ArcaMax

Taking in a feral cat can be a deeply rewarding experience, but it requires patience, preparation and a clear understanding of the difference between feral, stray and domesticated cats. While stray cats may have once had human contact and can readjust to indoor life more quickly, feral cats are typically born and raised outdoors with little or ...Read more

Mouse patrol with whiskers and claws

Long before they became pampered companions sprawled across sunlit windowsills, cats held a more rugged role. They were workers. On farms, in factories, and lately—even in tech offices—cats have earned their keep by keeping pests at bay, providing stress relief to employees, and even building ...Read more

If you’ve ever walked barefoot across your living room only to be ambushed by a furry little missile with claws, you’re not alone. Countless cat owners have found themselves the target of ankle assaults, toe nibbles, or sneak attacks from under furniture. While the behavior may seem cute—or at least tolerable—when your kitten is small, ...Read more

From silent companions in royal courts to viral sensations in the age of memes, cats have captivated human hearts for centuries. While thousands of felines have played a role in myth, art, and media, a few stand out as icons whose influence transcends their nine lives. Three such cats—Trim the Sailor Cat, Felix the Cat, and Grumpy Cat—each ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

We got Kasey when he was two, many years ago, from my daughter who passed away. He’s now a healthy 14-year-old tuxedo. Kasey is afraid of me and avoids all men. He connects with my wife on a limited basis, sometimes sitting near her or briefly on her lap, but only in the evening, near her lounge chair, and only if I’m not in the...Read more

DENVER — A new dinosaur species unearthed from the famed Morrison Formation in Colorado has been identified, according to a journal article published last week in Royal Society Open Science.

Scientists have named the speedy, dog-sized dinosaur Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae, according to the article. Its skeleton, or what fossil hunters could ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

My daughter's dog is a 12-year-old Border Collie/Aussie mix. He's the best dog, except when it comes to thunderstorms, or even gentle rain. When she's home, he will stand shaking with his head down. With thunder, he'll find someplace to hide, but if she's not home, he becomes destructive, even to the point of clawing the hose from ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

My six-year-old Aussie Doodle gets so excited she urinates when a female guest visits and shows her some attention. When she is ignored, she jumps on that person. How can I stop this behavior?

— Elaine, Westbury, New York

Dear Elaine,

The first behavior – urinating when a guest pays attention to your dog – is known as ...Read more

When choosing a dog for a household with young children, temperament, energy level, and trainability are key factors. For families with kids under 10, the ideal canine companion is patient, friendly, and adaptable to a bustling environment. While every dog has its own personality, certain breeds are particularly well-suited for young families ...Read more

When choosing a dog for a household with young children, temperament, energy level, and trainability are key factors. For families with kids under 10, the ideal canine companion is patient, friendly, and adaptable to a bustling environment. While every dog has its own personality, certain breeds are particularly well-suited for young families ...Read more

For millions of people around the world, cats are more than just pets — they are companions, emotional support systems, and even unofficial therapists. Though cats are often seen as aloof or independent, research increasingly shows that owning a cat can have measurable benefits for both mental and physical health.

One of the most widely ...Read more

Cats are often praised for their elegance and independence, but pet owners know they come with a few less glamorous realities. One of the most common and messy of these is the hairball. While the sight and sound of a cat hacking up a hairball may be unpleasant, the issue is natural and usually harmless. Still, understanding what hairballs are, ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

Our adorable and lovable great-grandson Labradoodle, Franklin, has a rather unusual behavior. This past weekend, our daughter and son-in-law brought Franklin along for a fundraising walk around our local fairgrounds.

At one point, he suddenly flopped down on the pavement – head and paws down. At first, I thought he was just tired...Read more

When a dog suddenly scoots its rear end across the floor, many pet owners respond with laughter, confusion, or mild horror—especially if it’s happening on a freshly cleaned carpet. The behavior, commonly referred to as “boot scooting,” may look comical, but it often signals that something is bothering the dog’s backside. While an ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I have a friend with a two-year-old miniature schnauzer he’s had since puppyhood. He installed a camera in his room to check on the dog while he’s away, but no matter how briefly he leaves – even just to run to the store – the dog starts crying and won’t stop until he returns.

As a result, he takes the dog everywhere, ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

We currently do not have pets, as we’ve been traveling, but many of our friends and neighbors do, especially small dogs. While walking, we often stop to pet them. Many smell strongly of air freshener, and the scent even rubs off on our hands.

We can’t imagine what it must be like for them, given their heightened sense of smell....Read more