Furry Fun Facts

Dogs

Q: Why do dogs bark?
A: Dogs communicate with us in many ways, barking is the loudest way they can get their point across. Dogs bark when they get excited, and sometimes they bark just for the fun of it!

Q: Why do dogs whine?
A: Whining is perhaps one of the first sounds a young puppy makes. As they grow older, dogs learn that they can use this whining noise to manipulate the owner. Some dogs whine when they're frightened. The sounds of fireworks or thunderstorms can bring on major whining attacks. How do you stop the whining? Ignore whining or other annoying sounds and reward silence.

Q: Why do dogs wag their tails?
A: A wagging tail has a variety of meanings, depending on the position and speed of the tail. A broad, medium-to-fast sweeping motion of a tail means this dog is happy to see you! The faster the tail, the more excited the dog. A tail that is mostly horizontal but not stiff is usually means the dog would like to find out more about you. When the tail is fully horizontal, a challenge to either another dog or a person is in the offing. When a dog walks around with her tail up but not vertical, is a proud and confident dog. A tail that is lowered but not between the legs usually means the dog is relaxed. What out for dogs whose tails are bristling or a tail that is held high and stiff, wagging fast, is a sign of aggression and you shouldn't mess with them!

Q: Why do dogs sniff butts?
A: Dogs and humans have individual scents, and the nose is the canine version of an FBI check. The scents and secretions of the rear end, front part, and the mouth tell a dog everything he needs to know - including whether the sniffee is male or female, its social status, and what it likes to eat. Where a dog sniffs says a lot - friendly animals usually sniff each other's faces, heads, and necks, including inside the ears.

Q: Why do dogs chew?
A: Chewing begins as a puppy during the teething stage, which can last as long as a year. The chewing action helps relieve the pup's aching gums and builds strong jaw muscles and ligaments. Dogs who are bored or anxious find chewing to be either a stimulating or a soothing activity. Chewing stimulates the dog's mind because she is learning about her surroundings, and it's a lot more interesting than just lying around all day. Chewing has a tranquilizing effect on dogs who miss their owner, especially if they find something belonging to their owner to chew on.

Q: Why do dogs eat grass?
A: It's often a matter of great concern to dog owners when their pets eat grass. The fact is, however, that eating grass is a pretty harmless activity. As far as we can tell, dogs do it just because they like it. Eating grass may also fulfill an instinctive need for greenery in the diet. It could be that grass provides fiber or certain vitamins and minerals not found in meat. And not all dogs throw up after eating grass. Some dogs seem to enjoy it as a regular part of their diet.

Q: Why do dogs dig?
A: A nice, comfortable hole makes a great bed! Other reasons dogs dig are for protection, storage, prey, and entertainment. Canines use holes as pantries or refrigerators. They catch and eat a big meal, dig a hole, and bury the leftovers for later! Some dogs dig for entertainment. The scent of turned earth is fresh and exciting to a dog, whose nose is much more highly developed than our own. The brighter and more bored the dog, the more likely she is to dig. A dog stuck alone in a backyard has to do something to pass the time!

Q: Why do dogs have whiskers?
A: Whiskers are found on many fur-bearing animals. They are most obvious on either side of the dog's snout, but whiskers also grow above his eyebrows, on his chin, and even on the upper lip, like a mustache. The purpose of the dog's whiskers is to help the dog comprehend his surroundings. They serve as delicate sense organs and help the dog pick up on vibrations carried on air currents.

Q: Is there a breed of dog that cannot bark?
A: Yes! Commonly known as "The Barkless Dog," the Basenji, originating Africa, has a sort of "chortle: instead of a bark.

Q: Why do dogs drool?
A: The Bassett House, Bullmastiff, Irish Water Spaniel and Bloodhounds are among canines' top droolers. These dogs are not actually make more saliva than other dogs, it's just that the flews (lips) are droopier and the skin around them saggier. This allows for the slobber to drip out instead of being neatly contained within the dog's mouth. Dogs drool for the same reason that a baby, or a person asleep with his mouth open, does - no watertight seal!

Q: Why do dogs turn in circles before lying down?
A: Land dwellers, such as the big cats and wolves, live and sleep on the land. They are forced to provide their own sleeping quarters. This is how the circling came to be. In the wild, wolves find a place with very tall grasses that will shield them from other predators while they sleep. In order to make a comfortable bed for themselves, they circle and circle and circle a spot, tamping down the tall grasses into a nice, cushy mattress for themselves. Doing things like this is what's known as "throwback behavior," meaning it's a throwback to the days of wolves in the wild. Your dog will still circle once or twice out of a sense of habit or ingrained instinct before settling in his doggy bed.

Q: Why do dogs roll in dead things - especially after a nice scented bath?
A: To a dog, a dead, rotting animal on the ground smells a lot like one of our favorite perfumes. Some think it is a throwback to their wolf days, when they would roll around in carcasses or feces to mask their own scent so that they could sneak up on prey. The reason for a dog to roll around after a bath is that bath products are perfumed to please human consumers. But dogs find it unpleasant to carry such a strong odor, especially one they find annoying and ridiculous so they will roll around in the grass or anything else smelly hoping to lose their scent and pick up another doggy smell.

Q: Do Dalmatians have the same spot pattern?
A: You may not be able to tell from looking at them, but no two Dalmatians have the same spot pattern. Just like every snowflake, these firehouse dogs are all unique.

Q: Why do dogs howl?
A: There are five main classes of vocal communication devices that dogs and wolves use to communicate over long distances: howling, barking, grunting, whining, and growling. When dogs howl they do so because they feel that barking alone will not reach the distances needed to get their message out. Often dogs will howl at the sound of a siren or in accompaniment to someone singing nearby.

Q: Why do dogs chase their tails?
A: They do it out of boredom! Or there could be an itch that is unreachable!

Q: What do you mean by the dog days of summer?
A: The constellations were determined, for example, Taurus resembles a bull; Gemini, the twins, and the constellations Canis Major (big dog) and canis Minor (smaller dog) represent Orion's two hunting dogs. The largest of all the stars in the Canis Major constellation is Sirius, which is also called the "Dog Star". Sirius is the brightest of all the stars. In summer, Sirius appears to rise and set with the sun, giving the impression that it is a sort of solar Mini-Me, mimicking the sun's actions. For 20 days in the latter part of July, especially, the Dog Star rises and falls in perfect unison with the sun, creating the illusion that it is, indeed, responsible for hot summer days. Thus, the "dog days of summer" are named for the dog star of summer, Sirius.

Q: Did you know...
A: Statistics show that women will give their dog a human name, such as Toby or Tabitha, whereas men are more likely to go for non-human names such as Prince or Duke.

Q: Why do we say "Sick as a dog"?
A: We hardly ever stop to think about the origins of "to kill two birds with one stone" or "so big you could swing a cat," and maybe that's for the best. Actually, we say "sick as" a lot of things. People have said "sick as a frog," or "sick as a mine-dwelling canary." "Sick as a dog" is just one variety of an age-old expression. Throughout history, with the exception of the Greyhound, dogs have gotten a bad rap. Dogs were once considered lowly, dirty, and cowardly, so the saying "sick as a dog" was uttered in an attempt to make something seem very bad, quite serious, foreboding, and dramatic.

Cats

Q: Why do cats purr?
A: You are probably thinking that a purring cat is a happy cat, but this explanation doesn't cover all the bases. Cats purr not only when they are happy but also when they are stressed. The sound a cat makes is caused by vibrating muscles surrounding the larynx. Researchers have also discovered where the purr originates: in the brain. Stimulation of a specific area in the cat's brain causes cats to begin purring. The purr is one of the first sounds newborn kittens make. As they mature, their purr becomes more complex. While young cats tend to purr in monotone, adults are capable of reaching two or three notes and sometimes as many as five. Purring can go on for hours without a break, even while a cat is eating or sleeping.

Q: Why do cats' eyes glow in the dark?
A: The cat is a nocturnal prowler, and his powerful sense of vision is what makes him so successful. The feline eye structure includes the cornea, the iris, the lens, the retina, and the tapetum lucidum, a Latin term that translates as "bright carpet." The tapetum lucidum allows the cat to take in extra light in dim situations. Lining most of the back of the retina, tne tapetum lucidum acts as a mirror, reflecting light that was not absorbed the first time it passed through the retina. The result is the glow - called eye shine!

Q: Why do cats sleep so much?
A: Cats sleep up to 18 hours a day, much more than most other mammals. It's not known why cats sleep so much - perhaps it is related to their solitary nature. Cats are the Greta Garbos of the animal world - they want to be alone.

Q: Why do cats always land on their feet?
A: When cats fall, they rely on two organs to bring them down safely - their eyes, which help cats position themselves correctly; and their vestibular apparatus, located in the inner ear, which controls balance and orientation. When a cat is ready to fall, first the cat rights her head. Then she rotates the front half of her body 180 degrees. Once the front legs are facing down, the cat rotates the rear half of her body and flattens out so as to help spread the area of impact. The tail acts as a counterbalance. As the cat hits the ground, she arches her back in an attempt to help cushion the impact. With all this thinking/reaction before a fall, cats are more harmed from shorter distances as there is less time to react.

Q: Why do cats fall from high places?
A: It is because their depth perception isn't very good. Apparently, they don't realize they're about to jump eight stores instead of eight feet!

Q: Why do cats scratch the furniture?
A: Cats scratch for several reasons. First, scratching keeps their claws in shape. Not only does scratching sharpen the claws and remove the old outer husk of the nail, it just feels good! Scratching also serves as a territorial marker. Cats may scratch in preferred sleeping spots or any other place where they spend a lot of time. Scent is another aspect of territorial scratching. The sebaceous glands in a cat's paws leave an odor at the scratched area - another way the cat can stake is claim!

Q: Why do cats make biscuits?
A: The American South is known for its colorful colloquialisms and none more so than "The cat is making biscuits" - a description of cats "kneading" with their paws! A cat who is kneading is the very epitome of contentment. The kneading behavior develops at birth and continues throughout the cat's life, appearing during times of relaxation and contentment.

Q: Why do cats go wild over catnip?
A: They roll and yowl, rub and roll, roll and yowl some more. What is it about this herb that makes it so enticing to cats? It's the scent. Catnip, also known as catmint, s a strong-scented herb belonging to the mint family. The stimulating effect of this herb is caused by nepetalactone, a hallucinogenic compound that mimics the scent of a cat's sex pheromones. The catnip reaction usually lasts 5-15 minutes with fresh catnip having the strongest effect. The herb is harmless and non-addictive to domestic cats. Not all cats react to this scent, about 1/3 of the cat population is immune to catnip pleasures.

Q: Why do cats roll on their backs?
A: That's the greeting many cat owners receive when they return home. Your cat rolls on her back and extends her paws in welcome. A cat who rolls over in greeting is indicating complete trust and faith in the person or animal to whom she is rolling. Cats roll over for a number of other reasons. Sometimes it means they want to play! Rolling is also a form of foreplay. During courtship the female rolls suggestively. So the next time your cat flops when you come home, you'll know that you've received the greatest compliment a cat can give - her trust!

Q: Why do cats use a litter box?
A: It's an inborn matter of self-preservation. In the wild, cats bury their feces to hide their presence from predators or territorial rivals. Our domestic house cats continue the habit, which is one of the things that make them such clean companions.

Q: Why do cats hate getting wet?
A: Cats don't have the same protection from water that dogs have. Wet cats take longer to dry because they lack the oily coat and guard hairs that prevent dogs from getting soaked to the skin. This does not necessarily mean cats hate water. Many cats are seen pawing for fish. Needless to say, a bath is not a favorite of cats - they bathe their own way - with their own tongue, not with water a shampoo!

Q: Why do cats swish their tails?
A: You can judge a cat's emotional state by the speed and position of his tail. A happy or relaxed cat waves his tail slowly. A tail held high serves as a greeting. The tail is even more expressive when the cat is angry, aggressive, or on the defense. A fast-moving tail, denotes annoyance verging on anger. An aggressive cat crouches with his tail held low.

Q: Why do cats like crinkly sounds?
A: Like her tail, the cat's ears are expressive, twitching and turning to catch each unusual sound. Crinkly or squeaky sounds are similar to the high-frequency noises made by small animals such as mice, birds, and crickets; thus, they immediately draw a cat's attention and often elicit the prey response of pouncing and stalking.

Q: Were cats really worshipped as gods?
A: Yes. The Egyptians worshipped a goddess named Bast with the body of a woman and the head of a cat. Thousands of cat mummies have been discovered in Egypt, and ancient Egyptians even shaved their eyebrows in mourning when the family cat died. In Siam (now Thailand), the cat was revered that a cat always rode in a chariot at the head of a parade celebrating the new king. In Norse mythology, Freya, the most renowned and desirable of the goddesses, traveled around in a chariot pulled by cats.

Q: What exactly is a hairball?
A: Cats spend 30% of their waking hours grooming themselves. Their tool of choice is that raspy tongue, which can pull free lots of hair, especially if the cat is longhaired or has a lot of undercoat (the soft, downy hairs that lie close to the skin). Swallowed hair is indigestible, even for cats, so when it's in a cat's stomach, it has two ways to go - down and out or up and out. When it comes up - to the accompaniment of that middle-of-the-night "ack! - it's a hairball!

Q: Do cats dream?
A: When a cat is in a deep sleep, twitching their limbs and even their whiskers - they are in feline REM sleep. We know humans dream during REM sleep - so we have to believe cats do too!

Q: Who invented kitty litter?
A: Edward Lowe. He decided in 1947 to put his concoction of absorbent clay, called Fuller's Earth, in five-pound bags, wrote "Kitty Litter" on the front and sold them for 65 cents. According to a survey by American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 83% of cat owners have litter boxes for their pets.

Q: Who hears better - cats, dogs, or humans?
A: Cats can hear nearly three times more frequencies than humans can. A cats' hearing stops at 80 kilohertz, dogs' at 45 kHz, and humans' at a pathetic 20 kHz. Because cats can rotate their ears and focus each ear independently, they also can hear well from all directions.

Q: Why do cat's whiskers twitch?
A: A cat's whiskers are deep set, hypersensitive modified hairs called vibrissae that helps the cat find her way in the world. A cat's whiskers can detect small changes in air currents. A cat's whiskers can also help clue you in on what she's thinking. When the whiskers are forward, a cat is in a friendly or curious mood. When the whiskers are pinned back, look out!

Q: Do cats really need to drink milk?
A: On the contrary, some cats can't tolerate milk products, and they'll have explosive diarrhea. On the other hand, if your cat likes and can tolerate milk, feel free to offer it as an occasional treat. But if you never given milk to your cat, she's not missing anything important.

Q: What's the biggest breed of cat? Smallest?
A: Among the heaviest breeds are Norwegian Forest cats (who can weigh 7-20 pounds), Maine Coon cats (7-22 pounds), Ragdolls (10-20 pounds), Siberians (10-20 pounds), and Turkish Vans (7-19 pounds). The Singapura is the smallest breed of cat, with females as tiny as four pounds.

Q: Why do cats bring dead mice and birds into the house?
A: Cat's don't bring you any old dead mice. No! These are mice they have hunted and killed themselves. There's something about the thrill of the hunt that stirs even the best-fed cat to stalk, chase and pounce - but only love will inspire her to share with you!

Q: Why is a cat's tongue like sandpaper?
A: If you look at a cat's tongue with a magnifying glass, you'll see it's covered with row after row of barbs. They're hooked and are directed toward the throat. These barbs help to hold prey while eating, and they also help a cat keep her fur in perfect condition, pulling out dead and dying hairs along with any debris picked up in the day's travels.

Q: What's a cat's top speed?
A: The average domestic cat can run at a speed of around 30 miles per hour. Egyptian Maus are reportedly the fastest breed of domestic cat, capable of reaching 36 miles per hour. The American Shorthair is next, at 31 miles per hour. The cheetah can run in bursts of 70 miles per hour!

Q: Are white cats with blue eyes deaf?
A: According to the Cat Fancier's Association, a white cat with two blue eyes has the highest change of being deaf. And if a cat has green or gold eyes, it has the lowest chance of being deaf. If a cat has one blue eye and one green eye, its chances of being deaf fall somewhere in the middle.

Q: D0 you know the largest recorded number of kittens born in a lifetime of fertility to a single female cat?
A: 420!

Q: Where did the name tabby originated?
A: The word "tabby" seems to have been derived from a district in ancient Baghdad called Attabiah, where a special kind of silk is manufactured. The silk was known for its distinctive watered effect, which resembles the markings of modern tabbies.

Q: Who's the friendliest cat?
A: Siamese cats crave human company more than most other breeds. They are also very finicky being clean and are among the most entertaining and affectionate cats anywhere.