ArcaMax

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

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

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 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 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

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