Most people who’ve added a furry friend as their plus-one can vouch that they love sharing a pet together and their pet adds happiness to their relationship. Don’t believe them? A study of 240 couples by the University at Buffalo found that those who take care of cats or dogs “have closer relationships, are more satisfied in marriage, and respond better to stress than couples who do not.â€�

Pet-owning couples had overall lower baseline blood pressure and were able to more quickly lower their blood pressure in stressful situations than petless couples. The study also found that couples with pets socialized more in general -- including with each other (which other research has shown aids heart health). "We don't know specifically why this is so,� said research scientist Karen Allen, the author of the study. “Pet owners may be the kind of people who inherently seek out more social contact. On the other hand, there may be something in the relationship between people and pets that enhances social interaction.�

Nesties, what do you think? Has your furbaby improved your family’s nest?

Your furball is usually well-behaved in public, so why can’t you curb his nasty noisemaking habit? While the temptation is to scream, this response sounds to dogs like a bark -- and since barking is a group activity, your pup will want to join in! What’s an overwhelmed owner to do?

According to the ASPCA, incessant barking is an annoying but treatable behavior. Like a real baby, your furbaby is fussing to tell you something: a friendly hello, a warning, or an “ouch!� Naturally, your first line of action should be to determine the cause of his noisemaking. Once you’ve got this down, you can respond with an action that’ll most likely get you the results you want. Read on to figure out what’s getting under your pup’s fur and to learn your most effective line of defense.

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Adding a new furry member to your family can seem like a simple way to bring in a new companion for you and your pet -- but it can also lead to undesired consequences. Animals are territorial, and jealousy can lead to aggression if you don’t handle the process properly. We talked with animal behavior guru Kathy Diamond Davis. Check out her Canine Behavior Series at Veterinary Partner, and read on to find out how to successfully integrate a new pet into your clan.
Page One: Before You Start (Things to Consider)
Page Two: Tips for Choosing the Right Pet
Page Three: Love at First Sniff? Getting to Know Each Other
Page Four: General Rules of Paw

So, you’re ready to fill your home with the pitter-patter of little paws? Read on to figure out which breed is the best match for your lifestyle. Click here to start slideshow.

Photo Credit: Chronicle Books, ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs.

Shrieking goblins and pint-sized witches are prowling around (on sugar overdrive!)…and they’re invading your furball’s territory, begging for treats. With so much unusual stuff going on in one night, you can see why Halloween is more than just a little spooky for our cats and dogs. Here are seven tips for keeping your pet-inclusive celebrations from turning truly nightmarish.

To help keep your pets safe and happy this Halloween, The Humane Society of the United States recommends the following:

1. Make sure that all of your pets are wearing tags with a current ID. Remember, repeatedly opening the door for trick-or-treaters creates plenty of opportunities for them to sneak out.

2. Keep your pets indoors, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities (after a few rounds of hands-on toddlers, even the most angelic pet can get a little snappy!).

3. Keep candy out of your pets’ reach -- chocolate and other ingredients can be toxic to them.

4. Most pets are happiest wearing nothing but their birthday suit, so be careful what costumes you choose for them. Some can make them uncomfortable or even cause injury.

5. Decor can be dangerous: Candle flames can set fire to a pet’s fur, and hanging or dangling decorations can be an entanglement or choking hazard. Instead, keep them busy with their own Halloween-themed, pet-friendly toys.

6. Use fake cobwebs sparingly, if at all. Pets can choke on cobwebs set up indoors, and fake webs outdoors may be a hazard to birds and other wildlife.

7. When going out trick-or-treating, leave your dog at home. Dogs can be easily excited by the Halloween commotion…and a dog bite or a runaway pet will quickly put an end to the evening’s fun.