The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Why Do Cats Put Their Butt in Your Face? We Got to The Bottom of This Strange Behavior

Your cat loves to stick his butt where it doesn't belong, including in your face. Let's be real, cats wouldn't be cats if they didn't do all sorts of weird things and that includes putting their butts wherever they please, regardless of personal boundaries.

We asked a certified cat behavior consultant to help us get to the bottom of why cats put their butt in your face—and spoiler alert: It's not as bad as you might think! Next time your cat puts his rear end right in front of you, you might even find yourself saying "Aww" instead of "Eww!"

To read more on this story, click here: Why Do Cats Put Their Butt in Your Face? We Got to The Bottom of This Strange Behavior


Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

Researchers discovered some of the genetics behind cat coloring, from Abyssinians and tabbies to leopards and tigers.

Your sedentary lap cat may not seem to share many similarities with its fierce relatives prowling the African savanna. But Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered a specific gene that drives much of the development of the stripes, blotches and spots that decorate all feline fur. 

"Color patterns are one of these unsolved biological mysteries; there’s no go-to model organism to study it — mice don’t have stripes or spots,” said Gregory Barsh, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of genetics. “The color patterns and variability that you see in animals like tigers, cheetahs and zebras prompted some central questions for us: What are the developmental genetic mechanisms and the cellular mechanisms that give rise to these patterns and how have they been altered during mammalian evolution to give rise to the amazing diversity of shape and form we see today?”

To read more on this story, click here: Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene



Monday, January 3, 2022

Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist

Betty White had a wild side.

The legendary “Golden Girls” star — who died Friday at age 99 — was a pioneering animal rights activist devoted to saving endangered species and improving conditions at the Los Angeles Zoo.

The beloved actress worked for decades to champion animals in her charity work, along with publishing a book on the subject and starring in the nature-boosting 1971 show “Pet Set.”

“Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters and animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting and protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects, and personally adopting many rescued animals,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO.

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist



Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99

 Among the many highlights of a career that began in 1949 were star turns on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the 1970s and “Saturday Night Live” in 2010.

Betty White, who created two of the most memorable characters in sitcom history, the nymphomaniacal Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and the sweet but dim Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls” — and who capped her long career with a comeback that included a triumphant appearance as the host of “Saturday Night Live” at the age of 88 — died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 99.

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99


Friday, October 29, 2021

Woman Cuddles Large Ostrich in Incredible Viral Video

The best friendships are the ones that transcend our differences, and no pairing could illustrate this more than the closeness between one woman and her ostrich.

Posting to TikTok, Wendy Adriaens, known on the app as wendy_adriaens shared a clip of herself and one of her pet ostich's locked in an embrace.

The video begins with the Adriaens, who calls herself "The Ostrich Whisperer" standing in a muddy enclosure, holding aloft a large white blanket.

To see the video, click here: Woman Cuddles Large Ostrich in Incredible Viral Video




Thursday, October 14, 2021

Farewell old friend: Mountain gorilla who became a worldwide sensation after appearing in a selfie with a ranger dies cradled in the arms of man who rescued her as an infant

Orphaned mountain gorilla Ndakasi died at the age of 14 in the arms of park ranger Andre Bauma at the Virunga National Park in eastern Congo

She was saved by Virunga park rangers when she was two-months-old after she was found clinging to her lifeless mother

Ndakasi was cared for by Bauma who held her as an infant after her mother was gunned down by armed militia

The gorilla rose to fame after she was pictured with fellow orphan Ndeze in a selfie with park ranger Mathieu Shamavu in 

To read more on this story, click here: Farewell old friend: Mountain gorilla who became a worldwide sensation after appearing in a selfie with a ranger dies cradled in the arms of man who rescued her as an infant


Wednesday, October 6, 2021

These Are the 15 Longest Living Dog Breeds, Because You Want as Much Time as Possible with Fido

Dogs live forever, right? Right!? Unfortunately, like humans, dogs are mortals. Anyone who has lost a pet knows how heartbreaking it is to say goodbye. They are truly family members. If you’re someone who hates goodbyes or simply wants a companion for as long as possible, look into the longest-living dog breeds. On average, domesticated dogs live about ten years, but the dogs on our list have been known to live well into their teens. You’ll notice most of these pups are on the smaller side. While breed alone isn’t going to tell you how long your dog will live, it can give you a pretty good idea.

To read more on this story, click here: These Are the 15 Longest Living Dog Breeds, Because You Want as Much Time as Possible with Fido


8 Common Bird Feeder Mistakes You Might Be Making (And How to Fix Them)

Wild birds, such as finches, robins, and cardinals, are a fascinating part of many gardens and landscapes. They're so much fun to watch, especially when you draw them to your yard with feeders so you can get a closer look. The cast of birds you'll see gathering at feeders changes with the seasons, but their lively antics will be a constant delight. Attracting wild birds is usually quite easy. There are, however, a few common mistakes that can repel, injure, or even kill birds, spoiling your well-intended efforts. Make sure to avoid the following bird-feeding pitfall so you can keep your winged visitors healthy and happy year-round.

To read more on this story, click here: 8 Common Bird Feeder Mistakes You Might Be Making (And How to Fix Them)


Woman fed bears 180 eggs a week — and now she’ll pay for it, Canadian officials say

Every week during the summer of 2018, a woman bought 10 cases of apples, 50 pounds of carrots and dozens of eggs.

The food was for bears, Canada authorities said.

A woman from Whistler was ordered to pay $60,000 after officials said she violated the Wildlife Act in British Columbia.

In July 2018, the Conservation Officer Service, a public safety agency that focuses on human-wildlife conflict prevention, received a complaint that someone was feeding black bears in the neighborhood.

To read more on this story, click here: Woman fed bears 180 eggs a week — and now she’ll pay for it, Canadian officials say


Monday, September 27, 2021

When Squirrels Were One of America’s Most Popular Pets


Benjamin Franklin even wrote an ode to a fallen one.

IN 1722, A PET SQUIRREL named Mungo passed away. It was a tragedy: Mungo escaped its confines and met its fate at the teeth of a dog. Benjamin Franklin, friend of the owner, immortalized the squirrel with a tribute.

“Few squirrels were better accomplished, for he had a good education, had traveled far, and seen much of the world.” Franklin wrote, adding, “Thou art fallen by the fangs of wanton, cruel Ranger!”

To read more on this story, click here: When Squirrels Were One of America’s Most Popular Pets


Recent discoveries reveal how dogs are hardwired to understand and communicate with people - even at birth


  • Recent findings reveal that dogs are born ready to communicate with and understand people.
  • Studies show puppies can reciprocate human eye contact and follow gestures to locate food.

  • Research also suggests puppies raised with little human contact can understand gestures without training.

Dogs often seem uncannily shrewd about what we're trying to tell them.

A handful of recent studies offer surprising insights into the ways our canine companions are hardwired to communicate with people.

To read more on this story, click here: Recent discoveries reveal how dogs are hardwired to understand and communicate with people - even at birth


Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Do Dogs and Cats Recognize their Owners? The Many Ways Pets Tell Us Apart

Dogs and cats have many cues to help them recognize us. Learn about all the different ways our pets know who we are.

When you watch your dog bounding across the dog park, or when you see your cat perched atop her scratching post, you recognize your pet by her shape, the color of her coat, and the way she moves. You may find yourself wondering, “Does my cat know me?” or, “Can my dog tell me apart from everyone else?” Our pets certainly know who we are, but they often know us in ways that humans, with our different set of senses, can only imagine: scent, sound, and subtle cues of movement and touch.

To read more on this story, click here: Do Dogs and Cats Recognize their Owners? The Many Ways Pets Tell Us Apart



Sunday, September 12, 2021

Man Grabs Crab Before Realizing What It Really Is

Huge Discovery

His eyes grew wide as he stammered his word, “Don’t move.” He then slowly backed away from the scene unfolding before his eyes.

Mark didn’t understand what his friend was talking about, then noticed claws, and many legs. He felt his pulse quicken and his legs freeze in place.

To read more on this story, click here: Man Grabs Crab Before Realizing What It Really Is


Saturday, September 11, 2021

The benefits of owning a pet -- and the surprsing science behind it

(CNN)Snuggling next to my kitties while their furry chests softly rumble is a proven antidote to the day's stress.

For me and millions more, having a pet brings a circle of love into our lives -- they give affection, we give it back and all of us are the better for it.

Science agrees.

"I have a list of 10 health benefits [that] studies have shown pet owners have," said psychologist Harold Herzog, a pet-loving professor at Western Carolina University who has long studied the human-animal connection.

To read more on this story, click here: The benefits of owning a pet -- and the surprsing science behind it