Hawai'i pet owners have plenty of questions about handling their pets. Steven May should be just the guy to answer them.

After all, he lives with three dogs, three cats, 16 goldfish, 14 koi and a double yellow-headed Amazon parrot named Tequila.

"There's not a place in my home where you can't see a pet," said May, who lives in Venice, Calif.

"Cleaning," he added sarcastically, "is a wonderful thing."

But May is more than a prolific pet owner. He's also publisher of VETZ Magazine and a veterinarian and pet-owner consultant who's been featured in The New York Times and People.

He's in town for the American Veterinary Medical Association's annual convention this week at the Hawai'i Convention Center.

May agreed to answer readers' pressing pet questions. Here's what he had to say:

Q. Whenever I take my dogs for a car ride — I have four Labs — three of them charge the windows and bark aggressively whenever we pass another dog. Needless to say, this behavior is (a) scary, when loud barks fill the confines of an enclosed space, (b) frightening to others, and I am afraid the dogs will try to jump out the half-open window, and (c) downright embarrassing. What can I do to discourage and eliminate this sort of behavior?

"This is a common dilemma," May said.

First, he recommends that owners seek formal training for younger pups. In this case, the owner should find a trainer who can address socialization, gender and age concerns. May recommends getting a strong referral from a veterinarian or pet professional — and asking that trainer's clients a lot of specific questions about the trainer's style, approach and techniques.

"Honestly, it's like interviewing for a caretaker for your child," May said.

Next, the owner needs to reduce the stress in the car by altering the sounds and sights that stimulate her pooches.

He suggests a pull-down sunshade for her car window to limit what her dogs can see.

Next, she should play calming music — Mozart, for example — and turn on the air conditioning. Both help to calm dogs down.

"They won't be so heightened and stimulated when they see the small Chihuahua across the street," May said.

And be patient. This habit won't be broken overnight.

"Do this for a good week," May said, "and they'll start to calm down."

Q. Sadie is a 5-year-old female scaredy cat who runs and hides at any strange noise or person. This past December, she would not use her cat box. Off to the vet we went and ran all sorts of tests to make sure she wasn't sick. Outcome: nerves! The vet suggested leaving her in the bathroom with her cat box to "recondition" her and (use) a feline calming spray. She ended up scraping the fur off her nose and cheeks; she was in there for three hours only! After that, I would sit in the bathroom with her until the deed was done. After a few weeks, she started going on her own and has been really good. A week ago Friday, she seemed spooked and doesn't want to use her box on her own again. Do you have any suggestions?

For starters, May gave props to this owner for checking with her veterinarian.

Unfortunately, he added, this sounds like a behavioral problem that can't be treated with medications — and one that will take time to correct.

May recommends that the owner create a safe environment for her kitty.

First, buy an oversize carrier. This will serve as the cat's safe haven. Take the door off and put it in the bathroom near her food, water and litter box. Place blankets and her favorite toys in the back of the carrier. Keep it parasite- and stool-free.

Allow the cat to get to know this new environment during daily feedings. Once the cat gets used to going in and out of the carrier — this may take a few days — change it up. Put the door back on and tie it open. Or put a towel over the carrier.

Weeks later, this carrier should become kitty's safe place, May said. "If the cat is traumatized by noise, she will run into this (new) environment and stay in there and feel safe," May said. "She'll feel comfortable, regardless of the outside elements."

The fact that this cat has scraped off her fur is a larger concern, May said.

He suggests using Soft Paws, which are vinyl nail caps applied directly to cat paws.

If this behavior persists, see a board-certified animal behaviorist or veterinarian.

Q. We have always had at least two cats, sometimes three or four, usually quite successfully. In May we adopted our 3 1/2-year-old gray-and-white cobby Malty Belle from a friend who could no longer keep her. We already had a 7-year-old tiny black, Isis, and an 11-year-old tabby, Tawney. They get along fine. Malty had been raised with two other cats and a big dog. We figured "piece of cake." Malty is smart, sweet, clean and has a growly, charming meow. She also likes to sleep flat on her back, which is adorable. She gets along fine with Isis, who is not intimidated by much. Malty, however, hisses at Tawney and runs at her in a very menacing manner. Not good at all. We've tried saying no to her loudly when we catch her in the act or tried to keep the two separated. This is not easy with indoor/outdoor cats living in one household. Help, please. What can we do to keep peace in the house, protect Tawney from being bullied and keep Malty Belle? We really love them all.

"We all wish they could get along," said May, who's had problems introducing a new cat to his multicat household. "The reality is (the cats) think, 'This is my house, you're on my pillow, I own this and I'm going to let you know it over and over and over.' "

Here's what May did:

He got three oversize carriers and placed them in three corners of his living room — a common area — angled toward each other.

He put their food, water and litter boxes in separate areas in the house.

Slowly, he moved the carriers closer together until they all felt comfortable near and around each other. The hissing diminished over time.

He recommends that the owners get their cats spayed and neutered and keep the new kitty in an oversize carrier so she feels safe in this new environment.

Now his three cats can sleep on the same bed together.

But this plan isn't a guarantee for everyone — or every cat.

"Every cat has a different personality," May said. "But this is how you work with those behavior problems."

When all else fails, consult a specialist.

Q. My 4-year-old beagle goes berserk when she hears either the firecrackers or the aerials (likewise, thunder). She pants, trembles and tries to escape, running around frantically. We have the noise coming from both back and front and there is no escape anywhere in the house from the noise. She hyperventilates so much, I'm afraid she will pass out.

New Year's Eve may be five months away, but this owner may need that much time to get his beagle ready to handle the noise, May said.

First, create a safe haven. He recommends using an oversize carrier filled with the pooch's favorite blankets and toys. Your dog should feel comfortable enough to stay in this carrier — covered with a blanket — during the loud noise. This may take months.

On the day of the fireworks, feed her dinner early. You want the dog to have fully digested her food before the fireworks go off so she won't throw up. (He feeds his German shepherd at 2 p.m.)

Then put your dog and the carrier in a quiet room in the house, cover the carrier with a blanket or towel, and play relaxing music to soothe your pet.

May suggests giving your dog ice cubes to lick instead of water. That way she won't fill up on water — out of nervousness — and feel uncomfortable.

"They'll eventually get used to it," May said. "But you have to create an environment for them to feel safe."

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