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5 Unique Interspecies Friendships

12/27/2017

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Guest Article written by: willisfabrigus

Animals can make inter-species friendships if their need for social interaction exceeds their usual biological demands. Thus, a cat that has been raised from the beginning with a dog might not realize it is a cat and that the dog is biologically an enemy. Over the years many scientists have observed animals from various species searching for unlikely bonds to be made. Dogs have become best friends with squirrels, lambs and llamas, cows nurture lambs, rabbits become friends with deer, and a chimpanzee plays with tiger cubs. These are just a few examples of amazing interspecies friendships that prove that animals are more than just silly beasts but are in fact capable of both compassion and love. For a long time scientists stated that the apparent friendships between different species were just an evolutionary tactic for survival and friendship was unique to humans. Observation has showed us that many contacts can’t be related to the animal’s need for survival. Animals of different species can bond if both parties are engaged and are interacting for a long period of time. Some accommodation is also required, as the species have different behaviors and communication methods. Cats in particular have been known to be very independent and selective and thus they seem very unlikely to form bonds with other species. Still, there were many cases reported where cats and other species formed tight bonds.

1. Mishkin the Cat and Kodi the Dog
Cats have been known to have a difficult relationship with dogs in particular. Though it is very true that cats and dogs have different physical and social traits there were many occasions reported where they have put their differences aside & become best friends. One of these cases is the friendship between Mishkin and Kodi. Although dogs at times may display aggression against cats, some can bond with other species. Kodi has been attracted to other species his whole life, including rabbits, horses and neighbor cats. He later developed a very strong friendship with a furry little kitten as soon as it was brought to the house.

Source: https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/interspecies-friendships-when-cats-join-pack/270

2. Emmy the Cat and Her Baby Squirrels
A cat from Mississippi has been nominated as “Mother of the Year” after she showed incredible motherly instincts when she adopted a baby squirrel. She put it along with her baby kittens and feed it with milk just like she did the others. The squirrel, called Rocky and the cat have an extraordinary deep bond in one of the cutest interspecies cat relationships. The fact that the squirrel has been raised among many other kittens all its life has made it change its behavior and even learned how to purr just like the other kittens do.

Source: http://www.catster.com/the-scoop/cat-mom-adopts-a-very-unusual-kitten

3. The Monkey and the Stray Kitten
Jojo and Alan have a great friendship that began by chance. Jojo is a-monkey that was rescued in 2011 from a gaged life in a restaurant in Thailand. Happily, she was able to heal properly from what she’s been through and was even able to make an unlikely good friend: the stray kitten Alan. Alan started wandering on the field where the macaques lived and formed an instant bond with Jojo. Their friendship goes so far that Jojo even shares her food with Alan, they play together and are posing for photos.

Source: http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/22/rescue-monkey-adopts-stray-kitten-who-wandered-into-its-enclosure-6869952/

4. The Cat and the Deer
A cat owner in Pennsylvania noticed that his cat disappeared every morning and he became curious. One day he followed his cat and discovered that he had a daily meeting with a friendly deer, whom he interacted and played with. The cat and the deer have a very sweet but unusual friendship. The bond goes so deep that the cat even grooms the dear and kneads his fur. The deer responds to this appreciation and nuzzles up his friend.

Source: http://honesttopaws.com/cat-and-deer-friends/

5. Sappy the Cat and Dakota the Horse
Cats and horses are known to show kindness to one another. Cats don’t mess with horses because they wouldn’t have a chance to win in a battle. However, they are not know to form deep bonds as Sappy, a 1-year old cat and Dakota, a 15-year old horse have. The cat spends time in Dakota’s stall every single day during feeding time and not only. The cat follows the horse when it is ridden as if he was a dog. The horse shows much appreciation for the cat and even though he could kill it with a single step, it is very gentle to it. Inter-species friendship shouldn’t be so bewildering or unbelieving, a human loving a dog, and a dog loving a human, is a common scene. However, it is astonishing to conceive how this happens. For me, it is love that connects and it’s alike for animals and humans. It demolishes the obstacles and differences and is powerful enough to render the natural enemies, lovers or friends. So, please keep on loving.

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About the author:  This was a guest post from Pedro (pictured), Editor-in-Chief of We're All About Cats. Click over there and show Pedro and his family some love! And make sure to like their Facebook Page!

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Safety and Santa Go Paw in Paw this Season

12/19/2017

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by Nomi Berger

With the holidays approaching, it’s time to think not only about celebrating, but also about cat safety. Any changes in a cat’s regular routine – a home suddenly filled with new scents, sounds and strangers -- may send even the least “scaredy-cat” cats scampering for cover.
 
Be conscious of and careful about the plants you bring into your home. Despite their obvious beauty, holly, mistletoe and poinsettia are toxic to cats and should be kept out of reach, while a single leaf from any form of lily is lethal. The oils of a Christmas tree can irritate their mouths and stomachs, causing vomiting, while the prickly needles are hazardous to their entire GI tracts.
 
To err on the side of caution, consider buying an artificial tree and artificial plants instead.
 
Consider next the breakable ornaments and dangling tinsel, shiny ribbons and artificial snow, ropes of small lights and flickering candles. All eye-catching eye candy to curious kitties with batting paws, small, sharp teeth and swishing tails.
 
Hang delicate ornaments higher on the tree and resist placing any in decorative bowls on low surfaces. Not only can cats choke on them, but the sharp edges of any broken pieces can lacerate their mouths, throats and intestines. Drape tinsel higher on the tree as well, and keep ribbons on gifts underneath the tree to a minimum. If tinsel or ribbons are swallowed, they can twist and bunch inside a cat’s intestines, causing serious, sometimes fatal, damage if not caught quickly enough.
 
Artificial snow is toxic and should be avoided at all costs. Lights, large and small, solid and flickering are another danger, not only because they are hot and breakable, but because of the electrical cords holding them together. If bitten, they can cause electrical shock if not properly grounded, and if frayed, they can cause severe lacerations to your cat’s tongue.
Place all lighted candles out of reach to reduce the risk of singed fur and pads, paws and tails, and lower the chance of them being tipped over, leaving burning wax everywhere or worse, starting a fire.
 
As appetizing as holiday fare is for people, it can prove agonizing, even lethal for pets. The most notorious offenders are:
Raisins and grapes: A handful of raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in a cat. Also avoid giving her grapes, while watching for signs of toxicity should she accidentally eat some. Signs that usually occur within 24 hours are lack of appetite, lethargy, weakness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and decreased urination.
Onions and garlic: The sulfoxides and disulfides in both destroy red blood cells and can cause serious blood problems including anemia.
Fat trimmings: They cause upset stomachs, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Bones: Whatever the size, shape or texture, they all spell the same thing: danger. From throat scratches to stomach perforations to bowel obstructions. To safeguard against these painful possibilities, all leftovers, particularly bones, should be carefully wrapped and promptly disposed of.
Alcohol: It’s traditional to celebrate the holidays with more alcohol than usual – in cooking and in drinks such as eggnog and fruit punch. For safety’s sake, keep these temptations (including partially eaten plates of food and half-empty glasses) out of the reach of your cat to avoid intoxication and alcohol poisoning.
Chocolates: Although chocolate has long been taboo for cats, most chocolates are wrapped in foil for the holidays. Now, not only can your cat get sick from eating the chocolate, the wrappers themselves can get stuck in her throat or cause problems as they work their way through her digestive tract.
Christmas pudding, cake and mince pie: Filled with potentially toxic raisins, currants, and sultanas, they are also made with fat and suet, and laced with alcohol -- from scotch and brandy to sugary liqueurs.
 
With some strategic planning beforehand, you and your cherished kitty companion can enjoy the happiest and healthiest of holidays.

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10 Reasons Why Adopting a Cat is the Best Decision You Could Ever Make

12/12/2017

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Guest Article/Infographic by Daniel Richardson

Daniel is a cat blogger from Liverpool in the United Kingdom, his life was radically changed for the better in August 2014 when he adopted his first ever cat called Whisky. It is Dan’s experiences with Whisky that led him to look into some of the facts behind why adopting a cat is not just a great idea but also highly beneficial for the cat owner too. The infographic from Tuxedo Cat below outlines ten great reasons for adopting a cat. Please feel free to share it to encourage more people to adopt rather than shop for a cat.

10-reasons-why-adopting-a-cat-is-the-best-idea-you-have-ever-had
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Cats and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

12/5/2017

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by Nomi Berger

As the days grow darker and shorter, and the thermometer plummets, so does the mood of millions of people living in the Northern Hemisphere. But humans are not the only ones affected by what scientists refer to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Our cats – even the happiest, most active and energetic ones -- can suffer the same dramatic downturn in mood.
 
Signs of the kitty cat blues include a drastic change in appetite, excessive fatigue, nighttime restlessness, reduced social interactions, and/or extreme hair loss.
 
According to scientists, the reason for these behavioral changes in both humans and felines appears to stem from the effect that light has on two significant hormones. The first is melatonin, produced in the pineal gland. The second is serotonin, produced in the brain.
 
Melatonin, often referred to as the “hormone of darkness”, plays a vital role in regulating the sleep cycle. The pineal gland is light sensitive, and because melatonin is usually secreted at night, the less light there is – as in the shorter, darker days of winter -- the greater the production of melatonin.
 
Serotonin, often referred to as the “feel good” substance in the brain also affects mood, appetite and sleep – but in an entirely different way. In this case, it’s sunlight that’s needed for the production of serotonin.
 
There are ways, however, to combat the effects of daylight’s diminishing hours on your cat’s mood before the full onset of winter. The simplest solution is one used by many humans with SAD: spending an increased amount of time in natural daylight. If your kitty has a lounge or bed, put it next to a window or underneath a skylight. If you have a cat-proof window, open it and let her perch awhile on the ledge. If she’s comfortable outdoors, allow her some playtime when the sun is brightest.
 
Another remedy is an artificial sunlight lamp. These therapy lights use special bulbs that mimic the natural light of the sun and can be bought at any major general retailer or online. Simply keep it turned on in a place where your kitty spends most of her time when she’s awake in order for her retinas to take in all of the light.
 
Hopefully, following all or some of these suggestions will spare your cherished feline companion an unnecessary case of the kitty cat blues.


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    Author
    Blog articles for TCMR are written by Nomi Berger, an established author and journalist of 40 years, living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who graciously volunteers her time and talent to help further our rescue efforts.


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