Do Pets Have The Sixth Sense?

 

That animals have fine senses it’s no surprise. But do they have the so-called sixth sense? Can they feel the supernatural?

The book “Tails of the Afterlife,” by Peggy Schmidt, chronicles multiple instances of unexplainable actions by dogs who apparently interact with something, or someone, unseen. For instance, she writes about a woman named Del Johnsen who left seven dogs and six cats when she passed away. Numerous witnesses believe she still visits her pets daily, and report seeing the animals suddenly gather in one spot, cats arching their backs and purring, dogs flopping over for a belly rub, wriggling in enjoyment, all of them sitting at attention and staring into the air before resuming their own activities.

However, your pet’s sixth sense may simply result from his keen hearing, exceptional nose, and a dog’s eye view of the world that allows him to sense small movements that escape our attention. A dog’s senses are keener, and different, than ours: His eyes detect more delicate movements; his sense of smell is 1,000 to 10,000 times more sensitive than a human’s. He can hear much higher frequencies at four times the distance of a human with normal hearing.

Wild and domestic animals, including dogs, seemed to sense the impending Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, displaying their distress with behavior changes and vocal warnings. They either ran for cover or refused to go outside. Some experts believe they could sense vibrational changes on land from impending earthquakes before humans could.

Why are dogs so faithful? A look at dog loyalty

 

Why are dogs so faithful?

Fido was a 4-month-old pup, but already had his share of suffering. His owner had to give him up because his mentally-disabled brother would hit Fido and had tried to drown him on more than one occasion. In his new home, Fido was stressed. He managed to escape this new home and ran miles to his first owner. Ever wondered why dogs are so faithful?

This is a quality that all dogs have and that too many humans lack. But what makes dogs so undeserved for us humans? There has been some research on the bond between dogs and humans, which stems from when the latter domesticated the former. When the man domesticated the dog, it was based on loyalty. By instinct, they are eager to please their pack.

Key reasons why dogs are so faithful

Getting straight down to it, these are some of the reasons why dogs are so faithful:

• Their past. Studies seem to suggest that dogs separated from wolves years before they encountered humans. Dogs and humans began to share their lives only 13,000 years ago.
• Pack loyalty. Once a dog joins a pack, he needs to stay faithful to that pack in order for it to succeed.
• Communication. Research demonstrates that dogs are more human-like in their behavior than primates. This is due to so many years of humans, trying to improve communication with us.
• Dogs see us as their equals. Their faithfulness to us might come from the fact that they see us as their equals.

Some pretty faithful dogs

Several species of dogs have developed a specially strong instinct toward faithfulness. They would follow their owners to the death. Some of these species are:

• German Shepherd
• Rough Colley
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Great Pyrenees
• Kuvasz

In general, all dog breeds will genuinely be faithful to their humans. Now that you know the answer to “Why are dogs so faithful”, we should all go and try to learn a thing or two about faithfulness from our dogs.

Cat Dehydration: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

 

Cat dehydration occurs when there is a rapid loss of water. An imbalance in the amount of water and electrolytes can have a serious effect, not only in cats but humans as well.

Water is an essential liquid to cats, which rely on it for all its biological processes, including digestion, circulation, and waste removal. It makes up to 80 percent of the cat’s total weight.

Causes of Cat Dehydration

Dehydration happens when the level of water is less than the normal amount required to survive. This happens due to a rapid loss of fluid or to a lack of intake.

Other causes of dehydration include overheating in hot water, a bout of vomiting or diarrhea, or increased activity. Illnesses such as fever, trauma, heatstroke, diabetes, and others can cause dehydration in cats.

It is very important to always give your cats access to drinking water. This is because even though cats are sensitive to water loss, they may not drink fluids until they have only 8% of their water storage.

Symptoms of Cat Dehydration

Check for the following symptoms if you believe that your cat is losing more water than it is getting:

• Dry mouth
• Depression
• Elevated heart rate
• Lethargy
• Sunken eyes
• Panting
• Loss of skin elasticity

 

Cat Dehydration: Treatment and Prevention

As you have probably figured, dehydration is, many times, a symptom of an underlying condition. If you suspect that your cat is dehydrated, it is imperative that you take him to the veterinarian immediately.

As a responsible cat owner, it is important that you know how much water your cat needs. When a cat consumes more calories, he needs more water to dispose of waste.

An adult cat will drink about the same amount in milliliters of water as kilocalories they eat per day. Cats who eat dry food only do not get as much water as needed from food alone. Therefore, it is important that they always have access to clean and fresh water.

Small cats list: the cutest and most adorable small cats

 

Small cats list: the cutest and most adorable small cats

Small cats list – The best list of beautiful small cats. Munchkin, Devon rex, American Curl, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Singapura. Characteristics and behavior.

They say that the best things come in small packages. We have some small cats to prove that. They are adorable and huggable. But don’t hug them as they do not seem to like it!

Cats inspire tenderness and love. In particular, because of their size, small cats arouse even more tenderness. With their paws and small muzzles, these cats are really adorable and unstoppable.

Find out together with us the stories and characteristics of the most beautiful little cats.

Small cats list: the cutest and most adorable small cats

Munchkin

Of course, we included the Munchkin here! This stubby-legged furball is worthy of all your hugs and kisses. The short legs in these cats are caused by an autosomal dominant gene that causes the bones on their legs to grow smaller.

This makes them have this nice pose and extraordinary gait.

The origins of this are around 1983 when Sandra Hockenedel found a short-legged pregnant cat. This breed is born from the crossing of this female with one of her male pups. In 2003 it obtained Championship class recognition.

Small cats list: the cutest and most adorable small cats

Devon Rex

The Devon Rex is one of those cats that are so ugly they are cute. Maybe they are not a worthy member of this list. But when you see one, it is so exotic that it is a head-turner.

His neck is gawky and looks like toddler chick. Plus, his ears are oversized. Then, when you realize how cute these kitties are and so deserving of love, you cannot help but grab one to hug!

This cat is related to the Cornish Rex, which is another adorable small cat.

Small cats list: the cutest and most adorable small cats

American Curl

No list of small cats is complete without the American Curl. He is considered the “Peter Pan” of the cat world due to his forever-young personality. He is one that likes to stay in the action and has a deep people-loving personality.

So maybe this one might let you hug him. But just a little bit.

American Curl Cat is a strong cat, of robust size, and soft fur, which enjoys good health. It is a cat coming from the United States of America and exists both long-haired and short-haired.

Small cats list: the cutest and most adorable small cats

Burmese

Simply captivating, this beautiful cat is characterized by its large honey eyes. His rounded head covered with a deep sable fur makes you turn and not look away.

The Burmese cat, is an American cat that nowadays is widespread throughout the world. It is a cat with a very particular appearance that was initially only brown. Today this cat can be found in red, blue, lilac, cream, tortie, fawn, and cinnamon.

The Burmese cat is a very elegant and muscular cat. The build is not light and slender but not even excessively strong like that of many European cats.  Furthermore, there is a semi-long hair variety called Tiffany

Small cats list: the cutest and most adorable small cats

Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex are fascinating felines without external fur. These cats are equipped with thin hair which resembles small feathers facing downwards. They weigh a maximum of 4 kg.

The Cornish Rex is a cat with beautiful short and curly hair. It is a cat native to Cornwall, England. The first Cornish Rex was born in 1950 to a tricolored cat. The suffix Rex originates from a specimen of an English rabbit with curly hair. Subsequently, this tricolored cat was coupled with the Cornish, generating a variant with smooth hair. Therefore, there are two different genetic mutations.

Small cats list: the cutest and most adorable small cats

Singapura

If you really love small cats, perhaps the Singapura should be at the top of your list. This cat breed does not grow past its kitten size. They have big eyes, big ears and are really smart.

The Singapura cat is officially made in the USA.

This cat, was born on a journey from Singapore to the United States of America, from an American couple who noticed beautiful cats of pleasant shapes while they were in Singapore. They decided to take them home as souvenirs and then make a new beautiful and exotic breed.

What’s your favorite small cat? Munchkin? Devon rex? American Curl? Burmese? Cornish Rex? Or the Singapura?

What Is a Limited Ingredient Cat Food?

 

As a modern cat owner, you’ve probably heard of a “limited ingredient” cat food. Perhaps your veterinarian has recommended one of these diets to treat your cat’s food allergies, or maybe you saw a grain-free limited ingredient diet advertised as the most natural option for your cat.

However, before these foods end up in your cat’s bowl, it’s important to know what these diets entail, which cats they can truly benefit from, and how to choose a product that works how you and your veterinarian want it to.

What Does “Limited Ingredient Cat Food” Mean?

In theory, a limited-ingredient cat food diet is exactly as it sounds: a diet with fewer ingredients. The goal is to limit the number of protein and carbohydrate sources while maintaining a nutritious diet, usually to avoid adverse food reactions or food allergies.

However, the term “limited ingredient” is not regulated by the FDA. That means that pet food companies can write “limited ingredient” on the label of any cat food, no matter how many ingredients there are.

If you want to make sure you are feeding a limited-ingredient diet, you will have to look at the pet food label and the ingredient list and compare it to some other ingredient lists, or better yet, ask your veterinarian to take a look. 

What Is in a Limited Ingredient Cat Food?

A truly limited-ingredient cat food will have the following ingredients and little else:

• One protein source
• One carbohydrate source
• Supplements
• Fats to balance the nutrition

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat, so it is very important that the protein source be of animal origin. In limited-ingredient diets, the animal protein is usually a “novel protein,” or one your cat probably has not been exposed to before.

Common veterinary-recommended protein sources in limited-ingredient diets include:

• Duck
• Rabbit
• Venison 

Carbohydrate sources that are often used in limited-ingredient diets include potatoes and peas.

Fruits, additional vegetables, and additives such as kelp should be generally avoided in a diet made for treating food allergies, as they can interfere with determining a cat’s response to the protein source.

Is a Grain-Free Diet a Limited Ingredient Cat Food?

Although grain-free cat food diets may have ingredient restrictions, they are not considered by veterinarians to be limited ingredient diets.

The term “grain-free” is not regulated by the FDA and is used more for marketing than to indicate food content or quality. It also says nothing about the number of ingredients used. These diets generally swap out whole grains for other carbohydrate sources such as lentils, peas, and sweet potatoes, but they have very similar protein sources to other cat foods (poultry, egg, and fish).

There is still no evidence to suggest that grains are harmful to cats (grain allergies are exceedingly rare), and most cats digest them very well. That said, there are grain-free, limited-ingredient diets whose carbohydrate sources are not grain based if you and your veterinarian decide that is best for your cat.

Is Limited Ingredient Cat Food Better?

If your cat is healthy, there is no reason to try to switch to a limited-ingredient diet because you think that it might be “better” for them. The nutrients in your cat’s food are much more important than the ingredients that provide them.

A well-balanced diet made from chicken, beef, eggs, and rice is likely better than a limited-ingredient cat food that is poorly balanced but made from a novel protein.

Does My Cat Need a Limited Ingredient Food?

The most common reason for a cat owner to seek out a limited-ingredient diet is to try to diagnose and/or treat a food allergy.

Symptoms that may be linked to allergies include:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Itchy skin

• Frequent ear infections

But true food allergies are not as common as you may think. However, if your veterinarian does suspect a food allergy, they may recommend a diet trial with a limited ingredient diet. Limited-ingredient diets may also be useful in the treatment of pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

If you wanted to switch because you thought that maybe a limited-ingredient diet could prevent a food allergy from developing in the first place, it would actually do more harm than good. Exposing your cat to exotic proteins such as venison, kangaroo, and duck may even make it harder to treat a real allergy (in the unlikely event that one develops), as those novel protein options will no longer be available to you for a diet trial.

Using LID Cat Food to Test for Food Allergies

High-quality limited-ingredient diets are readily available, but due to issues with contamination control in store-brand limited-ingredient diets, most veterinarians exclusively recommend a prescription hydrolyzed protein diet for food allergy testing. Prescription pet food companies like Royal Canin have stringent quality control, even going as far as PCR testing for contaminant proteins.

In prescription hydrolyzed diets, the protein molecules are broken down into microscopic pieces that the body can use and digest but not recognize as potential allergens. If your cat has been exposed to many different protein sources, this type of diet may take the guesswork out of a diet trial.

Introducing New Kitten to Home

 

Best Way to Introduce a New Kitten

Your life with your new kitten begins on the ride home. First, cats should always be transported in some kind of pet carrier in the car. By teaching your kitten to ride in a confined location, you are providing safety as well as starting a routine that you can maintain for future car rides.

Upon arriving at home, place the kitten in a small, quiet area with food and a cat litter box. If the kitten is very tiny, a small litter box with low sides will be necessary at first. If possible, duplicate the type of litter material that was used in the kitten’s previous home

Kitten Proofing the Home

Set up a safe and secure area where you can leave your kitten when you are not available for supervision. This location should have a food bowl, water bowl, litter box, play toys, a scratching post, and a resting area; be sure the space is big enough to accommodate all of these things. 

Since it is advisable to feed your kitten multiple small meals throughout the day, you may choose to also provide a feeding area in this room. All kittens and cats will need time to investigate their new surroundings, but make sure to inspect the area for nooks and crannies where a kitten might hide or get stuck. For a new kitten, this is a more manageable task if you limit the available space initially. Be sure that any area where your kitten is allowed to roam has been effectively cat-proofed, which includes anywhere the kitten can jump or climb. Potentially dangerous items like electric cords and items that might be chewed or swallowed, such as thread, rubber bands, paper clips, or children’s toys, should be booby-trapped or kept out of reach. (See Controlling Undesirable Behavior in Cats) After your new kitten has had some quiet time in a restricted location, slowly allow access to other areas of the home under your supervision.

Kittens are natural explorers and will use their claws to climb up onto anything possible. In the first few weeks, slow access to the home will allow for exploration as well as the ability for you to monitor the kitten's behavior.

Introducing the New Kitten to Other Pets

Although some kittens may show fear and defensive postures toward other pets in the home, most young kittens are playful and inquisitive around other animals. Therefore, it is often the existing pets that can pose more of a problem. If you know or suspect that your adult dog or cat might be aggressive toward the kitten, then you should seek professional behavior advice before introducing the pets to each other.

The kitten should be given a safe and secure area that provides for all of its needs (as described above), and introductions with the existing family pets should be carefully supervised. At the first introduction, there may be no immediate problems, and reinforcement of desirable responses may be all that is required.

Introducing the New Kitten to Your Dog

If there is some mild anxiety on the part of your dog, the introductions will need to be controlled, gradual, supervised, and always positive. Begin by placing your new kitten in a carrier or on a leash and harness so that it will not provoke the dog. Using a leash to control your dog, use favored rewards and training commands to encourage your dog to sit or stay calmly in the presence of the cat. Dogs that are not well trained to settle on command may need their training reviewed and improved upon before introduction to any new pet. Alternatively, a dog leash and head halter may be used for more immediate control and safety.  Calm investigation should then be encouraged and reinforced.  Any initial anxiety on the part of the dog or kitten should soon decrease.

If the dog is prevented from rough play and chasing, the kitten should quickly learn its limits with the dog, including how to avoid confrontation by climbing or hiding. Initially, it would be best to keep a dog and a kitten separated unless supervised. If there is still the possibility of aggression or injury after the cautious initial introductions, then a behavior consultation would be advisable.

Introducing the New Kitten to Your Cat

Most adult cats are fairly tolerant of kittens. Keeping the kitten in its own area and then allowing introductions when the cats are eating or playing should help to decrease any initial anxiety. A cat crate, or a leash and harness, can be used to control one or both of the cats during initial introductions. A synthetic cheek gland scent, either as a spray or diffuser, may also be useful for easing introductions. Most cats and kittens will soon work out a relationship on their own without injury. However, if there is a threat of aggression, a gradual introduction program will need to be followed.

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What You Should Know Before Getting Backyard Chickens

 

Backyard chickens are extremely popular as pets, even in urban areas. They are fun, interactive, entertaining animals that have the added benefit of providing tasty, fresh eggs.

While chickens can be wonderful pets, their care isn’t simple. They actually have very specific needs that, if not met, can lead to a host of health problems. What should a prospective owner know before getting a backyard chicken?

Types of Backyard Chickens

Chickens come in more than 400 varieties, with standard chickens being larger and more common, while Bantams are much smaller, weighing only 1-2 pounds. Standard chickens are kept typically for their egg-laying abilities, while Bantams are generally chosen for show.

Chickens vary not only in size but also in feather color, length and pattern. Some also lay different-colored eggs, including pink, green and blue eggs, in addition to the familiar brown and white eggs found in grocery stores.

Things to Consider Before Getting Backyard Chickens

With their inquisitive, explorative nature, chickens are amusing to watch, and they make great companions, as they recognize their owners by sight and sound. Chickens can also teach children about the responsibilities of pet ownership, and all family members, including children, can participate in their care.

Although there are plenty of benefits to keeping chickens as pets, consider the following points about backyard chickens before you decide if you are ready.

Chickens Are Not Legal Everywhere

Before purchasing a chicken, you should check local laws to see whether chickens can be kept legally as pets in your area. Laws vary by state and by town, and not all locations are zoned for chickens. Many areas require chicken owners to have permits for ownership, and some towns even limit how many chickens can be kept as well as the size of the coop.

Chickens Require a Long-Term Commitment

While chickens typically lay eggs for only two to three years, they can live as long as 15 years. As a result, unfortunately, many unwanted backyard chickens are left in animal shelters across the country after their egg-laying years are over. So, if you’re looking for chickens more for companionship than for egg-laying capabilities, you may want to visit a local shelter before purchasing them at a hatchery or farm supply store.

Chickens Have Specific Housing Requirements

Chickens are appealing as pets to some people because many chicken coops are designed to look like decorative houses that are attractive additions to the yard. However, chickens have very particular housing needs, and some of these designer coops are not constructed to meet these needs.

Chickens Need Sunlight

For example, not all chicken coops are heated, yet chickens housed outdoors in cold climates need heat when it’s very cold so that they don’t get frostbitten. Similarly, chickens that are housed inside continuously over cold winters lack exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are critical to helping them make vitamin D in their skin.

Vitamin D enables chickens to absorb calcium from their food so that they can make hard-shelled eggs. Without adequate UV light exposure, chickens often lay soft or shell-less eggs or have eggs get stuck inside of them when they try to lay—a life-threatening condition called egg-binding. This happens because their uterine muscles run out of the calcium needed to push the eggs out. Consequently, chickens living indoors in cold climates must have UV light bulbs built into their coops so that they don’t lay abnormal eggs or become egg-bound.

Chickens Need Nesting Boxes

In addition, chickens will only lay eggs if they are provided with boxes in which they can nest. Coops should have one box for every four to five chickens for optimal egg-laying. Nest boxes ideally should be placed in the least-trafficked part of the coop to prevent disturbing hens while they are laying, and they should be elevated 1-3 feet off the floor to prevent predators from jumping in them and debris from the coop floor collecting in them.

Nest boxes should be lined with bedding (pine shavings or straw hay) to keep chickens comfortable and to protect eggs once they are laid, and the boxes should be cleaned out regularly. Coops should be spot-cleaned daily and fully swept out weekly, and they should be placed outside in areas where the top layer of soil can be raked up and removed at least once a year. This prevents chickens from ingesting parasite eggs that are passed into the soil in their droppings and re-ingested, thereby perpetuating the parasite infection cycle.

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

 

It's not uncommon to see your dog grab a mouthful of grass during their daily walk or a romp through the park. Ever wonder why dogs do that?

There are many speculations as to why dogs eat grass. Many people believe that when dogs eat grass, they are trying to make themselves vomit. They think it’s an instinctive behavior that a dog engages in to rid themselves of something they should not have eaten.

Some pet parents think dogs eating grass is an indication that their pup has an upset stomach or intestinal problem.

Others believe that grass contains some essential nutrient their dogs instinctively know they need, or that grass offers much-needed fiber that aids in moving food through the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. They think that grass may serve as a laxative to help move stool along for dogs that are constipated.

But what’s the true science behind dogs eating grass?

Testing 6 Reasons Dogs Eat Grass

There have been many speculations and theories, but there is limited research on exactly why dogs eat grass. So the truth is … that no one knows for sure. However, scientists have formed a few theories and disproved some myths based on the research we do have.

1. Instinctive Behavior

Some scientists speculate that eating grass is an instinctive behavior for dogs that evolved from their wolf ancestors. We know from research on wolves that 2-10% of their stomach contents may contain plant material. Wild canids (from the Canidae family, which includes wolves, jackals, foxes, and coyotes) also have been observed to eat grass.

2. Supplementing a Missing Nutrient

In one particular case report, an 11-year-old Miniature Poodle had a 7-year history of eating plants and grass and vomiting afterward. The problem resolved after the dog was placed on a commercial high-fiber diet. This was evidence that this particular dog was supplementing his dietary deficiency by eating grass and plants. Once provided with adequate fiber in his diet, the grass-eating behavior resolved.

But can dogs actually digest grass? Dogs are primarily carnivores, meaning they eat meat. But recent studies have shown that dogs have evolved the ability to digest some carbohydrates in response to coevolving with humans. (Carbohydrates are sugar, starches, and fibers mainly found in fruit, grain, vegetables, and milk products).

If dogs can digest some carbohydrates, then does this mean our dogs can really digest grass? The answer is no, not really. Grass mainly passes through the dog’s intestinal tract undigested.

3. Normal Dog Behavior

In another study from 2007, researchers found that grass-eating behavior was influenced by how hungry your dog is and the time of day. There was less grass-eating when the dog had eaten a meal, and increased grass-eating beforehand. Grass-eating also occurred less frequently later in the day. The researchers believed that eating grass was normal dog behavior and was not indicative of an underlying illness.

4. Soothing an Upset Stomach

One study fed one group of dogs were a diet containing fructooligosaccharide (FOS). The other group of dogs were fed a standard diet. FOS is extracted from sugar beets and passes undigested through the small intestines and into the large intestine, where it ferments.

Large quantities of FOS can cause watery, loose stool. The dogs fed the standard diets had more episodes of grass eating compared to the FOS dogs that had diarrhea. This meant that dogs with gastrointestinal upset were actually less likely to eat grass.

However, in this particular study, the diarrhea originated in the large intestines, so it doesn’t give us insight on grass-eating behavior in dogs that have gastrointestinal upset in their stomach or small intestines.

5. Curiosity

Dogs, especially younger dogs, often explore with their mouths. Eating grass may be something that they try, like how some children eat dirt. Some dogs may learn to like the taste of grass.