You can't talk to your pets—yet—but luckily, there are experts who can help us translate dog and cat.

National Geographic magazine writer Catherine Zuckerman came to us with a question about her house-trained Coton de Tulear, Zucco.

Zuckerman, who's pregnant, is confused why Zucco has started urinating in her daughter's playroom. She wondered whether the dog is aware of her pregnancy.

Her first task should be a trip to the veterinarian to rule out medical problems, such as a urinary tract infection, says Carlo Siracusa, a University of Pennsylvania veterinarian and animal behaviorist. (Related: "How Dogs Can Sniff Out Diabetes and Cancer.")

Barring a health issue, it's possible that Zucco can detect the hormonal changes caused by Zuckerman's pregnancy,