Pets

Big Question

Man vs. Beast: Is a Dog's Mouth Really Cleaner Than a Human's?

Comparing a dog's mouth with a human's mouth is sort of like comparing apples and oranges—really filthy apples and really filthy oranges. Both species' mouths are hot, damp places teeming with roughly equal populations of bacteria. Neither would be described as clean, and any question of comparative cleanliness is irrelevant because so much of that bacteria is species-specific. Most of the germs in your dog's mouth aren't going to be a problem during a a big, wet doggie kiss. You're more likely to... READ ON

Article

A Deer That Thinks It's a Dog

Animal lovers often debate whether or not it's acceptable to turn a wild animal into a domesticated pet. But when a family becomes attached to an animal they are trying to rescue, the bond is often difficult to break. Regardless of your personal feelings on the matter, it's hard to deny how adorable little Dillie is, parading around the house and eating off her owner's plates as though she were a common puppy. She certainly leads a good life -- with her own room with a full-sized bed and a backyard... READ ON

Article

Dogs Beat The Gym

If you're looking to lose some weight this year, consider spending some extra cash on adopting a new dog rather than getting a gym membership. A recent study in the UK has shown that dog owners take their pups on walks an average of two times a day for 24 minutes each. Their research also showed that most dog owners also went on a longer walk with their four-legged friends an average of three times a week. All in all, dog owners averaged around eight hours of exercise a week. Their study also showed... READ ON

Article

Cow Gets Double Prosthetic Legs

When Nancy Dickenson and her stepdaughter found an 11-month-old calf suffering from severe frostbite on their neighbor's property, they knew they had to do something to help. When they realized the Black Angus heifer had lost the use of its back legs, they bought the cow from their neighbor and then brought it to Colorado State University. Staff and students worked together to amputate the calf's crippled legs and provide her with two prosthetic legs. This is the first time a cow has been fitted with two... READ ON

Article

Dogs May Prevent Asthma In Kids

A recent study by the University of Arizona has shown that having a dog around children will not cause asthma, and may actually help prevent it. The National Institutes of Health were so impressed with the results of the study that they are investing almost a million dollars into a grant to have the researchers make their results more conclusive. "Several longitudinal studies have shown that exposure to certain domestic animals, for example, indoor dogs, during a person's early life (even... READ ON

Article

The Gerbil Tube Vest

If you enjoy placing your furry friends in tubes the living room, then you should consider investing some money in the creation of this gerbil vest featured on Neatorama. Who doesn't want to bring their small little critters with them wherever they go? According to Patently Absurd, the creator actually put a lot of thought into ensuring the tubes are easy to climb in and super breathable for pets, and easily washable for their owners. After all, you don't want to run around in a vest that smells like... READ ON

Big Question

What Is Catnip & Why Are Cats Crazy For It?

Your cat probably knows it as Catnip or Catmint. But the stuff that drives your kitten crazy goes by the Latin name Nepeta cataria, and it's a member of the genus Nepeta (derived from Nepete, the Italian town where catnip was first cultivated). When a cat smells catnip it usually licks, chews, rubs against and rolls around on the plant, as well as salivates and meows. This reaction lasts for about 5 to 15 minutes, and then the cat loses interest and needs about two hours of "reset" time... READ ON