msnbc.com: Pet health

Cats are trainable — and that’s not a punchline

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 21:19:25 GMT

Training cats isn’t just for professionals — human or feline. The Michigan Humane Society has a Pawsitive Start program that uses volunteers to train cats in their shelter in useful and fun behaviors like the high-five and walking into a carrier.

Unlikely friends: Why we love odd animal pairs

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:15:18 GMT

Horses nuzzling cats. Dogs caring for kittens. A pig nursing tiger cubs. We love these unusual animal friendships. But are they genuine — or do we just want them to be?

Pet cat in U.S. catches swine flu

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:40:58 GMT

A cat in Iowa has tested positive for H1N1 swine flu, the first time a cat has been diagnosed with the new pandemic strain, the American Veterinary Medical Association said.

Scratching? Your pet could have allergies

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:01:02 GMT

Is your dog or cat scratching uncontrollably? If so, your pet might have allergies. Here's how to recognize them and what to do.

8 tips to control your pet allergies

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:47 GMT

Even if you or your child suffer from pet allergies, you don't necessarily need to give up your furry friend.

Most pet owners willing to go mouth-to-muzzle

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:33:36 GMT

Most pet owners would leap into action for an injured pet, even if it meant risking dog breath by going mouth-to-snout.

Study: Pet turtles sickened kids in 34 states

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:47:59 GMT

More than 100 people — mostly children — were sickened in the largest salmonella outbreak blamed on turtles nationwide, researchers report. One in three had to be hospitalized.

Halloween outfits for pets: So popular it’s scary

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:54:52 GMT

Ten years ago, it was hard to find a Halloween costume for a cat, dog or duck. Today they are everywhere, from dollar stores to Beverly Hills boutiques.

Life in dog years: More pets living longer

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:53:25 GMT

Veterinarians say it’s not unusual for some dogs and cats to reach 15 years or more, and they’re seeing more and more pets do so.

Readers' photos: Senior pets

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:22:24 GMT

Msnbc.com readers share photos of their geriatric dogs and cats.

Video: Litterbox breakthrough?

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:56:43 GMT

Oct. 12: From “healthier” cat litter to a lunch sandwich smackdown and benefits of inhaled insulin, Dr. Nancy Snyderman rates the health hype in “The Spin Doctor.” (Other)

Trap, neuter, return catching on for stray cats

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:40:56 GMT

Trapping, neutering and releasing stray cats used to be close to an underground movement but is now standard policy for major animal welfare organizations. More than 250 nonprofit TNR organizations operate nationwide.

Lucky the injured turtle gets coasters for feet

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:33:00 GMT

His name is Lucky, and it held true after the box turtle got his front legs chewed off by a raccoon: Thanks to the ingenuity of a veterinary surgeon, Lucky now skids along on plastic sliders where his legs used to be.

A paw and a prayer: U.S. pilots save shelter animals

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:52:48 GMT

Lady Di is a lovely purebred collie with a pleasant disposition, just like lots of other dogs dumped at shelters in areas that lack anywhere near enough would-be owners. Unlike all but a lucky few of those animals, she got a plane ride away from death row.

Schools fight families over autism service dogs

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:25:14 GMT

Like seeing-eye dogs for the blind, trained dogs are now being used to help autistic children deal with their disabilities. But some schools want to keep the animals out, and families are fighting back.

Stolen dogs found in Peru medical school lab

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:22:04 GMT

At least two stolen dogs were found in an operating room used for dissections at the medical school of South America's oldest university, but its dean denied relying on dognappers to collect specimens for classes.

Scientists turn to pets in cancer fight

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:08:56 GMT

A new research field is growing, known as comparative oncology, which uses companion animals (mostly dogs) as models for human cancer.

California dog dubbed tallest in world has died

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:07:41 GMT

Gibson, the California dog dubbed the tallest in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, has died after a battle with bone cancer.

Got a dog who hates storms? Try ‘thunderwear’

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:25:03 GMT

Dog owners who spend many a stormy night struggling to get some sleep while a panting, drooling, trembling pet climbs around on top of them know that the fear of thunder can be a tricky problem to solve. Earmuffs, head halters and swaddling attire are among the remedies that can help.

Veterinarians using stem cells to treat animals

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:01:57 GMT

Thousands of dogs and horses with degenerative arthritis have been helped with stem cell treatments, owners say, despite lack of evidence such treatments work.

Dogs are as smart as toddlers, study finds

Sun, 9 Aug 2009 15:45:11 GMT

The canine IQ test results are in: Even the average dog has the mental abilities of a 2-year-old child.

Putty in their paws: Why we do what cats want

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:19:23 GMT

Cats are skimpy with affection, territorial and do a lot of taking and without much giving. So why do we put up with them? A pair of studies says we may not have a choice.

Readers' photos: Crafty cats

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:03:00 GMT

Msnbc.com readers share photos of their manipulative kitties.

What’s a meow mean? Cracking the kitty code

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:20:43 GMT

Paying close attention to their meows, purrs and body language — ear position, tail position, overall posture — can be the equivalent to a Berlitz course in kitty lingo.

Top 5 loudest and quietest cats

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:21:44 GMT

Interesting in adopting a kitty, but curious about how loud your new cat might be? Here's a list of the most and least vocal kitties. Find one that suits your lifestyle.

'G-Force' likely to put guinea pigs atop pet list

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:25:30 GMT

The Disney movie "G-Force" shows a squad of specially trained, computer-generated guinea pig spies coming to the world's rescue. After the movie comes out, though, animal activists say it will be real life guinea pigs who need rescuing.

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Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:25:30 GMT

No-kill shelter nation? Maybe in 5 years

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 12:59:12 GMT

Many cities, animal control agencies and private shelters in the U.S. are forming alliances that they hope will lead to a no-kill nation in half a decade.

Danger in the yard: Toxic plants pose pet threat

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:55:23 GMT

Some of the most common, and beautiful, ornamental plants can be deadly for pets. Among the most dangerous are azaleas, rhododendron, oleander, foxglove and lily of the valley.

10 of the most toxic plants to pets

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 23:18:35 GMT

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has identified these varieties of plants as among the most toxic to pets.

Steep vet bills, sour economy doom more pets

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:33:45 GMT

As the U.S. economy continues to spiral, pet owners grappling with financial troubles are facing terrible choices, from delaying care to destroying animals.

Is ‘people food’ ever OK? 7 pet myths

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:23:10 GMT

We asked some pet experts to give us the lowdown on what’s true and what’s not when it comes to dog and cat behavior and care.