When your pet suddenly loses his appetite, it can be concerning—particularly if you’ve got a regular chowhound on your hands.

If your dog or cat struggles with gastrointestinal (GI) health, probiotics may be just what the vet ordered.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be introduced into the body to help with digestion and offer protection from harmful bacteria. Just as live cultures in yogurt can help keep a human gut healthy, probiotics can also help maintain the natural balance of organisms (known as microflora) in a pet’s digestive tract.

The world loves grumpy cats (just ask Grumpy Cat herself). We tend to think of our feline friends as sassy, independent, and apathetic creatures—and for many cat lovers, that low-key attitude is all just a part of their charm. But are our cats really unhappy? In honor of Happy Healthy Cat Month, here are six ways you’ll know if your cat is living his best life (even if he’ll never admit it).

One popular myth about cats is they’re happiest having the freedom to go outside. This is far from the truth. There are many cats who are born and raised indoors who have no interest in going outside and would panic if they found themselves on the wrong side of the door.

If you feel your kitty should roam the great outdoors, you’re not alone. Many cat lovers feel their cat is happiest lounging in the fresh air or stalking unsuspecting prey.

However, there are many reasons why it’s safer for your kitty to stay inside - traffic being one - and many cat owners are realizing the dangers of life outdoors.

Does your kitty panic at the sight of the cat carrier? A lot of cats do. You bring it out and suddenly your cat is squeezing himself into the world’s smallest hiding place or becoming a raging lion hissing and swatting - claws out - at anyone who tries to come near him.

Yeah, we’ve experienced that too.

Have you ever encountered a “chatty” kitty? One who meowed at every opportunity (and then some)? Or maybe you’ve had the experience of a kitty who was mostly quiet, but then something happened and he became extremely “meowy.”

According to The American Pet Products Association, 62 percent of American households have either a dog, a cat, or both. Chances are, if you already have pets and kids, they’ve learned how to get along.