A person in a gray long-sleeved shirt is sitting indoors, gently holding and petting the face of a white and tabby cat. The cat is sitting on the person's lap with its eyes closed in contentment. Beside the cat sits a small, light brown dog with floppy ears, calmly looking toward the cat. Sunlight is streaming in from a window on the left, illuminating the person's hands and the animals in a softly blurred, cozy room.

THE JOURNAL

Pet Care

Practical pet care guidance.

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A tan and white dog rests calmly inside an open wire crate with soft bedding in a sunlit living room.
Pet CareOct 18, 2026

How to Crate Train a Dog

Crate training works best when the crate is introduced gradually as a calm, rewarding retreat—using treats and meals, closing the door only for brief periods while the dog stays relaxed, and never using the crate as punishment. Owners should maintain regular exercise and potty breaks and treat signs of real distress, such as panic, drooling, or escape attempts, as reasons to slow down rather than push forward. If anxiety persists or a dog's behavior suddenly changes, veterinary or behavioral professional help is advised.

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Young Ragdoll kitten sitting alert beside a clean litter box in a sunlit home
Pet CareOct 18, 2026

Why Does My Ragdoll Kitten Have Soft Poop?

A single soft stool in a bright, eating Ragdoll kitten is usually not an emergency, but repeated soft or watery stools in a young kitten should be checked by a veterinarian because kittens can dehydrate quickly. Common causes include diet changes, parasites, and overfeeding, and being a Ragdoll does not by itself explain the problem.

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A gray tabby cat crouches low and hides beneath a sofa, ears back, watching a second cat blurred in the doorway.
Pet CareOct 14, 2026

Why Does My Cat Always Want to Fight My Other Cat?

If one cat consistently chases or corners the other while the other hides or freezes, treat it as intercat aggression rather than play, separate them safely, and check for hidden injuries or stress. Reduce conflict by giving each cat separate resources, more litter boxes, and gradual reintroduction, and seek veterinary help for wounds, sudden aggression, or severe stress.

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A dog sits on a bath mat next to a bottle of shampoo and a folded towel in a bright bathroom.
Pet CareOct 12, 2026

Which Dog Shampoo Should I Use?

Choosing the right dog shampoo means matching the formula to your dog's specific issue—itching, odor, shedding, coat type, or puppy needs—since the "best" product isn't the highest-rated or best-smelling one. Look for proven active ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, chlorhexidine, or ketoconazole, avoid potentially irritating additives such as dyes, heavy fragrances, and essential oils, and never use human shampoo, which is formulated for a more acidic skin pH than dogs'. Persistent itching, odor, or other symptoms usually point to an underlying medical problem, so see a veterinarian rather than relying on shampoo alone.

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Small curly-haired white dog resting on a pale wood floor beside a grooming brush in soft window light
Pet CareOct 10, 2026

Which Small Dogs Don't Shed?

While breeds like Poodles, Bichon Frises, Maltese, and Shih Tzus shed less than most dogs, low shedding doesn't mean hypoallergenic or hair-free, since all dogs produce allergy-triggering proteins in dander, saliva, and urine. These breeds typically demand more grooming, and owners should weigh temperament, exercise needs, health risks, and costs rather than coat alone when choosing a small dog.

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A dog sitting on a wooden floor looking down at a pair of dog boots placed in front of it.
Pet CareOct 9, 2026

Should Dogs Wear Shoes?

Most healthy dogs don’t need shoes for everyday walks, but boots can help protect paws from dangerous surfaces like hot pavement, ice, salt, and rough terrain, or while a paw heals. If you use them, proper fit and gradual training are essential, since poorly fitted or rushed boots can cause discomfort or injury.

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