Does your cat sleep too much? Probably not — all cats sleep two-thirds of the day. Photo: rberteig My wellness exams usually start out much the same: “Great to see you! How’s Muffin doing?” The edgy cat people often respond: “How should I know? My cat sleeps too much.” The upbeat, happy cat people say

How Much to Tip a Veterinarian or Vet Tech Veterinarians and veterinary technicians and other staff members work in an office environment and handle the medical needs of your pets, from routine vaccinations to emergency services. They are on hand to answer questions about medications, treat minor and major injuries and illnesses, and perform wellness exams. The true depth

How much to pay your pet sitter? The short answer is, it depends. Photo: Dora Zett Many people with pets prefer the convenience of a pet sitter as opposed to boarding their pets. Some pets have anxiety issues that preclude boarding, while others have health problems. And then some pets just prefer — and do

Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Varo. The opinions and text are all mine. This Labradoodle named Skipper is one of my clients as a pet sitter. Photos: Melissa Smith/Petful One of the worst feelings in the world is when you’re sitting helplessly in front of a veterinarian, knowing

Consider quality of life when your pet can no longer do things that bring them joy. Photo: Wallula When is it time to consider euthanizing your pet? How do you know when your pet’s quality of life has gone way down? Any pet’s basic needs include being able to:  Breathe Walk Eat Drink Defecate Urinate Groom Sleep

Jackson Galaxy’s Cat Camp was co-founded by the Animal Planet star. Photos: Cat Camp NYC I’m so excited to be attending Jackson Galaxy’s Cat Camp soon — and I hope I’ll see you there, too! Cat Camp, held June 1–2, 2019, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, is an immersive experience

Sneezing is one of the most common health complaints veterinarians hear from people with young kittens. Photo: Natalia Kostrykina “My kitten is sneezing!” That is one of the most common complaints of people with new kittens. Whether the little muffin has been adopted from a shelter, purchased from a breeder, or found and rescued as

The #1 way cats communicate with each other is through scent communication. Photo: sarahakabmg Emrys and Lady, my Abyssinians, stand together on the bureau. Back to back, they look like bookends. But their tails are entwined in such a way that they almost seem to form a heart. The entwining — and not the vague

Treating arthritis in cats can be more challenging than treating dogs. Photo: rszeszko0 Could your cat have arthritis and be suffering in silence? George may still be curious, but if his aging joints are keeping him from poking around the house, he may be suffering from arthritis. You may see your older dog start to show signs

Has your pet food brand ever been recalled? Photo: chalabala If it seems like every time you turn around, there’s another pet food recall — well, you’re not too far off the mark. We researched the most popular dog food and cat food brands in the United States and were shocked to see just how many

Weight loss is one of the most common signs of cat aging. Photo: fjhony Our cats are living longer and longer. Veterinary medicine, educated pet parents and nutritional advances have greatly increased the lifespan of our beloved furry felines. We get to enjoy our cats for a longer time, and many of our cats experience

Wondering how to give a cat a bath? Pro tip: The kitchen sink may work better than your bath tub. Photo: Brian Costelloe “Cats are such nice, clean animals,” an older man remarks in passing to me. Which is absolutely true. But that doesn’t mean your cat is a 100% self-cleaning unit or that you

“Silent recalls” are the pet food industry’s dirty little secret. Over a period of 14 months in 2016–17, Darwin’s Natural Pet Products quietly pulled more than 23 tons of its dog and cat food from circulation — then, in early 2019, another 11.7 tons. And it all happened without a whisper of media coverage. These

When it comes to trimming a cat’s nails, first get your cat used to having their paws handled by you. Photo: alexyo1968 Trimming a cat’s nails? It can be a do-it-yourself affair — but not always. Cats’ personalities vary widely, and some cats will never easily submit to their claws being touched, manipulated and clipped

Maker: Nestlé Purina PetCare CompanyCause: May contain rubber piecesAnnouncement: FDA announcement dated March 29, 2019 (archived here)What was recalled: 3 oz. cans of Muse cat food — only Natural Chicken Recipe in Gravy cans with “best by” date of April 2020 and Production Code #80941162 According to the recall announcement, “The product could contain rubber pieces that are