Blog Posts by Purina

Getty ImagesJust like humans, dogs can suffer from age-related conditions. Their energy lags, arthritis can set in, and some may even experience a canine form Alzheimer's - called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS).

Seeing your dog succumb to disorientation, confusion, personality changes and memory loss can be difficult, distressing and downright heartbreaking. But if you know what to look for, and you can catch the signs, there are ways of dealing - and helping your dog cope.

What to look for:

Housetraining lapses. Your dog may go outside and wander around, only to come back in and relieve himself right in front of you. Many dogs with CDS begin to confuse indoors and out.

Disorientation and confusion. Your dog may forget how to navigate past the sectional or make his way down the stairs. If he's getting lost in his own house or staring at walls in the hallway, it's time to see the vet.

Sleeping difficulties. Dogs with CDS may wake in the middle of the night, and sleep at odd

Cats certainly don't need any help mastering the art of relaxation, but if you think your feline is in need of some extra pampering, then you're in luck - because cat spas seem to be cropping up all over the place.

These meccas of feline rest and relaxation offer custom menus for lunch and dinner, climate controlled envirnoments, private baths, and even bird and squirrel watching from secluded verandas.

It might sound a little extravagant, but when you consider that these spas are typically built in to boarding facilities, it actually starts to make a little more sense - especially since cats are prone to get tense when they're far away from home. Extra special treatment for your kitty? Well, that's just a thoughtful way to ease the stress.

If you'll be taking a trip this spring or summer, and think you might want to pamper your pet while you're away, go ahead and check out a cat spa - just make sure you do your research before you make any final decisions. Many pet spas

Getty ImagesThink Downward dog is just for people? Think again. A new trend is sweeping yoga studios, and, from the looks of it, it's a tail-wagging good time.

Yoga with dogs, otherwise known as doga, combines massage and meditation, with gentle relaxation. And both dogs and their owners can participate in the fun.

So how exactly does it work? Every teacher has a unique method, but it's pretty simple: your pup gets to participate in all the poses you tackle - they're just a little different from those you see in a typical class. "Upward Paw" features owners lifting dogs gently onto their hind legs. And in chaturanga, dogs sit with their front paws up in the air while their humans offer support.

Doga has all kinds of physical and mental relaxation benefits for your pup. And it's a great experience when it comes to bonding with your dog. Plus, just about any breed can do it - with the right teacher and a little training, that is.

Thinking you might try a class? Don't be afraid to test

Getty ImagesIt's been banned in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and here in the US, there's definitely dissention over the issue. No, I'm not talking about illegal substances or illicit activities, I'm talking about the act of declawing cats.

While some people see declawing as a good way to solve scratching problems, many others, including myself, think that people should think twice before calling their vet and requesting the procedure. After all, a clawless cat may sound great for your furniture, but there are some definite downsides for your furry little friend.

It's more than a nail trim. Declawing is a pretty serious surgical procedure that removes the first joint of a cat's toes. And since cats are digitigrades (which means they walk on their toes), taking away this joint can alter their gait, leading to early arthritis in the hips and joints.

Even indoor cats need a defense mechanism. You may consider your cat to be an indoor pet, but even the most domesticated feline can find

Getting a pet is a big deal. After all, you are choosing a lifelong friend and companion - and that's certainly not a task anyone should take lightly. Seeing as there's no match.com made just for pets, it's important to do a little homework on your own, and really take your time before coming to any conclusions. So, where do you start? How about right here, with these helpful guidelines:

Make the dollars make sense. If you've got a bit of a budget, then choosing a pricey purebred dog or cat probably won't be in your best interest. Likewise, picking a large dog that can eat his weight in kibble probably won't serve you well either - especially if you don't want to be shelling out for 40 lb bags of dog food every week. Think about how much money you can logically spend on a pet, and start your plan from there.

Look around your living space. Evaluate all aspects of your home. Do you have a two-story house with big back yard, or a two-bedroom apartment? Are things chaotic and

Getty ImagesWhen it comes to giving our pets their moniker, we all have a method (See A Pet By Any Other Name for more on that). But the names we give our one-of-a-kind dogs and cats may not be exactly uncommon.

Is it possible that your four-legged friend shares his name with more than a few others? Check out the top 10 dog and cat names (courtesy of a Petfinder poll), and find out now.

Top 10 Most Popular Dog Names
Buddy
Max
Daisy
Lucy
Charlie
Bella
Molly
Jack
Sadie
Lady

Top 10 Most Popular Cat Names
Lucy
Smokey
Midnight
Bella
Molly
Daisy
Oreo
Shadow
Charlie
Angel

And just for fun, Petfinder went ahead and picked out the top 10 unusual names too. Read on, for their favorite silly submissions.

Top 10 Most Unusual Names
Shyanne Thailand Moo Goo Guy Pan
Mr. Tomfoolery Scardeycat Eliot
Rusty Buckets
KeelHaul
Too Fancy for You
Angry Donut
Maple

Getty ImagesIt's been a little while since I brought Ike into work with me, so I decided to tote him along the other day. After his typical meet-and-greet with the co-workers and some quality time sniffing around the floor of the kitchen, he nestled into his tiny doggie bed, and promptly curled up under my desk.

What happened next was thoroughly embarrassing on a multitude of levels.

Ike twitched, wrinkled up his little black nose, closed one eye, and promptly let out a munchkin-sized sneeze. And me, caught up in the adorable itsy-bitsy-ness of it all, said "bless you." Without hesitation. In a voice typically reserved for humans who wear diapers.

My boss looked at me and immediately burst out laughing. I turned completely pink and tried to shrug it off like it was no big deal (What?! He sneezed! You have to say "bless you" after a sneeze! It's like a reflex!). And then I just gave up and admitted it.

I totally talk to my dogs. And I do it on a pretty regular basis. We have

Getty ImagesMy brother-in-law has a sweet, doe-eyed, stick-to-you-like-Velcro, Pitbull/Lab mix. She's a nuzzly love bug and one of those dogs that you just adore having around . . . er, that is, most of the time. Unfortunately, she suffers from occasional bouts of flatulence. And she has no qualms about not holding back.

The other day, she broke wind in the middle of dinner - audibly. Each guest stared at each other over our roasted corn and shredded chicken tacos, awkwardly wondering who could have possibly made such a sound during the main course - and then we realized it was just Chaco, hanging out under the table, literally letting loose. You could almost see the smirk on her face when we finally figured it all out.

Our pets have a tendency to do things sometimes that, simply put, embarrass the bejeesus out of us. They drag our underwear out into the open, take things from the trash can that the world never needs to see, sniff crotches, hump legs, drag dead things into the house, and