10 Things You Didn't Know About Cats!

 The population of cats in the US is estimated to be between 125 to 150 million. That number is quickly increasing by the day. Although we seem to be surrounded by cats, how much do we REALLY know about our feline friends? Here are 10 interesting facts about these cuddly creatures that you probably didn’t know:

1. Catnip isn't Just for domestic cats- If you own a cat, chances are that you know the effect catnip has on them. Well, this isn't limited to just house cats. Even lions and tigers can't resist this tempting treat!

2. Cats don't have collarbones- This is how your cat is able to fit into very tight spaces. Cats are able to squeeze into openings that are the same size as their heads. Next time you you find your cat in an unusual place you'll know why.

3. Its more than just a "cat nap"- It's perfectly normal for your cat to spend a majority of their time snoozing. On average, a domestic cat will "nap" for about 2/3 of their life.

4. Back it up!- Most people know that cats have amazing vision in low light. What most DON'T know is that cats are farsighted which means they have trouble focusing on things that are closer than a foot in front of their faces.

5. Cats tolerate heat very well despite all that fur- Thanks to traits handed down by their ancestors, cats can thrive in hot temperatures. One unique feature is their ability to sweat through the pads on the bottoms of their paws!

6. Felines dream much like humans- As long as a cat is in a deep enough sleep, they will produce the same brain waves found in humans during the REM stage of their slumber.

7. Certain breeds like water- Breeds such as the Maine Coon, American Bobtail and a handful of others actually enjoy swimming or wading in water.

8. Obesity is a serious epidemic among cats- As of 2011, 54% of US cats were considered overweight/obese. This is also try of US dogs and humans!

9. Cats are VERY clean animals- Felines will spend about 1/3 of the time they are awake grooming themselves.

10. Cats are FAST- In short distances, domestic cats can travel at speeds of up to 31 MPH. Some of their "big cat" relatives, such as the cheetah, can reach a top speed of 75 MPH!

It is important to thoroughly educate yourself before becoming a cat owner. If you fail to do so the results could be Catastrophic.

Why You Should Adopt a Senior Pet

Adopting a new pet is quite the exciting event, not only for children, but for people of all ages. While the majority of people can't resist a puppy/kitten, this may not be he most practical choice for everyone. There are many reasons why a senior pet may be the perfect addition to your family.

            Just like humans, the personality of an animal changes as they grow. Once a dog/cat reaches adulthood their temperaments become stable. Say you were to bring home a puppy or kitten. They may be cute and cuddly to begin with but that can change rather quickly. You don't want to risk having that animal become aggressive, hyperactive or even anxious. Most of the time, with a senior pet, what you see is what you get. This is especially important in families with children and/or other pets.

             One of the hardest and most time consuming parts of owning an animal is training them. When it comes to senior pets, the majority are already familiar with certain skills. Most older dogs know the basics which include sit, stay and down. Another advantage is that most adult pets are housebroken. Dogs are likely to let you know when they need to go out while cats are already accustomed to using a little box. Having a pet that is already familiar with these skills can greatly reduce the stress that comes along with training.

            Another highly important benefit of choosing a senior pet that is often overlooked is the fact that they are already full grown. This applies more to dogs than cats as they have the potential to become much larger. A first time dog owner may bring home a puppy and quickly become overwhelmed by the rate at which they grow. Not only is this a size issue but also a money issue. The bigger the animal, the more it costs to take care of them.

            There are MANY important factors to consider when choosing a new pet. Remember that cats/dogs quickly become members of the family. Be sure to explore all of your options before giving either of these animals a forever home.

Tips for Walking a Reactive Dog on a Leash

Does your dog have trouble taking a simple walk on a leash? You're not alone, in fact, a large percentage of dog owners experience the same issue. Luckily there are a number of things you can do to reverse this behavior.

Just like humans, dogs have their own unique personalities. Whether your pet gets excited, aggressive, or scared while on leash, these behaviors can be corrected. A majority of dog owners believe that in order to train their dog they must use force and try to dominate the animal. Usually this negative method of training leads to elevated stress levels in your pet. The most effective and humane way to train your 4-legged friend is called "choice training".

 As you may have guessed, "choice training" is all about giving your dog choices and using positive reinforcement. For this type of training you want to use positive behaviors that your dog already exhibits. Say you have a dog who lashes out aggressively at other animals/people while on leash. What you want to do is replace that behavior with a positive one. If you are on a walk and see another dog approaching you could have your dog sit and then reward them with treats and praise. Eventually your pup will be conditioned to use this behavior when approached by other animals/people without lashing out.

Another common issue is simply getting your dog to walk calmly without pulling. A simple correction for this is to reward the dog with treats each time they look back at you while on a walk. The reasoning behind this is that it is very hard for your animal to pull while looking back at you. Presenting them with a treat really helps to bring their focus back to you instead of trying to pull forward.

Positive reinforcement is truly the key to taking control of a reactive dog. The best part is that the dog doesn't see it as you dominating them. Instead, they see you as an equal and someone they can trust. These types of changes don't happen over night so be sure to be patient with your animal. With "choice training" your dog will be MUCH happier but more importantly, you will be too!