As much as we would like to, we can’t take our pets with us every time we leave the house. Unfortunately, that means that your pup or cat might be hanging out at home for hours at a time as you travel from work to school to social events and, eventually, back home.

There are a lot of potential illnesses your cat might face over the course of its life. One of the most common is feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), a contagious viral infection. Cats that contract FHV-1 most often carry the virus with them for life, which may put them at risk for cold symptoms at random periods.

Training a dog is not as easy of a task as it sounds. Although most owners get the basics down successfully, a lot of potential training mistakes can set your dog’s progress back or prohibit it from learning cool new tricks. Unless you’re an expert, training probably doesn’t come naturally to you, and mistakes are normal. However, learning about common training mistakes and finding ways to rectify them will ultimately make training easier and more fun for both you and your pup!

It can be heartbreaking to see a cat or dog in a shelter being passed over because it has a disability or special health condition. Pets with special needs are just as—if not more—lovable than able-bodied pets, and adopting one can provide many benefits. Not only will you be giving a pet in need a loving home, but you can develop patience, creativity, joy and pride through raising an animal with health complications.

Kittens are adorable, small bundles of love, and adopting one just might be one of the highlights of your life. However, they also require a lot of attention and care in order to grow up happy and healthy.

Technology has taken our world by storm. Most of us can’t live without our phones, tablets and computers from day to day because of how connected we are. But have you realized that technology has expanded to cater to our pets, too?

Dogs need regular exercise in order to maintain a healthy weight, keep their immune system strong, build muscle, burn energy and prevent boredom. Most owners take their dogs for a walk one to two times a day, but this can get boring and repetitive over time.

When you adopt a dog or cat, one of the first things you’ll do is bring the pet to its new veterinarian for a checkup and preliminary healthcare services. This initial appointment is extremely important to get your pet set up with preventative care and disease protection. But as your pet ages, you may be tempted to skip an appointment here and there, as long as your furry friend is acting normal. Unfortunately, opting out of your vet’s recommended yearly checkup schedule could be a big mistake. 

With so many brands and types available today, the options for kitty litter can seem overwhelming. Should you go for the cheapest option? What does the difference in particle size mean? What scents do cats like best? Your biggest question might be, “Does the type of litter I buy really matter?”