In addition to the Hatfields and the McCoys, the North and the South, Ohio State and Michigan fans, and (currently) Democrats and Republicans, there is the constant running feud between cats and dogs (and sometimes their owners). As a practicing veterinarian, Helpful Buckeye had the advantage of being able to view this phenomenon up close and personal. To be truthful, even though there is adequate evidence that this conflict is real, there are also some variables to consider...as seen in the photo above. Some cats and dogs do get along, either by peaceful coexistence or outright affection for each other. Furthermore, Helpful Buckeye had many clients who had both felines and canines in their household.
Nonetheless, there is plenty to explore in this age-old hostility. Helpful Buckeye will offer you some insight into the apparent differences between these members of the pet kingdom and the people who choose to have them as pets, as well as some discussion about their similarities and their benefits.
Do Dogs and Cats Think Differently?
By: Dr. Jon
Do dogs and cats think differently? You bet they do.
In some ways, they can be like men and women. Yes, I am speaking in general
terms, but I think most of us agree that there are some differences in how men
think vs. how women think. I think the same is true with dogs and cats.
One of our writers took a fun and creative look at
"How Dogs Think Versus How Cats Think".
She put her thoughts in writing and every time I
read them it makes me smile. Here they are:
From the Dog's Perspective
I knock myself out to please the leader of my pack.
Day in and day out, I follow his lead; sit when I'm told to sit; eat when he
lets me eat; sleep where he tells me to sleep; and go to the bathroom when he's
ready to take me for a walk.
And what do I ask from him in return? Just being
able to shower my "Leader" with affection and attention, and to receive praise
(and a few belly rubs) for a job well done. But my housemate, the cat, has
absolutely no responsibilities and gets treated as if she's Top Dog. This is
all very confusing ... maybe the Cat is the true pack leader.
When the cat first arrived, I was overjoyed! The
leader spends only a few hours every day with me. He spends the rest of the
time with his pack members. Hey, that's all right – I know my place in
the hierarchy of things. They play with me too, and occasionally give me
treats, so I'm not complaining.
Then one of the lesser members of the pack brings
home this quiet little fur ball they called alternatively "The Cat"
or "Whiskers." I thought the Leader was bringing me a toy, but
whenever I approached, it reared back and made an ugly hissing noise. When I
got real close, it batted me in the nose with its paw. Some toy!
It finally dawned on me that this was a new member
of the pack. I wanted to make sure she knew her place in our little society, so
I ate her food, drank her water and chased her around the house and up the
bookcase. I was feeling pretty good about myself, so I sat there, barking my
victory to her.
Guess what happened next, dear diary....
I was reprimanded! The pack leader scolded me while
I was barking at the cat. I made the connection between barking and the cat –
this wasn't the first time I was scolded for barking too much. But it became
clear that they weren't too thrilled with me chasing the cat all over the house
either.
So I ate her food and then played in the sand. What
fun! Then the pack leader stopped me. Another scolding. It slowly dawned me: my
place is below the cat!! How did this happen? I don't know my weights and
measures, but I'm obviously bigger, AND I have seniority.
I began to notice other oddities. The cat jumps on
the couch at will. She ignores the higher pack members when they call for her,
and sometimes approaches them when they don't call. She only comes running when she hears
the can opener. She jumps on laps and goes to sleep. The day I tried that, the
boy yelped and I received a reprimand.
She walks around all high and mighty, leaping on furniture;
I even caught her scratching the sofa. When she wants to do nature's business,
she doesn't walk to the door and whine – she struts over to the sand-filled box.
Come to think of it, Diary, she hates most
everything I like: constant attention; car rides (she screams like a banshee!);
fetch; walking on a leash and belly rubs. I thought I was included on that list
of dislikes, but one day when I was napping on my bed, she sidled up next to
me, and began making a curious, yet not displeasing buzzing noise.
And sometimes she approaches me to play, although
she doesn't know how to invite me politely. Maybe there's hope for us yet,
Diary. All I have to do is know my place in the pack.
From the Cat's Perspective
He's at it again. The barking. That constant barking
during my daily naps. I don't know what I dislike most about that dog - the
barking, the foreign scent everywhere, his freakish need for approval and
attention ... or the baffling desire to eat my food and play in my litter box.
Just what is he trying to prove?
Perhaps I should start at the beginning. I adopted a
family recently. As I explored my new home I picked up an awfully un-catlike
scent everywhere. Naturally, I set about changing the scent to my own to let
would-be interlopers know this land has been claimed.
But every time I went on kitty patrol, I picked up
that scent again. Well, after a few days, I discovered what the smell was. A
dog! My family hid him like a dirty little secret, no doubt afraid of my
reaction. I suppose they wanted to set me at ease by introducing the dog gradually.
I stumbled upon him by accident when the door was
accidentally left open. He came into my room and tried to greet me with that
big snout of his, but I bravely batted him with my paw and ran away. The
lumbering giant took after me, and I nimbly avoided him by climbing my tree.
He sat looking up at me, barking impotently, but I
wasn't about to climb down. After awhile, I realized I was frustrating him
because there was just no way he could make it up the tree. I showed him my
disdain by yawning nonchalantly. Unfortunately, my food bowl and litter box
were left behind. He retaliated against me by eating my food and desecrating my
box.
I don't understand his behavior, Diary, or why my
family puts up with him. He hardly sleeps a wink and always wants to play.
Sure, I was like that as a kitten, but you have to grow up sometime.
As the months passed, it became clear the dog just
wasn't learning the art of subtlety. He doesn't understand there is a time and
place for everything. When someone calls for me, why rush? What's so important
I have to run? And the incessant begging. Where's his dignity? If you see
something you want, just show a little more affection and purr a little louder
to remind the family you're there.
Well, I decided to make the dog my pet project. I
try to set an example of how to hunt and chase, the proper times and places to
take a nap and that he has his food and I have mine. I think I'm beginning to
rub off on him. The other day, I caught the dog taking a midday nap. I was so
proud I couldn't resist joining him. Now, we have a routine. We take one nap a
day together, eat, then he chases me until I get tired of the game and tease
him by climbing out of his reach. I've even grown accustomed to his scent.
He still reverts to form on occasion, though. When
he's excited, the dog just can't help jumping, running and, worst of all, that
barking. Oh well, Diary. We'll just take it one day at a time....
Dog vs. Cat: Which is Right For You?
By: Alex Lieber
He wants a dog; she desires a cat. In his mind's
eye, he longs for a doting canine to play with in the park or to accompany him
on jogs. She sees herself curled up on the couch, reading a book, with a kitty
snoozing in her lap.
Choosing between a dog and a cat can be difficult.
In a nutshell, dogs require more time, attention and money, but as pack animals
are often much more social than cats. On the other hand, cats, being more
independent, are easier to care for, much neater and usually cost less.
All pets require love, attention, play time, some
grooming and regular veterinary visits. How much differs between a dog and a
cat. The choice comes down to what you want out of a pet and how much energy
you are prepared to devote.
Where you live also plays a big role in the decision
– or even makes the decision for you. Some apartments or condos have
restrictions on the size or type of pet you can have. If your building doesn't
permit dogs, don't break the rules and get one. The worst thing to do is to
adopt a loving puppy, and then return him to the shelter.
Downsides and Upsides to Dogs
Dogs want to be involved in all aspects of your
life, more so than cats. They also require more care. If you're late home from
work, someone will need to walk the dog. If it's raining or snowing, the dog
still needs to be walked.
Walks should be something to look forward to. If it
sounds like a chore, because you work unholy hours and generally neglect your
home life, then maybe a dog isn't for you.
A dog needs to spend quality time with you as well.
After all, he's waited for you to come home all day. Playing with a dog can be
exhausting, especially if he's an exuberant puppy. Again, this is something you
should be looking forward to all day – not a task that you want done and over
with.
Vacations or business trips add to the complexity.
You will need to find someone to dog sit because he will get very lonely
without you. If you can't find someone to house sit, then you may have to find a
good kennel. Finding the right kennel can also be time-consuming, not to
mention expensive.
On the whole, dogs tend to cost more than cats. The
bigger the dog, the more food he needs - and the bigger the droppings to be
picked up. He also requires periodic grooming and bathing. You can do this
yourself or bring him to a professional groomer, but it needs to be done
because, unlike a cat, he won't do it himself.
These may sound like a lot of downsides, but dogs
want to be totally involved in your life. They love every moment you spend with
them. If you like taking car trips, you've got a faithful buddy who is happy to
go. If you like to exercise, you'll find no other partner as committed. Their
eagerness to please makes them more amenable to obeying your commands.
Dogs also perform many roles, such as watchdogs.
Although they should be chosen as companions first, dogs make many people feel
safer. Indeed, dogs are considered the best "house alarms" one can
own.
Downsides and Upsides to Cats
Cats don't make good burglar alarms and are not
likely to scare off intruders. And few cats will take to a leash unless
training is begun at an early age. Cats are not pack animals, so they don't
have an innate need to please you. If a cat learns a trick, it's because she
wants to.
Cats require some grooming, such as nail trims, as
well as periodic brushing. Although she doesn't have to go outside to go to the
bathroom, her litter box needs to be scooped every day, and the litter needs to
be changed weekly or, at least, once every two weeks.
And the cat's famous independence is also a
consideration. Because she doesn't feel the need to please, a cat will approach
you for affection when she wants to be petted and stroked. Can your ego stand
catering to your pet's whims?
But because a cat is more independent, they can be
left alone for longer periods of time. Although a cat will miss you, she
doesn't depend on you to be home right at 5 p.m. for a walk. If you are gone
for longer periods, your cat will do well with a house sitter, but she can also
get by with someone feeding and checking up on her twice a day.
When you do get home, you can lie on the couch and
vegetate; she'll probably be happy to curl up with you for a nap. Cats do need
play time, but the effort is less taxing on you because she'll do the running
and jumping.
And finally, cats may hate cars, but they are more
easily moved than a dog. As mentioned earlier in this piece, rentals are more
likely to accept a cat than a dog. For the person who moves around a lot, this
is ideal.
Know Thyself
Here are some questions to ask when deciding between
a dog and a cat:
• Are you the active, outdoorsy type? If you want to
play with your pet outside, a dog may be the right choice. This isn't to say
that cats cannot be taken outside under your close supervision or walked on a
leash, but a dog is much more likely to enjoy the experience.
• Do you mind daily walks? Remember, this is
necessary for a dog in rain, sleet or snow, unless you have a specific place
for your dog to go in the house.
• What does your family want? Choosing a dog or cat
should be a family decision.
• Do you have children under 7 years old? Experts
say children should be between 7 and 9 years old before getting a dog. Dogs may
not tolerate the antics of children, or they may even hurt children
accidentally during play. Although you should always keep an eye on the kids
and the pets together, it is even more important with a dog.
• How neat are you? Living with a pet usually means
cleaning up hair. Some dogs and cats shed less than others, but all do shed to
an extent. Dogs generally require more clean up, even if they are housebroken.
Some breeds drool a lot, which will give you something more to clean up.
• Do you want to feel needed? Dogs and cats may both
get excited and greet you when you come home, but a dog will stay excited. A
cat will seek affection on her terms, not yours.
• Do you need to be "Number 1"? A properly
trained dog (one that doesn't see himself as the alpha wolf) will look to you
for leadership and strive to please you. Your relationship with your cat will
not be that one-sided. Her independence may bring your relationship to that of
equal (or even higher than you).
The truth about cat people and dog people
Research shows that your preference for felines or
canines really does say something about your personality
Are you a dog person or a cat person? It’s likely
that you align yourself with one of these labels, and research shows that your
preference for one animal or the other reveals a bit about your personality.
Sixty-two percent of U.S. households have a pet,
according to the American Pet Products Association. Dogs are the most popular
pets with 39 percent of U.S. households owning at least one canine, but cats
come in second with 33 percent of U.S. households having at least one cat.
But can our choice of furry friend really say
something about who we are? Sometimes.
Studies show that we tend to gravitate toward the
animals with which we were raised, and factors like age and living space also
play a role in pet ownership. Parents with young children are more inclined to
have dogs that kids can take outside, while older people and singles are more
likely to have lower-maintenance animals like cats. And people in the suburbs
are more likely to adopt large dogs, while apartment dwellers are likely to
have cats or small dogs.
Still, research shows that there are differences
between cat people and dog people. A University of Texas study found that those
who define themselves as dog people are more extroverted, agreeable and
conscientious than self-proclaimed cat people. Those with a preference for
felines, on the other hand, are more creative, adventurous and prone to
neuroticism or anxiety.
Your pet might even indicate how you vote. A 2008
Gallup survey of 2,000 Americans found that 33 percent of dog owners identified
themselves as Republicans, while only 28 percent of cat owners leaned to the
right. But a Hunch.com poll of 200,000 pet owners found the split to be more
even. According to its results, dog people are 50 percent more likely to be
conservatives than cat people.
However, there are some things that cat people and
dog people have in common. Both types of people talk to animals, consider
themselves close to nature, dislike animal-print clothing, and are generally
optimists.
The Hunch.com survey also found that both cat people
and dog people are equally likely to have a four-year degree, but cat people
are 17 percent more likely to have completed a graduate degree.
Check out some of the other findings from
Hunch.com’s survey below.
Living area preferences:
• Dog people
are 30 percent more likely to live in a rural area.
• Cat people
are 29 percent move likely to live in an urban area.
Animal rescue leanings:
• Dog people
are 67 percent more likely to call animal control if they find stray kittens.
• Cat people
are 21 percent more likely to rescue the stray kittens.
Phones:
• Dog people
are 36 percent more likely to use a popular song as a ringtone.
• Cat people
are 11 percent more likely to have contacts in both their cellphone and a
physical address book.
Children:
• Dog people
are 24 percent more likely to have kids.
• Cat people
are 33 percent more likely to prefer taking care of a friend’s kids than a
friend’s dogs.
Favorite Beatle?
• Dog people
are 18 percent more likely to consider Paul McCartney their favorite Beatle.
• Cat people
are 25 percent more likely to consider George Harrison their favorite Beatle.
What makes you laugh?
• Dog people are 30 percent more likely to enjoy
slapstick humor and impressions.
• Cat people
are 21 percent more likely to enjoy ironic humor and puns.
Random facts
• Dog people
are 9 percent more likely to think of zoos as happy place.
• Cat people
are 10 percent more likely to be active on Twitter.
When it comes to media choices, Hunch.com found that
dog people prefer jam bands, reggae and psychedelic rock, while cat people
listen to more New Wave, classic rock and electronic music.
Dog people listed “American Idol” and “Everybody
Loves Raymond” as their favorite TV shows and “Crash” and “No Country For Old
Men” as their top movie choices. Cat people preferred “CSI” and “Real Time With
Bill Maher” for TV and listed “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Hurt Locker” as
their favorite movies.
But what about those
people with both cats and dogs? According to Hunch.com's survey, these people
are likely to be female suburbanites who are politically middle of the road.
Do you recognize any of yourself in these descriptions? Any of your pets?
Now for some of the benefits of having a cat or a dog as a pet, here's what some experts have to say:
Cats may purr to your heart's content
Latest research confirms evidence that having a pet
improves a person's health
By William Hageman, Tribune Newspapers
We know that pets are beneficial to our health —
they can lower a person's blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels,
and provide opportunities for exercise and socialization.
In some cases, the source of the benefits is
obvious. You walk a dog for two miles, you'll be in better shape. But some of
the reported benefits are baffling.
A 10-year study at the University of Minnesota
Stroke Center found that cat owners were 40 percent less likely to have heart
attacks than non-cat owners.
Could a cat's purr be the reason?
"Cats will purr when they're content, but also
they'll purr when they're about to be euthanized. It's thought they purr to
communicate with their kittens," says author and animal behavior
consultant Steve Dale. "It's thought to be a calming mechanism.
"If that's the case … maybe they calm
themselves or other cats, but maybe there's a fallout and there's another
mammal species, us, that's impacted."
In another study, conducted at Kean University in
New Jersey, subjects watched a "Lassie" movie. Their levels of
cortisol — a chemical associated with stress — were checked before and after
the film, and showed a decline after the movie.
This animal connection, Dale explained, "alters
our neurochemistry. Not just the physiology, the blood pressure change, which
is significant, but also the neurochemistry. The scientists are discovering
there really is a difference here."
Adapted from: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/tribu/sc-fam-0306-pet-benefit-20120306,0,1763639.story
7 Ways Dogs Can Help Your Health
By STEPHANIE ALBIN, M.D.
Dogs may be good at more than fetching sticks and
greeting you after a long day at work. As it turns out, simply having them
around may lessen your kids' chances of getting the common cold.
Owning a dog may improve the health of children in
that household, according to new research from the University of California,
San Francisco. In a study of mice, researchers found that the house dust from
homes with dogs worked to protect against a common cold strain, the respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV).
"Mice aren't identical to humans. There are
obvious differences," explains Dr. Susan Lynch, co-investigator of the
study and a professor at UCSF. "But we can do things in the animals that
we could not possibly do in humans, and we can get samples to examine disease
that would be very difficult to assess in humans."
Animals fed house dust from dog-owning homes did not
exhibit the usual symptoms of RSV, including mucus production and lung
inflammation. In fact, their symptoms were comparable to animals that weren't
exposed to the virus in the first place.
So what's the big deal about RSV? It's a virus to
which almost everybody has been exposed within the first few years of life.
However, it can be severe -- and sometimes fatal -- in premature and
chronically ill infants. It is the leading cause of bronchiolitis, which is an
inflammation of the small airways in the lung, as well as pneumonia in children
under 1 year of age in the United States, and it is associated with increased
risk of developing asthma.
What excited researchers is that this work may help
explain why pet ownership has been associated with protection against childhood
asthma in the past. Their thought process is as follows: exposure to animals
early in life helps "train" the immune system, which plays an
integral part in asthma development. In short, there is reason to believe that
germs, such as those associated with dogs, may be good for children's health
under certain circumstances.
"Everybody appreciates the fact that we're all
missing something big in asthma," says Dr. Robert Mellins, a pediatric
pulmonologist at Columbia University in New York. "People have appreciated
that viral infections clearly have an association, and this kind of experiment
is interesting because it suggests a mechanism of how that could come about."
The study is far from the first to suggest the
health benefits of having a canine in the family. The following are six other
ways that owning a dog may improve your health and well-being.
Dogs and Cardiovascular Health
Could owning a dog keep your heart healthy? Research
has supported a connection between owning a dog and reduced risk of
cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol
levels. In addition, a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology
found that male dog owners were less likely to die within one year after a
heart attack than those who did not own a dog.
Dogs and Anxiety
For people with all forms of anxiety, having a dog
may be an important coping mechanism. This is especially true in times of
crisis. A study out of the Medical College of Virginia found that for
hospitalized patients with mental health issues, therapy with animals
significantly reduced anxiety levels more than conventional recreational
therapy sessions.
Dogs and Loneliness
Dogs function as important companions and family
members, but certain groups may benefit more than others. The elderly,
particularly those in residential care facilities, often become socially
isolated once separated from immediate family. Researchers in Australia have
found that dogs improved the well-being of residents by promoting their
capacity to build relationships.
Dogs and Rehabilitation
In the setting of a severe illness or prolonged
hospitalization, therapy dogs can be integral in the process of rehabilitation.
A review of the literature looking at the function of service dogs proved that
dogs can assist people with various disabilities in performing everyday
activities, thereby significantly reducing their dependence on others.
Dogs and Activity
Before a dog is introduced into the home, the most
commonly asked question is, "Who is going to walk the dog?" Turns out
this responsibility may be important for the health of the family as well as
the dog. Studies from the American Journal of Public Health and the American
Journal of Preventive Medicine have shown that children with dogs spend more
time doing moderate to vigorous activity than those without dogs, and adults
with dogs walk on average almost twice as much as adults without dogs.
Dogs and Doctors
With all of these specific health benefits, could
dogs keep you away from the doctor altogether? A national survey out of
Australia found that dog and cat owners made fewer annual doctor visits and
generally had significantly lower use of general practitioner services.
Adapted from: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/dogs-cut-common-cold-risk-ways-dogs-health/story?id=16604565#.T-D2sMWIga8
SPORTS NEWS
The Ohio State Buckeyes ended the season with a big win against Michigan, our long-time hated rival. The game was a bit sloppy at times for both teams but, fortunately for the Buckeyes, our defense got better as the game went on. We finished the season at 12-0, with Notre Dame being the only other undefeated team. This was a very good year for our new coach as he got the chance to see what it's like to coach in the Big 10. With all of our skill players returning next year, this will be hopefully a precursor to another great season next year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers went to Cleveland with our 3rd-string QB leading the team...and promptly lost to a 2-8 team. This loss pretty well makes it unlikely that we'll make the playoffs. Helpful Buckeye felt so sure this would be a bad game that I went for a 35-mile bike ride instead of watching it. I definitely got more out of the bike ride!
PERSONAL STUFF
Desperado and Helpful Buckeye took a 5-mile hike on Thanksgiving morning...her first hike of any length in more than a year. It was a great hike for her to get back in the swing of enjoying the outdoors again. For the first time in almost 2 years, Desperado had no pain or discomfort either during or after the hike. For that, we were very thankful! Onward to many more of these....
Helpful Buckeye finished the Tour de Tucson 60-mile bike race in good shape. My goals of coming in under 4 hours and finishing in the upper half of my age group were met. Even with the numerous serious wrecks I saw, the bike race was the most exciting athletic experience I've ever had and I'm already considering doing it again next year. Desperado and I really enjoyed the 4-day weekend down in Tucson...everything about it was superb!
Hallelujah!!! The Dunkin' Donuts finally opened here in Flagstaff...all this physical activity calls for an infusion of carbs, right?
~~The goal of this blog is to
provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to
have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to
replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing
veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a
veterinarian.~~
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