1. Cats are twice as likely as dogs to be found with fleas.[1]

a. We think this is due to the fact that many cat owners still don’t believe their indoor cat needs to be on flea prevention year-round. That, and fleas can be hard to see and find on cats especially because cats are so fastidious – so sometimes the first sign a flea-allergic cat has been exposed to fleas is the onset of the allergic reaction.

2. Obesity in dogs and cats has been linked to more than 20 ailments, also called comorbidities. That’s part of the reason it’s so important to keep pets at a healthy weight throughout their life.[2]

a. Ensure treats do not make up more than 10% of your pet's daily caloric consumption. A slice of cheese for a small dog represents 33% of their daily caloric need, whereas the same for a giant dog represents just 6%.

3. Catnip comes from the Nepeta cataria plant, which is a member of the mint family. The ability to react to catnip is genetic and can also be influenced by stress and the environment, meaning cats react differently when it comes to catnip – and some might not react at all.[3]

4. Microchipping can significantly increase the likelihood of a reunion if your pet gets loose amidst chaos. Yet, a 2018 survey conducted by Banfield revealed nearly half of respondents’ pets aren’t microchipped. In addition to ensuring your pet is always wearing up-to-date identification tags, talk with your veterinarian about microchipping your pets.[4]

5. Most common dog name in 2018: Charlie (#6 on cat list)

6. Most common cat name in 2018: Luna 

7. Chihuahua was the top dog breed seen at Banfield in 2018, followed by Labrador Retrievers and Yorkshire Terriers.