Is Virtual Fun in Your Dog's Future?
Browse the aisles of your local pet store these days, and you'll see the evolution of the dog toy, from synthetic bones constructed of new-age materials to flying discs that dispense treats. What you won't find -- just yet -- are computer games for your pooch. But could you one day have to not only fight the kids for computer time, but wrestle with man's best friend as well for a spot in front of the screen?
Teresa Chagrin: PETA weighs in on feral cats
Feral cats are domesticated and depend on humans for survival. On their own, feral cats routinely freeze to death; starve; suffer and die of untreated injuries, infections and contagious diseases such as rabies; are poisoned, shot and drowned by people who don't want them on their yards; hit by cars; and worse (Story, "Feral feline problem now life-or-death issue," Saturday).
Dog Blood Banks Save Canine Lives
Checkers and his owner, veterinary technician Bonnie Heitz, acted as heroes, even though their names never made the headlines. While this pair may not be familiar to you, Checkers, the Australian Shepherd from Concord, Calif. donated blood to save the lives of countless dogs that required blood transfusions to treat trauma, cancer, and other life-threatening conditions. These dogs were given a second chance because of Checkers, who passed away at a ripe old age in 1990. Both he and his owner helped inspire additional canine blood donations, which have since led to organized dog blood banks nationwide
Multi-cat Foods Simplify Mealtime
According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, 71 percent of all domestic felines in the United States live in multi-cat households. Like a household with more than one child, owning multiple cats can be entertaining and fun, but it may also present some dilemmas, particularly at feeding time. "We have one dish for both cats, but usually the fat one pushes the skinny one out of the way, while the skinny one politely waits his turn," says 32-year-old Amy Morgan of Brooklyn, N.Y. Morgan had tried to feed the felines -- calico cats Mashy and Ruki -- separately, but "both cats have grass-is-greener complexes. They would start at their own dish but then notice the other had something else. They ended up switching ...
Food Preferences
Why does one cat go crazy for chicken, while another craves beef? Or why does your cat only lick the gravy off of one wet food but gobble down another? As it turns out, your cat's nose often knows. The smell of cat food may not whet your appetite, but aroma is nearly everything for your feline when it's deciding when and what to eat, according to recent research.
Common Cat Health Myths -- Debunked!
Lots of fibs have been told about felines through the ages. For example, consider the popular notion that it's supposedly healthy for cats to drink cow's milk.
The truth is that most cats are lactose intolerant and can't break down the sugars in milk, says Joseph Wakshlag, DMV, an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Is Feline Diabetes Becoming An Epidemic?
Does your cat sport the feline equivalent of love handles? That extra cushioning might look cute, but it places your cat at risk for feline diabetes. Cases of this disease are soaring, to the point where some veterinarians consider diabetes in cats to be an epidemic. Last year a study at Edinburgh University in England found that of the estimated 90 million cats in the U.S., almost 400,000 will develop diabetes at some point in their lives.
New Proof Dogs Can Imitate
That "aha" moment, when an idea suddenly clicks, isn't just reserved for people. Dogs also observe and learn, particularly from one another. Ana T. Pieruccetti, president and CEO of Dallas-based Lucca Bella Doggie Spa & Boutique, has witnessed this dog curiosity on a number of occasions. For example, Bailey, one of the dogs that visits Pieruccetti's spa, watched as another dog, Katie, ran through a play tunnel and received a treat. Recognizing the connection, Bailey quickly followed suit. For Pieruccetti and others with expertise in dog behavior, this ability is not surprising. But until recently, there wasn't definitive proof of what most dog owners know -- canines are canny.
