The Pawfessors blog

Lecture notes for new puppy and kitten owners

Short, sourced answers to the questions new owners actually search for. Every article comes straight out of one of our illustrated guides.

• Does a cat’s purr really heal bones? (And why she purrs at 6 a.m.)The “healing frequency” claim traces back to one conference abstract. What purring really means, and the cry hidden in the 6 a.m. purr.
• Why does my cat knead? (And what to do when the claws come out)A nursing instinct that grows up into comfort and nest-making. Why the claws come out, and two easy fixes.
• What does a wagging tail really mean? Dog body language, decodedA wag is a signal, not a “happy” switch. What height, speed and even direction can tell you.
• New puppy checklist: what to buy and what to do in week oneYou need less than you think, and the first day should be quieter than you think. Here’s the short shopping list, a realistic first-day timeline and the week-one jobs, all from our DOG 101 guide.
• Your kitten’s first night: what to expect (and why she’s hiding)Your new kitten is hiding under the bed. Good. Here’s why one small room beats the whole house, what to put in it, and what the first week really looks like, from our CAT 101 guide.
• Puppy toilet training timeline: what’s realistic (and what isn’t)How long does toilet training take? Honestly: there’s no fixed timetable. Here’s what the AKC and the ASPCA actually say, the signs to watch for, and a routine that works, from our DOG 101 guide.
• Bringing a rescue cat home: the first two weeksAdopting from a rescue? The first two weeks are about space, patience and paperwork. Here’s the plan, drawn from our CAT 101 guide.
• Why does my cat knock things off tables? (It isn’t spite)It feels personal. It isn’t. What vets say is really going on, why your reaction keeps it going and what to give her instead.
• How to start clicker training a cat (it’s easier than you think)A clicker, a chopstick and tiny treats are enough. Charge the clicker, teach targeting, then sit and high-five.
• Puppy biting everything? Teething, mouthing and what to doWhy puppies mouth everything, when the worst usually fades, three redirects and when to call your vet.

General information, not veterinary advice. For anything medical, call your vet.