Articles tagged as Pets | Smithsonian Magazine

Why some adoption centers wait till after the spooky season to give some kitties a home

October 24, 2016

Ask Smithsonian: When Did People Start Keeping Pets?

The human-pet timeline is still being put together, but turns out man’s best friend might also be his oldest

September 28, 2016

To Save the Woodrat, Conservationists Have to Deal With an Invasive Species First: House Cats

On an island in Florida, a rare wild rodent faces a dangerous, feline threat

October 2016

The Moral Cost of Cats

A bird-loving scientist calls for an end to outdoor cats “once and for all”

September 20, 2016

Age of Humans

Ginormous Goldfish Are Invading Australian Rivers

Abandoned by their owners, the fish run rampant and impact the environment

August 18, 2016

One of the Forest of Stone Steles Museum's famous cats.

The furry family is famous on the internet

July 29, 2016

An English Bulldog was featured in the American Kennel Club's presentation of The Nation's Most Popular Breeds Of 2015 on February 22, 2016 in New York City.

New Research

Bulldogs Are Dangerously Unhealthy, But There May Not Be Enough Diversity in Their Genes to Save Them

How we loved this dog into a genetic bind

July 29, 2016

Larry, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office

Cool Finds

10 Downing Street’s “Chief Mouser” Is Keeping His Job Despite Brexit

Larry the Cat will outlast David Cameron at the Prime Minister’s residence

July 14, 2016

Portrait of paleontologist Mary Anning and her trusty assistant, Tray.

These Paleo Pets Made Fossil Hunting Less Lonely

In the solitary hunt for bones, furry companions provide company, act as field assistants and sometimes even make the ultimate sacrifice

July 11, 2016

The Pacific blue tang is the inspiration for the hero of PIxar's upcoming movie, "Finding Dory."

Nemo and Dory make for problematic pets

May 20, 2016

An adorable shelter dog shouldn’t have a difficult time finding a home—but it might if it comes with the label “pit bull.”

Call a Dog a Pit Bull and He May Have Trouble Finding a Home

Dogs labeled as pit bulls at shelters may wait three times longer to be adopted—even when they aren’t actually pit bulls

March 23, 2016

Dogs of the St. Bernard Hospice during a walk organized by their trainers with tourists.

Switzerland

A Brief History of the St. Bernard Rescue Dog

The canine’s evolution from hospice hound to household companion

March 1, 2016

New Research

How to Tell if Fluffy Is in Pain, According to the Experts

A new study identifies 25 ways to tell if your kitty isn’t feeling well

March 1, 2016

New Research

Cats May Have Been Domesticated Twice

But only one ended up as the house cat

January 29, 2016

New Research

Rainbow Collars Could Help Keep Cats From Wiping Out Birds

This colorful trick may stop Fluffy from murdering local songbirds

December 16, 2015

Bonus points if you can find a cat in this picture.

Cool Finds

Someone Just Paid $826,000 for the Greatest Cat Painting of All Time

“My Wife’s Lovers” pays tribute to the wealthiest cats of the 1890s

November 4, 2015

Hartsdale is the world's oldest operating pet cemetery.

Commune With Pets of the Past at These Five Pet Cemeteries

Far from scary, these burial sites can be relaxing, beautiful and even inspiring

October 30, 2015

Cool Finds

For $1,600 You Can Own a Genetically Altered Micropig

From lab animal to potential pet

October 2, 2015

New Research

Domestication Seems to Have Made Dogs a Bit Dim

Thanks to their relationship with us, dogs are less adept at solving tricky puzzles than their wolf relatives

September 15, 2015

Roofs became pleas for help for people and their pets following Hurricane Katrina

The loss of thousands of pets to the hurricane encouraged lawmakers to rethink society’s responsibility to animals

August 4, 2015