As a cat parent, we love our feline friends, but let’s be honest, sometimes their natural instincts can seriously clash with our home décor. The frustration of discovering claw marks on your favorite sofa, finding your beloved houseplants overturned and dug up, or worse, dealing with territorial marking in your house is an experience that many of us share.

We all know the love and joy our pups bring into our lives. But with that joy comes the responsibility of keeping them safe, especially during the harsh winter months. A recent viral video out of Vermont is a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in many of the most beautiful winter wonderland landscapes.

Dog left tied to fence during Florida evacuation, living his best life.

Microchips help reunite lost pets with their families, but they only work if they are active and registered to the right household. So, when a microchip company suddenly closed down and their database disappeared, word spread fast to let pet parents know that they need to take action if their pet now has an inactive microchip.

Declawing cats has now become illegal in Massachusetts, thanks to a law that was signed by Governor Maura Healey. Titled “An Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing,” the law bans the procedure in the state. Those who violate the law can face fines or be subject to discipline.  

Recently, some states, like New York, have taken action to protect pets and pet parents by banning the sale of certain animals in pet stores. And other states, like Connecticut, have proposed similar laws. But California has had a law in place since 2019 that prohibits pet stores from selling dogs that were commercially bred—a law passed in an effort to tackle puppy mills. Now lawmakers in the state are trying to go a step further by stopping the sale of puppies that come from mass breeders located outside of California.

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of your dog’s persistent coughing. It’s a scenario that no pet parent wants to face, one that can bring panic and stress. But it’s also an important reminder about one crucial point: Coughing in dogs, while sometimes seemingly minor, can be a sign of underlying health issues – some of which can be pretty serious!

National Love Your Pet Day is on February 20, and it’s a day set aside for celebrating your companion, no matter which species you share your home with. Whether you celebrate this occasion every year or this is your first year recognizing the day, there are a lot of fun and creative ways to give your pet extra attention and affection.

Have you ever walked in the door after a long day at work only to find your favorite houseplant knocked over, the curtains shredded, or your furniture scratched beyond recognition? Do you occasionally find your cat staring blankly out the window, seemingly uninterested in everything? These aren’t just quirky cat behaviors – they can be signs of boredom and a lack of mental stimulation.

That relentless scratching. Every pet parent knows the sound – the constant thump of a dog’s leg against their ear (and the floor), often followed by a headshake. It’s a sound that instantly triggers worry, and rightfully so! A dog who is constantly scratching their ears is clearly uncomfortable, but this scratching could also be a sign of something more concerning.

(photo credit: Elena Lozu / shutterstock.com)

Flowers, jewelry, and sweet treats are popular ways to show your love to someone on Valentine’s Day. But if you share your home with dogs or cats, be careful about which flowers you put on display, as many of them are toxic to pets.