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9 Most Affectionate Cat Breeds

There’s been a vicious rumor circulating for decades that cats are not affectionate. This simply is not so. In fact, there are many breeds of felines known for their cuddly, want-to-be-near-you-attitude. Don’t believe us? Read what feline experts and fanciers claim are the 9 most affectionate cat breeds.

1. Cornish Rex

Not only is this cat the comedian of the feline world, but his love for his pet parent is unbounding. The Cornish Rex has super-soft, short curly rows of hair, an egg-shaped head and huge bat-like ears. Okay, sure, it may not win a contest for the most aesthetically pleasing in the appearance category, but this fun-loving feline enjoys playing fetch, interacting with the other pets in the home and, of course, just hanging out with his favorite human.

2. Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is being hailed as one of the oldest cat breeds on the planet. It has an exotic and gorgeous spotted coat that is the only one naturally occurring. Look out leopards! It addition, it’s personality is second-to-none. It loves to cuddle with that special person, knead a welcoming lap and will even wag it’s tail like a happy dog. This breed also has a reputation as being friendly and is a great choice if you want to add a second or even third kitty to your household.

3. Devon Rex

Thought the Cornish Rex has a spectacularly soft wavy coat? It’s got nothing on its cousin the Devon Rex. This breed has been described as being “alien-like” in appearance, which is probably due to its huge eyes and ears. But even if its appearance is less than “gorgeous” (which is a matter of opinion) the Devon’s personality well makes up for it. This cat is super affectionate and loves to ride on his pet parent’s shoulder or just snuggle in for a good night’s sleep. This cat is always ready for a good play session and doesn’t even shed that much!

4. Maine Coon

This bundle-of-love is not only big on affection, but it’s big in size. Nicknamed as the “Gentle Giant” of the cat world, this fluffy cat starts out small, but can grow upwards of 18 pounds! However, lovers of the Maine Coon don’t mind, because it’s just more cat to cuddle. Although, this breed can be a bit clingy to its humans, it usually gets along well with other pets, loves children and may even use its massive paws to puddle in the water dish. This cat is an all-round good egg!

5. Tonkinese

Stream-line beauty is not all the Tonkinese has to offer; it’s a “lap lounger.” This breed was created by blending the Burmese and Siamese and got the best of both its lineage. It’s not extroverted like the Siamese and not shy like the Burmese, but is rather a fun and affectionate mix of stunning looks and warm personality. The Tonkinese is also highly trainable and can quickly master walking on a leash or playing a fun game of fetch. Plus, it loves to stay close to its humans and usually won’t say no to a ride on a shoulder, a warm inviting lap or even socializing with kids and the family dog.

6. Persian

This breed may be sporting a “grumpy” face, but its personality is all cuddler. This could be why it has remained one of the most popular breeds of cat for decades. Its soft luxurious coat is wonderful to the touch, which is all this breed wants to be. It enjoys sitting quietly being stroked by its favorite human and will reward you with soft, steady purrs. The Persian has an all-round sweet and gentle disposition and makes an awesome companion for older folks or calmer households.

7. Ragdoll

The name of this next affectionate breed is not by chance or accident. The Ragdoll was aptly named because of its propensity to go limp in people’s arms. This big floppy feline loves to be held and cuddled, will follow its pet parent around the home, join them at night and might even suddenly appear in the shower. Even though this cat is quite large fully grown (around 20 pounds) it rarely uses its claws, does not want to fight and doesn’t usually exhibit any aggressive tendencies.

8. Siamese

Despite its wicked portrayal on the popular Disney cartoon, Lady and the Tramp, the Siamese still makes the list of affectionate felines. Although, it can be a bit demanding, the Siamese will shower its favorite person with attention, loud chattering “conversations” and may even join you in the shower. This breed does not like to be left alone and craves interaction with its pet parent. It is also known for its super-intelligence and fierce devotion, so there’s a lot to love about the Siamese.

9. Sphynx

The fact that the Sphynx is completely peach-fuzzed, has lemon-shaped eyes, huge ears and a big belly may have some folks doing a double-take when they lay eyes on it for the first time. However, it’s sweet nature well makes up for its “unusual” appearance. This breed loves to lounge on a cozy lap, has a huge personality and is very outgoing. Plus, if you have feline fur allergies, the peach fuzz this kitty sports may not affect those that suffer from the itchy, watery eyes and sneezing that accompanies pet allergens.

Love-to-Love Those Kitties

Now that we’ve laid out some of the well known affectionate feline breeds, perhaps you’re ready to embark on pet parenting one of these amazing cats. If so, be sure to find a responsible and reputable breeder or visit your local animal rescue to adopt your next bff (best furry friend).

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7 Facts About Senior Chihuahuas

Whether you have just adopted a senior chihuahua (and bless you if you have!) or have had your little fur ball for most of their life, there are questions you may have about this stage in your chihuahua’s life.

1- AT WHAT AGE IS A CHIHUAHUA CONSIDERED A SENIOR?

Chihuahuas are considered a senior when they reach 10.

This is much later than other breeds who reach senior citizen status at around 7 or 8 and in the case of giant breeds 5 to 6.

2- HOW LONG DOES A CHIHUAHUA LIVE?

12-20 years but they have been known to live into their early 20’s.

3- ANY HEALTH ADVANTAGES TO BEING AN OLDER CHIHUAHUA?

Yes, there is a neurological condition called GME which is becoming more and more common.

It is believed to caused by over vaccination and targets mostly small breeds.

For some reason, dogs over 8 years of age do not develop this disease.

4- WHAT ARE COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS IN ELDERLY CHIHUAHUAS?

Many are the same issues other dog breeds, and even people get as they age including:

  • cataracts
  • glaucoma
  • dementia
  • arthritis
  • gum disease and dental problems
  • cancer
  • diabetes
  • hearing loss
  • congestive heart failure

5- DOES MY OLDER CHIHUAHUA NEED CLOTHES?

Most likely yes. Chihuahuas in general tend to be cold natured.

Just like people tend to get cold more often in their senior years, well chis do too.

So do keep a few cuddly sweaters on hand for your dog along with lots of soft blankets.

6-WILL MY CHIHUAHUA’S PERSONALITY CHANGE?

It may change as they age.

Of course, they won’t be as active as they were when they were younger.

Some chihuahuas get a little crotchety as they enter their senior years and don’t handle stressful situations as well as they did when they were younger.

Sometimes things that didn’t bother them when they were younger, suddenly scare them such as thunder storms.

And sometimes dementia sets in and changes their personality drastically.

If you notice signs of dementia such as confusion, staring into space for long periods of time or other personality changes, get your dog to your vet as soon as possible.

There are drugs available that can help with dementia and for some reason, they have a better success rate with dogs than humans do with their drugs with dementia.

7- WHAT ELSE SHOULD I DO TO KEEP MY SENIOR CHIHUAHUA HAPPY?

  • Keep an eye on your fur baby for any health problems that need veterinary care. If you can afford it, you might want to switch to vet visits every 6 months instead of once a year.
  • A good joint supplement can help a lot with arthritis.
  • Your dog still needs some exercise, just not as much as when he was younger. Do try to take him for a daily walk for 15-20 minutes. If you like to go for longer walks, bring a pet stroller with you and just put your dog in it when they get tired.
  • Don’t move the furniture around as it can be confusing and frustrating for dogs that are losing their site or are developing dementia.
  • Keep a check on your chihuahua’s weight and don’t over feed them.
  • Don’t let them jump from high distances such as from the bed or couch. Get them pet steps and teach them how to use them.
  • Keep them away from crowds,  (unless you have them secure in a stroller or sling) as they can be scary or too much stimulation for an older dog.
  • Keep small children away from them as much as possible.

Leave a comment and tell me about your oldster.

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7 Tips to Manage Golden Retriever Shedding

Golden Retrievers are very popular pets, and it is easy to see why: They’re not only friendly, loyal and smart, they also have some of the most beautiful coats around.

But unfortunately, these gorgeous golden coats can also cause headaches for their owners. We’ll talk about the Golden Retriever shedding below, as well as the best ways to manage the problems the coats and shed hair of Golden Retrievers can cause.

The Golden Retriever’s Coat

Before we begin talking about the ways to deal with your Golden Retriever’s shed hair, we need to explain the basics of their coats. Golden Retrievers have a double coat, comprised of two separate layers.

  • The outer coat of Golden Retrievers is waterproof, comprised of medium to long hairs and primarily intended to protect the dog from the elements. Some Goldens have wavy hair, while others are primarily clad in straight hair. The outer coat of many Goldens exhibits “feathering” on the legs, tail and
  • The inner coat of Golden Retrievers is extraordinarily dense and quite soft. The inner coat isn’t very visible, but if you run your fingers through the coat of a Golden, you’ll easily feel the soft hairs underneath. The primary job of the Golden Retriever’s undercoat is to keep the dog warm in cool weather.

Do Golden Retrievers Shed?

All mammals shed their hair periodically. Individual hairs only last for so long, so they’re typically jettisoned once they wear out. But while some animals (including humans) tend to shed at a relatively consistent rate, others shed particularly heavily in specific seasons or portions of the year. Golden Retrievers are a good example of the latter.

Golden Retrievers typically shed a little bit all year long, so you’ll have to contend with this issue more-or-less constantly. However, they tend to exhibit a punctuated shedding pattern, in which they shed especially heavily during the spring and fall. These are the times in which it is most important to take steps to manage the shed-hair problems they present.

How Much Do Golden Retrievers Shed?

There isn’t an easy way to quantify the amount of hair Golden Retrievers shed, but they are surely one of the heaviest-shedding breeds in the world. Golden Retrievers shed enough to leave a constant dusting of hair on your floors and furniture, and they’ll bury your entire home in a layer of golden fur each spring and fall.

The first time you give your dog a thorough brushing during a heavy-shedding period, you’ll surely be shocked at how much hair you are able to remove from your dog.

It is important to note that the length of a Golden Retriever’s fur not only makes it seem like they shed even more than they actually do, it also makes it harder to clean up after them. Long hairs are more likely to become stuck to the fibers of your carpets and upholstery, and they are also more likely to clog vacuums and form “tumbleweeds” that will end up blowing around your home.

Seven Ways to Manage Golden Retriever Shedding

Again, there’s no way to completely eliminate Golden Retriever hair shedding (or any other breed of dog). However, there are a few things you can do to limit the problem.’

1. Brush Your Dog Frequently

Since you can’t completely stop your dog from shedding, the next best option is to remove your dog’s hair in a controlled manner. And the easiest way to accomplish this is by simply brushing your dog once a week (or more frequently), collecting the hair trapped in the brush and putting it right in the trashcan.

Most dogs, including Golden Retrievers, will enjoy the attention and stimulation a thorough brushing provides, and they’ll learn to accept it as part of their weekly routine. It will also give you a good chance to observe your dog’s coat and skin, increasing the chances that you’ll discover ticks, abrasions, wounds and other problems that require attention.

Additionally, by brushing your Golden Retriever regularly, you’ll be able to eliminate mats and tangles and keep his coat looking its best.

Scroll down to the next section to learn about the best brushes for Golden Retrievers.

2. Bathe Your Dog Regularly

Brushing your dog isn’t the only way to remove his soon-to-be shed hair in a controlled manner – you can also bathe him regularly. Most Goldens enjoy the occasional bath and it is a very effective hair-management technique that’ll help keep your home looking great. Just be sure you don’t bathe your dog too frequently, as this can cause coat and skin problems.

Anytime you bathe your dog, you’ll end up washing off many of the hairs that we’ll be shed soon, as well as those that have already been released from the follicles, but still cling to his coat. Additionally, the massaging action of your hands and fingers will help dislodge soon-to-be shed hair, and it’ll free the hair that becomes trapped in his coat.

Then, once you’ve bathed your dog, you can simply dispose of the hair left in the water. If you’re bathing your dog outdoors, you can simply dump the fur out on the ground (this will even help your local birds, as many use hair while building their nests) or collect it and throw it in the trash.

If you bathe your Golden indoors, you’ll want to use a drain guard, which will collect the hair as it washes down the drain. This will prevent the hair from clogging your pipes and make clean up much easier.

3. Take Your Golden Retriever for a Swim

Swimming is a great form of exercise for most Golden Retrievers. It burns a ton of calories, it’ll help wash off a bunch of hair, and most Goldens love playing in the water. In fact, because swimming is a low-impact activity, it is a great way to exercise dogs with aching joints.

If you are taking your pup to a lake or river, you don’t have to worry about the hair he sheds. But if you decide to let him swim in your swimming pool, you’ll want to be sure to remove the hair that collects around the filters and traps to ensure the pump keeps working efficiently.

It’s a good idea to give your dog a bath after letting him swim, as lake and river water can contain bacteria and other pathogens. Even if you let your dog swim in a pool, it’s a good idea to bathe him afterward, to help rinse the chlorine from his fur.

4. Feed Your Dog a High-Quality Food

It’s obviously important to provide all dogs with a healthy and nutritious dog food. However, it is especially important to do so for Golden Retrievers, as proper nutrition will help keep their skin and coat as healthy as possible. This, in turn, will help ensure he isn’t shedding more hair than he should.

Any of the recipes highlighted should make a good choice for your pet. However, you’ll want to give special consideration to those foods that contain an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and promote coat and skin health.

You can also begin providing your dog with omega-3 fatty acid supplements. These supplements come in a few different forms, including tablets and liquids designed to be added to your dog’s food, so be sure to pick the one that should work best for your pet.

5. Keep Your Dog’s Stress Level Low

Stress and anxiety may increase the rate at which your dog sheds, so it is important to ensure that your Golden remains healthy and happy. You can do this in part by providing your pet with plenty of opportunities to exercise and giving him lots of attention, but it is also important to provide him with toys to help prevent boredomand give him the chance to exercise his chewing instincts.

It’s also a good idea to provide him (as well as all other dogs) with a secure crate, in which he can retreat when desired. Many dogs appreciate having a safe place to hang out when they’re feeling worried or stressed, which may help prevent him from excessive shedding.

6. Keep Your Couch Clean by Giving Your Dog a Comfortable Bed

The tips mentioned above can certainly help you reduce the amount of hair your Golden sheds and prevent some of the hair that is shed from covering your floors and furniture. But it won’t completely eliminate the problem – your Golden Retriever will still end up leaving hair around your home.

However, most of the hair your Golden sheds will cling to the surfaces and areas in which he spends the bulk of his time. So, be sure to provide your pet with a comfortable bed (or kennel pad) and teach him that the couch is off limits. This may take some time and effort to accomplish, but your efforts will be worth it, once you start noticing less hair on your furniture.

It’s also important to remember that Golden Retrievers often suffer from joint problems, such as hip dysplasia. One of the best ways to help take coddle your canine’s joints is by providing him with a high-quality, orthopedic dog bed that is designed to provide exactly the type of support he needs.

7. Color-Coordinate with Your Dog

Although it won’t do a thing to reduce your dog’s shedding, you can often reduce the visual impact of your dog’s shed hair by trying to use furniture (both your furniture and his) that matches his coat color. In the case of Golden Retrievers, this means opting for things that are strawberry blonde to yellow-white.

We’re not suggesting that you go out and buy all new furniture, but it is a good idea to consider the color you choose whenever buying new furniture. You can also cover your couch and other furniture with covers that are similar to your dog’s fur color. And it is always wise to purchase dog beds and similar furniture that matches the color of your dog’s hair.

Golden Retrievers certainly shed pretty heavily, and given the length of their coats, the fur they shed can cause quite a mess. But if you employ the tips and advice presented above you can keep your Golden’s shedding under control and ensure that your home doesn’t become a giant furball.

Have you figured out any other ways to control your Golden Retriever’s shedding problem? Tell us all about it in the comments below.

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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Their beautiful coats and seemingly always happy and friendly demeanor makes them favorites of families everywhere.

Goldens are also highly valued for their loyalty and intelligence. They are very active and love to play with children, but I’m guessing there’s a good chance you already knew that!

But what don’t you know about our beloved Goldens? Read on to learn 5 interesting facts about these beautiful, incredibly sweet doggies!

1. Golden Retrievers are cross bred

Contrary to what many believe, Goldens did not appear until relatively recently in our history. A royal known as Baron Tweedmouth lived alongside the Scottish border near the Tweed River and was well known for hunting.

He kept many types of retriever dog breeds, but they often did not survive the severe conditions. To remedy the problem he sought to create a new kind of breed. He crossed a Tweed Water Spaniel with a Wavy-Coated Retriever, and the first yellow coated dog was born.

It was then cross-bred again with a Bloodhound, which gave birth to the first Golden Retriever.

2. Golden Retrievers look after cats

You’ve probably seen plenty of movies where cats and dogs and all kinds of other animals are peacefully coexisting in one home. But while this certainly happens in real life, not all breeds of dog take to it easily.

Goldens, on the other hand, are well known for their love for practically anyone, including cats. Put a Golden and a cat in the same home, and the Golden will likely want to become fast friends. Though plenty of breeds can be friendly with cats, Goldens take to it much quicker than most.

3. There are three types of Goldens

There are actually three distinct types of Golden Retrievers: American, Canadian and British. British Goldens are found mostly in Europe and Australia. They typically have a broader skull and a light colored coat.

The American variety are less muscular and thinner, but taller than their British cousins. They also will have a darker colored coat than the other types.

Canadian Goldens are similar to American Retrievers as they are thin and have a dark coat. They are the tallest variety of Golden.

4. Golden Retrievers are fast runners

If you’ve ever played fetch with a Golden, this probably comes as no surprise to you. But did you know just how fast they are? Goldens have been known to reach speeds up to 30mph (or 48km/h).

Take a look at this video of an 11-month old Golden that reaches over 25 miles per hour while running on snow. And of course, the beautiful boy has a huge smile on his face the whole time!

5. They get lonely if left by themselves

Another way that Goldens stand out from other breeds is their ability to experience sadness much like we do. Trainers advise not to leave them alone for long periods as they can become depressed.

If they are left alone for more than 7 hours they will start to experience sadness. Try getting a dog walker, or another pet if your Golden has to be left alone for long periods of time on a regular basis.

If neither of those will work for your family, check out our article on separation anxiety which has some great ideas on how to keep your Golden occupied and happy while you’re away.

P.S. Did you learn something new? Share with a Golden-loving friend by pinning! Thanks! 

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10 Amazingly Interesting Golden Retriever Facts You Should Know

Golden retrievers are one of the most famous dog breeds in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. But apart from their cute looks, here are 10 golden retriever facts that will only make you love them more.

Maybe you’re looking to adopt a golden of your own, a proud parent of one (or more!), a golden retriever aficionado, or just a dog lover in general, either way it’s always fun to learn new things about different dog breeds. So chillax and join me as we learn more about golden retrievers within the next few paragraphs.

1. Golden Retrievers Are a Noble Breed

And I don’t just mean because of the air of regality that they exude. The breed came into existence in the 19th century mainly due to the efforts of Lord Tweedmouth. They were first bred in Scotland from flat coated retriever and water spaniel (a now extinct breed) ancestors.

2. They Had A Myth Attached To Their Origins

Despite their noble origins, there was actually a myth that the first golden was accidentally born from Russian sheepdogs… from a circus. Obviously this was disproved eventually but it still ran for a while. Talk about some strange origins, right?

3. Golden Retrievers are Natural Swimmers

By instinct, golden retrievers are large water lovers. In fact, their outer coats are water repellent. This proved beneficial for hunting in environments where there were wetlands and rivers in addition to forests. Even to this day, goldens take like a fish to water.

4. They are. . .Retrievers!

Okay, so the name fits them because of several reasons. First, because they could retrieve hunted wildfowl on both land and water. Second, because their sense of smell is so exceptional that they’re extremely useful to have around on a hunt (or a search and rescue); and third, because they can retrieve the shot game without damage.

5. There Are Three Types of Goldens

Yup, as if one type wasn’t enough to overwhelm us with awesomeness. There are British, American, and Canadian types. Most of the differences lie on the physical attributes, but there is some variation in temperament as well.

6. Two American Presidents Had Golden Retrievers

Both President Ford and President Regan had golden retrievers as pets. President Gerald Ford’s was named Liberty (full name Honor’s Foxfire Liberty Hume), who even had a litter of puppies while she was at the White House.

7. They’re Not Choosy About The Company They Keep

Golden retrievers don’t discriminate when it comes to who they hang out with. Notable examples include one fostering a litter of wild dog puppies, as well as another who chills with akangaroo (strangely enough both are named Lilly).

8. Goldens are Internationally Popular Dogs

And not just in America, where they are the third most popular breed by registration. They rank fifth in Australia (probably because they can chill with kangaroos, am I right), and eighth in the United Kingdom. Not shabby at all, huh?

9. They are Guinness World Record Holders

There are at least two golden retrievers in the world who are known Guinness World Record holders. The first one is for the loudest bark (beating even a chainsaw at 113.1 decibels), and the other is for the most number of tennis balls held in a dog’s mouth (five).

10. Golden Retrievers are Easy To Train

Talk about being real charmers. This breed is known for being obedient and easily trainable. In fact, the first three title holders for AKC’s obedience trials were all golden retrievers. Not only that, this trainability is exhibited by the fact that a lot of dog-centric films star goldens (I mean, have you seen the Air Bud films?)

Conclusion

So there you have it, 10 golden retriever facts. I hope you had just as much fun reading them as I did finding out about them, because just when I thought I couldn’t like golden retrievers more I find out these facts about them. Let’s just say that this breed has gone up a notch or two (or ten!) on the cool meter.

Do you have any more golden retriever facts to share? Let us know about it on the comments below!

 

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