Pet Wellness Advocate
Okay, it’s not really a living hell… but it sure can feel like a mental burden to have a dog who’s disinterested in eating. Your rational mind knows he won’t starve to death. You tell yourself he’ll eat eventually. But your emotional mind — the one channeling an Italian mama saying “Mangia! Mangia!” — keeps... Read more »
I recently sat down with my dear friend Marc Bekoff to remember someone who shaped how so many of us understand animals, compassion, and our responsibility to the planet: Jane Goodall. Marc knew Jane personally. They worked together. Traveled together. Shared ideas, laughter, and a deep belief that animals matter—not as concepts, but as individuals... Read more »
Living in a city apartment doesn’t mean your cat has to live a small, boring life. On a recent episode of Cat Chat, I talked with cat behavior expert Stephen Quandt about how to help indoor cats — especially apartment cats — thrive through smart environmental enrichment. Stephen lives in New York City with multiple... Read more »
As the founder of the NY Dog Film Festival and the NY Cat Film Festival, I’ve spent more than a decade curating animal films in every imaginable style—hand-drawn animation, stop motion, documentary, experimental shorts, and deeply personal stories that took years to complete. This year, something new happened. For the first time, I received angry... Read more »
Why “aggressive” dogs are usually just dogs we haven’t listened to yet You can listen to the full Dog Talk® (and kitties, too!) episode with Mark Bridger-Prescott here: 👉 A Growl Is a Wonderful Noise When British dog trainer and canine behaviorist Mark Bridger-Prescott said to me, “A growl is a wonderful noise,” I practically... Read more »
If you’ve ever tried to take your cat farther than the vet’s office, you already know—it’s not always a joy ride. Between the meowing, the hiding, and the occasional “accident,” it can be stressful for everyone involved. But with a little preparation, traveling with your cat doesn’t have to be a nightmare. I recently spoke... Read more »
Simple strategies to boost water intake and prevent dehydration One of the most important things you can do for your cat’s health is also one of the simplest: make sure she’s drinking enough water. Easier said than done! Cats are not exactly famous for lapping up their daily quota. Because they evolved in the desert,... Read more »
Bringing a new dog into a home with a senior can be healing and even magical. But don’t kid yourself—it’s not always, or even entirely, about the older dog. It’s also about you. Before you make that leap, ask the hard question: “Am I doing this for my senior dog—or for me?” If You Decide... Read more »
What is the Brain’s “Vomiting Center?” Vomiting is defined as the forceful emptying of the stomach’s contents, which is caused by a signal from the brain to the stomach. The signal originates in a part of the brain (unsurprisingly!) called the vomiting center. Originally, vomiting developed as a way to save wild animals from poisoning... Read more »
My brother Tim’s little “step dog,” Shelby, is definitely in the top ten of “wicked cute” little canines. She is a delightful mix of who-knows-what-breeds. But boy oh boy, was that little dog from a rescue the world’s pickiest eater! She had her Mom Sarena (my brother’s partner) turned into a pretzel, trying to find... Read more »