General: Pets

What’s selling at the pet store? At California’s Muttropolis Boutique, puppy chic rules.

Got a cute kitten in the household? Are you a dog-lover? Surprise the pet in your family with a unique gift this holiday season. See more great gifts in our holiday gift guide.

Certain rites of passage―first day of school, first flushed goldfish―are stress-inducing. Here’s how to help your children deal with them.

Don’t forget about your furry friend this Halloween. As though your dog or cat isn’t cute enough already, just picture him or her in one of these cute Halloween costumes. Whether your pet is greeting trick-or-treaters and party guests, or heading to the neighborhood costume parade, dress them in some unique costume ideas. If everyone in your family is dressing up, don’t leave them out—especially when there are so many fun opportunities. Sure, there are simple crafts to make your own pet costume if you’re feeling creative, but if you don’t have the time (or are unsure about your artistic abilities), there are plenty of options out there in stores and online. For your canine companions, we have some adorable dog costumes that range from silly (Where’s Waldo) to traditional (pumpkins). For cats, there’s an adorable sailor costume that’s just the perfect photo op. These disguises are easy to put on and safe your pets to wear—they’re not super tight and won’t make your pets immobile. Plus, they’re affordable, too, so it’s okay if Fido or Kitty ruins the look by the end of the day. We can’t guarantee that they’ll be happy to don these outfits, but you’ll have a great time taking pictures and showing your pets off.

In celebration of National Dog Day, we’ve hounded the best products and experiences for pampered pooches.

Real Simple answers your questions.

Real Simple answers your questions.

How to pick a pet you'll love―and care for it properly once you bring it home.