We all know how our cats have their own funny and quirky personalities. Some cats pounce more than others, while other cats jump in boxes. And, then, some cats have to paw their water and stir it all around before they even drink it! Why, in fact, do our cats’ paw at their water bowl? Cats will sometimes paw at the water bowl to check the water levels Your cat may use her paw to find where the water is in the bowl. The close up vision of cats is much weaker than their long distance vision so when he or she is right in front of the water dish, she might not see the water level. Therefore, by checking where the water starts and moving it will cause the water to ripple and splash. Once your kitty is satisfied where the water is, then he or she will commence. Cats just want to have fun! Cats like to play. Moving the water with a paw may be one way a kitty keeps herself entertained. If your cat likes to do this, you might think of investing in a pet water fountain. That way, you can keep your cat entertained and you won’t have to clean up all the water on the kitchen floor! Your cat might be expecting moving water If your cat regularly drinks from the sink, then he or she will expect water to move. So when water is still in a dish, it can be unsettling for you kitty who then feels the need to give it a whack or a push. To read more on this story, click here:Why Do Cats Paw At Their Water Bowl?
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Why it is so important to treat each animal as an individual. How Ethology Can Help Improve End of Life Care for Animal Patients: Part 1 in a 3 Part Series Pain is arguably the most important clinical and ethical issue in end of life care for companion animals. Research suggests that many companion animals—perhaps numbering in the millions—are not being treated for pain or are being treated inadequately. [i] A significant portion of missed diagnoses, misdiagnoses, undertreatment, and overtreatment likely can be tied to incorrect behavioral assessments, particularly on the part of pet owners but also, perhaps, on the part of veterinarians. Pain is a quintessentially personal experience. Indeed, the most common medical definition of pain is “what the person says it is.” A large body of research has explored how the experience and expression of pain can be influenced by gender, age, past experiences, and cognitive priming. Even individual personality can influence how people experience and express pain. For example, people who rate high on “extraversion” are more likely to express their experience of pain yet may, at the same time, experience pain less intensely than introverted individuals. People who score high on “neuroticism” have higher emotional stress responses to pain than those who score low. [ii] A similar dynamic appears to be at work in nonhuman animals, with individual personality shaping the experience and expression of pain. (Personality can be understood as individual differences in behavior that remain stable over time.) This has important implications for the assessment and effective treatment of animal pain. To read more on this story, click here:Personality and Pain in Animal End of Life Care
House Rabbit Society is an international, nonprofit animal welfare organization based in Richmond, California. Our mission has two parts: Through our fostering program, volunteers rescue abandoned rabbits and find permanent adoptive homes for them. Through education, we seek to reduce the number of unwanted rabbits — and to improve bunnies’ lives — by helping people better understand these often misunderstood companion animals. In line with our mission, we are against the exploitation of rabbits. To visit their website, click here:Thinking About Getting A Pet Rabbit?
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Cat hair loss can be caused by medical or behavioral issues.
There are different causes of hair loss in cats, some are quite normal, while
others can indicate an illness that requires medical attention. Hair loss in
cats is also known as "Alopecia," which means excessive loss of hair.
Alopecia is not a disease, but a symptom.
Cats normally shed, with more hair loss during warm spring
and early summer months. Although, excessive amounts of cat hair loss is not
normal and can indicate some type of underlying disease.
Most Common Causes Of Cat Hair Loss:
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Cats may experience flea bite hypersensitivity, which is
caused by an intensive reaction to the saliva of the flea. They will go to any
lengths to reach the agitated skin, including biting off hair in the bothersome
areas. Common symptoms include extreme itching, redness, scaling, and hair
loss. In some cases, the infected area can become infected, which will require
more intensive treatment.
Atopy:
Some cats are also allergic to pollens and allergens like
dust, mold, smoke and tree pollen. This causes redness and itching around the
ears and feet. The cat will excessively lick and bite the skin which eventually
leads to hair loss. Initial treatment include reducing the exposure to the
allergen, steroids, anti-histamines and special shampoos. Your vet may also
prescribe medication to temporarily relieve the worst of the itching. In most
cases, the fur will grow back.
Poor Nutrition May Cause Cat Hair Loss:
Hair loss due to poor nutrition often affects the whole cat,
although it may affect areas that are easily worn and over the back and hips
where hair follicles have shorter growth cycles and longer inactive periods.
For a healthy hair, it is important that your cat food
contain nutrients that support healthy hair and skin, such as: vitamins,
minerals, antioxidants, Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Remember, poor
nutrition will make your cat's hair dull, loosen, and it will fall out.
Food Allergy Dermatitis:
Another cause of cat hair loss is food allergy. Common food
allergies are caused by grains (wheat, corn, soy), meats and fish (beef, lamb,
pork, salmon), milk and yeast. In addition to hair loss, cats may also show
other symptoms such as: reddened ears, excessive licking on the feet, itching
and blistering and infection in certain areas. By feeding your cats with
nutritious and balanced diet they will live a long and healthy life.
Hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine (hormone)
disorder that cats experience, which will cause hair loss, weight loss, and
skin lesions. This disorder is diagnosed with a blood thyroid level check, and
it can be easily controlled with medication or radioactive iodine therapy.
Ringworm:
Ringworm can also cause cat hair loss. Cats can contract
ringworm directly through contact with an infected animal, or indirectly
through contact with contaminated bedding, dishes, toys and other materials.
Your veterinarian can perform tests and determine if your cat has been infected
by this fungi. In cats and dogs, common symptoms of ringworm in include skin
lesions that typically appear on the head, ears and forelimbs. Ringworm can
cause flaky bald patches that sometimes look red in the center.
Psychogenic Dermatitis:
Psychogenic dermatitis, also called feline psychogenic
alopecia, occurs when a cat licks himself excessively, due to anxiety, stress,
fear, or boredom. The excessive liking can cause cat hair loss, skin
irritation, and open sores.
Be sure to identify and address the stress factor or factors
that is causing your cat to experience psychogenic dermatitis. If your cat
developed open sores, your veterinarian can prescribe oral or via injection
medications that are designed to stop your cat from licking. In addition to
medications, you can also use bandages or obstructing collars. Remember, to
prevent this issue, be sure to identify and remediate any and all environmental
factors that is causing stress to your cat.
How is the cause of cat hair loss diagnosed?
If you notice your cat losing its fur and you believe it is
more than usual, it is best to take your cat to the vet to get a diagnosis for
the loss of hair. Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical
examination and pay take a closer look to the area. He will ask you questions,
such as: if the cat has been scratching, itching, how long it has had symptoms,
if it has recently had any medication (topical flea/worming products, injection
etc).
Other diagnostic tests include:
Fungus culture - To look for ringworm.
Food elimination trial - Your veterinarian will place your
cat on a food trial which usually lasts between 8-12 weeks. During this time,
you must refrain from giving your cat any other foods, vitamins, minerals or
chewable medications apart from the prescribed diet.
Specific blood tests to check for hyperthyroidism.
Specific blood tests to check for Cushing's disease.
Skin scrapings - These are studied under a microscope to
look for mites.
Once a diagnosis is made, the vet will be able to prescribe
the necessary medication to prevent further loss of hair.
Please note, this is purely informational, the best
source of advice and treatment regarding cat's hair loss, is your veterinarian.
As an animal lover, I’m appalled by a dark secret that is being kept for lucrative reasons. Unwanted horses are being imported, by the thousands, in a cruel fashion, loaded in cramped crates then flown across the ocean to Japan. Week by week, the horses are loaded from Edmonton and Calgary airports in Alberta and the Winnipeg airport in Manitoba. Japan imported 6.5 million pounds of horsemeat in 2016. The horses are being used for one specific purpose, a sushi dish called basashi. “The meat needs to be consumed within three days after being slaughtered in order to be eaten as sushi,” Ewa Demianowicz, campaign manager for Humane Society International, told The Dodo. Horses are also used for their oil that is put in beauty products and sold all over Japan and South Korea. To read more on this story, click here: A Disgusting Practice Is Killing Horses By The Thousands And No One Is Talking About It
Over the weekend, Dallas Police found itself dealing with one of its stranger cases in recent memory, when a 47-year-old woman fatally shot her husband in defense of the family cat. The scene unfolded on Saturday morning, but confessed-shooter-and-sole-survivor, Mary Harrison, says that incident stems from her deceased husband’s repeated abuse of a beloved family pet. The victim, Dexter Harrison, allegedly beat the poor animal repeatedly, so much so that it finally ran away. Worried sick, Mary plastered their Dallas neighborhood with “missing pet” pictures, and a well-meaning neighbor ultimately located the animal. Unfortunately, Dexter resumed his abuse as soon as the cat was returned home, which led his frustrated wife to finally shoot him in an effort to stop the abuse. Nor is this the first cat-related shooting that’s happened in Texas. In 2013, a different woman shot her husband for threatening to throw her cat over the fence. To read more on this story, click here:In Texas, A Woman Just Shot Her Husband For Beating The Family Cat
The internet was riveted by a video of a wolf chasing a dog through the woods that was taken by the dog's owner. The footage was shot in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. First, the dog is barking at something in the background. A huge wolf then leaps toward the dog who begins barking more frantically. The owner can be heard in the video shouting at the two. The owner is a fishing guide at the place where the video was shot, and he said they are used to having black bears come around from time to time. This giant black wolf that turned up for several days was a surprise. The man said he was inside with the lodge manager when they saw the wolf. He grabbed his camera while the manager grabbed a gun. The wolf actually caught up with the dog and threw her in the air, and the lodge manager had to fire into the air to make it stop. The dog had some minor injuries but recovered. The wolf returned two more times that day looking for the dog. Some of the many viewers of the video estimated the wolf must have been about seven feet long.
This dog’s owners could not stop laughing when they went to check in on him during his “work hours.” He was suppose to be guarding the sheep, but he had other ideas! Many dogs perform important jobs. Some sniff out bombs while others guide the blind. Dogs are invaluable when it comes to many things humans depend on. This dog takes his position very seriously. He is doing a great job when it comes to bonding with the staff. In fact, his bonding skills are so strong, his employee relationships have reached a whole new level. I think he would ACE those employee trust exercises “fur” sure! This hilarious encounter takes place in Italy where herds of sheep are guarded by all types of dogs. Even this type! Click twice on the video below:
