Every dog owner’s seen his pet rush to the door only to chow down on the nearest patch of grass. While common knowledge holds that this is a quick fix for Fido to make himself sick, vets have largely debunked this myth. Dogs lack the enzymes needed to digest grass, too, meaning there is little nutritional value in their grazing. So the question remains: Why do dogs engage in this seemingly senseless behavior?   Unlike their feline counterparts, dogs are not full-fledged carnivores. For thousands of years, canines operated as opportunist omnivores, scavenging most anything that met their dietary needs. Modern dogs, however, no longer eat like their predecessors. While wild dogs often ate their prey in its entirety, including the stomach contents of plant-eating animals, our pets consume a very different diet. This may explain why some seek out grass as an alternative food source. Some theorize that grass helps improve digestion, especially in cases where Fido is lacking in fiber.   While eating plant matter may come naturally to dogs, this doesn’t explain why your canine companion sometimes throws up after eating grass. Some theorize that dogs intentionally graze on grass to make themselves sick when they’re not feeling well— to ease nausea or bloating, to clear a blocked digestive tract, or as a reaction to parasites or bacteria, for example. Evidence suggests the vast majority of foraging canines aren’t ill when they start eating grass, however, and veterinarians have found that less than a quarter of dogs that eat grass regularly throw up afterwards.   While some dogs seek out grass and other vegetables matter due to nutritional deficiencies or an upset stomach, vets believe many cases of “pica” — eating things that aren’t food, including grass — are simply a sign of boredom. If you suspect your dog’s pica is due to under-stimulation, ensure he’s getting enough exercise by engaging him in fun activities such as playing interactive games together or buying him a chew toy. If, on the other hand, you suspect your dog’s grazing is due to a nutritional deficiency, try switching to a higher quality dog food with more fiber. Some dogs, however, may continue eating grass simply because they like eat. Though experts agree that grazing isn’t harmful in and of itself, pesticides used on lawns can be toxic when ingested by your canine companion. And while some afternoon snacking on grass is normal, you should take your dog to the vet if he seems distressed or eats grass often in order to vomit, as these may be signs of underlying veterinary conditions.

Everyone knows cats purr when they’re happy, but only the experienced feline aficionado knows cats also purr when feeling frightened, threatened, hungry or injured. A trip to the vet or hurt companion can cause kitty to purr as much as relaxing with his cherish person or grooming a fellow feline, then, making it important to pay attention to context to determine why your cat is purring.   Purring begins in your cat’s brain where rhythmic, repetitive nervous system activity sends a message to the muscles in his larynx. This causes the larynx, or voice box, to twitch anywhere from 25 to 150 vibrations per second. When your cat inhales and exhales, this prompts his vocal cords to separate, producing the comforting sound and vibration we know as purring.  While vets are not entirely sure why cats purr, they generally agree it is a soothing exercise for felines. Some compare the behavior to our own smiles: People smile when they’re happy, but also when they feel nervous or want something. In the same way, then, a cat’s purr can be an anxious behavior or attempt at grabbing our attention as much as it can be a sign that all is well. If your cat is relaxed, with his eyes closed and tail still, he’s likely giving you a big grin. But if he purrs around mealtime, for example, the purr is more likely a grab for attention than a sign of satisfaction.   The function of your cat’s contented vibrations could go even deeper, though, according to some scientists who have studied the behavior. The frequency of purring falls within the range that helps promote tissue regeneration, leading some to believe that the behavior could very well have healing properties. They theorize these vibrations are beneficial for bone growth, pain relief and wound healing, and possibly even for repairing muscles and reducing swelling, which may explain why cats have been found purring next to an injured companion. This is good news for pet owners, who can also benefit from the healing vibrations. Studies have found cats to be the best pets for relieving stress and lowering blood pressure — and purring might just play a role in that.   It’s worth noting that not all cats in the animal kingdom can purr. While domestic cats can create the soothing vibrations, their cousins who roar cannot purr because the structures surrounding roaring cats’ larynxes aren’t firm enough. While roaring species make these loud noises to protect their prides and territory, smaller cats are more likely to hunt alone, spending long periods resting in between chases. They mark their territories with scent glands, and reserve purring for time spent lying around, which may help stimulate bones so they don’t become weak during the rest.

We all love our dogs and, as we do with people, often show our affection by showering our precious pets with hugs. Few of us stop to observe our canine companions’ reactions to these displays of affection, but if we did, most would notice our dogs lip licking, yawning, pawing or displaying other nervous signs. The truth of the matter is, dogs don’t like to hug it out like people do, and your pet likely interprets a warm embrace as confusing, if not threatening, behavior.   The simple science behind why dogs don’t like hugs from their humans comes down to one thing: Dogs don’t hug each other. Dogs are pack animals by nature and when another dog places his paws on your dog’s neck or drapes his neck overtop your dog’s shoulder, this is considered a social threat. Your dog doesn’t recognize an embrace as affectionate behavior, then, but instead feels he is being pinned down. Dogs show their affection through other behaviors, such as licking, physical proximity and playing. So, while your canine companion may not return your warm embrace, he could be showing his adoration in a multitude of other ways.   Signs your dog is uncomfortable hugging it out include tensing up; putting his tail down or ears back; turning his head away; closing his eyes or opening them wide; raising a paw; or trying to move or duck away from the unwanted affection. Because hugs can be confusing for our canines, you dog might also display displacement behaviors, which include lip licking and yawning. If your pet shows any of these behaviors when being showered with affection, it is a clear sign he is uncomfortable and you should stop. Dogs may try to bite children who try to hug them, especially when the child is excited or screaming. And while some dogs may enjoy hugs from their trusted owners, an embrace from strangers can send shivers down their spines. The best way to know how your dog is feeling is to observe his behavior and reactions to an event.   Receiving hugs can be confusing for our canines. After all, why would their most trusted humans lock them in a threatening embrace? Instead, owners should shower their companions with affection in ways that translate well to both species. Like humans, dogs enjoy being near to those they love, so allow your pet to sit next to you on the couch or in your lap. Spend time engaged in activities you both enjoy, such as playing with a favorite toy, visiting the local park or gentle grooming. Shower your dog with touch, which will affirm your bond with him. If you receive a few slobbery kisses in return, you’ll know your dog feels the same way. P.S. THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN WRITTEN BY US. IT IS REPORTING SOME RECENT RESEARCH. WE HUG OUR DOGS EVERYDAY!!!:) - Petbucket Team!

Many cat owners have experienced the strife of introducing a new cat to the household or trying to curb problems such as spraying or scratching. Some swear by pheromone diffusers, such as Feliway, as catchall solutions for cats’ stress-related problems. Others claim the products are costly with little to no effect. When considering pheromone treatments to solve kitty’s conundrums, then, it is worth understanding a bit more about these products and how they work.   Pheromones are natural chemical signals that animals produce to communicate with other members of their species. Scientists believe they are important in coordinating social behavior and that pheromones convey different “messages” to individuals of the same species. Synthetic pheromones, such as Feliway, aim to mimic natural pheromones. Specifically, Feliway imitates the pheromones your cat leaves behind when he rubs his faces against you or your furniture. Known as feline facial pheromones, or FFPs, these chemicals mark his territory as safe and secure. Feliway’s goal is to mimic FFPs with feline facial pheromone analogues, of FFPAs. And while some cat owners have reported tremendous success with Feliway’s FFPAs, others doubt their effectiveness.   Feliway users report mixed results in which some cats, especially those under one year old, did not respond to the pheromone treatment, while others are noticeably more affectionate and relaxed. Success stories report that Feliway has helped eased fighting between cats and reduced the symptoms of stress, which include nervous or anxious cats; cats who have taken to spray-marking the home; and cats prone to hiding. It is also useful for pets undergoing stressful changes to their environments, such as new arrivals or home redecorating.   Feliway is available as both a plug-in diffuser and spray. To reap the full benefits of an FFPA diffuser, pet owners should use it in a mostly closed-off environment, generally their homes, and should note that larger or multi-story houses may require more than one diffuser. Once plugged in, Feliway takes anywhere from several hours to several weeks for results to show. Spray-on Feliway may be useful for cat owners looking to alleviate stress or behavior specific to one area, such as carriers used to take cats to the vet or cats’ favorite furniture for scratching. Frugal owners may shy away from the product, but the only way to know if kitty will calm down with the help of Feliway is to try the product.