New research shows that chocolate Labrador retrievers are more likely to experience health problems and die younger compared to their black and yellow canine compatriots. A likely reason, say scientists, is a tightening genetic bottleneck caused by consumer demand.
If you’re a dog person who has suspected that your four-legged friend may know exactly what you mean when you use certain words or phrases—for example “toy,” or “car,” or maybe even “who’s the good boy?” (he is)—you may be correct.
One of the few bastions of purity left in this forsaken world—puppies—might be inadvertently spreading a bacterial superbug that causes diarrhea. Last week, the Centers for Disease and Prevention reported that an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni has sickened more than 100 people across 18 states in…
Dogs wear their hearts on their sleeves; cats—or at least some cats, some of the time—can spend years at your side without making it totally clear that they know, or care, who you are. An expression vaguely resembling contentment flits across their face and you think, triumphantly: see! My cat doesn’t despise me.
The United Kingdom is banning pet collars that deliver shocks or spray chemicals. The UK’s Environmental secretary Michael Gove announced on Monday that the country would bar “punitive” collars that “cause harm and suffering to our pets.”
A recent survey suggests that some people struggling with opioid addiction might be turning to a tragically desperate method to get more prescription painkillers: Hurting their own pets. And veterinarians themselves may be abusing opioids or helping to illegally sell them.
You just can’t trust a little dog.
Welcome back to Toy Aisle, io9's regular round up of the coolest toys we’ve seen on this here internet lately. This week: Comic-Con exclusive mania continues, Fantastic Beasts finds itself an extremely clever Lego set, and the best incarnation of the Justice League assembles on your toy shelf. Check it out!
On Amazon’s neverending quest to dominate every single retail category imaginable, the company has settled on its next frontier. According to Bloomberg, Amazon is getting into the pet business and is starting with its own line of dog food.
Across the country, more and more people are working from home as commute times continue to rise. But if you still have to physically drag yourself to the office, there are concrete actions you can take to improve your daily grind. Namely, the addition of a little dog that sings along to your favorite string quartet.
It drives dog owners nuts. You’re out for a pleasant stroll with your canine companion, and because some asshat didn’t pick up after their own pooch, a fresh, steamy turd is sitting right there on the sidewalk. Before you have time to react, you horrifyingly watch your supposed best friend pounce upon the poop,…
An emerging trend among pet owners is the practice of feeding dogs and cats raw meat. This idea is that we should put our domestic cats and dogs on diets that more closely approximate what they might eat in nature. New research from Europe shows the surprising degree to which germs and parasites can be found in…
The adorable and challengingly named Nederlandse Kooikerhondje and the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen are the first breeds to be added to the American Kennel Club roster since 2016.
Reptiles and amphibians are incredible creatures, but should we be keeping them as pets? A debate that’s been swirling in conservation and animal welfare circles was brought to the forefront recently, when a review paper and several responses called out some of the alarming realities of the exotic pet industry.
First released back in 1999, Sony’s robotic dog Aibo was so lifelike and animated that devoted owners are still doing everything they can to keep their aging pets alive, after Sony discontinued repair service on earlier models. But 18 years later, it might finally be time for them to say goodbye now that Sony has…
Dogs and cats are the best and I just can’t get enough of them. For months, my Facebook feed has been chock full of posts from every cat and dog-oriented page you could possibly dream up. It’s been a great way to pretend that the world isn’t burning down around us! There’s no better coping strategy for 2017 than…
Welcome back to another week of Toy Aisle, io9's collection of the most amazing Paul Reiser merchandise (and maybe other things) we’ve seen on the internet this week. We’ve got Black Panther and the Ultimate Spider-Man himself swinging into action, even more SDCC exclusives, and a very fancy Transformer.
Dogs are some of the most loving and affectionate pets you can own, but they do have one sworn enemy: vacuum cleaners. They’ll incessantly bark, or run and hide while you’re cleaning your floors. But one dog adapted to its owner’s Roomba wandering all over the house like it owns the place—it’s apparently learned how…
In March of 2014, Sony announced it would stop supporting its impressive line of AIBO robot dogs, leaving many owners heartbroken. Countless toy companies have tried to create similarly capable robot pets since AIBO’s demise, but they’ve all been a disappointment—until now. Despite being a Star Wars toy, Spin…
Last year Hasbro wowed, and saddened us a little, with a new line of toys targeted at seniors in need of a companion, but without the need for all the mess that comes along with a pet. The first addition to its Joy For All line was a robotic cat, but it’s now being joined by a robotic golden retriever that any dog…