Relic the German Shepherd Named 2025 Rescue Dog of the Year

Is It Safe to Keep Fish in a Small Bowl?

Fish can be peaceful, mesmerizing pets, perfect for those looking to add a bit of calm to their daily routine. But when it comes to setting up the right environment for them, the classic image of a lone goldfish in a clear, round bowl raises an important question: is it actually safe to keep fish in a small bowl?The short answer? No - not really.While fish bowls are often marketed as a simple, low-maintenance solution (especially for beginners), they fall short in several critical ways when it comes to keeping fish healthy and happy. Let’s explore why.Why Small Bowls Are Problematic for Fish1. Poor Water QualityOne of the biggest challenges in fishkeeping - especially in small containers - is maintaining clean, safe water. In a bowl, fish waste builds up quickly, causing harmful levels of ammonia and nitrates. Without a filtration system to remove these toxins, the water becomes increasingly dangerous for the fish. Even frequent water changes often aren’t enough to keep up in such a small volume.

Dog Lost in the Woods? Here's How to Find Him Quickly!

(photo credit: StockPhotoArt / shutterstock.com)Don’t you love the heartwarming stories of dogs that are found after being lost for days, weeks, months and even years? Or the ones that travel hundreds of miles to make it home to their families? While they’re definitely upbeat, feel-good stories, make no mistake, I’m determined to avoid ever having to experience the anxious waiting and worry that those pet parents would have had to endure. And unlike losing a dog in a populated, urban area, having them go missing when away from home or worse, in the wild, takes on a whole new sense of urgency.My guess is that many pet owners would be hard-pressed to say their pooch had the survival instincts needed to get through more than a few days without food, water, shelter, and warmth. Not to mention having the innate skills needed to evade predatory wildlife.So, when you’re in the great outdoors, keeping your dog visible and/or within calling range is important, but equally so is knowing how to quickly track him down when he takes off and isn’t responding to your calls.PreventionAccording to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the first step in safeguarding your pet from becoming lost is to prevent it from ever happening, and that includes:- microchipping- using GPS collars- training- leashing or securingWhile micro-chipping is a no-brainer in an urban environment where a good Samaritan can find your little buddy and take them to a local vet or animal services for scanning, it’s not an option when you’re in a heavily rural or wilderness area.

Keep Your Pets Safe and Happy This Holiday Season

Tech that allows you to check in on your pets wherever the holiday season takes you.The holidays are full of excitement—traveling to visit family, welcoming guests, and of course, all those packages arriving at your doorstep. Keeping an eye on your home shouldn’t add stress to the season, and that’s where Ring comes in. With smart doorbells, cameras, and alarms, Ring makes it easy to monitor your home, check in on your pets, and enjoy peace of mind wherever the season takes you.

How Do Calming Pillows, Beds, and Blankets Keep Dogs Stress Free?

What’s the Easiest Lizard to Take Care Of?

Reptiles are becoming increasingly popular as pets, and lizards are often a top choice for beginners. While they might seem exotic or high-maintenance at first glance, several lizard species are actually quite low-effort and beginner-friendly. The key is choosing a species that’s hardy, adaptable, and not too demanding when it comes to feeding, habitat setup, or handling. So, what’s the easiest lizard to care for? Let’s take a closer look.Leopard Gecko: The Top Beginner PickWhen it comes to easy care, the Leopard Gecko is widely regarded as the best starter lizard - and for good reason. These small, docile reptiles grow to about 7 to 10 inches (17 to 25 cm) in length, which means they don’t require a large enclosure. A standard 20-gallon tank is usually more than enough for one adult gecko.

Is City Life Stressing Out Your Pup? Breeds Least Suited to Urban Life

We move to cities for the convenience and culture. But is your new dream home also the ideal living situation for your pup? It may come as no surprise, but for some dogs, the concrete jungle is less of a playground and more of a persistent source of stress. According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Vanessa Spano, cities are “very unnatural to dogs.” While they have been domesticated for quite a long time, dogs were simply not meant to navigate crowded streets, blaring horns, and constant, quick movements. In fact, for many breeds, the environment actively works against their needs and instincts. While some dogs will thrive in an urban environment, experts warn that many of the most popular dog breeds today were originally bred for specific jobs. These jobs don’t exist in a high-rise apartment or on a sidewalk full of foot traffic. Dr. Spano identified several types of dogs that may struggle adapting to city life: Herding Dogs: Intelligent, driven, high-energy dogs that were bred to work a large area. They often need a job or purpose to feel fulfilled and avoid behavioral problems. Ex: German Shepherds, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs Sporting Dogs: These high-energy breeds have a deep-seated instinct to locate and retrieve. Ex: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Spaniels Hounds: The original work of these dogs required them to rely heavily on their sense of smell and sight. In the city, these senses can lead to feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by the lack of natural terrain and scents. Ex: Beagles, Coonhounds Terriers: These dogs were originally bred to hunt vermin and dig. Without an outlet for these behaviors, they can become anxious. Ex: Schnauzers, Pitbulls, DachshundsOf course, determining whether your dog is suited to an urban life isn’t reliant solely on their breed genetics. Dogs of any breed may struggle with the pace and energy of the city if they have an active personality and a love for natural spaces. What makes city life so tough for these dogs isn’t just one factor; it’s the constant barrage of challenges. Experts refer to this as “trigger stacking.” Whenever your dog experiences something that causes stress or anxiety, like a loud truck or a close encounter with another dog, their stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, spike. It can take hours, even days, for those levels to return to their normal, calm state. If your dog has multiple walks in a single day through the busy city streets, they are exposed to multiple triggers before they have had a chance to recover from the last one. This can lead to dogs reacting more intensely to even seemingly minor situations. The good news is that living in an urban environment doesn’t have to mean a stressed or anxious life for your dog. The key is understanding their needs and creating safe and fulfilling outlets for them. For example, if your herding dog can’t herd sheep (which is likely the case in a city home), maybe you can arrange for them to have time “herding” a ball at the local park. If that still isn’t enough, try introducing commands to “herd” the ball through an obstacle course or even just around trees. By recognizing the challenges and providing your dog with an outlet for what they were bred to do, you can help them navigate the city with less stress and a much better quality of life. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Pet Passports Are a Real Thing!

If you plan to travel outside of North America with your best buddy, this super-convenient travel document eliminates any roadbumps.

Studies Show Humans Struggle to Read Dog Emotions

We adore our dogs. They are our best friends, confidantes, and full-fledged members of the family. We’d like to think we know when they’re happy, sad, excited, or scared, reading their every tail wag and ear twitch. But what if our understanding of their emotional state isn’t as accurate as we think? New research from Arizona State University suggests that we aren’t all that accurate at reading our dogs’ body language cues, frequently misinterpreting their emotions. According to a study published in Anthrozoös by researchers Holly Molinaro and Clive Wynne, we tend to decipher our dogs’ emotions through a lens of the situation at hand rather than focusing on the dog’s actual behavior. Think about it: you offer your dog a treat, and they eagerly take it. You naturally assume they’re happy. Or perhaps you scold them for chewing on your new shoes, and they instantly tuck their tail between their legs, looking away. It’s easy to conclude they are feeling guilt or shame. However, Molinaro explains, “People do not look at what the dog is doing, instead they look at the situation surrounding the dog and base their emotional perception off of that.” To test this theory, researchers showed people videos of dogs in different scenarios, both with and without the surrounding context. They even manipulated the videos to make a dog reacting to something positive appear to be responding to something negative, and vice versa. The results were very interesting! People consistently judged the dog’s emotions based on what appeared to be happening, regardless of the dog’s actual behavioral and body language cues. “You see a dog getting a treat, you assume he must be feeling good,” Molinaro said. “You see a dog getting yelled at, you assume he’s feeling bad. These assumptions of how you think the dog is feeling have nothing to do with the dog’s behavior or emotional cues, which is very striking.” This is further complicated by anthropomorphism, the habit of reflecting human feelings and interpretations onto our pets. We assume they process emotions in the same way we do, leading to significant misunderstandings. So, what does this mean for us as loving dog parents? The first and most crucial takeaway is the awareness that we might not be the expert dog emotion readers we think we are. Instead of automatically interpreting each situation based on our human perspective, we should take a moment to focus on the unique behaviors and cues of the dog in front of us. What does their body language tell us? Is that “guilty” look after breaking the rules actually guilt, or is it fear of our reaction to what they have done? Our bond with our dogs is a deep and meaningful one. While studies have shown that our dogs are excellent at understanding our emotions, the reverse is not always true. By learning from these findings and playing closer attention to what our pups are trying to communicate, we can improve our ability to understand their emotional world and give them an even more meaningful and fulfilling life. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter  here.

What Are the Most Popular Pets in the U.S.?

Anyone who wants to bring a pet into their family has a lot of options, from dogs, cats, and reptiles to rodents, horses, birds, and fish. But what are the most popular pets in the United States? Your Service Animal was curious to find out, so they ran a study to analyze data from authoritative sources and get some answers. Here are several of the interesting things they learned.

5 Common Home Decor Items That Are Risky to Keep Around Dogs

When decorating your home, it’s easy to focus on aesthetics and forget that some popular decor choices can actually be dangerous for your dog. While many items seem harmless to us, they can pose serious health or safety risks to our four-legged friends. Here are five common home decor items that dog owners should be cautious about.

San Francisco Animal Shelters Full of Pandemic-Era Puppies and Kittens

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people became new pet parents or acquired more pets that could provide companionship and bring more joy during a very trying time. Unfortunately, things have changed, with many pandemic-era puppies and kittens filling animal shelters to capacity in California, including in San Francisco. Keep reading to learn about what has happened and why things have changed.

New Report Reveals Exciting Shifts in How We Love Our Pets

If you’re like most pet parents, you’re always looking for ways to give your best friend the most amazing life possible. And it turns out, you’re not alone! The American Pet Products Association (APPA) recently released their 2025 Dog & Cat Report, offering interesting insights into how pet ownership is growing and evolving. Spoiler: It’s showing our dedication to our pets is stronger than ever! For years, dogs seemed to be in the spotlight, but the APPA’s new data suggests 2024 was truly “The Year of the Cat.” They reported an impressive 23% increase in cat ownership in 2024, with 49 million U.S. households now including a cat in their family, up from 40 million in 2023. What’s more, cat parents are embracing multi-cat households like never before. The number of homes with three or more cats has jumped by a surprising 36% since 2018.But it’s not just about quantity; it’s about quality. Cat parents are building even stronger bonds with their kitties. The report shows a significant jump in the number of cat parents using training methods (up 41% since 2018) and purchasing items like leashes and harnesses. Yes, you read that right, even more cat parents are now exploring outside the home with their cats (and as a cat mom who loves to camp and hike with my own cats, I’m here for it)! For those who love to celebrate, cat birthday parties and pet-themed merchandise are also gaining popularity, showing just how big of a role our cats play in our daily lives. Dog parents also continue to build stronger connections with their pups, integrating them into nearly every aspect of their lives. Dogs are no longer just pets. They are companions, travel buddies, and best friends. The report highlights that dog parents increasingly include their pups in daily routines, promoting active and healthy living. Over half of dog parents (53%) take their dogs on daily errands on foot at least once a week. Travel with our furry friends is also on the rise, with more dogs flying (74% in the last year, up from 68% in 2023) and consistently hitting the open road with us by car. If you’ve ever wished you could bring your dog to work, you’re in good company. Nearly half of dog parents (49%) expressed interest in a dog-friendly workplace. These trends underscore a desire to honestly share our daily experiences, even the mundane and routine ones (like work), with our best friends. Beyond companionship, the report emphasized that there has been a growing focus on prioritizing proactive pet wellness, especially when it comes to nutrition and supplements. Pet parents are increasingly opting to purchase premium pet foods and functional add-ons. In 2024, premium food purchases increased for dog and cat parents, while basic food purchases declined. There has also been a notable growth in the use of mixers and toppers for pet food, with increases of over 129% for dogs and 138% for cats since 2018. Vitamins and supplements are also seeing a significant boost, being used by over half of dog parents (53%) and more than a third of cat parents (34%). Popular choices include supplements for joint health, multivitamins, pre- and probiotics, digestion supplements ( especially for cats), and those supporting skin and coat health. Ultimately, the report paints a clear picture: pet parenting is changing and evolving, and our dedication to providing the best possible quality of life for our pets is definitely the top priority! Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

5 Essential Items for Dogs Who Spend Time Home Alone

Leaving your furry friend home alone can be stressful—for both you and your dog. Fortunately, there are plenty of modern pet items out there that make things safer, more comfortable, and happier for your pup. Whether you work long hours or just need to be out of the house often, here are five must-have items for dogs who often spend time alone.Disclosure: PetGuide may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via links in this article but at no cost to you.

This Smart Home Device Solves Every Pet Parent’s #1 Problem

A smart way to keep eyes (and ears) on your pet—no matter where life takes youIf you've ever tiptoed out the door to avoid the heartbreaking whimpers of your dog, or spent your lunch break wondering if they’re safe, you’re far from alone.Over 40% of dog owners report feeling guilty or anxious about leaving their pets home alone. And for good reason: pets are family.That’s where myQ comes in. This all-in-one smart access and monitoring system is designed with pet parents in mind, offering the perfect balance of convenience, and peace of mind, so you never have to feel isolated from your furry family again.It’s the best access and monitoring solution for pet parents, helping them stay connected to their furry friends from anywhere.

Lost Family Cat Adopted Out Because of Microchip Error

A microchip can be a lifesaver if a pet ever gets lost; it can alert a rescue to the animal’s rightful owners, and can also help prevent euthanasia if a pet ends up in a shelter that’s overburdened and euthanizes for space. But in the case of one lost kitty, the microchip actually failed, causing her to be adopted out to someone else. Now, there’s a dispute over whether the cat should be returned to her original family.

Designer Nods to Canine Influencers During New York Fashion Week 2025

Iconic gathering of the stylish and celebrated recognize the importance of dogs in our lives.

The Future of Pet Care: How PetSafe® Tech Is Making Homes Smarter

Our homes are getting smarter, and now pet care is too.From self-cleaning litter boxes to GPS-enabled fences, PetSafe® is redefining modern pet care with connected solutions that simplify routines and bring greater peace of mind—making everyday life easier, cleaner, and more joyful for both pets and their people.

Research Finds Anxious Cats at Higher Risk for Bladder Inflammation

A recent study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior is shedding light on something many cat owners have suspected but couldn’t prove - anxious cats are significantly more likely to suffer from recurring bladder trouble.The research, carried out by Marianne Caudron, Pascale Laroche, Isabelle Bazin, and Marion Desmarchelier at the CHUV veterinary hospital in Montreal, Canada, took a close look at 33 cats diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis—a nasty inflammation of the bladder that causes painful, often bloody, peeing. Idiopathic means vets ruled out infections, stones, and tumors.Half the cats in the study had just one bout of cystitis, while the other half experienced multiple flare-ups. To find a pattern, owners filled out detailed surveys about their cats’ behavior and environment, including things like fear of strangers, aggression, litter-box habits, and indoor setup.Turns out, the most anxious cats were the most likely to get sick again. The study found that 94% of cats with recurring cystitis were notably fearful of strangers, compared to 59% among cats who only had one episode. Moreover, introverted and shy cats fared worse than their aggressive or risk-taking peers. Researchers discovered that cats who tend to hide or freeze around strangers were more susceptible to bladder flare-ups. While it might seem farfetched, stress can impact your cat’s urinary tract health.Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system (your cat’s stress response), leading to hormonal shifts that can weaken the bladder lining. This makes it easier for inflammation to take hold, even without any infection or stones. A similar thing happens to people with chronic interstitial cystitis.Interestingly, the pandemic gave researchers a kind of “stress lab.” With cats forced into disrupted routines, owners stuck at home 24/7, cases of idiopathic cystitis doubled.According to veterinary experts, preventing repeat cystitis in our feline friends involves addressing both behavior and environment.So, what can you do if your cat starts showing signs of cystitis, like peeing outside the litter box, straining to urinate, or going more frequently in tiny amounts? Many cat owners swear by pheromone diffusers like Feliway. While the science is still a bit mixed, it’s a low-effort option worth trying, especially if your cat is easily rattled. You might also look into calming supplements or special stress-reducing diets. These often include natural ingredients like tryptophan, alpha-casozepine, L-theanine, and omega-3s, all of which can help calm your cat.Next up: hydration and diet. Cats naturally don’t drink a lot of water, so switching to wet food or just adding a splash of water to their meals can help flush out their bladder and keep things moving. If your vet recommends it, a prescription urinary diet can also make a big difference. Some of these are specially formulated to reduce stress while supporting bladder health, a win-win for anxious kitties.Don’t forget about the environment. Cats thrive on routine, so try to keep changes to a minimum. Stick to regular feeding times and avoid introducing too many new people, pets, or major changes all at once. Make sure your cat has easy access to clean litter boxes, ideally one per cat, plus an extra. Quiet spots to retreat to, cozy hiding nooks, window perches, and interactive toys or puzzle feeders can all help your cat feel secure and mentally stimulated.And if your cat seems especially anxious or the bladder issues keep coming back, it might be time to consult a professional. A veterinary behaviorist can work with you to understand your cat’s triggers and put together a personalized plan to reduce stress and build their confidence over time.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.