How Your Cat Is Making You Crazy - The Atlantic

This is a lengthy but interesting article.  I've heard the theory before. 

How Your Cat Is Making You Crazy - The Atlantic

"Certainly Flegr’s thinking is jarringly unconventional. Starting in the early 1990s, he began to suspect that a single-celled parasite in the protozoan family was subtly manipulating his personality, causing him to behave in strange, often self-destructive ways. And if it was messing with his mind, he reasoned, it was probably doing the same to others.
The parasite, which is excreted by cats in their feces, is called Toxoplasma gondii"
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My cat Little Guy

Our cat Little Guy passed away this morning. He was around 17 years old. He leaves behind his life partner Mr. Pepper and sister Samantha. Little Guy liked fresh catnip, drips from the kitchen sink, down comforters, warm laundry, snuggling with Mr. Pepper, and kibble. He never killed a bird or a mouse. He was impeccably clean and very gentile. We will miss him very much.


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Summer Safety Tips

Summer can be a fun season for pets and owners. However, with the warm weather comes some hazards. Here are a few things you should do to keep your pets safe and happy all summer long:

·         Make sure they have plenty of water. Dogs and cats can get dehydrated easily. Be sure cool, fresh water is available at all times.

·         Never leave your pet in a parked car. A parked cart can overheat in minutes. This can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

·         Never leave your pet unattended around a pool. A small dog or cat could easily drown, especially if he is not a good swimmer. As a result, always supervise your pets around water.

·         Make sure windows are secured. Pets can fall out of open windows as they try to reach for fresh air. Windows without screens should be kept closed. If you do have screens on your windows, make sure the screens are tight and secure.

·         Keep your pet off hot asphalt. Hot asphalt can burn your pet’s pads, causing them to blister and bleed. If it is exceptionally hot outside, keep your pet on the grass.
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Shelters Are Overflowing After the Fourth of July!

The week after July Fourth is the busiest time of the year for shelters all over the country. This is due to the high volume of dogs who escape from their yards and accidentally get lost due to fear of fireworks. Keep your dog safe by securing them indoors when fireworks are being set off.  
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Helping your Dog Cope with Fireworks

During the Fourth of July weekend, fireworks are going off in thousands of neighborhoods across America. However, most dogs are terrified of the loud booms and crackling noises fireworks create. Here are a few tips to help your pet cope:

  • Do not leave your pet unattended in the yard if you are unsure how he will respond to the noise. Many dogs will escape out of fear.  
  • If you must leave your pet home alone, place him inside the house or in a crate. Leave the TV or radio on in the house, or play music to help drown out the noise.
  • Never take your pet to public firework festivals. The noise & crowd is too much for your pet to handle.
  • Take your pet to a quiet boarding facility or to a friend’s house in the country for the weekend. Your pet will appreciate this calm, relaxing environment that is free from the noise of fireworks.
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Checklist of Pet First Aid Supplies

You never know when an emergency might occur. As a result, it is a good idea to have a pet first aid kit on hand at all times.

Here is a list of items your pet first aid kit should contain:
  • Sterile gauze for wrapping wounds
  • Adhesive tape
  • Tweezers
  • Scissors
  • Antibacterial cream
  • Cotton balls
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Thermometer
  • Leash
You should also keep a copy of your veterinarian’s phone number in or near your first aid kit. If you are in a tough situation, your vet can provide helpful information that could save your pet’s life.
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Feline Feats

Some felines have held some fascinating world records! Here is just a sampling of some of these feats:

--A cat named Towser caught a total of 28, 899 mice in the course of her 21 years.  

--While all cats have the potential to produce a number of kittens, one cat gave birth to 420 kittens in her lifetime.

--The heaviest cat on record weighed 46 pounds, while the smallest weighed 2 pounds.

--In the 1960’s two cats inherited $415,000.

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Most Expensive Dog Breeds

Looking to purchase a new puppy, but don’t have a huge budget? If so, you’ll want to avoid one of these “most expensive dog breeds.”
  1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The cost for purebred ranges from $1,000-$14,000.
  2. Samoyed. While beautiful and stately, these dogs can be hard on the pocketbook with prices between $4,000-$11,000.
  3. English Bulldog. Originating from England, this dog can cost between $2,500-$9,000.
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Oral Care for Dogs

An adult dog has 48 teeth. However, puppies only have 28. At around 4 months of age, their permanent teeth start to come in. Unfortunately, 80% of dogs develop gum disease by 3 years of age. Here are a few tips to help keep your pet’s teeth in good condition:
1. Brush them regularly. Investing in a doggie toothbrush is the surest way to keep your pet’s teeth white and clean.
2. Give your pet chew toys. Chew toys can help remove the tarter from your pet’s teeth, while supplying him with hours of fun.
3. Feed your pet dry food. This helps slightly in maintaining clean teeth, and is preferable to canned food.  
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Popular Cat Breeds

According to the Cat Fancier’s Association, the most popular cat breeds include the following:

  • Persian—Persian cats have an extremely short face, which can cause breathing difficulties.
  • Main Coon-- This large breed can reach up to 25 pounds. They have a water-resistant coat which makes it extremely easy for them to swim.
  • Ragdoll—Ragdoll cats are social and affectionate, making them an ideal companion. They crave lots of attention!
  • Sphynx—These cats have virtually no hair, which means you don’t have to worry about shedding problems.
  • Siamese—Siamese kittens are completely white when they are born. They do not start developing their coat color until around 4 weeks of age.
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