How Important is the Sense of Touch for Pets?

By Linda Cole

We know how important our sense of touch is to us. Snuggling next to the one we love makes us feel good, safe and warm. Our pets respond to our touch in the same way when we give them a scratch behind the ears. My dogs love a good ear scratch so much, they will lay their head in my hand and close their eyes in response to the good feeling they are experiencing. Each dog has a sweet spot that gets their back leg kicking in pure pleasure when you rub their tummy, and you know when you've found your cat's favorite spot along her back or under her chin. The sense of touch for pets is just as important to them as it is to us.

Cats and dogs have very sensitive whiskers which help them “see” in the dark. As air moves around couches and chair legs in the home, their whiskers act like little radar detectors picking up changes in the air movement. This also helps them locate prey in the dark. Dogs have a higher sensitivity to touch around their mouth which aids them when they mouth objects to determine what they are. Cats have whiskers on their legs to help them determine where their prey is and if it's still alive. Since they can't see things right under their nose unless they detect motion, a cat depends on their sense of touch to compensate.

Since dogs are social animals and are accustomed to living in a pack social structure, they use their sense of touch while socializing with each other. That's one reason why your dog likes to lay beside you on the couch, your favorite chair or at your feet. It's important for them to be with the rest of the pack and they like to be close enough to touch us. My dogs like to gather around me on the couch and lay with their head on my leg. It gets a little crowded sometimes when all of them are trying to find a vacant area on my knee.

A cat's sensitivity to touch is their most sophisticated of all their senses. Nerve endings are connected to pressure sensitive receptors that constantly send messages to their brain giving cats the ability to always be on top of what's going on in their world – even when they appear to be sound asleep. Their amazing sense of touch is a big reason why cats can react with a split second reaction time.

Some people believe that an animal’s sense of touch is so sensitive they can feel vibrations in the earth prior to an earthquake. Researchers have been trying for years to determine if our pets have a sixth sense that could warn of an impending earthquake, but so far, the answer has been elusive. However, there is speculation that cats especially may be able to feel vibrations through their paw pads because their pads are so sensitive to touch.

As a general rule, cats don't like us to mess with their feet because they are sensitive, but as long as you are gentle, they do like to be tickled between the toes and pads on their feet. You know you are doing it right when they spread their toes apart so you can gently scratch in between their pads. I've yet to find a cat who doesn't enjoy a good between-the-toes tickle massage every now and then.

If you've ever given your dog or cat a massage, you know how much they enjoy it. Not only do they benefit with better circulation and stress relief, they love the feel of our hands on their bodies. Our touch can have a calming effect on a dog who feels insecure or frightened. Have you ever watched your sleeping dog or cat when they seem to be dreaming? Dogs will move and jerk their legs as if they are running and will sometimes whine, and a cat's whiskers will pull forward as if they are stalking a mouse or bird. Who knows what they are dreaming about, but if you gently lay your hand on their side and slowly pet them, it calms them down. So they apparently are aware of our touch even when they are asleep.

Like us, our pets have a keen sense of touch and they use it every day. They feel pain, and understand the pleasure a gentle stroke gives them when we pet them on the head or scratch behind their ears. All you have to do is notice how they respond when you scratch them between the eyes and down their nose to understand how much they enjoy the feel of a gentle touch.

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the easter bunny down under

Australia! Where Christmas is during the summer, and the water going down the sink might swirl the opposite way from up here in the US, but maybe not too. And where the rabbit is not a native species, and some would like to replace the Easter Bunny with the similarly-eared but endangered Easter Bilby.

The bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is rabbit sized, rabbit eared, has a long pointy nose and a long tail, and light gray fur with tan patches like a pale tortoiseshell cat. They don't drink much water, getting most of their moisture needs from their food: larva, tiny animals, fruit, bugs. They live in western Queensland. Efforts to breed them in captivity and reintroduce them to their native areas are going successfully. Want to see one and learn more? Look on this page.

"But how much fun is Easter without a chocolate bunny?" you ask. Oh, I bet it would be loads of fun with a chocolate bilby! (When I lived there as a little girl they had chocolate frogs called "Freddies." I loved them - especially in the dessert called "Freddy in a Pond," which was a frog at the bottom of a bowl of lime Jello.) And then you should visit easterbilby.com.

Happy Easter to you all, Museum friends!

Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs

By Ruthie Bently

Warm weather is returning to the northern hemisphere and those of us who have been suffering from cabin fever are beginning to venture outside again with our canine companions. There is still a lot of moisture left from the recent snows and in shady places that moisture begins to grow fungus, mushrooms in particular. Many mushrooms, like morels and truffles, are prized by mycophiles (someone who hunts wild edible mushrooms); there are also many mushrooms that are toxic to our four-legged family members. Although you will find more mushrooms in shady, damp places like woods and thickets at the base of trees, you can sometimes find them in your backyard.

While some colleges have mycologists on staff, none of them will tell you over the phone that a mushroom you find in nature is safe to eat. You can take a sample in to show them, but you may still not get an answer. So what do you do with a puppy or dog that has their nose constantly to the ground? Dogs are very oral creatures and if something smells interesting to them, they are apt to put it in their mouth to taste it. The best thing to do is try to police your yard and pick up any mushrooms you find before your dog does. This may sound extreme, but mushroom poisoning can cause serious health issues for your dog.

I had a client who had been playing with her Lab puppy in their backyard. She brought him into the store for some new toys and while I was waiting on her the puppy began salivating, shaking his head and trying to vomit. She looked in his mouth, but found no obstruction. I asked what else he had been doing and she mentioned he had eaten a mushroom. I suggested she get him to the vet immediately, which she did. The vet induced vomiting and gave the puppy activated charcoal to absorb the toxins. The puppy had not ingested enough mushrooms to affect his organs or his life, but not all dogs are so lucky. There aren’t many mushrooms that are poisonous, but unless you have studied them extensively, it can be hard to tell the difference.

There are several symptoms of mushroom poisoning, and depending on the type of mushroom and amount ingested the severity can be uncomfortable to deadly. An edible mushroom can even cause problems if the dog has an allergy to them, if they have bacteria on them, or have gone past the edible stage. There are about 6000 known mushrooms and only about 60 are poisonous. It should be noted that there are several hundred more that while not deadly can cause mild to severe physical distress. There are several categories of poisonous mushrooms based on what they do: cause illness when consumed, fatal when consumed, or psychoactive. There are eight different categories based on their toxins and their effects. Some are so dangerous they only have to be touched to be harmful.

The symptoms of mushroom toxicity in a dog can occur within minutes to several hours after ingestion. They include: vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, loss of coordination, seizures, jaundice, anorexia, burning thirst, abdominal pain, nausea, lethargy, blurred vision, drunken gait or inability to walk, failure of liver and kidney function, and coma.

If you suspect your dog has ingested mushrooms and they are experiencing any of these symptoms, get them to the vet as soon as possible. The vet may order a blood test to check kidney and liver enzyme levels as well as levels of potassium and sugar in the blood. Treatment depends on the mushroom eaten (if known) and may include inducing vomiting, administering activated charcoal to counteract the mushroom’s toxins, giving fluids to keep your dog hydrated, treatment for seizures and ongoing treatment for kidney and liver function if they were damaged.

There isn’t a specific test for mushrooms, so if you can bring a sample of what your dog ingested to the vet, that can help them diagnose the mushroom toxicity. Collect it using a trowel and gloves, and put it into a sealed plastic bag. There isn’t a home remedy for mushroom ingestion, and it is best to call your vet if you think your dog may have eaten one. Patrol your yard regularly and remove any mushrooms you find. They will usually appear after several days of dampness and can be found in shady spots, under trees or plants, although they can appear in the lawn too. The best way to prevent mushroom poisoning in dogs: don’t leave your canine companion unattended in your yard, and don’t let them go wandering in your neighborhood unless you are walking them.

Photo courtesy of Australian National Botanic Gardens fungi website.

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Two cocks for her - 9 min -

How Much Do You Know About Felis Domestica, a.k.a. Cat?

By Julia Williams

On any given week, this blog might be exploring important issues of responsible pet ownership such as grooming, training, health and behavior issues, nutrition and exercise. For varieties sake, we also include profiles of special canines and felines, like Surf Dog Ricochet, Nora the Piano Cat, and Scout, an Avalanche Rescue Dog sponsored by CANIDAE. Lastly, we’re not above having fun, which is why today’s article is a lighthearted presentation of cat facts. So read on and afterwards, use your newfound knowledge of felines to impress your friends!

Does size matter?

The average weight for domestic housecats is 9-12 pounds. The world’s smallest housecat is the Singapura. A full-grown Singapura weighs on average 5 to 8 lbs– but many weigh a mere 4 pounds!

The largest domestic cat breed recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) is the Maine Coon, one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. Maine Coons are tall, muscular, big-boned cats that weigh from 9 to 20+ pounds. The second largest cat is the Ragdoll.

The tiniest cat on record was Tinker Toy, a male Himalayan-Persian from Illinois who weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces fully grown, and was 7.25" long and 2.75" tall.

How do you say meow?

Cats have the ability to make over 100 different vocalizations, while dogs only have about 10. The most common cat sound is the meow. There have been 30 or more types of cat meow sounds recorded, and each means something different. Curiously, cats only meow at people, not at other cats!

The French word for cat is “chat” (pronounced like shah or baa), and kitten is “chaton.” The German word for cat is “katze.” In Spanish, cat is “gato” and in Italian, it’s “gatto.”

How fast can a cat run?

The fastest feline is the Cheetah, which can run at speeds up to 60 MPH over short distances. However, housecats are no slouch in the speed arena either, and can actually run faster than humans can. The top speed for a human is 27 MPH, whereas cats can run up to 30 MPH.

The fastest domestic breed is the Egyptian Mau, a small, short-haired cat with longer hind legs that provide greater length of stride. The Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted breed of domesticated cat.

The “tails” have it

Humans have “mood rings” and cats have tails. Okay, I made that up, but cat owners wanting to know their feline’s mood should look at the tail. When a cat swishes its tail slowly and gently, this usually means it’s happy. If the tail is whipping back and forth, beware – kitty is warning you to leave her alone. A quivering tail means your cat is very glad to see you. Incidentally, the domestic cat is the only feline species that holds its tail vertically while walking. All wild cats hold their tails horizontally or tucked between their legs.

Love them…or loathe them?

Ailurophobia is “fear of cats” while Ailurophilia is “love of cats.” Napoleon, Charles XI and Julius Ceasar all feared cats. Among the historical figures who loved cats was Abraham Lincoln, whose cat Tabby could be considered the very first “First Cat.” Mary Todd Lincoln, when asked if her husband had a hobby, purportedly replied, “cats.”

Cardinal Richelieu, chief minister to King Louis XIII, shared his home with 14 cats. Upon his death he left money for the cats and the attendants specially appointed to care for them. Ernest Hemingway supposedly had some 30 cats at his Florida home, while Florence Nightingale is said to have owned more than 60 cats in her lifetime. Lastly, gifted scientist and inventor Sir Isaac Newton is credited with inventing the cat door.

Can you train a cat?

Gretchen Lamont’s book, The Mail-Carrier Cats of Liège, was inspired by a supposed true event that took place in Belgium in 1879. City officials attempted to train 37 cats to deliver mail to outlying villages. Considering the independent nature of cats, it’s not hard to see why this plan didn’t pan out. However, with a great deal of patience and cat treats, you can train your kitty to do tricks. For pointers, read How to Train Your Cat to Perform Tricks.

Your feline’s trick list will likely not be as lengthy as those of the Moscow Cats Theatre, a Broadway show that featured cats climbing poles, jumping through hoops, twirling batons, riding tricycles and other impressive feats. Nevertheless, you might be able to teach your cat to sit, shake, and roll over on command.

Miscellaneous cat trivia

A group of kittens is called a “kindle,” while a group of adult cats is a “clowder.”

Every behavior of domestic cats has a parallel in the wild.

Cats spend 30% of their waking hours grooming themselves.

A cat’s body has 230 bones (humans have 206).

Cats are sometimes born with extra toes; this is called polydactyl.

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yesterday was the cat's pajamas

No fooling: I know it was April Fool's yesterday, but me, I took off for a half-day vacation. I spent it lunching and window shopping with Robin and Finchy's mom.

Good thing too, because I was so stressed I'd been a real bag of cats lately. I've been busier than a three-legged cat in a dry sandbox. But we took off and found some little shops in Seattle that were just the cat's meow, though the prices were high as the hair on a cat's back. By the time I got home I was grinning like the cat that got the canary.

Awright, you're asking, what gives with the cat theme? Well, it's just that I've stumbled upon this superb list of cat-related idioms, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Why Do Pets Steal Our Stuff?

By Linda Cole

Are your pets pack rats? Do you find things that belong to you in odd, out of the way places? Does your cat store things under the bed, or does your dog steal socks and you find the tattered remains scattered around the scene of the crime? Do they like the smell of our dirty laundry? Why do pets steal our stuff?

I have a dog who loves to spend the frosty days of winter under a cozy blanket in bed. Her chosen snuggle item is a slipper. Sometimes, she opts for both which makes it easier to find when I want them. Sure, I could put the slippers where she couldn't get them, but having them around her makes her feel secure, and she has no desire to chew them. Of course she takes the slipper because it has a comforting and familiar smell on it. Sometimes pets steal our stuff because it makes them feel good to have a piece of clothing with our smell on it next to them when we aren't there. If the pet stealing your clothing is a dog, it could indicate the dog has a mild case of separation anxiety. Stealing something with a familiar smell on it helps keep them calm by reducing their level of anxiety. Our dirty laundry or a slipper works best because that's where our smell is the strongest, and a sock or slipper is easier to move than the couch.

Unfortunately, there is a problem with a dog who steals clothes if they also enjoy shredding the clothing and chewing up the slipper. That can get expensive! If your dog likes to eat clothes and your dirty laundry is piled on the floor till laundry day, a simple change in habit and using that empty hamper can help save your clothes from destruction. You may need to hide the hamper from the dog, though. A dog who is chewing on clothes is also likely to ingest a certain amount of fabric and that's not good for them. A better choice to help your pooch deal with a low level of separation anxiety is to give them a chew toy they can't destroy while you are gone. A treat toy can provide them with hours of entertainment as they work to get the treat out of the toy. Soft chew toys are also good, but make sure your dog isn't one who likes to eat them as well.

Cats are like pack rats who love anything shining, small and fun that they can chase around the floor. I'm always retrieving items my cats have stolen from somewhere in the house. Pens, spoons, paper clips, wadded up balls of discarded paper, the ring or cap from a milk jug, an entire roll of toilet paper killed in a mighty battle on my bed. Cats steal our stuff just because they ARE cats. They don't need a reason. They are constantly looking for something to bat around the floor and as long as it can be moved, it's fair game as far as the cat is concerned.

Cats are like dogs as far as smells go. They like feeling safe and secure, and our smells are everywhere in the home. Cats will steal pieces of clothing just like dogs, although they don't usually chew them up and spit the pieces out for us to find later. I have found dirty towels and T-shirts hauled up onto my bed or the couch. Of course, the cat is usually still sleeping in the middle of the pile. I had a cat that once emptied my entire laundry basket and arranged all of the clothes on the bed so he could burrow under them and sleep in peace with the smells he loved around him. I'm sure he was tired after rearranging an entire wardrobe.

In the long run, does it really matter why pets steal our stuff? Most pet owners do feel special if they have a pet who steals stuff. In a way, it's a tribute to how much they want to be with us. If we aren't there, then anything with our smell on it will do. If my dog feels comfortable sleeping with one of my slippers, or my cat wants to drag a dirty T-shirt on the bed to sleep on, that's fine with me. It's just another way they let us know we belong to them.

Read more articles by Linda Cole