Experts rank the most ‘loyal dog breeds’ and it’s stirring a debate among canine lovers
Another year, another list ranking dog breeds. Earlier in 2025, Care.com put out their latest, specifically ranking which dog breeds are considered the “most loyal.” In their post, pet expert Lindsay Pevny notes that, “Veterinarians and dog behavioral experts recognize several distinct brands of loyalty in dogs. While some are devoted to their favorite person,…
Another year, another list ranking dog breeds. Earlier in 2025, Care.com put out their latest, specifically ranking which dog breeds are considered the “most loyal.” In their post, pet expert Lindsay Pevny notes that, “Veterinarians and dog behavioral experts recognize several distinct brands of loyalty in dogs. While some are devoted to their favorite person, others are loyal to their entire human family. Each breed’s penchant for friendship sets them up for a lifetime of a unique relationship with their favorite humans.”
Their list:
Retriever (both Golden and Lab)
German Shepherd
Border Collie
Great Pyrenees
Chihuahua
Vizsla
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
They also share the importance of intentional breeding. Pevny quotes Camp Bow Wow’s animal health and behavior expert Erin Askeland, who says, “Breeding history and the intention of the breed can shape their loyalty characteristics. Breeds bred for companionship or working closely with humans tend to exhibit higher levels of loyalty—for example, dogs who are bred to be trained as service dogs.”
But far from everyone agrees with the list, and some don’t think such a subjective list can be ranked in the first place. On Reddit, someone asks, “What is objectively the most loyal dog breed?” One person simply responds, “Dogs.” And another claims, “My mongrel,” of course referring to their mixed breed pup. A few others mention their breed of choice, but there is no real consensus.
When the question is opened up in broader terms on the subreddit r/puppy101 to ask, “What are the three best dog breeds in your opinion and why?” many more commenters jump in. Some argue, obviously, that it’s subjective based on what the pet guardian is looking for. Someone jokingly writes, “The ‘my dog’ breed unequivocally takes top spot. Universally adored.” Another states, “Dachshund, dachshund and dachshund. Why? I am a masochist, apparently.” But again—there is no consensus.
In fact, other lists claiming to have consulted experts and animal behaviorists listed entirely different “most loyal” breeds for 2025. In their own list, The Spruce Pets throws Dobermans and Cocker Spaniels in the top ten, though Labrador Retrievers also hold the top spot.
If one changes the term from loyal to “Velcro dog,” it’s true that some breeds are a bit clingier than others. Though again, it’s based on the individual canine. A dog expert from Pets Radar explains that “Velcro” dogs were most likely bred to work alongside humans. Many pooches such as the Golden Retriever, the Lab, the Vizsla, the German Shepherd and the Chihuahua also make their list—though they add the Maltese, the French Bulldog and the Italian Greyhound.
On their YouTube page, The Pet Collective lists their top 13 “most loyal dog breeds” and at number one? Lo-and-behold, it’s the Beagle! They claim, “Those who want a loyal and curious sidekick should get a Beagle.” They then show a Beagle begging for treats and adorably honking a car while throwing their head back like Snoopy.
It’s pretty safe to say there is no objective “best” breed of dog. We love what we love and there are no wrong answers. As for loyalty, seems like that Redditor got it right—the true answer is simply “dogs.”
In a small village in Pwani, a district on Tanzania’s coast, a massive dance party is coming to a close. For the past two hours, locals have paraded through the village streets, singing and beating ngombe drums; now, in a large clearing, a woman named Sheilla motions for everyone to sit facing a large projector screen. A film premiere is about to begin.
It’s an unusual way to kick off a film about gender bias, inequality, early marriage, and other barriers that prevent girls from accessing education in Tanzania. But in Pwani and beyond, local organizations supported by Malala Fund and funded by Pura are finding creative, culturally relevant ways like this one to capture people’s interest.
The film ends and Sheilla, the Communications and Partnership Lead for Media for Development and Advocacy (MEDEA), stands in front of the crowd once again, asking the audience to reflect: What did you think about the film? How did it relate to your own experience? What can we learn?
Sheilla explains that, once the community sees the film, “It brings out conversations within themselves, reflective conversations.” The resonance and immediate action create a ripple effect of change.
MEDEA Screening Audience in Tanzania. Captured by James Roh for Pura
Across Tanzania, gender-based violence often forces adolescent girls out of the classroom. This and other barriers — including child marriage, poverty, conflict, and discrimination — prevent girls from completing their education around the world.
Sheilla and her team are using film and radio programs to address the challenges girls face in their communities. MEDEA’s ultimate goal is to affirm education as a fundamental right for everyone, and to ensure that every member of a community understands how girls’ education contributes to a stronger whole and how to be an ally for their sisters, daughters, granddaughters, friends, nieces, and girlfriends.
Sheilla’s story is one of many that inspired Heart on Fire, a new fragrance from the Pura x Malala Fund Collection that blends the warm, earthy spices of Tanzania with a playful, joyful twist. Here’s how Pura is using scent as a tool to connect the world and inspire action.
A partnership focused on local impact, on a global mission
Pura, a fragrance company that recognizes education as both freedom and a human right, has partnered with Malala Fund since 2022. In order to defend every girl’s right to access and complete 12 years of education, Malala Fund partners with local organizations in countries where the educational barriers are the greatest. They invest in locally-led solutions because they know that those who are closest to the problems are best equipped to solve and build durable solutions, like MEDEA, which works with communities to challenge discrimination against girls and change beliefs about their education.
But local initiatives can thrive and scale more powerfully with global support, which is why Pura is using their own superpower, the power of scent, to connect people around the world with the women and girls in these local communities.
The Pura x Malala Fund Collection incorporates ingredients naturally found in Tanzania, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Brazil: countries where Malala Fund operates to address systemic education barriers. Eight percent of net revenue from the Pura x Malala Fund Collection will be donated to Malala Fund directly, but beyond financial support, the Collection is also a love letter to each unique community, blending notes like lemon, jasmine, cedarwood, and clove to transport people, ignite their senses, and help them draw inspiration and hope from the global movement for girls’ education. Through scent, people can connect to the courage, joy, and tenacity of girls and local leaders, all while uniting in a shared commitment to education: the belief that supporting girls’ rights in one community benefits all of us, everywhere.
You’ve already met Sheilla. Now see how Naiara and Mama Habiba are building unique solutions to ensure every girl can learn freely and dare to dream.
Naiara Leite is reimagining what’s possible in Brazil
Julia with Odara in Brazil. Captured by Luisa Dorr for Pura
In Brazil, where pear trees and coconut plantations cover the Northeastern Coast, girls like ten-year-old Julia experience a different kind of educational barrier than girls in Tanzania. Too often, racial discrimination contributes to high dropout rates among Black, quilombola and Indigenous girls in the country.
“In the logic of Brazilian society, Black people don’t need to study,” says Naiara Leite, Executive Coordinator of Odara, a women-led organization and Malala Fund partner. Bahia, the state where Odara is based, was once one of the largest slave-receiving territories in the Americas, and because of that history, deeply-ingrained, anti-Black prejudice is still widespread. “Our role and the image constructed around us is one of manual labor,” Naiara says.
But education can change that. In 2020, with assistance from a Malala Fund grant, Odara launched its first initiative for improving school completion rates among Black, quilombola, and Indigenous girls: “Ayomidê Odara”. The young girls mentored under the program, including Julia, are known as the Ayomidês. And like the Pura x Malala Fund Collection’s Brazil: Breath of Courage scent, the Ayomidês are fierce, determined, and bursting with energy.
Ayomidês with Odara in Brazil. Captured by Luisa Dorr for Pura
Ayomidês take part in weekly educational sessions where they explore subjects like education and ethnic-racial relations. The girls are encouraged to find their own voices by producing Instagram lives, social media videos, and by participating in public panels. Already, the Ayomidês are rewriting the narrative on what’s possible for Afro-Brazilian girls to achieve. One of the earliest Ayomidês, a young woman named Debora, is now a communications intern. Another former Ayomidê, Francine, works at UNICEF, helping train the next generation of adolescent leaders. And Julia has already set her sights on becoming a math teacher or a model.
“These are generations of Black women who did not have access to a school,” Naiara says. “These are generations of Black women robbed daily of their dreams. And we’re telling them that they could be the generation in their family to write a new story.”
Mama Habiba is reframing the conversation in Nigeria
Centre for Girls' Education, Nigeria. Captured by James Roh for Pura
In Mama Habiba’s home country of Nigeria, the scents of starfruit, ylang ylang and pineapple, all incorporated into the Pura x Malala Collection’s “Nigeria: Hope for Tomorrow,” can be found throughout the vibrant markets. Like these native scents, Mama Habiba says that the Nigerian girls are also bright and passionate, but too often they are forced to leave school long before their potential fully blooms.
“Some of these schools are very far, and there is an issue of quality, too,” Mama Habiba says. “Most parents find out when their children are in school, the girls are not learning. So why allow them to continue?”
When girls drop out of secondary school, marriage is often the alternative. In Nigeria, one in three girls is married before the age of 18. When this happens, girls are unable to fulfill their potential, and their families and communities lose out on the social, health and economic benefits.
Completing secondary school delays marriage, and according to UNESCO, educated girls become women who raise healthier children, lift their families out of poverty and contribute to more peaceful, resilient communities.
Centre for Girls’ Education, Nigeria. Captured by James Roh for Pura
To encourage young girls to stay in school, the Centre for Girls’ Education, a nonprofit in Nigeria founded by Mama Habiba and supported by Malala Fund and Pura, has pioneered an initiative that’s similar to the Ayomidê workshops in Brazil: safe spaces. Here, girls meet regularly to learn literacy, numeracy, and other issues like reproductive health. These safe spaces also provide an opportunity for the girls to role-play and learn to advocate for themselves, develop their self-image, and practice conversations with others about their values, education being one of them. In safe spaces, Mama Habiba says, girls start to understand “who she is, and that she is a girl who has value. She has the right to negotiate with her parents on what she really feels or wants.”
“When girls are educated, they can unlock so many opportunities,” Mama Habiba says. “It will help the economy of the country. It will boost so many opportunities for the country. If they are given the opportunity, I think the sky is not the limit. It is the starting point for every girl.”
From parades, film screenings to safe spaces and educational programs, girls and local leaders are working hard to strengthen the quality, safety and accessibility of education and overcome systemic challenges. They are encouraging courageous behavior and reminding us all that education is freedom.
Experience the Pura x Malala Fund Collection here, and connect with the stories of real girls leading change across the globe.
Cat owners can attest to how their furry friends enrich their lives, and how important it is to support their well-being in return. This isn’t just about feeding them and giving them shelter, but also providing social interaction. It’s considered so important to a cat’s well-being that Sweden passed a requirement for cat owners. The…
Cat owners can attest to how their furry friends enrich their lives, and how important it is to support their well-being in return. This isn’t just about feeding them and giving them shelter, but also providing social interaction. It’s considered so important to a cat’s well-being that Sweden passed a requirement for cat owners. The rule? Check in on your cats or expect a fine.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture set rules requiring cat owners in the country to check on their cats at least twice a day. Simply setting out food and water doesn’t count. The purpose of the rule is to ensure owners pay attention to their cat’s behavior and health. If a cat isn’t acting like itself, it could indicate illness, injury, or stress that might lead to more serious problems if left untreated.
This rule applies to both indoor and outdoor cats. That means even if a cat is the prototypical barnyard cat, the owner still has to check on it to ensure it’s in good health. The rule also encourages more frequent check-ins if a cat is sick, pregnant, or injured.
What’s the penalty for neglecting your cat in Sweden?
“If [the county administrative board] discovers that you have not followed the rules, they can demand that you correct the deficiencies. This requirement can be combined with a fine if you do not correct the deficiencies. You can also be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of two years if you are convicted by a court of violating animal welfare legislation.”
Are cats actually social?
This brings up a common misconception about cats. While they’re often considered solitary creatures, cats aren’t antisocial. They actually benefit from social interaction with humans; they just socialize differently than dogs. Although they aren’t pack animals and can be territorial, house cats do form strong bonds with their humans.
House cats tend to see the humans they live with as peers. This is why domesticated cats lick, groom, and nuzzle their humans, much as they would other cats. It also explains why they sometimes present dead animals to their owners, since they consider you part of their safe “core territory” after a hunt. Another sign that a cat has bonded with you is when it gives you a “slow blink,” a gesture that indicates trust.
Whether you already own a cat or are thinking about getting one, it’s best to interact with them regularly, regardless of whether there’s a rule requiring it. It’s a great way to make sure your kitty is safe while also providing social time that both of you can benefit from.
Dogs can be weird. Any dog owner will tell you that, but typically their shenanigans are just personality quirks. Unfortunately for Colleen Ferguson of Kent, England, her dog’s weird behavior wasn’t just a silly personality thing. For several weeks, Ferguson’s German Shepherd was obsessively sniffing her mouth. This was a new behavior that she found…
Dogs can be weird. Any dog owner will tell you that, but typically their shenanigans are just personality quirks. Unfortunately for Colleen Ferguson of Kent, England, her dog’s weird behavior wasn’t just a silly personality thing.
For several weeks, Ferguson’s German Shepherd was obsessively sniffing her mouth. This was a new behavior that she found quite odd. The dog, Inca, was only two years old, but she seemed to know something was wrong with her owner and was doing her best to let her know. Inca constantly sniffed around Ferguson’s mouth and frowned.
The dog’s persistence caused the then 60-year-old woman to become concerned, which led her to the dentist. Everything checked out fine, but Inca was still frowning after sniffing Ferguson’s mouth. This prompted Ferguson to visit her doctor to be tested for other things that might change the smell of her breath.
According to Medical News Today, diabetes can cause the breath to smell differently. Gluten intolerance and Celiac disease can also cause bad breath, according to Imperial Dental Center. Ferguson was cleared of any gut-related issues after tests from her doctor. Yet Inca would not stop telling her something was wrong. Growing more concerned about her dog’s new behavior, Ferguson decided to do a full-body scan to rule out anything unusual.
“Her behavior towards me changed, she just started homing in on my mouth. Every time she could get a sniff of my mouth she would frown,” Ferguson told The Mirror. “She just had this focused intent on my mouth, and you couldn’t push her away until you had done an outbreath. When she got that she would give me such a look and walk away. In no way did I expect lung cancer at all. It was such a shock because I am a non-smoker, and because I taught biology, I was very anti-smoking.”
Turns out, Inca was trying to tell her she had a tumor growing in her lungs. Thanks to the dog’s keen nose and insistent behavior, Ferguson was able to catch the cancer early. Before long, the science teacher was off to surgery, where doctors removed a golf-ball-sized tumor.
“The surgeon said…’that dog saved your life. We never catch it at stage one,’” Ferguson told the BBC.
This remarkable discovery took place in 2015, and since then scientists have been working on recreating a nose like Inca’s. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is currently developing an “e-nose,” a mechanical nose that scientists are training with AI to detect cancer. They have moved to the trial phase, testing more than 500 urine samples to see if the artificial nose is as accurate as a dog’s nose in detecting cancer.
Dr. Andreas Mershin, a quantum physicist, developed the device that will be used to screen donated urine samples. The samples were prescreened by Medical Detection Dogs, and the results of the e-nose will be compared with those of the dogs.
“This is a major milestone,” Mershin told Medical Detection Dogs. “We’ve worked to emulate the dogs’ abilities and train machines in a similar way—rewarding them for correct identifications. It’s like giving our devices a new sense: a nose. Phones already have eyes and ears, but machine olfactors are the next frontier in health technology and AI sensing. This could transform the world of diagnosis, screening, and early detection.”
While the e-nose is currently designed to detect prostate cancer, once it’s perfected, the mechanical nose will hopefully detect other cancers as well.
Ferguson, for one, is thankful that her dog’s nose detected her lung cancer early, giving her a renewed chance at life.
“I was just so lucky,” she told The Mirror. “Every day is special with her. To catch it at stage one is just remarkable. I don’t know how I would have survived with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She saved me a lot of fuss. It was meant to be.”
Working out isn’t always fun, but sometimes what’s good for you isn’t fun. An orange and white tabby cat named Mr. Kitty is realizing that all of those cat treats are a lifetime on the hips. So many things are tasty going down, but they’re not so great when working to get the pounds off.
Mr. Kitty received the news that he had to not only go on a diet but also participate in an exercise regimen. His owner has been sharing his weight loss journey on her Instagram page, The Mr. Kitty Show. His less-than-stellar attitude about exercise has garnered him a fan club. There’s nothing like a sassy cat being forced to work out to make cat lovers cheer.
A chubby cat sits near a scale. Photo credit: Canva
Mr. Kitty does not appear amused. The sassy cat does everything in his power to avoid working out. He must’ve been taking dieting tips from Garfield, because he’s a whopping 30 pounds. On the cat chonk chart, Mr. Kitty would be an “OH, LAWD HE COMIN.‘”
People can find “The Chonk Chart” in cheeky veterinary offices. It shows cats’ weights, ranging from “A Fine Boi” (average weight) to “A Heckin’ Chonker” (overweight but not obese). On the far end of the chart is Mr. Kitty’s status.
Some wonder how a cat gets to Mr. Kitty’s size. It’s unclear what led to his excessive weight. Often, this level of weight gain is caused by overfeeding and under-exercising. According to PetMD, “All cat breeds can become obese. Middle-aged (8–12 years old), spayed or neutered, indoor-only or primarily indoor cats tend to be more at risk for becoming obese cats.”
The average weight of a healthy adult cat is between seven and 12 pounds, depending on whether the cat has a small or large frame, according to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. So, Mr. Kitty is well outside of the normal weight range, and as his owner drags him to the kitty cat gym regularly, he wants her to know just how unhappy he is.
Aside from giving his human the death stare while walking on the treadmill, he also protests the exercise equipment. Mr. Kitty was originally placed on a treadmill with a plastic display piece in front. By resting his front paws on the plastic piece, only his back legs had to walk. His humans moved him to a different treadmill to stop him from cheating on his weight loss journey.
Instead, he decided not to walk at all. Mr. Kitty would park his chonkin’ self on the treadmill and wait for it to roll him all the way to the edge so he could try to escape burning calories. The people in the cat gym had to stack pool noodles at the back of the machine to force Mr. Kitty to work out. All the hard work has started to pay off, whether this cat wanted to participate or not. Mr. Kitty has dropped to 20 pounds, and his fan club couldn’t be prouder.
One person says, “Hi Mr. Kitty! Congratulations on your weight loss journey! You look great!”
“Get it Mr Kitty! Mr Kitty looks strong and confident,” another cheers.
Someone else writes, “Mr. Kitty I think you look adorable but I’m betting your joints are thankful for the weight loss! Keep going, king!”
This person feels Mr. Kitty’s pain, writing, “I understand this so well… I would go through the same length not to walk on a treadmill. Mr kitty understands us chubby ones.”
According to some commenters, Mr. Kitty is perfectly happy working out at the holistic vet. He was just a cat doing cat things, finding cheat codes to not exercise because cats do what they want, when they want, and the days he tried to escape were the days he didn’t feel like exercising. Either way, Mr. Kitty’s progress has been amazing, and his little joints likely feel so much better.
It never fails: someone’s been sitting for a while and decides to stand to stretch their legs. The moment a cat owner’s knees fully extend is the exact moment their cat jumps into their seat. Often, it seems like they were pre-curled into their adorable pose before seemingly levitating onto the pre-warmed seat.
This normal kitty behavior can sometimes be irritating to cat owners, especially when they were planning to sit right back down. When there’s a cat snuggled in a chair, it can become a struggle to get them out, especially if the cat is a little stubborn. Some cats refuse to move, seemingly pressing their weight into the seat, while others grab onto the fabric with their nails in an effort to claim the chair. It’s a battle that can happen multiple times per day.
It can begin to feel like you’re in a fight for dominance with a 10-pound furball that can’t open doors without your assistance. A cat owner can successfully shoo the cat out of their chair, turn around to sit, and the cat beats them to it all over again. So what’s the deal? Are people really in a power struggle with their cats, or do cats have a logical reason for continually stealing seats from the people who feed them?
Well, some cats are being naughty and use this behavior as attention-seeking. They want their human to pick them up, pet them, or play with them. But this isn’t always the case, according to experts. There are four other reasons cats do this that have nothing to do with bad behavior.
They feel safer on surfaces above the ground
According to Cats.com, “When a cat sleeps, they are at their most vulnerable. Therefore, they like to pick nice, safe places to take their naps. Our human chairs are raised off the ground, and often are protected on three sides by the tall back and arms, so they offer more protection than a standard cat bed placed on the floor.”
The higher vantage point also allows them to have a good view of the room while they’re relaxing, so they prefer to claim the spot as their own.
Even though cats have a representation of not caring much about their human roommates, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Cats love the people in their home, which means they also love the way they smell because they trust you. Catster explains, “They begin to associate your scent with familiarity and safety, so leaving it behind on your seat is going to draw them to it.”
They’re claiming you and everything you love
Cats are territorial, so jumping into a seat after their human leaves is a sign of deep affection. They want everyone, including other animals in the home, to know that you belong to them. One way to do that is by sitting in your chair to leave their scent in your space.
According to Dr. Mark West, a veterinarian who shares content on TikTok, “When your cat looks at you, they don’t see someone who feeds them, they see their safe place, their territory, their anchor in the world. To your cat, that spot is not just somewhere to sit; it is your spot. And when they choose it, they are choosing you.” He later adds, “Your scent tells them everything is okay. They feel like they’re protected, that they’re home.”
Your seat is warm
This is probably the most logical reason someone could think of. Even as humans, we love to hop into something pre-warmed. Think about the pre-warmed towels at a spa, or hopping into the bed still warm from your partner’s body heat. It’s cozy. Cats love a cozy spot as much as their humans.
PetBook says, “The cat doesn’t know we planned to return there. Cats love warmth, and we often surround ourselves with cozy, warm blankets and pillows. Especially in winter, our seats have an almost magical attraction for the animals. But even in summer, cats seek out cozy spots without drafts.”
If you love a cat video AND surprises, then meet Gloria. This rambunctious little tortoiseshell cat has an entire life so separate from her owner at times, he has to piece together stories from random clues. Said cat guardian is comedian Martin Rizo, who, alongside a few small dogs, has had Gloria for about six years.
In a Facebook Reel, Rizo shared a clip of Gloria returning home from an adventure with a hot pink bow on her head. A chyron initially appears on screen asking, “When you know your cat has other families. She came back with a hair bow.”
In the clip, we see Gloria stroll in with a giant hot pink “hair” accessory tied lovingly around her neck. Rizo asks, “Bro. How many owners do you have? How many names do you have besides Gloria? I don’t even know who you are! How many families do you have? How many times do you eat per day?”
Gloria is then seen playing with a cat treat on the ground. Rizo continues his line of questioning while giving her gentle head scratches. “Am I your favorite owner?” Gloria then jumps off the couch. “Where are you going? Oh, you’re going over there again, huh? Please don’t go, wait.” At the bottom of the Reel, he asks, “Does your cat cheat on you also?”
The comment section is on fire. Those who have “outside cats” are probably aware that their kitty’s adventures often lead them to all sorts of hijinks around town. At over 224,000 likes and nearly 4,000 comments, people have opinions and their own stories.
One hilarious Facebook follower shares, “My cat was in my neighbor’s Xmas photo last year. In a ‘blanking’ Xmas outfit.”
Another shares a photo of their black cat dressed in some sort of checkered sweater, saying, “This happened to me this week. The cat came back looking like this. But ready for food.”
This person relays that they met the “other” family, writing, “Our cat disappeared for a few days, then came home a couple of days. After this happened a few times, we followed her. This is how we found out she ‘adopted’ the neighbors. We named her Fancy and the neighbors named her Pepperoni, so she is now Fancy Pepperoni and we share custody.”
Upworthy had a chance to chat with Rizo, who explained that Gloria was (and still kind of is) a stray in every sense of the word. “Once a stray, always a stray. So I guess she lives here part time. But I do see her every day, and there are nights she won’t come home.”
Gloria gets a treat from Martin. Photo Credit: Martin Rizo
He further explains that Gloria’s relationship with the neighbors is also quite special. “I have seen her chilling at the neighbors—sitting on their lap. I do need to follow her one of these days to see where she goes.”
Some commenters point out the dangers of not keeping one’s cat indoors. One person politely suggests, “Please put a collar on ur kitty so someone doesn’t take her. Edit: to everyone trying to argue that cats can get hurt/caught if they have a collar on… please educate yourself on breakaway collars.”
In the article “Are Outdoor Cats Happier?” The Animal Humane Society experts have thoughts. “People who let their cats outside may have the best intentions, but that doesn’t change the outcome of a recent study, which found the average life span of a cat is dramatically shorter for those that roam freely outdoors — by as much as 10–12 years!”
That said, there are some cats who truly take the world as their oyster. Their sense of adventure merely can’t be contained with cat nip and a climbing tree. Even the Humane Society accepts that “community cats” exist. They note, “Community cats are un-owned cats that live outdoors in the community. They may be feral or friendly, may have been born into the wild, or may be lost or abandoned pet.”
Gloria is neither lost, nor abandoned. Her love is simply too big to give to just one family, and it seems her admirers wouldn’t have it any other way.
Cats are famously among the most efficient hunters on Earth, total ambush experts with keen hearing, excellent night vision, lightning-fast reflexes, and the ability to stalk in silence. The fact that humans domesticated these carnivorous predators to keep as cuddly pets is pretty wild when you think about it, especially knowing they could do some real damage to us if they wanted to.
Thankfully, they generally don’t want to. Pet cats want to pretend-stalk squirrels from the sofa, go wild with a laser pointer, and do their best to catch Olympic lugers on the TV as they whizz by.
Wait, catch lugers? Yep. Watch:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThmgGu8o/
The comment section on the video is filled with images of cats trying to catch not only lugers but skiiers, figure skaters, hockey players, and even curling stones. And people just loved seeing the tiny hunters pawing at the screen:
“Watching cats watch the Olympics is the best way to watch the Olympics.”
“Wow she almost caught that guy.”
“The ear flick in confusion after not catching it is so damn cute lol.”
“Do the athletes even know they’re up against such a terrifying foe?”
“Hey so actually this is bad for the cats because they can get overly invested and join the Jamaican bobsled team.”
Others shared their cats’ love of luge and other Olympic sports as well:
Whether cats were first domesticated to be our furry little friends or to keep rodents away from our food stores is debatable, but there’s no question that their penchant for catching mice was a perk for humans throughout history. Most modern housecats aren’t kept for that purpose, but they still act like they’re hunters-in-training.
Cats’ predatory instincts don’t go away just because they lead a cushy indoor life, as every cat owner cat attest. How often do we see a seemingly bored cat suddenly come to attention, eyes wide, ears engaged, back hunched, locked in on a bird or squirrel out the window? Those instincts are triggered by sudden movements, which is why the luge and other quick-moving sports have so many kitties pawing at the screen.
Be sure they can look out windows to see the wildlife. Just be aware that some cats may find their inability to catch the prey they see frustrating and become aggressive because of it.
Indoor cats can enjoy the outdoors safely with a harness and leash. Photo credit: Canva
– Let them explore outside safely
Veterinarians and wildlife experts recommend keeping pet cats indoors, but there are ways for cats to enjoy outdoor time in ways that are safe for them and other animals. Setting up an outdoor enclosure, or a “catio,” for them is one option. Taking them outside on a harness and leash is another.
– Prioritize interactive play
Cats quickly become bored with toys that don’t simulate prey, so finding interactive toys for them is vital. Catnip mice, feathers on a string, and other things they can attack or toss around are great choices. Puzzle toys and interactive feeders can also keep them busy while you’re away.
– Try a laser pointer
Laser pointers really are the ideal way to play with a cat. They can’t seem to help themselves when the laser light starts darting around the room, and it’s great entertainment for them and for their humans. Avoid shining it in their eyes, and it’s helpful to end a laser play session by pointing the laser dot on a toy they can “kill,” like a toy mouse, to avoid frustration.
What a smart doggo: Australian Shepherd Ripley uses talk buttons to warn family of a pending disaster. – Photo credit: @letsgoripley/TikTok, used with permission
Dogs seem to intuitively understand human emotions, and they can be trained to understand and respond to a nearly unlimited number of words, phrases, or commands. Some experts say smarter breeds can learn hundreds of different prompts! It makes you wonder how far off they really are from truly communicating with us using something resembling language.
People have been wondering and experimenting with the idea for a long time. Speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger and her dog, Stella, were the first to experiment with talking buttons in 2019, in which Stella could press a button with her nose to activate a word sound, thereby speaking, in a sense. Since then, there has been a surge of online content showing other pet parents using similar kits to communicate with their own pups.
The most fascinating aspect of this phenomenon is whether canines can understand full-blown, complex sentences beyond “treat” and “outside.” While the overall jury is still out on that, scientifically speaking, dogs like Ripley, a 2-year-old Australian Shepherd, seem to make an incredibly compelling case for believing the hype.
Ripley is a great example of a dog using talking buttons to communicate
Ripley has an entire TikTok account documenting his impressive talk button journey, along with 85,000 followers. But a video posted on March 28, 2024, feels next-level.
In the clip, Ripley presses the “smell” button as his parents eat lunch. When that doesn’t get their attention, he begins to bark.
“What do you smell?” a voice finally asks. To which Ripley replies “outside,” followed by “gardens.” Confused, someone asks, “It smells like the gardens outside?” Ripley’s parents had apparently just started a load of laundry before making lunch, and the detergent had been spilling all over the floor from the washing machine. Ripley had been smelling the detergent, which was reminiscent of the gardens outside.
Unfortunately, they didn’t put two and two together until after they went back to the laundry room and saw the rapidly worsening mess. Hence, the moral of the story: “You should always listen to your dog.”
Ripley’s amazing feat prompted lots of praise from over a million viewers
“All of the treats,” one person wrote.
Another added, “I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, he is brilliant.”
“He was so mad y’all weren’t moving,” someone joked.
“This is amazing!!! It’s a good thing it wasn’t an emergency like a fire or something dangerous!!!! You both seemed a little slow to realize that she was trying to warn you of something off/strange!!!” said another.
Others were quick to compliment the breed. And rightfully so, as Australian Shepherds are known for their remarkable intelligence, as well as their strong drive and exuberance, according to the American Kennel Club. They thrive when they have a job, and the way Ripley jumped into action is a pretty great example of this characteristic.
Although we aren’t 100% sure whether dogs can learn complex sentences, studies show they can distinguish among human languages. A 2023 study found that dogs can distinguish familiar human languages from unfamiliar ones and can even determine real human words from gibberish.
The whole account is pretty remarkable. In another popular video, Ripley uses the buttons to demand to see his grandma (who, no doubt, gives him lots of treats). In another, he can be seen asking for water and alerting his humans that he smells food. His owners insist that he understands what they’re saying to him and uses the buttons to communicate, not just for rewards and praise.
So, while we might not have definite evidence for the efficacy of talk buttons, one thing remains abundantly clear—our dogs are trying to communicate with us in whatever way they can. All we need to do is listen.
Check out even more of Ripley’s talk button shenanigans on TikTok.
This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated.
Leave it to a veterinarian with a sharp sense of humor to remind us all that dog stereotypes exist for a reason. Dr. Molly Brinkmann decided to commemorate the incoming winter weather by acting out different dog breeds’ reactions to snow. Let’s just say the results were accurate. Almost too accurate.
A few examples: there’s the food-obsessed Beagle, who warns, “I will eat your leg if it comes down to it” if the snack supply runs dry. Also the Lab who has been “training their whole life for this” and has already been out in the snow “three times.” And of course, the grumpy Chihuahua who sees snow as their own “personal Hell.”
One particular dog really stole the spotlight, though. Bella, the 18-year-old Chiweenie with the weary outlook of someone who has seen it all, quickly became the fan favorite. One viewer spoke for many when they said, “I need a whole series with Bella, the aged Chiweenie.” Another seconded, “I’m invested, and I need to know more about the street dog.”
Dr. Brinkmann, who often does fun animal parody videos, usually features one other character, a sassy feline named Spicy Cat, at the end of her videos. While Spicy Cat didn’t make her usual appearance at the end of this video, Brinkman informed us all that “Spicy Cat went to the beach.” Which seems very appropos.
The comment section turned into a roll call of proud pet owners who felt Brinkman nailed their fur babies’ personalities.
“As a Lab owner, I can confirm that free ice is the best thing ever!”
“The Pittie is SPOT ON. It’s all about the cuddling.”
“My chihuahua said ‘nope’ and waited 4 days to check in. That was also a nope.”
Viewers also started pitching ideas for future installments featuring breeds not mentioned. One person imagined a reluctant Dachshund wrote, “Dachshund POV… Nope, I’m peeing in the house.” Another wrote, “The Pyrenees also living for this moment.”
Lastly, it’s worth noting that more than a few folks said they related to the Beagle most of all.
It certainly makes biological sense that each breed has their own attitude towards snowy climates. Certain breeds, like Newfoundlands, Pyrenees, Huskies, etc., are quite literally built for frigid temperatures. Other dogs with shorter coats like Greyhounds, Whippets, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, and Chinese Cresteds, can’t stay out in the cold for extended periods of time—and even when they do go out, they require jackets and booties to stay warm.
Regardless of breed, the ASPCA says that all dogs should receive the following winter care:
-Getting immediately towel-dried once they come inside
-Massaging petroleum jelly vet-approved paw protectants into paw pads before going outside to protect from salt and chemical agents (or booties)
-Offering a little more food during winter, since pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in the cold
-Washing off any potential ice, salt, or chemicals from your dog’s feet and stomach
-Bathing as little as possible during cold spells to avoid dry skin
And, of course, whether your dog treats winter like a personal playground or a seasonal betrayal, they are incredibly lovable either way—not that you need a vet to tell you that.
