Mental Floss

DOGS

The forbidden fruit.

As far as dog toys go, tennis balls aren’t exactly the safest kind. Here are the risks (and how to avoid them).

Ellen Gutoskey








She knows it's coming.

Just like fireworks and thunderstorms, vacuums are unexpectedly loud—but that’s not the only reason your dog hates them so much.

Ellen Gutoskey
Michael Kilcoyne, Unsplash

To many dog owners, whiskers are just another cute feature on their pup's face. But they're much more than that to the canines who sport them.

Michele Debczak






Dogs stare for a number of different reasons.

Dogs have a tendency to stare at their human companions. It turns out it's a form of training. (For the person, not the dog.)

Jake Rossen


He's got skin (and hair) in the game.

If you always respond to your tail-chasing dog with laughter and belly rubs, he might just be in it for the attention.

Ellen Gutoskey








Even without raging benders, dogs might still get headaches.

Dogs and humans share some of the same central neural pathways. Does that mean they need blackout curtains for crippling headaches, too?

Jake Rossen
Meet the top dogs of local politics.

From canine mayors to equine councilmen, these animal politicians prove politics really has gone to the dogs—and cats, goats, gorillas, and other critters.

Tony Dunnell