About Better With Pets
Guides for dog and cat owners, written from 40 years of living with pets. Not a textbook.
Nicole Dance
I have shared my home with dogs and cats for over 40 years. No letters after my name, just four decades of paying close attention, reading widely, and watching everything I could find about animal behaviour. This site is where I share what I have picked up along the way.
What this site is
Better With Pets is a collection of guides and answers built around the questions dog and cat owners actually ask. Not textbook summaries, but real-world observations, things I have tried, and what I have learned from reading widely and living alongside animals every single day.
What you will find here
- Dog behaviour: why dogs do what they do, and how to work with it rather than against it.
- Cat behaviour: decoding what cats are actually communicating through their actions.
- Pet care: nutrition, grooming, health basics, and everyday routines.
- Common questions: straightforward answers to what pet owners search for most.
A honest note
I am not a vet, not a certified behaviourist, and I am not pretending to be. Everything here is based on personal experience and a lot of reading. It is the kind of advice you might get from a friend who has spent a lifetime with animals and paid close attention.
If your pet is unwell, in pain, or showing sudden changes in behaviour, please see your vet. This site is no substitute for professional care.
Start reading
Browse articles on dog behaviour, cat behaviour, and everyday pet care.