Blog Posts by Purina

Getty ImagesI went to pick up the pups from the groomer a few days ago, and couldn't help but notice the other dogs (and cats) that were there for their haircuts and shampoos. One happened to be a fluffly little Pomeranian, just like Ike - only he was all white, instead of Ike's merle-y gray. There was something about his muzzle that made him look slightly muppet-like. And I swear, he was making funny faces at me.

His tiny, puckered up mug was so silly, that I couldn't help but break out into a laugh, and when the groomer asked me what on earth was so funny, I immediately pointed him out.

"Oh yeah," she said. He doesn't have any teeth.

Ooop.

So I guess I probably shouldn't have been laughing at the poor little guy. His goofy little face (as cute as it may have been) wasn't his fault. It was the result of poor doggie dental habits - on the part of his two-legged owner.

Dental care for our cats and dogs simply can't be overlooked. As pet owners, it's our responsibility to keep our

Getty ImagesWeddings are a time to celebrate with family, friends and all the ones you love - and for many happy couples, that group wouldn't be complete without Fluffy or Fido.

Making pets part of your marriage ceremony can be a lot of fun, and tiny tuxedos on furry little guests can certainly make for a memorable big day. But, as with any aspect of wedding planning (not to mention, pet ownership), it takes a little bit of patience - and some planning to make sure things run smoothly.

Following these handy tips can't hurt either:

Don't expect perfection. In other words, be a little flexible. Your pup might get distracted while walking down the aisle, and you should be prepared for that possibility. Before you decide to include your pet, make sure you're ok with certain aspects of your ceremony not necessarily going as planned.

Evaluate your pet's personality. If you've got a dog or cat that gets overwhelmed around crowds, consider a low-key role in your pictures or ask your baker

There's no shortage of products on the market for our pets. But how some of those products got there - and what people were thinking when they dreamed them up - well, that can be a complete and utter mystery.

So without any further ado, let's take a look at the craziest pet products on the market (clockwise, from the top left).

Dog-o-Matic. Just plop your dog inside, drop in a couple of quarters, and a half an hour later, your dog comes out smelling sweet as a daisy - and trembling with fear.

Pet High Chair - from (who else?) Hammacher Schlemmer. According to their catalog description, it "prevents dogs from "running disruptively underfoot, promotes refined behavior" and apparently includes two tethers to keep your dog or cat sophisticatedly - and securely tied down. Pinkies . . . er . . . paws up!

Pets in Uniform. Send in a pic of your pet and a few days later, you'll get back, umm . . . I don't know exactly what this is. But it looks like it's about to shoot

Most of us human folk associate the sound of a noisy, rumbling purr with a contented kitty. But there may be other reasons your cat revs like an engine. And some may surprise you. Here's what I found out, courtesy of an article by Franny Syufy (prominent cat writer extraordinaire), and a little help from Scientific American.

Cats purr, of course, when they're getting love and attention. But surprisingly, they also purr when they're under extreme duress. If your cat has been (heaven forbid) suddenly hurt or injured, it's wouldn't be uncommon for her to start rumbling.

Why? According to studies, the measurable Hertz of a cat's purr is somewhere between 25 and 150. And it's actually been found that sound frequency within this range can stimulate bone growth - and even healing. Many scientists believe this is a cat's way to sooth herself and kick start that healing process. Others believe that a cat's purring helps her release natural endorphins, which can help reduce pain.

Getty ImagesEvery time I get a catalog from our local community college, I can't help but get a little giddy. I sort of love perusing the continuing education classes and imagining myself becoming an expert at some obscure craft - like calligraphy, or urban composting (Full disclosure, I've totally been a student of one of these disciplines. Any guess which?).

So when I got my most recent copy of this semester's course list, I, of course, immediately settled into my favorite spot on the couch and began dog-earing pages - marking the spots where a class caught my attention.

Wouldn't you know it, the first page I folded over was none other than a class for dogs - "Become part of a pet therapy team," in fact

As soon as I saw it, I thought of Ike. His happy demeanor, inquisitive personality and all-around good-naturedness would make him perfect as a therapy dog. Making new friends might as well be part of his breed description - and I've yet to meet a person who can't look at his silly

It's June and the heat is officially on. And while these splendid, sunny days bring plenty of chances to go out and play with your pets, they can also bring scorching hot temperatures, fleas and ticks, and seasonal hazards that all pet owners should be mindful of.

It's not all bad news though. Your pet can still enjoy long walks in the park and your next backyard BBQ. Just take a little extra precaution, and follow these simple tips:

If you're not in the car, your pet shouldn't be either. If temperatures are in the mid eighties outside, the inside of your car can easily reach well above one hundred. Don't leave your pet unattended in the car for even a minute. You'd be shocked how fast the temperature inside it can turn deadly.

Be aware of backyard dangers. Common plant foods and fertilizers can be deadly for your pet. So can many common backyard plants and flowers - including those that seem innocuous, like azaleas and tulip bulbs. Check out a list of them here. And

Dog parks, in theory, are a fabulous idea. Your pup gets to go play with other dogs, run wild (off his leash, no less), tucker himself out and then come home and promptly pass out. He gains invaluable socialization skills - and you gain a chance to finally talk to that adorable dog owner who lives down the street.

Of course, I say "in theory," because it rarely ever goes this smoothly (and I don't just mean the flirting). Inevitably, someone brings an unruly, rabble-rousing dog into the park - and well, that's just no fun for anyone.

So how do you make sure your dog doesn't become the park pariah or the pooch everyone avoids? These guidelines are a good place to start.

Don't bring an unhealthy dog to the park. This should go without saying, but dogs that aren't up-to-date on vaccinations - or happen to be oozing - don't need to go play. They need to go straight to the vet.

Honestly evaluate your dog's personality. And be as unbiased as possible. A good dog-park dog

Getty ImagesCat are typically known for being somewhat aloof. And most of them probably relish being left alone to explore the house at their leisure. But if fluffy is exhibiting destructive behavior, licking herself bald or otherwise acting up, she may be suffering from separation anxiety. Luckily, there are ways for you - and your cat - to cope.

No one is sure what causes cat separation anxiety, but some of the symptoms include scratching, chewing, inappropriate urination and extreme vocalization. Some cats will stop eating due to their anxiousness, or vomit when you're not around. And in severe cases, cats will groom themselves to excess, often causing bald spots on various areas of their body.

If your case is extreme, a visit to the vet is definitely in order. But for those more moderate cases, a few tips and tricks may help solve the problem.

First of all, don't make a big deal when you leave the house. It's not going to be easy, but you need to ignore your cat's cries for