Can Cats and Dogs Get Along??

Cats vs. Dogs... This seems to be a popular media story line, where the two animals are portrayed as rivals against each other. Either the cats view themselves as more sophisticated and aristocratic than the uncivilized dog, or that the dogs just want to chase the cat around all day. But are either stereotypes really true? Why do we believe that such a rivalry even exists? Does this mean that both animals are unable to live peacefully under one roof?

I don't think that anybody really knows where this rivalry stereotype comes from, to be perfectly honest with you. I believe that this is actually some competition between the "cat people" and the "dog people." Think about it for a second... People who prefer one pet over the other seem to have some pretty strong opinions on why their preference is the better choice! To be clear, I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to have your preference, but let's not spread awful rumors that cats and dogs can't get along, simply because your spouse/roommate/children want a cat when you already own (and prefer) a dog. 

In all honesty, there are many households that incorporate both cats and dogs, and they live a relatively friction free life. Sure, the dog may want to play and be more active, and this may annoy a sleepy cat, but let's be clear on one thing: annoyance does not always equate to hatred. So now that we've got that cleared up, I will take some time to address the other side. 

I was reading some information stating that dogs have a natural instinct to hunt smaller animals. This may be there the whole "dogs just chase and terrorize cats!" rumor comes from. Okay, if this were true, it would make sense why you wouldn't want to pair a cat with say, a dalmatian. But what happens when you pair a toy/smaller breed with a cat? I mean, those breeds are about the same size as most cats, so would that gene to hunt small animals kick in? I am obviously just speculating here, but if both animals are about the same size, I think I just found the loophole you need to incorporate both animals into your household.

But let's just say that you aren't the small dog type. "They're just bigger/fluffier/yappier rats," you say, and you are dead set on getting a "real dog." The only kicker is that there is already a cat in your household, and your girlfriend/wife/roommate/children/husband/boyfriend/whoever refuses to give it up. Does that mean that you have to give up your dream on owning a big dog, because you don't want to end up in the doghouse yourself when you inevitably spark that dog's hunting gene? 

Not necessarily. Size isn't the only issue that determines whether or not dogs and cats can cohabit and get along. Personality plays a huge factor in it as well, because not all personality types mesh well and cohesively together. For instance, if you have a dog that loves to chase things (not just smaller animals), that dog will not be a good fit for a shy and fearful cat. If your dog likes to play roughly, consider getting another dog as well, so that it will not want to play roughly with, and injure your cat. All in all, you want to make sure that you are not trying to integrate two animals with conflicting personality types to avoid frightening (or annoying) the other animal. 

Before I close this post, I want to revisit the hunting gene that I mentioned earlier on. If dogs really do have it, is "gene" really just a euphemism for a "personality trait?" Yes and no. For example, there are some dogs that were bred to be more aggressive than others. As a result, this aggression has become part of that breed's genetic code over time. However, just because these genes now exist in their bloodline, it does not mean that these dogs will always exhibit those behaviors. Dogs can, and should be trained; this is how you can help eliminate the unfavorable genetic qualities in their overall behaviors. 

So all in all, I do believe that dogs and cats can get along. It would just take some diligence, research, and maybe a little bit of training on your part. These steps are essential to making sure that the animals' personalities and behaviors are a good match for one another.  

I Want a Bengal Cat.

So as of late, I've been teeter-tottering on getting a second cat, so Kitty can have a friend. I haven't been too picky on what breed I want to get (I even think that Kitty is just your typical Domestic Shorthair, so breed was never a true deciding factor for me)... some days I want a Siamese, some days I want a white or calico cat (I'm aware that "white cat" and "calico cat" aren't specific breeds), and then sometimes I want a Tuxedo cat (pre-named "Geno," because that's such an adorable name that seems to only suit tuxedo cats!). But lately, I've really fallen in love with Bengal cats!

I especially love their pattern, and how it resembles one of a wild cat. Now, for the record, I'm not one of those people who are keen on the idea of "domesticating" a wild cat. That is not only incredibly dangerous, but I also believe that it's incredibly illegal. Besides, I don't have the space in my apartment for a giant tiger/cheetah/jaguar/whatever breed, so that would also be incredibly stupid. However, I've always thought that big cats/wild cats are majestic and beautiful animals. So, this is where the allure of Bengals come from. 

In fact, Bengal cats were bred to resemble wild cats, but maintain the temperament of a domestic cat. Like their wild cat ancestors (the Asian Leopard Cat), they are very smart, agile, and athletic. And even though they resemble a wild cat, they are very affectionate, and they love nothing more than to be around and socialize with other cats. Sounds like an ideal playmate for Kitty, to me! 

Unfortunately, because Bengals are so sought after, they come with a hefty price tag. During my search for a Bengal, the lowest price I've seen them go for is $400! Obviously they aren't labeled the "Rolls Royce" of cats for nothing, which is sad news for me. I certainly can't afford a Rolls Royce, and a $400 cat is simply out of my price range at the moment. :(

Putting an End to Puppy Mills?

It is a typical scenario: you and your family are spending the day at your local mall, and you walk passed the puppy store. Displayed out front, you swear that you are looking at the sweetest puppies you've ever seen. Their puppy eyes draw you inside to look at the other puppies available. Of course, someone falls in love with one of the dogs, and you're torn with the decision of if getting this little puppy. 

I'm not saying that just because this puppy is a pet store puppy, it doesn't deserve a good home. I'm not saying that every puppy that is in the pet store came from a puppy mill. In fact, at least in the state of Arizona, there is now a law that states that all pets sold in pet stores must come from the pound or various rescues/shelters. So, no, I'm not saying that you should avoid pet stores like the plague. I'm simply saying that you should at least know where these pets in question came from before you purchase one. 

So let's say that this particular pet store doesn't get their pets from local rescues or pounds. Where else would they be getting these relatively inexpensive dogs? Perhaps you think they came from a breeder? Well, I can tell you that this certainly isn't the case, and here's why: It is a typical rule of thumb that quality breeders do not sell to pet stores. They do this to ensure that their pets are going to a good home; they want the ability to screen their potential buyers. They also want to track and monitor their puppies' health as it gets ready to embark on their new home. They need to do this to ensure that there aren't any potential illnesses or problems in their dogs' bloodline. These are things that they cannot do if they simply breed their dogs and unload their young pups to any store that willing to pay their asking price.  

The bottom line is that those who run puppy mills could care less about their puppies. They see these animals as "products," and their only concern is the bottom line and making a profit. This doesn't end well with the puppies and their well-being. Because money is their number one concern, the conditions in which these puppies are bred are not usually up to standard with the USDA or the Animal Welfare Act. These puppies are overcrowded in poorly constructed pens with wire flooring (which is not good for their paws!) to allow their waste to drop to the bottom. Sometimes, these cages are stacked on top of one another, and this waste will actually drop to the bottom cage! Would you want to be "housed" somewhere that's constantly "raining waste," for a lack of a better term? And for the cages that are ground level, who actually knows how often, or if, this waste is cleaned up? These are obviously unsanitary conditions that lead to health conditions later down the road. 

Unfortunately, these animals do not receive veterinary care. Many illnesses faced by these animals are not treated, which may cause problems later on in their adult life. In addition to health issues that these animals may face, the lack of socialization that these puppies receive tend to yield various behavioral issues later down the road. Common issues are: aggression, anxiety/shyness, food aggression and hoarding. They are also oftentimes difficult to housebreak and train. The sad part is that these "problems" are not at the fault of the puppies; they had no control over being born in such abhorrent conditions. 

Sure, we can all get in a large group and say, "if we stop buying from pet stores, we will put an end to puppy mills!" However, I do not think it will. The animals that don't get sold may be released to shelters or pounds, if not transported to another pet store. Previously purchased pet store puppies may later be surrendered to rescues and shelters. So adopting a dog rather than buying from a pet store does not always guarantee that you'll be dodging a puppy mill pet. And the sad truth is that those who breed via puppy mills don't care what happens to the puppy if not sold at the store; they already made their money, so they will just keep operating as usual. 

So how exactly do we stop puppy mills? Unfortunately, I do not have a clear-cut answer to that. We can help spread awareness to this practice, but what good is simply being aware of something, if nothing is going to be done about it, right? We can get our legislators involved to actually inspect these puppy mills, and actually punish violations. Perhaps we can push for tighter USDA minimum requirements (how a department used for controlling beef and livestock has so much pull for these "breeders" is beyond me, but that's a different story). The current minimum requirements are enough to cover basic survival for these animals, but that doesn't exactly guarantee humane treatment. I'm thinking that the way to put an end to puppy mills is to push for a change in the laws and regulations.

Happy Labor Day! Let's Keep Our Pets Safe This Holiday Weekend!

Labor Day is a day to celebrate the contributions of American workers, and often includes three-day weekends, out-of-town trips, and barbecues. Oftentimes, this holiday is celebrated with friends and family, so naturally, our pets are to be included in these festivities as well!

While it's great to include our four-legged family members, we need to ensure their safety. Here are some tips to avoid an emergency visit to the vet this Labor Day Weekend. 


1. Keep Alcohol Out of Reach For Pets! With any party, get-together, and celebration, alcohol is naturally going to be a part of it. While humans can safely consume it (to a point), it is very toxic to dogs (and cats) even in small doses. A dog's physiology is very different than ours, and because of their smaller size, it takes far less alcohol to intoxicate and poison them. A dog's kidneys simply aren't designed to process alcohol! In addition, the main ingredients used in some alcohol can be deadly for dogs (for instance, grapes and hops). This means that you should be especially careful not to have beer and wine available for dogs to sneak a drink or two. 

2. Watch What "People Food" You Give Your Dog: Unlike cats, dogs seem to eat everything and anything. So here, I'm going to outline the common barbecue food that should be absolutely avoided (for your dog). It is common knowledge that chocolate and artificial sugar is highly toxic to dogs, and since these are the main ingredients in many cakes and pies, be careful not about which desserts you share. Onions and garlic are also deadly, because they affect the red blood cells, causing anemia. So that means no dip for dogs! I mentioned in Number 1 that grapes are toxic to dogs, but I will mention it here as well. Make sure that your dog isn't fed grapes, as they cause kidney failure (another reason for them to avoid wine, as well!). 

While corn-in-the cob may not be toxic, if swallowed, it can cause intestinal blockage, requiring surgery for removal. Avocados/guacamole are not necessarily toxic to dogs or cats, but they do have quite a bit of natural fats. While these natural fats are beneficial to humans, too many of them can cause pancreatitis in cats and dogs. Another potential avocado danger is regarding the pits. If swallowed, it could also cause a risk of an obstruction. 

Finally, bones should be promptly disposed of when removed from the meat. These bones can cause splinters, puncture the intestinal tract, and get lodged in your dog's teeth and throat. Any bones that you give your dog should be limited to the ones you get from the pet store/dog treat isle.


3. Water Safety is Essential for Dogs, Too! Thinking about doing some lakeside celebrating? Perhaps a trip to the beach is in your weekend plans? Even though dogs are good swimmers, it is a good idea to bring along a life jacket for your dog. This is especially the case if you are not confident in your dog's ability to swim, or if you plan on swimming all day (this can cause your dog to experience fatigue and risk drowning). 

4. Watch The Hot Temperatures! While Labor Day Weekend is known as the last celebration of the summer, the temperatures are still hot enough to cause heat stroke and dehydration in your dog. These can be avoided by providing a constant supply of fresh water and shade. Of course, it shouldn't have to be reminded, but I'll say it anyway: please do not leave your dog in the car while you run that quick grocery errand!

Ensuring these basic safety rules, you can alleviate any unwanted trips to the vet at worse, or a sick pet at best. We all want to wish you all a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend! :)

National Service Dog Month!

Who knew that the month of September also happens to be National Service Dog Month? This month, originally named, "National Guide Dog Month," was originated in 2008 by an actor and animal advocate, Dick Van Patten. The aim of this day is to recognize those dogs that dedicate, and sometimes risk, their lives in order to help the people in their care. 

In 2013, National Guide Dog Month expanded its awareness to those dogs who who risk their live on a daily basis in the military. These dogs have become an integral part, both on and off of the battlefield. On the battlefield, they are used to detect explosives, find contraband, and guard and protect the military posts. Off of the battlefield, they have been used to help wounded warriors with various physical and psychological conditions, which include mobility issues, traumatic brain injuries, and PTSD.

While service dogs are an important aspect in our military and the lives of our veterans, they also provide a great deal of help to us regular civilians. When we think of "guide dog," or "service dog," we tend to think about how they help the deaf and the blind. However, these trained dogs can provide assistance to a wide range of disabilities in order to help their human live a more independent life.

For example, these dogs are trained to help those with Autism by guiding them in overstimulating environments and providing physical pressure to interrupt self-harming behaviors. For those with Diabetes I, a service dog alerts their human when their blood sugar drops. A service dog also aids those with mobility conditions by retrieving out of reach objects, opening and closing doors, and even turning light switches on and off! 

There are also service dogs that can be trained to help with a medical emergency. Their main job is to alert their human of an impending medical emergency, such as a seizure or a heart attack. They are also trained on helping their human handle their symptoms, such as retrieving their medications, proving mobility assistance, and even retrieving a phone so that the human call for assistance.
  
When you think of a service dog, the main dogs that come into mind are German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, or Labradors. However, the size and breed of the dog are not of the utmost importance. There are many different roles that a service dog can take, and these roles can be filled by any size and breed if they have the appropriate temperament and aptitude to fill the position. 

In conclusion, it really is amazing what these dogs can be trained to do. There are a lot of silly holidays dedicated to our pets that we acknowledge just for fun. However, I do believe that with this month, it is worth taking notice of our guide/service dogs, and that these dogs deserve our acknowledgment. 

Happy Cat Month! Special Things to Make Your Cat Happy

According to the CATalyst Council, September 1st marks Happy Cat Month! However, their tips for a happy cat include vet trips to make sure that they are healthy. Yes, a healthy cat is a happy cat, so I will not disregard that idea... but how about we focus on special things we can do for our cats this month to make Happy Cat Month extra special? 

New toys, please!

Look inside your cat's toy box. How are Fluffy's toys looking? Are they looking a little worse for wear? Is your cat's feather wand missing more than a few feathers? Your cat really enjoyed his toys, but s/he may like a new, fresh stock! If you don't want to invest in a whole new batch, maybe just replace their favorite toy. :)

How about a new scratching post?

Scratching posts don't just supply cats with entertainment. Cats need them in order to file down their claws and stretch! How is your cat's post looking? Is the roping starting to fray or rip? Does it look unusable? Maybe your cat would enjoy a replacement? A replacement post is not in the budget? You can also replace the roping or carpet (depending on the post), and it will be good as new!

P.S. Your furniture will thank you! ;)

Cat DVDs

Do you have a kitty who loves to watch TV? Well, did you know that there are interactive DVDs for cats? I didn't either, but you can get them on Amazon, and they are "guaranteed to keep your cat glued to the TV." However, these aren't typical DVDs we humans watch. They are actually interactive DVDs to keep your cats entertained while you are away! These can be especially good for indoor cats, because they bring the outdoors inside, and may make their environment more interactive!

Open more windows!

What I've noticed with my cat, is that she loves to look out the window. I thought she just liked the sunlight and the extra warmth (maybe not so much in the August in Arizona, though!), but they actually love to observe other people and wildlife. Interestingly enough, windows are also beneficial to indoor cats, as it makes their indoor environment more stimulating. This prevents boredom, and a bored cat certainly isn't a happy cat!

Schedule regular play time!

What better way to bond with your cat than interactive play time? Sure, cats are perfectly capable of playing with their mouse toys on their own, and sometimes they prefer to be hunters and play on their own. However, they enjoy human interaction as well! And not only does play time bring out their natural hunter instincts, but it provides much needed exercise as well (which is also especially important for indoor cats). 

Of course, these tips should be used on a regular basis, and not just for this month! But for the many of you wondering how you can keep your cat happy and prevent boredom, these should get the ball rolling in honor of Happy Cat Month!

From Rescue to Forever Home: Why Is My Cat Always Hiding?

Congratulations! You've decided that it is the right time to adopt a cat and provide it with a forever home. It is an exciting time, even if you may not know what to expect. I remember when I first adopted Kitty... At the rescue, she was very affectionate and she seemed to welcome my touch. When I brought her home, however, she did her initial exploring and quickly retreated to the space under my bed! She hid there for several days, only to come out when she was hungry/thirsty, or had to use the litter box (which, I took as a good sign that she was doing these things). 

But when she wouldn't come out, I felt as though I did something wrong. I couldn't understand why she seemed to like me at the rescue, only to do a complete 180 on me at home. I wasn't sure what changed in those 30 minutes. Did she not like my driving from the rescue to her new home? Did she not like our pit-stop to Petsmart on the way home? To be fair, it was a trip to buy her food! Granted, I could have bought the food before bringing her home, but I waited until I got her, so that I can ensure that I got her the food she likes and is used to eating. My intentions were good, I promise! 


Clearly, I was overthinking the entire issue. To better understand why Kitty was in hiding mode, I opened my laptop and did a quick Google search. I searched for reasons on why she was hiding, as well as body language cues (to ensure that although stressed about the new environment, she was an overall happy cat). Truth be told, this is normal behavior for new cats, and it's really nothing personal against you.

Cats in hiding mode aren't trying to hurt your feelings, or send "I hate you" signals. Cats are very sensitive to change and new surroundings, and they will retreat to a "safe place" until they become more acclimated to the new smells, sights, and noises. 

All cats need a little time to adjust. How much time they need depends on the individual cat. Some cats are comfortable within a few days, and others need a couple of weeks. The best thing to do is leave it be, make sure that s/he is eating and using his litter box, and let him/her come out from hiding when s/he is ready. 

The hardest part is not forcing yourself on your new cat. Patience is a virtue with cats, and if you're like me and lack said patience, it can be quite frustrating when they don't want to approach you for cuddles and attention right away. My biggest mistake with Kitty was that as soon as she retreated to by bed, I was there trying to coax her to come out. I wish I would have known beforehand was that I just needed to sit there quietly, so that she can observe me from her safety zone. 

When I eventually gave up, I let her be under my bed, left the room, and let her come out when she was ready. Her food and water bowl was in the kitchen/living room area, and when she came out to eat, and I acknowledged her without going over and bombarding her with attention (not that she would let me do so without going back to hiding, anyway!). I simply made eye contact with her and went about my business (usually just watching TV or working on my laptop). I wanted her to know that I was harmless, and could be trusted. At this point, I figured out that trying to force her out from under my bed would only cause her more anxiety. 


It took Kitty about a week to be acclimated into her new surroundings, and now, she is always in the same room, or chilling on my lap or on the couch with me. Right now, the only time she hides under my bed is when I have guests over, but I imagine that she will stop this behavior as she gets used to them being over.