Some dog breeds have more health problems than others -- we've created so many weird shapes 'n' sizes through controlled breeding that genetic ailments are inevitable. If you have your heart set on a particular type of dog, it's important to be aware of these potential health issues so you can give your pet the best possible care. This infographic looks at common health conditions in 25 popular breeds; from breathing problems in Bulldogs to hip dysplasia in German Shepherds.

You can befriend a dog by letting it smell you, but you can make a cat love you by offering it your earwax. Is this kind of disgusting? Yes. Does it actually work? Apparently it does.

Xbox controllers: people love them for gaming, but why not extend that fondness to walking dogs and picking up their crap? That's what Instructables user mikeasaurus decided to do, and he ended up creating one of the most ridiculously awesome ways to repurpose a gaming device.

Some dogs delight in nothing more than running away from you when it's time to leave the park. Rather than chasing them, consider running in the opposite direction.

If you love having your pets with you all the time -- even when you're sleeping -- you're going to wind up with some hair/fur in the bed. Presuming you don't want to wash your sheets daily, you can fix the problem using a squeegee.

Warmer weather means the start of tick season, so pet owners in northern states need to be increasingly vigilant. Examine your dogs and cats daily, but don't fall for the old idea that you can use turps or methylated spirits to remove them.

Tick season kicks off in spring, and it seems this year our canine friends are under particular threat. The Australian Veterinary Association reports that more than 700 cases of tick paralysis have been reported in Queensland and NSW, so checking your dogs (and cats) for ticks is more important than ever.

Keeping your pet's water dish full can be a chore (especially if your pet is the large, thirsty kind). Commercial auto-water devices are expensive and don't supply the freshest water. The hacker solution, of course, is to rig your own water-refilling system.

For some pet cats, trashing pot plants around the house is the only reason to stop sleeping in the nearest sunny patch. If you've given up on keeping houseplants because of a feline terror campaign, you might find this hack, using an IKEA plastic bag storer, a nifty way of creating some plant protection.

Every dog I've known always makes a beeline straight for the couch. However, if your more compact pooch fancies sitting with the family but can't quite make it up onto the chair, this hack of an IKEA chair into a stool with its own on-ramp and extra wriggle room might be just the ticket.