ArcaMax

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

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Amid a sea of young children brushing fluffy guinea pigs and wrangling bunnies, 13-year-old Cole Kennedy expertly flipped his rabbit over, holding it in place while his friend carefully trimmed its nails.

Kennedy was readying the furry animal to compete against other Dutch rabbits in the California State Fair’s “best ...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

ORLANDO, Fla. — A 77-year-old Florida woman and U.S. Postal Service employee has been arrested after officials found nearly 100 cats and dogs being hoarded in her home.

Gail Giustino is facing misdemeanor charges for animal cruelty and confinement of animals without sufficient exercise, according to a Facebook post Tuesday from the Martin ...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

CHICAGO — Mike Russell regularly checks the weather before work. He’s the co-owner of J&M Dog Walking, so weather plays an important role in deciding how much time his clients spend outdoors.

When Russell saw the advisory for poor air quality Thursday morning, he “didn’t know what to expect,” he said. Still, he told walkers to take ...Read more

NEW YORK — New Yorkers aren’t the only ones facing a housing crisis. More and more pets need a place to stay, too.

The city’s largest animal shelter is running out of space, and is so close to capacity that it is making cuddly cats and dogs available for just $25.

For the price of an Uber Eats order, pet lovers can bring home a new ...Read more

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Elizabeth Kobliha knows her one-eyed cat Likho has more friends than she does. So much so that on his 15th birthday last Saturday , the sidewalk outside her downtown Long Beach store where he spends most of his time transformed into a makeshift fair.

There were vendors selling peach cobbler, watches, hot dogs and offering ...Read more

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Elizabeth Kobliha knows her one-eyed cat Likho has more friends than she does. So much so that on his 15th birthday last Saturday , the sidewalk outside her downtown Long Beach store where he spends most of his time transformed into a makeshift fair.

There were vendors selling peach cobbler, watches, hot dogs and offering ...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

DEAR ABBY: My fiance and I often talked about maybe getting a dog. He really wanted one, but I never fully committed because I knew it would be additional work and responsibility I don't have time for. I work full time, do part-time work as well and manage the household tasks, shopping, cleaning, etc. When I ask him to pitch in, he always does, ...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife began volunteering at our local animal shelter last year, and at first I thought it was wonderful. She has always loved animals, and I was proud of her for giving her time to such a good cause.

The problem is that she has now brought home five dogs.

It started with one older dog she said no one else would adopt. Then came a...Read more

Amid record-breaking temperatures and headlines about “heat domes,” I worry profoundly about dogs like Cash, who spent his life deprived of relief from extreme weather—and everything else—while chained to a tree in North Carolina. Legislators there are considering Duke’s Rescue Act, a bill that would restrict tethering—a move we ...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