Spot Team
We’re pet parents first—and writers, marketers, and product developers by trade—combining lived experience with industry expertise in everything we create.
Dog Boots for Snow: Does Your Dog Need Them and How to Choose a Pair
Yes, dog boots are a smart choice for snowy weather. According to PetMD, snow boots are the most reliable way to protect a dog's paws in winter, forming a nearly impenetrable barrier against sharp ice, snow, dampness, and chemicals.¹ At or below...
Dog Tips
Quietest Dog Breeds: 11 Dogs That Rarely Bark
The quietest dog breeds include the Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Mastiff, Saint Bernard, Basenji, Bolognese, French Bulldog, and Pekingese. All eight earn the American Kennel Club's lowest barking score, meaning they usually bark only to alert you.¹...
Breed Tips
What Is a Soul Dog? Meaning, Signs, and Coping With Loss
A soul dog, also called a heart dog, is a dog you share an unusually deep, once-in-a-lifetime bond with. It's the dog who seems to understand you completely and changes your life in a way no other pet has. It isn't a scientific term, but the feeling is...
Dog Tips
How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight: A Safe, Step-by-Step Plan
To help your dog lose weight, start with a vet visit to set a target weight and rule out medical causes. Then measure every meal, keep treats to about 10% of daily calories, and add daily low-impact exercise like walking or swimming. Slow, steady...
Dog Tips
How Much Does a Persian Cat Cost in 2026?
A pet-quality Persian kitten from a registered breeder usually costs $1,200 to $3,000, while show-quality kittens from top lines often cost $3,500 to $5,000 or more.¹ Adopting from a Persian rescue is the most affordable option. Once your cat is home,...
Cat Tips
Best Dog Breeds for Every Lifestyle in 2026
The best dog breeds for most homes include the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Poodle, and Beagle. These friendly, adaptable breeds all earn top marks for being good with young children.¹ Still, the best dog breed...
Breed Tips
Best Large Dog Breeds for Your New Home and Yard
The best large dog breeds for a home with a yard include the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Belgian Malinois, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, and Anatolian Shepherd. These big dogs have the size and energy to make great use of...
Dog Tips
Best Large Dog Breeds for Families: A Guide for New and Expecting Parents
The best large dog breeds for families include the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, Newfoundland, Boxer, Standard Poodle, and Saint Bernard. All seven earn the American Kennel Club's top score of 5 out of 5 for being good...
Dog Tips
Open Enrollment Pet Insurance: Can You Enroll Any Time of Year?
Yes, you can typically sign up for pet insurance any time of year. Pet insurance you buy on your own isn't tied to an open enrollment window. If your employer offers pet insurance as a benefit, though, open enrollment is when you'll usually see it, and...
How Pet Insurance Works
Puppy Biting: What’s Normal & What’s Not
If you recently brought a puppy home, you’re probably dealing with an overabundance of teeny bite marks on your legs or arms. This can make the puppy raising stage a frustrating and stressful process, but fret not, we’re here to offer some strategies...
Dog Tips
The Pressure to Be the “Perfect” Pet Parent
Pet parenting has expanded far beyond the basics of food, shelter, exercise, and veterinary care. Scroll through social media and you might encounter fresh-food meal prep, elaborate birthday parties, pet-friendly vacations, luxury boarding facilities,...
Lifestyle
Modern Pet Parenthood: What 3,600 Survey Responses Reveal About Money, Love, and Limits
Pets have become woven into nearly every major decision people make—where they live, who they date, how they plan for retirement, and how far they’re willing to go with emerging technology. A new survey of 3,600 pet parents puts numbers behind that...
Lifestyle
