There’s a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to our furry friends. Here are seven facts you might not know about cats and dogs.
1: Cats are picky eaters — they can starve if they don’t like their food
Cats, especially kittens, place a lot of importance on the taste of their food. They may deliberately stop eating if their diet doesn’t meet their nutritional needs and their taste preferences. If a cat misses meals and doesn’t eat for 1-2 days, then she will begin using fat stores for energy, which can lead to liver malfunction. Contact your veterinarian if your cat refuses to eat.
2: Whiskers help dogs navigate their environment
Dogs do not have the best vision, but their whiskers act as radar detectors to help them navigate their environment. When a dog’s whiskers detect objects, movement, or subtle changes in the air, this information is transmitted to the dog’s sensory cells. Sizes, shapes, and speeds of nearby objects and beings can be detected by whiskers. This vital information helps the dog process details about his surroundings and can help him stay alert in the dark.
3: Spaying or neutering your cat can extend their lifespan
According to a Banfield Pet Hospital study, neutered males live an average of 62% longer than unneutered males, and spayed females live an average of 39% longer than unspayed females. You can spay or neuter your kitten as early as eight weeks old. It is recommended that this is done within the first 5 months of your kitten’s life.
4: Dogs can’t regrow teeth
If your dog loses or damages a tooth, it can’t grow back. Dental health is extremely important in dogs, and conditions such as gingivitis or periodontal disease can develop if your dog has poor hygiene. Luckily, these diseases can be prevented with the right care. Talk to your veterinarian about how you can prioritize your dog’s dental health.
5: Cats only meow at humans
Meowing was developed as a way for cats to communicate with humans. Kittens may meow at their mothers, but adult cats do not meow at each other. These felines have their own “cat language” to communicate with one another. Since humans can’t understand this cat language, which consists of scent messages and body language, cats have developed a second language in the form of meowing to communicate with us.
6: Spaying or neutering your dog can prevent cancer
Dogs that have been spayed or neutered have a reduced chance of developing certain types of cancer. Female dogs are less likely to develop ovarian or uterine cancer if they have been spayed. The chance of developing breast cancer is also reduced, especially if a female dog is spayed earlier rather than later. In male dogs, the risk of prostate cancer is reduced if they have been neutered. Testicular cancer is also prevented by neutering your male dog.
7: Dogs dream just like humans
Does your dog move or make sounds while sleeping? Your dog is most likely dreaming. Our dogs’ sleep cycle is like ours. After about 20 minutes, dogs enter the REM stage, which is when dreaming occurs. You might notice shallow breathing or muscle twitching in your dog. Although our dogs can’t tell us about their dreams, it is believed they dream about daily activities, such as eating, running, playing, or spending time with their favorite human.