Being home more means having more time to observe our pets’ occasional weird behavior. Just why do they do the things they do? For some of these quirks, scientists still don’t have all the answers. But sometimes, just knowing we’re not alone may be all the answer we need. So here’s our list of oddities for both dogs and cats:

We are encouraged that officials are now so focused on efforts to gradually return our communities back to normal after the threat of COVID-19 has passed. Sadly though, many people still find themselves isolated, furloughed, or without a job right now; and their time at home is spent in anxious worry.

We think it’s safe to say that most of us are bored these days. It seems forever ago that we could grab dinner or a drink with our friends; go to concerts or to the theater; or enjoy one of the many markets, festivals, or other events that St. Petersburg does so well. 

A new year is a great time to turn over a new leaf, so whether you’re a dog, cat, or pet owner, here are some ideas for you:

“Time poor.” That’s a term we just learned. It seems we are busier than ever these days, despite the fact that technology was supposed to make our lives more productive with less time and energy spent. A study in 2008 (can you believe that was almost 12 years ago?!) revealed that American’s leisure time dropped a staggering 20% than the previous year. To compensate for lack of time, many of us prioritize the most important things, while many times forgetting things that can be put off till later.

Update: For an explanation of the latest findings of the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), including a list of pet food brands linked to heart disease, click here.

Cats seem so chill, but the phrase “scaredy cat” was coined for a reason. Would you know if your cat was experiencing stress? Where does feline stress come from, and how can you recognize the symptoms? Most importantly, what can you do to help?

It’s a silent killer that has no cure, but it’s easily prevented. We may think of heartworm disease as a dog problem, and while more dogs than cats contract heartworms, mosquitoes find cats just as tempting of a meal as they do dogs. One shelter found during a year-long study that 26% of cats had been infected with heartworm larvae at some point in their lives, with 10% of heartworms making it to adulthood.