Mental Floss

PETS

What would you name her?

If you need name inspiration for your own pup, take a cue from pet owners across the country.

The next Air Bud might be your canine.

The search is on for the next Buddy. Submit your golden retriever’s video and join the legacy of the beloved Air Bud franchise.

It looks like something has him on edge.

An extra-fluffy tail doesn’t just look cute—it’s your cat’s way of communicating how they feel.

Cats are pretty good at regulating their temperature.

Here’s a hint: It’s not by sweating through their paws.

Samoyed dogs definitely make the cut.

You might be surprised to see which canines make the cut when it comes to the world’s most expensive dog breeds.

There are steps you can take to make the Fourth of July less stressful for your dog.

Fourth of July fireworks and parties can be distressing for dogs—and their pet parents. Here are tips that can help.

There are several ways you can try to reduce your dog’s anxiety.

We spoke to several veterinary behavior experts to learn how to keep anxious dogs calm, no matter the scenario.

Do not do this.

Sad but true: Your pet can die in a shockingly short amount of time.

These guide dogs were the difference between life and death.

From guiding their owners to safety during 9/11 to dialing 911 during medical emergencies, these pups took their lifesaving duties to a whole other level.

A Japanese Chin on her throne.

From the Tibetan Mastiff to the Japanese Chin, many popular dog breeds have highly-specialized origins.

The cutest sailor ever.

A sunken ship near Florida holds clues to the early history of cats in the U.S.

Golden retrievers have a very family-friendly reputation.

Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and poodles are just a few of the dog breeds with family-friendly reputations.

Tallest Dog Meets Smallest Dog - Guinness World Records

Meet Pearl and Reggie: the world’s smallest and tallest dogs brought together by Guinness World Records.

Valerie proves that dachshunds are stronger than you might think.

After escaping during a 2023 vacation, miniature dachshund Valerie survived in the wilderness alone for over a year.

Soaking up some sun.

See which international cities offer the best conditions for you and your companion.

Just a proud pup and his stash of bones.

Dogs can tear up a lawn with an overwhelming desire to dig and bury things. Where does that impulse come from, and what do they think they’re accomplishing?

Hello.it‘s leash combines renewable energy with dog walking.

Tired of your dog running wild on walks? A smarter leash could help with that.

Taxidermied kurī on display.

Who’s a good dog? They were. They were.

There are several ways you can help make kitten season less chaotic.

Spring and summer are hectic times for animal shelters and cat rescue groups.

Jack Russell was a real person.

Let’s take a look at where a handful of common breeds found their monikers.

You can practically hear this photo.

We know cats purr for a variety of reasons. But the actual mechanics of how they make their signature sound remains unclear.

They‘re cute but also unlikely to survive in the wilderness.

A miniature dachshund named Valerie has defied the odds, evading capture and surviving in the wild for over a year.

They like screens under certain circumstances.

Videos of dogs watching the animated film “Flow” have gone viral recently, and science backs up the adorable phenomenon.

Mutt, or “Himalayan fur goblin?”

Adrian Budnick’s creative viral videos raised dog adoption rates by 25 percent at the Metro Animal Care and Control shelter in Nashville.