108 articles
Melissa Smith has been researching and writing about pet behaviors for several years. Her work has been recognized with Certificates of Excellence from both the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writers’ Association. A longtime animal lover, Melissa is a professional pet sitter on Cape Cod through her company, Fresh Start Services.
Wondering what to pay a pet sitter in 2026? Get real US price ranges for drop-in visits, daytime, overnight, and weekly care for dogs and cats, plus tipping norms and how to vet a sitter you can trust.
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Meet the 10 biggest dog breeds in the world, ranked by real height and weight, from the record-heavy English Mastiff to the towering Irish Wolfhound, with honest care advice for living with a gentle giant.
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Learn how to potty train a puppy the schedule-first way: the exact daily routine, crate and cleanup tips, warning signs to watch, and how to fix accidents without punishment.
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Wondering why your dog carries food away from the bowl before eating? From ancient instinct to stress and bowl dislike, here are the 6 most common reasons dogs take food out of the bowl, plus simple ways to make mealtime calmer.
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Meet the Exotic Shorthair, the short-haired Persian: a calm, affectionate, flat-faced cat. Get prices by color, personality, lifespan, health issues, grooming, and how it compares to the Persian and British Shorthair in this complete breed guide.
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The American Shorthair is a calm, family-friendly cat that lives 15 to 20 years and comes in 80-plus colors. Our complete breed guide covers personality, size, colors, lifespan, price, grooming, and how it compares to the domestic shorthair.
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A complete British Shorthair breed guide covering personality, cost, size and weight, colors, grooming, health risks like HCM and PKD, and whether this calm, plush "British Blue" cat is the right fit for your home.
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Dog barking driving you crazy? Find out what type of barking your dog is doing and exactly how to stop it, with tips from certified trainers and behaviorists.
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Wondering how to become a pet sitter? Here are tips and advice on how to get into pet sitting, what to expect on the job, and some pet sitting requirements.
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Struggling with mean dogs next door? Discover 5 tips to handle aggressive pets and ensure your safety. Stay calm and diplomatic with these practical steps.
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Begging may work on some moms or dads, but the real trick is to show them that you will be a responsible pet caregiver. Find out how in this article.
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A lobster as a pet? Yeah, it's a thing.
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