Feelings are valid
Live Chat Questions
Fun Facts
Cat Stans
Toxic/Non-Toxic (Dogs/Cats)
100
Your dog’s tail-wagging has meaning—whether it’s up high and quick, or low and slow.
True or False?
Answer: True
The speed at which a dog wags its tail can indeed carry important messages about their emotional state.
100
Human shampoos (e.g., baby shampoos) are fine to use on dogs.
False - Consider that our dogs have a very different skin composition compared to us. Our skin’s pH is slightly acidic (around 5.2 to 6.2), whereas dogs have a more neutral pH, closer to 6.2 to 7.5. Using a product that isn’t formulated for dogs can lead to a dry, irritated coat and even skin infections.
100
You can't teach a old dog (or cat) new tricks. True or False
When it comes to pets, this adage couldn’t be further from the truth. While younger pups are generally more curious, dogs never stop learning, regardless of their age. You may find that senior dogs are easier to train.
For best results, choose tricks that suit older dogs.
For cats, be consistent and use motivation like treats. However, it’s important to keep sessions short and to always end on a positive note.
100
Cats don’t need exercise - True or False
False - Cats are active hunters who evolved to spend many hours of their day stalking and hunting—behaviors they don’t get to express much in our homes. This lack of activity contributes to feline obesity, with around 60% of cats in the United States considered overweight or obese.
Increasing activity and exercise time will not only be fun for your cat, it will keep them trim, improve muscle tone and joint health, and prevent diseases such as diabetes.
Tips for how to get a cat to exercise
- Use toys to recreate hunting behaviors.
- Create an agility course for your cat.
- Purchase a cat tree to promote climbing.
- Let your cat explore the outdoors on a leash.
- Make mealtimes more active.
- Teach your cat some new tricks.
- Offer catnip.
- Play together!
Generally, we recommend your cat get around 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day (some breeds need more!).
100
This is toxic to both dogs and cats, but warrants special mention in cats. LILIES, including Easter lilies, daylilies, Asiatic lilies and Japanese show lilies are especially toxic to cats. Just a small nibble of a lily’s leaves or petals, exposure to its pollen, or even a sip of vase water can cause fatal kidney failure in cats.
200
Can dogs and cats sense changes in
the weather?
- According to an Associated Press poll, two thirds of pet owners think their pets have a sixth sense about weather. [This] is likely due to their heightened senses – dogs can hear, smell, and feel weather activity, giving them a predictive edge on humans.
- Dogs have an acute sense of hearing, which allows them to hear distant thunder before we do.
- Dogs can smell changes in the atmosphere (ozone) better than we do, so they may sense an oncoming storm.
- Dogs can detect changes in barometric pressure or electromagnetic fields that may be related to coming storms.
- Dogs have been known to detect changes in seismic activity and feel small movements before earthquakes occur.
200
List 3 signs that your dog needs a dental.
- Cracked or loose teeth
- Bad breath
- Discolored teeth
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
200
What colors can dogs see (Hint: It is similar to a type of color blindness in people)?
Dogs can perceive different colors, even if they cannot appreciate the entire spectrum of color that humans do.
A dog’s normal vision is most like a person who has red-green color blindness.
They are also less sensitive to changes in brightness, their vision is not as acute as us, and they are more near-sighted than we are.
No further degrees of color blindness have been recorded in dogs.
They have a broader range of peripheral vision at the cost of less depth perception. They see better in low light than we do. They can more accurately detect motion.
200
Do cats sense our emotions?
Many pet owners swear their animals know exactly how they feel—and science backs them up. Pets, especially dogs and cats, are incredibly attuned to our emotions through body language, tone of voice, facial expressions and even subtle scent changes.
Specifically, cats can sense human emotions in their own way. [They] may not show concern as openly as dogs, but research suggests they can distinguish between human emotions, especially happiness and sadness.
A cat that sits close, purrs or gently headbutts you after a rough day is showing empathy. While not every cat will react, many become more affectionate when they sense their owner is feeling down.
200
Sunflowers are safe for both dogs AND cats! They are also beautiful!
300
What are signs that my dog loves me (at least 4)?
Your dog is happy to see you.
Your dog gives you presents.
Your dog puts you second only to food.
Your dog likes to sleep with you.
Your dog looks at you with loving eyes.
Your dog does not care about your appearance.
Your dog follows you everywhere.
300
Should my dog wear my sunscreen?
Sun exposure can cause sunburn and skin cancer in our pets. The nose and tips of the ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn. We may be tempted to apply our sunscreen to our pets, but beware! Human sunscreen often contains substances that can be dangerous to our pets. There are many pet-friendly sunscreens on the market, so we don't need to share ours.
300
The ideal frequency of tooth brushing in pets (dogs AND cats) is a few times a week. - True or False
False - Daily brushing is best, but it’s not always possible and brushing several times a week can be effective. Most dogs accept brushing, but cats can be a bit more resistant patience and training are important.
Within hours of your pet finishing off their meal and licking their chops, sticky plaque begins to accumulate. If not addressed, this plaque, combined with minerals like calcium in the saliva, hardens into tartar within 24-72 hours. Once tartar has formed, the only way to remove it is by taking your pet to your veterinarian for a professional dental cleaning. However, you can prevent new plaque and tartar from forming by brushing your pet’s teeth daily and providing veterinary-approved dental treats.
300
What are signs that my cat loves me (at least 3)?
Your cat slow blinks. It’s their version of a warm smile or hug!
Your cat is happy to see you.
Your cat gives you presents.
Your cat puts you second only to food.
Your cat likes to sleep with you.
Your cat follows you everywhere.
300
Orchids are generally safe for BOTH dogs AND cats!
400
Do pets get annoyed by our singing?
They can, but they can also enjoy it!
For cats and singing, research and anecdotal evidence suggest that our feline friends can distinguish between our regular speech and a more melodious, high-pitched tone. When you use a gentle, soothing voice or even mix in a little “cat song” that mimics their natural purring frequencies, many cats respond with increased attention and even a relaxed demeanor. They might not understand every note, but the cadence and warmth of your voice can be incredibly comforting. So, if your cat seems to lean in or even purr along, they’re likely enjoying your serenade rather than feeling disturbed.
On the other paw, dog behavior is just as intriguing. Dogs, with their acute sense of hearing and keen ability to pick up on emotional cues, often react to singing by becoming more alert and engaged. A study even suggested that a sing-song tone—often referred to as “pet talk”—can enhance bonding between you and your dog. They might not grasp the lyrics, but they certainly respond to the energy and affection behind your performance.
400
What are some signs that my pet has an ear infection (at least 5)?
Typical signs of an ear infection include redness, swelling, a foul odor and an accumulation of wax or discharge (often black or white).
Your dog might also scratch at their ears or shake their head frequently.
Cats may also exhibit these signs, but sometimes they hide these symptoms better. Cats are masters of hiding discomfort so any change in behavior, like reduced grooming or increased irritability, should prompt a closer look.
400
How many words does my dog understand (+/- 20 from the average)?
While it can range from as few as 15 to over 200, on average, a well-trained dog understands about 165 words, on par with a two-year old toddler!
400
What are some reasons cats pee outside the litter box (at least 5)?
1. Dirty litterboxes (clean it daily, deep clean it weekly!)
2. Some cats are picky about the type of litter and box. (Try a litter box buffet)
3. Too many cats, not enough boxes (ROT: # of cats + 1)
4. Other cats pestering them (Having several litter box options in various locations reduces ambushing behaviors).
5. The setup is not ideal (e.g., sides too high for an arthritic cat, in an inconvenient location)
6. Urine marking (most common in unneutered males, but any cat can do this and neutering does not necessarily fix this!)
7. Medical concerns (e.g., idiopathic cystitis, UTI, stones, PU/PD)
400
DOGS
Lily of the valley deserves an extra special mention since it can cause serious heart damage to both dogs and cats. In fact, eating just a small amount can lead to a dangerous drop in their heart rate, an irregular heartbeat, or worse.
500
When your dog drifts off to sleep, what do they tend to dream about?
During REM sleep, the brain functions much like it does when awake, so people—and it is believed dogs as well—dream about the events of their day. It is a chance for the brain to process all that happened while awake and sometimes even relive it through the dream. So your dog may “sleep run”, as they chase a squirrel or fetch the ball in their dreams.
500
What should I do (or not do) if my pet gets a nosebleed (At least 2 things. Freebie: Go to the vet!)?
- Keep your cat calm (calm the BP)!
- Place an ice pack on the bridge of the nose (on top of the muzzle). In short-faced breeds, be sure they can breathe.
- Do not try to insert absorbent materials like a cotton swab into the nostril, as this will only trigger sneezing.
- Do not administer any medication to your cat unless specifically advised to do so by your veterinarian.
500
What is splooting and why do pets do it?
Often there’s a good explanation:
- Keepin’ it cool!
- Yoga time!
- Easy peasy!
- Puppy and kitten sploots.
When can splooting a sign of a health concern?
- Hip dysplasia (esp if you notice bunny-hopping, stiff walking, or reluctance to play in addition)
- Osteoarthritis (esp all of a sudden in senior pets)
- Trauma
500
What colors can cats see?
From scientific observations, cats do not appear to perceive the full range of colors that humans can. Some scientists believe that cats see only blue and gray, while others think they also see yellow, like dogs, making their vision like someone who is red-green color blind.
They are also less sensitive to changes in brightness, their vision is not as acute as us, and they are more near-sighted than we are.
They have a broader range of peripheral vision at the cost of less depth perception. They see better in low light than we do. They can more accurately detect motion.
500
Trick question!
Peanut butter can be given to both dogs and cats (though which cat would dare?)!
However, peanut butter has a high fat content and can predispose dogs to conditions like pancreatitis.
Furthermore, some brands of peanut butter have toxic chemicals, such as XYLITOL, a sugar substitute found in many "sugar-free" foods. In dogs, this can lead to hypoglycemia, liver failure, or worse.