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