Pets & Animals Edition

Pets & Animals

Trustworthy pet care information for American families raising happy, healthy animals.

Updated daily · 46 stories

Home›Pets & Animals
Building a Year-Round Parasite Prevention Routine for Your Pet
Pet Health & Wellness · Featured

Building a Year-Round Parasite Prevention Routine for Your Pet

By Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min read
Pet Health & Wellness Cat Vaccinations: What's Required and What's Optional

Cat Vaccinations: What's Required and What's Optional

Not every cat needs the same vaccines. Learn which are considered core for all cats and which depend on lifestyle, envir…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Health & Wellness Common Pet Health Myths That Vets Hear Every Week

Common Pet Health Myths That Vets Hear Every Week

From 'dogs' mouths are cleaner than humans' to 'cats always land safely' — vets debunk widespread beliefs that can put p…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min
Pet Health & Wellness Dog Vaccinations: A Schedule Every Owner Should Understand

Dog Vaccinations: A Schedule Every Owner Should Understand

Core vs. non-core vaccines, puppy timelines, and adult boosters — a clear breakdown of what dogs need and when, informed…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Health & Wellness Dry Food vs. Wet Food: The Nutritional Trade-Offs for Dogs and Cats

Dry Food vs. Wet Food: The Nutritional Trade-Offs for Dogs and Cats

Kibble and canned food each have genuine advantages. Here's an evidence-based look at how they compare for hydration, de…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Health & Wellness Is My Pet Overweight? How to Assess Body Condition at Home

Is My Pet Overweight? How to Assess Body Condition at Home

Vets use a body condition scoring system to evaluate pet weight. Learn how to apply this simple method at home between a…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Health & Wellness Pet Dental Health: What Happens When You Skip the Teeth

Pet Dental Health: What Happens When You Skip the Teeth

Dental disease is one of the most common — and overlooked — health issues in pets. Learn why oral health matters far bey…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 8 min
Pet Health & Wellness Pet Insurance vs. a Dedicated Savings Fund: Understanding the Trade-Offs

Pet Insurance vs. a Dedicated Savings Fund: Understanding the Trade-Offs

Pet insurance and self-funding veterinary costs each have real advantages and limits. A clear look at how the two approa…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Health & Wellness Reading Pet Food Labels: Ingredients, Guaranteed Analysis, and What to Ignore

Reading Pet Food Labels: Ingredients, Guaranteed Analysis, and What to Ignore

Pet food packaging can be confusing and sometimes misleading. Here's a practical guide to understanding what the label a…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 8 min
Pet Health & Wellness Senior Pet Care: How Health Needs Shift as Animals Age

Senior Pet Care: How Health Needs Shift as Animals Age

Older dogs and cats need different care than younger ones. Understand the health shifts that come with age and how to su…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 8 min
Pet Health & Wellness Signs Your Pet Is in Pain — and Why They Hide It

Signs Your Pet Is in Pain — and Why They Hide It

Animals instinctively mask discomfort. Discover the subtle behavioral and physical cues that often signal pain in dogs a…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min
Pet Health & Wellness Spaying vs. Neutering: What the Terms Mean and How the Procedures Differ

Spaying vs. Neutering: What the Terms Mean and How the Procedures Differ

Spaying and neutering are often mentioned together but are different procedures. This breakdown explains what each invol…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Health & Wellness The First-Time Pet Owner's Health Checklist

The First-Time Pet Owner's Health Checklist

Bringing home a new dog or cat? Use this vet-informed checklist to cover vaccinations, parasite prevention, ID, nutritio…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Health & Wellness What Your Pet's Annual Wellness Exam Actually Covers

What Your Pet's Annual Wellness Exam Actually Covers

A vet visit is more than a quick checkup. Here's what happens during a routine wellness exam and why each step matters f…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min
Pet Health & Wellness Why Pets Skip Vet Visits — and What Gets Missed Because of It

Why Pets Skip Vet Visits — and What Gets Missed Because of It

Cost, stress, and 'they seem fine' are the most common reasons owners skip checkups. Here's what vets catch during routi…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Health & Wellness Zoonotic Diseases: What Pet Owners Should Know About Infections That Cross Species

Zoonotic Diseases: What Pet Owners Should Know About Infections That Cross Species

Some infections can pass between pets and people. Learn which ones are most relevant for household pet owners and how ro…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 8 min
Pet Care Basics Annual vs. As-Needed Vet Visits: Understanding Your Pet's Preventive Care Schedule

Annual vs. As-Needed Vet Visits: Understanding Your Pet's Preventive Care Schedule

What happens at a routine wellness exam, when booster shots are due, and how age affects how often your pet should see a…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min
Pet Care Basics Building a Pet Care Routine That Works for a Busy Household

Building a Pet Care Routine That Works for a Busy Household

Feeding schedules, delegation strategies, and time-saving habits that help working families keep up with consistent, qua…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Care Basics Cat Grooming at Home: What You Need to Do and How Often

Cat Grooming at Home: What You Need to Do and How Often

Brushing, nail trims, ear checks — a practical breakdown of which cat grooming tasks you can handle yourself and on what…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min
Pet Care Basics Exercise Needs Across Dog Breeds: Matching Activity Level to Your Lifestyle

Exercise Needs Across Dog Breeds: Matching Activity Level to Your Lifestyle

High-energy working breeds, low-key companions, and everything in between — a practical look at how breed background sha…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Care Basics Indoor Cat vs. Outdoor Cat: Weighing the Tradeoffs for Your Household

Indoor Cat vs. Outdoor Cat: Weighing the Tradeoffs for Your Household

Health risks, lifespan differences, enrichment needs, and neighbor considerations — a balanced look at keeping cats indo…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Care Basics Keeping Pets and Kids Safe Together: What Every Family Should Understand

Keeping Pets and Kids Safe Together: What Every Family Should Understand

Age-appropriate interactions, supervision guidelines, and warning signs — a practical overview of how families can build…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min
Pet Care Basics New Pet Arrival Checklist: What to Have Ready Before They Come Home

New Pet Arrival Checklist: What to Have Ready Before They Come Home

A room-by-room checklist covering supplies, safety steps, and first-day routines to make your new pet's transition smoot…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Care Basics Pet Hydration Myths That Owners Keep Getting Wrong

Pet Hydration Myths That Owners Keep Getting Wrong

Does a wet nose mean a hydrated dog? Do cats naturally drink enough water? Common misconceptions about pet hydration, co…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Care Basics Reading Your Pet's Body Language: A Plain-English Guide

Reading Your Pet's Body Language: A Plain-English Guide

Tail positions, ear angles, and vocalizations decoded. Learn to understand what your dog or cat is communicating through…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 8 min
Pet Care Basics Signs Your Pet May Be Unwell: Symptoms That Warrant a Vet Call

Signs Your Pet May Be Unwell: Symptoms That Warrant a Vet Call

Behavioral changes, appetite shifts, and physical symptoms that should prompt a conversation with your veterinarian — no…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Care Basics Small Pets, Big Needs: Care Basics for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Hamsters

Small Pets, Big Needs: Care Basics for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Hamsters

Small doesn't mean low-maintenance. A practical look at the daily needs, housing, and feeding requirements of common sma…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Care Basics The Daily Care Routine Every Dog Owner Should Know

The Daily Care Routine Every Dog Owner Should Know

From morning walks to evening feeding windows, here's what a consistent daily dog care routine actually looks like and w…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Care Basics Wet Food vs. Dry Kibble: What the Difference Actually Means for Your Pet

Wet Food vs. Dry Kibble: What the Difference Actually Means for Your Pet

Nutritional content, hydration, dental health, and cost — a straightforward comparison of wet and dry pet food to help y…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Care Basics What New Dog Owners Tend to Get Wrong in the First 90 Days

What New Dog Owners Tend to Get Wrong in the First 90 Days

Inconsistent schedules, skipped socialization, and over-correction — the most common early missteps with a new dog and h…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Care Basics Why Pets Need Dental Care — and What Skipping It Actually Costs

Why Pets Need Dental Care — and What Skipping It Actually Costs

Dental disease is one of the most common — and preventable — health issues in dogs and cats. Here's what owners need to …

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min
Pet Behavior & Training Bringing a New Pet Home: A First-Week Behavior Checklist

Bringing a New Pet Home: A First-Week Behavior Checklist

Use this structured checklist to set healthy behavioral expectations during the critical first week with a new dog or ca…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Behavior & Training Cat Behavior Decoded: What Common Actions Actually Mean

Cat Behavior Decoded: What Common Actions Actually Mean

From slow blinks to midnight zoomies, learn what your cat's everyday behaviors are communicating and how to respond appr…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Behavior & Training Clicker Training vs. Verbal Markers: Which Approach Fits Your Training Style?

Clicker Training vs. Verbal Markers: Which Approach Fits Your Training Style?

Both clicker and verbal marker training use the same principles. Here's how they differ in practice and which situations…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Behavior & Training Everything New Pet Owners Get Wrong About Animal Body Language

Everything New Pet Owners Get Wrong About Animal Body Language

A wagging tail doesn't always mean happy. Debunk the most common misreads of dog and cat body language with evidence-bas…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Behavior & Training Force-Free Training Methods: A Practical Overview for Everyday Pet Owners

Force-Free Training Methods: A Practical Overview for Everyday Pet Owners

Force-free training covers a range of humane techniques. This guide walks through the main approaches, how they work, an…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 8 min
Pet Behavior & Training Group Classes vs. Private Training Sessions for Dogs

Group Classes vs. Private Training Sessions for Dogs

Both formats have real advantages. Compare group and one-on-one dog training to find out which setting suits your dog's …

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Behavior & Training Litter Box Avoidance: The Real Reasons Cats Stop Using It

Litter Box Avoidance: The Real Reasons Cats Stop Using It

When a cat stops using the litter box, the cause is rarely spite. Explore the medical, environmental, and behavioral rea…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Behavior & Training Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment-Based Training: What the Science Actually Says

Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment-Based Training: What the Science Actually Says

Explore what behavioral science reveals about reward-based and aversive training methods, and what the difference means …

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 5 min
Pet Behavior & Training Resource Guarding in Dogs: What It Is and How to Safely Address It

Resource Guarding in Dogs: What It Is and How to Safely Address It

Resource guarding is a natural canine behavior that can become dangerous without proper handling. Learn the signs and hu…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Behavior & Training Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Causes, Signs, and a Humane Path Forward

Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Causes, Signs, and a Humane Path Forward

Separation anxiety is one of the most misunderstood dog behavior problems. Learn what it actually is, what triggers it, …

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 8 min
Pet Behavior & Training Socializing a Puppy: The Window That Closes Faster Than You Think

Socializing a Puppy: The Window That Closes Faster Than You Think

The socialization period in puppies is short and formative. Learn what it is, when it ends, and how to make the most of …

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min
Pet Behavior & Training Teaching a Dog to Stay: Building Duration, Distance, and Distraction

Teaching a Dog to Stay: Building Duration, Distance, and Distraction

A practical, step-by-step breakdown of how to train a reliable stay command by gradually adding the three D's of dog tra…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Behavior & Training The Honest Trade-Offs of Using Food Rewards in Pet Training

The Honest Trade-Offs of Using Food Rewards in Pet Training

Treat-based training is widely endorsed, but it comes with genuine trade-offs. Weigh the advantages and limitations befo…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Behavior & Training Training Multiple Pets in the Same Household

Training Multiple Pets in the Same Household

Managing training sessions when you have more than one pet adds real complexity. Here are practical strategies for keepi…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 6 min
Pet Behavior & Training Why Dogs Pull on the Leash — and What's Really Going On in Their Heads

Why Dogs Pull on the Leash — and What's Really Going On in Their Heads

Leash pulling isn't stubbornness. Understand the instincts and reinforcement patterns behind this common behavior before…

Pets & Animals Editorial Team · 7 min

Top writers in Pets & Animals

Pets & Animals Editorial Team

Pets & Animals Editorial Team

Staff Writer