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Why do cats purr?

A moment of serenity for any cat lover is to have their feline friend blissfully purring their happiness on the lap of their caregiver. We all have our own little ways to express our joy. Humans smile, dogs wag their tail and cats purr.

So, when you cat decides to seek your company by curling up on your lap and you stroke them you will find them purring with pleasure. But purring is always not a sign of happiness. It can just be an emotional response or an indicator of pain. Cats can also purr while they give birth as purring works as a mechanism to help them rest.

Purring is also a behaviour that comforts a cat. It is seen in kittens that are a few days old who purr to call out for their mother for their feed. This type of communication continues even through their adult life.

How do cats purr?

Purring is done by the movement of the muscles of the larynx or voice box when combined with the movement of the diaphragm. The muscles move 20 to 30 times per second.

As they breathe the air touches the vibrating muscles thereby producing a purr. Each purr made by your cat is different. Some are high pitched and others very low. Few are very faint and you need to be very close to your pet to hear it. Others will be so loud that you might just need to stay away.

The purr and meow combo

Cats have a special purr sound that they use when they want your attention, especially when it is feeding time. This is otherwise known as the ‘solicitation purr’ which combines their sounds of purrs and meows. Cat caregivers respond to this sound the same as human parents do to the cry of their baby.

June 7, 2018
Why do male dogs hump other male dogs?

It is very common to see dogs engaging in humping behaviour when they are introduced to other dogs. Both male and female dogs that are neutered or intact hump anything that is close to them. It can be other dogs, objects or even human arms and legs. So, unless your pet is specifically trained they will continue the habit.

Why do they hump a dog of the same sex?

Unlike humans, dogs do not discriminate and are not choosy. Male dogs hump other males and so do females with other females. Human behaviour in terms of relationships, are formed in the basis of moral values and ethics even fidelity. A dog’s needs are more basic. They hump other dogs be it the same sex or opposite to stimulate their senses and for immediate gratification.

Puppies hump for pleasure

Mounting and humping behaviour in dogs begin at the puppy stage itself around six weeks after the whelping period. As soon as they begin to move on their tiny legs they will start humping each other. But they do it as a way of socialising with their siblings. Once they reach the age of sexual maturity at around 6 months and 1 year of age is when their humping behaviour will be strongly laced with sexual need.

Both male and female dogs, intact and fixed, tend to masturbate. Once a puppy learns to stimulate their sexual organs, which gives them a pleasurable feeling, it can become a habit. Dog masturbation can be noticed in the form of excessive licking at their genital region and in mounting or humping behaviours. So, training must begin at an early stage to curb this habit of self-gratification.

Why do neutered dogs hump?

Spaying and neutering a dog will curb their sex drive making them less aggressive and territorial but it does not remove the joy of stimulation. Male dogs that hump even after they are being neutered may be trying to assert their dominance in their social hierarchy. Neutered male dogs can hump dogs of the same sex or the opposite which can be controlled through training, attention or distraction.

Dogs may result in humping behaviour as a result of stress and anxiety

Dogs bark, howl, yelp or dig up the house when they are stressed. If they are not trained that humping behaviour is an unacceptable response, it can become an easy way of stress relief. If you have a single dog at home and find that your male dog humps other male dogs they come in contact with, either on the road or at the park, then it is just their way of dealing with anxiety when they establish contact with other dogs. It can lead to an unwanted and very often an awkward issue if it leads to fights and display of aggression.

If you want your dog to stop humping objects in your home then you must train them not to do so. So, find out if they have enough toys to play with and ensure they get enough exercise every day. Distraction and redirection strategies must be used if their humping behaviour gets rather excessive. You can play a game of tug of war or catch and fetch the moment they begin to hump. It will distract them and you can reward them for stopping.

Medical problems can cause humping behaviours

If your dog shows excessive humping behaviour along with licking their erogenous zones it can be a sign of health problems. A dog that is humping repeatedly can be suffering from allergies or urinary tract infection. Male dogs in particular that are suffering from urinary problem can resort to seek relief from their condition by humping.

So, if you notice such signs in your pet then you must take them to the vet to have them professionally checked.

The final verdict – male dog humping if not excessive is normal

The sexual act that promotes reproduction is a gift of nature. Your dog is not homosexual. That is a concept that is designated only to the human world. A number of species that includes dogs do indulge in same sex behaviours that have nothing to do with procreation.

So, if you notice your male dog humping objects or other male dogs occasionally then it’s ok. That’s normal. If you notice it early then through effective training you can control their humping behaviour from turning into a destructive problem. If you notice humping behaviour in your senior pet then you must take them to the vet as they could be suffering from a health condition.

June 7, 2018
The myth of the allergy-free dog

Dog lovers living amongst people who are allergic to dogs is often very difficult. You may think that bringing home a hypoallergenic dog is the answer to your problem. But according to a report by American researchers, they may be no such thing as a low allergy or allergy free dog. It was found that there was not much of a difference in the quantity of dog allergens found in the homes of hypoallergenic dogs and in those that are considered non-hypoallergenic.

It is not clear how certain breeds classify as hypoallergenic breeds. Various breeds, especially those that shed less hair have made it to the list of hypoallergenic candidates by the American Kennel Club, that includes Poodles, soft coated Terriers and Schnauzers.

Christine Cole Johnson, the author of the study published online in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy states that the concept of the hypoallergenic dog has been around for a very long time and people usually associate them with hair shedding. Johnson thinks the idea of a hypoallergenic dog is just a legend.

There are breeds that shed less hair and dander as compared with others. But according to the study, it does not make much of a difference to people allergic to dogs.

This particular study aimed to find whether the breeds classified under hypoallergenic are actually shedding less of the major dog allergen, known as the Canis familiaris 1 or Can F1. The scientists collected dust samples from 173 single dog houses and discovered that 163 of them produced quite a significant level of Can F1.

To sum it all, there is no conclusive evidence that suggests that certain breeds produce less allergen than others. Allergists suggests that it is the individual dog who have a few variations in their genetics and behaviour that produce more allergens than others. A breed classification cannot accurately predict the susceptibility to allergy.

June 6, 2018
4 Myths about cat allergies busted

If you have a cat at home then it’s very common to see cat hair all over the house. It is one of those things that you will have to learn to love about your feline friend. The shedding may not be much of a bother to you but will be a great source of frustration and annoyance when you have certain friends or family members visiting you.

Some people may playdown their allergies while certain others will be very verbal in expressing their opinion of your cat that is causing them unpleasant sensations like coughing, sneezing itching and hives.

You may start wondering whether to believe such drastic claims made by your friend. To help you figure this here are few things to help you understand more about cat allergies.

Myth 1 – People are allergic to cat hair

For people allergic to cats, just the sight of their hair spread everywhere will have them reaching out to tissues and eyedrops. A shedding cat can help to flare up allergies, but it is not the hair that causes problem but the dander or dead skin cells which clings to the hair that makes people to have the sniffles and sneeze.

Apart from the dander bringing on the allergies, people who are allergic to cat will also be allergic to the protein Fel D1 produced in the cat’s urine and saliva. Each cat produces the Fel D1 protein differently. The female cats produce lesser protein than the males and light- coloured cats produce lesser allergy provoking protein than the dark coloured cats.

Long haired cats do not cause more allergy than short haired cats. In fact, they may disperse very few allergens as it stays in their hair more than the short haired ones.

Myth 2 – Cat allergies will get cured with constant exposure

Subjecting a person who has an allergy to constant exposure to cats when you are under the impression that their will get used to the cat gradually is just a myth. In most cases, the allergy may only stay the same or get worse with continuous exposure.

People with cat allergies may have severe reactions to one particular cat and may show mild symptoms when they are exposed to another. This is because the severity of the allergy depends on the level of protein produced by the cat.

Myth 3 – There are allergen free cats

There are hypoallergenic cats. But you must keep in mind that no cat is free from allergy producing proteins. If you or any other family have an allergy to cats then bringing home a hypoallergenic cat is a safe option. Even then these breeds can make you cough, sneeze and wheeze. So, it is a good idea to take advice from your doctor to help you manage the symptoms of allergy and to keep your place allergen free.

Myth 4 – You will be safe from cat allergies when outside of the home

A person who is allergic to cats can just casually walk into a house that does not have cats but still feel the symptoms of allergy. This is because cat allergens are unfortunately, very sticky. It is more likely to travel through clothing and other common surfaces. A person may have dander in their clothing and give a friendly hug to a person allergic to cats. So, a person who has an allergy to cats must always be prepared and learn to manage their symptoms.

June 5, 2018
Do dogs see us as their Parents or Masters?

Charlie Brown is so right when he said, ‘My dog is my everything’. Yes, they are your playmate, friend, confidante and partner in crime. Literally everything! Most people will probably get offended if you call their dog as a dog. They will heatedly state – don’t call him a dog, he has a name and he is my baby!

While we proudly say that our dog is our child do they reciprocally see us as their parents or caregivers? To solve this dilemma a team of Austrian researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna conducted a study to learn more about dog behaviour especially of adult dogs and observe the way they respond to their owners.

They used a theory called the ‘secure base effect’ which is basically a theory that children function better around their environment when they are secure in the presence of their parents. This security that they feel under their parents influence help them in cognitive functioning and help them to perform better in their daily activities.

To discover if dogs also show similar behaviour with their caregivers, the researchers queued up a set of situations for the dogs. They analysed the dog’s reactions in the basis of three conditions; absent owner, encouraging owner and silent owner.

By tackling interactive toys, the dogs would earn food reward. It was observed that the dogs seemed less inclined to work for their food when their caregivers were absent than when they were present. Another interesting fact to note was that irrespective of their owners encouraging them during their work or whether they remained passive had least influence on their level of motivation. They were secure with the knowledge that their owners were around when they were busy trying to solve the puzzle to get to the food treat.

To further determine if it was the owner’s presence or just the presence of any other human increased the dog’s motivation, the researchers did a follow-up study but this time around with strangers. They observed that the dogs were not interested in interacting with the strangers and were motivated to work for their food reward only when their owners were present rather than strangers.

The findings of the research points to the fact that dogs need the presence of their owners for them to behave confidently around their environment. So, there is not much of difference between dogs and children isn’t it? Both derive comfort and security in the knowledge that their parents presence is enough for them to explore their environment in a confident manner!

June 4, 2018
Why do dogs hide food and toys?

Are you fed up of finding stale food hidden under your sofa? Has your pet been standing on guard over toys they have buried under the carpet? Well, your dog is definitely a hoarder! Hoarding is basically a behaviour that comes instinctively to dogs despite them being domesticated and living with humans. It becomes a problem when this instinctual behaviour collides with the modern lifestyle enjoyed by humans.

It is a different matter in the wild. Animals need to fend for themselves and there is no guarantee of the easy availability of food every day. On days that are very good for hunting, there is always surplus food and it makes sense to store some of it for those days where hunting is impossible. So, digging a hole and burying the leftovers comes naturally to dogs.

This behaviour can cause problems in modern homes. Most pet parents feed their dog well and at regular intervals. But you need to understand that dogs live for the moment and have no concept of future. So, they will not understand that they will receive a bowl of food each and every day. This is why they just grab the remaining bite of food and hide it.

Unfortunately, this creates another problem as it makes your home dirty and foul smelling. It will also invite all kinds of creepy crawlies to have a feast with all the stale leftovers. So, it is better to nip this problem at the bud before it gets worse.

Hoarding of toys can promote aggression in dogs especially when they stand guard over them. To stop this, you need to find the hidden toys and keep them out of their reach. Give them just one or two toys to play with. Once they know that they have no extra toys to play with they will automatically stop hiding them as then they will not have anything to play with.

For dogs that hoard food you need to take swift action and create a routine around their mealtime. Exercise them by playing with them or take them for a long walk which will tire them and make them work for their meal.

When you both come home hungry and tired, start preparing their meal. Make your pet sit in front of you and then place the food bowl. Do not place the bowl down until they sit obediently and calmly. As soon as they stop eating and walk away from their bowl, it means their mealtime is over. Take their bowl away and do not feed your pet again without repeating the same routine.

Once you clear their bowl they cannot come back for more food for them to put away for a rainy day! So, they will have enough food to meet their daily needs without them resorting to the need to store more for the next mealtime.

June 3, 2018
Are eggs good for cats?

Eggs are a delicious source of high quality protein. But, sadly many people believe the popular myth of eggs containing high levels of cholesterol and are wary of the yolks. As a result, most people usually consume the whites while leaving the juicy yellow yolks to our four-legged buddies. So, here’s the important question – How can something that is said to be unsafe for you be safe for your pet? Are eggs in totality good for our feline buddies?

Thankfully recent researches have proved that eggs are not to be held responsible for causing heart diseases in humans. They are a good source of fat and the bad cholesterol rises only when people eat too much of unhealthy food and not get enough exercise. So, eggs are safe for human consumption.

The same holds true even for cats. Cats do fall prey to heart diseases but not the type that is caused by raised cholesterol levels in humans. Cats may suffer from only two types of heart diseases. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – that is an inherited disease and not due to their lifestyle, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy – which is caused due to taurine deficiency. Usually cat foods have taurine present in sufficient quantities to eliminate this problem. Also, keep in mind that eggs are a wonderful source of taurine.

So, eggs are an excellent source of protein recommended by nutritionists especially for our feline friends. It is therefore recommended to serve only cooked eggs to your pet but in moderation.

Why must cats eat eggs in moderation?

Eggs undoubtedly are nutritious. But they do not make for a balanced meal for your pet. A cat that is only fed eggs will develop nutrition deficiencies. If you follow the one egg a day plan for your pet then you will be inviting health troubles for your pet. Think of it like this, one egg for a cat is equivalent to eight eggs for a human! Definitely not healthy for your cat.

To sum it all, eggs are good for your cat. They are healthy and nutritious. But feed them in moderation for them to enjoy good health!

You can always contact your vet for further professional advice.

June 2, 2018
5 Pets That Are Best for Apartment Living

Have you been dreaming of getting a dog ever since you watched the movie, Hachi? While your dog might not be able to come and see you at the Metro station daily, owning a dog can truly be a wonderful experience.

When it comes to apartment societies, the size of the dog does matter. Giant paws and long legs aren’t exactly made for tiny living spaces.

“The general thumb rule here is to go for relatively smaller breeds, such as Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Indian Spitz, Indie, Pomeranian, Terrier and some other miniature breeds. These kinds of breeds wouldn’t demand too much of space for themselves and be happy with what you allocate them,” explains Balaji Ramesh, Founder and CEO of TailsLife.com.

However, the size of your dog isn’t the only thing that matters. “One must also take into account their lifestyle before finalising the breed,” Balaji adds. Apart from that, in a confined space, it is advisable to go for breeds that do not bark too loud or those that need less exercise.

In an exclusive interview, Balaji sheds light on some of the best apartment dogs that could be a great fit for city-dwellers with cramped spaces. We asked him to rate all the dog breeds on three parameters – age, adaptation quotient, and amount of shedding.

(Note: In ratings, 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest)

Cocker Spaniel

Age Span: 12-15 years | Adapts to Apartment Living: 4 | Amount of Shedding: 3.5

The American animated film, Lady and the Tramp, made the Cocker Spaniel famous back in 1955. Since then, the breed has been popular.

Cocker Spaniels enjoy being a part of a human family and are easily adaptable. They make for good apartment dogs, as they can socialise easily. Moreover, they are physically sound and usually weigh upto 15 Kg.

Pro-tip: Cocker Spaniels need daily grooming — washing and brushing — to keep their soft and lustrous coats in prime condition. Clean their ears regularly to prevent infection. Since they are the smallest of the sporting dogs, make sure you take them out on walks twice a day.

Health concerns: Cocker Spaniels can get afflicted by common health issues like glaucoma, cataracts, spinal problems, and skin problems.
Dachshund

Age Span: 13-14 years | Adapts to Apartment Living: 4 |Amount of Shedding: 2

The second on our list is Dachshund – a lively and charming breed that is perfect for apartment owners. Often kept in pairs, these are knowns for their friendly and loyal behaviour. They also make for a perfect watchdog.

However, Dachshunds like to do things their own way and one may find them a bit stubborn.

Pro tip: Dachshunds can take time to get used to strangers, despite being known for their loyalty to owners. Anyway, they will bark at every possible entry of strangers at your household, making them an extremely handy guard dog.

Health concerns: Dachshunds are prone to back problems, especially due to their long spine column and short rib cage. If allowed to jump down from a bed or couch, they can easily slip a disk or two.

Beagle

Age Span: 13-14 years | Adapts to Apartment Living: 3.5 |Amount of Shedding: 2.5

Beagles are third on our list for their convenient size and adorable looks. This extremely loyal breed loves to play and is good-natured with everyone. Their coat is easy to maintain.

However, they need much more exercise than most people give them, which is why you see so many fat Beagles.

Pro-tip: Beagles need regular exercise to maintain fitness as well as a healthy state of mind. Never leave them alone for too long. Some Beagles can be stubborn and tough to train.

Health concerns: Beagles are prone to itchy skin conditions, ear infections, eye disease, joint problems, diabetes, epilepsy, and heart disease.

Indian Spitz

Age Span: 13-15 years | Adapts to Apartment Living: 4 |Amount of Shedding: 2.5

Remember ‘Tuffy’ from the Bollywood movie, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun? That was an Indian Spitz which is fourth on our list.

The Indian Spitz is marked by great zeal, loyalty, and friendly attitude. They are flexible to all the living conditions of India. They mingle with the family very easily and in fact, act as an awesome watchdog. The small-sized Indian Spitz weighs around 5-7 Kg, while the large-sized weigh around 12- 20 Kg. This Indian dog breed is found in several colours, including white, dusky brown, and black.

Pro-tip: The Indian Spitz is a low maintenance breed, with a silky texture. Its coat does not trap or gather mud or dirt easily. So, regular brushing of the coat will keep it tangle-free and ensure it does not have any dirt trapped in it.

Health Concerns: A common health issue with Indian Spitz is floating kneecap. It can be due to obesity as well.

Indie

Age Span: 13-17 years | Adapts to Apartment Living: 3 |Amount of Shedding: 2

Indies are excellent guard dogs for the Indian subcontinent.

“Foreign breeds like Saint Bernard’s, Great Danes, and Huskies cannot tolerate warm climatic conditions. Similarly, Dalmatians and Dobermans find Indian winters too cold,” explains Balaji. However, “an Indie will be in the pink throughout a year,” he further adds.

Indies have amazing immune systems and they rarely need any sort of grooming. Regular walks and playtime keep them upbeat. This breed is intelligent and highly sensitive.

Pro-tip: All Indie breeds are low on maintenance and not much of fussy eaters. They need regular exercise to keep fit.

Health Concerns: This breed has no major health issues, but may suffer from minor skin disorders.

Others

Few other breeds worth consideration are miniature dogs, French Bulldog, Shih Tzu and Terriers.

(The above suggestions may vary depending on every individual dog’s health conditions and behavioural patterns, as well as the pet parent’s methods of raising.)

May 23, 2018
Your pets gift you more benefits than you ever imagined

Pets are great companions to humans. Be it a cat or dog, having a furry buddy at your home assures you and your family a lot of health and social benefits. There are various physical, mental and emotional advantages as well, right from loyal security, better socialisation to even lowering a person’s risk of heart attack or detecting cancer early.

What comes as a surprise is that a pet at your home can significantly reduce the likelihood of children developing allergies by as much as 33 per cent, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison pediatrician James E. Gern’s research studies. So much so, his research, which was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology – categorically spells out that children exposed early on to animals tend to develop stronger immune systems.

You might be knowing this benefit already. Pets help us relax and serve as great stress-busters. Some heart-related studies conducted on pet parents by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the United States have proven that pet owners exhibit decreased blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. All these factors have a lot of bearing on one’s risk of getting a heart attack.

Even those who have already experienced a heart attack tend to have better recovery rates, if they happen to be owning a cat or a dog. These benefits are thought to be connected with pets’ tendency to help reduce or, at least, control their owners’ overall stress levels.

Dogs have an immaculate sense of smell, so sharp that they can even detect the occurrence of cancer in their human buddies. There are several cases in which pet owners were saved by their dogs, after the latter were constantly pawing at, sniffing or even licking a tumour hidden underneath the skin.

Pets have a huge role to play in bettering your socialisation skills, especially when you bump into and talk to other pet owners. Having a pet is a great way to meet new people and create bonds quickly, especially if you are a reserved person.

All breeds of dogs need regular, daily walks in order to stay happy and healthy, very much like their human counterparts. Dog owners who walk their dogs daily are less likely to be obese than others who don’t or non-dog owners.

May 21, 2018
Have your say: Is IIT-K right in banishing stray dogs from its campus?

The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K), has been in news for all wrong reasons over the past few days. All hell broke loose once the premier institution ‘forcefully’ got rid of a couple of stray dogs off its hallowed campus recently.

The reason? There had been 87 instances of dog bites on its campus in a span of one year, according to the institute. Following the alleged menace, some of its security guards had to reportedly trap a few stray dogs and bundle them off the campus. This led to an official police complaint being filed by an IIT-K student.

“We have also got a video in which the guards are seen trapping dogs with the help of a net, stuffing them in a sack and then bundling the hapless animals into a vehicle on IIT premises. We are trying to identify the guards with the help of the video which is doing rounds on social media,” an investigating official was quoted saying.

An FIR under Section 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 (Conveying or carrying animals whether in or upon any vehicle, in any manner or position which causes discomfort, pain or suffering is a punishable offence under the act), has been lodged against four unidentified IIT-K security guards after the incident.

Now, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who is also a renowned animal rights activist, has urged the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to initiate action against those responsible for removing the canines from the campus.

While nobody wants any risk posed to students and residents on the IIT-K campus, the authorities concerned could have adopted a more humane approach in evacuating the stray dogs.

What do you think as the solution to this issue? Do write in with your opinions in the comments section below.

May 20, 2018