Mental Floss

DOGS





No matter what era you're in, your cat should be king.

Pet advice from the Middle Ages included enough Latin incantations, unusual remedies, and bizarre superstitions to fill a Great Dane.

Kerry Wolfe




One happy pup.

Dogs wag their tails to show you how happy they are that you’re finally home from work. But the furry appendages serve other purposes, too.

Ellen Gutoskey
The kids are all right.

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.

Ellen Gutoskey






Spin, poop, repeat.

Dogs have a tendency to preface their bowel movements with a bit of rotating before getting down to business. Is there evolution behind their revolution?

Mike Rampton


sssss1gmel/iStock via Getty Images

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.

Editorial Staff
subjug/iStock via Getty Images Plus (folder) // Edwin Tan/iStock via Getty Images Plus (the dog) // peshkov/iStock via Getty Images Plus (desk)

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.

Michele Debczak








This dog is obviously shaking because it's soaking wet.

A full-body shake after a bath is self-explanatory. But why do dogs shake so often when they’re totally dry?

Ellen Gutoskey