Bothered by fleas or bracing for the next infestation? Forget turning to smelly chemical-filled flea sprays. Ohio State University scientists say all it takes to wipe out fleas in your home is your vacuum cleaner. Turns out, vacuuming kills 96% of adult fleas and 100% of younger fleas. Surprised? So were the scientists who repeated the test several times to make sure they were right. And they were! So what makes a vacuum work as well as (and sometimes better) than sprays? Turns out, fleas are pretty fragile, so the brushes and suction in your vacuum cleaner are enough to destroy them. For best results, vacuum two to three times a week to make sure all life cycles, including eggs, young fleas and adult fleas, are gone.
[photo: Hanumann]
That’s right—it’s not just you who benefits from kicking the habit. Scientists now know it can help your dogs, cats and birds live longer, too. The link? The carcinogens in your second-hand smoke. Not only does it do damage to their lungs when they breathe it in, but it also coats fur, which is then licked off while grooming, and it accumulates on the mucus membranes of their nose. All this increases your pet’s risk of oral cancer, lung cancer, cancer of the nose and sinus and malignant lymphoma. The good news? Having a pet makes it easier to quit smoking, since studies show they reduce stress and anxiety.
A lavender sachet. Long known to soothe the jangled nerves of humans, the scent of lavender has now been shown to calm anxious dogs who are traveling by car, making them more likely to lay down quietly and less inclined to move around or bark, reveals a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Even better? Unlike pricey pet tranquilizers, breathing in the scent of lavender has no dangerous side effects.
Scientists from the University of Trieste in Italy deciphered a secret code in your dog’s tail: A wag to his right means he’s excited to see you. A wag to his left, however, 
Imagine you’re out on a mani/pedi date with your BFF when, in between coats of Lickable Pink, she suddenly slumps to the floor and stops breathing. Can you remember enough CPR training you learned from Girl Scouts mumble-mumble years ago to save her life?
Think you know everything about your furry pals? Maybe not! Here’s what animal researchers recently discovered about your cat and dog’s communication styles: 
Ever wonder why virtually no one can resist peering into a pet store window as they pass by? Simply gazing at the happy faces of kittens, puppies and other adorable furry creatures makes you instantly happy, too, according to a research team out of Duke and Waterloo universities. “Our brain is wired to unconsciously mimic the personality traits of people around us. And now we know it works also with animals,” explains study co-author Grainne Fitzsimons, Ph.D. No furry faces nearby? Pictures work, too! Enjoy a peek now at 
Playing with your cat or dog doesn’t just strengthen the bond you share, it’s key to keeping your pet’s weight down, which can add years to its life. And animal experts say that getting even the laziest furry friend up and playing is easy. The trick? Play the way they like to play! Think you’re doing that already? Maybe not. For… 
Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions for humans. And this year you might want to put your pet on a diet, too. A recent study shows that one in four cats and dogs is overweight, leaving them more prone to chronic health problems like heart disease and arthritis. So, is it time for your pet to eat less and exercise more? To tell, Kansas State University veterinarian Susan Nelson, D.V.M., advises: 
Wonder why your cat goes ga-ga over catnip when you first bring it home, but she loses interest after a few days? Nepetalactone, the chemical in catnip that causes euphoria, loses its potency over time when exposed to room temperature. Easy fix: Store it in the freezer!
Does your cat’s itchy ear or dog’s lack of appetite mean it’s time to go to the vet? Find out at 