Expo, pictured above, needed surgery to remove a painful, infected eye.
PORTLAND, OR – The Oregon Humane Society is beginning the process of putting up for adoption a large group of cats rescued from neglect by Washington County Animal Services. More than 30 cats, mostly Maine Coon, and two birds, were transferred to Oregon Humane Society after their, and the animals have been receiving extensive medical and behavior care since.
Many of the cats were suffering from eye infections and skin issues that required surgery, medication, and other care. The most fearful cat, Wesley, is receiving specialized care in OHS’ Behavior Modification Program.
Recently, the suspect in this case pled guilty to 10 counts of Animal Neglect in the First Degree, and one count of Animal Neglect in the Second Degree. The resolution of the case allows the cats and birds to go up for adoption.
Hagrid is one of many Maine Coon cats up for adoption at the OHS Portland campus following their rescue in a Washington County neglect case.
“This outcome is the culmination of an intense investigation by Washington County Animal Services into the neglect of these animals,” says Randy Covey, Manager, Washington County Animal Services. “We’re grateful for the partnerships we have with the Sheriff’s Office who assisted with the search warrant and OHS who provided invaluable long-term care and housing after our initial seizure, exams and evidence documentation.”
“Caring for these cats and birds, and meeting their needs over the past four months, has required a lot of resources including assistance from our incredible foster parents,” says Dr. Steve Kochis, OHS Chief Medical Officer and Co-Interim CEO. “Costs from this case alone have exceeded $100,000. We simply cannot do this work without support from our donors.”
Cats who are ready for adoption will be posted on OHS’ website. Officials note that these cats are only at the OHS Portland Campus.
All adoptions include up-to-date vaccines, spay/neuter service, microchipping, and a free exam at the OHS Community Veterinary Hospital in Portland.
See how dogs and cats interpret spoken words, tones, and body cues — plus what science is revealing about their communication skills.
As dog and cat parents, we communicate with our animals through words and nicknames, kisses, pats and cuddles. The bond we share with our dogs and cats is unique and deep. Sometimes it even feels they can read our minds. You may have found yourself wondering if your animal knows what you’re saying, especially when your dog tilts her head or your kitty starts purring at just the right moment. Can dogs and cats understand human language? Or are they just responding to our tone of voice and body language?
Dogs are better at language recognition than cats
Thanks to their unique social behaviors and developmental patterns, dogs are more adept at language recognition than cats. We can see this in the many service, military, police, and other working dogs that help people on a daily basis. These dogs rely on spoken words and body cues from their handlers to know what to do and when to do it.
In 2016, Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest) conducted a language recognition study on dogs. The researchers gave the canine subjects MRIs to monitor their brain activity while their trainers spoke certain words and phrases in both high and neutral vocal tones.
The lead author, Attila Andics, stated that “dogs can understand words and intonation through both brain regions like that of humans — they can even react to high tones of voice pitch seen as praise (right hemisphere)while separately recognizing distinct words (left hemisphere).” The study also showed that hundreds of years of development, rather than recent evolution, produced these canine brain patterns.
We now know that dogs understand and recognize specific names, commands, and words with a level of learning on a par with human toddlers. Your dog probably understands words tied to favorite objects and activities, like “treat,” “walk,” or “dinner.” She may seem to understand a sentence, but she’s reacting more to key words, your tone, and your nonverbal cues. (This is why you can easily spell out T-R-E-A-T or W-A-L-K in front of your dog!).
But how many words can dogs actually understand? In 1928, researchers conducted the first study on how many words dogs can recognize, using a German Shepherd named Fellow. Testing showed that Fellow correctly responded to 68 words/phrases. Since then, scientists have studied how dogs respond to words, cues, and task requests.For example, some requests test whether dogs can retrieve a specific toy from a pile. In 2022, a study on 165 dogs showed that canines can understand an average of 89 words.
Perhaps the smartest dog so far was a Border Collie names Chaser, who after intensive training learned to understand a stunning 1,000 words!
A recent study from the University of London (among other schools) looked at how compassionate and empathic dogs are. It found that they respond to our feelings and actions, even without direct communication. The study also found that dogs listen in and recognize meaningful content in read speech (without a rise in vocal pitch) and understand their names or similar words through speech recognition.
Cats connect with us in different ways
While cats can recognize some words (including their names and those of others in the household), as well as vocal tones and nonverbal cues, they respond better to a combination of these prompts. Researchers only began language recognition studies on cats within the last two decades. They have tested cats to see whether they respond to their names, recognize their humans’ voices (when present or outside the room), and associate various objects and sounds with positive or negative actions. The answer to all these questions is yes!
Scientists have not yet conducted a conclusive study to determine how many words cats can understand. But results so far estimate the average at ten to 20 words. Cats can recognize words faster than human infants. But researchers need more data to fully analyze their brain activity and language skills.
In the meantime, cats have their own, very natural communication style that includes hundreds of facial expressions, numerous vocal sounds, purrs, and physical responses (such as turning their heads and moving their ears when hearing our voices).
The future of language recognition in dogs and cats
Do dogs and cats understand human language? Scientists continue to conduct more studies in this area. They’re monitoring canine and feline brain waves, further exploring these species’ ability to understand new words/phrases, and discovering stronger communication patterns to strengthen the human-animal bond.
While this fascinating research will prove important for our future as dog and cat parents, we need to maintain the language we already share with our own individual animal — the language of love, companionship, and joy. Cherished quality time together is the most important form of communication you can share with your dog or cat!
How do dogs and cats interpret our communications?
Over the last 90 years, researchers have conducted multiple scientific studies to answer this question. The results from these studies are similar. Dogs and cats can understand some words, especially when they hear them often during training or as praise. But they respond more to vocal tone and nonverbal cues, like hand gestures, than to full sentences. As different species, dogs and cats are also quite diverse in how they interpret human language.
As different species, dogs and cats are quite diverse in how they interpret human language.
In 2022, a study on 165 dogs showed that canines can understand an average of 89 words.
After following a woman at the park for over a week, a stray cat finally managed to get her to adopt him—now he has a warm home and a mom who loves him.
In a viralRedditpost shared on Saturday under the username u/Evanessa_r the poster says that the tabby tuxedo stalked her on her evening walks for over a week trying to befriend her. “I often go for walks in the park in the evenings, and this stray cat started coming to me every day at exactly 8 p.m.” she wrote in the caption.
“Our friendship lasted for over a week until one evening the weather was bad and raining, but I decided to go check on my friend anyway, and this sweet little bundle of joy was sitting all wet under the bench, waiting for me.
“From that day on, she became family. As Dominic Toretto said, ‘I don’t have friends, I got family,’” she added.
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The post also features some pictures of the poster holding the kitty while sitting on a bench in the park, with the feline leaning his head on her chest, as if he knows that he is safe around her.
“The journey of a stray cat who came to me in the park and walked with me for over a week to a domestic cat surrounded by love,” the poster said.
We all know that it is cats who choose their owners, and not the other way around. But what makes felines pick one person over another?
Experts say that cats choose their favorite human based on who invests the most effort in understanding and communicating with them.
According to Union Lake Veterinary Hospital, felines prefer those who pay attention to their cues, motives, and needs.
Their choice is also influenced by personality and breed. Calm cats often favor quiet people, while energetic ones usually seek playful companions.
Building a stronger bond with your feline involves time, attention, and communication. Spending time together, matching their interests, talking to them, and offering regular affection through petting or play helps strengthen the relationship.
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 9,000 upvotes and 143 comments on the platform.
One user, Minsc_NBoo, commented: “I think I’ve got something in my eye. She was so desperate to find her person, and now she has a forever home. The last picture really shows pure love in her eyes.”
Cabitaa posted: “The fact that she was waiting for you in the rain. You guys are so lucky you found each other!”
Xtunamilk added: “Poor little thing looks like a lost or abandoned pet and must’ve been so cold and lonely out there. I’m glad you found each other and you took the little one in!”
Newsweek reached out to u/Evanessa_r for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
A cat who only knew life in the shelter and didn’t receive any interest for two years has finally been granted a second chance after finding her forever home.
Tabby was found abandoned when she was just a kitten, and she was taken to Almost Home Animal Rescue in Long Island. Unfortunately, that was where Tabby would remain for the next two years, barely getting to experience anything outside of her kennel.
In May 2020, Tabby caught the eye of Rachel Volpicello, 26, who was determined to find a new friend for her rescue cat, Piper. At first, Volpicello thought she’d foster a cat to see if they’d get along, but as soon as she heard about what Tabby had gone through, she told Newsweek that she knew “almost immediately” that Tabby would be hers forever.
Volpicello, of New York City, rescued Piper in April 2020, and one month later, she returned to the same shelter to provide Tabby the second chance she deserved.
“I didn’t have any cat in mind before returning to the shelter, I just asked the volunteers if there was a cat who hadn’t had a chance yet,” Volpicello said. “They said Tabby hadn’t left the shelter in two years, and that no one had even considered fostering or adopting her.
“She’s very shy and has a foggy eye due to feline herpes, so that might have strayed people away. I was in and out of the shelter in five minutes because I knew she was the one.”
From the beginning, it was clear that all Tabby wanted was to be loved. She was shy at first and spent several days hiding behind the couch, refusing to come out while anyone was in the room. But throughout it all, she was never aggressive.
Volpicello was patient, even setting up a camera so she could give her space and check on her from a distance. Tabby spent so long at the shelter and was frequently overlooked, so Volpicello knew it would take time to adjust.
Eventually, Volpicello caught Tabby and Piper reaching their paws under the door, and it seemed right to introduce them.
“Tabby got more comfortable after meeting Piper. I think Piper gave Tabby the confidence to not hide behind the couch. She started to trust me more and even started getting jealous when I was petting Piper,” Volpicello said.
She continued: “Tabby is the sweetest cat in the world. She’s a huge cuddle bug and follows me into my bed every night. Piper and Tabby love each other so much. Tabby snuggles up to Piper every chance she gets, even laying on top of Piper and wrapping both arms around her.”
Since both cats were adopted, Volpicello told Newsweek that she’s loved “seeing their bond grow” over the years. Tabby has come so far out of her shell, and Piper has the sister she’s always wanted.
Volpicello shared Tabby’s rescue story on TikTok (@rachelvolpicello) in a post showing how much her life has been transformed. The post went viral with over 698,800 views and more than 154,000 likes at the time of writing.
She hopes that Tabby’s story will inspire others to take a chance on a rescue pet in need and give them the loving home they deserve.
“I’ve always wondered if they crossed paths when they were in the shelter together, but either way it’s clear they were meant to find each other,” Volpicello said. “A lot of people have been thanking me for giving Tabby a fresh start, but I’m the one thanking Tabby for trusting me. I’m so lucky to have her. As much as I saved her, she saved me.”
Tabby’s rescue journey has captured so much attention online, leading to more than 1,900 comments on the TikTok post.
One comment reads: “They’re perfect together.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “She looks so proud to be yours.”
While one person replied: “You brought the life back into that sweet baby’s eyes.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.
Energy medicine supports healing and wellness in both humans and animals. It uses frequency-based therapies, quantum touch, Reiki, and other modalities to vibrationally balance the body and its systems.
Energy medicine for dogs and cats offers an effective approach to healing by working with frequency and vibration to restore balance and harmony. Whether you’re supporting your own well-being or your animal’s, energy medicine offers a variety of modalities. These therapies address physical, emotional, and energetic imbalances in the body.
Defining and understanding energy
Simply put, energy is defined as an invisible force that does something. “Energy cannot be created or destroyed,” wrote Albert Einstein. “It can only be changed from one form to another.”
Energy provides what we call vital life force. Unlike the energy generated by the sun or a bolt of lightning, the energy that creates, maintains and supports the body is more subtle and comes from quantum realms.
Different cultures have different names for these subtle universal energies. They include Qi, Prana, Ti, Ka, Mana, Nyama, Aura, Chu’lel, Alcheringa, or Dreamtime. Within our bodies, these energies flow through channels called meridians, nadis, chakras, dan-tians, or kundalini.
Energy medicine: it’s all about frequency and vibration
From an energetic viewpoint, we define health as inherent, fundamental, highly organized, coherent biofields in harmony with the universe and the natural world. We define “dis-ease” as a disruption, blockage, or imbalance of the subtle energy fields inside and outside the body.
When we think about energy medicine, we need to look beyond the things we can readily see, feel, or even believe. We can’t deny that energy is the foundation of all life; energy creates and fuels life. Life is a complex interaction of subatomic particles and atoms working together to sustain existence.
“If you want to understand the Universe you need to think in energy, frequency and vibration,” says Nikola Tesla. Everything vibrates at a certain resonant frequency — the frequency that creates optimal function.
When our animals are sick, or have a “dis-ease,” they are experiencing an imbalance, a dissonance in the pattern of frequencies we call harmonics. To create harmony, a symphony depends on each instrument to play its part. In a similar way, the body’s health and wellness relies on each biological system to play its part.
Also called frequency medicine, energy medicine includes a broad range of healing practices. It’s based on the idea that humans and animals are essentially energetic beings. Energy healing modalities interface at this unseen level of frequencies to create what we call resonance.
Resonance occurs when two or more structures vibrate at the same frequency. Energy medicine practitioners view the body as a frequency-based system that can be re-tuned and harmonized. They use energy medicine to recalibrate and fine-tune the system back into harmony.
How is energy medicine applied to us and our animals?
Animals are very sensitive to energy. They are pure love and have few boundaries and filters. They easily emit and receive energetic transmissions in the form of vibration and frequencies.
In energy medicine, healing begins with creating resonance between each bodily system’s natural frequencies and vibrations. This is demonstrated through the relationship between the atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, structural, functional and physiological systems that maintain the body.
Energy healing modalities for humans, dogs and cats
Scientifically, energetic healing modalities are based on quantum physics. We can use various forms of energy medicine to promote healing in ourselves and our pets. These include hands-on healing, thoughtforms, movement, interventional therapies, and breathwork.
Frequency and vibration-based modalities: These include the use of tuning forks, sound bowls, toning, drumming, music therapy, various light frequencies, and photo-biomodulation to shift the energetic state of the body.
Quantum touch: In this technique, the practitioner uses breath and body awareness to raise their vibrational frequency, which many believe facilitates healing in others, including animals. Practitioners often use it for pain relief, posture realignment, and emotional balancing.
Reiki and energy healing: Reiki and similar energy-based therapies are often grouped with quantum healing. Practitioners channel universal life energy into the patient to activate natural healing processes.
Visualization and intention-based healing: Techniques that harness mental imagery, affirmations, or focused intention are common in quantum healing, in the form of mediation, prayer, or journeying. Consciousness can influence molecular or cellular processes in ourselves and our animals.
Biofield therapies: Since we and our animals are energetically entangled, harmonizing our own energy fields will have a positive effect on our dogs and cats. Practices like coherence, healing touch, therapeutic touch rely on the idea that practitioners can influence the human energy field for therapeutic purposes.
Movement and bodywork: The body is a physical manifestation of highly organized energy and will benefit greatly from modalities such as Qi-Gong, Tai Chi, yoga, dance, massage, myofascial release, cranial sacral therapy, and assisted modalities such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and PEMF (pulse electromagnetic field) therapy.
Earthing or grounding: Rolling on the ground is very natural to our dogs and cats. It feels good. They inherently know it is healing. Physically connecting with the earth’s energy allows negative ions from the ground to rebalance the electrical energy of our animal’s bodies, and our own.
Breathwork: Mindful breathing provides fuel for the mitochondria to make energy in the body. It also nourishes tissues by delivering molecules that attach to hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Breathwork is also fantastic for stress management and nervous system regulation. When we take deep mindful breaths, our dogs and cats will often take them with us.
Food and water: You may not consider food and water energy medicine, but they are among the basic needs that fuel our energetic bodies.Focusing on energy helps us become more mindful of what we feed ourselves and our animals. Food should be fresh, organic, vibrant, and full of life.
Staying hydrated is also paramount. Water serves as a conduit for energy transfer and transmission, as well as nutrient absorption and utilization.
There is a simplicity to energy medicine for dogs and cats (and us!) that is both ancient and natural. It is all about rebalancing and becoming resonant with the natural world around and within us.
This beautiful saying by National Geographic photographer Robbie George sums it up well: “You don’t need a formula to enter resonance. You need breath. You need sunlight. You need water with memory. You need grounding, rhythm, and presence.”
How do you know if your animal is responding to energy medicine?
Most dogs and cats are very open and receptive to energy healing and often respond in non-vocal ways. During a session, your dog or cat might:
Close their eyes
Sigh
Shift position toward or away from you
Fall asleep
Practitioners use these behaviors to guide the session. They always conduct energy medicine sessions voluntarily and with respect for the animal’s comfort.
Key benefits of energy medicine
Energy medicine offers the following benefits to your dog or cat:
Confused by pet food labels? Find out how to interpret product names, nutrition facts and more — and what to expect from upcoming label changes.
Pet food labels can be confusing. Ingredient names are unclear, package claims seem misleading, and important information can be hard to find. The good news is that changes are underway to make pet food labels easier to read and understand. However, it will take time for companies and regulators to fully implement them.
While we wait, let’s review how to read pet food labels – and how the approved changes will make life simpler when you’re choosing a food for your dog or cat.
The Pet Food Label Modernization project
In the US, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a non-regulatory group of state and federal officials responsible for writing the “model” rules and regulations for pet food. Each state adopts these regulations through its legislative process.
In 2015, AAFCO launched the Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) project to clarify and update the existing regulations. The goal was to increase transparency, more closely align pet food labeling with human food labeling, and improve consumer understanding.
AAFCO approved the new PFLM labels in 2024. However, consumers may not consistently see them on store shelves for several years.
There are several reasons for the delay. Some changes require new laboratory testing,With limited facilities, companies may face long wait times. State legislatures may also need to update their laws.
Additionally, pet food companies may have a large back-stock of printed labels. They will need time to use up old labels and design and produce new ones. Some companies produce hundreds of brands, flavors, and sizes of pet foods, so it’s a big job.
This all means it will take time for companies to make these changes. AAFCO has provided a six-year phase-in period for the new labels. On the plus side, some pet food companies are already using the new labels. Any new products also must sport the updated look.
Reading pet food labels
It’s important to note that despite these changes, basic pet food label information remains the same. Required elements include the intended species, package quantity (weight, volume, or count), feeding directions, calorie content, and the guarantor’s name and address (manufacturer or distributor).
The name of the food tells you its major ingredients – e.g. “beef dog food,” must contain 95% beef.
If there is a qualifier, like “dinner,” “nuggets,” or “entrée,” the named ingredients must comprise 25% of the food. For example, “beef and rice formula” must contain 25% beef plus rice. There must be more beef than rice, since beef is listed first.
Ingredients that follow the word “with” must be present in the food at 3% — for example, “beef dinner with giblets.”
A “flavor,” such as “beef flavor dinner,” may not actually contain beef meat, but rather beef digest or by-products that provide that taste.
Manufacturers must list all pet food ingredients in descending order by weight. Water is heavy, so wet ingredients are listed first. For commercial dry foods, “meat” listed as the first ingredient may be a watery slurry made from that meat, and not necessarily actual meat.
The nutritional adequacy statement comes in two basic forms: complete and balanced; or for intermittent or supplemental feeding.
“Complete” means the product contains all required nutrients, and “balanced” means the nutrients are present in the correct ratios.
Complete and balanced foods must be able to sustain the dog or cat without added supplements (other than fresh water). Manufacturers must prove this either through a feeding test…or more commonly, by chemical analysis.
Pet food formulators use software to analyze nutrients in each ingredient to ensure the formula meets AAFCO’s minimum nutritional requirements (nutrient profiles).
The nutritional adequacy statement must also specify the life stage the pet food is meant for: e.g. gestation/lactation, growth, adult maintenance, or all life stages. “All life stages” foods essentially meet the requirements for pregnancy/lactation and growth.
There is no life stage called “senior,” “mature,” or any similar term. Such foods need only meet the adult maintenance standard.
Before the PFLM project, regulators required labels to list crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture percentages. This is no longer the case. These items must still be guaranteed, but they’re in a different place and format — e.g. fiber is now placed under carbohydrate.
Also, labels no longer use the term “crude” (although the tests for protein, fat, and fiber have not changed), and the format of the label is very different.
A look at the new pet food labels
In order to bring pet food labeling more in line with the familiar Nutrition Facts box on human food labels, AAFCO has created the Pet Nutrition Facts box (see image below).
As illustrated, the box now incorporates the guaranteed analysis and includes per quantity measurements as well as percentages. You’ll also find the calorie and nutritional adequacy statements inside this Pet Nutrition Facts box.
On the downside, the Pet Nutrition Facts box will become unreadable if it’s shrunk too much. On very small cans and packages, the label may not look very different at first glance. However, the order and location of information will be more consistent.
Additional changes: expanded information
Further changes should help clarify pet food label information.The calorie statement now shows total calories, as well as how many come from protein, fat, and carbohydrates. “Total carbohydrate” now separates out the amount of fiber (an indigestible carbohydrate).
Labels can now use familiar vitamin names and group them in parentheses, instead of listing only technical sources. Manufacturers can also use new safe handling instruction graphics to improve food safety.
Understanding how to read pet food labels is essential for making informed decisions about your dog or cat’s nutrition. While it can be confusing, the PFLM project aims to improve clarity, consistency, and transparency with its new changes.
Ultimately, pet food labels should be easier to read and understand. This will help you choose the best products for your dog or cat’s health and well-bring.
Pet food labels: change takes time
Believe it or not, pet food labels are one of the most highly regulated aspects of the whole pet food industry. Labels require certain information, and there are rules about everything, right down to font size and color. This means changing pet food labels is a major process.
Defining pet food
“Pet food” refers to any product that provides nutritional value to dogs or cats. This includes complete daily diets, veterinary prescription foods, treats, snacks, broths, milks, mixers, toppers, chews, and supplements.
Under the regulations, “pet food” is only for dogs and cats. Other animals, like gerbils, turtles, goldfish, and parrots, are known as “specialty pets.”
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Jean Hofve, DVM, earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. In addition to conventional veterinary training, she studied veterinary homeopathy, homotoxicology, Reiki, and other holistic modalities. She has researched pet food and feline nutrition for nearly two decades, and is an expert on holistic pet health and the commercial pet food industry. She is an official advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets pet food rules and standards in the U.S. and Canada. Dr. Hofve co-authored the book Holistic Cat Care.
Cats are beautiful, interesting, weird creatures. They’re also very picky. Finding cat toys that they’ll actually play with is tough, especially with the sheer oversaturation of the pet market today. Cats require a specific environment to play, scratch, and relax. Based on years of testing with our cats, these are our favorite WIRED-approved, techy cat toys (and furniture). Even if our cats rejected a particular product, we still examined overall construction, design, and value to determine whether it may be useful for other kitties.
We have tested everything on this list with our own cats. All of these toys have an element to engage their natural instincts, like an interactive mat that mimics the movements of prey, or a puzzle toy so your cat has to use their pecan-sized brain to get rewarded with delicious treats. Plus, increasing vertical space with cat furniture is a great way to provide passive enrichment.
Updated October 2025: We’ve added The Purrgola, Mau Reiya, and Mau Ivy 3, and removed the 5Strands Intolerances & Imbalances Test. We’ve updated prices and links throughout.
Cat Toys
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Sofolor
Interactive Cat Toy
This feline crowd pleaser is the cat toy I recommend everyone buy. My extremely spoiled cats rarely interact with a toy for more than five minutes, but they play with this interactive cat toy for hours on end. It has three modes so cats never get bored: Normal, Active, and Interactive, and it shuts off automatically after a period of time not being used. It has a simple USB charger (but lasts on a charge for about six days), and a button that controls everything, plus it comes with a replacement wand in case your cats are as rough-and-tumble as mine. Although this is a bit more than I like to spend on cat toys, it was the best purchase I’ve made this year.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Viwik
Interactive Cat Toy Mat
My cats go bonkers for interactive play mats, and although this one didn’t keep their attention as much as the play mat above, it’s still a solid choice and provides them with options when it comes to human-free play. The rechargeable rolling ball lights up and moves erratically inside the mat, which held my cats’ attention for probably half an hour. I put this one away for a few days before bringing it back out to keep interest. You can even use the rolling ball as a toy outside the mat, but beware that it easily rolls under furniture and in hard-to-reach corners. My biggest gripe is that the rechargeable ball has a short battery life and needs to be charged after each play session.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Valonii
Motion Activated Cat Laser Toy
There’s some controversy in the cat-owning community about whether lasers are too frustrating for cats, who may feel like they can never “catch” the “prey” (aka pouncing on the laser dot without actually being able to get it). My cats are both obsessed with laser toys, and it’s a great way for them to get exercise and keep themselves entertained; I just always give them treats after to reward them for a job well done. This toy has three interactive modes and motion sensor activation to further keep cats’ attention, and it lasts about a day before needing to be recharged.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Catstages
Interactive Cat Treat Puzzle
One of my cats is an extremely intelligent, high-energy cat who’s also very food motivated, so it is a continual challenge to find things to keep him entertained—not to mention, I also have to make sure he doesn’t inhale his food. With this toy, you can cover up the treats with the leaves or put them only in the cups for an extra challenge—I love that this puzzle toy is totally customizable based on your cat’s intelligence level. I have both the Melon Madness and Buggin’ Out models, and even years later, my cats are still entertained by them. I call that a good investment.
Photograph: Meowbox
If you can’t figure out which kind of toy your cats will like, or you just want them to be refreshed every so often, Meowbox is a great subscription. You can choose to get deliveries every one or two months, and they include both treats and incredibly cute toys with an equally cute theme. Plus, for every box sold, the company gives food to a shelter.
Photograph: SnugglyCat
Snuggly Cat
The Ripple Rug
Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano‘s cats went nuts for this Ripple Rug. The bottom piece stays in place while the top can be configured into different shapes for playing (or hunting), and you can reshape it as often as you wish. The material feels like felt, but is made from 24 post-consumer plastic bottles and can withstand sharp claws.
Courtesy of Amazon
Photograph: Simon Hill
All three of our cats love the Kong Kickeroo, and it has been one of the most long-lived cat toys we have ever bought. Bodhi is our eldest cat and rarely plays with toys anymore, but even he can’t resist the Kickeroo. It’s the perfect shape to grab and claw at with his back paws, and it has a tail, mixed textures, and crinkly material inside with a touch of catnip. We also tried the smaller model, but it was quickly chewed through, while the larger one has lasted for years. —Simon Hill
Photograph: Amazon
Bawan
Silvervine Chew Sticks
My overactive cat Basil is one of roughly 40 percent of cats that don’t react to catnip, which is a bummer because he gets FOMO watching his sister go wild. Luckily, both of my cats go crazy for these simple sticks. It helps them engage with natural kicking instincts and redirects aggressive chewing from my iPhone cord. I’d recommend that anyone with cats who don’t react to catnip or have aggressive chewing tendencies give these a try.
Photograph: Amazon
I’ve had seven cats over the past 20 years, and every single one of them has been obsessed with this interactive toy. And not just any wand toy, this one specifically and its original feather attachment, which uses the same swivel mechanism as a fishing lure to create movement through the air that registers as 100 percent authentic to cats. There are other attachments available, like fur “mice,” but nothing hits quite like the original feather cluster. Make sure you stock up on refills, in case your cat finds the wand in the middle of the night and has its way with it. (Speaking from experience.) —Kat Merck
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Courtesy of Petcube
This pet camera has the ability to control a laser via app, so you can engage in play with your cat even when away, and it aims to auto-engage when motion is detected (but very often it didn’t). Although I wish the motion sensors were a bit more sensitive to engage in play more often while I’m not home, it consistently kept my cats entertained, plus it was fun to be able to play with them through the app from afar.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Enabot
Rola PetPal Robot Pet Companion
Is it a toy? Is it a security camera? Is it a treat dispenser? There’s no need to decide! While my cats were more curious than excited to play with this li’l robot pet camera, it did keep their attention, which is a win in my book. My cat Basil was obsessed with the toy attachment and loved finding different ways to proudly pull it off and bring it to me. The app can be a bit glitchy, and the robot is by no means smart, but it is a camera you can move about your house while you’re away, and it’ll roll, slam into objects, and shoot treats out at your confused cats. At the end of the day, the robot was great at keeping their attention, which is all we really want in the end.
Cat Trees and Furniture
Photograph: Kat Merck
Omlet
Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree
More than just a cat tree, the modular Freestyle lets you customize your own indoor or outdoor cat jungle gym from a series of bamboo platforms, beds, ramps, hammocks, and scratchers. The platforms are sturdy enough to support cats of any size or activity level, and the poles can accommodate ceilings up to 14 feet. The system is not inexpensive or especially easy to put together, but my cats Circe and Scylla spend every single day on theirs, making it worth the investment. —Kat Merck
Photograph: Kat Merck
Photograph: Kat Merck
This is one of the most popular items I have ever tested with my cats. Neighbors love it, delivery people comment on it, and, of course, both my cats adore it. It’s super easy to assemble and install, provided you have a vertical sash window—just close the window on it, and raised acrylic stakes in the back will keep it in place. (You also have the option to screw the Purrgola to the window frame, which is recommended, and/or secure the window in place with window locks.) The thick, weatherproof acrylic—which is seriously thick; it even survived a tumble out of a first-story window during our test—is load-tested to 90 pounds, and the cushion inside has a soft, minky, machine-washable cover. The screens on either side are stainless steel mesh to prevent any funny business. It’s got an acrylic door on the room side that pulls out and down to close, but this part is fragile; I’ve now broken it twice taking it in and out of the window, but it glues back just fine. I wouldn’t recommend using a Purrgola during a very rainy season, as a little heavy rain will come in the side screens (though not a lot!), or where there are lots of bugs, as it’s not an airtight fit in the window. However, if your cats are indoor-only (and they should be!), this is a fun and stylish way for them to interact safely with the outdoors. Also note that it may take cats a while to get used to it—it took both of mine about a week, but after that, they were both in it every day. —Kat Merck
Photograph: Kat Merck
Photograph: Kat Merck
No one does high-end cat furniture quite like Mau. WIRED has tested several of Mau’s cat trees over the years, and every one has been a banger: objectively beautiful, sturdy, well made, and beloved by cats. The solid-oak Reiya isn’t one of Mau’s flashier designs, and in fact, I’m surprised by how unassuming it looks online—in person, it reads as a midcentury work of art, Hans Wegner-esque with rounded edges and a glowing oak finish. Everyone who visits our house has commented on it. I admit I was a little worried about the baskets being clawed or unraveled, but they’re plastic rattan. The woolly Oeko-Tex cushion covers zip off for washing, and for younger, more playful kitties, there are rings on the underside of the top platform for dangling white, green, or pink optional pom poms ($12). The scratching pad is the hard kind of sisal material, which my cats don’t love, but they quickly warmed up to it with some training. In any case, a Mau cat tree is an investment, but you get what you pay for, and this is likely the last cat tree you will need to buy in your lifetime. If you’re not sure, Mau offers a 45-day trial period and one-year warranty. —Kat Merck
Photograph: Molly Higgins
It’s pretty clear that the WIRED reviews team loves Mau furniture. It’s sleek, well made, and looks like a high-end piece of furniture rather than the ugly, cheaply-made cat trees of yesteryear. This piece is solid, with a heavy wood base, two sturdy sisal-rope-lined trunk pieces that screw together, three woven baskets that screw into place, and three super-soft fur pillows. Plus, all of the pieces are replaceable, so that if something succumbs to wear and tear over time, you won’t have to throw away the entire tree. The fur cushions are machine washable too, but make sure you read the cleaning directions to ensure they last as long as possible. Mau has free shipping (in the contiguous US and Canada), a 45-day return policy, and a one-year warranty. My cats use this tree every day, and I’m happy to have this stylish piece proudly on display in my living room.
Photograph: Mau
Cats like to jump and climb whatever they can, so a cat tree should help keep them occupied and off your mantel or breakable glassware. Our favorite cat trees are made from materials that can be scratched up. (We also have a guide to the fanciest cat furniture we’ve tried if you really want the full scoop.) When you live in a small apartment, everything you decorate with matters because it’s all on display—nothing gets hidden when you only have one to three rooms. Some of us want our cat’s furniture to match, too. Mau’s Cento is one of former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano‘s favorites. If you can afford it, your cats will thank you.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Mau
Kona End Table Scratcher
Mau is known for its high-end and tasteful cat furniture (including our Mau picks above), and its Kona side table fits right into the lineup with a midcentury mod vibe and scratching pad discreetly tucked into the back. The solid-wood table is very heavy and well-made, with options for an oak or walnut finish. It didn’t dissuade my cats from scratching the chair it’s next to, but it does come with a bag of catnip to help with encouragement. This table is popular and often sold out, but you can sign up on Mau’s website to be notified of the next restock. —Kat Merck
Photograph: Medea Giordano
K&H Pet Products
Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch
Our favorite window perch lets cats responsibly interact with the outside world. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano loved these window seats because they are a great way for cats to bask in the sun and keep a watchful eye on the neighborhood while safely indoors. They’re easy to install too, with sticky strips that attach to your windowsill that can hold up to 40 pounds. You can also nail the base into the window frame, and there are even heated seats for super-spoiled kitties. The covers are removable and can be machine-washed. Heads up, you’ll need a windowsill at least 2 inches deep to properly support it.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Courtesy of Knead
This cat bed has a memory foam sculpted-contour mattress base with a super cozy (removable and washable) nano heating and volcanic-particle-infused cover. It has a button on the side with different heat settings, including timed heatings. It has optional self-heating natural herb pad attachments for further pain relief and to help reduce arthritic inflammation, which is especially ideal for senior cats. The sculpted bed is specially contoured to provide orthopedic support for the cat’s joints. Pro tip: Put the bed on a higher surface or somewhere the cats already lounge. Cats love to be off the ground, and once I moved this on top of my side desk, both of my cats lay in it constantly.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
I’ve been getting Instagram ads for this stylish bed that attaches to your desk for so long, I had to cave and see if it was worth the hype. Especially since I have a very needy cat who loves to lounge on my laptop while I WFH. This bed is easy to assemble, with an arm that screws into the wooden base and a screwed vise to keep the bed in place on the desk. It has adjustable vertical height, and the base also rotates. Just make sure you measure the surface you want to attach it to before you buy. My desk was too thick, and my side table was too thin—luckily they sent additional planks to add into the screwed vise to make it sturdier, but I haven’t found the purrfect spot for it yet.
Playology Feather Mice for $17: Did you know there are “bird” cats and “mouse” cats? Most cats actually prefer to hunt specific types of prey, and I’ve seen this play out in my own house. Even though they’re litter mates, one of my indoor cats clearly prefers to leap at flying things (birds) and the other likes to hide and leap out at things down low (mice). They both enjoy these toys—they’re fuzzy like mice but feathered like birds, with some catnip for added interest. I recommend putting them away when playtime is finished to keep interest fresh, and to remove the bell if you don’t want to hear jingling in the middle of the night. —Kat Merck
Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy for $4: This absurdly simple toy is a cheap crowd pleaser. It’s just some rolls of cardboard that weigh down a springy steel wire. The erratic movements are similar to bugs flying, and my cats always actively play with it.
Lick Mat for $8: A lick mat is a great way to add enrichment and stimulation—plus, it helps them promote slow eating (and less throwing up). I also have this set of two cute fish-shaped lick mats ($17) for each of my kitties, and it’s a fun way to give them a treat while promoting slow feeding and stimulation. I put Churu puree with some added water to help sneakily add more hydration to their snacks.
The Charlotte Area Transit System has faced stiff criticism following the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the Blue Line in August.
A Sept. 30 “special report” from the state auditor’s office accused the city of recently allowing security staffing gaps that left people using the transit system vulnerable at the time Zarutska was killed. It suggests that a focus on meeting diversity goals when selecting contractors resulted in a less-desirable security contract — one with fewer armed officers — than the previous CATS security agreement, which ended in 2023.
Public records, however, show that that security staffing shortages prompted Charlotte officials’ decision to end at least one transit security contract in 2023. It’s also clear that city leaders have been told about the need to address security officer vacancies for at least five years.
Evidence that city officials received multiple warnings about staffing shortages include:
2020: A former CATS security provider,Allied Universal, asked CATS officials to raise contractor wages to address shortages as early as 2020, a company executive told the Charlotte City Council in 2023.
2022: Allied Universal submitted a 13-page report to officials in November 2022 outlining security staffing challenges and the need to raise pay, company executive Charlie Bohnenberger said in 2023.
2023: Allied Universal temporarily stopped placing security personnel on city buses due to staffing shortages, interim CATS CEO Brent Cagle said in May 2023after a shootout between a passenger and driver.
The Charlotte Area Transit System declined to make interim CEO Cagle available for an interview and did not directly address how it responded to Allied’s concerns.
CATS, established in 2000 as a division of the City of Charlotte, is one of the largest transit systems in the Southeast. It operates a fleet of 173 fixed-route buses at peak demand and seven-day-a-week light rail service, with tracks covering nearly 20 miles.
Iryna Zarutska boards a Charlotte Lynx Blue Line car at around 9:45 p.m. on Aug. 22 in this screenshot of footage released to media outlets. Zarutska was fatally stabbed on her way home from work. Charlotte Area Transit System
As occurred after Zarutska was stabbed on a Blue Line car while on her way home from work, debates over security staffing have flared previously after violence on city buses and light rail.
Multiple bus drivers have been shot over the past several years — one fatally. Pedestrians and drivers have shot at CATS buses and one person was hospitalized after a stabbing on the Gold Line. In at least one case, a bus driver shot a passenger. Violence against CATS operators reached a four-year high in 2021, The Charlotte Observer reported in 2023.
Charlotte officials increased spending on CATS security from $5.9 million in 2022 to $18.4 million in 2025. The next year a contract with Professional Police Services, CATS’ current security provider, increased the total number of security positions to 219, from as few as 108 previously, according to the auditor’s report.
Yet the number of armed officers declined from as many as 88 in a 2018 contract to 39 in the current contract, the state auditor’s report emphasizes.
And what was on paper didn’t always match what occurred on CATS buses or light rail cars.
Michael Bermudez drove from Spartanburg, S.C. to attend a Sept. 22 memorial service for Iryna Zarutska. The young woman’s death prompted questions about the adequacy of Charlotte Area Transit System security. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Professional Police Services — also known as Professional Security Services — had only 186 of 219 contracted positions filled 12 days after Zarutska was killed, with the city reporting more security on the job since then.
CATS security contracts show the company took on additional security responsibilities in 2024. In December, CATS leadership transitioned armed security services to PPS after ending its relationship with another contractor, Strategic Security Corporation. PPS was already handling unarmed security for CATS.
A PPS executive declined to comment for this story. His company was eight months into the process of staffing the additional services at the time of Zarutska’s death.
Persistent problems with security staffing
Long before the current shortfall, a former CATS security contractor had trouble filling its security positions. Cagle has said that CATS ended its contract with Allied, the previous security provider, in 2023 due to staffing shortages.
In the company’s defense, Allied had “repeatedly engaged CATS leadership” about staffing concerns since 2020, company executive Charlie Bohnenberger told the Charlotte City Council in April 2023.
Mayor Vi Lyles speaks during a press conference to announce new security enhancements being implemented throughout CATS on Oct. 3. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
“In November we provided a 13-page report, providing in great detail wage analysis from multiple independent sources showing CATS that in order to address the police staffing shortages, we need to do wage adjustments,” Bohnenberger said.
Allied officials did not respond to multiple requests for an interview. The Charlotte Observer on Oct. 1 requested a copy of the 2022 report and other public documents from city officials but has not received them.
When asked why the security staffing shortfalls have persisted, longtime Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs said multiple problems with CATS came to light around 2022, when Allied said their report was submitted.
“Security wasn’t the only thing that wasn’t working as well as it should have,” said Driggs, a member of the city council since 2013 who now chairs its Transportation, Planning and Development Committee.
The decision to triple investment in CATS security since then was city leaders’ attempt to address gaps, Driggs said. Officials often have to make difficult decisions about where to allocate funds with so many competing priorities, Driggs said. And while the goal is zero crime, it may not be realistic.
“We do have a responsibility as council to run a lean organization — we cannot be kind of extravagant in terms of spending 10 times as much money in order to achieve a 20% reduction in incidents on the trains,” Driggs said.
Low wages have long plagued the private security sector, according to a 2025 analysis of federal data by the Center for American Progress. Turnover rates are more than 50% annually across the industry, the report found.
Today, unarmed transit security officers make $30.96 per hour, according to CATS’ contract with Professional Police Services. Armed security guards make $42 per hour and company police officers make $46.97 per hour. Sergeants and captains are paid at higher rates.
Stepped up protective efforts
CATS officials did not respond to questions about previous struggles with security staffing. But they shared public documents listing recent security improvements.
Tatyana Thulien sings Amazing Grace during a memorial service for Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukranian refugee. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
They include the addition of off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers to supplement security contractors. PA announcements that started on Sept. 18 reminding passengers that fare is required. And ramped-up, random “fare blitzes” at Blue Line stations that began around the same time and are intended to make sure more passengers are paying for their rides.
Transit security officers are now using bikes and utility terrain vehicles for patrols along the Blue Line, Charlotte officials announced during the Oct. 3 news conference. That increases accessibility to hard-to-reach platforms, like those in Uptown and South End, Cagle said.
“PSS has around 200 officers currently employed and has deployed officers to fully staff the Blue Line,” CATS spokesperson Brett Baldeck said in an emailed statement. “Recruitment efforts are ongoing to bring additional staffing up to the 219 outlined in the security contract. We continue the addition of off-duty CMPD officers to supplement the work of our already established security personnel. “
Looking ahead
CATS plans within the next year to determine the optimal number of security officers, police officers and fare enforcement officers to cover rail and bus operations, according to CATS September 2025 security and safety plan.
The transit system will then “work toward budgeting and/or obtaining funding to supply the resources identified,” the report states.
Some Charlotte leaders say continued investment in the system will be critical. That includes passage of a 1% transportation sales tax referendum that voters will weigh in on in November.
It would earmark $20 billion for the region’s transportation system over the next 30 years, allowing for the expansion of light rail and more.
Those dollars would allow CATS to become a transit agency with its own sworn police force, according to the security plan.
A police chief for the department would be tasked with conducting a planning study to determine “the most effective structure and size” of the transit police department, according to CATS’ September 2025 security and safety plan. Deployment of the force could take 18 to 24 months.
“We have an ongoing effort that we had before Iryna to staff up and to improve security and to consider all the possibilities, and that will continue,” Driggs said.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have information about CATS security or an experience related to safety on the system’s buses or light rail system that you want to share? If yes, contact Charlotte Observer reporter Amber Gaudet at agaudet@charlotteobserver.com.
Modern prosthetics give amputee dogs the ability to walk, run, and play again. This guide covers types of artificial limbs, fitting, care tips, and more.
In the past, injury or illness sometimes forced dogs to have limbs amputated, condemning them to a lifetime of immobility. People often chose euthanasia instead. Nowadays, major technological and engineering advances make it possible to fit these dogs with prosthetics. The devices allow them to lead full, happy, and active lives. Let’s take a look at today’s prosthetics for amputee dogs, and the positive impact they’re having on canines everywhere.
How have prosthetics for dogs evolved?
Early versions of prosthetics for dogs were ungainly and awkward. They could be uncomfortable and heavy, and hampered full mobility. Today, manufacturers make prosthetics from lightweight but durable materials. They are no longer bulky and cumbersome, and are more precisely fitted to the dog.
Whether your dog needs a whole or p, there is a design to suit her needs. Custom-made prosthetics are designed to fit her individual needs, providing support and balance.
“Prosthetics are revolutionizing care for amputee pets,” says veterinarian Dr. Sabrina Kong. “Today’s solutions go far beyond simple peg legs. They encompass advanced partial-limb prosthetics designed for dogs with specific residual limb lengths, and even full-limb ‘body jacket’ systems for higher amputations. They’re crafted from lightweight yet durable polymer blends, and balance flexibility with strength.
“Utilizing data from CT or MRI scans, engineers can create precisely tailored digital models, unique to each pet’s body,” she adds. “The models are used to layer biocompatible thermoplastics into porous, breathable structures. This entire process once took weeks. Now it takes mere days and reduces reduces costs by 50% compared to traditional methods.”
Prosthetic designers create devices for full limb amputations as well as partial leg amputations from the knee or ankle. They come in many styles. Some mimic the blades human amputee athletes use in competitions. Others are 3D printed, while more mechanical “sci-fi” versions feature shock-absorbing capabilities and a flat surface for the foot.
Does my dog have to be specially fitted for a prosthetic?
The veterinarian must properly fit the prosthetic to the dog for optimal comfort and mobility. After her limb is amputated and the wound has healed, the process of building a personalized prosthetic begins with the help of a veterinarian. A plaster cast or digital scan is the first step to get the right proportions for both the dog and the prosthetic. The manufacturer creates and modifies a mold, then builds the prosthetic from it.
For active dogs, a prosthetic isn’t just a one and done proposition. She could have one style for indoor use and another for outdoors.
While not technically a prosthetic, wheelchairs are another way to give dogs back their mobility after amputation, or in cases of limb or hindquarter paralysis. As with prosthetics, though, a wheelchair should be correctly fitted to the dog in question.
Will my dog adapt to wearing her prosthetic?
At first, the dog wears the prosthetic for short periods to help her adjust physically. She also needs time to get used to the idea that this strange device makes walking and running easy again. The dog needs two to six weeks of therapy to rebuild muscle memory.
One way to help a dog adjust to a prosthetic is through the Feldenkrais Method. Practitioners of this modality use guided movements to improve flexibility and posture. This approach is especially helpful for dogs adapting to a prosthetic. The gentle touches stimulate the nervous system to encourage development of new neural pathways. For prosthetic wearers, Feldenkrais helps the brain adapt to new movement patterns. It also works to maximize recovery and long-term well-being.
How do I care for my dog’s prosthetic?
If your dog is young and still growing,you’ll need to schedule regular follow-ups to replace the prosthetic as her body changes. Whatever her age, keep the joint dry and clean the limb regularly, especially in warm weather. Change the socket liner every six to eight months. When your dog is ready for a nap, remove the prosthetic to give her body a chance to rest.
Some dogs will experience phantom limb pain (PLP). This phenomenon is not imaginary. When humans have a limb amputated, they can sometimes feel pain in the arm or leg that’s no longer there. There’s evidence dogs do too. Since they don’t understand or see the cause of the pain, it can cause anxiety. Talk to your vet if you think your dog is suffering from phantom pain. They can prescribe or recommend a supplement or remedy to help her feel better and calmer.
Don’t panic if your dog needs a limb amputation, for whatever reason. The days when euthanasia might have been the only option are gone. Talk to your vet about prosthetics for amputee dogs. A well-designed and properly fitted prosthetic will have your dog running, playing, and enjoying life again before you know it!
Max – a case report
Andrew Lokenauth’s German Shepherd mix, Max, was severely injured after getting tangled in old fencing. Amputation below the knee was the only option. After surgery, Max developed spinal issues from uneven walking, so his vet recommended a prosthetic. Now he tears around the dog park so fast that people often don’t notice anything different about him until Andrew points it out!
Your pet insurance company may cover prosthetics
Custom-made prosthetics aren’t cheap. However, many pet insurance companies will cover the cost of custom-made prosthetics if an accident or illness caused the dog’s amputation. Most often, the policy holder pays for the prosthetic and is then reimbursed.
Whether or not prosthetics are covered depends on the company and the policy, so you’ll need to do some homework. Also, as with humans, pre-existing conditions are generally not covered.
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The dog needs two to six weeks of therapy to rebuild muscle memory.
The veterinarian must properly fit the prosthetic to the dog for optimal comfort and mobility.
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Sandra Murphy lives in St Louis, Missouri. When she’s not writing, she works as a pet sitter.
No stone was left unturned when it came to appeasing fans of the feline at this year’s Cat Expo. The annual event, hosted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, the world’s authority on all things cats, brought 45 of the most eye-catching and pet-able cat breeds from all over the globe, from the pink-eared-and-hairless Sphynx, the white-and-silky Turkish Angora, to the the pug-faced Persian and the supple Bengal. (Along with a plethora of judges to ribbon them.) And, of course, everything those breeds might need: scratching posts and cat trees; catnip toys and fake fruits; water purifiers and agility courses. Then, as one might expect, cat comics, cat beat-boxers and a trio of feline furries singing a meow-cappella version of Bruno Mars’ and Rozé’s “APT.” Here’s everything else we saw this weekend:
Credit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark OpreaCredit: Mark Oprea
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Mark Oprea is a staff writer at Scene. For the past seven years, he’s covered Cleveland as a freelance journalist, and has contributed to TIME, NPR, the Pacific Standard and the Cleveland Magazine. He’s the winner of two Press Club awards.
Explore alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats, including ozone, milk thistle, vitamin C, nutrition, and other therapies.
Liver disease is common in dogs and cats, especially as they age. Conventional therapies are important, especially in acute cases. But options like ozone therapy, vitamin C, herbal support, and targeted nutrition can also be beneficial. These alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats complement traditional care and may also improve outcomes and quality of life.
Conventional therapies for liver disease
When a dog or cat has acute liver disease, veterinarians typically admit them for intravenous therapy. Treatment may include anti-emetics (for vomiting), antibiotics (if needed), and other supportive drugs.
Dogs can also develop chronic active hepatitis (not to be confused with viral hepatitis). In this condition, one or more liver enzymes are moderately elevated, even though the dog appears healthy. Diagnostic tests usually do not reveal a particular cause.
Conventional treatment usually consists of a prescription “liver diet” and sometimes prednisone, as the condition is thought to have an unknown inflammatory origin.
Alternative treatments are often beneficial
Ozone: I often add ozone gas to IV fluids for acute liver disease in dogs and cats. Ozone has many benefits. It delivers oxygen for healing, kills bacteria and other pathogens, reduces inflammation, and stimulates the production of glutathione — the body’s major antioxidant.
Acute cases of liver disease demand immediate therapy, and I have found ozone to be quite helpful, even pending true diagnosis.
Vitamin C: This vitamin is also helpful for liver disease when added to IV fluids. I administer the first bag of fluids with ozone, wait a day, then administer a bag of IV vitamin C. Vitamin C is an immune and energy booster, and a powerful antioxidant. I use a high dose, a one cc per two pounds of body weight.
Nutrition: For chronic liver disease, including cases of chronic active hepatitis in dogs, the veterinarian should recommend changes to the animal’s diet. Because anorexia and weight loss are common, diets should be high in fat (unless lipidosis is present), rich in high-quality protein (excluding copper-heavy beef), and include vitamins K and E.
Milk thistle: The addition of Western herbs, such as milk thistle — which protects and restores the liver and helps with bile flow — is quite beneficial. However, this herb is estrogenic so use it with caution if the dog or cat also has mammary cancer.
Milk thistle contains active compounds called silymarin and silybin:
1. Silymarin boosts glutathione (a major antioxidant) and strengthens liver cell membranes, making it harder for toxins to enter. It also reduces inflammation and enhances bile production, which aids digestion and helps the body eliminate toxins and waste more efficiently.
2. Silybin is the most active compound. It stimulates protein synthesis, which helps repair and regenerate liver tissue.
When no toxic or infectious agent is found, many liver disease cases are diagnosed as “inflammatory.” Treatment is then empirical and focused mainly on reducing inflammation. Vets often prescript steroids, but these drugs have side effects. So adding a good source of milk thistle is extremely helpful.
Choose milk thistle products carefully, as ingredient quality isn’t regulated. Ask a holistic or integrative vet for guidance on sourcing and dosage for your dog or cat.
Glandulars: An in-depth discussion of glandulars is beyond the scope of this article, but think of them as “food” for the liver’s nutritional requirements, helping the body more readily facilitate repair. It’s crucial to work with a vet before giving your dog any glandular products.
Homotoxicology: This therapy is also very helpful. It involves using combinations of homeopathic formulations. I often use them intravenously, then send an oral form home with the client. Unfortunately, the FDA has made homotoxicology compounds unavailable in the US, so alternative veterinarians have to import them from England or Germany.
When addressing liver disease in your animal companion, it’s important to consider both conventional and complementary options. Alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats can provide meaningful support and help manage symptoms with fewer side effects.
Always consult with a holistic or integrative veterinarian to determine the safest and most effective plan for your dog or cat’s individual needs. With the right care, many animals can enjoy improved liver function and a better quality of life.
Special thanks to Marlene Seigel, DVM, for her research on silymarin and silybin.
Symptoms of liver disease in dogs and cats include appetite loss, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes (icterus), and dark urine. Blood tests often show elevated liver enzymes. Ultrasound, biopsy, or advanced imaging can further clarify the diagnosis.
A note about ALT levels
An increased level of ALT (a major liver enzyme) indicates a problem, and veterinarians will pursue a diagnosis.
However, conventional veterinarians often disregard a low ALT level.Holistic and integrative vets recognize that low ALT levels may signal reduced liver cells — due to chronic disease, fibrosis, or lipidosis — or impaired liver function. Both conditions require attention.
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Silybin stimulates protein synthesis, which helps repair and regenerate liver tissue.
Vitamin C is an immune and energy booster, and a powerful antioxidant.
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Veterinarian Dr. Mark Newkirk owns Newkirk Family Veterinarians (newkirkfamilyveterinarians.com) and has been taking care of animals in southern New Jersey since 1981. His practice offers traditional and alternative medicine including chiropractic, homeopathy, herbal therapies, alternative cancer treatments, therapeutic lasers, NAET, stem cell transplants and more. Dr Newkirk has his own radio show (Thursdays 9 to 10 AM on WOND 1400 AM).
Petkit Eversweet Max for $90: This techy automatic fountain can be either cordless or battery-powered (lasting up to 83 days), and the drinking bowl is made of stainless steel, but the reservoir is plastic. Because of the shape of the basin with the chunky battery and reservoir bowl, it’s a little awkward to clean. The app logs every time a pet drinks and compares it over time to determine whether your cat’s drinking habits have changed. The app also keeps track of when the filter needs replacing and when you last added water. However, it doesn’t monitor or show you how much water is left in the basin; you have to check manually. The design also made it a bit difficult to clean and refill easily.
Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain for $50: This automatic fountain is cordless and runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 60 days (although it can stay plugged in too). It has a wireless pump that uses magnetic induction—this pump was one of the easiest and most hassle-free to clean of all I tested. The fountain has a stainless steel top that holds a decent amount of water even when not running. Although the tank is plastic, and I’m wary of plastic now because of its propensity to harbor bacteria (plus it doesn’t keep water as cold). The app gives reminders of when the water’s low, the fountain needs cleaning, or the filter needs replacing, plus it automatically stops dispensing water and sends you a reminder to refill via app. It also logs the number of times your pet drank and for how long, monitoring hydration patterns over time and comparing the stats to average time used. A complaint I had is that this fountain wouldn’t stay on Continuous stream mode, even when plugged in, instead automatically switching to the Sensing stream.
Homerunpet Wireless Pet Fountain for $60: This cordless fountain can be used as a traditional fountain plugged in on its base, or can be detached and moved around the house with 30 days of battery life. I don’t love that this fountain is all plastic, but it’s easy to see water levels from the outside, the top and filter layers are super easy to remove, clean, and replace, and the wireless (basically silent) pump makes it a whole lot easier to clean. Plastic doesn’t keep the water as cold or clean as stainless steel, so you’ll have to clean it a lot more often. The fountain only begins bubbling when a cat (or human) approaches to save battery power, and there’s no option to control the flow (and no connected app). I like the wireless pump, but I’m really over plastic at this point.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Wonder Creature Cat Fountain for $20: My two cats have cycled through several water fountains over the past few years, but this no-nonsense version has been a stalwart. The inside is lit by a blue LED (bright enough to glow in the dark), and a clear viewing window on the side makes it easy to monitor the water level from afar. I also like the dishwasher-safe metal bowl and the fact you can remove parts of the yellow and white “flower” to create a fountain configuration your cat likes (waterfall, low bubble-up, tall bubble-up). The only major downsides are the fact it requires very frequent cleaning and filter changes due to the plastic body, and that there is no reservoir to hold water in case of power outage or pump malfunction. When I go on vacation I have to swap it out for an old-school gravity dispenser. —Kat Merck
Happy & Polly Gothic Cat Drinking Fountain for $60: If you prefer gothic decor to neutral blandness, this ghostly ceramic cat fountain from Happy & Polly may tempt you to bite. The water bubbles up out of the top of the ghost and pools on the ceramic top. It’s fairly quiet at around 35 decibels, but it gets loud when the water is running low, and I worry about the motor burning out, as the 1.5-liter capacity can run dry fast. While the ceramic finish is easy to clean, it is fiddly to take apart. You will want to clean it once a week to prevent it from becoming slimy, and you must change the filter once a month. —Simon Hill
Petkit Eversweet Solo 2 for $45: I love three key features of this fountain: The bowl sits on top of a wireless charging base, so you don’t have to fiddle with cables, it is super easy to clean, and it’s very quiet at around 25 decibels. A flashing light warns you when the water is running low, and you can check when the filter needs to be changed in the app. There’s an optional smart mode that pumps intermittently and a night mode to turn the light off. Pleasingly, all three of our cats drink from this fountain, though that does mean I have to refill it often, as it only holds 2 liters. —Simon Hill
Photograph: Simon Hill
Oneisall Stainless Steel Pet Fountain for $50: This drinking fountain is about as simple as they come. As it’s designed for cats or small dogs, it has a large bowl, but some cats will prefer that. I love the mostly stainless steel construction, as it’s easy to keep clean and less prone to dirt and bacteria buildup. You can even stick parts into the dishwasher to clean. This fountain can also hold up to 7 liters of water, so you don’t have to refill as often. It’s fairly quiet at around 35 decibels, but it gets louder when the water is running low (a red light warns you when it needs a refill). You should clean once a week and rinse the filter. The filter packs are relatively affordable at $15 for a pack of eight, and you need to swap them once a month. —Simon Hill
Petlipo Cordless Cat Water Fountain for $57: This all-plastic pet fountain sits on dock for easier tank cleaning and is rechargeable for up to 60 days of cordless power, has a wire-free pump, a large 2.6 liter capacity, and three customizable water flow modes (induction, timer, and continuous flow). The heavy duty filter is encased in a plastic cage and only needs to be replaced every 4 to 5 weeks. I had no issues while using this fountain, but at nearly $60, thats egregiously expensive for being made out of cheap (and bacteria-harboring) plastic. Although it’s a solid fountain, I’d spend less and grab one of stainless steel picks.
Not Recommended
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Petcube Ceramic Pet Water Fountain for $90: I really wanted to love this fountain; although its basin is plastic, it had a ceramic top, which is more hygienic than plastic (and I had never tested a ceramic model before), and the brand makes some of my favorite pet cameras. However, setup was a bit confusing, it took a long time to get the base charged to power the fountain’s water flow, and the sensor to begin water flow is only triggered from one side, making placement awkward. After a few days, it would only run while plugged in, soon its stream was barely strong enough to reach the top, and after just over a week it stopped working altogether. Also, it’s egregiously expensive for a pet fountain.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Cat Mate 3-Level Pet Fountain for $28: This tall automatic Cat Mate fountain sets itself apart with three tiers for cats who like to drink at every level. Cleaning the motor requires disassembly using tools and extended soaking. Because of the long distance the water has to travel, evaporation caused the water to need to be refilled about every other day. Plastic also harbors bacteria, and previous plastic models I’ve owned have had mold issues. The basin is quite large and sits flat. Because of this, some debris would sit in the bottom and front of the large basin rather than moving back to the filter system behind. The plastic material and lack of ergonomic gravity design caused this fountain to be dirtier than others.
Whisker City Free Fall Cat Fountain for $30: This huge fountain is better suited for dogs—with a large 150-fluid-ounce bowl and a waterfall design. Although the basin has a small splash pad to help offset the waterfall noise, this was one of the loudest fountains I tested. The evaporation from the waterfall-like system also caused me to refill it every other day. Because of the structure of the fountain, my cats had to bend their head at an awkward angle. They tended to avoid drinking from the basin because of that, and their heads got slightly wet from the splatter of the waterfall. The basin is also not angled so crumbs and debris sit at the bottom of the bowl.
Petkit EverSweet Solo SE for $26: This very simple, straightforward fountain has a square-shaped body, is translucent to easily see water levels from he outside, and has a nearly silent 25-decibel cordless pump to circulate water from the basin to the top level, where 60 milliliters of water is always available for drinking, even in case of power failure. The basin sits on a base and all parts easily detach, making it easier to clean. This fountain doesn’t have multiple modes or an associated app—you’ll have to check water levels manually. I noticed this fountain wasn’t as cold as some of the others, and because of the design of the top, debris often pooled in the dipped areas, which made me clean it often.
I used each of these for a week as my cats’ main source of water. As mentioned, I noted the ease of setting up, evaluated parts and filters, and generally compared the various types of water fountains—spigot, bubbling, or waterfall. Some flows were continuous and some were intermittent (my cats didn’t prefer intermittent). Cats may also be intrigued and want to play with the machine rather than drink, so be sure to give them time and keep another water source around until they are fully adjusted to the new gadget.
Cats sometimes struggle to consume enough water, which can lead to potentially lethal UTIs and blockages in male cats especially. This is one of the reasons vets are moving more toward encouraging owners to give their cat at least a partially wet food diet, as this helps them consume more moisture, especially since cats don’t naturally consume as much water as dogs. Unlike dogs, cats are generally quite particular in their likes and dislikes, and cats can see stagnant water as potentially harmful. (If the cat was in the wild, stagnant water has more potential for harmful bacteria). Cats are more drawn to moving water in nature, and these fountains help encourage them to drink more by emulating what they’re naturally drawn to.
While automatic water fountains are better for your cats’ overall water consumption, they do require a bit more work and money. Rather than refilling a bowl, these take a little more elbow grease—but it’s worth it for your cat’s health. Along with routine refilling and cleaning, you’ll need to disassemble the fountain to clean all parts, including using a brush for the bowl and tubes. You may also have to disassemble the motor to deep-clean because of mineral buildup. These also have different types of filtration cartridges in specific shapes for the brand’s fountains, which require you to buy and change out filters, usually monthly but sometimes more often.
Let’s be honest, a lot of these fountains are pretty much the same. I looked especially for the overall design—I am a fiend for stainless steel because of the potential of porous plastic harboring harmful bacteria. I also favor a wide reservoir without high sides to help reduce the chance for whisker fatigue. I prefer fountains that have a small basin reservoir of water available at all times, in case of low water levels or power failure. I took into account ease of setting up, refilling, and cleaning, as well as overall design. And of course, there were some that my cats took to straight away, and some they didn’t seem to favor as much.
After prolonged testing, I now look for these three things and encourage you too as well: a cordless pump for easier (and safer) cleaning, constructed from stainless steel so it’s more hygienic, and a window to monitor water levels (especially if it’s not connected to an app).
Find out what to look for in scratching posts, cat trees, and condos to keep your cat happy and your furniture safe. Includes tips on styles, materials, placement, and multi-cat household needs.
Scratching is quintessential feline behavior. Satisfying this natural instinct means providing a selection of surfaces for your cat to scratch without resorting to your furniture. The ideal feline environment includes both horizontal and vertical surfaces, especially in a multi-cat household. Here’s what to consider for the best scratching posts and cat trees.
Check it out: A well-designed scratching “tree” set-up provides a great place for your kitty to comfortably view her world and, of course, perfect that feline manicure.
Buying a scratcher for your cat: what to look for
Scratching posts, cat trees, and condos are now available in many styles, configurations, and price points. Be sure to shop around before making a purchase, while keeping the following factors in mind:
Make sturdiness your priority when selecting a product. A scratching post or tree that wobbles or tips is sure to discourage – or even scare – your cat.
Think about where your cat likes to hang out and what types of surfaces she’s attracted to. Does she like to be out in the open with a view of her surroundings? Or does she like curl up in a cozy corner? There’s a scratcher to suit all feline preferences.
Pick something that’s the right height for your cat. The scratcher should be tall enough for your kitty to fully stretch out.
Look at the covering. Most scratchers feature a combination of sisal and carpeting. Make sure sisal is securely wrapped and glued — there’s a lot of torque in those claws! Choose carpeting with dense pile to maximize durability.
Check it out: More elaborate cat tree/condo configurations incorporate perches, hammocks and cubbies.
Scratchers with style: something for every décor
Manufacturers now design scratching posts, cat trees, and condos to match the décor preferences of cat parents. For example, a rustic scratcher made from recycled tree limbs suits a log home, but may clash with sleek, contemporary décor.
Whatever your style, there’s a scratcher to match it. Here are just some of the available options:
Realistic-looking “trees” with perches tucked inside
Vine-shaped posts with perches
Cactus and floral shaped designs
Scratchers that double as end tables, with cardboard sides dedicated for scratching.
Wall-mounted designs to enable secure feline surveillance; these are great for expanding territory in smaller, multi-cat homes.
Different-coloured carpet coverings to coordinate with your décor.
Scratching wraps that can be secured around vulnerable sofa arms and sides.
Check it out: Faux fur is another covering option but doesn’t offer the scratching satisfaction of carpeting, sisal, or cardboard.
Situating your scratcher: location is everything
Even if you only have one cat, place scratchers, cat trees, and condos in prime spots around your home. Avoid out-of-the-way corners. Cats like to survey their domain from secure locations that still enable them to interact with family members. It goes without saying that window locations are ideal!
Check it out: You can prevent boredom by rotating the scratchers in your home.
When it comes to the best scratching posts and cat trees, don’t be stingy. The more surfaces your cat has for scratching, the happier he’ll be — and the less likely to use your furniture!
Additional options: from cardboard to concrete
Cardboard scratchers: Don’t overlook these humble options They’ve come a long way from the original $10 pet store special. Many of today’s cardboard scratchers are nice and large and include both horizontal and vertical surfaces. You can prop them against a wall or offer them as a comfy lounge. Lace them with catnip for extra attraction!
Concrete pads: A more recent innovation, concrete pads are the indoor cat’s answer to lounging outside on a toasty sidewalk. Cats are attracted to concrete because its porous texture absorbs heat or offers coolness.
You might wonder how your cat can use concrete as a scratcher. Even though he can’t sink his claws into it, he can still sharpen them against the surface. It’s similar to how we use an emery board to file our nails.
Give your cat a variety of scratching surfaces
The scratchers in my own house include the following:
Simple sisal-wrapped pole, a little less than 3’ tall
Well-used sisal/carpet combo with a curved perch (the 45° carpeted section is “well loved”)
Tall sisal-wrapped pole topped with a large square carpeted perch
An almost 5’ cat tree with two curved carpeted perches, a cozy carpeted barrel (with lookout) and two vertical sisal support
Collection of cardboard scratchers.
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Sally E. Bahner specializes in cat-related issues, specifically nutrition, holistic care and behavior. She has offered her services as a feline behavior and care consultant and gives classes on cat care. Sally is the resident cat behavior expert on Tracie Hotchner’s Cat Chat radio program, and a member of the Cat Writers’ Association and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
Slippery elm is an herb that helps ease digestive issues in dogs and cats, including diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Get safe usage tips, dosing guidelines, and veterinary advice.
Digestive upsets in dogs and cats have many causes. If they’re persistent or recur often, it’s important to take your animal to the vet for a proper evaluation.For occasional short-term upsets, home remedies like slippery elm for dogs and cats can help relieve symptoms. Here’s what you should know about this herb and its benefits.
What is slippery elm?
The slippery elm tree is native to the northeastern US. Its inner bark contains a polysaccharide molecular complex called mucilage. This creates an anti-inflammatory response in the body. Humans have long used slippery elm to help treat GERD, stomach issues, constipation, diarrhea, and more. It is safe for dogs and cats as well as humans. You can use it in your animal’s diet as a way of holistically addressing certain digestive concerns.
Constipation and diarrhea
Slippery elm for is most often used for constipation and diarrhea in dogs and cats. These two conditions are common and can lead to chronic issues.
Acute diarrhea often occurs when the animal has eaten something he shouldn’t have. Veterinarian Dr. DiGrazia-Weigand recommends slippery elm to help calm the gut in cases of acute diarrhea. However, she warns: “Diarrhea should be addressed as soon as possible if there is blood in it, or if the animal has multiple uncontrollable bouts,” she warns. The same applies if your dog or cat’s diarrhea doesn’t go away or keeps recurring.
If your animal is experiencing constipation, the lubricating qualities of slippery elm can provide relief. It’s especially helpful for animals with chronic constipation, offering a holistic remedy without the need for stronger medications.
Vomiting
Slippery elm can help treat vomiting (depending on the cause) by calming gastrointestinal inflammation and soothing the stomach lining.
Additionally, if your cat is vomiting because of a hairball, slippery elm can help by providing additional lubrication.
Excessive vomiting in your dog or cat likely signals a more serious issue that requires prompt veterinary attention. Persistent vomiting can cause dehydration and weight loss if not addressed as soon as possible.
Digestive disease
Dogs and cats, like us, can suffer from many digestive diseases. Some are dangerous if ignored, so your vet should assess any chronic symptoms. Dogs and cats can experience any of the following, some of which are more serious than others:
“If these issues are left untreated, they can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, or damage to other organs,” warns Dr. DiGrazia-Weigand. “Chronic problems are often a sign of a more serious underlying disease. Slippery elm can’t treat all these issues — but it can help alleviate some intestinal discomfort in dogs and cats.”
Slippery elm is generally well tolerated by dogs and catsIts pleasant taste makes it easy to mix into food, even for picky animals. The easiest way to give it is as a powder combined with wet food. Don’t sprinkle it directly on food, as your animal might inhale it. If your dog or cat likes the taste, you could also mix slippery elm powder with a bit of water and let him take it that way.
Slippery elm is a mild remedy, but you still need to dose it properly and avoid giving your animal too much. “For dogs, I recommend ¼ teaspoon per 20 pounds twice daily (no more than 1 tablespoon max),” says Dr. DiGrazia-Weigand. “For cats, I recommend 1/8 teaspoon twice daily.”
As with any herb, talk to your integrative or holistic veterinarian before giving your dog or cat slippery elm. And make sure you find out what’s causing your animal’s digestive problems in the first place. In some cases, you can give slippery elm with other medications or treatments if your vet approves.
Slippery elm for dogs and cats offers a gentle, natural way to support digestive health and ease occasional issues like diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. While it’s not a cure-all, this soothing herb can be a helpful addition to your pet’s wellness routine when used correctly and under veterinary guidance.
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Slippery elm’s inner bark contains a polysaccharide molecular complex called mucilage.
“Slippery elm can’t treat all these issues — but it can help alleviate some intestinal discomfort in dogs and cats.”
A big part of my job as a pet tech writer is setting up automatic litter boxes and observing my cats, ahem, do their business. It’s not glamorous work, but someone’s gotta do it. After testing over a dozen, I’ve learned that not all are created equal.
I’ve been impressed with all of the automatic litter boxes that I’ve tested from Petkit, but the PuraMax 2 is the litter box that I recommend to most people. (For more Big Deal Days bargains, be sure to consult our guide to the Absolute Best Prime Day Deals for October 2025 and check in on our Prime Day liveblog, where we’re tracking deals and trends all event long.)
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Photograph: Petkit
It’s the fairest price point for the quality of all I’ve tested. Regularly $500, it’s $150 off right now, making it well below the price point of many comparable models, like the Litter-Robot 4, which is regularly $700.
I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but the PuraMax 2 actually smells good. This box has triple odor control, a sealed waste bin, an odor eliminator attachment that sits in the waste bin, and a citrusy deodorizing spray that goes off after every cleaning and randomly throughout the day to ensure the litter box stays fresh.
The design of the large, forward-facing hole feels familiar to most cats, and both of my cats (including my large 17-pound tabby) took to this litter box easily. When it’s time to refill, the box rotates and the hole faces up to make litter filling easy with no awkward bending or refilling with smaller containers.
When the cat enters the box, their weight is displayed on the front, and the app logs every time it was used, for how long, when the cleaning cycle begins, ends, and when the deodorizing spray was emitted. Owners can also change settings manually via the buttons on the front.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to dogs and cats. Understand the risks, how it develops, and practical steps to protect your animal’s health
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in dogs and cats is an urgent and growing concern. It threatens the effectiveness of treatments for common infections. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites resist drugs designed to kill them, making illnesses harder to treat and increasing the risk of complications.
Our dogs and cats can be affected just as humans are, especially if they have weakened immune systems or chronic conditions. Understanding how antimicrobial resistance develops — and how to help prevent it — is essential to protecting your dog or cat’s long-term health.
AMR over the past decade: where we stand today
Over ten years ago,I wrote an article in Animal Wellness about antimicrobial resistanceasan emerging global concern and healthcare challenge for all living beings (Apr-May 2014).Today, this problem has become a tragic reality. The World Health Organization lists AMR among the top ten global public health threats facing humanity – and by extension, our companion animals.
Widespread, prolonged use of antimicrobial agents (antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, pesticides, and parasiticides in humans, animals, and the environment) contributes to resistance. This overuse makes these drugs and chemicals less effective. Antibiotic use alone has increased by 65% globally between 2000 and 2015.
Why is antimicrobial resistance such a threat?
Resistant strains occur in many infectious organisms. Examples include MRSA in people, MRSP in animals, human and canine influenza viruses, pathogenic fungi, and parasites.
These AMR infections most often affect animals and people with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic debilitating diseases, cancer, or malnutrition. Chronic antibiotic use and inappropriate dosing or drug selection can cause resistant infections.
Pathogens resistant to multiple antimicrobials are termed multi-drug resistant (MDR) or “superbugs”. Biofilms facilitate MDR, making infection control more complex.
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that stick together and/or to the surface they’re on. They are embedded in an extracellular matrix of polymeric substances such as polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and DNA. A common example is the biofilm on teeth and gums associated with dental tartar and plaque.
When exposed to antimicrobials, microbes naturally select for the survival of those that have developed genes for resistance. They arise through induced genetic mutation, or horizontal gene transfer from other bacterial species. Therefore, resistant genes can quickly spread through an ecosystem of infectious.
Treating antimicrobial-resistant organisms often requires longer and more costly therapy, which can cause patients to suffer more and even die.
The evolution of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens
Background: setting the stage
Antibiotics have been used to treat and cure bacterial infections, and for other medicinal purposes, for over 70 years. However, unavoidable evolutionary infections from MDR bacteria are increasing around the world.
Researchers have rapidly developed new methods of fighting infections using synthetic biology and genomic studies of bacteria, plants, and marine invertebrates. These innovative and preventive approaches include bacteriophages, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. However, new regulations and controls may slow their implementation.
Contributing factors include the high expense of antibiotic research and growth. The accelerated evolution of AMR has resulted in lower investment returns for the pharmaceutical R & D industry. In fact, several pharmaceutical companies have already stopped researching and developing new antibiotics.
Current status: drug-resistant infections still rising
Despite these ongoing efforts, drug-resistant infections contributed to an estimated 4.95 million human deaths worldwide in 2019, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Without global action, experts predict AMR could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050, with rising losses among dogs and cats as well.
The intestine is the largest peripheral lymphoid organ in all species and contains a vast number of gut microbiota. How it relates to our immune system development and function is critical for understanding health and disease.
Immune cell differentiation determines their role in basic immunology and in systemic diseases such as cancer, cardiometabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions. The gut microbiota thus become responsible for releasing microbial metabolites as their messengers.
Growing and colonizing microbes also hamper surgical procedures, especially of the bones and joints. Osteosynthesis implants are common in human and veterinary medicine, but post-operative infections remain frequent. These infections can delay healing, cause osteomyelitis, loosen implants, and lead to loss of function.
Future directions: where do we go from here?
Clinical trials aim to bring new medicines to patients, but they are costly and slow. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) over the last two decades is helping speed and improve the process. The methodology used in these trials has improved both the economics and diversity of the trial cohort populations studied.
Most experts agree the first randomized controlled clinical trial to test the effects of the antibiotic streptomycin for treating pulmonary tuberculosis in people took place in 1946 in the U.K. But, despite changes and improvements to the trial processes since then, including more appropriate informed consent procedures, they did not change significantly until the late 1990s.
In addition, several things still need to happen before the use of AI in clinical trials becomes more widespread, accessible, and accepted. Regulators such as the US FDA and those of other countries also need to keep abreast of and adapt to the rapid changes in this technology.
Similarly, drug development has become more efficient and productive. Advances in genetics and genomics now allow doctors to individualize medicine, predict illness, and prevent disease, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
However, even 30 years after the Haemophilus influenzae bacterium was sequenced, and 25 years after the fruit fly, human, and rodent genomes were unraveled, scientists still don’t fully understand how our genetic code has produced over nine billion unique human individuals.
According to Dr. J. Craig Venter, who with colleagues sequenced the human genome, began the Human Genome Project, and founded Celera Genomics, the slow progress at combatting AMR can be attributed to three factors:
Short read sequencing technology. Results generate a genetic sequence that doesn’t exist in nature, which obscures and complicates interpretation of any variants that evolve.
Missing heritability. Common genome-wide association studies identify and explain only about 10% to 50% of the total heritability involved, depending upon the trait.
Lack of phenotype data. Much genetic data is misleading or incorrect because it lacks matching detailed phenotype (observable characteristics) information.
While overcoming antimicrobial resistance still seems a long way off, there are things you can do to help protect your dog or cat (and yourself). An alternative approach to health and well-being that supports and boosts his immune system will help him avoid illness and infection — and provide natural treatment options if he does get sick.
How to protect your dog or cat from AMR
While the increase of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens is alarming, there are steps you can take to help protect your dog or cat and keep him as healthy as possible:
A nutritious species-appropriate, high-quality diet made with whole food ingredients is the first and most important step. Feed your dog or cat the healthiest diet you can afford and look for products that are cleanly raised and free of antibiotics.
A variety of supplements and alternative therapies can support and boost your dog or cat’s immune system:
Manuka honey can help treat antibiotic-resistant skin infections, including MRSA and MRSP.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g. ALA, EPA, DHA) from fatty fish, flaxseed, hemp, etc. have anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties.
Probiotics such as Enterococcus, Bacillus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus support natural gut flora, leading to a healthy GI tract and enhancing nutrient absorption.
Oil of oregano boosts the immune system and treats infection. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help both prevent and treat bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections.
Green or black tea made into a poultice is excellent for small, localized skin irritations or infections. Tea’s tannins and polyphenols are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Make the tea, then let the bag cool and use as a poultice, leaving it on for five to seven minutes.
Consult with a holistic or integrative veterinarian for guidance before giving new supplements to your animal.
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Dr. Jean Dodds received her veterinary degree in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. In 1986, she established Hemopet, the first non-profit national blood bank program for animals. Today, Hemopet also runs Hemolife, an international veterinary specialty diagnostics service. Dr. Dodds has been a member of many committees on hematology, animal models of human disease and veterinary medicine. She received the Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the AHVMA in 1994, has served two terms on the AHVMA’s Board of Directors, chairs their Communications Committee, and currently serves on the Board of the AHVMF, as well as its Research Grant and Editorial Committees.
Like dogs, some cats develop separation anxiety — especially those deeply bonded with their humans. Learn the signs, causes, and how to help your cat feel calm and secure when left alone.
We most often associate separation anxiety with dogs. But can cats suffer from separation anxiety too? The answer is yes, and it’s especially true for kitties who have a very strong bond with their humans. Separation anxiety can also occur in catswho have never spent time alone for long periods.
If you recognize the signs of separation anxiety and know how to respond, you can help your cat feel more secure. This is especially important if you’re away from home for extended periods.
What is feline separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a behavioral condition in which a cat experiences significant distress when her person leaves her alone or goes away. This anxiety can manifest as behavioral changes, destructive habits, and even physical symptoms.
“Unfortunately, there have been very few studies on separation anxiety in cats, so there is a lot we don’t know,” says cat expert Mikel Delgado, PhD.
Fast fact: Other changes in a cat’s routine — like a new baby, a move, or loud noises — can cause anxiety. But separation anxiety comes from the absence of a bonded human companion.
Cats who develop this condition often follow their guardians from room to room, become distressed when their person prepares to leave, and show exuberant or clingy behavior when they return.
Signs of separation anxiety in cats
Cats are subtle communicators, so it’s easy to miss the signs of separation anxiety or confuse them with other issues. Watch for the following behaviors, which tend to occur when the cat is alone or anticipating separation:
Increased or unusual vocalization
Eliminating outside the litter box
Destructive behavior, such as scratching surfaces the cat normally leaves alone
Excessive grooming
Overeating or refusing to eat
Pacing or restlessness
Overly clingy behavior
Why do some cats develop separation anxiety?
There is no one reason why some cats experience separation anxiety, but there may be several contributing factors.
A 2002 study found that about 50% of cats showing signs of separation anxiety lived in single cat households. “This suggests the attachment to the caregiver is probably not related to the presence of other cats,” says Dr. Delgado.
Fast fact: The same study did find that in single cat households, females were more likely than males to show signs of separation anxiety.
Other factors that may contribute to separation anxiety include being orphaned or weaned too early, and past trauma.
How to help a cat with separation anxiety
With time, patience and consistency, you can manage separation anxiety in cats. Most cats can learn to cope with being alone and stay calm.
Consider the following steps:
Provide safe spaces for your cat. For some, that may mean vertical space such as a cat tree or condo to retreat to; for others, it may mean cave-like beds or hiding places.
Provide background noise while you’re away. Studies show classical music can calm cats. You can also find music specifically composed to ease feline anxiety.
Create a consistent routine for your cat.
Gradually desensitize your cat to being left for longer periods of time.
Make sure your cat has easy access to comfort objects, such as a blanket or piece of clothing carrying your scent.
Fast fact: Feline pheromone plug-ins often ease anxiety.
“Cats with separation anxiety may benefit from a pet sitter doing midday visits, especially if the caregiver works long hours,” suggests Dr. Delgado. “Although cats have a reputation for being ‘low maintenance,’ they do need attention and things to do, and don’t do well when left alone for hours and hours.”
Some cats will suffer from separation anxiety. But with compassionate care, a supportive environment, and professional guidance, you can teach your kitty to stay calm and content when alone.
Diagnosing feline separation anxiety
If your cat’s behavior changes — especially if it’s sudden — take her to the vet for a checkup. He or she can rule out potential medical causes. Urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal issues, hyperthyroidism, dementia, and skin conditions can all cause stress-related behaviors.
After ruling out medical issues, your vet may diagnose separation anxiety based on your cat’s behavior history. If you have a webcam, you can use video footage to document signs of separation anxiety in your cat while you’re away.
“Since separation anxiety is defined by what the cat does in the caregiver’s absence, I always start with webcam footage of how the cat behaves when the human is gone,” says Dr. Delgado.
When to seek professional help for your cat’s separation anxiety
If separation anxiety affects your cat’s quality of life — or yours — talk to a feline behaviorist or a vet with expertise in behavior. “Cats with severe anxiety may need behavior medication, which is another good reason to go to the veterinarian if your cat is showing signs of separation anxiety,” says Dr. Delgado.
Alternative therapies such as flower essences, or calming herbs like ashwagandha, chamomile or CBD, may also help. Consult an integrative or holistic vet before giving your cat any herbs.
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Ingrid King is a former veterinary hospital manager and author of five cat books, including Buckley’s Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher, and Tortitude: The BIG Book of Cats With a BIG Attitude. Ingrid writes for magazines and websites around the world. She is the founder of Purrs of Wisdom with Ingrid King, where she writes about all things feline .For more information about Ingrid, please visit www.IngridKing.com.
Bowling Green, Ohio — To show power and dominance, a lot of colleges use real animals as mascots to fire up the crowd at football games.
Bowling Green State University in Ohio is no exception, only their warrior guide is more Fancy Feast than terrible beast.
Pudge, Bowling Green’s 3-year-old Persian cat, attends every home game. His mere presence is like catnip for their dogged fans. Bowling Green’s football players say Pudge has become a phenomenon.
“There’s thousands of people there just to see a cat,” one player told CBS News.
Pudge, a 3-year-old Persian cat, and the new mascot for the Bowling Green State University football team in Bowling Green, Ohio. October 2025.
CBS News
Pudge is owned by George Carlson, who also happens to be the team’s long snapper.
“People love him, and I guess I can’t blame them, because I love him too,” Carlson told CBS News of Pudge.
Carlson first brought Pudge to the locker room earlier this season. At the time, he says the team’s morale was low because it had been hit by the injury bug, and so he thought what they needed was a cat.
Carlson had seen Pudge work miracles before, in his own life.
“I mean for me he played a really big role,” Carlson said.
Last year, Carlson lost his mother, Cristen, to ovarian cancer.
“It was very tough for me — especially living in a single apartment,” Carlson said. “I could get really down. You’d spiral really easily. But the thing is, I could come home to this cat, whose just funny looking, he’s slightly odd…It helped a lot. I just think the whole process would have been harder without him.”
And it was that belief, in the healing power of the purr, that brought Pudge to the team and now to his legion of fans.
Fans at a Bowling Green State University football game in Bowling Green, Ohio. September 2025.
CBS News
Home game attendance is up almost 60% this year, according to the school, the largest increase for any NCAA Division I football team in the country.
It’s no doubt due, in part, to the long snapper, and the long napper, who have given everyone in this community reason to cheer.
Steve Hartman is a CBS News correspondent. He brings viewers moving stories from the unique people he meets in his weekly award-winning feature segment “On the Road.”
In its preliminary report, State Auditor Dave Boliek’s staff said CATS armed security staff shrunk in recent years despite increased spending on security. The auditor’s office also questioned the transit authority’s use of diversity rules in its hiring process for its private security firm.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles pushed back on the report’s findings in a response letter included in the report. She stood by the city’s contracting practices and security firm.
Tuesday’s report notes the auditor’s office “will release a final report after conducting a full review.”
NC auditor’s preliminary CATS report
The preliminary report says CATS’ number of armed security personnel fell from between 68 and 88 in 2018 to 39 this year. The agency’s security spending increased from $5.9 million in 2022 to $18.4 million in 2025, the report states.
The report also questioned Charlotte’s efforts to increase contractor diversity during the CATS security firm selection. Republicans at the state and federal level have taken aim at diversity and inclusion practices related to hiring in recent months.
The audit says the city’s request for proposals from security firms in 2022 “was ‘targeted only’ to businesses that were registered and certified” with its inclusion program, which aims to get more women- and minority-owned businesses involved in city contracting.
That contract ultimately went to Professional Security Services out of eight applicants, the audit said.
“The safety of the citizens of Charlotte needs to be first and foremost when security decisions are being made. Our report shows there has been a clear shift away from armed security in the CATS’s private security contracts,” Boliek said in a statement on the preliminary report. “Further, limiting any part of a contract providing citizens with security to only firms that meet a DEI checkbox raises questions as to whether politics has taken priority over public safety. As we continue our investigation, we will be examining the decisions that went into designing, soliciting, and approving these security contracts.”
Charlotte responds to CATS audit
In a response letter included in Tuesday’s report, Lyles stood by the hiring of PSS, saying the firm “was chosen following a competitive process” and noting that President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign contracted with the company for event security.
“The report appears to suggest that PSS is not qualified but fails to offer specific evidence to support this conclusion,” she wrote, adding “PSS has met contract requirements and continues to provide satisfactory services.”
The mayor said the city adhered to its policies for awarding contracts and that CATS has increased security personnel overall, with unarmed security personnel “assisted, as needed, by armed security.” She also said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department increased the prescence of police along the Blue Line.
In her letter, Lyles also questioned the auditor’s office timeline for its report.
She said the city met an initial deadline to answer questions and was then given less than 24 hours to respond to follow-up questions. Lyles said the auditor’s office sent a copy of the report to the city Friday afternoon and said it planned to release the report Monday. Boliek’s staff then sent an updated report Monday afternoon and said it would be released publicly Tuesday, Lyles said.
Lyles wrote she “would respectfully request” the auditor’s office “provide reasonable deadlines for city responses and clarify the process moving forward.”
CATS said in an additional statement it “is working to meet the needs of our community,” citing increased overall security staffing, CMPD presence and fare enforcement.
Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones and interim CATS CEO Brent Cagle previously announced a news conference about CATS security would happen Wednesday. After the auditor’s report was releasede, the news conference was moved to Friday.
Other investigations into CATS after stabbing
In addition to the state auditor’s investigation, multiple other agencies are looking into CATS following the light rail stabbing.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Transit Administration would examine CATS’ safety plans, security spending and any risks to operators and customers. He also said the FTA could withhold federal money from Charlotte depending on its findings.
FBI Director Kash Patel also said on social media after security footage of the stabbing went viral the agency had “been investigating the Charlotte train murder from day one.”
This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM.
Mary Ramsey is the local government accountability reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she studied journalism at the University of South Carolina and has also worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Louisville, Kentucky. Support my work with a digital subscription
