Pumpkin for Dogs and Cats: What It Can and Can't Do for Digestion

When a dog or cat has an upset stomach, a lot of owners reach for a can of pumpkin. Vets do use it as a fiber source, and it is safe for most pets in small amounts. It just does less than the internet claims. Below: what it helps with,

Art Therapy: How Making Art Can Support Mental Health

Most kids will draw for an hour without being asked, and plenty of adults reach for a sketchbook or a coloring page after a long day. Art therapy is something different. It is a mental health profession in which a trained therapist uses art-making as part of treatment, much

Kitten Care 101: A Guide to Your Kitten's First 90 Days

Most kittens come home at around 8 weeks old, and the next three months set up a lot of what follows: the vaccine series, spay or neuter timing, litter habits and how comfortable your cat will be around people. This kitten care 101 guide walks through the first 90 days

How to Remove Pet Odor and Stains: Urine, Vomit and Dog Smell

A pet accident can look clean and still smell, and if your pet can smell it, they may go back to the same spot. To eliminate pet odor for good, you have to break down what is in the carpet or fabric, not cover it with a scent. This guide

Food Recalls: How to Check, Get Alerts and Keep Your Family and Pets Safe

You hear "recall" on the news, then wonder if the chicken in your freezer or the bag of dog food in the pantry is the one. New food recalls are posted most weeks in the US, for people food and pet food alike. Many are small, but some

Talk to Your Teen About Money: Budgeting, Debit Cards and Credit

A 15-year-old with a new debit card, $60 from a birthday and a phone full of tap-to-pay apps will spend that money in an afternoon unless someone has talked it through with them. This guide covers the money talks worth having before a teen has a

11 Best Pets That Aren't Cats or Dogs: Honest Picks for Beginners

If a dog or cat is not right for your family yet, because of allergies, a small apartment or a busy schedule, there are other good first pets. Many small animals make great pets for families who plan ahead. This list covers 11 of them and what each one needs

Teach Kids Life Skills by Age: A Practical Plan for Raising Independent Kids

Most of the skills a child needs as an adult are learned at home, a little at a time. A 4-year-old pours their own water. A 7-year-old packs a lunch. A 12-year-old cooks a simple dinner with a parent nearby, and a 14-year-

Educational Toys for Kids by Age and Stage: How to Choose Learning Toys

Toy aisles are full of boxes that promise to teach letters, numbers and coding. Pediatricians are more skeptical. In its clinical report "Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era," the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that the most useful toys for young children are

DIY Dog Toys Kids Can Make With an Adult: T-Shirt Rope, Sock and Bottle Ideas

A braided old t-shirt costs nothing, and a child can do most of it. These four DIY dog toys split the work the way a family would: the adult handles scissors and plastic, the child braids, ties and stuffs. The safety rules come from Humane World for Animals and

Swim Diapers: What They Do, Disposable vs Reusable, and Pool Rules

If your baby or toddler is not potty trained, you need a swim diaper for the pool, splash pad, water park or beach. Before you pick one, it helps to know what swim diapers actually do. They hold in solid poop for a short time. They do not soak up

Parental Burnout: How to Balance Work and Parenting and Recover

In the U.S. Surgeon General's 2024 advisory on parents, 48 percent of parents said that most days their stress is completely overwhelming. For other adults the figure was 26 percent. If you finish a work day, start the second shift of dinner, homework and bath, and feel