Mental Floss

PETS

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Here's what the "play bow" really means.

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All the cuddles, none of the struggle.

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Fido and Fluffy deserve to be captured like the stars they are.

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Small amounts of pentobarbital were detected in Kibbles 'N Bits and Gravy Train products.

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It's time you started washing these bacteria traps.

Chloe Efforn

John Lennon had almost as many cats as the Beatles had No. 1 hits.

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They've been linked to nearly 70 illnesses, and 15 fatalities.

There have been some pretty cute criminals prowling the streets.

From foul-mouthed parrots to prison-breaking cats, these 25 animals are proof that “crime” can sometimes be cuddly.

Sven Volkens, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0

The robotic companion was discontinued in 2006.

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Diagnosing and treating allergies can look the same, whether the patient is a kitten or a kid.

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Spend a little now, save a lot later.

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These interspecies friendships prove that anybody can get along if they really put their minds to it.

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Guinea pigs get lonely, too.

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Our pets are part of the family—so sometimes, a family vacation isn't complete without them.

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A study found higher levels of protective bacteria in infants who lived with cats and dogs.

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In pet food taste-testing, puking can be a good thing.

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These specialized shelters make sure that no pet goes unloved.

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Happy National Pig Day!

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A gene variant associated with appetite and obesity has been found in several Labrador retriever breeds.

House with a Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary via Facebook

A few places give care, protection, and love to animals no one else wants.

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Go ahead and let Fido or Fluffy join in the celebrations, but follow these dos and don'ts to keep your pet safe.

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It's not always a walk in the park.

Mia Persson

Beagles who sought out human interaction in a laboratory study showed more activation in certain genomic regions.

Foothills Animal Shelter via Facebook

If these long-lost animals could talk, they’d have quite a story to tell.