Guides
Plain, practical guides to the everyday jobs of living with a dog or cat, from measuring for a harness to lifting hair out of the carpet. For anything about your pet's health, ask your veterinarian.
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Guide
Hiking With a Small Dog: How Far, What to Bring and When to Carry Them
Small dogs can hike, on the right trail. Plan by time and climb rather than miles, clip the leash to a snug small harness with ID on the collar, offer water and tiny snacks often, watch heat and cold closely, give big dogs and coyotes room, and bring a backpack your dog already knows for the way back.
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Guide
Enrichment for Senior Cats: Gentle Play and Easy Scent Games
Your older cat still wants to hunt; the trick is games without the leaps. Slow wand play at floor level, food and scent finds beside the bed, a flat scratcher, warm lookouts one step up, where automatic toys fit, and when playing less means a vet visit.
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Guide
Enrichment for Dogs on Crate Rest: Quiet Jobs Within the Vet’s Rules
Strict rest after surgery or an injury is hard on an active dog. Here are quiet jobs that fit the usual vet rules, from lick mats and slow meals to scent games within reach of the bed, lying-down tricks and gentle toy time if allowed, plus the signs that mean it's time to call the vet.
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Guide
Dog Walking Games: Sniff Breaks, Find-It and Loose-Leash Play
Bored of the same loop? Give part of every walk to your dog's nose, then add one game: find-it with a tossed treat, connect the dots, chase me or a curb wait. Plus low bench tricks, new routes and how to match games to puppies, seniors and the weather.
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Guide
Dog Walking Etiquette: Sidewalk Manners, Greetings and Clean-Up
The unwritten rules of neighborhood dog walks: how short to hold the leash when people pass, keeping off lawns and gardens, picking up every time, asking before greetings, making room on narrow paths and changing the walk on a bad day.
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Guide
Should Your Dog Ride With Their Head Out the Car Window?
Riding with their head out the window exposes your dog's eyes to flying debris and makes a fall or jump possible. Why dogs love it, how far to open the window, how to set a tether so your dog can't reach the gap, and how to give a window-lover a proper sniff instead.
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Guide
Do Steam Brushes Work for Cats? What They Do and How to Use One
A cat steam brush is a soft-pinned brush with a built-in water mister. It works well for loose hair on short coats but does little for tangles, mats or thick undercoat. Learn which cats it suits, how to use and clean one, and how to get a wary cat used to the spray.
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Guide
Do Calming Dog Beds Work? What a Raised Rim Can and Can’t Do
An honest look at “calming” donut and bolster beds: what the raised rim, deep fill and soft plush actually do, which dogs sleep better in one, which are better off on a flat bed or a cooling mat, and the signs that point to your veterinarian rather than a new bed.
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Guide
Cats and Kids: Teaching Gentle Hands and Giving Your Cat an Escape
House rules for a family with a cat: how children should approach, stroke and pick up a cat, toys instead of hands, the child-free room and high escape routes your cat needs, the signs it wants to be left alone, supervision by age and first aid after a scratch or bite.
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Guide
Can Dogs and Cats Share Water Bowls, Beds and Brushes?
A healthy dog and cat can share a water bowl, beds, cooling mats and grooming tools if you clean them between pets; food, the litter box and small toys stay separate. Here's the item-by-item guide, plus when to stop sharing and the dog flea products that can poison cats.
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Guide
Can Big and Small Dogs Live Together? Play Rules and Separate Spaces
Big and small dogs can share a home if you plan for the size gap. How to judge the match, set play rules and time-outs, give the small dog a place to escape, keep toys, meals and beds apart, walk both dogs and know when to call a trainer.
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Guide
Can a Dog Wear a Harness All the Time? When to Take It Off
A harness is for walks, training and car rides, not for lounging or sleeping. See why straps left on rub, mat the coat and snag in crates, what stays on at home and overnight, the exceptions for travel days and newly adopted dogs, and a one-minute skin check.
