My Pet World: Be smart when deciding to dress up your pet for Halloween

Q: My mother says it's silly to dress up our dog Cody for Halloween -- that Cody is a dog and therefore humiliated to wear a costume, which I don't believe is true. I think Cody is happy to be dressed as a superhero. What do you think? C H., Las Vegas

A: It, of course, all depends on what superhero you've chosen. Captain America, Batman or a classic like Superman, you can't go wrong. Although, I learned something about superheroes by going to Wikipedia. I'm not so sure any self-respecting dog (or person) would want to dress as lesser known superheroes named Garbage Man or Kool-Aid Man.

Seriously, I believe some dogs look humiliated in costumes because they are. However, others seem to enjoy the extra attention.

It's important that a pet can easily move and especially breathe in the costume. Generally masks are not a good idea.

Some pets, who aren't initially convinced wearing a costume is fun, might be conditioned to wear one by associating a meal or treats with the outfit, and eventually may be swayed that it's not so bad. Other pets simply don't want any part of wearing anything. And for those pets, I agree with mom -- leave them be.

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Q: I am 14 years old and go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood with friends, and without adults. I want to bring our little dog Lucy. She loves people and is a really happy dressed as a frog prince. But my mom won't let me bring her. What do you think? B. H., Buffalo Grove, IL

A: Even dogs who love people might be fearful of noisy crowds dressed up as zombies or Donald Trump. Also, you do need to be responsible and make sure your pup isn't fed too many dog cookies, especially a little dog not accustomed to tons of food (increasingly people do offer treats for pups going house to house).

You must also have your dog on a leash, which seems easy, but when you're goofing around with friends, that might be forgotten about.

So this decision has a lot to do with your dog's temperament, and how responsible you are, and everything to do with what mom says, not what a columnist says.

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Q: My mother is a big fan of yours. My mother has heard that fish oil can be given orally to dogs for impacted anal glands. She has a small dog and would like to know if this is true. How about cod liver oil? Mom always thought cod liver is a good thing. Do you know? J. P., Houston, TX

A: Well, who am I to argue with a mom? And she's generally right about benefits of both fish and cod liver oils.

Dr. David Twedt, a board certified specialist in internal medicine from Colorado State University, says Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish oils are good for canine coats, and can alleviate allergy problems, which might also affect the coat. Fish oils might even work as an anti-inflammatory, and some experts claim they can lessen the risk of developing some kinds of cancer and even support brain health.

However, Twedt knows of no study citing that fish oils alleviate impacted anal glands, or prevent the anal glands from impacting in the first place. Because they are good for your pet's health, there's no harm in trying a supplement of Omega 3 fatty acids or cod liver oil, readily available at pharmacies and where nutrition products are sold. Omega 3 fatty acids are also added to many pet foods.

About those anal sacs, changing to a diet with more fiber, and/or perhaps adding Metamucil to your pup's diet might help. If it doesn't, your dog might scoot her rear end along the floor to tell you how uncomfortable she is when those anal sacs fill. Your vet or a veterinary technician can express or release the contents, offering your dog relief. Left ignored, impacted anal glands might become infected.

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Q: I want a pet ferret. How do I convince my mom that's a good idea? C.G., Hartford, CT

A: I don't know your age, or most important -- I don't know you and how responsible you are. Kids say they're going to take care of a pet, but usually they don't after the initial excitement fades. So, now it's the parents' responsibility when this is supposed to be your pet.

Ferrets are a ton of fun. However, they require about as much interaction as a Cocker Spaniel. When they come out to play, they also require a room that's "ferret-proof." That room can't have small escape routes, which flexible ferrets can ferret their way into. And they need a spacious cage to hang out in when you're not around or too busy to interact with them.

It's true they're very social, so two ferrets can be best -- but that's twice the cleaning and care on your part, and twice the vet bills for mom to pay.

Before purchasing any pet, do your homework first. Here are two resources: "An Owner's Guide to a Happy Health Pet: the Ferret," by Mary R. Shefferman (Howell Book House, New York, NY, 1996; $23.13) or" The Ferret Handbook," by Gerry Bucsis and Barbara Somerville (Barron's Educational Series, Hauppauge, NY, 2001; $10.80).

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