cats

Dogs are naturally social animals, but during the dog flu epidemic it might be up to you to keep it company.  After all, that's what best friends are for!

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How much do you know about caring for rabbits?  Take this little quiz to see if you really might want a rabbit as a pet because, like it or not, that cute baby Easter bunny will be a full-grown rabbit before you know it!

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How a pet fits into your household and into your life is often an evolving relationship, much like most of the other personalities that fill our lives!

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Puppies and kittens are so cute, and so plentiful in the Spring - too plentiful. in fact.  If you are considering adopting a new pet, this is the perfect time of year because so many are available and looking for a home!

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On the Isle of Man, the home of origin for the Manx cat, some folks still use the term "stubbin" to refer to the felines without a tail.  Throughout their history they have been valued as rodent hunters, but today they are prized as great pets!

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Finding the perfect bed for your cat can sometimes be a challenge.  Often a cat will choose it's own place to sleep, and that may change from one day to the next, or even one hour to the next.  Still, providing your feline friend with a comfortable bed of its own may provide a feeling of security for your furry buddy.

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If you want to help reduce the problem of pet overpopulation, begin by having your own pet spayed or neutered . Once you have done that, perhaps you might be willing to support efforts in your community to spay and neuter strays and feral animals.

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Pet breath may never smell particularly fresh to us humans, but it should not be really odorous.  But good dental health for pets is about more than the smell; it's about making sure your best friend is healthy from nose to tail.

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The bond that develops between human and pet has been the subject of study and even research.  It's real, on both sides, and most of us call it love because English does not have a different word to describe the special feelings we develop for our furry friends - and they for us!

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Stray or feral cats pose a number of problems for their human neighbors, including unpleasant odors and noisy encounters between the animals.  TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) has proven effective in reducing the problems, but one organization in Israel has an enhanced approach to improving the situation for both humans and cats.

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What do you get when you have more than 250 cats in one room?  A great cat show! 

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As our pets age, they may have to deal with some of the same infirmities that we humans face as we grow older.  Just because the body may not move as fast or as easily as before, your furry companion is still your best friend!

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The bond between a child and a pet is special - when it starts off the right way for both baby and animal. Give your furry buddy a chance to bond with its new little human friend and you can watch a great relationship develop that will be remembered for a lifetime.

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A lot of folks complain about the cold weather during the winter months, but what about our pets?  They need to stay warm when the temperatures drop into the frigid zone.  Make some arrangements to protect your best friend from winter's icy blast.

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Our pets may not enjoy celebrating the new year as much as we might, what with all the loud fireworks and other noise, but it's a good time to think about ways we can make life better for our best friend with a few resolutions that can benefit both them and us!

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A pet can be one of the best gifts, but it should never be a surprise.  In fact, it's a good idea to have the whole family involved in deciding to adopt a new best friend, and then in choosing the pet.  Visit your local shelter or rescue group today - you might make this Christmas bright for one lucky animal!

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Christmas decorations really add to the festive celebration of the season, but they can become hazards to the well-being of our animal companions.  So go ahead and deck the halls, but keep your pet's safety in mind.

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It might be tempting to include your best friend when you sit down to the table this Thanksgiving, but some things on your plate could harm your furry buddy.  Be careful and choose treats that are pet-friendly and will make you both thankful for tasty morsels and great companionship!

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When the humidity level in your home drops to 30% or lower, static electricity can make you and your furry friend uncomfortable.  In fact, just stroking your pet's fur could result in a little shock for both of you.  Bathing your pet with moisturizing shampoo (one approved for use on pets) and increasing the moisture in the air can help remedy the problem.

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Animal shelter workers and rescue volunteers are the unsung heroes of the pet world, because without them many animals would never have the chance to find a new home.  This week is National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, but thankfully these dedicated folks are helping our four-footed friends all year long!

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What is it about Halloween that makes us want to dress ourselves and our four-footed companions in costumes?   Some pets love it, some don't mind too much and others can be totally stressed by Halloween.  It's up to you to make sure your best friend is safe and comfortable, whatever the holiday.

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Targeted Trap-Neuter-Return helps reduce and stabilize the feral cat population.

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Many schools, like the University of Alabama, have a pet policy that allows only fish in campus housing.  Others, like Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, have more liberal pets-in-residence programs that permit small dogs, cats rabbits, ferrets, even ducks.  For some students, the option to take their best friend with them to school can influence their decision about where they decide to study.

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Gone are the days when your pet had to spend its "vacation" in a cramped cage.  Pet resorts have become very popular - with both owners and their furry friends!

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Some folks consider cats to be aloof and one-dimensional, but those of us who have feline family members know they are funny, affectionate, playful and, yes, independent.  But that very spirit that makes them independent also helps to make them lower maintenance pets when compared to, say, dogs.

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As cats age, their coat may lose some of its luster but their color often remains much as it was in their younger days. It can be deceptive to judge a cat's age by its color.

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Feral cats that have been neutered or spayed also have their left ear "tipped" surgically to indicate the cat is part of a colony and has already been trapped and altered.

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About half of jerky pet treats in the US are imported from China.  New warnings indicate that such treats could pose serious and even deadly risks to your pet's health.

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In the pet world, Mother's Day has a very different connotation from that in the human experience.  Most pet mothers never get to see their babies grow up.  This Mother's Day, consider things from your pet's point of view.   Make plans to keep your pet from becoming a mother by having her spayed. 

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The puppies and kittens you see at your local animal shelter are the lucky ones, because they are up for adoption.  (The unlucky ones never made it that far.)  But even those who did make it to the adoption area still may not find homes.  That's the sad reality of pet overpopulation.  

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