ArcaMax

There are few sights more impressive than a dog standing proudly beside a hole large enough to qualify for its own ZIP code.

You left the yard for 10 minutes. The dog apparently hired a backhoe.

Digging is one of those canine habits that can range from mildly annoying to full-scale landscape destruction. A determined dog can uproot flowers, ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I have a four-year-old female black lab. She is very social and loves to play with other dogs. We meet up with the same group of dogs every morning and they all get along great.

The problem is my dog has started humping one of the other dogs instead of playing with her. This dog is also a female black lab and is two years old. They...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I read your column every week and hope you can help with my 13-year-old cat, Gracie, who has periodically been urinating on rugs in the house. We adopted her and her littermate brother, Georgie, when they were six months old. Both use the litter box regularly.

About a year ago, Gracie began urinating on a particular rug. My ...Read more

Our furry friends can experience anxiety and stress just like us. Whether it's the sound of thunder, a visit to the vet, or other unfamiliar situations, pets may find themselves overwhelmed and anxious. As pet owners, we want to provide comfort and support to our beloved companions during these challenging moments. One simple and effective ...Read more

Motherhood in the animal kingdom usually follows a straightforward rule: Take care of the babies that look, smell and sound like you.

Every so often, however, an animal apparently forgets to read the rulebook.

Across zoos, forests, oceans and savannas, researchers and animal caretakers have documented remarkable cases of animals protecting, ...Read more

A dog walk can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the day, but it can also become frustrating when the leash tangles, the weather changes or an excited dog decides every squirrel deserves immediate investigation. A little preparation can make outings calmer, safer and more rewarding for both dog and human.

The right equipment and habits do ...Read more

Irish wolfhounds are among the most striking dogs in the world. Their tremendous height, rough coats and calm expressions give them an almost mythical presence. Yet living with one is less like owning a legendary creature and more like sharing your home with an affectionate, oversized companion who needs thoughtful care.

Before adopting an ...Read more

Your pets may not understand fashion, but they understand patterns.

They notice the sound of your footsteps, the way you move through the house and whether you are preparing to leave. Shoes can mean a walk, a car ride or a long day away from home. Bare feet often mean something simpler: You are staying close.

For dogs and cats, that relaxed ...Read more

Dear Cathy, I live on a large farm in Virginia and over the years many feral cats and dogs have come to live here. This Spring, a very young and friendly feral cat showed up and, as usual, I fed it. I got him neutered, all his shots, and tick and flea treatments. He now lives in my barn.

The problem is that he is too friendly. I am in my late ...Read more

Dear Cathy, I recently adopted a seven-year-old male poodle rescued from an out of state puppy mill where he spent his entire life. Since then, he wakes me every morning at around 4 a.m. to relieve himself. After coming back inside, he howls until I feed him. He then gets hyper, running around until he settles down around 6 a.m. I have tried ...Read more

It’s pretty commonly known, and not very startling, that free-ranging cats eat birds and small rodents. But the degree to which they eat insects might surprise you.

We are biologists who for many years have been trying to figure out what feral or outdoor-roaming pet cats eat outside.

When domesticated cats – Felis catus �...Read more

Cats are graceful, agile and capable of leaping onto a narrow shelf without disturbing a single object. Yet many of those same cats appear completely unable to walk through a kitchen without weaving directly between a person’s ankles.

The behavior can feel especially dangerous on stairs, in dark hallways or while someone is carrying hot food....Read more

Hounds have a special way of winning people over. They often arrive with long ears, soulful eyes, big personalities and an almost comical determination to follow their noses wherever those noses lead.

They can be affectionate, gentle and deeply loyal companions. Many are relaxed in the house, patient with family members and content to spend ...Read more

A dog growls when a visitor reaches toward him. Another snaps when awakened from a nap. A third barks and lunges at unfamiliar dogs during walks but plays peacefully with dogs she knows.

To a worried owner, these behaviors may look like aggression. But aggression is not a personality type or a moral failing. It is behavior, and that behavior ...Read more

Dogs do not experience a walk the way people do. For us, the point may be exercise, a bit of fresh air and a chance to get around the block before dinner. For a dog, the walk is also a newspaper, a social network, a neighborhood bulletin board and a mystery novel written in scent.

That is why one of the simplest ways to make your dog happier is...Read more

Dalmatians are among the most recognizable dogs in the world, but the spotted coat can distract from the realities of living with one. They are athletic, clever, sensitive dogs with a long working history and a few breed-specific health concerns that prospective owners should understand before bringing one home.

Here are seven things to know ...Read more

Ear mites are tiny parasites, but the discomfort they cause can be big. They are most often associated with cats, especially kittens and outdoor cats, but dogs, ferrets and other animals can get them, too. The usual culprit is Otodectes cynotis, a surface mite that commonly lives in the ear canal and spreads through close contact with an ...Read more

Poodles have a reputation problem, and it is not entirely their fault.

To some people, the word “poodle” still brings to mind a fussy show dog with a fancy haircut and an attitude. In reality, poodles are athletic, highly intelligent, people-focused dogs with working-dog roots and a surprising amount of versatility.

They can be wonderful ...Read more

Adopting an anxious or abused dog can be one of the most rewarding decisions a person makes, but it requires patience, humility and realistic expectations.

A dog with a hard past may not understand that a new home is safe. He may flinch at raised hands, hide from visitors, guard food, freeze on walks, panic when left alone or seem shut down for...Read more