Blog Posts by Purina

Getty ImagesRecently, we had to take a visit to the animal hospital. Luckily, it was only for heartworm medication and a routine rabies booster. But it got me thinking nonetheless - specifically, about how absolutely over the moon I am about that clinic.

Sure, it may seem odd, especially when I'm talking about a place that I go to maybe once every six months. But it means a lot to know that when I walk in the door, they remember me. And more importantly, they remember my dogs.

I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes to see one of the (many) qualified vets, their check-in and check-out processes are smooth (like buttah), and most of all, they always look out for the well being of their patients - and their patient's two-legged owners. In fact, the vet actually helped me save $80 on services the last time I was there.

Choosing a vet is a big deal; after all, this is the health and well-being of your furry best friend we're talking about. So whether you're a new pet owner, just moved

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Getty ImagesPet insurance has been around for a while, but lately, it seems to be gaining some popularity. Why? Well, it seems pretty obvious. Our furry little friends have transcended their roles as working dogs, mouse cats and all-around purpose-driven animals - and become full-fledged members of our families. Basically, our pets have become our companions - and, for a lot of us, that means taking care of them as such.

I've asked several friends how much they'd be willing to shell out for their pet's vet bills, and the overwhelming majority responded with "whatever it takes." In fact, my (thoroughly unscientific, yet totally fascinating) poll said that a whole lot of people were willing to go into serious debt for their pets. That tells me two things: 1) A post about pet insurance would totally come in handy right now and 2) Other people are just as obsessed with their pets as I am (whew! I am totally normal … kind of).

So, without further ado, here's what I've learned about pet

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Well, Easter is upon us - and if you're lucky, that means the Easter Bunny has brought you a basket full of goodies (mmmmm . . . speckled chocolate eggs with a crunchy candy shell).

So, in honor of this hip-hopping holiday, I thought it might be fun to share some fun facts about our cats' and dogs' favorite cousin, the rabbit:

The longest rabbit ears on record belonged to an English Lop called Nipper's Geronimo and measured 31.125 inches. And I thought my ears stuck out.

Rabbits aren't hard to potty train. Just be sure you don't use a clumping litter with deodorizing crystals, since rabbits have a tendency to, well . . . eat their emissions - especially at night. Yesterday's News, a non-toxic kitty litter that I mentioned in a previous post, also makes a rabbit version, which is a great choice for bunny litter boxes.

Rabbits can be let free to roam the house, just like a cat or dog. But they do have a tendency to chew. So be sure to clear the floor of wires, wooden

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It seems like the green trend is taking hold in every aspect of my life these days - from the biodegradable Sunchips bag in my cabinet, to the all-new compost pile recently erected in my neighbor's back yard.

Going a little greener is a fabulous thing. And I'm glad to see that more and more companies (and neighbors) are adopting greener policies. It's a simple way for people to do a little good for the world.

But now our pets can do a little good for the world too - thanks to a new product called Yesterday's News from Purina.

Yesterday's News is a kitty litter that's made from, well… yesterday's news - recycled newspaper, to be exact. So each tiny, odor-controlling pellet is more than just feline friendly - it's eco friendly too. This isn't your typical dusty, gritty kitty litter. It's 99.7% dust free (Allergy sufferers rejoice!), non-toxic and designed for low tracking (Grit on the floor, be gone!).

If you stop by their website, you can learn more, and even get in

Read More »from Today's News: Yesterday's News

Getty ImagesSome pets are scared of the vacuum cleaner. Others are terrified by thunder and lightning. And when the fireworks start on the fourth of July, it's a pretty good bet you'll find more than one dog or cat camping out under the bed.

Surprisingly enough, our dogs don't fall into any of the above categories. They pad after me anytime I bust out the Dyson (Admittedly, this doesn't happen all that often… they may just be thoroughly intrigued by this strange new activity). They like rainy days just as much as I do (snuggling on the couch with the dogs is fabulous when the thunder is rumbling outside). And they may bark a bit at bottle rockets, but I certainly wouldn't say they're scared of them.

But try walking Ike across anything that even remotely resembles a manhole cover, and he'll pull at the leash like you're trying to make him dance on hot coals.

Yup. He's afraid of a non-moving, non-noisemaking, generally harmless slab of metal. I haven't a clue where this crazy fear came

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As a red-blooded American woman, I've always had a thing for shoes. And when I first started dating Michael (the incredible man I'm now married to), I had a full-on obsession with heels. Apparently… so did his dog.

Gunner would steal my shoes on a constant basis, ruining pump after peep-toe with blatant disregard. He stole them, hid them and mangled them at every opportunity. And I'm pretty sure it was his way of acting out.

See, gunner was about 3 years old when I first started dating Michael. So, if we're counting in people years, that would probably put him right around the rebellious, angst-ridden, adolescent age. And here I was, this strange person, encroaching on his territory and taking over his Michael. He didn't like it. And he didn't like me.

In fact, unless he was stealing my shoes, Gunner was downright indifferent toward me (and every attempt I made to win him over) for almost three years - But then Michael and I got married and moved into a house together and

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You may have heard about Oscar, the nursing home cat who has a knack for predicting when patients are near the end - and serving as a comforting presence during their last moments.

Or read about dogs who can sense seizures, sniff out cancer or alert us to heart attacks.

There are even reports about erratic animal behavior before earthquakes and tsunamis.

The extrasensory animal abilities are getting a lot of attention these days. And it's no wonder. Our furry friends' ability to sense - or predict, depending on how you view it - impending events is simply uncanny. Not to mention, fascinating.

Is it a scent that sets them off? Or a vibration they can feel? Or is it something else entirely?

The scientific part of me says there's an explanation - and it probably has something to do with the fact that my dogs' sense of smell is about a bazillion times better than mine. Of course they can smell it when something starts to go off. But part of me chalks it up to pure

Read More »from Animal ESP

Getty ImagesIt's a member of the mint family. It's been said to have antibiotic properties. And your cat might very well be crazy about it.

I'm talking about Catnip. That seemingly innocent little herb that makes even the most normal cat go haywire. Ever wondered how it works? Or just exactly what it is? Well read on, and learn all about this feline friendly herb.

It's the scent that sets them off. Scientists aren't entirely sure what goes on in your kitty's head during a catnip spree, but they do know this: A chemical called Nepetalactone is responsible for her erratic catnip-induced behavior. Nepetalactone is an aromatic oil found in the stem and leaves of the catnip plant, and it's the smell of this oil that gets your kitty purring.

Fluffy won't become an addict. Don't worry, Catnip isn't harmful to your kitty, and she won't overdose on it. In fact, most cats can recognize when they've had enough, and they'll stop eating it. Plus, the high they get from the herb is temporary - and it

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