Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs So Much?

Dogs love belly rubs simply because they feel good. It also sets off a specific reaction in their brain that responds to the stimulation of hair follicles. Experts believe that dogs love petting, and belly rubs in particular; because the stroking of hair is linked to social grooming.

Submissive Behavior vs. Wanting a Belly Rub

Dogs expose their bellies to us for two main reasons: as a submissive display, and as a request for a belly rub. It’s important to know what your dog is telling you before you go in for petting!

Dogs adopting a submissive display (also called an appeasement display) are trying to diffuse social tension by showing that they’re not a threat. Petting a dog who’s showing submissive or appeasing behaviors can make the dog more nervous; because now you’re touching him in very vulnerable parts of his body!

Dogs who actually want a belly rub will generally show the following body language signals:

• Overall: loose, wiggly body postures
• Mouth: relaxed, open mouth—you might see their tongue flopping around
• Eyes: Open or squinty, bright and not necessarily staring at anything
• Tail: relaxed, wagging tail
• Vocalizations: quiet ha-ha sound as they “laugh,” or a light panting sound, or silent

In contrast, a dog who is showing submissive or appeasing behavior will look like this:

Overall: tense, low body postures—they may crouch, freeze, or tense up

• Mouth: lips pulled far back in a “fear grimace” or lips and mouth closed, may see lots of lip-licking and tongue-flicking
• Eyes: wide open and staring into the distance, or showing the whites of their eyes as they look at you, without turning their head, or eyes will be squinty and tense
• Tail: maybe still or wagging, but will have tension in the base of the tail and the tail may be tucked
• Vocalizations: quiet or soft whining

Most people find it easiest to watch the dog’s tail and mouth—but keep in mind that a wagging tail doesn’t equal a happy dog. A tucked, stiff, fast tail wag is not the same as a full-body, loose tail wag!

• For a dog to feel comfortable offering you their belly, you’re likely someone they trust and are comfortable being around.

• Dogs who have itchy skin tend to love the belly rub the most. It’s a place they might not always be able to scratch so when someone they trust really goes to town on a good belly rub, they’re usually quite happy about it.

• A good belly rubbing session can release endorphins and oxytocin in dog and owner alike, strengthening the special bond between them.

What’s more, for your dog, the interaction ties in with ‘social grooming’ practices they once experienced in groups of dogs when they lived in the wild, and their instincts for it are strong.

What matters is that you’re spending quality time with your best friend by engaging in an activity that you both enjoy.

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Endearing Ways Dogs Show Their Affection and Love

Have you ever wondered how dogs show they love you?

While some displays of affection seem pretty obvious, even seasoned dog lovers sometimes misread canine cues.

Though they can’t put their love into words, dogs have an unexpectedly large number of ways to show they care. From subtle body language to over-the-top displays of affection, your pooch is probably showering you with love in many surprising ways.

Here are some ways dog show affection to humans:

They will wag their tail when they are around you

A dog’s tail communicates different emotions, including happiness, fear, tension or aggression. Generally, the looser a dog’s tail is, the more relaxed he or she is. When your dog is happy, he or she will wag its tail so hard it seems like its whole back end is wagging. This is a sure sign your dog loves and trusts you.

Holding Eye Contact

The same goes for dogs. Maintaining eye contact isn’t just a useful tool while you’re training your dog–it can help you create a deep bond, too.

Leaning Against You

Whether you’re sitting on the floor or couch, if your dog leans against you, it means it feels safe, secure, and totally comfortable. Sometimes dogs will lean against their humans when they’re feeling scared or anxious, but that only means it sees you as their protector.

Sleeping in Your Bedroom

If you don’t allow your dog to sleep in your bed, but it still likes to sleep in your bedroom, it really loves you. Why? Wanting to be close to you while you’re sleeping signals that it’s totally loyal and doesn’t want to be separated from the pack.

They follow you around

Dogs, especially young puppies, need to feel safe and secure. When your dog follows you around, you know he or she feels safe with you. You represent security, which makes your dog feel calm and at peace.

They will lick your face

Dogs lick people’s faces for several different reasons, but much of the time it’s simply because they love you.

It Brings You Its Favorite Toy

If your dog brings you its favorite toy, it doesn’t just mean it wants to play—although wanting to play is a major sign of puppy love, too. As your pup’s pack leader, it’s presenting its most prized, most beloved possession to you.

It’s Happy When You Get Home

Does your dog jump up and down, lick your hands and face, bring you its favorite toy, or even “excited pee” a little bit when you get home from work, school, or errands? Yep, it’s absolutely thrilled to see you!

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How to choose the cat that’s best for you

Choosing a cat is something you’ll always remember. It’s a fun decision, but also an important one. Your new feline friend will be a part of your life for many years to come

Do your research first, and then choose your cat from a reputable breeder, shelter, or rescue group, or if it is a stray, you might want to consider these things:

Kitten or an adult?

Kittens are able to adapt quickly to their surroundings but will need house training and much more attention than an adult cat. An older cat might be a wise choice if you have a strict work schedule and don’t have time to fully care for a kitten. On the other hand, an older cat may have health problems, which will require more visits to the vet.

Shedding concerns.

Some cats shed more than others. For example, an American Bobtail or Cymric cat will shed much more than a Siamese cat.

Health concerns

A healthy kitten or cat will have bright eyes and a shiny fur coat. Cat’s that appear thin or overweight or have a nasal discharge may have health problems.

Personality and disposition

Just like people, cats can vary in their personality and character traits. Look for one that seems to be a good fit for you and your lifestyle. If you’re hoping for lots of petting and stroking, for example, you may want to look for a cat that actively seeks attention from its handlers, rather than one that hisses or scratches.

If you think you’ve found the right cat, try to make more than one visit with the animal if that’s possible.

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Do cats remember different people or just the people they see on a daily basis?

Cats do seem to forget other cats once they have been separated for a long time, so the same probably applies to people as well.

Cats possess excellent long-term memories. They can recall their animal companions and the people who feed them as well as those who irritate them. Memory is what allows a cat to leap into the arms of a family member returning after a semester away at college. Conversely, it’s what lets a cat hold a grudge like there’s no tomorrow. Memory also means cats grieve for other companion animals who pass away, family members who move out, and other losses in life.

Although studies show that a cat’s long-term memory may last as much as 200 times as long as a dog’s, cats are highly selective about what they remember. Basically, cats recall only what benefits them.

Typically, dogs do a better job of remembering their people than cats do, even recalling family members who’ve been away for years in military service. Scientists know for sure that cats can recognize and differentiate between human faces, though, so dogs’ superior ability to remember people probably has more to do with their long association with humans than with their brainpower.

A new study has found that cats learn and remember the names of their humans. A new first-of-its-kind study carried out at Kyoto University in Japan assessed a number of cats to figure out whether they know the names of their own family (both furry and human).

First, researchers showed 48 cats (who were an either pet or lived in cat cafes) photos of other cats they were familiar with. At the same time as showing the image, they would either say the photographed cat’s real name or a false name. Next, they showed a new group of 26 cat images of the humans they live with.

In both sections of the experiment, the cats indicated that they knew the names of the other cats and the humans.

Cats can also remember other cats though experts aren’t sure for how long. Early in life, littermates exchange scents to recognize each other should they get separated. Cats use this same trick throughout their lifetimes. Probably, a cat’s memory of another cat depends on the length and impact of the two animals’ relationship.

However, a cat’s memory declines with age. If your cat appears to be losing her memory, do some research on feline cognitive dysfunction and talk to a vet who specializes in cats. You can extend your cat’s life and make her golden years happier with a few modifications.

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The hidden dangers of onion and garlic toxicity

Did you know that onions and garlic in any form (raw, cooked, dehydrated, or powdered in a seasoning) can create a life-threatening form of anemia in both dogs and cats?

Onions and garlic contain a substance called thiosulphate which dogs and cats cannot properly digest. A build-up of thiosulphate causes a protein called hemoglobin, which is carried by red blood cells, to form clumps which in turn cause the red blood cells to rupture.

What happens to onion and garlic toxicity?

Onions and garlic contain a substance called thiosulphate which dogs and cats cannot properly digest.  A build-up of thiosulphate causes a protein called hemoglobin, which is carried by red blood cells, to form clumps which in turn cause the red blood cells to rupture.  When enough red blood cells are destroyed, anemia occurs and the body is starved of oxygen. The degree of anemia usually depends on the number of onion or garlic eaten and some dogs and cats can develop severe reactions even after eating very little. Small amounts of onion/garlic fed over a longer period of time can create illness just as a one-time dose can.  Symptoms of toxicity sometimes take several days to become apparent and can include weakness/lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, pale or bluish gums and/or an increased heart rate.

How much onion or garlic is toxic?

The number of onion/garlic (in grams) that can cause toxicity is equal to 0.5% of the animal’s body weight.  For example, a 10kg fox terrier needs to ingest 50 grams and symptoms may become apparent.  This works out to be only a quarter of an average-sized onion.

Treatment of onion and garlic toxicity

If ingestion was recent, making the animal vomit and giving intravenous fluids is the traditional treatment. If anemia is severe, a lengthy hospital stay and a blood transfusion may be necessary.

Preventing onion toxicity

Onions and garlic are common in many human foods, including some baby foods, sandwich meats, canned spaghetti, burger patties, gravies and fast foods. Carefully check the ingredients of any table food before treating your dog or cat to a snack.  Avoid adding onions in any form to homemade pet food recipes and always make sure rubbish is kept covered and away from your pets.

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Why do CATS Meows a Lot?

Most cat owners enjoy the sound of their cat purring away. If your cat isn’t really a talker, it may be normal cat behavior but look for signs that it’s something more serious.

If you have a cat meowing a lot, especially at night, it’s only natural that you’ll be wondering why they do it. Here are five (5) common reasons your feline friend might be doing this:

1. Cats Are Naturally More Active at Night

Your cat’s meowing at night may have a lot to do with the fact that they are naturally more active at certain hours of the night. Although it’s popularly thought that cats are nocturnal, this isn’t always true.

Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are naturally most active at dusk and dawn. Although many cats do adapt to the routine of their owners, this crepuscular tendency means your cat may be especially active in the early hours of the morning, when the rest of the house is asleep.

Younger cats have an increased tendency to be active at night, as their instincts tell them this is a great time to hunt. As they mature, though, it is likely their rhythm will adapt to the rest of the household, which may hopefully mean less cat meowing at night.

2. Your Cat May Be Bored or Understimulated

Cat howling or crying at night may be because they’re bored or because they haven’t tired themselves out during the day. Active play before bedtime may help to ensure they are more tired at night, as will trying to keep their minds active and happy during the day.

In short, cat meowing at night can essentially be attention-seeking behavior. Although it is important to attend to your cat’s needs, constantly complying with their ploys for attention will likely lead them to engage in it more frequently. If your cat is constantly seeking attention at inappropriate times, try not to give in too often.

Indoor cats need ample opportunities for play and exercise throughout the day, so toys, cat towers and other items are essential. Otherwise, you may find they have a lot of pent-up energy when you’re heading off to bed.

3. Overactive Thyroid or Kidney Disease

If your cat is meowing at night or on a frequent basis, it’s a good idea to consult with a veterinarian to check up on their health. This is because excessive vocalization, including at night, can be a sign of overactive thyroid or kidney disease in cats.

4. A Symptom of Aging in Senior Cats

Aging can affect all of us, and cats are no different. As they age, it is possible the effects of aging on the brain can leave your cat disoriented. Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is directly related to the effect of aging on a cat’s brain and can have a variety of symptoms, including excessive meowing at night. It’s worth seeing your veterinarian to rule out any complications.

5. Yowling Could Signal a Cat in Heat

Many of us have heard the loud sounds of a cat howling in the late hours of the night. This is oftentimes the sound a cat in heat will make when calling for a male.

You can curtail this natural process by neutering your cat, which also eliminates the stress of unexpected cat pregnancies.

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