Losing weight is hard, and this applies to both people and animals. It is much easier to gain weight by uncontrollably eating high-calorie snacks and brushing off the thought that someday you will have to lose all the pounds you have eaten. And if a person himself can decide that he needs to lose weight, pets cannot do that. That is why it is so important to be attentive to your pet, and when he reminds you more of a barrel with legs than a dog or a cat, it urgently needs to be put on a diet and put in order, as the people from our article did.

 

From an overweight dog on the verge of falling asleep due to health problems to a smiling slender boy

 

“When we adopted my cat, he weighed 10 kg. Today he is a healthy 5 kg cat who no longer suffers from diabetes. "

 

“We saved our dog and put him on a diet. Now she's sterilized and slender. "

 

Kai lost 45 kg in one year and is now a cheerful dog again

 

"The diet we put Phoebe on worked great!"

 

A pot-bellied cat named Bruno before and after losing weight

 

“Epic Weight Loss Buddy! Previously, he weighed about 20 kg, and now 13 " 

 

“I got Belle about two months ago (she was like the picture on the left) and immediately put her on a diet. Here are the results she has achieved "

 

 

In total, this once massive boy lost about 10 kg

 

This cat was so big that he could hardly fit in the photo, but he was put on a diet and he has already achieved great success.

 

“I rescued Sookie from a puppy farm where she was kept just to breed puppies. At that time she weighed 33 kg, but after a few months of proper care, her weight dropped to 21 "

 

“Despite the fact that we loved our chubby girl, we knew that she would be happier and healthier when she lost weight. After we put her on a diet and established a feeding schedule, she is no longer a fat woman! "

 

“Eli has lost a whole cat in weight! From 10 kg to 6 "

 

"From 95 grams to 80 grams. Alexander achieved his goal!"

 

In 2019, Barsik weighed a staggering 18 kg. But he was put on a diet and in 2020 he weighed down to 13

 

This is Molly, who was taken into the care of a caring girl to get her in shape. Unfortunately, the dog died at the age of 6. Please don't overfeed your pets, it kills!

Many families have dogs and cats. But not everyone knows how to interpret this or that behavior of a pet. And this is necessary, because sometimes it testifies not at all to a bad character or upbringing, but to problems with it's health.

 

 

About the behavior of dogs and cats that you would like to know the answer to

 

Anyone who has ever observed the behavior of dogs or cats has seen how they periodically begin to spin in a top, trying to catch their tail. Why do they do it? Does it hurt or not when they manage to do it? Do they know that their tails are actually attached to them?

 

To better understand your four-legged friend, read what experts say the common behavioral traits of dogs and cats mean.

 

What is normal dog behavior?

 

Humans tend to project human traits and emotions onto dogs, and we are already used to certain behavioral responses from these animals. However, while we can notice things like canine anxiety in a dog's body language and understand why they howl, some dog behaviors, like barking for no reason or wanting to wallow in smelly things, confuse us.

 

What is classified as normal dog behavior may surprise you. Here's what the pet experts say.

 

1. Barks at the postman

Every day the postman delivers letters and parcels, and every day your dog barks. Does this behavior mean that your four-legged friend hates postal workers? “Barking at people outside is a defensive behavior,” says Gary Richter, MD, veterinarian and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition. "Dogs view their home as their territory and anyone approaching or near their territory is a potential threat, so they bark to ward off an intruder."

 

Think about it from your dog's point of view: the postman delivers the mail, the dog barks to keep the intruder away, and the postman leaves. This creates a pattern that gets stronger each time. “From the point of view of dogs, every day they save the house from invasion, driving away the invader. We never appreciate their efforts,” says Dr. Richter.

 

2. Biting

Your puppy's light, loving nibbles are sweet and adorable, but if you don't nip this behavior in the bud, it's a training mistake you'll regret when your pet has adult teeth. "Dogs may playfully bite their owners' hands or feet because they know it draws attention to them, even if it's negative attention," says Joe Gale, MD, MD, Mars Petcare veterinarian. A playful bite can quickly turn into something more serious as the dog becomes overly agitated.

 

Biting can also be the result of a dog's anxiety and stress, or a warning sign that your dog is in pain, especially if he bites you when you touch or move him. As for biting as a form of aggression, this can usually be identified by the dog's facial expression and body language. This is not always the case, so be sure to contact the experts. “You should always consult a veterinarian and a bite behaviorist to avoid the risk of human injury,” advises Dr. Gale.

 

3. Begging for food

"Most dogs will happily accept any food at any time of the day," says Dr. Gale, noting that dogs shouldn't be blamed. “People actually provoke begging when they react and share their food with a dog. The dog quickly learns that this is a successful tactic for getting extra snacks.”

 

Staring at you and patiently waiting for a bite to eat or a treat after a job well done is an expected and common behavior. Growing puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs, breeds with high energy requirements, and those who exercise a lot can have increased appetites, Dr. Gale says. "If your pet's appetite changes or their weight increases, be sure to contact your veterinarian to find out the cause."

 

4. Poop in the house

One of the things veterinarians say you need to know about potty training is that you need to be prepared for "accidents" in the house. But it's also important to know that if your pet dog suddenly starts urinating in the house, it's not necessarily bad behavior. “My main concern when I hear this complaint is that your dog may have underlying medical issues such as urinary incontinence, inflammatory bowel disease, urinary tract infections, or even kidney failure,” says Dana Varble, MD, Chief veterinarian of the North American Veterinary Society. In addition, it is important to spay pets at the age recommended by your veterinarian to reduce the chance that the dog will mark territory, which is especially common in male dogs.

 

5. Wallowing in smelly things

Dogs have over 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, while humans have only six million. No wonder dogs can smell a lot more than we can. With such an abundance of receptors, one would think that dogs would be more selective and sensitive to smells, especially vile and pungent ones, such as the smell of a dead animal, but for them it is like perfume water (though smelly). “Their idea of ​​attractive smells is often different from ours,” says Jennifer L. Summerfield, MD, veterinarian at Brown Veterinary Services in Wayne, West Virginia. “It is believed that the habit of dogs to wallow in strongly smelly things may have arisen as a way to disguise their smell, which may be useful for hunting.”

 

6. Eats excrement and rot

Why do dogs eat feces and other disgusting things like rotting food? As with the sense of smell, dogs' sense of taste is highly developed and very different from ours. They and we both like juicy burgers, but rotten chicken or even dog vomit will also be to your taste. “Dogs originally evolved as scavengers, eating leftovers on the fringes of human settlements, and today, wild dog populations still manage to survive fairly well on less than ideal food sources such as garbage, corpses, and other nasty options,” explains Dr. Summerfield.

 

So why don't they get sick when they eat junk food? "A dog's gastrointestinal tract can process bacteria and other contaminants that can cause disease in humans, and is often able to extract some nutritional value from things like feces or vomit." Your dog's eating habits can also indicate a serious illness, so it's important to know why your dog is eating inedible things like dirt.

 

7. Looking for the right place to go poop

Dr. Summerfield says there are three possible reasons for the dog's behavior. One theory is that your dog is stomping around looking for a clean spot to go big. Secondly, it scans the area for predators. But the study uncovered perhaps the most interesting reason: "A study in Europe showed that dogs tend to stand in a north-south direction when they poop," says Dr. Summerfield. More interestingly, the dogs rarely pissed on the east-west line.

 

8. Sniffing the crotch

While this dog behavior is embarrassing, it's completely normal and you shouldn't be embarrassed. According to Dr. Summerfield, dogs collect a lot of vital information through their nose, and the most concentrated sources of pheromones are in the perineum or buttocks, whether you have two or four legs. “While we may find this behavior socially unacceptable, sniffing the anus or genitals of another dog is a very polite and normal way to say hello in the canine world, much like shaking hands is for humans,” she says.

 

9. Runs in a dream

As you might have guessed, this usually means they are dreaming, and fortunately, it usually has no medical significance, says Dr. Richter. Nevertheless, it makes you wonder what dogs dream about. Probably nothing supernatural. Studies have shown that some dog breeds display their distinctive traits in their sleep, such as the English Springer Spaniel stalking prey. If all this "running around" during sleep seems excessive, according to Dr. Richter, it may indicate hidden stress or illness. If dogs sleep too much, this can also be a sign of illness, so find out how much sleep dogs usually get.

 

10. Interaction with other dogs

"Many dogs experience anxiety or discomfort when interacting with other dogs," says Dr. Summerfield. "This may be due to genetics, negative past experiences, or lack of adequate early socialization during puppyhood."

 

The dog may rush forward and bark at another dog to keep it from getting too close - this is a kind of dog etiquette that you should follow.

 

Other dogs may hide behind you, while some simply lie down in an overly submissive position because they are scared or uncomfortable in the situation. “Dogs are often wary of other dogs but very friendly with people—or vice versa,” she says.

 

11. Licks the face (and other parts of the body)

Let's start with the most licked part of the body: the face. “Muzzle licking, especially around the mouth, is a normal friendly behavior that dogs often show towards other dogs when they say hello. This is usually seen as a way to say "Hello! I pose no threat to you!” says Dr. Summerfield. So it's perfectly natural (and delightful) for a dog to lick a human face as well.

 

What about other parts of the body? As for the feet, toes, and between the toes, the stronger the smell, the stronger the attraction. “This may be due to the higher concentration of odor in these areas, which is also why dogs are attracted to dirty socks and dirty laundry,” she says.

 

12. The dog rubs its bottom on the ground, and sits on the bottom too oftenS

It may look funny from the outside, but it can also be one of the things dogs do to let you know they are sick. The reason is that they have clogged or infected anal glands.

 

“Normal, these sacs release their contents, a brown liquid with a very pungent odor, when the dog defecates. But sometimes the sacs can become clogged or infected, making it hard for them to empty on their own,” explains Dr. Summerfield. To reduce discomfort, they slap their buttocks on the floor. "If this happens, your veterinarian can usually fix the problem by manually decanting the glands."

 

13. Puts his paws on you

Why is your dog doing this? All dogs are quite tactile, so according to Dr. Warble, this is their way of holding hands. “Have you ever seen photos of foxes or wolves playing or sleeping side by side in the wild? While most dogs don't like the restraint of cuddling, they like to make contact with their closest friends by putting their paws on them, and human companions are no different," she says.

 

Your puppy may also put his paw on you to let you know he's ready to play, or ask you to keep petting him after you stop. This is one of the clear signs that you are not giving your dog enough attention. "It's a great way to get our attention, and it always seems to work," says Dr. Varble.

 

14. Hides things

Why do some dogs bury their bones (and other treasures) or hide them behind chairs or under a pile of pillows on the couch? According to Dr. Richter, this is purely instinctive dog behavior. “They watch their stuff,” he says.

 

To prevent their treasures from being stolen by other animals, they hide them for safekeeping. Dachshunds, a breed known for hiding everything, may have a cache of toys and treats in the corner of a dog bed. Some hunting breeds, such as hounds and terriers, tend to burrow because the prey they hunt lives underground. If your dog likes to bury his stuff outside, make sure his dig sites aren't exposed to the usual backyard hazards.

 

15. Rushing to the door

Dogs can sleep without their hind legs, but they will instantly rush to the door when it opens. This dog behavior is similar to ours, when we are surprised at something - we begin to act to see what's wrong. But for a dog, it's more than that. “This is an instinctive reaction in self-defense. Something has moved suddenly and unexpectedly, and they don't know what can get through the door,” says Dr. Richter. Some dogs, including guard breeds, go even further and burst through the door because they want to explore potential threats and protect their space.

 

16. Picks up items while walking

Most likely, you have seen how your pet picks up found items while walking. And it can be anything - from a stick to a used mask that someone dropped. “Dogs use their mouths in much the same way that human children use their hands. Many dogs are naturally curious about the world around them, and if they find something interesting, they may want to pick it up, hold it, or carry it for a while,” says Dr. Summerfield.

 

Wonder what your dog is thinking about as he collects these treasures? It's probably less complicated than you imagine. They are really curious, like toddlers. And they are attracted to certain objects in the same way that babies are attracted to their blankets. This is especially true of sporting and hunting dog breeds.

 

17. Tail wags to the left

A dog's tail can express a variety of emotions, and with careful observation, you can decipher what it is trying to tell you. For example, a low wagging tail with a wide arch indicates friendliness, while a high, stiff tail may indicate aggression or arousal. But why do dogs wag their tails to the left?

 

“Recent body language studies in dogs suggest that there may be a difference in how other dogs interpret left and right tail wagging and how dogs feel when their tail wag left or right,” says Dr. Summerfield. In the study, dogs remained relaxed when they saw a picture of another dog wagging its tail to the right, but when dogs saw a picture of a tail wagging to the left, it caused anxiety. More research is needed, but they do point to the tail as a key communicator.

 

Cats like to hide in boxes because they reduce stress: scientists explanation

Theoretically, at the moment, some scientists are of the opinion that cats, climbing into boxes, drawers, laundry baskets, etc., thus reduce their stress level. So, in 2014, scientists from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, conducted a study in order to test this theory.

 

In the end, they confirmed that cats hiding in boxes, crates, and other objects actually reduce stress levels. The study was conducted at an animal shelter.

 

Scientists have found that stressful experiences in cats can have a serious impact on cat well-being and lead to an increase in the number of infectious diseases in shelters due to increased levels of cortisol, which causes immunodeficiency. But while researchers have been able to partially determine the reason why cats hide in boxes, they can determine whether boxes in shelters can reduce disease rates in stressed cats.

 

Scientists during the study immediately noticed the difference between the group of cats that were kept with boxes, and those that did not have boxes in their cages. Stress levels in cats were determined using the Kessler and Turner Cat-Stress (CSS) scale.

 

After a few days, cats caged with a box had lower stress levels than cats kept in cages without boxes.

 

In the end, the scientists concluded that shelter appears to be important for a cat, as it allows them to effectively cope with the stresses of a new environment in the first weeks after arriving in a new place. They also said further research is needed to determine what effect sheltering has on cats. For example, this is necessary in order to identify correlations between the frequency of outbreaks of infectious diseases in cats, depending on the presence of various shelters in the habitat.

 

Why do pets chase their tails: expert opinion?

Anyone who has ever observed the behavior of dogs or cats has seen how they periodically begin to spin in a top, trying to catch their tail. Why do they do it? Does it hurt or not when they manage to do it? Do they know that their tails are actually attached to them?

 

Sometimes cats get bored and start playing with their tail. Are they doing this to have fun and also to get my attention?

 

“Sometimes cats and dogs will chase their tails for fun (think of the reactions they see from their owners when chasing!), Animal Health and Behavior Consultant Erin Askeland of Camp Bow Wow told POPSUGAR. “Therefore, they may be doing this to get attention because of our reactive nature.

 

However, tail chasing can also be a sign of problems, such as boredom or energy overload, pain or discomfort caused by health problems or anxiety (such as OCD). Age and body characteristics also play a role.”

 

Do cats and dogs know that their tails are attached to them?

Sometimes when we watch my dog ​​catch his tail, we wonder if it hurts? After all, from the point of view of people, chewing on an arm or leg is not entirely pleasant.

 

Cats and dogs know their tails are connected to them. Although puppies and kittens don’t fully understand it yet, they can move them at will and feel touch, and they react to it.

 

Should we be concerned when our pets are tail chasing?

Of course, if your dog or cat is chasing its tail nonstop, it might be time to talk to a veterinarian.

 

What are the signs of cat anxiety?

1. Increased activity, motority, up to the fact that the animal destroys everything around (66%)

2. Desperate meow (63%)

3. Urination in the wrong places (60%)

4. Aggression, extreme irritation (36%)

5. Depression, apathy (53%)

6. Arousal (36%)

7. Defecation in the wrong places (23%)

 

In addition, the study found that the behavior of cats is also influenced by the social portrait of the owner of the animal. On the eve of separation from people, cats literally lost their heads because of the fear of being left to the mercy of fate. This is especially true in homes where:

 

• There are several grown women
• Households live in the age range of 18-35 years
• No other cats
• No cat toys

 

How to help overcome feelings of anxiety in cats?

The study has shown that an effective antidepressant measure will be such signs of attention from people as the purchase of a new toy. It will entertain and distract your pet from a gloomy mood. Moreover, take another cat into the house. If there is one, why not start a second one: together, they say, it's more fun.

 

Outside of the game, when tail chasing becomes compulsive and repetitive, it may not be a clear signal of a problem, but it helps to let us know that something may be going on that is causing this pet distress,” she explained. “It can become part of a pet's behavioral vocabulary, where their behavior and body language tell us how they feel at the moment.

 

 

People with COVID-19 can infect their pets with the new coronavirus. Conversely, it is almost impossible, according to experts. However, this does not apply to all animals.

   

Italian researchers tested 540 dogs and 277 cats in households, where people had tested positive for COVID-19, or in areas severely affected by the pandemic, such as Lombardy. The scientists detected antibodies against the virus in 3.4% of dogs and 3.9% of cats.

 

Studies on a relatively large number of animals confirm the premise that pets can be infected by humans with SARS-CoV-2, but vice versa is very unlikely. Tests taken from the mouth, nose and throat tested negative in all animals. Cats and dogs were tested between March and May 2020.

 

Pets do not spread the virus

Researchers say this extensive study is very useful. According to Thomas Mettenleiter, president of the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI) in Greifswald, the results are not surprising: "Confirm what we already know." However, a study with such a large number of pets is welcome. "Samples are not easy to obtain."

 

Contact with the pet should not be reduced (picture-alliance / dpa Themendienst / K. Neumann)

Healthy people should not restrict contact with pets

 

The study therefore confirms the FLI researchers' assumption that dogs or cats have not yet played a role in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The decisive factor is the transmission from person to person. "We start from the premise that the virus is usually transmitted from humans to animals," says Mettenleiter. Therefore, FLI considers that healthy people have no reason to restrict contact with their pets. On the other hand, patients infected with coronavirus should avoid contact with pets in order not to infect them.

 

Animals do not die from coronavirus infection

So far, Mettenleiter claims, there is no evidence that the animals could die from coronavirus infection. Even if pets contract the virus, it does not automatically mean that it can spread to animals and then spread through nasal, coughing or fecal secretions.

 

In addition, researchers at FLI have found that there is currently no evidence to confirm that pigs, chickens and other farm animals can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. The institute is currently conducting experiments with several species of animals. According to the initial results, ferrets and fruit bats are sensitive to the virus, but chickens and pigs are not. Cattle studies are still in their infancy.

 

Outbreaks of coronavirus on farms

Scientists are also investigating how the virus reached mink farms in the Netherlands and Spain, infecting almost all the animals kept there - that is, whether farm staff infected the animals or vice versa.

 

Precautionary measure in mink farms in the Netherlands: over one million animals have been killed

 

The outbreak of coronavirus on mink farms near the Spanish town of La Puebla de Valverde, a village of 500 inhabitants in northwestern Aragon, was discovered after 14 employees tested positive for the new coronavirus in late May. Two other employees became infected after the farm was closed.

 

Outbreaks in the Netherlands began in April. During the examinations, veterinary professor Wim van der Poel, from the University of Wagingen, found that the strain of virus found in mink is similar to that circulating in humans.

"I suspected that it might be transferred to humans (from animals)," van der Poel said. Which happened to at least two farm employees.

 

Authorities killed more than a million miners

As a precautionary measure following the outbreak, the Spanish authorities ordered the killing of more than 92,000 minks on the farm. 90 percent were infected with the new coronavirus.

 

In the Netherlands alone, more than 1.1 million minks, which have spread the virus, have been killed, the Dutch Food and Consumer Safety Agency said.

 

There are about 160 mink farms in the Netherlands. The country is the fourth largest fur producer in the world, after Denmark, China and Poland. Spain has 38 mink farms, most of them in Galicia.

 

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