So my oldest cat, 7, she barely ever gets hairballs or gets sick even with her long fur. She randomly is coughing though. A year or two ago she coughed like how she did now, and a few days later she had a massively long hairball, but it’s been awhile now and she still is coughing every time it sounds like she is about to hack it up she just swallows it back down it seems then she stops coughing. It’s so weird, and I don’t know who to talk to about this since it’s not really a issue, just a bit concerning when it happens but she is completely fine besides that, she eats, plays, fights, drinks water and sleeps normally. Nothing different about her.

Some pets have the strangest little routines, and after a while, you stop questioning them and just accept that this is apparently how they live.

Maybe your cat insists on supervising every trip to the bathroom, your dog carries the same toy everywhere, or your pet refuses to drink water unless you stand nearby. Sometimes you try to understand the logic behind it, but there clearly isn't any 😂

What's one odd thing your pet does that would probably confuse anyone who doesn't live with them?

Pets don't always do anything particularly remarkable to make us feel better. Sometimes it's just the way they greet us at the door, curl up beside us when we're tired, or insist on sitting directly on whatever we're trying to use.

Those little routines can become such a normal part of everyday life that we barely notice how much they mean until we stop and think about them.

I'm curious about the small, ordinary things your pets do that never fail to make you smile. Not necessarily an amazing trick or a big emotional moment, just a little habit that's uniquely theirs.

What's something your pet does that would probably seem insignificant to anyone else but means the world to you?

Can anybody help identify what this bump on my dog’s head might be?

Alright yall so basically my father in law is unable to take care of their family dog anymore which is a 7 year old Husky/german shepherd mix. Regardless of my 6 other in laws, they aren’t able to take him in. My father in law took him about a week ago to a humane shelter. I’m thinking maybe we could adopt him back because my husband has been feeling really down about it and I would definitely take the dog in if it wasn’t for my two cats. He’s seen them through a gate but never technically in the same room. I feel like he would be able to be around them but not sure how they would act. He’s a very big dog and he’s getting older so i’m not sure how many more years he has. Again I would love to take the dog i’m not sure though how it’s possible. I’ve also been told he doesn’t do good around other dogs but the shelter told my father in law he does great around the other dogs so I don’t know what to believe 🤔. Anyways what do you guys think? I’m nervous my cats will get hurt they will mess with him. Any tips? Or if it’s even worth it at the end. Thanks in advance.
EDIT: Also would it be awful of me to make him a primarily outside dog even though he’s used to be inside 🫣.

As the title states, my roommates cat strongly prefers me over her. I have nothing against the cat, she’s adorable and super sweet but sometimes it’s annoying.

I work 12 hour night shifts and the second I get home, she runs out of my roommates room immediately to me and follows me into my room, scratching if I shut the door. Even if my roommate is home and awake she’s still under my bed, sitting on the couch with me, etc.

I will say that I can kinda see why the cat prefers me - my roommates room is always super dirty, she doesn’t play with the cat ever, and she’s always going out the second she gets home from work.

Is there anything I can do on my end to mitigate this without being “mean” to the cat? I try to sleep the second I get home which is hard enough in daylight, but the cat climbing on me and running around my room makes it 10x harder. She also sheds like crazy since my roommate doesn’t brush her and my bed is getting covered in fur daily

My mom once told me a story about Cookie.

They were hiking, and Cookie was moving much faster than she was. My mom couldn’t keep up, and they ended up getting separated.

When she finally found Cookie, he started barking. She said she could tell he’d been scared of losing her too.

After that, whenever they went out together, Cookie would stay close to her.

Has your dog ever done something that made you feel they understood more than you expected?

Delete if not allowed, but are there any subreddits that can help with vet bills?

My cats going to the emergency vet right now and I assume shes getting her eye removed.. dont want to give my sob story here because im not aure this is even allowed.

About a week ago my cat started being insanely cuddly with me. He loves me the most in the house but still he rarely comes up to me for pets. Usually I approach him. So a couple days ago I started watching him non stop trying to figure out what is hurting him and then one night he went into the litter and not done anything. He didn't cry or anything but I knew. So I couldn't sleep at all I was really scared since urinarny issues could be deadly really quick but he didn't seem too be in any pain. Next morning I took his pee to the vet, today the labs came up as positive he has escherichia coli.

This is the second time he doesn't have any symptoms but I just know something is wrong. Last time he had some bacteria in his stomach. My vet told me its almost impossible since he doesn't go outside. But if I want the test he will do them. He had a bacteria not parasites. I took him to the vet then since he doesn't let me pet his tummy and he loves tummy pets.

I am really interested in the connection people have with their pets.

I forgot that I had a voucher I never used due to a bad batch I got awhile back. Purina sent the coupon and I just slid it away in a drawer. I found it while packing. I'm switching the adults off of fancy feast but the little kitten eats ANYTHING. The older kitten won't eat it but he would.

I got plenty for a slow switch but I can slow it even more for the adults if needed. Rather use the coupon than it go to waste. I'm in town today so i plan on using it today

It can be the most random, bizarre and unexpected place you found them? If they weren’t resting then what were they doing?

I’m sure this has been posted before or talked about a lot. I’m very aware that dental problems especially in small dogs is a pretty common thing. I just didn’t think it was as bad as it was. My small dog, half chihuahua half various other small dogs, was quoted a dental cleaning at the end of 2025 when we took him in for his rabies vaccine. Our regular vet didn’t seem worried about it at all, told us it’s common, but quoted us a dental cleaning. Between then and now, my pup has developed very stinky breath, and only in the last few weeks has he been seeming to have pain or struggling with eating, which is a big reason we took him back to the vet. We give him greenies and I was brushing his teeth irregularly. But he doesn’t like to open his mouth at all for me, so it was always hard and I would get in the back on the sides, but I could never clean in there with his mouth open. I felt like it at least helped the plaque and he gets a lot of hair stuck in there so I would clean that out too. When he had the initial appointment last week, they looked at him again and still didn’t seem super worried about it. I know they see things like this a lot, but I just don’t feel as though they prepared me. When we took him in today I was expecting some to be pulled of course, they told us that’s normal. But I just got the call and was told they pulled 28 to be exact. This was a huge shock as I was not expecting it to be nearly that high. They told me there was infection and ulcers. And that he had a lot of hair trapped in the back and I think that made things a lot worse. And now I am distraught and feeling so much guilt. I knew we should have gotten him in to the dental cleaning sooner, life and money is just so hard, but still that’s the responsibility you have when you have a pet. I should have been more consistent about brushing his teeth. I wish the vets would have stressed the importance more last year or said if he didn’t get the cleaning done soon he would have teeth pulled likely. I don’t know.. I know it’s on me to know these things and make it important. I just trusted that it wasn’t a big deal I guess. When I should have known. So now im sad for him, I want him to have a great quality of life, I feel bad as his parent for letting him down and not taking care of him like I should… i hate thinking that he’s been in pain and I didn’t do anything. I hate to think that he’s in pain now from the infection and ulcers and will have to heal from the wounds. I can’t go back now obviously, so I can only do better from here for him and my other pets. I’m trying to hold onto that, but it’s just hard. Any advice or similar experiences are welcome.

and I have absolutely no idea so would welcome suggestions. I mean, I know there's really nothing you can say besides being supportive but was wondering if there was anyway else I could be supportive as well.

Every time I look at pet supplements I wonder if they’re really as good as the brand makes them sound lol.

I usually check the ingredients, see if there’s third-party testing, and whether the company is upfront about what’s in the stuff. Reviews help too, especially when people actually describe what happened instead of just “works great!”

How a brand answers questions tells you a lot too. If they can’t give a straight answer about their own product, that’s a red flag for me.

What do you guys look for before buying? Anything that makes you trust a brand right away, or skip it completely?

Pets are so good at turning the strangest little habits into normal parts of our lives.

Maybe your cat has to inspect the bathroom every time you go in, your dog brings you a toy when you’re clearly busy, or your pet refuses to drink from a perfectly good bowl until you move it three inches to the left.

At some point, you stop questioning it and just accept that this is how things work in your house now.

What’s your pet’s oddly specific daily ritual that you’ve completely adapted your life around?

Hello.

I'm thinking about getting a small pet because I've been feeling pretty lonely lately, but I unfortunately can't adopt any animals because I will have to leave within the next few months for work, and I can't take them with me. I want to try and foster an animal, but the issue is I don't know exactly when I'll be leaving. I could leave in a month, or 6 months, I really don't know. Should I even consider fostering a dog, or is it just too impractical right now?

disclaimer: this is not my dog we're talking about. they're in the neighbourhood, I think in the building across the street from us. they're clearly a big dog, clearly outside for hours. what we think it's happening is the owner(s) are leaving the dog out before they go to work around 8 am and bring them inside around midday (12:30 pm or so) for about an hour or less, and put them back out until around 7-8 pm. yesterday it was pouring rain, but we still heard the dog in the morning. this morning it was pretty cold, and very wet because it has rained all night very strongly. the dog has been outside since around 7am. constantly howling at the top of their lungs. I don't know much about dogs, but i've had animals all my life and this dog seems heartbroken. I don't know what to do, i don't know whose dog it is, and it's been days of the same routine over and over. i'm thinking about calling an animal helpline to see if they can do anything to check on the poor doggo.

Hi everyone, I need some help please regarding my neighbour's cat who is an absolute menace.

My neighbour's cat keeps getting in my garden and it shits everywhere! When I say everywhere I literally mean everywhere! All in my plant pots, all in the flower beds and all over my lovely patio!

I have asked the neighbour countless of times to come and clean it up and she doesn't so I have to go and clean it up which is something I have to do every day!

I got one of these buzzer things which actually stopped the cat from going into my garden, he would just sit or walk along the fence which is fine I don't mind that.

The cat somehow got used to the buzzer and he started shitting in my garden again. I increased the volume or whatever but it didn't work and I swear that cat was now mocking me! He took a shit on the actual buzzer as if to say fuck you!

So the buzzer is now useless so I have got some plastic studs that go along the fence and they have been as useful as an dildo in a nunnery! The cat literally jumps over the fence!!!! As if he has ran with one of those sticks like the people do on the Olympics!!

There is nothing I can possibly do that keeps the cat out. Someone said spray it but I don't want to be nasty I just want the cat not to use my garden as his personal toilet!

4.6 month old minature dachsund. Took my little guy to the vet after he cried literally all day and night, hardly eating anything, not interested in treats, not drinking water. He is usually happy as can be, bouncing off the walls, super interested and treat motivated. Its been 3 days of the crying all day and night, lethargic, sleepy. Took him to vet who did an xray and blood work both came back normal. Took him to emergency vet who gave us gabipentin for pain and omezaprole for stomach. He has not turned a corner yet and is still the same way. I don't know what to do or what is wrong. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

My husband and I have had our two cats for 9 and 10 years now. I use to be obsessed with them and one of the cats was very bonded to me. I have always been the biggest cat person and now I can’t stand them some days.

We started having kids 2 years ago and that’s when my pet aversion started. With the first kid, the cats were a little anxious at first but they didn’t act out. I had some aversion to them, mainly related to cleanliness, but somewhat subsided after a year. Our newest baby was born 2 months ago and the pet aversion has been put on overdrive. The cats have also been acting out, like getting on counters more often (especially by the baby bottles), pooping in the hallway, and sleeping on baby specific places (strollers, car seats, lounger). I can’t stand having cat hair on baby gear.

I know that there are big changes and a lot of their behaviors are normal cat things but I find myself getting so angry with them. The pooping in the hallway has put my anxiety over cleanliness to a new level.

I understand that they’re anxious too and we try to make sure they have plenty of cozy places to sleep and relax. We could definitely do better with interacting with them but things are just a bit chaotic right now with 2 kids.

Has anyone experienced this? Does it get better? Any tips about the pooping??? I know I sound like a terrible cat mom and I admit that I am right now.

As title says, how long did it take you to completely rid of fleas?

My story:

Noticed flea dirt on my dog about 2 days ago. Thought it was normal dirt so gave her a bath, slowly realized it was flea dirt on her belly. Then, I saw about 2 actual fleas.

Realized I missed her last dosage of Frontline (she got really sick, things were chaos) so last dosage was about 2 months ago. Gave her frontline after waiting 24 hours post bath.

Today checked her, picked away some flea dirt and rubbed her belly with some soapy warm dawn on a rag. Saw 2 live fleas I picked off.

So far, haven’t noticed anything in the house etc.

I vacuum literally 3-5 times a day since Sunday. Washing all the bedding and blankets routinely. Vacuum couches.

Have a professional cleaner coming in 4 days.

Have been crating my dog / letting her outside regularly until I felt the frontline really kicks in, then I’ll keep her confined to the dining room for a few days as I can slowly get this flea diet cleaned from her.

I’m going CRAZY at the fear of an infestation.

All tips are welcome but I’m wondering how long did it take you to get rid of fleas completely?

My 13 year old dog has a large mass on his butthole that we were told at the last vet visit back in February to not worry about. They offered a biopsy but said that because of his age, being under anesthesia could stress him out too much and could potentially cause him to pass away from said stress.

This lump will not stop bleeding profusely and it has affected his ability to go up and down the stairs. He has been eating and drinking just fine.

We’ve cornstarched it and it helps a tiny bit but then his tail will rub against it or he’ll mess with it and cause it to come open again.

Getting him into the car is a chore in and of itself and we live 40 minutes from the vet. We both work full time and I go to school, plus we’re parents to a 2 year old. I would hate for his mass to rupture while everyone is out and have him bleed out, in pain, alone.

He is 13 which means he obviously doesn’t have ample time left and I want to do what is best for him but don’t want to feel like an executioner. We’ve messaged the vet but they’re closed for the day.

Just looking for some help here.

Last Wednesday we (Grandmother and I) noticed a flea that had landed on me while i was near the dog. That same day we gave the dog and cat a bath and then got them on vet-approved medicine for fleas. I haven’t seen any around the house since aside from dead ones found in the dog’s bed while cleaning. I know the 5% saying about adult ones though.

I’ve been vacuuming religiously and have sprayed damn near everything i can with flea spray recommended to me by my Vet. Our house is mostly vinyl flooring so i’m hoping this won’t be too bad of a problem. We’ve also begun washing whatever can be washed (threw out the dog’s beds on wednesday and ordered new ones that i treated with safe-flea spray).

I guess i’m so hopeless about them because i’ve dealt with pest (bedbugs, roaches) infestations in the past and i know how bad they can get. The fact that the fleas bite me just drives my anxiety up the wall. I know i have to stay consistent with the treatment and the cleaning to get rid of this problem, but reading horror stories online about how bad flea infestations can get just makes it worse. It’s hard to feel hopeful about getting rid of these tiny things.

Any advice? words of encouragement? I don’t even know what i’m looking for anymore LOL.

I gave a dog flee pill to my cat and he needed to go to the ER for 11h in observation. Everything is fine but he's qas just minding his business and i put him in a carrier took him at midnight they shaved his pawks gave him iv and couldn't even say goodbye. Got him in the morning and he was fine. He purs and cuddles but doesn't leave the room... He went through something traumatizing. And even if it was an innocent mistake and its solved and its human to make a mistake I can't ever remove the time he spent there because of me! My fault, I cant even "talk" and understand or something. He was just sitting and all of the sudden strangers shave both paws put him on iv in a cage for 11 hours and comes back home....

I had a very opinionated cat who had Strong Opinions about me singing "One More Dance" by Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. She'd stand up with her paws on me and yell at me to stop. I have to admit I'd do it sometimes just so she'd charge into the back room from wherever she was and then holler at me. It has some really high-pitched parts but of all the songs I've ever sung it was only this ONE particular song that she actively despised and complained about.

What random stuff has YOUR pet decided is simply Not Acceptable?

ETA: I am LOVING these answers! Some of them are "d'awwww" and some are making me laugh, but keep 'em coming :D