Mel Plaut

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Mel Plaut

Two of my cats, Porter and Crash, were born in a dresser drawer in Brooklyn. I brought them home when I was in my 20s and they were a few months old. By my 30s, just as I was thriving in adulthood, my BFFs (best feline friends) were starting to wind down. I was lucky to live with them into my 40s, but those last 10 years were distinctly different from the first 10. There are few things that tax the human heart more than seeing beloved pets approach the end of their lives.

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Mel Plaut

When wild cats wandered out of the deserts of the Fertile Crescent and into our homes, I bet no one predicted that roughly 10,000 years later we’d be using robots to scoop their poop. Alas, here we are. If you’re willing to pay hundreds of dollars, you can outsource the unending task of shoveling clumps of cat pee and poop to an automatic litter box.

Oct 30, 2024 | nytimes.com | Christine Clisset |Caira Blackwell |Rosie Guerin |Abigail Keel |Mel Plaut

Listen and follow The Wirecutter ShowApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio | Other platforms Many people unknowingly put their pet in danger while driving or flying. This week, we talk about how to keep your furry friends safe and calm when traveling.

Oct 30, 2024 | nytimes.com | Mel Plaut

If your cat laps at a faucet, or your dog treats the toilet bowl like it’s a bar, your furry friend might want a water fountain to call their own. Fresh, clean water is critical to the health and happiness of our pets, and a gentle flowing stream may make your pet more excited to drink. Everything we recommendTop pickPetKit EverSweet Solo 2Best for cats and small dogsThis fountain is nearly silent and easy to clean, and it has thoughtful design features.

Aug 28, 2024 | nytimes.com | Mel Plaut

As someone who’s flown internationally with three cranky cats and road-tripped across the country with a dog prone to car sickness, I fully understand the stresses, messes, and joys of traveling with your pet. I’m not alone in this: About 78% of Americans with pets are bringing their furry BFFs along on trips, both long and short, according to the American Pet Products Association.