Pets
/Home & Leisure
/ArcaMax

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

Pit Bulls have a bad reputation, one which they don't deserve
Pit Bulls have long been the subject of controversy, often portrayed as dangerous and aggressive dogs unfit for family life. However, this reputation is largely a myth, shaped by misinformation, media sensationalism, and a misunderstanding of the breed’s true nature. In reality, Pit Bulls can be loyal, affectionate, and well-behaved companions...Read more
Ask The Vet: After Home Fire, Bathe Pet and Visit Veterinarian
Q: When our house caught fire, the firefighters rescued our cat, Jinx, so all of us were safe. They gave her oxygen using a child's face mask and she recovered. They recommended we bathe her and take her to her veterinarian. She seems fine now, and the fire has given us a lot to do, so we're wondering if it's really necessary to follow their ...Read more

My Pet World: To take or not to take the dog? How to Travel with some peace of mind
Dear Cathy,
My wife and I are both retired and are able to begin traveling – something we were never able to do very much due to our work schedules. We are also the proud parents of a five-year-old Golden Retriever named Murphy. He is the love of our lives.
We do not like to be away from him even for one overnight. When we are away, we do ...Read more

Bringing home a new puppy: The AKC offers tips on adding a new canine member to the family
Bringing home a new puppy is a life-changing decision. Even for experienced pet owners, raising a new puppy is a challenge. Being a responsible dog owner is about finding the balance between providing a safe environment and not overprotecting your pup.
The American Kennel Club offers these tips for raising a happy and well-adjusted dog.
...Read more

2 house cats infected with bird flu in New York City, health officials say
NEW YORK — Two cats in different households in New York City were infected with bird flu, the city’s health department announced.
Officials did not disclose the cats’ conditions and are still investigating how they contracted the virus, but urged pet owners not to let their felines roam outdoors or feed them raw food or raw milk — ...Read more

Cougar cubs spotted in Michigan wild for first time in more than 100 years
A Michigan resident in the western part of the Upper Peninsula recently discovered something not seen in Michigan for more than a century — cougar cubs in the wild.
State biologists on Wednesday confirmed the sighting of two spotted cubs, believed to be 7 to 9 weeks old. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said a resident, who wished...Read more
Ask The Vet: Better Treatments For Nuisance Barking Than Devocalization
Q: We live in an apartment complex where many dogs bark. Some of the tenants want to require the owners of these dogs to have them debarked. What do you think about this?
A: I am against it, and because it's widely considered to be inhumane, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association have ...Read more

My Pet World: What to do about a small dog that trembles when going outside
Dear Cathy,
I recently adopted a five-month-old Pomeranian. He’s fully trained to use a wee-wee pad, making him the perfect apartment dog. However, I can’t get him to go outside for a walk or play.
I’ve tried different approaches and rewards, but he refuses. When I pick him up, he trembles uncontrollably and digs his nails into me. He ...Read more

10 common cat behaviors and what they mean
Cats are known for their unique and sometimes perplexing behaviors, which can leave owners wondering about their meaning. Understanding these actions can help strengthen the bond between humans and their feline companions and ensure their needs are met effectively.
Kneading is a common behavior in which cats push their paws alternately against ...Read more

The AKC offers tips on dealing with excitement urination in your pup
If your pup tends to urinate when you enter the room or gets overly excited when someone new arrives, you are not alone! Excitement urination is a common issue among puppies that occurs when situations are socially stimulating or even during active play.
The American Kennel Club offers the following tips if this happens to your canine ...Read more

Your questions about cats and bird flu risk, answered
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Bird flu isn’t just affecting chickens and cows; it’s hitting pet cats.
An estimated 11.6 million households in California own 23.3 million cats. A growing number of these and an unknowable population of free-roaming “community cats” have been contracting avian flu, or H5N1.
According to the U.S. Department of ...Read more