Paw Nation

By Dr. Ernie Ward, via Vetstreet

Try this little experiment: Ask a four-year-old to lie very still in a room by himself for six to nine hours, with no games, no books and no human interaction. Sure, he can look outside and watch other kids play - but he has to stay indoors.

When you return home, tell that child he can walk outside for 10 minutes, but then it's back in for the night. Repeat this routine daily.

SEE ALSO: Sights, Smells and Sounds That Stress Out Pets

Ridiculous, you say? Of course it is. Yet this is often exactly what we ask of our pets, causing them undue emotional stress in the process.

Pets on the Brink of Boredom
Believe it or not, one of the chief stressors for many homebound animals is idle time. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for indoors-only pets. My two dogs and cats live inside, but they also go outside for an hour or more every day. Not only do my cats have access to a screened-in porch, I've also trained them to explore the backyard during supervised "walk-n-stalks."

February is National Pet Dental Health Month - an ideal time to get your pets started on healthy oral care routines, or to improve their existing ones. For pets, neglecting dental health carries similar risks to those for humans, such as periodontal complications - not to mention corrosive kitty and canine breath.

If you're ready to overhaul your pet's dental health, your vet can help with advice on proper at-home care, as well as products to take the hassle out of daily cleanings. Our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite oral care products for pets to help your four-legged friends keep their smiles healthy.

Helpful for tackling bad breath as well as plaque and tartar buildup, GoodBites Oral Care Dog Treats from Pedigree also feature a nutritionally balanced formula, packed with vitamins and minerals. Our tester canine flipped for the meaty taste, and the treats had a beneficial effect on his doggie breath.


An interactive toy that also promotes good dental hygiene, the Fresh Breath Mint Stick for Cats from Petstages uses an innovative design to help keep your feline's teeth clean. The exterior's mesh netting helps to remove soft tartar as your cat plays with the stick, and the interior - stuffed with catnip and crinkly material - kept our tester cats engaged for extended playtimes.


If your pet resists brushings with a regular toothbrush designed for animals, try the EZDOG Finger Brush from Triple Pet. This easy-to-use product fits over your finger for better control and less gagging. And the EZDOG Finger Brush features soft rubber bristles to clean your canine's canines effectively while gently massaging his gums.


A convenient, simple way to clean your cat's mouth while controlling bad breath, Dental Fresh for Cats helps to reduce plaque and tartar without subjecting skittish felines to cleanings with a toothbrush. A daily dose in our tester cat's bowl helped to reduce his previous bad breath, and he didn't seem to notice any change in the taste of the water.


Reward your dog while helping to improve his breath with Spot's Chew Dog Dental Treats from Halo. These snacks feature natural ingredients such as whole oats and apples to help freshen your dog's breath, and the stick-shaped design helps to clean your dog's teeth while keeping him occupied.

We love dogs, but 42 full-grown St. Bernards panting and running around the same place at the same time looks and sounds like the end of the world. On the other hand, who could ask for a cuter apocalypse?

Punxsutawney Phil isn't the only prognosticating animal out there. Our porcupine friend Teddy Bear is finally back, and this time he's showing us that there's more to him than just epic snacking. This time around, Teddy is picking the big winner for this weekend's Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Who does Teddy think it's going to win? You'll have to watch the video above to find out. And of course you'll have to wait for Sunday to find out if he's right.

By Dr. Patty Khuly, via Vetstreet

Some cats have a curious habit of licking themselves when they receive pets and gentle scratches, while others will attempt to lick the air. A small percentage of felines will even bite or scratch the people petting them.

Cats Who Love to Get Pets
Although it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what a cat may be thinking and feeling as she licks herself, it's important to note that not all felines experience the same sensation when they receive pets and scratches. Some genuinely seem to enjoy the attention, while others probably feel some measure of discomfort.

SEE ALSO: Why Does My Cat... Lick Me?

When you scratch a dog behind his ear, he may often respond to the pleasurable feeling by jiggling his hind limb in a self-scratching gesture. It's almost as if you're attending to an itch that he'd forgotten to scratch.

Feline self-licking or air licking is believed to be the same kind of reaction, particularly among cats who suffer from skin-related allergies, external parasite infestations or other itchy conditions.

Cats Who Can Do Without Getting Pets
A percentage of cats may also be responding to pets and scratches by licking or biting themselves (and sometimes even the human delivering the pets) because they find the stimulus uncomfortable or annoying.

It's believed that cats who suffer from feline hyperesthesia syndrome, a disease in which the skin becomes very sensitive to the touch, may be reacting in this way out of pain or uncomfortable hypersensitivity.

To be safe, cat owners should consult their veterinarians if their cats react to being pet and scratched by exhibiting any unusual licking, biting or scratching.