Pets | ArcaMax Publishing

PAUL KITAGAKI JR./The Sacramento Bee/TNS

Slim Shady, a California tortoise, needs a new home. His owner has to let it go (go)

Pets / Cats & Dogs News / Apr 16, 2026

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ownership of a tortoise, like life itself, has its downsides. Mona Heflin knows both well.

Slim Shady, her roughly 70-pound, 22-year-old sulcata tortoise, farts loudly, sometimes knocks her down and has forced her to find him after absconding in her North Highlands neighborhood when her front gate was left open. Still, ...Read more

Ask The Vet: Cat's Lymphoma Not Contagious

Pets / Ask The Vet / Apr 16, 2026

Q: My cat has lymphoma. I know humans also get this type of cancer. Is it possible for my cat to give me her lymphoma?

A: No. Cancers are not transmitted from pets to people, or for that matter, from one person to another.

Cats infected with FeLV, the feline leukemia virus, are at greater risk of developing lymphoma than cats that were never ...Read more

If a cat becomes anxious or uncomfortable using the litter box for any reason, she may look for the softest, most familiar place instead, writes Cathy M. Rosenthal. (Dreamstime/TNS)

My Pet World: Helping a cat get back on track

Pets / My Pet World / Apr 15, 2026

Dear Cathy,

My two-year-old Siamese Cat has decided she no longer needs to use the litter box to poop. She seems to think it is perfectly acceptable to use our bed instead. She has been doing it for about a month. Our vet ran tests and found her to be healthy. We honestly can't think of anything that could have upset her.

The vet put her on ...Read more

With earlier intervention, positive associations, and desensitization work, an anxious dog can learn to handle stressful moments with more confidence, writes Cathy M. Rosenthal. (Juan Jose Tugores/Dreamstime/Tribune Content Agency)

My Pet World: From submissive to startled — Helping a dog who feels overwhelmed

Pets / My Pet World / Apr 08, 2026

Dear Cathy,

My best friend, Zoey, is a two-year-old English Setter and the sweetest little girl. She’s on the smaller side at 35 pounds, compared to my previous setter at 65 pounds and the typical 55-pound average. She had quite a bit of anxiety when I adopted her, though she’s improved over time. Still, there are two situations I’m ...Read more

Enzymatic products made specifically for pet stains break down these unwanted odors, but they must be used correctly, writes Cathy M. Rosenthal. (Creative Cat Studio/Dreamstime/TNS)

My Pet World: Cleaning carpets, solving behavior problems, and retraining husbands

Pets / My Pet World / Apr 01, 2026

Dear Cathy, I just got two little kittens. One ended up with diarrhea and did not make it to the litter box. He has been to the vet and received meds for dehydration and a sinus infection. I have cleaned the carpet and hardwood floor with bleach and purchased the enzyme cleaner, however, they both keep sniffing around these areas and I am afraid...Read more

Many shy dogs relax more quickly when they are not the center of attention, writes Cathy M. Rosenthal. (Dreamstime/TNS)

My Pet World: Patience helps shy dogs learn to trust new people

Pets / My Pet World / Mar 25, 2026

Dear Cathy,

We (my mom and I) recently adopted a small mixed seven-year-old (possibly min pin/dachshund). We hit the jackpot with her. She’s sweet, adorable, and has no bad habits. We don’t know her back story.

Her only “fault” is that she does not like anyone visiting us. She growls but never tries to bite. She allows my brother to ...Read more

Even very sweet, well-socialized dogs can guard prized possessions, writes Cathy M. Rosenthal. (Dreamstime/TNS)

My Pet World: When sweet pets send strong signals

Pets / My Pet World / Mar 18, 2026

Dear Cathy,

Our sweet Golden Retriever growls if anyone comes near her when she has a bone. She has never bitten, but it makes us nervous, especially when our grandchildren visit. Should we take the bones away altogether, or is there a way to fix this?

– Patricia, Chicago, Illinois

Dear Patricia,

What you’re describing is called resource...Read more