Odd-coloured eyes are a common phenomenon in certain cat breeds, such as the Siamese, Sphynx, and Turkish Angora, and is scientifically known as heterochromia. It is often observed in white felines; usually, an epistatic (dominant) white gene or white spotting gene prevents melanocytes (melanin granules) migrating to one eye during development. Heterochromia may be complete,
You’d be forgiven for thinking your furry friend is practising good hygiene by wiping his paws after toilet time, but sadly, this is not the case. Kicking the grass behind himself following either urination or defecation is common dog behaviour, regardless of breed, gender, and size. The purpose of this cute little ‘dance’ is to
A great deal of scientific research involving computerised tomography (CT) scans, focuses on the intricacies of the cat’s tongue. Its roughness is due to the presence of tiny spines called papillae, which are made of keratin, like hooman nails. These papillae are curved and hollow-tipped; they function like hooks and all point in the same
Unlike us hoomans, your furry friend is unable to sweat through his skin. Therefore, he regulates his body temperature and stays cool via panting, and heat release through the merocrine and apocrine glands in his paw pads. Warm weather increases the risk of heatstroke especially in brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, and overweight pooches. Symptoms to watch
The pinna, or external part of a cat’s ear, can rotate up to 180 degrees to locate minute sounds by acting as a funnel. But did you know that its position is also a good indicator of how your furry friend is feeling? If your feline has her ears pinned back, flat against her head,
Tail wagging is an instinctive behaviour that develops in puppies once they reach three or four weeks of age. This extension of the backbone is used to communicate with other animals and hoomans, and varies between breeds in degree of curl, length, size, and how expressive its owner is with it. Early introductions to a
Cats purr by dilating and constricting the glottis, which is the part of the larynx that surrounds the vocal cords. When a feline is either at her most contented, or in need of soothing and self-repair, the vibration of air as she breathes in and out makes this characteristic sound. However, these noises have a
The warmer weather is synonymous with an increase in flying insects. Canines are often curious, and find them to be a source of entertainment, but the main ones to watch out for are bees and wasps; they just don’t want to play. If your furry friend gets stung, you may notice him biting, licking or
Neutering refers to the removal of an animal’s reproductive organs, which are the testes in males (castration), and the ovaries and uterus in females (spaying). Sterilising your pet prevents the birth of unwanted litters, which overpopulate the number of cats ending up in the rescue system. As cats reach sexual maturity early, it is best
Neutering refers to the removal of an animal’s reproductive organs, which are the testes in males (castration), and the ovaries and uterus in females (spaying). Sterilising your pet prevents the birth of unwanted litters, which overpopulate the number of dogs ending up in the rescue system. To avoid any potential issues, it is best to
Cats reach sexual maturity between four and 12 months, but unlike hooman females, queens do not have an oestrus ‘cycle’ as such. Estrus, the time at which they are receptive to mating, is rarely accompanied by any swelling of the vulva or discharge. In the Northern hemisphere, felines are likely to be ready to mate
Dogs reach sexual maturity between six and 24 months, and like hooman females, dams have an oestrus cycle. This completes fully approximately twice a year, and there are four stages. The first of these is proestrus, lasting an average of nine days. The sire is attracted to the dam, but she is non-receptive. She may
Most cat owners have experienced buying their furry friend an expensive gift, only to find she is more interested in the box it came in. Felines are renowned for their love of tight, confined spaces, as they simulate the safe, secure place they would seek out naturally in the wild. When totally surrounded by an
A dog’s sense of smell is at least 10,000 times better than his hooman’s, given that he has 300 million scent sensors compared with our meagre six million. These olfactory capabilities are highly tuned in breeds such as the Bloodhound, Basset Hound, Beagle, German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever. But why are canines obsessed with each
At Purrfect and Pooch, the well-being of any animal is our top priority, and the services we recommend reflect this. During the hot, summer months, your furry friend may benefit from a shave due to the possibility of overheating, and also because spending more time outside lends itself to excessive matting. Debris may become embedded
When considering the size of your furry friend, it’s all down to personal preference, but the term ‘giant dogs’ generally refers to those whose weight exceeds 45kg. In the UK, this includes Great Danes, St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, and Cane Corsos, with the Dogue de Bordeaux coming in as the most popular. Since these canines were
Cats have a reputation for being cool characters, but that’s not to say they don’t express their feelings. Your furry friend has a number of ways to show you how much she cares. The most obvious of these is purring. Felines use this to self-soothe when they are either extremely relaxed, or in need of
Have you ever wondered why your dog shakes during a thrilling game of chase? Quivering is common behaviour for canines, and has both negative and positive connotations. When pooches are cold, they may shiver in a bid to warm up. To ensure hypothermia doesn’t set in, especially if the weather is particularly brisk, make sure
Cats are renowned for their ability to survive falling from buildings, but do they always land on their feet? The simple answer to this question, is that it depends on how great a height they drop from. A study in 1987 discovered that felines falling onto concrete from between seven and 26 stories sustained fewer
Sleep is thought to assist in the general growth and repair of all body systems. But do dogs dream? Studies indicate all mammals do, and this extends further to include vertebrates. Dreams serve the purpose of processing information and daily experiences to build memory, which explains why new-born puppies do it so often; the world
All cats are carnivores, which means that they derive their food and energy requirements solely from animal tissue or meat, and their teeth reflect this. Though kittens are born with no visible teeth, between the ages of three and eight weeks, 26 milk teeth will develop: 12 incisors, four canines, and ten premolars. Just like
All dogs are omnivores, which means they survive on both plant and animal matter, and their teeth reflect this. Puppies are born with 28 milk teeth; these begin to come through around two weeks after birth and are fully developed by the time they are ten weeks old. The teeth of those little ones can
Whilst cats predominantly use their tails to maintain balance, they are also a great indicator of mood; by watching carefully you can gain an insight into how your furry friend is feeling. When it is held high and upright, your kitty is confident and happy, so this is the perfect time to offer cuddles, play
The domestication of our canine friends from their wild ancestors brings with it the common bark. Dogs use a variety of sounds to communicate with us, varying in frequency and pitch, to help us understand what they are experiencing. Low growls often express aggression or threat, whereas higher emissions are associated with excitement and play.
It’s not all fun and games for our furry friends at this time of year, especially when it comes to fireworks. Cats have incredibly sensitive hearing, particularly with higher-pitched sounds, even more so than their canine counterparts. Flashes and loud noises startle felines, which causes them to experience anxiety and anticipate danger, so their behaviour
