Obesity In Cats - Is Your Cat Overweight?

Sometimes you will hear people say, "He’s just a little chubby," or "He really doesn’t eat that much … and besides, he’s cute!" Yes, he is a cutie, but is he overweight?

We sit down to eat ... and there they are those big cute begging eyes! I am sure you may think a little bit of this and a little bit of that won’t hurt him. But do you really know what table food does to your cat? Combining table food, treats and lack of exercise are all factors in making your cat fat, which can cause health problems.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says obesity is an extremely common problem in pets and, as with humans, can be detrimental to the health of a cat. The overweight pet has many added stresses upon his body and is at an increased risk of diabetes, liver problems and joint pain.  You can read their views on Overweight Cats.

Cats and Carbohydrates
Did you know that cats, unlike most mammals, do not have a carbohydrate-digesting enzyme called amylase in their saliva? Humans and dogs do, and begin the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth. In our intestines, amylase secreted from the pancreas breaks down large carbohydrate molecules into absorbable smaller units of glucose.

Cats generally have less amylase activity than humans or dogs. For this reason it is very important that you do not give your cat certain human foods! Cats need the nutrients specifically provided for them in good, premium cat foods, and any "extras" that they consume will take away their appetites for their regular meals.

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Pit Bulls – Do They Make Good Pets?

Pit bull is a term commonly used to describe several breeds of dog in the molosser breed group. Most jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls, use the term "pit bull" to refer to the modern American Pit Bull Terrier, American  Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any other dog that has the substantial physical characteristics and appearance of those breeds.

Media hysteria and bad owners have greatly damaged this breed, and every incident involving a pit bull makes it worse for the entire breed and their owners, often prompting breed specific legislation or breed bans.

The pit bull is typically a people loving, intelligent and fun breed. Due to their affinity with people, this breed is a good candidate for rescue and adoption, but potential homes need to be carefully screened to insure that the new owners understand and accept the responsibility of owning a pit bull.  This is not a breed for everyone! The only way to repair the pit bull's bad reputation is to keep them in the hands of responsible owners.

Animal shelters in the United States euthanized approximately 1.7 million dogs in 2008; approximately 980,000, or 58 percent of these were assessed to have been pit bull-type dogs.

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Do Dogs Cry?

We know our dogs have feelings, and we’ve all caught our pet looking particularly forlorn, wearing a plaintive stare and glassy eyes. What else to think, but our dog is crying! Is she really, though? Do dogs cry like we do?

While dogs can feel sadness and grief, they don’t actually cry in the same way humans do. In other words, their sad feelings don’t prompt a flow of tears. Humans, in fact, are the only animals on the planet to shed tears as a result of their emotional state.

But we can unpack this larger question into several others. Can dogs shed tears at all? Do dogs cry in some other way? And if they can’t cry, are we imagining other dog emotions?

Do Dogs Cry? Not if Their Eyes Are Healthy

Dogs do have tear ducts, of course. These function to keep the eyes comfortable and clear of debris, and they drain back into the nasal cavity rather than dripping from the eye. This means something may be amiss if your dog is leaking tears. In dogs, tears could be caused by:

To read more on this story, click here: Do Dogs Cry?

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Vision Loss in Senior Dogs — Symptoms and Management

Just as our eyesight can become impaired as we age, dogs can also suffer from vision loss as they enter their senior years. However, unlike humans, dogs do not rely on vision as their most important sense. Their noses and ears allow them to adapt quite well to changes in their eyesight. Here are the signs of potential vision impairment and some steps you can take to help your senior dog cope with any loss of sight.

Vision Loss: Causes and Symptoms
There are many causes of vision loss in older dogs, including glaucoma and macular degeneration.

One of the more probable causes is a cataract, when the lens of the eye is clouded over. A cataract will appear as a hazy, opaque white growth over the eye and often goes hand-in-hand with other illnesses, such as diabetes.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) can cause a multitude of ocular problems, such as retinal detachment, which could lead to blindness. Untreated infections, chronic dry eye, and tumors or cancer can also cause blindness. It’s vital for your elderly dog to have regular visits (at least every 6-to-9 months) with his veterinarian, as the sooner the condition is detected and diagnosed, the better the possible outcome.

Signs that your dog is losing his eyesight can be quite obvious. He might bump into walls or furniture or have trouble locating his food or toys. He might stop making eye contact with you. The signs can also be subtler, such as being reluctant to jump on or off the couch, a new level of anxiety, or becoming clingy. Your dog may even begin to show aggression because his vision loss may leave him feeling vulnerable and more inclined to act offensively in an attempt to keep himself safe.

To read more on this story, click here: Vision Loss in Senior Dogs — Symptoms and Management

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Weird New Trend Puts Live Ants Inside Nail Tips

Bizarre beauty trends are hardly a new thing - we've seen everything from nose hair extensions to 'halo eyebrows' and let's not forget some women's ongoing obsessions with developing a deep fake tan - that makes them look like a 'mahogany table', apparently.

Although they make look a little bit silly, until now they've pretty much been harmless. I mean, yeah, going green overnight might not be your cup of tea, but each to their own and all that.

However, one new nail 'trend' has got people seriously pissed off, with many branding it 'cruel' and 'disgusting' for its use of live ants entombed inside some acrylic to create a bit of nail art.

The weird design was shared online by Nail Sunny in Moscow, and showed the ants being placed inside hollow, clear acrylic nail tips. Despite the post stating that no ants were harmed in the making of the nails, the whole thing was quickly slammed by Instagram users.

One wrote: "This is absolutely disgusting, you should be ashamed of yourself. Any nail technicians I know would NEVER dream of doing anything as ridiculous as this. The poor ants suffer for no reason, the nails look horrid!"

To read more on this story, click here: Weird New Trend Puts Live Ants Inside Nail Tips

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NYPD Police Precinct’s Mascot, A Tabby Cat Named Martin, Was Killed By Car

The adorable orphaned tabby cat that served as mascot and morale booster for cops at Coney Island’s 60th Precinct was struck by a car and killed, cops said Monday. He was 2 years old.

“Sad to announce our Precinct cat Martin has passed away. He was hit by a car and later died due to his injuries. He will truly be missed by all in the command. RIP Marty,” Deputy Inspector Joseph Hayward wrote on Twitter.

A DCPI spokeswoman told the Post the cat was discovered to have been hit by a car on Saturday morning, after he was “heard meowing in distress outside of the precinct back door.” Police did not know how or where Marty was struck. He was taken to a local animal clinic, where he died.

The lovable feline was dropped off by a woman at the station house on West Eighth Street and Surf Avenue in late 2016.

Cops lobbied for the cat to become a permanent resident. He soon softened the hearts of even the toughest officers — snuggling with them and munching on scraps of turkey.

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How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog? Groomers Weigh In

For a lot of new dog owners, it can be difficult to determine how often you should wash your dog. The truth is, the answer depends on a lot of things.

“How frequently a pet needs a bath greatly varies based upon their breed, lifestyle, length of coat, and how much homework a pet owner is willing to do,” says Beth Cristiano, owner of Pretty Paws LLC, headquartered in Harrison, N.Y.

The type of coat your dog has is a big factor in how often he requires baths. However, it’s not as simple as the shorter the hair, the less bathing required. Hairless breeds, such as the Chinese Crested and the Xoloitzcuintli, are actually quite care intensive, according to Cristiano, who says these breeds require weekly baths.

At the other end of the spectrum are the long-coated breeds, such as the Maltese and the Collie. “Obviously, the more hair a dog has, the more work is involved, including the frequency of the bath,” says Jorge Bendersky, a celebrity dog groomer, pet expert, and best-selling author of “DIY Dog Grooming, From Puppy Cuts to Best in Show: Everything You Need to Know.” He adds, “For dogs with medium-to-large coats, a bath could be needed from weekly to every 4-to-6 weeks, as long as the coat is properly maintained in-between baths.”

To read more on this story, click here: How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog? Groomers Weigh In

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Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Are Building A Naked Mole-Rat Exhibit

If you've ever been to the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Small Mammal House, you’ve probably seen the naked mole-rats—those small, nearly hairless rodents running through a series of tubes and chambers. These funky Zoo favorites are ready for a home renovation. 

Because of your generosity, we're getting a new exhibit: a corner habitat with more realistic tunnels where guests can see the mole-rats up close and peek at a keeper area behind them, along with a webcam so online viewers can watch the naked mole-rats anytime, anywhere!

We would like to extend a special thank you to the following donors who made this exhibit possible.

To read more on this story, click here: Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Are Building A Naked Mole-Rat Exhibit

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex , Adopt A Dog Together

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have only been married a few months, but the couple have been non stop since their wedding. Between their public appearances and luxurious vacations, Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had nothing but excitement in their fast-paced royal world. And if they weren't already busy enough, things just got even more interesting for the couple: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just got a dog together.

Earlier today, People confirmed that the two have taken the next step and are now the proud owners of a dog, which is rumored to be a labrador. 

Reportedly, the couple adopted the dog earlier this summer and it has joined them at their place in Cotswolds area and at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London, a source says.

It comes as no surprise that the two have chosen to add a pup to their family—Meghan, 37, is an avid dog lover and adopted a dog named Bogart in the past. The Duchess had to leave the pooch behind in Toronto when she moved to London in November last year, but it's now in the care of a family friend. She is also the fur mama to her beagle Guy, who made an appearance on her wedding day.

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Heart Doctors Are Warning About Chagas Disease, a Fatal Infection Caused by the 'Kissing Bug'

Chagas disease, a parasitic infection that can cause heart disease and stroke, has spread from South and Central America to the United States in recent decades, according to a statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) published this week in the journal Circulation. The statement aims to help U.S. doctors better recognize, diagnose, and treat the infection, which is transmitted by an insect called the kissing bug.

About one-third of people who are infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease develop chronic heart problems at some point in their lives. The infection often goes undiagnosed until it’s too late, experts say, which is why early screening and prevention practices are so important.

To learn more about Chagas disease, Health spoke with Paula Stigler-Granados, PhD, assistant professor at Texas State University's School of Health Administration. Stigler-Granados was not involved in the AHA’s new statement, but she has researched Chagas disease extensively. Here’s what she, and the AHA, want people to know about this scary-sounding and often silent disease.

To read more on this story, click here: Heart Doctors Are Warning About Chagas Disease, a Fatal Infection Caused
by the 'Kissing Bug'

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MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN DOGS AND CATS

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that deteriorates the muscles of dogs and cats because of low amounts of dystrophin. There isn't a cure for the disease, but there are treatments available that can help slow down the progression of the disease. Find out more here.

Muscular dystrophy is a type of genetic disease that dogs, cats, humans, and a few other species can get. It is very serious, but you can still be there for your animal.

WHAT IS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY?
Muscular dystrophy refers to any of a group of disorders in which low levels of the protein dystrophin causes progressive muscle degeneration. Which muscles are affected, when the disorder manifests, and how quickly the disease progresses depends on which of several possible genetic mutations the patient has.

In both cats and dogs, the most common forms of muscular dystrophy begin at birth or shortly thereafter. While the condition is very serious, animals who survive to adulthood can often live fairly well as indoor companion animals for a number of years.

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN DOGS
In dogs, males are much more at risk than females, although females can be carriers and pass the mutation on to their sons. When females do get the disease, they often get a less severe form. Although muscular dystrophy is always rare, some breeds, particularly Golden Retrievers, are more at risk than others. Japanese Spitz dogs and Labrador Retrievers also have their own, even less common, versions of the disease. Signs and symptoms always involve weakening of the muscles. 

To read more on this story, click here: MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN DOGS AND CATS

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Did You Know that Meowing is Not Part of Natural Cat Language, it was Developed Almost Exclusively for Humans?

Did you know that cats meow to people, but not to other cats?

Adult cats, living apart from humans, have very clear communication with one another.

Cat language is spoken mostly through scent, then through facial expression, complex body language and touch.

Cat sounds for vocal communication involve caterwauls for mating, chattering upon spotting prey, hissing to ward off an intruder or shrieking when hurt or terrified. Meowing is not part of natural cat language, it was developed almost exclusively for humans.

The only meowing in cat language is done between a mother cat and her kittens. A kitten’s tiny “mew” is a cute, endearing sound, used to solicit attention and care from mom cat. Once the kittens are grown, the mews and meows would stop, if not for communicating with humans.

So why do cats meow to people? Because meowing is what works. Your cat is dependent on you and quickly learns that you are clearly not picking up the scent messages she leaves on your belongings or the body language she is attempting to use.

The meows and mews are what get you to do what she wants. So the meowing develops into a second language to communicate to you.

Some scientists would go so far as to say that cats have refined their meows specifically to manipulate people. And we have to admit, it works!

Cat people know cat language

Dr. Nicholas Nicastro, Ph.D., did his thesis on humans’ ability to understand meows. He recorded hundreds of meows cats used in real settings with their owners. He had people listen to the meows, then asked what they thought the cats were communicating. Part of the experiment asked general interpretations (Does the cat sound angry or pleasant?) and part were more specific translations (Is this cat asking for food or does he want you to go away?).

Not surprisingly, the more experience the people had with cats, the better they were at understanding meows. People who owned cats could correctly translate 40% of the meows. That’s pretty remarkable considering the respondents did not have the benefit of seeing the cat. Normally, when a cat meows, we get more clues to the meaning from the context—including location (by the door, near a dirty litterbox) time of day and body language.

Different meows. Different meanings.

There are dozens of meows that cats can use, they vary in pitch, length and volume. Most cat owners learn the language easily. A short, high-pitched meow is a standard “Hello!” Several of those strung together can communicate excitement,“You’re home! YAY!”

Cats use pleasant meow sounds to solicit you for food, to go outside or to simply get attention. Your cat learns which meow is going to get the results she wants.

Cats use unpleasant, harsher, louder meows for demands, reprimands or to express annoyance. These meows have a lower pitch.



Even though there is a distinct “demand meow,” for example, your cat may have separate variations for each of her regular demands. Generally, the following meows have these meanings:

• Short meow or mew: Standard greeting. “Hello!”
• Multiple meows or mews: Excited greeting. “Great to see you!”
• Mid-pitch meow: Plea for something. “I’d like to eat.”
• Drawn-out mrrroooow: Demand for something. “Open the door. NOW.”
• Low-pitch MRRRooooowww: Complaint of a wrong you have done. “Hey—why’s my bowl still empty?”
• High-pitch RRRROWW!: Anger or pain. “That’s my TAIL you just stepped on!”

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Meet Darius, the Worlds Largest Bunny Rabbit - He Weighs 49 Pounds!

Darius weighs 49 pounds and measures 4ft 4in, making him the world’s biggest rabbit, according to Guinness World Records.

His owner, Annette Edwards, 62, from Worcester, is considering putting him on a diet after revealing that he eats 12 carrots a day – more than 4,000 a year.

He also gets through piles of cabbage, apples and two large bowls of rabbit mix - at an annual cost of $2,400.

                      Carrot cruncher: Darius with six-year-old Mia, a family friend of his owner                              Annette Edwards.

              Darius the rabbit munches his way through a staggering 4,000 carrots a year                        costing over $2,000 a year.

                       Darius weighs over 49 pounds and measures 4ft 4in - making him the world's                         largest.

Ms. Edwards is well used to looking after bunnies with big appetites as Darius’s mother Alice held the record title before him.

And Ms. Edwards couldn’t believe the speed Darius grew at when he was born – and she never thought after just five years he would hold the crown for biggest rabbit in the world.

"Darius is from a family of giant rabbits but he is the biggest bunny in history. It’s amazing just how big he is."

"If Darius had his way he would never stop eating," she said. "He is very greedy. I have to really watch him."

"He has a great personality and so I can’t be too angry when he is trying to sneak more food."

                          Darius' owners say he has a great personality and so gets away with                                      sneaking extra snacks.

              Owner Annette Edwards, 62, from Worcester says if the greedy creature had his                    way, he'd eat all day.

            As the bunny's birthday is in April, the family say he really is the real-life Easter                      Bunny

"Darius eats me out of house and home but he is very active which is good for his health.’
graphic."

"Luckily he likes to hop around all the time. I had to put a child gate on the stairs to stop him going up there."

"I treat him like a dog. He even sits on the sofa with me to watch TV.  People love coming round to  see Darius – he is bigger than most dogs."

"The family all love him and he has a mischievous glint in his eye."

"He really is the real-life Easter bunny, as his birthday is in April and it always falls around Easter."

"There is no secret to growing the world’s biggest rabbit. I treat him really well and indulge him in the odd carrot or 12."

Continental giant rabbits usually live to four or five years, but can last up to seven if well cared for.

They are considered docile, friendly and intelligent, and are relaxed around humans if socialized when young. They were originally bred for their meat and fur.

        The family treat Darius like a dog - and let him sit on the sofa and watch television.

            The rabbit enjoys a stroke on the sofa after hopping around the family home.

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Just Like People, Dogs Can be Allergic to a Wide Range of Things - Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

The most widespread allergy symptom that dogs manifest is scratching. Because constant scratching can result in open sores, raised welts, and even loss of hair, dog owners have to be careful when it comes to feeding and exposing their pets. Dog owners have to educate themselves about the symptoms and treatment options of dog allergy in order to keep their best friend as comfortable as possible.

Understanding the Basics

There are several types of allergies: the airborne, food, flea, and contact. All dogs are prone to one or a combination of these allergies. It usually affects them when they are a couple years of age; though some cases report that even dogs as young as five months have already suffered from it. Dogs that have been affected by allergies frequently suffer all throughout their lives, and the symptoms usually become worse as they age.

Common Allergy Symptoms
You should suspect your dog is having allergies if he relentlessly:

1.     Scratches his ears
2.     Licks or chews his feet or other parts of body
3.     Rubs his face against the floor or furniture
4.     Sneezes or has a runny nose
5.     Vomits or has diarrhea
6.     Coughs or wheezes
7.     Has a rash, pimples, bumps, or open sores
8.     Has a reddish hair discoloration on the paws or between his toes
9.     Has red or watery eyes
10.   Has ear infections

Diagnosing Dog Allergies

Once you suspect your dog is suffering from allergies, you should immediately see your vet. Veterinarians will oftentimes make a preliminary diagnosis as well as treatment plan based on several data. These include the season of the year when the dog manifest the most allergy symptoms, the specific body locations that are found to be the most itchy, and the response of the itches to particular medications such as shampoos, steroids, and antihistamines.

If the initial treatment plan does not offer your dog relief, your vet will likely recommend a more specific allergy testing. This procedure is commonly done either by taking a blood test or by performing intra-dermal skin testing. The blood tests are reliable for airborne allergy detection, but not as good when it comes to identifying food or contact allergies. Skin tests, nonetheless, are considered to be more accurate as it involves shaving a small patch of hair on the dog’s side, and then injecting a minimal amount of allergens underneath his skin.

Just like people, dogs can be allergic to a wide range of things like pollen and grasses, certain foods, even cats! Working closely with your vet to diagnose an allergy and treat it will make your dog much more comfortable.

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