Cat napping
If you think your cat is always asleep, you’re not far wrong. Cats sleep an average of 16 hours a day, with two-thirds of the time spent in light sleep and a third in deep slumber. We don’t know why they need to spend so much time napping, but electroencephalographic studies have shown that they do dream in deep sleep.
Why does my cat stand and lift its paws up and down in one place on your
body, almost like marching in place?
This is a cat behavior left over from kittenhood, when they kneaded their mother’s belly to help the milk flow. Some cats will actually knead and
drool when they are petted. Don’t worry - the kneading or marching means that the cat is happy. It’s sort of their way to say that you’re “kneaded!” 
Cat Communication
Miaow - Feed me.
Meeow - Pet me.
Mrooww - I love you.
Miioo-oo-oo - I am in love and must meet my betrothed outside beneath the hedge. Don’t wait up.
Mrow - I feel like making noise.
Rrrow-mawww - Please, the time has come to tidy the litter box
London Housecat Turns 33 Years Old
LONDON (UPI) — Whiskey isn’t associated with longevity, but it is for a London housecat so-named who recently turned 33 years old.
The old tom’s owner, Jean Stone told The Sun she found Whiskey as a newborn in an East London garbage can on March 17, 1971. “I never imagined he would live this long, especially after such a horrible start,” she said.
Stone, 66, said when she found the kitten, she fed him hourly with a doll’s baby bottle. “I do wonder if that’s the secret to his long life,” she mused.
Although Whiskey has no front teeth left, Stone said she expected he would pass the birthday as any other day, eating and sleeping.
In cat years, Whiskey’s reached 231, and Stone is hoping a veterinarian can help corroborate his age. Until then, Guinness World Records says the oldest living cat is Kataleena Lady, a 27-year-old Burmese born on March 11, 1977, in Australia
Some owners fear to have their male dogs castrated because they believe it will cause them to get fat. Castration won’t be the cause. Over feeding will be the reason. A castrated dog has an increased appetite and, if owners give them more food, then they will get fat. Keep to the same feeding levels as before castration and normal exercise and there will be no problem. However behavioural problems such as scenting a female on heat from a mile away and doing everything possible to get to that female could be greatly reduced or eliminated in a castrated dog.
Castration reduces testosterone levels so he is less likely to be attracted to other male dogs. Aggressive and dominance tendencies will also be reduced or eliminated. Neutered males still lift their legs but are less inclined to mark their territory They are also less prone to certain cancers and prostate problems but they will still mount.
American research has shown that there is a 70% improvement in behaviour after castration. Indeed it could be argued that it is cruel for un castrated dogs not to be allowed to fulfill its natural urges.
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It is not kind or safe to allow a dog freedom in a car. Both the dog and you will feel much safer if it is either secured in a travel kennel or is restrained on the floor of the car with a dog guard between you and it.
An unrestrained dog could fly through the air, go through the windscreen or break your neck in an accident. The National Canine Defense League urges dog owners to give their dog the same attention they would give a small child when they travel. So always make sure that the dog is properly restrained in the rear of the car. In many parts of Europe it is an offense to allow dogs to be loose or unsecured in cars. A costly fine can result if stopped by the police.
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Caring for your dogs teeth
February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and a great time to start home dental care for your pet. Dental health is important for overall health. Combined with the dental component of your pet’s annual wellness examination, a home dental care regimen can prevent pain and expense in the long run.
Brushing your pet’s teeth may sound like a tiresome task. Think about how you would feel if you went one or two days without brushing your teeth now think about what your teeth would be like after eight or nine years without cleaning.
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The first thing to realise when dealing with car sickness is that in 95% of cases it is stress related and not motion related. The most powerful memory imprint of any dogs brain is probably the car ride when it was taken away from all it ever new to be safe and secure, its litter mates and its mother. The most traumatic memory a young dog has is in relation to a ride in a car. So its not surprising that subsequent rides in a car should evoke very strong mental and subsequent physical trauma.
This is a dangerous pastime, enjoyed by some dogs with an excessive zeal when protecting their territory. Some just chase the back of the car which is a herding instinct often found in Border Collies used for herding sheep. Others might run into the vehicle to head off the intruder in what the dog regards as its road.
Ask a friend, armed with a plant spray loaded with water, to drive slowly past and squirt the dog.
Car chasing is more prominent in complete dogs which have not been castrated. Most car tyres have a strong smell of urine which contains testosterone hormones. The dog associates the car as a threat to his status and in fact is chasing the car off.
If your dog is a car chaser, then you might consider castration.
If your dog is a car chaser, then you might consider castration.
Canine Resolutions for the New Year
- I will not play tug-of-war with Dad’s underwear when he’s on the toilet.
- The garbage collector is NOT stealing our stuff.
- I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I’m lying under the coffee table.
- I will not roll my toys behind the fridge.
- I must shake the rainwater out of my fur BEFORE entering the house.
- I will not eat the cats’ food, before, or after, they eat it.
- I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of carpet in the house when I am about to throw up.
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