Daily Life

Can you tell how a cat is feeling by simply looking at her tail? Cat parents would tell you they are way more complicated than that. The entire body is a complex series of combined messages. But animal researchers say there definitely is an emotional pattern to tail activity that can help to quickly identify […]

It’s one of those old farmers’ axioms that if your animals put on a thick coat in the fall, a bad winter is coming, so we should prepare. Is there any truth in that?  As summer rolls into autumn, it’s the shortening of the days and less sunlight hours that causes dogs and cats to

Puppies learn ‘bark’ language from adult dogs, and how to use their tails for communicating long distance as well as face to face. Scientists have studied these movements. Although their studies tend to correlate, there are always exceptions. The tail is an extension of the spine. Pulling or injuring the tail can cause a lot

One thing is guaranteed. If your pet has a long term memory, it will be related to where the food is kept. Cats have returned to homes 10 years later and walked straight to the cabinet where their food was. Pets blissfully forget the small stuff and remember only what’s important to them: their food,

No doubt your cat is waking you up for breakfast before the alarm clock. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are more active at dusk and dawn than during daytime. Nature has equipped your pet with extra advantages to see in these low light conditions. In fact, she can see in the dark roughly seven times

Certain vegetables are a great addition to your dog’s diet –  low in calories and high in vitamins and fiber – but not always appreciated by your dog unless they are mixed with other ingredients.  Although your dog probably won’t be begging for broccoli, there are ways to include veggies in her diet that she

If you give your cat a blueberry, will he eat it?  Cats are obligate carnivores. They need a diet that’s rich in meat or fish to keep them healthy, so they’re usually not interested in the trimmings. They’ve got plenty of extra taste receptors for appreciating proteins, but lack any taste buds for sweetness. Yet,

As a population, we love our fruit smoothies, no matter the temperatures outside. Do you wonder if your dog can have one too?   The American Kennel Club and the ASPCA say, “Yes!” to some fruits, as long as they are fresh, frozen or canned in natural juices. Many fruits – especially watermelon and cucumber

Have you ever wondered where the dog name Fido came from? It’s Latin, meaning someone you can trust and confide in, similar to fidelity. Although a pet’s name can come from just about anywhere, it is most often chosen to fit your pet’s personality or appearance. In her book, ‘Medieval Pets’, author Kathleen Walker-Meikle gives

Do dogs really see in black and white? Not exactly. They see colors, but not in the same way we do. And not all colors. Everything has a grayish look, so it’s like one of those black and white photos that has been tinted. And there is a special problem with reds and greens. Those