What's Up with the Silent Meow?

We've all seen it: Kitty gives us an endearing stare, then opens his mouth and acts like he's meowing, but no sound comes out. Experts have speculated that the cat really is making a sound when he does the silent meow, but it's too high-pitched for us to hear. But why does he do it?

Some behaviorists say it's the ultimate gesture of love, but I've seen it used more often as an expression of absolute, pathetic beseeching: "Please, for the love of all things cute and fuzzy, feed me now before I die of starvation!"

Kill Fleas with Luxurious Neem Shampoo

Neem is a medicinal tree that grows in India. For centuries, people have used oil from its bark to enhance lustrous hair. Safe for use on humans and pets, Neem oil shampoo actually kills fleas by attacking their exoskeletons and suffocating them.

At the first sign of fleas, shampoo your dog well with Neem oil shampoo and let it rest on the skin for 10 minutes, if possible, before rinsing. This gentle shampoo can be used often, but it will not destroy fleas in your home environment. You will have to address those predators some other way.

Give Thanks for Turkey and Cranberry Meatballs

If you have a dog guest or two at Thanksgiving and don’t want to give table snacks for fear of turkey bones, consider... more

Got Fleas? Dish Soap Kills Them!

Fleas are wingless insects with mouth parts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. Equipped with spiny hairs to anchor in a dog's coat, they are armored and resistant to crushing or scratching. They serve no purpose in the great chain of being, except to cause discomfort and spread disease.

One safe way to remove a sudden infestation is to shampoo your dog well with Lemon Joy or Dawn dish soap. These grease-cutting shampoos will kill existing fleas by swiftly destroying the cuticle on their exoskeletons, but you will have to act proactively to prevent further attacks in the immediate area.

Talkin’ Turkey and Pet Safety

Holidays can be extremely fun for humans, but are often a dreadful experience for pets. The culprits of the top Thanksgiving pet emergencies involve guests and food. Here are four tips for pet owners to ensure everyone remains thankful this... more

How Do Cats Land on Their Feet When They Fall?

It’s amazing to see a cat that falls right herself in midair and land on her feet. But how does she do it?  more...

Keep Your Cats Inside on Halloween

Even the most outdoor-savvy cat can find Halloween unsettling, with people in creepy costumes roaming the neighborhood. Sadly, Halloween also brings out the cruel, cat-hating side of some people, and you definitely don’t want your cat to become a victim of... more

Cats and Halloween Candy Don't Mix

In general, cats don't have a sweet tooth, so you may not have to be as diligent at guarding that bowl of Halloween candy as you would for your dog. If your cat has a tendency to try to swipe a little sweet candy or just wants to play with the wrapper, keep the bowl out of reach.

Chocolate is highly toxic to cats, and just a small amount can be lethal. Chewy candy can get stuck in the mouth. Hard candy can get lodged in the throat and cause choking.

Even if your cat doesn't have any desire to eat the sweets but just wants to bat around the wrapped candy, if there's a dog in the family it could pose an additional risk. To be on the safe side, keep all candy out of reach of kitty and make it a safe Halloween for everyone.

Keep Kitty Safe When You Greet Trick-or-Treaters

Most of us will spend Halloween night repeatedly opening and closing our front doors. I love to see the local children all dressed up, but I don't want my cat to escape, too. If your cat tends to run for the door, Halloween poses extra risk. She may slip out unnoticed while you're chatting with the ghouls and goblins.

The safest place for a Halloween door-darter is in another room until the last of the trick-or-treaters have come and gone. Don't take a chance, because once she's outside, with all the Halloween activity she'll likely run for a hiding place and not respond when you call.

As an added precaution, make sure your cat has ID. Since some indoor cats don't wear collars, the best identification is micro-chipping.

Make a Tasty Halloween Doggie Smoothie!

Double, double, toil, and trouble -- fire burn, and caldron bubble! After a night spent howling at the moon, trick or treating with the neighbor dogs, or attending a fun doggie Halloween pawty, your dog will appreciate this fun, yummy, and healthy treat.

In a blender, mix up one cup kefir (plain and low-fat is best), several ounces of unseasoned chicken stock, a slice of cooked liver, 1/4 lightly steamed organic carrot, a dollop of canned pumpkin (make sure it's pure pumpkin, 'k?), a splash of organic apple juice, and a few banana slices. 

Top with a teaspoon of crushed flax seed and a small spinach leaf and serve in a stainless-steel bowl. Your dog will love you for it! Arrrooooooooo

Keep Your Black Cat Safe on Halloween

For far too long, black cats have been linked to Halloween and associated with images of witchcraft and evil. As a result, countless black cats suffer during this time of year. All cats are at risk around Halloween, whether at the hands of cruel people or by accidentally darting out when you open the door to trick-or-treaters, but black cats have a higher chance of being the victims of abuse.


If you have a black cat who goes outdoors, please consider keeping it inside starting at least several days before Halloween. And if you are attempting to re-home a black cat, don’t allow a stranger to adopt him. Most shelters won’t adopt out black cats during the entire month of October.