Petpourri
Animal news, product reviews, and other useful information for pet owners.
- Details
- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
Since I've had dogs for many years, I've heard a lot of myths about dogs - some are true and some have maybe a grain of truth to them and then others have been just plain wrong. Dogs seeing everything in black and white, not being able to distinguish color, is one myth I've heard again and again. But is it true?
Dogs do indeed see in color but more like people who have red/green color blindness. Their eyes have receptors for blue/green shades but not red shades, which means, they can't distinguish between yellow, green, and red but they can more easily distinguish between blue, purple, and gray.
Does Benji think he's laying on a gray floor?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
This was a new one for me, I had never heard this one before. Of course, I don't have cats but we did when I was a kid and our cats never chewed plastic and didn't seem to have any desire to either.
Interesting though, since plastics can be made with a variety of products, one of which is by-products from the rendering process. Therefore, plastic bags may contain casein, renin, or other animal by-product that both smells and tastes appealing to cats.
Cat owners should not allow this behavior since their cat may swallow the plastic, causing irritation to the stomach and intestines.
- Details
- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
How many times have you touched your dog's nose and it is dry? I know when I have felt my dog's nose and felt that it is dry and warm, to me, it was like I was taking my dog's temperature and the indication was that she wasn't feeling well. I usually did this after she appeared sluggish or not like her usual playful self.
By all reports, this is an accurate indication that your dog is not feeling well. Our dogs should have moist, smooth-surfaced noses with a consistent temperature to the pads of their feet. Dogs that are ill aren't able to keep themselves hydrated. They also most likely aren't eating normally which will add to their dehydration.
Keep an eye on your dog and watch her behavior. If she stops eating or drinking water, check her nose to see if it is dry, and then contact your veterinarian for proper care.
- Details
- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
To most of us, a purring cat seems to be a cat displaying that it is a happy cat. But that might not be true. A purring cat can also be a cat that is scared or threatened by something in its surroundings. It also might be purring because it is trying to vocalize to get your attention for food.
If you approach a cat that is purring, don't assume it is happy to see you. It just might be feeling threatened. Ear and tail position can be telling another story other than how happy he is to see you!
- Details
- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
If you have a dog, there's a good chance you've seen it out in your yard, at one time or another, grazing. Sometimes one of my dogs can't get out of the house fast enough. I'm thinking she has to go to the bathroom really bad. But no, she doesn't have to go at all but starts eating grass immediately. All of our dogs occasionally eat grass, some eat it more than others. When Kitsu runs out and starts eating grass, I have connected it to an upset stomach- her stomach had been growling and grumbling all through the night. Eating grass can induce vomiting in dogs.
Some dogs eat grass because of a deficiency. Try adding some greens and vegetables to your dog's diet, like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, or parsley. Also, a variety of fruits will help, just make sure that the fruits and the vegetables are steamed and finely chopped and then mixed with their regular food.
And then other dogs may eat grass because they are in a restricted environment and they are just looking for some stimulation. Give your dog some appropriate chew toys to engage him in a healthy activity.