Five Reasons Why Pets Eat Grass

It’s a question pet parents routinely ponder. While there are competing theories regarding why dogs and cats consume grass, a conclusive answer has yet to be supported by scientific study. Here’s a brief overview of the current speculation behind your companion animal’s impulse to graze . . . 

1. It’s an ancestral thing. The prey of wild dogs and cats frequently have grasses in their intestinal system, so domesticated dogs and cats still retain a yearning for a spot of grass in their diet.

2. Our companion animals know of some nutritional value in grasses that we have yet to uncover (such as antioxidants).

3. They do it to provoke vomiting if they’ve eaten something that has upset their stomachs.

4. They are augmenting their keen sense of smell with taste to discover more about their environment.

5. They simply like the taste and texture of grass, so it’s just for the sake of satisfaction!

Although we may never know the exact reason why ~ we do know that this is one of the most commonly asked questions that veterinarians hear from their clients. If you notice excessive grass-eating with either your dog or cat, please consult your vet.

This is also a good time to remind pet parents that treating your lawn with toxic chemicals can harm your pets and your family. Please choose green, non-toxic alternatives or allow your lawn to grow as nature intended!

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com & www.HealingOilsForAnimals.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.

Pack a Go Bag for Your Pets!

It’s hard to view the news these days and not be worried about the safety of our family. As a prior resident of California, I always spoke about the "four seasons" . . . . earthquake, fire, flood, and mudslide. These are all terrifying situations regardless of where you live ~ something we have witnessed over and over again lately ~ the wrath of Mother Nature (and climate change). 

Whenever we start to worry, it can help if we make plans. Plans help us feel more secure in the moment, and should disaster strike, we’ll have the confidence of being prepared.

Many of you may never have to deal with anything more extreme than an extended power outage. But, as we see in the news, situations can arise at the drop of a hat that necessitates having to leave home in a hurry. Even if you believe it could never happen to you, it is still best to be prepared just in case. 

Few things can put your mind at ease like having a go bag. You’ve probably seen these in films and TV shows. It’s a pre-packed travel bag with a few days’ worth of supplies. You may already have one ready to go … but can you say the same for your companion animals? Or, if you also have larger animals, do you have a plan for getting them to safety?! 

Here’s a short list of items to pack in case you need to evacuate with your dog(s) or cat(s).

Simply print the image below for future reference. It’s always best to be prepared!

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.

Debunking Myths and Misconceptions about Dogs

Remember the old party game “telephone” where a message is passed secretly through a line of people until the last player announces the message to the entire group? If you’ve played the game, you’re well aware that the initial message gets drastically altered as it’s passed on from one person to the next. The same thing can happen with any information ~ including “facts” about pets. As a caring pet parent, it’s important to stay “in the know” regarding the furry companions who reside under your roof. The internet provides a wealth of resources at your fingertips, however, you are not only exposed to helpful tips and advice on how to best care for your companion animals, you’ll also see some misinformation. So let’s take a look at five of the most commonly shared myths about pets and discover why you can’t always trust everything you read when it comes to your four-legged friends.

Myth 1 “A dog is a carnivore. Look at his teeth!”

Truth: There is much confusion out there in the pet world about what is the best diet to feed a dog. Many dog lovers insist on feeding their canine friends a pure meat diet because they think their dog is designed to be a pure carnivore. A better understanding of the definitions associated with the dietary needs of animals is a great place to start in understanding how to best feed your pet and tackle this hotly debated myth.


DEFINITIONS

CARNIVORE: An animal subsisting primarily on animal tissue.

HERBIVORE: An animal subsisting entirely on plant tissue.

OMNIVORE: An animal subsisting on both animal and plant tissue.


Cats and dogs are both members of the taxonomic order Carnivora. The confusing part is not all species of the Carnivora order are actually carnivores.

Cats are true carnivores because they have a higher protein requirement and higher dietary requirements for nutrients that aren’t available from plant sources, such as taurine, arginine, and methionine.

Some Carnivora species, including dogs, coyotes, and bears, are omnivores that thrive on a diet consisting of both plant and animal tissue.

One member of the Carnivora order, the panda, is primarily an herbivore - 99% of a panda’s diet consists of bamboo.

The truth to this myth is dogs belong to the taxonomic order Carnivora, but their behavior, anatomy, and feeding preferences reveal their ability to eat and be healthy on a diet consisting of both plant and animal foods, which classifies them as omnivores from a dietary perspective (Debraekeleer et al. 2010).

Myth 2: “My dog’s nose is dry and warm. He must have a fever.”

Truth: As with most ‘old wives’ tales’, there is some truth rooted in this myth. Back before vaccines, thickened, hard and crusty nose and footpads were sure signs of advanced Distemper virus in a canine. Thanks to widespread vaccination practices, while Distemper still exists, it is far less common today.

The truth is a dog’s nose fluctuates in temperature and moisture throughout the day depending on what he is doing. A dog’s nose is often warm and dry when he wakes up, is moist and cold if he is eating or sniffing, and dry and warm if he is sleeping - all in the same day. And all of these fluctuations are normal. A dog with a fever often displays other signs, such as lethargy, inappetence (which occurs when pets won’t eat or won’t eat as much as they need), coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea as well as a dry warm nose. However, a nose that is persistently dry and crusted is bleeding or turning a different color may be a sign of a health problem. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.

Myth 3: “Dogs are colorblind.”

Truth: Not so, say canine researchers. If, however, what you mean by colorblind is that dogs only see a portion of the visible spectrum compared to what people see, then yes, dogs could be called colorblind.

Dogs have two types of color receptors on the back of their eyes that recognize short and long wavelengths of light, corresponding to blue hues and red-yellow ones. In comparison, humans have three types of color receptors that make it possible for us to see a full range of colors. The colors dogs can see are almost identical to the ones a human who has red-green color blindness would see. Scientists determine this by shining beams of colored light into dogs eyes, analyzing the spectrum of light that is reflected back, and then comparing the spectrum with the pattern produced when the same lights are shined into human eyes. Scientists also study the way dogs respond to different colored lights, and have determined that dogs see in black, white, red-yellow, blue and many shades of gray.

It’s also interesting to note that dogs can see much better in low light than humans, can distinguish moving objects much better than stationary ones, and long-nosed breeds have very wide fields of vision, as much as 270 degrees.

Myth 4: “My dog’s happy. I can tell because his tail is wagging.”

While it is true that when a dog is happy, he will often wag his tail, but a wagging tail can also indicate agitation – such as an imminent attack - or even aggression. It all depends on two factors – the position of the tail and the frequency of the wag. A friendly, approachable, happy dog usually wags his tail – generally positioned in the middle of his body - slowly and loosely. If a dog is wagging his tail in a more rapid, twitch-like manner and is about 90 degrees high, it’s best to avoid the animal, as it could be indicating dominance and aggression. Conversely, if a dog’s tail is wagging low between the legs, it is considered a fearful, defensive stance.

Just like in humans, many factors come into play when interpreting a dog’s mood. Be sure to assess all of your pet’s body language, including the position of their ears and head as well as their expression and hackles before approaching him – this way, everyone’s happy.

Myth 5: “A dog ages 7 years for every human year.”

Although it is true that dogs age more rapidly than humans, which makes perfect sense since they are able to reproduce before they even reach one year of age, the rate that they age slows down as the dog ages. Stating that one human year equals seven dog years is an over-simplification of how dogs age. There’s simply no exact formula to determine a dog’s “human” age.

It’s important to note that the size and breed of the dog are the greatest indicators of the rate of aging. Many small breed dogs can live well into their 20s while larger breeds tend to live only 7-10 years ~ despite the fact that large breed puppies reach adulthood slower than their smaller counterparts.

Now that you know the truth, you’re on the path to becoming an even more well-informed pet parent! Share what you’ve learned with your animal-loving friends and help stop the spread of misinformation ~ your animal companions will thank you for it!




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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)



For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.

Cat Vocalizations ~ Meow More Than Ever!

Purrs, chirps, hisses, and snarls . . . what exactly is your cat trying to tell you?

A stray tabby gives birth to a litter of three kittens under the lilac bush in a backyard. As she nurses them, she purrs; as they suckle, the kittens purr, too. When the queen shifts her weight to try to find a more comfortable nursing position, one of the kittens lets out a distress call, indicating he's trapped under his mother's weight. She readjusts herself, and the purring party continues.  

One morning, the mother cat decides to move her litter to a safer spot. She deposits the first one inside the garden shed, and goes to retrieve the next one. Detecting the absence of his mother via his sense of smell, the kitten in the shed lets out a loud distress call, distinctly meant to reunite mothers and wayward kittens. 

Mother Cat & Kittens

As the kittens mature, the queen spends more time away from the nest, hunting for prey to ensure enough milk for her growing crew. Each time she returns, she gives out a "brrrrp" to her kittens. 

When the kittens enter the weaning stage, the queen brings prey home to them, calling them over to it with a chirp. The kittens also begin to make chirping noises in anticipation for what they are about to receive. However, one night's dinner is interrupted when Mom lets out a long, low-pitched growl. The kittens scatter and retreat to safety inside the shed before the owl overhead can snatch one for his own evening meal.

As independent hunters, cats have limited need for an extensive vocal repertory. Cat-to-cat vocalizations are generally limited to communicating with one's kittens, one's sexual partners and one's potential enemies. There is also an array of vocalizations used by our furry friends when they attempt to communicate with us.  By changing volume, intensity and number of repetitions of the vocalizations and backing them up with expressive body language and olfactory signaling, cats ensure their messages are received and that their needs are met.

Purring 101

The purr is the most common sound issued by cats ~ and yet one of the least understood. Kittens just a few hours old begin purring as they knead their mother’s chest and nurse. The purr sound is made both on the inhale and the exhale, with an instantaneous break between breaths. Built-up pressure created by the opening and closing of the glottis results in a sudden separation of the vocal folds, creating the purr. While purring is often heard when the cat seems content, those familiar with handling cats in pain or near death know that they also purr when under duress, the reason for which is yet unknown.

The Meaning of Meow

The second most common vocalization is the meow. Rarely heard between cats, this vocalization seems tailor-made for communication between cats and humans. Early on, cats notice that meowing brings attention, contact, food and play from their human companions. Some behaviorists suggest that certain cats seem to alter their meows to suit different purposes and that some guardians can differentiate between, say, the “I’m Hungry!” meow” from the "Let Me Out!" meow.

Cat Meowing

The meow is the most often used of the vowel patterns ~ vocalizations produced with the mouth first open and then gradually closing. 

 ~ The sound cats make when highly aroused by the sight of prey is called chirping. 

 ~ When a cat is frustrated (such as when an indoor cat finds he is unable to get to the birds at the feeder), you may hear him chatter.

 ~ When a neonate kitten is cold, isolated from his mother or trapped, he issues a distress call ~ also sometimes called an anger wail. As the kitten matures, the distress call is used when play is too rough or the cat finds something else to protest.

A Hiss Is Just a Hiss?

All threat vocalizations are produced with the mouth held open. These sounds mirror the cat's intense emotional state. A hiss is uttered when a cat is surprised by an enemy. A high-pitched shriek or scream is expressed when the cat is in pain or fearful and aggressive. Snarling is often heard when two toms are in the midst of a fight over territory or female attention. And a long, low-pitched growl warns of danger.

And, there you have it . . . . you are up-to-date on cat vocalizations and their meanings!

Cat Hissing

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com), as well as her premium pet food business (www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her @ www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps, or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.