ArcaMax

Somewhere between the crinkle of a paper bag and the hum of the vacuum cleaner lives one of the great domestic mysteries: catnip. It arrives quietly, usually in a small plastic pouch or sewn into a mouse-shaped toy, and within seconds transforms a dignified predator into a rolling, drooling philosopher. The cat flops. The cat chirps. The cat ...Read more

For generations, pet owners have casually labeled animals as “good” or “bad,” often with little reflection on what those words actually mean. A dog that chews shoes, a cat that urinates outside the litter box, a parrot that screams incessantly — these behaviors are quickly framed as moral failings or stubborn defiance. The implication ...Read more

For many pet owners, the daily ritual of leaving the house comes with a familiar question: *What do they do all day without me?* While we imagine naps, window-watching, or mild mischief, the truth is more complex—and more revealing. What pets do when we’re gone offers insight into their emotional lives, their coping strategies, and how ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

My dog has zero interest in toys. He doesn’t fetch, chew, squeak, or even look at them. I’ve tried balls, stuffed animals, and ropes. He won’t play with anything. Is this normal, or am I doing something wrong?

— Ashley, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Dear Ashley,

You’re not alone. Some dogs love toys, some tolerate them, and others...Read more

Dear Cathy,

My wife and I have a wonderful companion in Julia, a loving, playful four-year-old King Charles Spaniel. There are two situations that are concerning.

The first occurs when one of us leaves for the supermarket and the other stays home. We’ve read your advice column (“Series of small steps can defeat separation anxiety”) and ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

Five months ago we adopted a two-year-old year rescue that looks to be a German Pinscher and Dachshund mix. The veterinarian feels he was abused but has adjusted fairly well living with us.

The problem is he gets anxious and barks and snaps when my adult son comes to visit. My son comes over about three times a week. My son has ...Read more

Somewhere right now, as you’re dragging a tree into the living room, unboxing last year’s decorations, or trying to remember where you hid the good scissors, your pet is staring at you with a look that says: “Are we really doing this again?”

Because let’s be honest: The holidays make absolutely no sense to animals.

Dogs and cats live...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I am beginning to believe that most dog owners either do not have the time or the inclination to train their dog. I used to help with a guide dog organization. The dogs were trained to poop with a certain command. And, in many instances to do their business in the same spot to make it easier for the person with sight problems to ...Read more