Category Archives: Pet Connection

Yes, cats groom themselves. So do they really need you to brush them? That’s what a reader asked; here’s my answer. Q: Why do I have to brush my cat? Don’t cats groom themselves? A: Cats do a great job of grooming themselves, but brushing has a lot of positives beyond helping cats stay clean. […]

A reader was looking for mild alternatives to canine-formula shampoos for her dog. Here’s what I had to say. Q: Is it OK to use Dawn dishwashing detergent to bathe my dog? What about baby shampoo? I want to use something mild. A: We turned to a couple of coat and skin experts to find […]

Whether cats “need” to be routinely bathed or not is an open question, but because a bath may be medically necessary at some point in their lives, every cat should be accustomed to bathing. Here’s how I explained it to a reader asking about her new kitten. Q: I just got a kitten, and she’s […]

Is there really a pet food that can reduce human allergies to cats? How would it work if there is? And is it available? That’s what a reader wanted to know; here’s my response. Q: I heard about a new food for cats that will reduce human allergies to them. Is that really available? A: […]

There’s a lot of confusion about how best to feed your cat. Here’s what I told a reader. Q: What are the best ingredients for cat foods? I’ve read different opinions, and I’m confused. All protein — or some grains? A: Good question. I asked cat nutrition expert Tony Buffington, DVM, to weigh in. Cats […]