A new study suggests that as many as 2.7 million non-citizens could vote in the 2024 election, leading some to voice concerns about coming election results potentially not reflecting the will of Americans citizens, who are the only ones permitted to vote in federal elections. Just Facts, a nonprofit research institute, “found that about 10% to 27% of non-citizen adults in the U.S. are now illegally registered to vote,” an overview of the study states. “The U.S. Census recorded more than 19 million adult non-citizens living in the U.S. during 2022,” it says. “Given their voter registration rates, this means that about two million to five million of them are illegally registered to vote. These figures are potentially high enough to overturn the will of the American people in major elections, including congressional seats and the presidency.” A 2014 study found that 81% of non-citizens who cast votes in 2008 did so for Democrats. Election fraud more broadly has become a concern since the U.S. election system was upended in 2020. In that election, an unprecedented 70% of all votes cast were done by mail or early. Without basic exit polling for a vast majority of the vote, some have questioned how potential fraud could be detected in the first place, and subsequently looked into. Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here! James Agresti, the author of the Just Facts study, told The Washington Stand that it is relatively easy for non-citizens to register to vote. “In no state in the nation are they required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote,” Agresti said. “And if you look at the federal voter registration form, it says you can submit all different forms of ID to register. That could be a Social Security number, it could be a driver’s license number, or it could just be a utility bill. I mean, these are things that anyone can get by living here. They do not prove you’re a U.S. citizen.” “And more than that, a lot of non-citizens have faked Social Security numbers, especially illegal immigrants,” he added. “That’s what they do to work.” Agresti noted a recent estimate by the Social Security Administration that “tallied 2.5 million non-citizens who had Social Security numbers gained by using fake birth certificates or stealing those numbers from somebody else,” he said. The Heritage Foundation’s Election Law Reform Initiative manager Hans von Spakovsky cited the Just Facts study testifying before Congress on May 16. “This new study not only affirms the conclusions of the 2014 report, but, based on an analysis of the more recent data, estimates that 10 to 27% of all aliens currently in the U.S. are registered to vote and that 5 to 13% of them will illegally vote in the 2024 presidential and congressional elections,” he said. Kerri Toloczko, the executive director of the Election Integrity Network, suggested that the percentage of non-citizens voting today is likely even higher than the last time the rate was calculated. “A 2014 academic journal found that 6.4% of noncitizens voted in 2008,” Toloczko said. “There are about 24 million non-citizens in the U.S. right now. If they voted only at the same rate of 6.4% this year as they did in 2008, they would account for 1.5 million votes.” “Based on the increased noncitizen activity at state DMVs, and the work of left-wing voter registration activists, this 6.4% could be much higher than it was in 2008,” she added. “We could be looking at over two million unlawful noncitizen votes.” The estimates cited in the 2014 paper and the Just Facts study have been criticized by a Washington Post fact-checker and think tanks like the Cato Institute. The latter, for example, cites criticism that suggests the number of non-citizens voting in U.S. elections is “zero.” “Zero, of course, functions here as a rounding number and not as an assertion that literally no noncitizens voted in 2008. It signifies simply that alternative rounding numbers, such as 5 or 3 or 1 percent, would likely be less accurate,” the Cato article says. Illegal immigration has become a dominating issue in the 2024 presidential election. Former President Donald Trump has promised to close the porous border and deport illegals. The former president has criticized the Biden-Harris administration for permitting potentially dangerous foreigners to enter the U.S. completely unvetted, leaving Americans vulnerable. He’s also argued that the steady flow of millions of illegals is hurting the American worker. His Democrat opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, has long been soft on illegal immigration, previously stating that it should not be a crime to enter the U.S. illegally. She’s also advocated perks for illegals, such as sex-change operations for illegal inmates. Since she became the Democrats’ nominee, however, Harris staffers have claimed Harris is for strong border security. Her campaign has even used images of Trump’s border wall in a campaign video suggesting the Veep is tough at the border. Related: Speaker Presses On With Funding Stopgap Linked To Non-Citizen Voting Crackdown

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was slammed online this week for promoting Hezbollah propaganda in response to Israel’s operation blowing up pagers and walkie talkies that the terrorist group used that were compromised with explosives. The detonations — which came in two waves, one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday — wounded thousands of Hezbollah terrorists, including hundreds who were critically injured, and killed dozens. “Israel’s pager attack in Lebanon detonated thousands of handheld devices across of a slew of public spaces, seriously injuring and killing innocent civilians,” AOC claimed in a post on X. “This attack clearly and unequivocally violates international humanitarian law and undermines US efforts to prevent a wider conflict.” “Congress needs a full accounting of the attack, including an answer from the State Department as to whether any US assistance went into the development or deployment of this technology,” she added. Joe Truzman, senior research analyst at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), said that Hezbollah was promoting propaganda that effectively said the same thing as AOC’s message. “An observation: In a poor attempt to deflect Hezbollah’s failure, I’m seeing Hezbollah propaganda and their ilk attempting to frame the attack as an Israeli op against Lebanese civilians,” he wrote on X. “Let’s be clear: The operation was against Hezbollah and it was an impressive feat.” Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here! An observation: In a poor attempt to deflect Hezbollah’s failure, I’m seeing Hezbollah propaganda and their ilk attempting to frame the attack as an Israeli op against Lebanese civilians. Let’s be clear: The operation was against Hezbollah and it was an impressive feat. — Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) September 17, 2024 Numerous notable figures called out Ocasio-Cortez directly, including NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo. “Why don’t you mention the pagers were on members of a terrorist organization that is committed to destroying Israel?” Cuomo asked. “Would you have been defending al Qaeda when America was lighting them up in Iraq?” The Republican Jewish Coalition posted on X: “This is the same @AOC who cried as funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system – which protects countless civilians from indiscriminate terrorist rockets – passed the House. A total disgrace.” Other notable responses included: Retaliating against terrorists is not against the law. Save this energy for the hostages, especially the infant babies still being held by Hamas. Because I’m sure that is actually the war crimes. https://t.co/KZ8sRyYgxP — Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) September 18, 2024 Israel literally launches the most ingenious attack in history to deal with a genocidal terrorist group with least amount of civilian collateral damage. Instead of getting praised, they get screamed at. People who know better don’t even mention they’re taking out terrorists. https://t.co/CyAFrONWId — Brianna Wu (@BriannaWu) September 19, 2024 So you criticize Israel when they bomb terrorists in Gaza hiding behind civilians. And you criticize Israel when they eliminate terrorists in the most exquisite, discreet anti terror operation in history — which eliminated only terrorists using Hizbollah pagers. Tell us how… https://t.co/VUUeMBazF1 — Marc Thiessen ??❤️?????? (@marcthiessen) September 18, 2024 This is complete nonsense and proves unequivocally that AOC and her ilk will attack Israel regardless how it conducts itself so their voices are irrelevant to the discussion in Gaza, Lebanon, or elsewhere. The pagers were exclusively purchased and in the hands of Hezbollah. It… https://t.co/il10rd2V8x — AG (@AGHamilton29) September 18, 2024 So very sorry what happened to all your terrorist friends, who are at war against Israel. — Joe Lonsdale (@JTLonsdale) September 18, 2024 I get that Rashida had a close call and youre feeling a little shaken. Thank goodness she left her pager at home. — Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.today (@JordanSchachtel) September 18, 2024 It’s the most targeted anti-terror strike in human history. But sure, go on with your pro-Hezbollah propaganda efforts. After all, some of your friends had a rough day. https://t.co/sN8VlH8mii — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 18, 2024 Israel and only Israel is held to an impossible standard of not a single civilian casualty allowed when attacking a murderous terrorist group that has fired 8000 rockets at it and killed dozens of Israeli civilians. This was as targeted a strike as you can get done in a way to… https://t.co/6W8XmTDRv5 — William A. Jacobson (@wajacobson) September 19, 2024 Couple of nervous days in her office I imagine. https://t.co/EkXGRIoCQU — Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 18, 2024

The Secret Service said it was 'aware of the social media post made by Musk'

Moskowitz demanded to know when the impeachment vote would occur

Yes ... a Michael Jackson dance

A woman is going through several negative life experiences when she is confronted by an unknown 'energy' or entity that continues to manifest to help her heal.The following account was forwarded to me by a reader:"This happened several years ago. I was in a terrible state of mind because I had just left a relationship that had basically brainwashed me into not knowing who I was at all. I moved back to my parent's house and could barely socialize. I spent all my time meditating because I didn’t know what else to do, I just wanted to get better. A bunch of crazy things happened during this time and I went through a huge transformation, but I’ll just explain the alien bit.I was laying in bed, during daylight hours, basically “praying.” I remember mentally calling out to any beings who wanted to genuinely help me to come to my aid. Suddenly my face became the face of what looked like an alien. To me, it seemed like a fairy-like being. It had the traditional face shape of an alien with super big eyes, not much of a nose but it wasn’t ugly at all. It was pulsing with swirling pink energy, and it felt extraordinarily beautiful, magical, and loving. It was like I became this being, or rather this being became me/took over my consciousness yet we were still in a sense separate. Then, very clearly I heard a high-pitched slightly feminine voice speak in my head. It said, “Now we are going to heal you, with bubbles!” Then suddenly thousands or millions of the same being that was inhabiting my face coursed through my body, like tiny versions of this being were pulsing through me, still with swirling pink light. It was like they were of a collective consciousness all together, but there was one main being who spoke first and who was leading them (I think).As they coursed through me, I physically felt small bubbles in my body being popped, as if there were bubbles of energy that were being released over and over again. It felt amazing. After a little while the beings left me. It felt as if they rose out of me and kind of got suctioned away.At this point, I was super sad, almost heartbroken that they had left. So I begged them to come back. And they did! The alien/fairy became my face again and once again I felt this amazing source of love and magic. Then they left for good.Since then I still experience the same sort of energy bubbles in my body popping - usually when I meditate or do reiki on myself, but nothing to the extent of that experience.I never really considered these beings to be related to the grays or as an alien encounter until now. At the time it felt like they were coming from a different dimension, and they felt completely loving and wonderful.Has anyone else had any positive experiences or anything like this happen to them?" GVNOTE: I'd like to know your thoughts on this experience. Is it possible to 'summon' healing energy or entities capable of healing? Were these entities alien or another type of metaphysical manifestation? LMK. Lon**********PHANTOMS & MONSTERS VIDEO LIBRARYPOLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK? Vote & comment on paranormal, cryptid & unexplained mysteries!VAMPIRES! BEYOND THE LEGENDS - PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS! | LIVE CHAT | Q & A (REAL EXPERIENCER REPORTS)LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS & MONSTERS REPORTS & CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHAREPHANTOMS & MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on SpotifyPHANTOMS & MONSTERS READING LISTCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSBigfoot and Other Cryptid Videos on YouTubeLYCANS! - PENNSYLVANIA'S CRYPTID CANINES UPDATE'KILLER BIGFOOT' HUNTED BY U.S. SPECIAL FORCES / GLIMMER MAN / MANTIS HUMANOIDSCRAWLER HUMANOIDS - GRUESOME INVADERS! (REAL EYEWITNESS ENCOUNTERS!)WEREWOLVES: DO THEY EXIST?'DOGMAN IN OUR YARD!' - AN OHIO FAMILY'S 12-YEAR SAGA WITH CRYPTID CANINESHey, folks. Thanks for the congrats on 'The Mothman Revisited' episode on Unsolved Mysteries. As a result, we are receiving more sighting reports and are very excited and grateful for the new information!I sincerely thank the Unsolved Mysteries team and Netflix for allowing us to tell the world about this phenomenon.If you have information about this or any other cryptid or unexplained sighting or encounter, please feel free to contact me by email or at 410-241-5974. Thanks again! LonCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistChicago / Lake Michigan Winged Humanoid Regional Interactive MapHey, folks. Please feel free to share your thoughts & comments on the recently uploaded video of the CHICAGO MOTHMAN. I'm interested in what you have to say. Thanks. LonEXCLUSIVE VIDEO of CHICAGO MOTHMAN RECORDED----------Become a Phantoms & Monsters Radio member - just $2.99 monthly, and receive these perks. Thanks for your support!-Members-only live chats-Exclusive members-only videos-Priority reply to members' commentsHave perks suggestions? LMK-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS

The post How Can I Talk With a Vet if I am on a Trip With My Pet? 5 Vet Reviewed Tips to Be Prepared by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Ways to Talk to a Vet While on a Trip Preparing Your Pet for a Trip It’s almost a cliché. You’re traveling and, seemingly out of nowhere, your pet gets sick or injured. It seems like the farther away and remote, the more inevitable its occurrence. We don’t like to think about these things happening. However, it’s always better to be prepared. Sadly, minutes can make the difference between a poor and positive prognosis, and knowing you’re ready for anything will also give you peace of mind. Veterinarians appreciate your efforts to seek help or advice quickly. Any delays in treatment can slow or complicate recovery. Of course, not everything is an emergency. A vet can reassure you when dealing with any unknowns, and they have the experience to make an accurate assessment. But what’s the best way to get in contact with a vet if you’re on a trip? Our guide covers ways you can get good information without having to rely on Google. The 5 Ways to Talk to a Vet While on a Trip 1. Your Vet’s Online Platform One of the positive outcomes of COVID-19 was the pivot toward online offerings, whether takeout, grocery delivery, or vet advice. People realized the convenience, and businesses figured out they could save money on several fronts. It’s a win-win for pet owners if your vet offers these services, so we suggest asking about the options your clinic offers before leaving town. Image Credit: imtmphoto, Shutterstock 2. Your Pet Insurance Chat An online chat platform with a vet is a popular perk with many pet insurance companies. Many offer this service 365 days a year, 24/7. We think it’s an excellent selling point if you are comparison shopping. To be prepared, you should check any limitations on this service before leaving town. Remember that online chats aren’t always an alternative to a hands-on office exam, though. 3. PangoVet PangoVet is a new online veterinary consultation service where you can speak to a licensed vet about your pet’s issues. The site charges a nominal fee for a 20-minute video call. You don’t have to worry about getting your kitty into a carrier and driving them to the clinic. Instead, you can get your questions answered in the privacy of your home. PangoVet isn’t a substitute for regular exams or emergencies. However, you can get accurate veterinary information and advice when you need it. They’ll provide detailed instructions for follow-up care. Appointment slots aren’t yet 24/7 since it’s a newer service. However, it’s the re-imagined face of veterinary care that minimizes stress for you and your pet. Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch! If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price! Click to Speak With a Vet 4. The Local Emergency Veterinary Clinic We suggest determining the location and contact info of the nearest emergency vet clinic before leaving town. Check out the business’s website for any pertinent info. You can also visit the Veterinary Emergency Group website if you must locate a location quickly. You can find a clinic close to where you’re staying for the quickest service. 5. Animal Poison Control You never know when your cat is going to get into something they shouldn’t, as some felines are just as curious as dogs are when it comes to putting things in their mouth. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s best to call Animal Poison Control to get professional advice. Prompt action is critical in many cases. Remember that many pets are like kids in that they don’t know any better. You must keep your animal companion out of harm’s way. If something happens, you must know what to do, starting with contacting professional help. It’s worth noting that the call isn’t free, although some pet insurers will cover these costs. Image Credit: SvetikovaV, Shutterstock Preparing Your Pet for a Trip A veterinarian can only offer the best and most appropriate advice for the information you provide. Make it easy for anyone unfamiliar with your pet by having their complete medical history with you. That includes details about any recent tests or medications. While the results may not mean too much to you, a professional can glean much from them. You should also ensure your pet is updated on any vaccinations or tests before traveling. Stress can make them more vulnerable to preventable illnesses. We also recommend getting your cat up to date on their vaccinations, as well as getting a microchip put in if you haven’t already. We also suggest having your vet’s contact information available in case something happens while you’re traveling. It’ll make it easier to relay to them what happened so that they can follow up seamlessly with any necessary aftercare. Conclusion We strongly urge you to contact a vet if something happens, whether an illness or injury, while traveling. Getting accurate information from a professional is better than relying on unverified intel from a website or blogger in a last-minute, hurried search. Luckily, it’s easy to be prepared, whether knowing contact information or installing an app to connect you with the right people. It’s not overkill to know what to do in an emergency. Emotions often run high when a pet is involved. Do yourself a favor and add this task to your trip prep to-do list. Know who to contact if something goes wrong, as it’ll save you time and unnecessary stress if you have the information at your fingertips. Sources https://veterinaryemergencygroup.com/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4801869/ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control https://pangovet.com/   Featured Image Credit: Iryna ImagoS, Shutterstock The post How Can I Talk With a Vet if I am on a Trip With My Pet? 5 Vet Reviewed Tips to Be Prepared by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Why Do Cats Open Their Mouth When They Smell? Reasons Explained (Vet Answer) by Dr. Joe Mallat DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Cat Communication and Pheromones What Is the Flehmen Response in Cats? What Does the Flehmen Response Look Like? Causes Do I Need to Be Worried About the Flehmen Response? Have you ever noticed your cat pull a face as if they’ve just smelt the most disgusting thing ever? Eyes closed, mouth wide open, lip curled in, neck extended—it’s an expression that certainly resembles repulsion. This is actually a natural reflex known as the Flehmen response (sometimes referred to as the Flehmen grimace or reaction too). And, interestingly, it has nothing to do with detecting a foul smell. Rather, it is a technique that cats (and some other species) have evolved in order to process certain pheromones. So, what is it, and why do cats do it? First, we need to understand the aforementioned pheromones. Cat Communication and the Role of Pheromones Pheromones are messenger molecules that cats use to communicate with each other. They are chemical substances that are secreted outside of the body in fluids like urine and sweat. Essentially, pheromones are a hidden form of communication. Certain species use them as signals from one individual to another. Examples of ways that cats use pheromones include: Rubbing their cheeks onto things Urinating on objects and surfaces to “mark their territory” Emptying the contents of their anal glands when they are stressed or fearful (these are two scent glands on either side of the anus) Butting their head against someone, which identifies him or her as “safe” Image Credit: Maria Wan, Shutterstock What Is the Flehmen Response in Cats? The Flehmen response is a normal behavioral response that cats “perform” when they detect certain pheromones. In day-to-day life, cats are constantly responding to stimuli; these stimuli can be odors, pheromones, sounds, tastes, and more. By using the Flehmen response, cats are able to process smells and pheromones, and then access the information it might be telling them. The point of the Flehmen response is to bring the air holding the scent or odor over something called the vomeronasal organ (also referred to as the Jacobson’s organ). When cats perform the Flehmen response, two small ducts behind the incisor teeth of the top jaw open up. The opening of these ducts allows the scent or pheromone to travel to the vomeronasal organ. This organ is a small little bump on the roof of the mouth that processes pheromones and hormones—not just those of other cats, but also potential predator and prey species. It perceives the scent as something more than just a scent, but less than a vibration. From here, the signals travel to the smell center of the brain, and then to the hypothalamus. This is a very important and busy part of the brain that can influence reproductive hormones and behavior. We’ve broken the pathway down into several steps, but in real time the whole process occurs in seconds, or less. Your cat can then decide what to do with the acquired information. They might run or they might do nothing; they might urinate or sleep; or they might go looking for a potential mating partner. What Does the Flehmen Response Look Like? If you haven’t caught your cat actually carrying out a Flehmen response, you’re probably wondering what this remarkable and curious face-pulling actually looks like. Your cat will assume a facial expression as if they have smelt something very unpleasant. They usually hold their mouths wide open and curl their upper lip. This exposes the upper front teeth, known as the incisors. While they do all of this, cats are breathing in to transmit the scent to that vomeronasal organ in their mouth. In some instances, cats will stretch their neck out or hold their head at a funny angle to optimize the processing of the scents and odors. Your cat will only hold this pose for a minute or less, before resuming their normal expression and activities. If the messages aren’t super clear, they may perform the Flehmen response a second or third time. Image Credit: I Wei Huang, Shutterstock What Causes the Flehmen Response in Cats? It would seem logical that the Flehmen response is an involuntary or instinctive action, but cats actually have to decide to do it. The Flehmen response is a voluntary action taken by cats when they are exposed to an interesting odor or pheromone of another animal (typically another cat). The Flehmen response is commonly used by male cats smelling female cats’ urine to assess if she is ready to mate. However, it can be used by any cat when they come across a scent that they deem worthy of further investigation. Do I Need to Be Worried About the Flehmen Response? No—the Flehmen response is perfectly normal cat behavior. Despite its strange appearance, there is nothing to worry about, and your cat is not in any discomfort or pain. Your cat will normally be perfectly calm. The Flehmen response should be distinguished from cats that are breathing with their mouth open for a prolonged period of time. These cats will normally be in distress and have labored or rapid breathing. Open-mouth breathing certainly is concerning and warrants a visit to the veterinarian. Image Credit: FloriCos, Shutterstock Conclusion Many other animals exhibit the Flehmen response, including horses, giraffes, lions, tigers, and more. Some people may have a vomeronasal organ, but they are not functional in people; in other words, they are a remnant of evolution that we do not use. We hope this article has helped you understand this unique behavior from your feline! Sources https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/cat-sneering-what-flehmen-response https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-cats-sniff-butts https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1167581/ Featured Image Credit: Bea Llonador, Shutterstock The post Why Do Cats Open Their Mouth When They Smell? Reasons Explained (Vet Answer) by Dr. Joe Mallat DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Why Is My Cat’s Primordial Pouch So Big? Normal vs Abnormally Large (Vet Verified) by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Purposes of the Primordial Pouch Pouch or Fat? Treating Obesity Maybe you first noticed it when you watched your cat dart around the room. You saw a seemingly large flap of skin near their hind end sway back and forth. You immediately panic, thinking your kitty is dangerously obese. What else could explain it? Rest assured; the chances are your pet isn’t abnormal. Instead, it’s a normal body feature that is widespread among feline species, both domestic and wild. The primordial pouch may look strange because it’s not present in dogs. Besides, we associate a healthy weight with a sleek form. The primordial pouch goes against the norm. After all, you probably want to avoid excess abdominal fat yourself, let alone see it in your pet. Despite being normal, when is a big primordial pouch too big? The Probable Purposes of the Primordial Pouch Our cats are more in touch with their wild side than dogs. They even look like their ancestor, the African wild cat (Felis silvestris lybica). Understanding the purpose of the primordial pouch involves considering how it may have benefited wild felines. Three probable theories exist. One possible explanation is food storage. Felines aren’t as successful at hunting as you may think. Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) are the best felines at 60%. With speed on their side, Cheetahs bring home food in 58% of their attempts. Your kitty comes in at a measly 32%. It makes evolutionary sense to be able to store food if you do manage to catch something since it might be a while. Another hypothesis is that the primordial pouch helps cats run faster with greater flexibility to chase prey. Some domestic cats are mousers with no pressure to change their ways. That can explain why it still exists in modern-day felines. They are built for speed, with the Guinness World Record at roughly 30 miles per hour for an Egyptian Mau. Being fast comes in handy for pets that still hunt mice and other prey. Finally, another theory provides a simpler explanation. Extra padding is, well, extra padding to protect the animal’s internal organs. Felines have many ways to avoid costly conflicts with olfactory, auditory, and visual communication. Having a primordial pouch can be part of their last-resort adaptations for survival. Its site doesn’t impede the cat’s movement, making it a reasonable compromise. Note that the primordial pouch is more noticeable in some breeds, such as the Pixiebob. The official breed standard even references it. Many others don’t even mention it unless it’s integral to the animal’s conformation. Image Credit: COULANGES, Shutterstock Pouch or Fat? We must revisit this part of the question since there seems to be a limit to the structure’s usefulness. A cat’s pouch typically starts developing around 6 months, which is about the time the animal reaches sexual maturity. That supports a survival function for the primordial pouch in case of conflict. But when is a primordial pouch considered fat? Your pet’s body condition can provide the answer. Your cat’s body should have a well-defined waist when viewed from overhead, and the pouch only flaps because the skin is loose. On the other hand, fat feels solid and covers the entire body. It isn’t confined to the rear of the animal, giving them a rounder shape overall. Because of this excess layer, you may find it hard to palpate your cat’s ribs. Their pouch will also feel more firm or squishy as opposed to loose and floppy. You are free to use this image but we do require you to link back to Catster.com for credit Treating Obesity Being overweight or obese carries serious health risks for cats and people. The problems are similar, which isn’t surprising considering we share 90% of our DNA with our feline companions. They include heightened chances of developing diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Of course, prevention is the best solution. However, if your kitty is overweight, you must take action to improve the animal’s health and quality of life. Drastic dietary changes aren’t the answer. Crash diets don’t work any better on our pets than us. Lifestyle changes that gradually decrease caloric intake are the best way to manage this condition. You must monitor your cat’s intake, taking free-feeding off the table. Exercise can also help. Weight loss diets can help your kitty feel sated even though they’re consuming fewer calories. Felines are obligate carnivores, which gives you an edge with high-protein foods that satisfy these dietary needs. We also recommend limiting treats to no more than 10% of your pet’s caloric intake. Like their food, count or measure how much your cat gets. A 10-pound feline only needs 200 calories daily. You can also use treats as training aids to encourage desirable behavior. It’s all about timing and creating positive associations. We also recommend using treats interactively. Place them under toys or behind objects to make them look for their rewards. It will provide valuable mental stimulation and enrichment. It replicates how they would find food in the wild, where little comes for free. Every pet is unique in their nutritional needs, so we recommend reaching out to your vet for advice. Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch! If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price! Click to Speak With a Vet Final Thoughts Your cat’s primordial pouch is a holdover from the past where it may have served several vital purposes. It exists with all felines to varying degrees, even the king of the jungle. We’d be hard-pressed to call a lion overweight, so it must have some survival value. It only becomes a red flag when it’s not floppy but solid and non-moving. That may signal weight gain, which you should manage promptly. Sources https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Felis_silvestris/ https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1410083111 https://www.livescience.com/cats-primordial-pouch.html https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/hunting-success-rates-how-predators-compare https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/411760-fastest-breed-of-domestic-cat https://www.tica.org/phocadownload/pb.pdf https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Felis_catus/ https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Body-Condition-Score-cat-updated-August-2020.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2045150/ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/liver-disease-fatty-liver-syndrome-in-cats https://www.livescience.com/53466-carnivore.html https://www.petobesityprevention.org/pet-caloric-needs   Featured Image Credit: Phrakrit Juntawong, Shutterstock The post Why Is My Cat’s Primordial Pouch So Big? Normal vs Abnormally Large (Vet Verified) by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Catster. 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It’s genuinely amazing how quickly one’s whole life can change.Seven years ago, I was in my 14th year as chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. I’d worked with many dedicated colleagues to build a strong and respected program. My prior three annual evaluations featured perfect marks, and I’d been blessed with many warm accolades from my students and fellow physicians. That fall, I spoke at an event sponsored by The Heritage Foundation focusing on a straightforward and timely question: How best to treat children diagnosed with gender dysphoria (i.e., boys who wonder whether they’re girls, and girls who wonder whether they’re boys).As a medical professional who cares about my patients, my answer was simple, obvious, and innocuous. We must start by finding out the cause of the child’s “transgender” confusion and resolving any emotional problems before considering more invasive, risky treatments.It seemed a reasonable enough response. According to the scientific method, every study begins with questions. One of the first is: “Why?” If a patient complains of chest pain, a heart doctor tries to determine what’s causing the pain, exploring several possibilities before confirming a diagnosis and commencing treatment. Dr. Allan M. Josephson (Photo courtesy of Alliance Defending Freedom) That is, and always has been, Medicine 101.But in the days following my remarks, no one asked whether my suggestion made sense or about my experience and observations in dealing with children who suffer dysphoria. Instead, people leapt to conclusions about my stance on transgender issues.Quickly, red flags went up on campus. Officials at the LGBT Center initiated a campaign to have me punished. Some colleagues became upset. People suddenly noticed that I had served as an expert witness in cases where school officials were opening showers, restrooms, and locker rooms to students based on their professed gender identity, rather than their biological sex. Professionally speaking, I had strong reservations about such transgender policies and said so. More red flags: Some faculty demanded that I apologize for my views on transgender issues—but they didn’t say to whom. Others remained silent, knowing which way the cultural winds were blowing. I was stunned to realize I was actually being punished for doing what I was paid to do; namely, think and speak.But unfortunately, many professors have found themselves in similar predicaments over the years. The University of Illinois fired Kenneth Howell for sharing the Catholic Church’s teachings on same-sex marriage—in a class on Catholicism. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington denied Mike Adams a promotion for writing conservative political columns on his own time. Shawnee State University punished Nicholas Meriwether for not referring to a male student as a woman, with feminine titles and pronouns.Tolerance—a word these universities frequently profess—must, by definition, be a two-way street. But in modern academia, those who won’t conform to left-wing politics are mostly being run off the road. Just weeks after I spoke at The Heritage Foundation, I was demoted from my role as division chief. After that, I was ostracized, stripped of my teaching duties, and subjected to other forms of hostility. And about a year later, the university refused to renew my contract—in effect, firing me. That was after 14 successful years rebuilding and leading the division, three years with perfect reviews, no disruptions in the division’s work, and no problems recruiting new faculty.I wasn’t fired for poor management, teaching, or unprofessional conduct. The university ended my career because I elected not to surf the current wave of social activism, because I expressed views—supported by scientific literature and clinical experience—that the university found politically incorrect, and because, in my case, activism trumped academic thought, the search for the truth, and the well-being of patients.Worse still, by what it did to me, our university communicated to students and faculty things that should be unthinkable in higher education: “Don’t ask questions or listen to anyone with a different point of view.” Those are about the worst possible lessons we can impress upon those who will one day lead our communities or care for vulnerable patients.The good news is a growing number of courts and experts are recognizing the truth of what I said seven years ago. Recent studies in the United Kingdom have raised serious questions about how doctors and psychologists are treating children with gender dysphoria, and American courts have affirmed the school privacy policies I defended, in the face of transgender activism. Happily, the courts are also recognizing how unjustly I was treated. Last year, in a case I filed against University of Louisville officials through my attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom over the violation of my constitutional rights and seeking reinstatement of my position with back pay, a federal district court ruled a jury should hear my claims. And on Sept. 10, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit agreed. The court wrote: “Josephson has shown that he engaged in protected speech when he spoke as part of the Heritage Foundation panel. Defendants should have known that Josephson’s speech was protected and that retaliating against Josephson for his speech would violate his First Amendment rights.”The 6th Circuit recognized what the University of Louisville does not; namely, that under our Constitution, all of us—professors or not—should be free to speak our professional and personal views without fear of punishment or retaliation.We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post What a Federal Appeals Court Gets—but the University of Louisville Doesn’t—on Transgender Issues appeared first on The Daily Signal.