What to Consider When Getting a Cat

Between cats and dogs, the two most popular pets in America, cats are the more low maintenance. They can ostensibly be left on their own for longer periods of time, and they don’t require quite the same levels of attention as dogs. Because of that, however, sometimes people think they can just adopt a cat and let it be, when there are still several things to consider when determining if a cat is suitable for your lifestyle. First things first, you’ll have to consider your cat’s vaccinations. Depending on how young of a cat you adopt, and from where you … Continue reading

Teacup Pigs as Pets

When my husband and I move to a bigger place, one of the first things we know we’ll do is get more pets. We want some more cats and at least one more dog. It’s possible that in the future we’ll add other species of pets to that list. I’m in the midst of deciding whether or not I want a teacup pig. Of course, as soon as I write that a huge part of me inside shouts, “A teacup pig! Of course you want a teacup pig.” According to teacuppiggies.com, teacup pigs, or miniature pigs, are around the size … Continue reading

Cats and Dogs Really Can Get Along

They’re as universal an example of opposites as up and down, day and night, right and left. Even the line “cats and dogs getting along” is sometimes used as a turn of phrase for unbelievable events. Thus there’s an idea out there that one has to be either a cat person or a dog person. One can’t love both equally, or one certainly can’t have both as pets without inviting a fur-flying frenzy into the home. At best they’ll get along by avoiding each other for the most part, and at worst they’ll need to be separated. Except that simply … Continue reading

Intro from a Lifelong Animal Lover

As the new pet blogger at families.com, I thought I’d take a post to introduce myself. My name is Angela Shambeda, and I’ve been with families.com since November 2009. You can also find me over at the Disney blog. I thought I’d tell a story from my childhood as part of my introduction. When I was in fourth grade I wrote my very first research paper on harp seals. While working on the paper I learned that conservationists would often spray stripes of bright paint over the coats of harp seals, particularly the babies. They would do so to protect … Continue reading

Welcoming Puppy: Throwing a Shower

Since October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, perhaps you’ve decided to do that –welcome a dog into your family. Getting a new dog, be it a puppy or adult, is an exciting occasion. One worth celebrating. Why not do just that by throwing a puppy shower? What a Puppy Shower Is If you’ve ever attended (or maybe planned) a wedding or baby shower, it’s the same thing, just applied to a pet. It can be as elaborate an affair as you want, or you can keep it small and intimate. You can also invite other dogs to your party … Continue reading