Cats and dogs are equally intelligent - new research

It is a question that for centuries dog lovers and cat lovers have fought over like, well, cats and dogs: which animal is more intelligent?

Now scientists in Japan appear finally to have settled the matter by proving cats are just as good as their canine counterparts at various memory tests, suggesting they could be equally clever.

It is already known that dogs can recollect specific non-immediate events, an ability known as episodic memory.

Cats may be as intelligent as dogs, as opposed to the common view of people that dogs are much smarter

But a study of  49 domestic cats showed the animals were also able to remember which bowl they had already eaten out of and which remained untouched, after a 15-minute interval.

The tests further showed that cats, like dogs, were able to respond to human gestures, facial expressions and emotions.

"An interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories of their experience like humans,” Saho Takagi, a psychologist at Kyoto University, told the BBC.

"Episodic memory is viewed as being related to introspective function of the mind.

“Our study may imply a type of consciousness in cats.”

The researchers suggested that cats may remember for much longer periods than the short time tested.


Saho Takagi said the research may have practical applications.

"Understanding cats more deeply helps to establish better cat-human relationships," she said.

"Cats may be as intelligent as dogs, as opposed to the common view of people that dogs are much smarter."

Prof Laurie Santos, of Yale University, said the experiment “opened the door” to new studies examining how long cats’ memories can be and how “rich” the quality of their individual memories are.

Last year, a team from Hungary found that dogs were able to recall their owner's actions, even when they were not specifically instructed to do so.

The research is published in the journal, Behavioural Processes.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/25/cats-dogs-equally-intelligent-new-research/

Which Christmas foods should I avoid giving my dog?

Christmas is a great time of year and should be fun for all the family, dogs included. Many of us are already aware of some of the potential toxic foods our dogs can come across and take steps to avoid them.

However, the festive period is one where we often introduce all manner of exciting items into the house that we don’t normally have. Some of these things can be potentially harmful to our dogs and it’s worth knowing some of the common pitfalls.

We have tried to give you a few of the most common Christmas poisonings below. It goes without saying, if in doubt contact your vet and they will be able to advise you.

We also have a useful article on general common poisonings as well as some tips on how to avoid it happening here.
Common Christmas food dangers for dogs:

Grapes

Exactly why and how these are poisonous to dogs is unknown and the exact volume needed to cause symptoms is difficult to predict. Some dogs will eat one or two grapes and become seriously ill but others can eat many of them without apparent signs. The only way to be safe is to keep them out of reach of your dog.

Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cake and Mince Pies

These Christmas fancies are bad for dogs for a number of reasons:

Firstly - they are jam-packed full of current raisins and sultanas. These are all a variation on the ‘grape’ and as such have the same serious health risks. It is common for them to ingest far more ‘grapes’ in this form than they would fresh grapes because there are so many packed into these cakes and they are smaller.

Secondly - they are full of fat, suet etc which can often give them severe stomach troubles, vomiting etc but also, more worryingly high fat meals are one of the high risk factors leading to pancreatitis. This can be a very serious and costly disease to treat.

Thirdly – they are usually laced with large amounts of alcohol which can cause many of the symptoms of intoxication seen in people.

Chocolate coins and other choccy decorations

Most people are aware of the dangers for dogs from eating chocolate and take steps to avoid leaving any near their dogs. However, it is not uncommon for people to forget about the chocolate coins or decorations and leave them in an irresistible location. As well as the dangers of the chocolate the actual wrapping foil can be problematic as they work through the gut system.

Bones

At this time of year we often cook far more meat joints than usual and this normally results in many more bones lying about. Once cooked all bones become brittle and splinter easily. This can lead to larger fragments getting ‘stuck’ causing obstructions but also smaller pieces can cause gut irritation and perforation or even just difficulty toileting.

Most people avoid the initial pitfall of your dog ‘borrowing the bones off the work surface’ only to get caught out later on by putting the deliciously tasty smelling carcass/bone into the bin where is gets raided in the night. Make sure you dispose of the string from any meat joints as this can be a tempting toy for your dogs and could be harmful if ingested. The best thing is to take it straight outside into a sealed bin.

N.B. Birds (turkey/chicken/goose) are all hollow boned animals and as such these bones will splinter either raw or cooked and so must never be given to your dog under any circumstances.

Macadamia nuts

Within 12 hours of ingestion macadamia nuts can cause dogs to experience weakness, depression, tremors, vomiting and hyperthermia (increased body temperature). These symptoms tend to last for approximately 12 to 48 hours, and as with all the other food groups mentioned if you suspect your dog has consumed macadamia nuts note the possible quantity consumed and contact your vet.

Alcohol

We tend to use much more alcohol in our cooking at this time of year and so even normal titbits can be potentially problematic over the Christmas period. As it is for people, alcohol is also intoxicating for dogs and can cause similar unpleasant side effects.

If your dog does get into mischief and consumes any of these things then the first thing to do is contact your local vet for advice. Often the quicker treatment is sought the easier and more successful the treatment.

Please note:
This advice is not a substitute for a proper consultation with a vet and is only intended as a guide. Please contact your local veterinary practice for advice or treatment immediately if you are worried about your pet’s health - even if they are closed, they will always have an out of hours service available. Find out more about what to do in an out of hours emergency.

Source: https://www.vets-now.com/pet-owners/dog-care-advice/dangerous-foods-for-dogs-at-christmas/

12 Plants that are poisonous to cats

1. Lilies (all varieties)
Just one bite of a leaf or the flower’s pollen could cause lethargy and vomiting within one hour of consumption. If left untreated, your cat could go into kidney failure. The pollen alone can be lethal to your feline friend.

2. Any calcium oxalate plants — including philodendrons, Chinese evergreens, Virginia creepers, spinach, agaves, tea leaves, rhubarb and taro
The poisonous part of these indoor and outdoor plants are the microscopic needle-like barbs on their stems and leaves. If bitten, they cause inflammation in the mouth and gums and result in excessive drooling and vomiting.

You can take care of the symptoms yourself by giving your cat calcium in the form of milk, yoghurt, sour cream or ice cream. In rare cases, the swelling could inhibit breathing, so keep an eye on your pet for 48 hours.

3. Dracaena plants
There are about 40 varieties of this popular, leafy house-plant, including the dragon plant. If cats eat the long fronds typical of these plants, they’ll become depressed, lose their appetites and possibly even vomit blood. However, it’s usually not a fatal reaction, and symptoms tend to go away after 12 to 24 hours. Still, you should keep an eye out for worsening symptoms, and take your cat to the vet if it doesn't start to recover after 24 hours.

4. Autumn crocus
Eating any part of this flowery plant can cause an intense burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, liver damage, kidney damage and even heart arrhythmias. Get your pet to the vet immediately if you suspect he/she has snacked on it.

5. Daffodils
If you have an outdoor cat, be very wary of its tendency to get into your or your neighbours daffodil beds. Ingestion of any portion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, convulsions and a major drop in blood pressure. Call your vet ASAP.

6. Tulips
If you have them planted outside, or in a vase inside, they’re a big no-no for cats. While not fatal, taking a bite of them (especially the bulb) can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling and nausea.

7. Sago palm
This long-leafed, tree-like plant is extremely poisonous to cats. It used to be mainly an outdoor plant, but now it’s often found on indoor window sills. While the seeds and pods are the most poisonous, any bite can cause bloody vomiting and diarrhea, bleeding disorders, liver failure and death. This is definitely worthy of an emergency vet trip.

8. Azaleas/rhododendrons
Even just a few leaves can result in oral irritation, vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion can cause a drop in blood pressure, coma and death, so you’ll want to at least give your vet a call if you notice symptoms.

9. Kalanchoe
Also known as the “mother-in-law plant,” this common indoor plant has a bunch of small, very dense flowers and is thus super-tempting to cats. However, if a cat eats any part of it, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. In rare cases, heart arrhythmias can occur, so while not a dire emergency, a vet appointment should be made to assess the situation.

10. Marijuana
While you might think it would be funny to get a cat high, ingestion of cannabis can cause a whole host of problems. It will affect the nervous system and your pet’s coordination, then cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, seizures and could even put it in a coma.

If you suspect he/she ate even one bud, get him/her to your vet pronto.

11. Aloe vera
It may cure your burns, but it’ll set your cat back significantly. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, depression, diarrhea, seizures, change in urine color and can even cause anorexia (for real). Again, not life-threatening, but the side effects if left untreated could severely affect your pet’s quality of life, so call your vet.

12. Ivy (all forms)
This is certainly relevant if you have an outdoor cat. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea. Not fatal but certainly distressing. Make sure your pet gets lots of fluids if it eats any of the ivy leaves especially, and keep an eye out for worsening symptoms.

What to expect from your vet:

Obviously, a vet will want to know what your cat ate that made it sick. If you’re not sure, take pictures of the plants in your house and any nearby that are on this list to help your vet narrow it down. If your cat ingested a toxic plant but the symptoms are not life-threatening, she/he may suggest inducing vomit at home via charcoal tablets, so it’s a good idea to have some on hand for emergencies. However, even if you suspect a poisoning, don’t just go for the charcoal without contacting your vet first...

Source: http://www.sheknows.com/pets-and-animals/articles/1085742/plants-poisonous-to-cats

Five Reasons Your Cat’s Not Using the Litter Box

5 reasons your cat's not using the litterbox vertEvery cat owner knows the litter box is one of the most critical parts of caring for a cat. Retailers like Swell Pets offer numerous sizes, shapes of boxes and all kinds of scents and textures and materials for litter, not to mention all the accessories – scoops, cleaning wipes, poop bags and more.

And it’s a good thing all of those options are available because cats are funny about their box. Like humans, cats have their own preferences and rarely are two cats alike.

So if your cat is avoiding the litter box, don’t despair. It simply means you need to take a step back and evaluate what’s going on, from health to litter box, to your choice of litter and more.

Here are 5 reasons your cat might be avoiding the box and what you should do about them.

Medical Issues – The first thing you should do if your cat is peeing or pooping outside the box is to take him to the vet to rule out any medical issues. You may be surprised at the variety of things that cause your precious furball to go outside the box.

Cats often behave strangely when they are in pain or uncomfortable and sometimes associate this pain or discomfort with the place where they do their business. Don’t blame them…they’re trying to figure out the problem!

For example, if your cat is constipated and it’s hard for him to go #2, he might believe it’s the litter box that’s causing the issue and try to find another spot. If he has a urinary tract infection, it hurts when he uses the box so…logically he might try to go elsewhere. Get your poor sweetie to the vet promptly to rule out medical problems.

Covered Litter Boxes – The idea behind litter boxes with lids is to provide the cat some privacy and the owner some reprieve from seeing and smelling the box. But this can backfire on some cat owners when their cat simply doesn’t like to go into an enclosed space to potty.

I get lots of emails from readers who read this tip and it changed things immediately! If your cat is peeing somewhere you don’t want him to and you have a covered litter box, take off the lid and see if that helps. Let the light shine in!

Depth of the Litter – Sure, cats are finicky about the type of litter you use but you might also need to experiment with different depths of litter.

If it’s too deep your cat might dislike the feeling of sinking into quicksand, unable to get a foothold.

If it’s too shallow, hitting bottom might feel funny to your cat’s little paws. Also, have you ever noticed that cats grip the litter with their paws, especially when they are pooping? It’s important for them to feel comfortable with the surface or they will find somewhere else.

Finally, cats with longer hair may not like the feel of their fur dragging in litter that’s too deep. Play around with different options.  And, in extreme cases, try paper towels or puppy pads placed in the box. Yes, these options can get expensive, messy and stinky, but for some cats it works great.

Arthritis – When cats age, they may suffer from arthritis. If someone tells me their senior cat begins going outside the box, my first piece of advice is get him to the vet!

But then, take a look at the box. If your cat has mobility issues or any pain, it may be hard for him to get in and out of the box. Try a low-sided box or cutting one side down so your cat can easily enter and exit. Remember to sand the edges or put duct tape over them so your pretty kitty doesn’t cut himself on the jagged cut edges.

Then, consider the depth of the litter, as I mentioned above. Gripping litter might be too hard for arthritic cats so less litter in the box might work better for him.

Location – This is actually one of the first things experts recommend you consider when your cat is not using his box. If the box is near the furnace or washer/dryer, your cat might not like the strange noises.

Also, cats seem to like some privacy but not remote privacy. Don’t make them traverse too far to use the potty. I know it can be hard but it’s also important to have more than one box….and not right next to each other. To a cat, that’s pretty much one big box. If you can have boxes on each level of your house or in opposite ends of the house or apartment, that’s ideal because it gives them options...

Source: http://www.thehappylitterbox.com/

Taking Care Of Pets Can Help Children Control Their Diabetes

Owning a pet can provide emotional and mental relief for pet owners, but new research also suggests that pet ownership can assist diabetic children to control their blood sugar levels.

The study found that diabetic children who had responsibilities related to caring for their family pets were 2.5 times more likely to have blood sugar levels that fell within the normal ranges, writes Nature World News.

Researchers surveyed 23 young people, who had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Each of the participants were asked to answer a series of questions relating to responsible pet ownership, with the results being analyzed against how well each of the respondents were able to self-manage their illness.

The level of responsibility as well as attachment to the family pets were also taken into consideration by the researchers as some children state that they loved their pets but were not involved in the day-to-day care of their pets.

The researchers noted that known attributes that aid in the effective self-management of Type 1 diabetes, including family cohesion and self-regulatory behavior, were not dissimilar to the attributes needed to responsibly care for a household pet, according to a press release.

Factors including the creation of household routines and encouraging responsible behavior when looking after pets, could also positively effect how children were able to manage their blood sugar levels.

Researchers believe that the study could to identify specific behaviors and attributes that could help young patients better manage their Type 1 diabetes.

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pet ownership can have a corresponding effect on the health of their owners. Some of these benefits can include lower blood pressure levels, cholesterol, triglyceride and reducing feelings of loneliness. Pet ownership can also create new opportunities for owners to get more exercise and socialize more.

The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Source: http://www.designntrend.com/articles/74883/20160427/taking-care-pets-help-children-control-diabetes.htm

Why do cats meow at you?

When you are the proud parent of a cat, there will often be a lot of questions that come to mind as you go about your day to day life interacting with your pet. For example, there are times when it may seem as though your cat is meowing for an unknown reason or no reason at all. Do they want to tell you that they are not fond of the show that you are watching on television? Maybe they are trying to express their disdain for the bird that is outside the window sitting on the porch railing.

The fact of the matter is that the answer to your question of why do cats meow could be a variety of reasons and it might simply depend on the personality that your feline child has.
Believe it or not, cats actually make a wide range of vocalizations, most of which can be distinctive sounds that will have different meanings for a variety of occasions. As a matter of fact, felines are able to make roughly 30 different sounds with their vocal chords, with about 20 of them being variations that are quite similar to a simple meow. Why could it be that your cat is meowing? Is he or she meowing at you and trying to tell you something? Or could your cat simply be expressing the feelings of the day or moment? These are some of the top reasons why your cat may be meowing day to day?

Pay Attention To Me
Many cats will start to become very vocal because they are either bored or they want to get attention in some way. As a pet owner, you never have to respond to your cat each and every time that a meow is let out. Instead, you can work on providing attention when your cat becomes quiet. Some pet owners will often walk away until their cat starts to calm down and the meowing stops.

However, you want to keep in mind that walking away is best only when it is done in the case of excessive meowing. You need to make sure that you are still spending a good deal of time with your cat each day. After all, your cat is part of your family and he or she needs to feel as such. Playing with your cat is a great way to give him a sense of connectivity while also allowing for exercise that is beneficial for overall well being.

You can also be sure that you reward your pet when he is quiet while you work to ignore constant meowing. There are times when a reward is a nice break that will stop the meowing, however you need to be strategic and realize that it can be a long training process. For reward training, you may even want to think about reaching for pieces of kibble over cat treats. The last thing that you want to do is add in too many snacks that can ruin their diet.

I’m Hungry
There are many cats that will only meow when they are hungry. If your cat has an empty bowl, the chances are she is going to let you know in one way or another. Depending on the feeding schedule that you have for your cat, you will start to notice that meowing can start close to the time that she is used to being fed. You can almost look at this as a sort of ritual where she knows that is coming and she will even start to wait around the food dish area waiting for her special meal and meowing.

She Is In Heat
If you happen to have a female cat that is around the age of five or six months and she is starting to meow and carry on all of the time, the chances are good that she is in heat and she is looking for a mate. The cry of a cat that is in heat will often range from meowing all the way up to an eerie sound that is similar to that of being in pain. You will usually see that a cat in heat will also be very affectionate to humans and other animals alike, often rubbing their back end on objects or swaying back if you pet near the rump area.

Hyperthyroidism
There are some older cats that may be developing hyperthyroidism who sill start to show a number of symptoms. In addition to an excessive amount of vocalization, cats with hyperthyroidism will start to show weight loss even though they may be eating often and there can be an excessive amount of activity. If you have a cat that seems to be showing all of these symptoms, you will want to make a vet appointment right away. A blood test and check up will be done to determine whether or not your cat has hyperthyroidism and you can then start in on a treatment program.

Hearing Or Vision Loss
A cat will often act almost like a lost child if he or she is experiencing either a loss of hearing of vision. When you start to notice that your cat has an inability to hear you calling to her or if she does not see certain things, there could be something wrong or she is simply starting to lose these things due to age. Again, if your cat is showing the signs of hearing or vision loss, you can make an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure that there is no other issue besides old age that could be addressed.

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
This is a condition where a cat would normally become very hyper, get wild in the eyes and almost act as though he or she is hallucinating at times. Cats with this disorder are known for meowing often or crying loudly. Some cats may also have distinct mood swings while presenting symptoms that their skin is bothering them, the skin may almost ripple at times and it can seem as though they need to constantly groom, which could lead to eventual hair loss. It is recommended that you bring your cat to the vet if she shows signs of feline hyperesthesia syndrome.

Your Cat Is In Pain
Why do cats meow when they are in pain? Quite often, a cat will now show that he or she is in pain. However, if a cat is really hurting a lot, they will begin to cry out for your attention so that you know something is wrong. A cat that has a paw that is bothering them or even something internal, such as a urinary tract infection, will cause a cat to meow. Take the time to look at the times when your cat is meowing so that you can rule out issues that he may be having. Look at the ways in which he grooms himself, how he acts when he uses the litter box and try to take note of any changes in eating habits. If you feel as though something is wrong and your cat is in pain, which is causing the meowing, you need to make a veterinarian appointment.

Pure Boredom
The life of a cat is surely one that can seem luxurious to those of us who are often caught up in our busy day to day activities. Because a cat is not on a set schedule like we are as humans, there can often times be portions of the day where he will become bored or feel lonely. Separate from any attention that you are paying to your cat, he will more than likely look for things to do during the day. If he becomes bored, it is normal that he will start to meow or cry out to try and find things to do to pass the time.

Cats are well known for being independent, so think about having a number of distractions for your cat around the house that are available for play time whenever he is ready. This could be a scratching post or two in different rooms or even a few strategically placed mouse toys or cat nip mats. Once you place some toys that your cat loves around the house, you are sure to find that the meowing may be cut back to a minimum.

Stress
There can actually be a number of things that may stress out a cat, just as there are stressful situations that bother us as humans. Maybe there is a change in the home environment, you have moved to a new location, new people are living in your home or you added in a new animal. These are all things that can cause stress for your cat.

Whenever there are changes and your cat seems to respond with a lot of meowing, they could be telling you that they are mad or they are simply letting you know that they are aware of what is happening. Because your cat is unable to tell you how he is really feeling, you want to keep your eye out for certain behaviors and make sure that you are interacting with your pet as much as you can. When introducing a new pet, be sure that you put in the extra work to socialize the two of them so that you can avoid some of the common behavioral issues that can arise.

Just Wanting To Say Hello
Instead of trying to make a full analysis of each meow, you may simple have a cat that is just trying to say hello to you. Does your cat often meow when you are waking up in the morning or you are walking into the room he is in? This is a common greeting that a cat will give a pet owner. After a greeting, if your cat starts to quiet down, you can take it as a simple hello and he was just letting you know that he acknowledges you. It will be times when the meowing starts to get excessive when you want to worry that there may be more issues under the surface.

The Angry Cat
You will also start to notice a difference in the type of meow that your cat has when it comes to mood. If you have a cat that gets agitated and meows before lashing out, this is a common warning to humans to back off. It is important that you know the difference between a normal meow and an angry meow that can sound much more like a yowl. If any meow is accompanied by a hiss, you know that your cat is angry and it is time to allow him some space to calm down.

Why do cats meow at times? It goes to show that there can be a number of reasons why any cat would be vocal at one time or another. The longer that you are around your cat, the easier it will be for you to be able to make distinctions from one meow to the next. It is not all that uncommon for a cat to distinctive sounds for each one of their behaviors or for a variety of situations from moving to a new home or a change in food, to being bored or even having something wrong that they feel the need to warn you about.

The fact of the matter is that the more that you look into the question of why do cats meow, you are going to learn that there are even some differences from breed to breed that will lead to one meowing more than the other. Believe it or not, some cats really like to hear the sound of their own voices when they meow. Each cat comes with his or her own personality and that is part of the beauty of being the human counterpart to a vocal feline. It is all a matter of learning your cat’s personality and paying attention to any hints that she may give you day to day.

Source: http://www.catsincare.com/why-do-cats-meow-at-humans/

This Dog Is Blind, But What A Cat Does For Her Is Unbelievable….

We’re used to seeing eye dogs helping the blind, but in this video, a cat does the job just as well. With his best friend being blind, this cat has to be the eyes for his loving dog friend. In the incredible video, the cat leads the blind dog away from danger in the street. Anytime he gets too close to a car or wanders off in the wrong direction, the cat is right there to guide him. The moment the cat jumps in between the dog and the car is absolutely heartwarming. Even though the car was stationary, the cats instincts were spot on!

Source: http://www.viralvo.com/blind-dog/