Click to Skip Ahead When It Happens Why Occurs Where It Appears Greying in Cats vs. Dogs One of the most harrowing moments in any young person’s life is when they realize that their hair is starting to turn grey. It is a universal sign of aging in the human race. Some people embrace it as a natural part of life‚ while others try to hide the evidence in a bid to delay the inevitable march towards advanced age. But what about cats? Do cats go grey as they age? Cats usually manage to look great thanks to their fastidious grooming routines‚ so are they able to beat aging? Not exactly. Cats do turn grey as they age‚ eventually. But it is not the same as the way your hair goes grey. Do Cats Go Grey With Old Age? Yes. Cats will go grey as they age. That makes cats similar to dogs and humans. Despite the similarities‚ cats do grey differently than other animals. Cats go grey more slowly and more subtly than other animals that lose pigmentation from their hair‚ coats‚ fur‚ or skin. It can be difficult to tell how old a cat is just by looking at it because they do not go grey as much as other animals. People are used to using grey hair to gauge the age of each other and their dogs‚ but they will struggle to replicate that behavior with their cats. Image Credit: Zhuravlev Andrey‚ Shutterstock When Do Cats Go Grey? Cats only go grey extremely late in life. Unlike dogs and humans‚ cats rarely turn grey prematurely. Of course‚ there are always exceptions. However‚ most cats will not start showing signs of greying until they are over 15 years old. Some cats don’t start greying until they are approaching 20 years old. That puts the window for turning grey firmly at the end of a cat’s typical lifespan. By comparison‚ dogs and humans can start greying around the halfway point of their lifespan. Why Do Cats Go Grey? Cats turn grey for the same reason that people do; they start losing pigmentation from their fur. As animals age‚ the number of cells responsible for pigmentation of their hair‚ known as melanocytes‚ start to decline‚ and hair still grows but without pigment. Image Credit: fotopravljicazivljenja‚ Shutterstock Where Do Cats Go Grey? Cats typically go grey around their faces first.  Cats will not usually turn grey all over their body. A white cat will not turn into a grey cat‚ and neither will a tabby cat. You can see the greying start to show up around the paws‚ feet‚ whiskers‚ and eyes of an older cat. Sometimes‚ you can see some greying appear in the tail as well. Grey fur will rarely appear on the body of the cat. Greying in Cats vs. Dogs Both cats and dogs grey‚ but cats grey much slower than dogs. Some dogs can start going grey long before they reach geriatric status. Dogs will show grey fur on their face and on their muzzles first. By comparison‚ cats grey much later than dogs‚ and they also grey in much more subtle ways. Often‚ it is hard to tell how old a cat is at first glance because a gray coat doesn’t give it away.  However‚ there are a number of signs that cats are aging‚ such as reduction in muscle mass‚ a graying of the lenses (a normal finding in older cats called nuclear sclerosis) and an increase in time spent sleeping. Image Credit: Alex Zotov‚ Shutterstock Why Cats Grey Slower Than Dogs (And Humans) The leading theory as to why cats go grey slower and later than both dogs and humans has to do with the number of melanocytes in their hair follicles. According to the BBC‚ melanocytes are “cells in the hair follicles responsible for the production of the pigment melanin‚” which gives an animal’s coat its color.  It is suggested that cats are born with more melanocytes than dogs or people‚ or that these cells degrade at a slower rate in cats. That means we run out of the cells that are responsible for our hair color much sooner than cats do. If your melanocytes do not run out‚ you will retain your hair color for much longer. The exact mechanism that causes cats to grey much more slowly than other animals is still under consideration and up for debate. It is not entirely understood why cats manage to retain their color longer than dogs and humans‚ but they do. Conclusion Cats do go grey with old age‚ but they don’t start turning grey until they are very‚ very old. Some cats won’t start showing grey until they are nearly 20 years old. Cats also turn grey more subtly than other animals‚ making it hard to tell if they are actually going grey at all. This can make it difficult to tell a cat’s age simply by looking at their coat‚ but if you look closely at older cats‚ you can see signs of grey fur starting to come through. Sources BBC Science Focus https://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-cat-not-show-her-age https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/why-do-dogs-go-grey-but-cats-dont Featured Image Credit: Alex Zotov‚ Shutterstock The post Do Cats Go Grey With Old Age? Vet-Verified Facts &; FAQs appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead Tabby Cats &; Meowing Reasons Your Cat Meow Tabby cats are the most common type of domestic cat in the United States‚ and if you’re wondering why your tabby cat is meowing so much‚ you’re not alone. Some cats are simply more vocal than others‚ and often‚ tabby cats like to make a ton of noise. But why exactly is your tabby cat meowing so much‚ and are tabby cats more vocal than other cats? The general answer is that it will depend on your cat’s personality. Learn more details below. Do Tabby Cats Meow More Than Other Cats? Tabby cats are a very popular type of cat in the United States‚ but it’s important to note that a “tabby” cat is a coat type‚ not a breed. Because a coat doesn’t determine how much a cat meows‚ a tabby cat will meow about the same amount as other cats. Sometimes‚ a tabby cat will be extremely vocal‚ and other times‚ you’ll get a very quiet tabby cat. Basically‚ every cat is an individual‚ so some simply meow more than others. Some tabby cats meow a lot‚ and others are mostly quiet. Get to know your specific cat‚ and that should let you know a little more about how vocal you can expect them to be! Image Credit: Cavan-Images‚ Shutterstock The 6 Reasons Your Cat Is Meowing More Than Usual Once you know your cat‚ you know how much meowing is normal for them. So‚ if you start to notice that they’re meowing more than usual‚ you need to figure out why. There are currently 21 different types of vocalization recognized in cats which are used for different purposes such as aggression‚ reproduction and other social behavior 1. With that in mind‚ we’ve highlighted six reasons your cat might be meowing more than usual: 1. They Want Attention Sometimes‚ your cat comes up to you and starts meowing only because they want you to start giving them some more attention! If this is the case‚ the solution is to spend more time with them and play with them for a bit. Of course‚ this could mean they come up to you and start meowing all the time just to try and get you to play with them! If you don’t like the behavior‚ simply ignore them. 2. Illness Your cat can’t communicate like a human‚ and one of the best ways they have to try and talk to you is by meowing. Pay attention to your cat‚ and if you start to notice any other unusual signs‚ you should be able to track down what’s going on with them. If you suspect your cat is sick‚ we highly recommend taking them to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Image Credit: A.UDOMRATSAK‚ Shutterstock 3. Hunger Sometimes‚ your cat simply won’t stop meowing because they want you to feed them! But keep in mind that if you give in every time they start meowing‚ they might start coming up to you daily and meowing in hopes that you’ll give them a treat. 4. Saying Hi If your cat comes up to you and starts meowing to you when you come home‚ they might just be giving you a greeting. There’s nothing wrong with this‚ and if you give them a little attention when they’re saying hi‚ it’ll go a long way in helping the two of you bond. 5. They’re Stressed If there’s been a new major addition to your cat’s life‚ this might cause them to meow more than usual. If you can reduce these stressors or give your cat some time to adjust to the change‚ they should start meowing less sooner rather than later. You can also give them a little attention to try and help them through the stressful times in their life. Image Credit: BabyMosquito‚ Shutterstock 6. Aging Problems Often‚ when a cat starts to get older‚ it can start to develop some cognitive and physical problems. This can lead to them meowing a bit more to express their confusion. It can be sad‚ but the more accommodations you make for them‚ the easier you can make the aging process for them. See your vet for help in determining what specific accommodations might help your senior feline. Final Thoughts Get to know your cat‚ and unless they start meowing more than usual‚ there’s nothing to worry about. But if your cat is starting to meow more than usual‚ you’ll want to take notice‚ as it’s one of the ways your cat has to communicate with you. Some tabby cats will be more vocal than others‚ and some will be quieter. Just get to know your cat personally and enjoy your time with them no matter how vocal or quiet they are! Research Links FVEAP Org WebMD NCBI Featured Image Credit: guvo59‚ Pixabay The post Why Are Tabby Cats So Vocal? Vet-Approved Info &; Vocalization Causes appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead Possible Reasons Tips to Control Hair Loss All dog owners expect some shedding‚ but it can be challenging to tell when your shaggy Golden Retriever is going through a rough shedding season or when it’s alopecia‚ which is the medical term for excessive hair loss. Depending on its cause‚ hair loss in dogs can present with all sorts of alarming signs. Sometimes‚ it’s nothing to be worried about‚ but other times‚ it can signify a serious health problem. If your pet is suffering from hair loss we recommend a consultation with your veterinarian. Let’s briefly break down some of the more common causes just below‚ and tips on controlling hair loss further down. The 7 Possible Reasons Your Dog Is Losing Hair 1. Allergies Just like some people‚ some dogs have allergies meaning their immune system reacts to allergens such as pollen‚ dust mites‚ some foods etc. Dogs with allergies can develop itching and very angry red rashes‚ which can trigger frantic scratching and fur pulling.  Allergies typically develop in young adult dogs although they can be seen at any age. Your dog may be allergic to seasonal pollens‚ plants‚ flea saliva‚ beef or chicken amongst other possibilities. Visit with your veterinarian for advice and treatment options. 2. Hormonal Disease Hormonal conditions like Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism can cause balding‚ especially in older dogs‚ and are usually accompanied by fatigue‚ panting‚ drinking more than usual and weight gain. Your dog’s vet will be able to diagnose these conditions by doing blood work‚ and they’ll be able to advise you on the next steps. Image Credit: Alyaalya‚ Shutterstock 3. Parasites Mites and fleas can infest your dog and cause skin-level signs like fur loss‚ skin rashes‚ and other dermal abnormalities. Your dog may have scratched the site raw‚ too‚ if they’re a prolific lick-and-scratcher‚ which can further inflame the affected area. Hair loss in these cases is typically temporary‚ and it will likely grow back over time‚ once the parasites have been effectively treated. 4. Infection Bacteria that get into cuts or scrapes on your dog’s skin can fester into gnarly skin infections‚ producing flaking‚ crusty‚ scabs‚ redness‚ and hair loss. Ringworm is a fungal infection that also causes hair loss and irritation‚ typically in circular patches. Your veterinarian will prescribe oral or topical medication to combat infections. 5. More Serious Skin Conditions Autoimmune and cancerous conditions of the skin are thankfully less common than other causes of hair loss. They are normally diagnosed through a biopsy. Your veterinarian will advise if they think a skin biopsy is necessary for your pet. Image Credit: SKT Studio‚ Shutterstock 6. Genetics Genetic or breed-related hair loss occurs in some breeds such as the Greyhound and Pomeranians. Color dilution alopecia occurs in “blue” coloured individuals in many breeds. This type of hair loss is not harmful to your dog but needs a vet to rule out other problems. 7. Calluses Calluses are thickened areas of skin which develop when a heavier‚ older‚ and/or bonier dog regularly puts a lot of their body weight on a certain body area‚ normally on the elbows. For instance‚ lying on a hard tile floor for prolonged periods every day can contribute to developing calluses. To remedy this‚ we recommend investing in a nice comfy dog bed for your dog to sleep in instead of on hard surfaces although they may prefer not to use it. Calluses are nothing to worry about unless they progress into open wounds which generally only happens in sick‚ old or poorly-mobile animals Image Credit: Kristesoro‚ Shutterstock How to Control Hair Loss in Your Dog When you’re at your wit’s end on how to deal with hair loss‚ it can be very stressful. Hair loss is usually a medical problem and without veterinary guidance it is unlikely to resolve on its own. Your vet will treat the underlying cause of hair loss whether it is hormonal‚ allergies‚ parasites or infections. If your dog has severe skin allergies visit with your veterinarian to discuss possible allergens and treatments. Allergies can never be cured but they can be managed. It is not always possible to avoid the allergen completely but many medical options exist for treating affected dogs. Routinely keep your dog’s fur bathed and groomed‚ and check for any abnormal hair loss or skin rashes at each bath time and visit with your veterinarian if they occur. Ensure your dog is getting a balanced diet. Ask your veterinarian about skin supplements which can help in some cases of hair loss. Ask your veterinarian about which topical treatments such as shampoo‚ conditioner and ointments that may help your pet. Conclusion When your dog is losing hair‚ it is always worth a visit to the veterinarian to get to the bottom of it. You will have peace of mind once your pet has been looked at and treated by a professional. Hair loss is a common sign but it can be caused by a multitude of problems. Hence needing a visit‚ or several to the vet. Sources VCA Hospitals Pubmed NCBI NLM NIH VCA Hospitals Vet Cornell VCA Hospitals Featured Image Credit: sonsart‚ Shutterstock The post Why Is My Dog Losing Hair? 7 Vet-Approved Possible Reasons &; Care Tips appeared first on Pet Keen.

It might sound fantastical‚ but there are plenty of stories out there telling of cats farting on their owners. People swear that their cat saunters up‚ puts its butt in their face‚ and lets one rip. Other people complain that their cats jump into their lap and start farting while they pet them. What gives? Why do cats fart on people? Is this normal‚ or is this strange behavior? The good news is that this kind of behavior is natural. Cats can fart on their owners for a number of reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons that cats fart on people. The 5 Reasons Why Your Cat Fart on You 1. Your Cat Is Simply Gass Cats can get gas like a number of other animals‚ including dogs and humans. If you have a cat that eats very quickly‚ you might notice that they fart more often than other cats‚ as they might swallow more air while eating. In this case‚ your cat is not purposefully farting on you but is simply passing gas when they happen to be sitting on your lap. Cats can also develop gas from poor food‚ poor nutrition‚ intestinal diseases or even from intestinal parasites. Most of the time‚ gas is nothing to worry about‚ but some cats will develop gas more frequently than others. 2. They Want Attention Some cats will do anything for attention. Many people feel like their cat is purposefully farting in their face for some bizarre reason. This is very unlikely to be the case.  More likely‚ your cat is simply looking for attention. When a cat puts their butt in your face‚ it is thought that it is their way of asking you to pet them. This is normal cat behavior and is seen in all breeds. When your cat farts in your face while they are doing this‚ they are simply doing their normal business while asking for attention. Image Credit: Me Gi‚ Shutterstock 3. Your Cat Is Scared Have you ever heard the term “scared the poop out of” something or someone? That term comes from the fact that in moments of poignant fear‚ cortisol (a stress hormone) spikes which can affect the bowels. This may manifest as the release of unwanted gas. This happens in people‚ but it also happens in cats. If a cat is scared‚ their bowels can become more active‚ causing them to fart more often‚ as well as needing to defecate or urinate. Some cats may stick close to their humans when they are scared‚ so if you find your cat jumping on you and farting in your lap‚ it could be because something spooked them.  If your cat is one of those cats that tries to climb inside your skin when they are feeling anxious‚ you are much more likely to get farted on than other cat owners. 4. The Cat Is Unwell or is Allergic to Something Lastly‚ allergies and infections can cause your cat to become more gassy than normal. Cats can be allergic to a number of different things‚ including food‚ medications‚ and even your detergent. If you find your cat climbing on you and suddenly farting on you‚ it might have nothing to do with you. They could be allergic to their new treats‚ or they could be reacting to your laundry detergent that is in your clothes. In rare cases‚ cats can become more flatulent due to an infectious agent such as Tritrichomonas foetus‚ a parasite that causes chronic diarrhea and increased gas.  Most of the time a fart is just a fart‚ but if your cat has other signs at the same time as increased gas‚ such as diarrhea‚ vomiting and/or weight loss‚ you should book an appointment with your vet for assessment. Image Credit: megaflopp‚ Shutterstock 5. Do Cats Fart When They’re Happy? There is a myth that cats fart when they are happy. This myth likely started because of the strange tales people tell of their cats jumping on them and farting on them. Despite the persistence of this myth‚ there is no evidence to back it up. There are no studies or physiological reasons to back up this perception. Your cat is not farting on you because they are happy. They are farting on you due to one of these other reasons. Sure‚ cats can fart and be happy at the same time‚ but happiness is not the cause of the flatulence. Conclusion Cats pass wind just like other animals and it can feel like they sometimes fart on their owners for fun.  However‚ most of the time‚ the person is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cats can fart when they are having stomach trouble or are anxious or scared . Cats‚ however‚ do not fart because they are happy. Most of the time‚ your cat passes wind when it needs to‚  and you are just unlucky to be in the line of fire. Sources Hills Pet Pet Catty Featured The post Why Does My Cat Fart on Me? 5 Vet-Approved Reasons appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead Common Reasons Tips to Discourage This Behavior It’s the primary embarrassment at the dog park and when your mother-in-law comes to visit. You want to look away‚ but unfortunately your dog shows no sign of stopping the behavior‚ so you’re awkwardly forced to intervene. Humping is often thought of as a sexual behavior‚ but the majority of the time‚ it’s actually anything but. Dogs of any age may hump for various reasons‚ including dominance or anxiety-related issues. While spaying or neutering may decrease certain types of humping‚ it’s very likely that you’ll continue dealing with the problem unless your dog is humping for purely reproductive purposes. Here are five common reasons that puppies hump (and what to do about it). The 5 Common Reasons Puppies Hump 1. Adolescence Dogs generally reach sexual maturity between 6 months and 1 year old. The exact age will depend on the individual dog‚ as well as their breed and sex. Large and giant breeds generally take a year or longer to sexually mature‚ while small dogs may reach sexual maturity around the 6-month mark. As a puppy’s reproductive hormones start to rise‚ so too may their humping behavior. Humping just comes natural as a puppy matures sexually and it may also turn into a pleasurable behavior. However‚ if your puppy has been spayed or neutered before reaching sexual maturity‚ this is a less likely reason. Image Credit: Jenn_C‚ Shutterstock 2. Dominance If you study canine behaviors in the dog park‚ you’ll see that humping reoccurs as a common‚ though annoying‚ characteristic of puppy play. Dogs of all ages mount each other to display dominance. Whoever is on top is considered to be in charge in the canine kingdom. 3. Anxiety Stressed dogs may turn to humping to relieve anxiety. This behavior is similar to self-destructive nervous habits in humans‚ such as biting fingernails. Reducing stressors and giving them chew toys to stimulate their mind may help to ease their discomfort and decrease humping. Image Credit: RealPeopleStudio‚ Shutterstock  4. Playtime Puppies play for a living‚ and it’s easy for them to get carried away. Humping‚ especially during play‚ could just be they are getting a little overstimulated with their game and need a calming action to recenter‚ or they could simply be getting carried away during playtime. This is especially true if your puppy’s stuffed toys are getting the majority of the attention. If you’ve noticed that they direct their affections towards a specific pillow or toy‚ you could try to take it away from them until they learn humping isn’t okay—or at least while your family is visiting. 5. Medical Issues Humping can also increase due to medical reasons like infections or irritations such as a urinary tract infection or prostate problem. If your puppy’s humping has a sudden onset or they are showing other signs‚ such as frequent urination‚ frequent licking of their genitals‚ or straining to urinate‚ see your vet. Image Credit: John Danow‚ Shutterstock How to Discourage Your Dog from Humping Since humping is a deeply rooted behavior that could have more than one motive‚ it might take quite a  lot of time and patience to train your dog out of it. Unfortunately‚ some dogs just seem a little more hump-happy than others. Here’s where you can start on the road to reclaiming your dignity at the dog park. 1. Recognize the Root Cause Is your puppy humping their favorite toy after 15 minutes of rowdy playtime? They may be overstimulated. Has your puppy developed this curious new behavior around the time they’re 6 months old? They may be beginning adolescence. Once you learn what is building their habit‚ you’ll have an idea of how to break it. Image Credit: Spiky and I‚ Shutterstock 2. Consider Spaying or Neutering If your vet says your dog is old enough to safely undergo the procedure‚ you might try having your dog spayed or neutered to see if it curbs their mounting behaviors. Unfortunately‚ humping doesn’t always indicate an overzealous sex drive‚ so be prepared to follow up with training techniques if getting them “fixed” doesn’t fix the issue.  3. Redirect Their Attention As much as you might want to yell at your dog (or sink through the floor depending on your personality)‚ quickly and calmly switching their attention to something else is far more effective. In some cases‚ such as the favorite toy scenario‚ you might have to temporarily swap the victim of their affection for something less hump-worthy‚ such as a ball or a frisbee. Image Credit: Yurlick‚ Shutterstock 4. Try Time Out If your dog insists on showing off their new moves to your guests‚ you might have to rush onto the scene to put your dog in a private time out in their crate. While experts warn that you don’t want to ever use the crate to punish your dog‚ the goal isn’t to make them feel bad about themselves. You’re only wanting them to refocus on something else. You can still use a treat‚ puzzle‚ or praise to let them know it’s not a punishment‚ just a brief calming period.  5. Reward Positive Behaviors with Attention and Treats Another reason you don’t want to yell at your dog when they’re humping (or ever‚ really) is that you’re giving them attention. Some dogs thrive on any type of attention‚ whether it’s good‚ bad‚ or downright ugly. When disciplining your dog‚ it’s best to act quietly and quickly. Give a command word‚ such as “No‚” and move on. When your dog changes their behavior to something good‚ however‚ that’s the time to shower them with all the praise and treats. If you sense that their behavior may be more anxiety than attention-driven‚ you might try to give them a treat puzzle or chew toy to calm them down and engage their mind in a positive way. Image Credit: Christian Mueller‚ Shutterstock  6. Create a Calm‚ Loving Environment Since anxiety is also a common reason for humping‚ you’ll want to make sure your puppy grows up in a home that’s as stress-free as possible. Any dog can be your best friend‚ but some breeds in particular were created to be companion animals. Companion breeds‚ such as the Maltese‚ suffer terribly from being left at home alone for most of the hours of the day. If you must be absent for 8 hours or more‚ you might consider hiring a dog walker or asking a friend to come check on your dog during the middle of the time you’re away. When you do come home‚ remember to spend intentional time exercising and cuddling with your dog to make sure they feel loved. Conclusion Humping is a very natural behavior for dogs‚ regardless of their age or spay/neuter status. Thankfully‚ there are many things you can do to try to minimize this annoying trait. Maintaining a peaceful home and redirecting their behavior to something positive can go a long way to ensuring your dog’s health and happiness. Plus‚ training them not to hump will take away your shame when people come over to see your dog‚ er‚ you. Sources https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-is-my-dog-humping-or-mounting/ https://www.akcchf.org/research/impact-stories/early-spay-neuter.html Featured Image Credit: MDV Edwards‚ Shutterstock The post Why Do Puppies Hump? 5 Vet-Approved Reasons &; Tips to Avoid It appeared first on Pet Keen.

What are the best card games on PC? It is not a question we would have been asking a few years ago‚ when some basic ports of paper-based systems and some minigames in larger titles were all we had access to. Now‚ there are heaps of games like Hearthstone vying to be among the best card games on PC - it is one of the fastest-growing genres in the industry. Card games offer players a rich and constantly shifting meta‚ potentially limitless replayability‚ and are approachable to boot - so it is not hard to see why they have started to emerge on our best PC games list. Our list covers everything from the biggest player in the genre today‚ the best ports from paper‚ the up-and-comers you might not have heard of‚ and some of the best free card games out there. Continue reading The best card games on PC 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Hearthstone decks‚ The best card games on PC‚ Free card games

Veteran chip maker AMD is reportedly gearing up for a massive Ryzen CPU launch in the near future‚ in a bid to hit Intel where it hurts. If the latest rumor is to be believed‚ the AMD Zen 5 CPU launch will not only beat Intel to its Arrow Lake launch‚ but will do it by several months‚ in what’s described as a “show of force” against as a competitor. Continue reading AMD Zen 5 CPUs look set to come early in “show of force” against Intel MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 7800X3D review‚ Best gaming CPU‚ Radeon RX 7800 XT review

"It’s like a tiny ovation.” The post Angel Olsen’s favourite Nick Drake song: “It’s like a tiny ovation” first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

Not only is the World Health Organisation’s Director-General a terrorist‚ but WHO has rapists and terrorists on its staff. WHO is an agency of the United Nations (“UN”).  There are sex scandals […]

If you make too many treats to eat in one sitting‚ it's important to know how to store them. This is especially true if they're homemade DoubleTree cookies.