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Tips for grooming your dog for spring
Spring has finally arrived! That means it’s time for spring cleaning.
To get your pup looking and feeling their best for the season, the American Kennel Club suggests the following grooming and hygiene tips.
Groom your dog. Shedding can increase drastically in the spring because dogs lose their winter coats. Regular brushing can help ...Read more

How to tell when your cat is happy, and when they're not
A happy cat may not always purr like a motor or dance around your feet, but there are subtle signs that point to feline contentment—and others that suggest something might be wrong.
When a cat is relaxed and comfortable in its environment, its body language reflects it. A gently swishing tail, slow blinks, and a soft, upright posture are ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Sterilizing Pet Rabbits Has Medical and Behavioral Benefits
Q: Our children were given two rabbits, and they'd like to know each bunny's sex before they name them. We parents would like to know, too, so we don't end up with a house full of rabbits.
How do we tell what sex each rabbit is? If one is female and the other male, can they be neutered to prevent a household population explosion, or should we ...Read more

My Pet World: Helping your energetic dog stay calm on walks
Dear Cathy,
I adopted a now 50-pound, one-year-old mixed breed rescue six months ago. She’s a sweet cuddler with lots of energy. She has plenty of toys, full backyard access, frequent play time with my other dog, and two 40-minute walks a day.
Overall, she’s well-behaved and growing out of puppy behaviors – except for one. I call them �...Read more

The purr-fect feline trait
A cat’s purr is one of the most familiar and comforting sounds in the animal world, a soft, rhythmic vibration that often signals contentment. But the true nature of the purr remains something of a mystery to scientists, even as it continues to charm cat owners around the globe.
Cats begin purring as early as a few days old, thought to be a ...Read more

One town's recipe for success: Licorice, dog food and a family's commitment
PERHAM, Minn. – Outside the sparkling new high school here, no one lingered in the parking lot on one of winter’s coldest nights. Inside, though, the Hive was jumping.
This girls basketball game wasn’t particularly noteworthy: the Perham Yellowjackets against the Staples-Motley Cardinals with neither team bound for the state tournament. ...Read more

Does your pup have the zoomies? Tips for managing hyperactivity
Many pet owners are familiar with their dog’s hyperactivity, also known as the zoomies. In many cases, the root cause is the lack of a comprehensive education plan on the dog breed. Your pup may need a daily exercise plan more fitted to their breed.
The American Kennel Club offers the following tips for owners of hyperactive dogs.
...Read more

Taming the terror or how to deal with a destructive indoor cat
Indoor cats can be affectionate companions, but without enough stimulation and structure, they can also become surprisingly destructive. From shredded furniture to overturned water glasses and relentless nighttime zoomies, even the most charming feline can develop habits that frustrate their owners. The key to reducing this behavior lies in ...Read more

Why dogs get jealous
A jealous dog can be both endearing and frustrating. While their clingy behavior might seem cute at first, it can quickly escalate into disruptive habits that affect the harmony of your home. Dogs, like people, are emotional creatures, and jealousy is often a sign of insecurity or confusion about changes in their environment.
The most common ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Cat's Silent Heart Disease Causes Painful Hind Leg Paralysis
Q: Latte, our 8-year-old indoor cat, suddenly started crying and pulling himself along on his front legs while dragging his back legs. We rushed him to his veterinarian who diagnosed a saddle thromboembolism and recommended euthanasia because Latte's prognosis was so dire.
We agreed, but because of Latte's stress and ours at the time, we don't ...Read more

My Pet World: Potty troubles — puppy accidents and litter box blues
Dear Cathy,
Our almost five-month old Dalmatian has accidents in the house yet always goes outside to defecate. He is walked every half hour, but will urinate immediately after coming inside, in his pen, and when he’s being held.
While outside, he will urinate while walking back inside. He has completed vet prescribed antibiotics with no ...Read more

Luna, Milo, and more: These popular baby names are also making big tracks in the dog world
What's in a name? Ask any expecting parent, and they'll surely answer, "A lot." Choosing what to name a child is no small matter. In fact, recent data collected by BabyCenter found that half of new parents disagreed about what to name their babies, and nearly 1 in 10 new moms felt regret over the name they settled on. There are simply so many ...Read more

Indoor activities for your pup: The AKC shares tips for keeping your dog entertained in your house
As we transition from winter to spring, being cooped inside with your dog can get repetitive. There are many indoor activities you and your dog can do together to keep your pup physically exercised and mentally stimulated.
The American Kennel Club offers the following tips for staying engaged while you wait for the weather to warm up.
--...Read more

Adopting an elderly dog can lead to a rich connection
Adopting an elderly dog can be a deeply rewarding experience, but it also comes with unique challenges that require patience, compassion, and understanding. Unlike puppies or younger dogs, senior dogs often come with a full history—some of it unknown. They may arrive with health concerns, emotional scars, or habits formed over a lifetime. ...Read more

Dealing with your house cat's claws
Taking care of a house cat’s claws is an important part of keeping both your pet and your home comfortable and safe. Although indoor cats don’t need their claws for hunting like their wild relatives, they still rely on them for balance, stretching, climbing, and playing. Claws are also a natural way for cats to express their instincts and ...Read more

The Bernese Mountain Dog; a majestic and gentle giant
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a majestic and gentle giant, known for its tricolor coat—jet black, rust, and white—and its calm, affectionate nature. Hailing from the Swiss Alps, this breed was developed to be a versatile working dog for farmers in the region of Bern. Historically, they pulled carts loaded with dairy, guarded homesteads, and ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Dogs That Eat High-Fat Snacks Risk Pancreatitis
Q: Max, our 7-year-old terrier mix, lost his energy, stopped eating and started vomiting. His veterinarian diagnosed pancreatitis and hospitalized him for treatment. How can we prevent this from happening again?
A: Pancreatitis is inflammation ("-itis") of the pancreas, the organ in the abdomen that secretes two important groups of chemicals: ...Read more

My Pet World: Chewing cats, aging dogs, and feral cat transformations
Dear Cathy,
I am on oxygen 24/7 and have two cats who have fun chewing holes in my tubing. I have used so much duct tape to patch it; it's crazy. Do you have any suggestions?
— Holly, Omaha, Nebraska
Dear Holly,
To discourage them from chewing, use a pet-safe deterrent spray like Bitter Apple (available at pet stores or online) to make the...Read more

The AKC offers tips on finding the right veterinarian for you
A good veterinarian will become your partner in helping your pet enjoy a healthy life, so choosing the right one is an important consideration.
When choosing your family's veterinarian, use the same care and criteria that you would in selecting your own physician or dentist.
Consider your priorities. Think about what is important to you ...Read more

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend adopt a puppy
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have adopted a puppy.
The celebrity couple have revealed via Instagram that they've adopted a puppy called Dudley from Wags and Walks, a pet adoption service in Los Angeles.
The couple wrote: "In honor of National Puppy Day, meet Dudley - the newest member of our fam!! [dog paw emoji]
"When we first met Dudley, ...Read more
Inside Pets
Popular Stories
- How to tell when your cat is happy, and when they're not
- When people are under economic stress, their pets suffer too – we found parts of Detroit that are animal welfare deserts
- One town's recipe for success: Licorice, dog food and a family's commitment
- Tips for grooming your dog for spring
- The purr-fect feline trait