even deadly. Your veterinarian can recommend pet-safe sunscreen.

Consider topping a catio with a cover made of fabric that’s treated to block the sun’s rays. You can also reduce your cat’s exposure to the most harmful rays by keeping him indoors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is at its highest in the sky and rays are strongest.

Finally, unless it’s medically necessary, don’t shave your cat. Fur provides natural sun protection.

Read more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

Update on fireworks and thunderstorm fears in cats and dogs (2019)

Fear Free, Veterinary Medicine, , , , , , , , , , ,

Just like this time every year before, my mailbox is full of pleas for help from owners of pets, mostly dogs, who are terrified of fireworks, thunderstorms, and other loud or unusual noises. I’m hearing about it from my clients, and dealing with it in my own dog Quixote.

I don’t know if noise phobias are on the rise or just being recognized more, but I do know this: Our pets are genuinely suffering. How can we help them?

The good news is that every year, our understanding of canine noise aversion, and to a lesser extent feline noise aversion, is growing. So, too, is the list of tools we have to cope with their fears.

The most important tool, however, is you. Way too many people delay recognizing the problem and talking to their veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist about it. They shy away from giving medication, or even a simple supplement that might help them, until their pet is already shaking and crying or, worse yet, running down the road or eating a hole in a wall in a blind panic.

The time to give your pet help is before he or she is frightened, before the loud noises begin.

There are lots of methods you can use to reduce their fear and build their confidence around loud noises. nutraceuticals and supplements like Zylkene, Anxitane, melatonin, and more. There are also Fear Free sanctuary spaces, anxiety wraps like the ThunderShirt, pheromone sprays like Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats, and specific counter-conditioning steps you can take. I outline all these things, plus medication, in my article Turn down the volume on pets’ fireworks fear, which I just updated for 2019.

I’d also like to debunk one myth. Don’t “ignore” your pet’s fear out of the mistaken belief you will “reinforce it” and make it worse. The key is to stay calm and not get all worked up yourself, but instead provide calm attention similar to how you normally interact with him. By acting as normally as possible, you’ll signal to him that nothing’s wrong. As long as you’re calm, and it’s not all you do, you should definitely comfort your terrified pet.

One last thing: I am a firm believer in medications for pets who need them. Our own dog gets alprazolam (generic Xanax) and Sileo, the only FDA-approved medication for noise aversion. But not all medications are created equal. Sedatives like Acepromazine (AKA “Ace”) and antihistamines do not treat anxiety and fear; there is even some evidence Ace can make noise phobias worse. Ask your veterinarian to prescribe actual anti-anxiety medications like alprazolam and Sileo. Don’t “Ace” the fear!

Have a safe and Happy Independence Day, my friends! And to our friends to the north, Happy Canada Day!