Mexico City is dog-crazy. Ladies push their poodles in strollers across the parks; one of the Chinese restaurants by our house has a full menu for your pooch — not just a bowl of whipped cream, we’re talking a chicken breast dinner! And just like there are street vendors who cater to humans, there’s one guy who runs a food truck offering doggie delectables. (His most popular item seems to be dried chicken feet)….”
Domestic cats react differently to their owner’s natural odor versus a stranger’s.
The team from Tokyo University of Agriculture in Japan investigated whether domestic cats can just use smell to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar humans. They presented 30 domestic cats with plastic tubes containing swabs. These swabs had been rubbed under the armpit, behind the ear, and between the toes of either their owner or a human that they had never met….”
Dog Domestication:
In just a generation, we humans have abruptly changed the rules on our dogs. With urbanization increasing and space at a premium, the wild, abandoned places where children and dogs used to roam have disappeared from many American communities. Dogs have gone from working all day and sleeping outside to relaxing on the couch and sleeping in our beds. They are more a part of our families than ever—which means they share our indoor, sedentary lifestyle. Americans once wanted a dog that barked at every noise, but modern life best suits a pet that will settle nicely under the desk during remote work, politely greet guests, make friends with cats, and play nice (but not hump) in the dog park….”
Do cats make good therapy animals?:
Around 10,000 years ago, cats likely domesticated themselves when they started hanging around human settlements for better rodent-hunting opportunities. Now, there are an estimated 600 million domestic cats living around the world. Their cute toe beans, striped and spotted coats, and soft bellies still delight cat lovers everywhere….”
Dog diet:
If there’s one issue that has gripped the dog-loving community for the past few years, it’s that of cereals in dog food, and in particular in the ingredients that make up kibbles…are cereals really harmful for our dogs?”
Cat Facts:
Around 10,000 years ago, cats likely domesticated themselves when they started hanging around human settlements for better rodent-hunting opportunities. Now, there are an estimated 600 million domestic cats living around the world. Their cute toe beans, striped and spotted coats, and soft bellies still delight cat lovers everywhere….”
“Dogs are chock full of the ‘love hormone’
Dogs’ bodies produce oxytocin when in the presence of their human counterparts – and they get a big burst of it every time they make eye contact with their bonded humans.
When a dog’s brain is flooded with the love hormone, it’s better able to follow the social cues of its owners. And the longer a dog maintains its owners’ gaze, the more elevated the levels of oxytocin released….”
“Dog Coats: Domestic pets, especially indoor dwelling ones or those that have been modified by selective breeding, have unique needs akin to the needs of the humans that they share space with. We have bred dogs to depend on us for their needs. No longer are they well equipped to fend for themselves and we have accepted responsibility for them as our friends and companions. They protect our homes and possessions and we provide them with ease of living….”
“Sometimes called Hemingway cats, mitten cats, big-foot cats, six-toed cats or even cats with thumbs, polydactyl cats have an interesting history to share….”
“Why is the human-animal bond so important? That link between us and our dogs, cats, horses, birds and other pets goes beyond unconditional love….”
