Blog Posts by vetstreet.com

Some critters have all the luck and get nice, respectable names, such as horse and tiger and bear.

But other less fortunate species - like these 10 animals - are just lucky that they don't understand English, considering the odd (and even insulting) ways in which we refer to them.

See More on vetstreet.com:

* Top 10 Kitten Names of 2012
* Top 10 Puppy Names of 2012
* 7 Animals That Live the Longest

By Linda Fiorella

If you photograph your pet at eye level, chances are that you'll have some sweet results.A lot of us are addicted (OK, maybe even borderline obsessed) to taking pictures of our pets - and then sharing those snapshots with the whole wide pet world.

At some point, we've all likely had this internal dialogue: "This shot really shows off her blue eyes, but I need to find one that doesn't cut off her cute ears and really showcases the color of her fur."

We reached out to photographer Kate Lacey, who spent five years shooting purebred pups for Show Dogs: A Photographic Breed Guide, to get her five best tips for taking a stellar (read: nonblurry, frameworthy and personality-capturing) portrait of your fluffy muse.

See Also: 10 Cutest Awkward Holiday Pet Photos

1. Don't Just Wing It

Whether you want a formal look or a more candid vibe, it helps to be prepared. For a posed picture, "figure out your background, as well as the best lighting and camera settings, before bringing in your pet," says Lacey. Her advice for active shots: "Carry

After examining the names of more than 1.25 million puppies born in 2012 from Vetstreet's database, we came up with the year's top pet names.

More on Vetstreet.com

* 10 Least-Trendy Puppy and Kitten Names

* 5 Great Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds

* Dog Reunited With Owner After 7 Years

See Also: 5 Dogs Breeds That Are Sadly Losing Popularity

You want a dog, but you're concerned about the amount of work involved to keep him happy, healthy and looking good. Fear not! Although dogs need and deserve time for exercise, purposeful play and training, you can select from an array of breeds with a low-maintenance grooming reputation.

More on Vetstreet.com:

* 10 Most High-Maintenance Dog Breeds

* How Old Is Your Pet in People Years?

* 11 Truly American Dog Breeds

See Also: 5 Dog Breeds That Are Sadly Losing Popularity

By Kristen Seymour

Felis CatusIf you're dreaming of living in a Frank Lloyd Wright-style home but don't want to deal with, you know, having to actually move, we may have the perfect solution for you. This vintage cat house, designed by the office of Frank Lloyd Wright, is currently for sale at 1stDibs.com ... for $14,500, as our friends at Moderncat recently discovered.

The vintage cat house, called "Felis Catus," was designed for the daughter of a man for whom Wright's office was designing a residence. The cat house was apparently described by Wright over the phone to the supervisor of the project, who was the one who actually completed the drawing (which is included in the sale of the cat house).

So, sure, it's a little pricier than your average kitty condo, but it's a piece of architectural history. Do you think it's worth it?

By Dr. Patty Khuly

Man's best friendIs your dog a leaner? It's a common enough issue. Most serial dog owners are likely to have lived with one at some point.

But it's not just leaning. It's also standing on your feet, hugging your legs during a walk, and sleeping with the maximum amount of shared surface area in contact.

See Also: Why Does My Dog... Stare at Me?

Some authorities would have you believe your dog is trying to dominate you with her weight. Others might say you're being manipulated by a poorly socialized, misbehaving suck-up who knows how to push your buttons. But the truth is something else.

In most cases this is affection-seeking behavior, plain and simple. Dogs love to cuddle. And if the person you want to cuddle with is always sitting and standing, then cuddling takes the form of leaning on her or sitting on her shoes as she taps away at the keyboard.

Add that to the fact that dogs -- pack animals that they are -- are fond of close contact as a safety

By Dr. Donna Spector

Kitty needs to lose some weightAccording to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), approximately 55 percent - 47 million - of U.S. cats are overweight or obese. APOP reports that most cat owners do not seem to realize when their pets are overweight, and "fat cats" have become the dangerous new normal. We must address this weighty issue for the health of our feline friends!

Most domestic cats should weigh between 8 and 10 pounds, although some breeds have larger ranges. For example, Persian and Siamese cats can range between 6 and 12 pounds, and Maine Coon cats can be normal at up to 25 pounds. But these are the exceptions rather than the rule.

See Also: 4 Best Places to Pet a Cat -- and One to Leave Alone

An obese cat is defined as one who weighs more than 20 percent above their ideal body weight.

When a vet recommends that a cat lose 2 or 3 pounds, it often goes in one ear and out the other. Who doesn't have a few pounds to lose? But that

At the National Dog Show over 160 breeds competed for the top prize -- "Best in Show". While the Wire Fox Terrier was this year's winner we fell in love with some of the oddest looking dogs.

From the hairless Xoloitzcuintli to the corded Komondor, here are nine of our favorite unusual-looking breeds.

More on Vetstreet.com:

* Photos: Winners of 2012 National Dog Show

* 2 New Dog Breeds Debut

* 5 Once-Popular Dogs That Are Sadly Losing Popularity

See Also: Want a Large Dog That Is Gentle? Than This Breed Is For You