Facts

The Secret Reason Your Cat Is Staring At You

Are you wondering why your cat is staring at you? Most people who own cats might probably curious about the same thing since cats often stare without their eyes blinking. If you are constantly losing with your cat in a staring contest, this article could give you a hint on what’s on their mind. Learn your cat’s behavior in three, two, and one.

Why Do Cats Stare?

Our cats are also interested in our lives, especially on what we do. One of the main reasons why your cat is staring at you is to get cues in order to determine how to respond.

When the time is near for mealtime, you can observe your cat starting to stare and become active. The best guess is, your little tailed buddy is waiting for some clues of when you are going to feed them. Try to stand up while your cat is staring at you and it will surely follow you wherever you go. This is how you know the reason why they impatiently watch over your activities.

Naturally, cats are nocturnal hunters so their eyes and vision are special. Once you see their pupils fully dilate which could expand almost twice as ours, this might make you feel some creeps but it is actually their way to see even in darkness.

As a matter of fact, cat eyes are special. It can see about one-sixth of the illumination required for human vision but they are relatively week in handling bright lights. This is the reason why they constrict their pupils into small slits.

Cats also talk using their eyes. So, when you caught your cat staring at you, try to figure out what it is trying to imply. Look at their eyes and observe its appearance in line with its overall behavior. Also, consider what’s happening in their environment as well as your own activity at the time. This could give you a clue on what your cat is thinking.

As notoriously curious animals, cats often stare just to know what you are up to. These little creatures often move their eyes and head in order to track your activities. They are also incredibly sensitive in any changes in your movement. Therefore, they might be watching you learn what you do or just because you are acting differently.

Cat Stares to Send You a Message

Cats learn things from their experiences. This includes how they behave and how to use their behavior to send us a message.

Since pet owners feed them which is a very important thing, cats learn that staring with a pleading look could effectively get them treats. It might even try to persuade you to give more with a combination of meowing and staring.

In the same way, your cat might get you to feed him more, open a door, or play with him. To put it simply, staring is cats way to get what they want. Another thing is to send you a message that it seeks your attention. You may also hear him purr while staring at you.

In line with this, specific cat breeds such as Siamese try to catch your eyes to stare at theirs in order to stop you to give our attention to anything or anyone else. Isn’t it cute? Your cat might be actually jealous while watching you petting your dog or your other cat so it tries to command your attention.

When your cat stares at you, make sure to observe their eyes. Some cats stare with a dilated pupil which means they are getting ready for something bad to happen. On the other hand, they fully dilate it when they are expecting something beneficial for them. Like treats, your attention, or getting you to do what they want.

Fear could also be a reason behind a cat stare. Moreover, how to determine if your cat is scared or it just wants something good from you? If your cat is staring at you while having a fully dilated pupils, a tense face and body, twisted ears backward, possibly hissing and tail lashing, along with aggressive behavior, he is definitely scared.

These physical clues are not according to aggression. It is clearly a sign of fear. When a cat sees a human approaching which they determine a threat, their adrenaline will release which will trigger them either to freeze or fight as a response. To avoid prevent this dangerous moment to happen, let your cat know that you are friendly by slowly blinking while it is staring at you or just avoid it for the meantime.

Conclusion

Cat behavior is really interesting to learn. Now that you already know some of the reasons why your cat is staring at you, choosing the right response is now easier.

While the suggested reasons above are the most common meaning behind your cat stares, also take note that cat staring could also be a result of some chronic medical conditions of cats.

This includes kidney failure, heart disease, as well as untreated hyperthyroidism. Take time to find out the meaning of your cat’s stares and you’ll live with them happily.

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

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.

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

Ask A Vet: Why Does My Cat Bite Me?

Cats are a wonderful part of our lives. They make us laugh and they are interesting to watch. Their behaviors can be a source of fun and sometimes, consternation to cat lovers when we do not understand them. One of the most offensive of feline behaviors is biting. We all know that one must never bite the hand that feeds us, but some cats seem to have missed the memo. When cats bite their owners, it is usually not a truly aggressive bite and seldom even breaks the skin, but cat owners do take it personally and obviously do not like it.

Why do our cats sometimes bite us? Biting can serve many purposes and the nuances of the bite combined with the other body language of the cat can help us assume the motivation. Since we humans do not always “speak cat”, we need a little help deciphering the reasons for biting. Cats can bite for a number of reasons, from predatory behavior to self-defense and even play.

If you are playing with your cat and she is involved in a hunt/chase sequence, she might bite you accidentally or displace some of her excitement about the hunt onto you. Cats are very focused by nature on their prey and although humans can change gears very quickly, cats can easily displace aggression or predatory behavior onto a human. It does not mean that your cat wants to hunt you, only that he was involved in the hunt sequence and you came along. Human family members are not present in the wild world and your cat still has a close genetic association with her wild ancestors.

Most cats that bite people do so in a non aggressive way, like the cat that bites randomly while being petted. A study done in Brazil found that almost half of all pet cats engage in some sort of human directed biting. ¹ Their conclusion was that cats may be sensitive to certain ways of being stroked or that cats are stressed. Wild felines engage in non-aggressive biting frequently when they live in a group. Such family groups seem to utilize biting as a form of communication or allogrooming. None of the others seem to be surprised by biting or mouthing from another family member.

Truly aggressive biting is a safety issue and will often accompany unmistakable hallmarks, like growling, hissing, laid back ears and dilated pupils. If you believe that your cat is biting you because of aggressiveness, you should seek help from your veterinarian. The two of you may decide to consult with a veterinary behaviorist for a plan to manage this issue. Because this problem puts people and the cat at risk, don’t delay and in the meantime, try to avoid anything that will escalate a confrontation. Absolutely do not try to punish an aggressive cat.

Most cats of cats biting are innocent, but if you are not sure, please let your veterinarian know. If your feline friend is hurting you, you both need some help and there are treatment plans that can address this issue. Don’t despair. If your cat seems to be play biting or biting as a part of grooming and you do not like it, try to distract him from the activity and replace it with something that you both enjoy, like chasing a toy or light. Be sure that your cat gets plenty of exercise too. A little patience and channeling of energy is sometimes all it takes to keep things harmonious.

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

8 Things Your Senior Cat Will Thank You For Doing

As our cats age, their bodies change and their needs will start to differ. While they’ll always be our baby kitties, our senior cats are going to have some special needs. They become more sensitive physically and mentally, their bodies and minds start to change, and they will need some extra help living out their golden years in happiness and health. If you’re wondering how you can make life better for your aging kitty, consider these tips.

#1 – More Beds

Senior cats generally spend more time sleeping than their younger selves, so giving them some extra beds and blankets to lie on will be much appreciated. The softer the better, because as our cats age their bodies become stiffer with arthritis and hard surfaces will be painful to lie on.

#2 – Stairs & Ramps

Just like people, age brings stiff joints and decreased mobility. Our cats still want to be by our sides wherever we go, so helping them get up and down stairs and on and off of furniture will be greatly appreciated. Using a ramp or steps to help your cat get around will save their bodies and make being near you an easy task.

#3 – Diet Change

Just like people, a cat’s nutritional needs will change over time. Older cats need different amounts of certain nutrients than young cats and kittens, and they need less of others. Work with your veterinarian to decide which diet is best for your senior cat. You might not need to change your cat’s food, but you’ll likely change the amount you feed and any supplements you’re giving.

#4 – Keep Active

Just because your cat is old in body doesn’t mean they are in mind! Your senior cat will still want to spend quality time with your. They are often young and heart and enjoy playing all of the games they did throughout their earlier years and perhaps even some new ones too! Keeping your cats mind and body stimulated will keep them happy and healthy for many years.

#5 – Extra Comfort

As our cats age and their bodies change, these changes will bring about more sensitivity. Your cat will be more susceptible to hot and cold weather, so make sure you’re able to keep them cool during summer and warm during winter. Fans will help with heat while coats will help with cold. Your cat will need a little extra help staying comfortable, but it’s an easy task.

#6 – Mobility Assistance

As mentioned earlier, age often brings arthritis and other ailments. Keeping your cat active will help maintain their mobility throughout their old age. This keeps their muscles and joints used to moving and prevents atrophy and muscle fatigue. Supplements might also be recommended by your veterinarian to help with any pain your pup might be experiencing.

#7 – Increased Veterinary Care

As your cat ages, you’re likely going to be visiting your veterinarian more often. This is because so many ailments come with age. Joint pain and mobility issues, weakened immune systems and other age-related illnesses often set in during your kitty’s senior years. You’ll also want to switch to regular check-ups more often if your veterinarian recommends it, as certain ailments such as cancers and organ diseases should be detected as early as possible.

#8 – Weight Control

In the same way your cat will need different nutrients in their senior years, they’re going to need different calories as well. Weight change is very common in senior cats. They are either getting too many nutrients and calories and become overweight or are struggling to maintain a healthy weight because their muscles are weakening and they are becoming thinner. Work with your veterinarian to make sure your cat maintains the appropriate weight.

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

5 Ways To Tell Your Dogs You Love Them In Their Own Language

Pup parents know that our dogs love us deeply, even though they do not express it in the same manner as humans do. Recently, behavioral research saddened dog lovers when it showed that most dogs don’t like to be hugged.

That’s not to say that our pups don’t enjoy receiving affection; they live for our love and approval! Try showing them your devotion in a language they can understand.

1. Gaze Deeply Into Their Eyes

Dr, Brian Hare, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke University topped the NY Times best seller list with his book, The Genius of Dogs. In an interview with Anderson Cooper this past Spring he told the dog-loving newsman that when your dog stares at you he is “hugging you with his eyes.”

This doesn’t mean you should stare deeply into the eyes of the dog that guards your local junkyard! Direct eye contact is still considered a challenge or threat in many situations. But with your own, trusted pet, try gazing into his eyes when the two of you are calmly relaxing.

Speak softly, stroke him gently and maintain eye contact. According to Hare these quiet moments stimulate the release of Oxytocin in the canine brain – the same hormone that bonds mother and child.

2. Raise Your Eyebrows

A Japanese study published in the September 2013 volume of Behavioral Processes found that dogs raise their eyebrows – especially the left one – when greeted by their owners. Using a high speed camera, they scrutinized the facial movements of the dogs when seeing their owners vs. seeing strangers.

When the strangers came along to greet them, the test dogs displayed far less facial activity and most of it was right sided. The significance is that the right brain controls the left side of the face and is tied to emotion, while the left brain controls the right side of the face and is tied into analytical behaviors.

Basically, the more facial activity you display when greeting your dog, the more they know they are loved. If you are able to raise one eyebrow (sadly, I cannot) then make it the left one. Your pup will really feel special!

3. Lean on Them

Not just figuratively, actually press your weight against your dog physically. Not to the point where he feels cornered (or crushed!) just a little to show that you trust him. This is something our pups do to display their affection for us that is often overlooked.

Have you ever had your pooch press up against the backs of your legs while you’re busy in the kitchen? That’s a type of dog hug! Try giving him one right back.

4. Let Them Sleep With You

Emory University neuroscientist Gregory Berns is the author of How Dogs Love Us and he has spent decades studying the canine brain using MRI. According to his research, sleeping with a human is the ultimate display of love and trust our dogs can give because that is when they are at their most vulnerable.

It also shows that they consider us a member of their pack. If you have a No Dogs in Bed policy, try snuggling up on the sofa or the floor for a few minutes each day to show your affection.

5. Just Be Yourself

Throughout his extensive research Dr. Berns has found that although it’s sometimes hard for us to tell what our dogs are thinking, they definitely do not have the same problem reading our emotions! If your love is true for your pups, they already know it just by reading your voice, body language and actions. So just keep doing what you’re doing and your dogs will reward you by showing their affections in their own special ways.