%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Pet-Safe (and Toxic) Flowers to Be Aware of This Valentine's Day
When dropping hints about gifts to your Valentine, mention these pet-safe flowers to consider and toxic species to avoid.
CATS
Is Catnip Bad for Dogs?
Cats on catnip can be quite fun to watch. Can dogs get in on the action? Yes, but it probably won’t be as entertaining.
Common Misconceptions About Cats, From Why They Meow to Whether They Hate You
Why do cats *really* purr? What’s the truth about black cat adoption rates? Find out the answers to those and other cat-related queries.
11 Animals That Can Purportedly Predict the Weather
Groundhogs aren't the only creatures with the powers of prognostication. From badgers to woolly bear caterpillars, these other animals are said to predict the weather.
Why Does My Cat Sit in Sunny Spots?
Cats never look more majestic than when they're sunbathing, but there's a practical reason for this behavior.
100 Things We Learned in 2021
From really expensive NFTs to newly discovered shipwrecks to the latest developments in the world of K-Pop, here are a few things we learned in 2021.
Our 25 Most Popular Stories of 2021
Based on our most popular stories of 2021, it seems safe to say that our readers adore their pets, are fascinated by the strange features they see on motor vehicles, and really want to know what happened to all that white dog poop they used to see.
Famed Cat Art Enthusiast Louis Wain’s Images Are Now on Display at England’s Bethlem Museum of the Mind
Wain became famous in Victorian England for his exaggerated depictions of anthropomorphic cats, which he continued even after being declared certifiably insane.
The 25 Most Popular Products People Bought In 2021, Including Always Pans, 'Star Wars' LEGO Sets, and More
The 25 most popular products Mental Floss readers bought in 2021 included Always Pans, 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian' LEGO sets, and more.
Ed Lowe, the Inventor Behind Kitty Litter
With kitty litter, Ed Lowe changed how cats and humans bonded. But not everyone understood the idea: One woman tried feeding it to her cat.
Is Your Cat an Actual Psychopath? Take This Test and Find Out
Science supports what we've long suspected: Cats can exhibit psychopathic tendencies. This online test can measure just how dangerous they really are.
12 Secrets of Dog Groomers
We spoke to dog groomers about the most challenging breeds to groom, their tricks for handling difficult customers, and other hairy aspects of the job.
The 40 Most Popular Pet Names of 2021
More people are naming their cats ‘Loki’ than their dogs. Also, ‘Brady’ is less popular in Boston than it used to be.
The Best Ways to Feed Medicine to Picky Cats and Dogs
Even the best-trained cat or dog is likely to run away if you try feeding them a pill without a game plan.
A Version of Jurassic Park Where the Dinosaurs Are Replaced With Giant Cats Is a Movie We’d Pay to See
In 'Jurassic Park but with a Cat,' OwlKitty plays the role of the 'T. rex' that terrorizes Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum.
Why Do Cats Dip Their Paw in Water Bowls?
Cats sometimes act like a bowl of water is something to approach with extreme caution. There's a reason for it, though.
The 8 Most Expensive Cat Breeds and 8 Most Expensive Dog Breeds
English and French bulldogs are two of the most expensive dog breeds—but they don’t top the list.
America’s 10 Most In-Demand Pets—Axolotl Included
Axolotls are second on the list of the most in-demand pets in the U.S., beating cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
Treat Your Favorite Pet to 50 Percent Off Costumes and Treats During Chewy’s Halloween Sale
During this Chewy sale, save up to 50 percent on Halloween costumes, toys, treats, and more for your pet.
If You've Always Imagined What 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Would Sound Like If Sung By Cats, Wonder No More
This cat-centric parody of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is for any rock fan with a feline queen or king in their life.
This Quiz Will Help You Pick the Perfect Halloween Costume for Your Pet
Maybe your dog’s Halloween costume shouldn’t be Ted Lasso if your dog itself acts a lot more like Queen Elizabeth II.
Your Cat Kind of Hates That You're Working From Home Now
Cats like routines, and their owners staying home all day isn't part of the plan. We spoke to a cat behaviorist about what to do when your fluffball revolts.
Why Do Cats Wiggle Their Butts Before They Pounce?
Is this a cat’s version of a happy dance? Are they showing off for spectators? What’s going on here?
Puppy PSA: Why Halloween Candy Is So Dangerous for Pets
There's a bigger danger for pets during Halloween season than being forced to dress as Baby Yoda. Chocolate and other candy can prove harmful and even fatal.