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Mary Johnson

Mary Johnson

Former Contributor
Author/Co-Author of 282 articles

Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and Wikimotive. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing about true crime, science, and beauty.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

A mewing newborn kitten at the center of a cuddle pile

How to care for newborn kittens without feeling overwhelmed

Caring for newborn kittens is hard, which is why it's best left to Mama Cat. But here's how to help care for newborn kittens before they arrive.
Cat sitting and eating a treat

Clicker training for cats: A great way to teach them

Does clicker training even work on kittens? This is why you should try clicker training to get your cat to behave.
A woman in a brown sweater holding a sleeping black and white French bulldog puppy

Adopting a dog? 6 things no one tells you

From unexpected expenses to puppy proofing your home, here are some things to know before adopting a dog. 
A closeup shot of a one-eyed orange tabby cat.

How to take care of a blind cat: The tips and tricks to know

Here's what you need to know about how to care for a blind cat. Spoiler alert: It's not as difficult as it sounds.
Two kittens playing on a tile floor

Is your cat a boy or girl? Here’s how to tell

Is your cat an Alex or an Alexis? Here's how to tell if your new cat is a boy or a girl (and what health issues you should watch out for).
A striped gray tabby kitten lying on its back.

How to tell if your cat has fleas (and tips to get rid of them)

Not sure if your cat has fleas? This is how you can tell and what you should do if you find them.
A black and white cat sprawls out beside a blue litter box with a pile of litter on the floor

Why is my cat peeing everywhere? Find out the reason and how to fix it

There are reasons why your cat might be peeing everywhere. Take a look at the possibilities and find out what you can do about it.
Pug licks their lips and looks into the camera

5 signs of inbred dogs and why it’s a major problem

There are telltale signs of inbred dogs. Here's how to spot them and the tests that can help you out. Plus, the issues with inbred dogs.
An Australian shepherd playing outside in the snow

How cold is too cold for your dog? When you both need to stay inside

How cold is too cold dogs? These are the facts you should know about your dog being in the cold weather.
Close-up shot of a nervous Staffordshire terrier

How to stop your dog’s separation anxiety and leave the house stress free

Separation anxiety in dogs can be difficult to understand. Here are ways to break a dog's separation anxiety so you can finally leave the house.
A fluffy gray cat perches in a windowsill surrounded by autumnal decor

Can cats eat turkey? These are the Thanksgiving foods your cat can eat safely

Can cats eat turkey? Here are foods that are safe to share with your cat this Thanksgiving holiday (and the ones that aren't).
A tabby cat licks her lips while staring at an empty plate on a table.

These 10 foods are toxic for cats: Do you have them in your kitchen?

These foods are toxic and unsafe for your cat and you'll want to avoid them.
A Cavalier King Charles spaniel begs for food at the table.

This is how you stop your dog from constantly begging at the table

Does your dog frequently beg for food at the dinner table? You can get your dog to stop trying to get a snack with these tips.
A puppy stares at a bowl of dry kibble

Is your dog refusing to eat? There are a few possible causes

Is your pup turning up his nose at his food bowl? Here's what the problem might be if your dog is refusing to eat and what you can do to fix it.
Chocolate brown Labrador retriever with a graying muzzle

Here’s why old dogs have seizures and how you can best help them

What happens when an older dog has seizures? Here's what you need to know about caring for pups with this condition.
A West Highland white terrier dressed as a vampire sits beside a little girl dressed as a witch

Your ultimate guide to celebrating Halloween with pets

What are you doing with your pet this All Hallows' Eve? Here's the ultimate guide to a wonderful Halloween with your pets.
A Doberman pinscher lies in the grass

The 9 smartest dog breeds, ranked

These smartest dog breeds will impress you with their intelligence.
A golden retriever eating from a stainless steel bowl.

Can dogs safely eat cinnamon? Experts agree you need to be super careful

If you feed your dog cinnamon, there are some guidelines you'll want to follow. Here they are.
Brown and white dog howling on a porch

Why do dogs howl? It’s not just to get your attention

Why do dogs howl? There are many reasons, but these are the most common. They might explain more than you think!
A Russian blue cat sunning herself on the floor near a window

5 sun-warming spots your cat will gravitate to in the spring

These spots in your house will be your cat's favorite sun-warming locations this spring.
A black and white kitten plays with a feathered toy.

These 5 incredible cat toys are exactly what your kitten needs right now

Buy your kitten these 5 cat toys today to be the best kitty parent.
A black and white cat takes a nap on a kitchen table.

How to prevent your cat from jumping on tables and counters

Here are tips for how to keep your cat off counters.
A Sphynx cat chasing her tail against an orange background.

Wonder why cats chase their tails? This seemingly silly behavior demystified

Why do cats Chase their tails, Sleep so much, Eat grass, randomly run around, and do other odd behaviors?
A closeup of three white, blue-eyed kittens on a man's lap.

When can you expect kittens to start walking? What first-time owners should know

How to be prepared once your kittens start walking
A tan and white dog having his teeth brushed with a red toothbrush.

Why your dog’s gums aren’t pink (and what to do about it)

Are your dog's gums white, red, or brown? Here's what the color of your dog's gums means.
A small brown terrier wears a ghost costume and carries a trick-or-treat basket in his mouth.

6 cheap and easy Halloween costumes for pets

These pet Halloween costumes are cheap and easy to make right at home.
A white Swiss Shepherd Dog wears a black witch hat and sprawls out next to a Jack-o-Lantern bucket.

6 best Halloween pet accessories to adorn your furry friend

These are the best pet accessories for Halloween this year.
A black and white border collie eating grass

Is it bad for dogs to eat grass? You’ll want to be extra careful

There are risks associated with your dog eating grass, so find out why they do this and what you can do to help.
A close-up shot of a Shiba Inu sitting on a sofa.

How to get your dog to stop hiccuping

More often than not, your dog's hiccups will resolve within a few hours. Here's what you'll want to know about canine hiccups.
Sokoke cat on a gray background

Why do cats have whiskers? The answer is more in-depth than you think

There's a scientific reason why cats have whiskers on their faces and other places — they help them blink, navigate, and emote.
A black and white dog licks pink ice cream from a cone.

Every pet owner should have this list of toxic foods that are harmful to dogs

There are numerous human foods that are toxic to dogs you should know about. Here's a list of foods to not give them.
A puppy eating blueberries from a terra cotta bowl with strawberries next to them

Can dogs eat blueberries? What you should know about offering them as a treat

Can dogs eat blueberries? Here's everything you need to know about whether dogs can safely eat this pretty fruit.
A close-up of a peach and gray calico cat with amber eyes.

8 essential things you should be doing now to promote cat health

What should you be doing to promote cat health and prevent cat illnesses? We walk you through the most important things.
A golden retriever smiling and showing his teeth

What does it mean when a dog’s teeth chatter? The answer is concerning

There are several causes of a dog's teeth chattering. Some are simple and easily remedied, such as extreme emotions, but others require a trip to the vet.
A golden retriever wearing a scarf and holding a handkerchief in his mouth

Can you give a dog Benadryl? You’d better follow the correct dosage guide

Like us, dogs can get allergies and may require medicine to treat them. Here are guidelines for giving Benadryl to your dog.
A golden retriever chases his tail on the beach

Why do dogs chase their tails? The answer is so simple it’s crazy

Why do dogs chase their tails? Here's the real answer and why you should whip out your phone every time it happens.
A golden retriever digging a hole in a yard

Why do dogs bury bones? The answer is quite interesting

Why do dogs bury things. The answer may lie in their ancestral instincts. This is why your dog loves burying bones (and other items).
A Jack Russell terrier wearing a yellow scarf plays with a giant snowball

Ice melters are dangerous for your dog: Here’s how to keep them safe

Learn how to keep your dog safe from ice melters this winter.
A Siamese gazes into the camera while curled into a ball.

Are Siamese cats friendly? The real truth about this misunderstood breed

Everything you need to know about Siamese cats to determine if their personality traits are right for you.
A Siberian cat lying in a pile of fallen autumn leaves.

There’s an easy way to tell how old your cat really is

Here's how you can figure out how old your cat is.
A brown and cream Afghan hound running outside.

Make your Afghan hound cat-friendly with these 6 training tips

Any dog can be friendly with cats if you train them properly. Here's how to do it.
A blue-eyed white cat sprawls out on top of a rug with a forlorn expression

Can cats suffer from mental health conditions the way dogs can?

Find out if cats suffer from mental health issues like dogs can. Learn what the causes are of cat anxiety and how you can help them.
An obese tabby cat perched on a red wooden table

Is your cat obese? 5 ways to help them slim down

While it might look cute, allowing your pet to stay overweight can lead to health problems. Help your obese cat lose weight with these strategies.
A pug drinking water from a sink faucet

Does your dog drink a lot of water? Here’s when you should be concerned

We're here to share the most common reasons a dog drinks a lot of water and when it's time to take your pooch to the vet for a checkup.
A tabby kitten standing in a bowl of kibble

When can kittens eat dry food? The lowdown on what you should feed them

Here's everything you need to know about feeding your new kitten.
A close-up shot of a pug standing in the grass with a bone-shaped treat in his mouth

Are Himalayan dog chews safe for your pet? Know this before you buy

Himalayan dog chews are still all the rage. But are they safe for your pet to eat? We'll shed some light on this trendy treat.
A black and white Boxer wearing a gray sweater standing near a snowy hedge.

6 safety precautions dog parents should take when cold weather hits

Here's what you need to know about taking your dog outside in cold weather.
A dog sleeping in a bed with a water bottle on his head and a thermometer in his mouth.

What to do if your dog keeps throwing up with no sign of stopping

Throw up is a part of owning a pet but it can be serious. This is what you need to do if your dog won't stop vomiting.
A close-up shot of a black Lab wearing a red collar

Why black Labrador retrievers are the perfect family dogs

Is a black Labrador retriever the perfect dog for you? It just might be. Find out if this sweet breed will fit into your family.
Two people holding a tiny gray and white kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet

When do kittens open their eyes? This is what happens if they do it too early

When do kittens open their eyes? Here's when you can expect your kitten to show off her baby blues and what to do if it's too early.