Cat Information And The Facts Behind Cats Having Nine Lives

Ever wondered when cats fall, they always seem to land properly on their feet. Moreover, they do not suffer from any bruises or injuries. Does it have to do with the old mythological saying that cats have nine lives? Some say cats survive huge fall because they are tenacious and determined of life as compared to other animals. However, why nine lives? Let us explore this issue. 

According to the ancient Greek mythology, nine refers to trinity of all trinities. Nine is a mystic number that invokes tradition and religion. Greeks believed Atum-Ra the sun god gave life to nine gods. These gods were together called as Ennead or Nine. 

Atum-Ra the sun god took the appearance of cat and instilled its soul in each of these gods. When evil power came to destroy these gods, they survived unhurt because they had an instillation of sun god in them. Later, people in ancient Greek followed sun god. They started worshipping cats and believed that cats have nine lives same as these gods.

According to the legends, in AD 962, Count of Ypres Baldwin III hurled some felines from the top of the tower but to his surprise, they survived without a single bruise. He hurled them nine times and to his astonishment they survived every time and so, he left them alone. Since then, the Belgian people celebrate the cat history by throwing artificial cats from hall tower. 

What Science Has To Say:

The miracles of the medieval period became science of the nineteenth century. In the year 1894, a renowned French life scientist Etienne-Jules Marey explained the remarkable ability of cats to survive huge falls and escape unhurt. Marey held a feline upside down and hurled it downwards. 

The research unit captured the entire film, using a camera, which took about 60 images per second. This film made clear as how cat lands on its feet every time when it falls from high altitudes. Thus, a conclusion was made that, when the cat falls downwards the automatic twisting effect begins in the body of the cat. 

The cat directs its head, legs, tail, and body towards the ground and readies itself for a stable landing. The reaction is so immediate that cat judges the gravity and guides its body accordingly. Thus, cats have the instinct of physics too. 

Moreover, scientist says that cats have an inherent ability to land on feet every time they fall. However, this happens only during one or two occasion. It is same as the reaction of human body during critical situations. Studies also show that 90 percent of cats survive the falls and go unhurt. 

However, a cautious note for people who might try throwing their cats out of their house is to understand that most domestic cats of recent times may not possess this skill as their lives have increasingly become sedentary. 

Overview: 

The mystery of nine lives began during the medieval period. Although, Greek people no longer worship the cats and all the nine gods are elapsed with time, but the resilience of cats continues to inspire fascination. That is the reason why the myth of nine lives of cat endures until now.

The Basics Of Pet Insurance

Bringing home a new puppy any time is the equivalent of adding a brand new member to your family - literally. With this new edition to your family comes lots of love and excitement, as well as a boat load of new responsibilities - especially in his first few weeks at his house.These responsibilities include the basics of feeding him and providing the puppy with necessary supplies such as a blanket, crate, collar and leash, toys, etc. Most importantly, though, you will need to make sure that your dog is healthy and will stay that way throughout his entire life.

Very Important, Finding The Right Vet

Many new pet owners tend to overlook this very important requirement - finding the right veterinarian for their new puppy or dog. Taking your puppy to your vet right away (preferably within the first two days of bringing him home) is an absolute must. This is the best way to ensure that your puppy is in perfect health and that he is getting all of the preventive care needed right off the bat - things like vaccinations and regular routine exams.

Often times your family or friends can recommend you to a nearby veterinarian clinic that they have used. You can also do your own research by calling several clinics in your area and setting up an appointment to see the place and find out first hand if it is the right one for you and your pet.

Basic Veterinarian Expenses

For most dog owners, finding the right veterinarian is not the problem, but rather paying for the overall costs of veterinary care. Visits to the vet can be really expensive - even minor cases such as getting a yearly vaccination or having a routine checkup. Additionally, any kind of illness or severe injury can occur at any time. As a result many dog owners end up having to pay a lot of out-of-pocket expenses to their own vet clinic. This is why it is highly recommended that you research and get pet insurance as soon as possible.

Pet insurance is a very practical way to cut the cost of vet expenses, whether it is related to routine care, or accidents, or injuries. Having pet insurance is the best way to make sure that your puppy is getting the best health care possible. Pet insurance often covers the costs of such things as minor or major surgeries, treatments for illnesses and diseases, and other medical procedures such as neutering or spaying.

Health care is increasingly expensive today, for humans and for our pets as well. Finding the right, affordable pet insurance for you can be as easy as picking up the yellow pages, getting referrals from friends, your vet or family, or searching online. Most pet health insurance plans offer a monthly premium that is less than what you typically pay for your phone bill.

Think of it like this, combined veterinarian and medication costs were well over the $10 billion mark last year - shouldn't pet insurance be a consideration for you and your family pet right now?

Supplementing For Joint Health

No horse is perfect - brittle hoofs, overly excitable, problems with digestion or weight loss. But with supplements, nearly all horses can be brought to optimum health and performance. One of the most common supplements used by many horse people are joint supplements. They are used for a variety of reasons - from simple stiffness to degenerative diseases. And there's a variety of supplements to choose from. Joint supplements can help support the health of the structures between bones, like cartilage, and keep the joints lubricated with synovial fluid between the joint spaces.

 First of all, evaluate your horse's joint condition. Does your horse come out of his stall stiff? Does he work out of it with some warm-up? You may want to work with your veterinarian on this with x-rays or ultrasound to define the problem. Additional factors will be your horse's age, the type and amount of riding you do and whether there have been past joint or tendon/ligament problems. Even young horses may benefit from a joint supplement as it may prevent future problems. 

Not all joint supplements are created equal. Joint supplements are technically known as "nutraceuticals." According to the American Heritage Medical Dictionary, a nutraceutical is a food or naturally occurring food supplement (nutrient) thought to have a beneficial effect on human health. Nutraceuticals are not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration so the amount and type of ingredients can vary. Results can also vary from horse to horse. One nutraceutical may work wonders on one horse, but not so well on another. So be willing to experiment with different products and different combinations of ingredients. Some of the most common ingredients are: 

If you're on a budget, finding a supplement with adequate doses glucosamine and chondroitin should be your first priority. They are also especially good as maintenance for horses without any clinical signs of joint problems. 

There are several other ingredients that you may find in a joint supplement. Two of the most common are:  Many joint supplements contain Vitamin C. It is a water-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is needed to synthesize collagen and connective tissue. However, unlike people, horses can produce adequate amounts of vitamin C so beware of oversupplementing your horse. 

In addition, there are several herbal products with potent anti-inflammatory properties available today. Two good examples of this are devil's claw and yucca. Other herbs containing anti-inflammatory properties include: astragalus, boswellia, cayenne, chamomile, dandelion, licorice, marshmallow, slippery elm, turmeric, white oak bark, willow and more. Using these products alone or in combination may reduce or even eliminate the pain and inflammation of joint problems. 

Finally, to keep your horse comfortable and in shape while waiting for joint problems to resolve, consider installing stall mats (like those from Classic Equine Equipment) to cushion his joints and using a treadmill like Classic Equine Equipment's FullStride Treadmill. Horses run on a stable, padded surface that reduces stress to bones and joints.

Tricks You Can Train Your Dog With Toys

Anything a dog puts in their mouth is special, certainly to your canine it is. Therefore it makes sense that the first step in training your canine to retrieve would be to get your dog excited to show you his "Prize Treasure". All your canine must do to learn this step is come back to you with his prize. The focus here is on the Bring, not the Give.

You will need to line up a number of toys and treats. If your dog is too treat focused and will not leave your side if there's a treat on the scene, you have to keep food rewards out of the equation all together. As a result, in cases like this your intensified enthusiasm together with love will be you dog's reward. Begin the training with gently tossing a toy a few feet away from you. Every time your canine brings the toy back to you, lavish him with praise but do not take the toy away from him. When your dog catches on and comes jogging back to you beaming with joy, say to him "Bring". 

Keep in mind, patience plus repetition is critical so your pet will understand and learn. Should you discover your dog is simply not understanding this, then perhaps your wonderful furry friend is still playing the keep away game? If so, attempt going into a smaller space within your house, for instance maybe a bathroom. Once again, gently toss the toy. The second your dog picks it up, begin praising or giving him a treat. Resume this game until finally your dog's perspective shifts. When your canine comes up to you, toy in mouth, praise as well as pet him heartily, or maybe give him his favorite treat, being sure to leave the toy in his mouth. 

Another solution you might want to try if your dog still does not seem to understand, is to toss him a different toy. Should your dog ignores you when he obtains the toy, try running away from him immediately after he has picked the toy up. In the event that he still will not bring it back, pretend to nibble on a bit of his treat. When he brings the toy back over to you, praise him and give him lots of love but do not reach for the toy at this time. As soon as your dog has the hang of it and is bringing you the toy with the "Bring" command, you are then ready to go on to the next step which is the "Give" training.

Relinquishing a toy would be the trickiest part of the retrieve training, especially if you have chased your canine for items previously. Something to bear in mind is, whenever you run after a dog to get a special toy or other object, you are communicating what is refered to as the "Prize envy", meaning what ever the dog possesses, must have real value if you want it back. Be patient, always be consistent, do not ever lose your temper, even if you know your dog is trying to outsmart you. 

The "Give" training is the next step. With your dog's favorite toy or treats in close proximity, call your canine over, present him the toy, and praise him if he takes it. With a treat in hand say "Give" Praise him and reward him the instant he picks the toy up, look at him and state "Give" as you reward the release. In order to best indicate the "Give" order, open your palm and hold it in front of your dog's mouth. Chances are you'll notice that your dog releases the toy as soon as you approach or he may toss the toy on the floor next to you. If he tosses the toy on the floor in front of you, this is satisfactory when starting out, but eventually you may need to become more selective with your rewards if you want your dog to put the toy in your hand.

If you do want deliveries to be made from the dogs mouth to your hand, once more, call your dog over to you from the same spot you started out with. Give your dog the toy and say "Give" while you extend your hand under your dog's mouth. Should your dog toss the toy on the floor, ignore the result and start over from the beginning again, Start over again each time he tosses it on the floor, eventually, he will learn. Once your dog has it figured out, praise and reward him the moment the toy drops into your hand. Remember to always have patience and consistency.

Ring Worms In Cats

If we're talking about cats, the M Canis fungi will be responsible for 95% of all cases of Ringworm. Usually, they will get this disease from objects that are contaminated, like clippers or bedding, or from other pets that are already sick.  

If you have another pet that already has this disease, other animals should be kept away from it, so they don't get it as well.  The Ringworm disease is much more likely to show up in cats or kittens that have less than a year since birth. A kitten that is allowed to go outside is more likely to get it, either by meeting a cat that has it or by entering in contact with something that is contaminated. 

This happens because when they're young the immune system isn't as strong, so the Ringworm disease is more likely to affect them.   The Ringworm symptoms are broken or rough hairs and losing their hair around their paws or head. If you see a patch of skin that looks scaly, inflamed and itchy, chances are that the cat has Ringworm disease. Near that area of skin you should also see some broken hairs. It's a sensitive area, so touching it can hurt the cat. 

Avoid doing that.   Once those symptoms are observed in your cat, get on the phone and get that vet appointment. The treatment for this disease is usually tables or ointments. What he will give her depends on how serious the disease is. Tables are usually given to cats together with their meals. Ointments are spread topically on the coat of the cat. 

Make sure you respect the treatment each day, so the cat has a chance to heal. It can take six weeks or even more until the cat heals.   Cats that suffer from Ringworm disease should be treated as infectious, and not allowed in the vicinity of kids. Gloves should be used at all times when handling the cat. This disease is contagious, so be careful at all times. It's not a serious problem, but it can cause them, since the recovery time is slow.

How Much And How Often To Feed Cats

How Much And How Often To Feed Cats

Cats, like the people who love them, are very individual in their tastes and attitudes toward food. Some cats happily eat whatever is set before them ... others are notoriously picky eaters. Some cats eat more than they should and get fat as a result, while others (often in the same household, with exactly the same access to exactly the same food) stay slim or even skinny. No wonder cat owners get confused.

How much food do cats need? Experts vary in their opinions on exactly how much a cat needs to eat each day, but there seems to be a general consensus that a normal, healthy adult cat probably requires about one ounce of food per pound of body weight per day, totaling somewhere in the area of 250-300 calories (depending on the size, age, and activity level of the cat).

All major brand cat foods offer feeding instructions on the can or bag, and it's important to follow those instructions because they're written for the specific nutrients that food contains.

However a rough rule of thumb would be to feed a reasonably active adult cat the equivalent of two small or one large can of cat food per day, divided into two or three separate feedings. If dry cat food is part of the cat's diet, the dry food should be included in the total - for instance, you could meet an eight-ounce requirement with four ounces of canned food and four of dry food.

It's also important to consider the cat's stage of life. Kittens actually require more food than adult cats, and pregnant cats need additional food as well.

Is water important? Yes, absolutely. Your cat should have access to clean water at all times. If the cat's diet includes dry food this is even more important. If your cats don't seem to want water from a designated water bowl, try leaving some filled glasses of water in cat-accessible spaces (like on the sink in the bathroom). Just remember not to reach for it yourself on a sleepy morning.

How about milk? Some cats really like milk, but it's not a requirement for health in the diet of an adult cat and many don't digest it well. If your cat develops diahrea after drinking milk, try substituting a small amount of cream. The butterfat in the cream is actually good for cats (in small amounts) and most cats love it.

How often should I feed my cat ? 

Most experts say feeding twice a day is a good regimen, and for people who are away from home all day it makes a lot of sense - feed before you go off to work, and feed again when you come home. It can be helpful to keep a dish of dry catfood available to the cat at all time. Like us, cats tend to enjoy snacks.

Keep bowls clean and food at room temperature Cats can be pretty finicky about cleanliness, and if their food dish smells like yesterday's meal they may refuse to eat. Ceramic bowls are good for cat food because they don't absorb odors, as plastic dishes tend to do. Room temperature is best. Food that is very warm or very cold may lead to digestion problems in some cats.

Fleas On Dogs

Fleas On Dogs

Wage War on Fleas On Dogs: That time of the year has come around again when those terrible little blood-sucking insects, with teeth already sharpened, are waiting for the right moment to begin their onslaught. They are not only getting ready to invade and multiply in your dogs' fur but also in your home.

So what can we do to help our dogs combat these horrible little pests? You have to declare war on them or they will declare a full-scale war on you and your dog. Yes, the dog flea loves the taste of both human and dog blood and they can also cause an allergic reaction to both dogs and humans when they bite and suck your blood.

To make it easier for you here is a suggested list of counterattack moves.

1. Make a list of the warfare tactics you will have to apply to make sure you will leave no living flea or eggs to carry on breeding.
2. Build an arsenal of flea treatments like shampoos, sprays, dog flea tablets, household vacuums for sucking up the dust, washing machine, and cleaning materials.
3. Make a list of places to treat like the living room carpet or bedroom, or wherever your dog has been. Leave no place un-cleaned where fleas and their eggs may reside or it can ruin all your valiant efforts.
4. Make a priority list of what needs attacking first.
5. Do not forget about the outside den, like kennels, the garage, or even the greenhouse.
6. Remember your car (rugs etc) if he or she has travelled in it.
7. Do not forget the clothing belonging to you and your family; those pesky critters can hide anywhere.
8. Other household pets may hide the fleas even temporary. If you are declaring war on dog fleas then declare war on the other pets you have in your home, like cat fleas.
9. Try and limit your pooch to only having contact with other dogs that you know have been treated for fleas.
10. Your favorite walks, which other dogs use, can re-infest your dog although there is not a lot you can do about that.

Dogs that contract fleas are often miserable and can even suffer from nasty allergic reactions, which can make them suffer even more misery.

Read Also : Puppy Swimming Lessons

To rid your dog and home of these irritating pests you have to be thorough, or they can soon become re-infested. Remember, leaving just one egg or flea on your dog or in your home will start an avalanche of new intruders and you will have to start all over again.

It is easy for any dog to become infested with fleas the solution is, however, more taxing both mentally and physically. Fleas do not inhabit a dirty home in preference to a clean one, on the contrary they would just as well prefer a clean furry rug to one matted with dirt.

Once the main battle is over then it only remains for you to be on your guard and take preventative measures to make it more difficult for them to breed again. Discuss this with your vet if you are unsure.