Training a Cat Not to Scratch or Bite

Most people recognize the importance of training when they bring home a new puppy, but few give the same consideration to a kitten. Somewhere along the way, cats managed to start the rumor that they are untrainable, so we would leave them alone. Yet I challenge you to watch a lion tamer at work for a few minutes, and then tell me that your little tabby is more difficult to train.
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Kitty Cat Dance

One of my guilty pleasures is this Youtube video, the Kitty Cat Dance.
A friend showed it to me because her preschooler liked it. It makes my baby squeal and kick with happiness.
Warning: the song can get stuck in your head (especially if your children make you watch it eight times in a row!)



Cat. I'm a kitty cat, and I dance, dance, dance. . .

Should Your Child Be Present for a Pet Euthanasia?

To euthanize a pet (or 'put it to sleep' as some still say) is the most painful decision you'll have to make for your pet. Once the decision is made, you then need to decide if you want to be there when the injection is given, and if you want your children to experience the euthanasia.

I wrote this article to give you some understanding about what will happen in a normal pet euthanasia procedure so you can make this difficult decision in with your family's best interests in mind.

Euthanising a Pet: Should Children Be Present?

White Coloring and Deafness in Cats and Dogs

White coat coloring can increase a cat or dog's chances of being born deaf. The genetics of color can be complicated in pets, but this article will explain how the whiteness of the coat relates to hearing loss. Keep in mind, there are many things that can cause congenital deafness (that only means present at birth it may be hereditary or environmental) and white coloring isn't the only cause. This article isn't going to explore all the possible causes, but only look at the interesting relationship between white pets and hearing loss or deafness.

The gene for white coloring in dogs was identified on gene number 20. So far, 85 breeds of dogs have reported cases of congenital deafness. All breeds have the potential for congenital deafness, but breeds with white pigmentation are at greater risk. Deafness is often associated with the merle gene or the piebald gene in dogs, yet not all breeds with these genes are reported to be affected.

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