All cats are unique, but there’s just something extra special about polydactyl cats. These felines have a genetic mutation that gives them a distinctive look—extra toes, that is. Wondering what makes these cats who they are? Here are seven fun facts about polydactyl cats.
Want to learn how to make homemade pumpkin pie dog treats? You are barking up the right tree! Pumpkin is healthy option for a dog treat. It is rich in potassium, iron and the antioxidant beta-carotene. Plus, pumpkin is definitely having a moment right now as a trendy fall ingredient. What are you waiting for? Just follow the simple steps in the video below to make your pup some delicious dog treats.
Popping a casserole in the oven is a tried-and-true time saver for families. The ease of preparation makes cooking a breeze, and the big portion guarantees plenty of leftovers. And with a few simple ingredients, you can make a special baked casserole for your four-legged family members, too. This hearty hamburger casserole calls for just a handful of ingredients, and it’s super easy to prepare. Simply brown the beef, then layer all the ingredients into your dish. Bake, and serve! Remember, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods in their dog’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand.
By Carol McCarthy You love snuggling with your dog, especially when her coat is soft and clean. But what do you do if your pup is starting to look a lot more like a Tramp and not at all like a Lady and you can’t get her to the groomer? Try grooming your dog at home with these DIY tips and advice from the pros. Getting Started and the Benefits of Grooming Though many pet parents successfully groom their dogs at home, it will take a bit of time and effort to get your dog comfortable with a routine of at-home grooming, which can help reduce shedding in addition to further deepening your relationship with your dog. “Your dog trusts you completely with all the big decisions in her life. But, on the little things, she sure can have opinions, and those need to be addressed,” said Dr. Neil Marrinan of Old Lyme Veterinary Hospital in Old Lyme, CT. By that, he means developing a strong foundation of trust before attempting to groom your dog at home. You dog must be able to count on the reliability of your behavior, which means practicing a home grooming ritual regularly and incrementally (getting her used to being touched in sensitive spots, for example) and offering positive rewards (treats and attention) as you go, Marrinan said. Stick to a predictable system that follows a series of steps, allowing you and your dog to reach a position of comfort and confidence. “90 percent of the work will be before, and away from, the actual 10 percent of grooming,” he said. Remember, your dog will know if you are nervous, which will in turn make her nervous and can lead to her trying to escape or becoming aggressive, said Carol Benesch, owner of Norwichtown Pet Resort and Spa in Norwich, CT. If your dog is uncomfortable with being brushed, don’t force her and try again another time. You may also want to check with a veterinarian to make sure you’re using the appropriate tool for her coat.
Q: I’m taking horseback riding lessons and my horse yawns during my lesson. My trainer says it’s just his personality, but I’m not so sure. Is it normal for a horse to yawn all the time, or is he trying to tell me that I’m boring him? A: Frequent yawning is uncommon in horses, but it’s probably not a negative review of your riding. Studies show that equine yawning might be at least partly a social behavior showing affinity, and some experts say it’s a way for horses to release physical and emotional tension. In rare cases, excessive yawning can be a symptom of a medical condition. However, sleep-deprived horses don’t yawn more than well-rested ones, so it’s unlikely that your lesson horse is tired—or bored with you. To learn more about why horses yawn, we spoke to Katherine Houpt, VMD, professor emeritus of behavior medicine at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; Natalie Lord, DVM, a large and small animal veterinarian at Four Paws – Cuatro Patas in Austin, Texas; and Camie Heleski, PhD, a senior lecturer at the University of Kentucky’s Equine Science and Management Program in Lexington.
The Cichlid family of fishes is large, with many different varieties and sizes. Many of them are very easy to keep, and in this article we will suggest five good ones to start with. They are; Kribensis, convicts, angelfish, oscars, and African Cichlids. We will discuss each individually.
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Can’t. Stop. Looking. You will have an outsized and possibly over-the-top need to stare at this little creature, search for them the second you get home, and watch in awe as they sleep (and sleep and sleep). Nature (no fool that she is) baked in a few attributes in kittens that are similar to human babies—large head, round face, big eyes, rounded, soft, pudgy abdomen, and those sweet, non-threatening sounds—all of which have a profound effect on our brains, causing the release of the feel-good neurotransmitters, dopamine and oxytocin. Slightly overprotective? Who me? Totally normal.,There’s no escaping that when you adopt a new kitten, those few pounds of furry feline cuteness will immediately rule your world. And we’re not mad about it. In fact, we think life is simply sweeter with a kitten who is now in charge of us from dusk to dawn. Here are just a few of the ways bringing home a new kitten ensures that your life will never be the same.
Kittens are generally highly energetic, so the first step is determining whether you’re seeing more than typical new kitten energy.,Jump to section What Does a Hyperactive Kitten Look Like? How To Calm Down a Kitten: 3 Tips for Managing Hyperactivity 4 Tips for Playing with a Hyperactive Kitten Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? And Will It Ever End? How To Prepare for a Hyperactive Kitten
If you spend much time hanging out with veterinarians around the holidays, you’re likely to hear someone mention how they are being bombarded by euthanasia appointments. This got me to thinking—are more pets actually euthanized during the holidays, and if so, why? I’m not aware of any scientific studies on euthanasia trends during the holidays, but many vets will agree that they do notice a spike. A quick search through an online message board for veterinarians revealed at least eight discussions on the topic with the consensus being clear—the holiday onslaught of euthanasia appointments is real and has several probable underlying reasons. Why Do Vets See More Pet Euthanasia During the Holidays? Here are five of the most likely reasons for the increase in pet euthanasia during the holiday season. 1. Temperature Changes Cold weather can be very tough on some pets, especially large dogs with advanced osteoarthritis. Pet parents might start to notice the full extent of their pet’s arthritis symptoms as the weather gets colder. Before making any decisions, visit your veterinarian to discuss which stage of arthritis your pet is at and to assess their level of pain and mobility. An arthritic pet’s quality of life will depend on things like whether the pain can be managed, whether you are able to accommodate their mobility needs and whether any form of treatment can help. 2. Pet Stress Stress of any kind can worsen a failing pet’s condition, and the holidays can certainly be stressful, especially for pets. Altered schedules, houseguests, and even changes in the layout of the home due to decorations could be enough to push a pet’s health over the tipping point. For example, a recent study revealed that “short-term stressors led to a significant increase in SB [sickness behaviors] in both healthy cats and cats with FIC [feline idiopathic cystitis]. 3. Human Stress Yes, the holidays can be stressful for pets, but it’s stressful for many owners too. Money can get tight this time of year, and, unfortunately, that often does play at least some role in deciding if and when to euthanize. While temporarily tight finances shouldn’t lead to euthanasia when it isn’t otherwise warranted, it may limit a family’s ability to pursue aggressive or last resort treatments. Human depression can also deepen during the holidays, which may lead to a feeling of futility that extends to ailing pets. 4. Family and Friends Many owners want to keep their pets around for one more holiday, and so they may avoid euthanizing them in the preceding weeks or months. This is understandable, particularly when out-of-town kids, other family members or friends will use the opportunity for some last snuggles and to say goodbye. But it’s not in the best interest of the pet to keep them hanging on when they might be in pain or have a poor quality of life. Use the Quality of Life scale with your veterinarian to assess your pet’s quality of life to determine when the best time is for your pet. A pet’s slow decline has a way of sneaking up on people who experience it every day. I’ve had several owners tell me that it took the kids coming home from college to notice how bad things had gotten to make them finally accept that humane euthanasia was the right choice. 5. Travel Conversely, owners who are leaving town themselves may be unwilling to put their ailing pets through the stress of travel or being looked after by someone else. While on the surface, this may sound like a matter of convenience, it can actually be the nudge that pet parents need to make a tough but necessary decision. In fact, I wish I had euthanized my beloved, ailing 17-year-old dog before I had to leave town for a few days years ago. I chose not to and forever lost the opportunity to be with him during his last minutes. There is no one “right” time to say goodbye to a pet, which means a combination of all of these factors (and probably more) lead to an increase in euthanasia during the holidays. The best thing you can do is to discuss your pet’s health and quality of life with your veterinarian to make an informed decision that’s best for your pet. By: Jennifer Coates, DVM Featured Image: iStock.com/filadendron Related Video: When Is the Right Time to Euthanize a Pet?
What Is a Horse Whisperer? Your Guide to Natural Horsemanship
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