Dog & Cat Articles with Advice from Our Experts

Has your cat’s hacking and coughing left you asking, “What are cat hairballs?” If so, read on for some answers to your most common cat hairball questions. Cat hairballs are not a mystery, and they are just what you might imagine: a collection of cat hair that your cat has swallowed, largely by licking her body during the natural act of grooming. In addition to dead hair, hairballs also contain digestive juices from your cat’s stomach.

Diarrhea is never a pleasant condition, but when your puppy is dealing with it, it's not a fun situation for anyone. If you're working on training your pup to go outside, diarrhea can also be a challenge to your house-training, as your furry friend may not be able to physically make it outdoors before he goes. Find out more about puppy diarrhea below, including what might cause it and when it's a serious situation to speak to your vet about.

The first few months of puppy training is definitely enough for owners to start questioning why the phrase is ‘"herding cats" instead of puppies. But with persistence and the right tools, leash training your new best friend can be fun, rewarding and stress-free. Learn how to leash train a puppy below.

For first-time cat owners, the vomiting might be a bit of a surprise. But don’t worry: It’s often perfectly normal. Cats throwing up is just another part of the deal for most cat lovers, and most of them would agree the benefits of owning a cat are worth the occasional clean-up. But if the cleaning isn’t so occasional for you or you just want to keep close tabs on your furry friend's health, you’re probably wondering, "Why is my cat throwing up and what should I do about it?" Find out more below. 

Some owners may think ear scratching is just a normal part of dog behaviour. And while many dogs will scratch their ears casually, itchy ears can mean something’s wrong with your dog's ears. Ear infections aren’t too rare in dogs, so it’s a good idea to learn the symptoms and how to properly maintain your dog's ear health. Find out why your dog has itchy ears and what to do about it.

With their generally cute and playful attitude, it can be easy to forget that cats are miniature versions of apex predators and are perfectly designed night hunters. Anyone who's been awakened by their cat in a frenzied sprint around the house at the crack of dawn knows cats love to hunt when it’s dark.

About 1 in 111 dogs will experience some form of epilepsy. But even more can have a seizure at some point. During a seizure, dogs lose all self-control, which can be very unsettling for their owners. Seizures in dogs are like electrical explosions in the brain, setting off many neurons and creating huge brain wave spikes. Learning more about seizures in dogs can help you care for a dog with epilepsy or prepare yourself for an unexpected seizure.

If you have a cat with worms or suspect your cat is experiencing the symptoms of worms, you’re probably frustrated and perhaps a little scared for your feline. After all, these pesky parasites are detrimental to your cat’s well-being and health when they make themselves at home in your pet’s digestive system. Rest assured, today’s worm treatments for cats are quite effective, and your little furry friend will be back to feeling good in no time flat.

Bouncy, happy puppies are a real mood booster. To produce healthy pups that thrive, pregnant mama dogs need great nutrition from conception to birth — and afterwards, too. That’s where you come in. If you know what to feed a pregnant dog, you can keep your mom-to-be strong, content and well-nourished throughout her pregnancy.

Thinking about getting a dog and wondering if dog adoption is right for you? Puppies and older dogs are waiting in animal shelters and humane societies all over the country. Some have had a difficult start in life, while others have been abandoned by their owners or surrendered due to health concerns. All of them have one thing in common, though. Every shelter dog in America is looking for his forever home with a family that will love him and understand his needs.

Your cat's diet affects her overall health, and understanding what cats eat can help you choose the right food for your particular feline.

Tiny kittens are truly adorable. They’re fuzzy, they’re affectionate and they trip every nurturing trigger in us. Good kitten health doesn’t happen by accident: it starts in utero — and that’s where you come in. If you know how to tell if your cat is pregnant, you can keep mama kitty safe, comfortable and well nourished during her pregnancy and beyond.