June 23/2021

 

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Do Cats Need Wet Food? The Benefits of Wet Cat Food

"If your cat loves munching on dry kibble, you may have wondered if cats need wet food in their diets as well. In general, dry kibble has little moisture, so your cat needs to get water from a different source, such as a water bowl. If you’re concerned about keeping your cat hydrated, feeding both wet & dry food is a great way to ensure she gets more water...

3 Benefits of Wet Cat Food

If you’re wondering whether or not your cat needs wet food, here are 3 ways it can benefit your cat:

1. It Keeps your Cat Hydrated

Did you know that in nature cats tend to avoid standing water? This is because it’s typically a breeding ground for bacteria & insects. So, many cats are finicky about drinking water from a bowl or dish.

However, water is vital for your cat’s health, making up 60% of your cat’s body. So, you must make sure your cat is getting enough water daily.

How do you get cats to drink more water? Making sure to provide fresh water daily or purchasing a cat water fountain can help. You can also increase her water intake through feeding wet cat food. While wet cat food doesn’t replace water altogether, it can help keep your cat hydrated.

2. Helps Promote Lean Body Mass

Wet cat food is typically high in protein, which helps support strong muscles. It can also help maintain muscle mass throughout your cat’s life – from adulthood into your cat’s senior years.

Your cat’s body weight is made up of lean body mass (LBM) & fat mass. Muscles, ligaments, bones & organs are all part of LBM. Organs & muscles are the main sources of metabolic activity, helping to support vital functions, like immunity, mobility & more. Typically, as cats age, they can lose LBM. Wet cat food that’s high in protein can help maintain LBM as your cat ages.

3. Gives Variety to Meal Time

Many people would get tired of eating the same food every day. In the same way, your cat can get bored with her food. Feeding only dry food may not satisfy your cat’s craving for variety.

Because of wet cat food’s small portions, you can try a variety of flavours easily to see what your cat loves. Not only are there many flavours to choose from, but you can also choose different textures too – from paté to wet cat food in a hearty gravy.

Other Benefits of Wet Cat Food

Wet cat food is highly digestible & it contains all the same essential nutrients as dry food. This includes vitamins & minerals such as:

Iron: To help support healthy blood & tissue.

Zinc: Which helps support immune system development & maintains the eyes, skin, & bones.

Biotin:  To help regulate energy release from food & promote healthy skin by maintaining skin integrity.

So, do cats need wet food? It’s not a necessity, but a combination of wet & dry food can give your cat the benefits of both. Wet food can increase your cat’s water intake & give her a variety of flavours. On the other hand, kibble can help keep her teeth clean..."

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June16/2021

 

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Fainting Goats

   "A Fainting Goat, also known as Tennessee Fainting Goat or Myotonic goat, is a unique breed of domestic goat. Domestic goats are a subspecies of the wild goat (Capra aegagrus), & all of the various breeds share the same species. This breed, is best known for its propensity to 'faint.'...

Description of the Fainting Goat

Like all goats, these creatures have hooves on their feet, with 2 primary 'toes' rather than a single hoof like that of a horse. Many also have a pair of horns. This breed comes in a variety of different colors & patterns. They grow between 17 & 25 in. tall at the shoulder, & weigh between 60 & 175 lbs. or so.

Interesting Facts About the Fainting Goat 

This interesting breed of goat has a number of unique traits & behaviors...

Fainting Behavior – The first thing you’ll notice about this breed is that they 'faint.' When surprised, individuals stiffen up & fall over. This is not a true 'faint,' as the goats do not lose consciousness.

The Mechanics – These goats 'faint' because of a genetic disorder known as Myotonia congenita. To put it simply, this disorder causes the muscles to contract & stiffen when something frightens the animal.

Why Fainting Goats? – Hypothetically, you wouldn’t want to breed a goat with a genetic disorder, so why have breeders continued this line of goats? Farmers originally kept this breed as a 'sacrificial lamb.' If a predator attacks a herd of expensive farm animals, it will eat the Myotonic goat because the goat is easy prey, saving the farmer money.

Modern Purpose – Nowadays, people tend to keep this breed as a novelty. They raise them as pets, & breed them to maintain the fainting behavior. Some individuals 'faint' more than others.

Habitat of the Fainting Goat

This breed came from other fully domestic goats. People domesticated those goats many years ago. They have always lived in manmade habitats.

Generally, people keep these goats on farmland or pasture with plenty of grass & shrubbery to eat. However, some also keep them in forests, mountainous regions, marshes, woodlands, & more.

Distribution of the Fainting Goat

The original ancestors of this breed came from Tennessee. You can trace their ancestry back to a single herd of goats. The breed quickly garnered popularity & interest, spreading across the state & throughout the nation. Now, you can find this breed in various regions of the world.

Diet of the Fainting Goat

Like all goats, this breed has herbivorous feeding habits. They will eat a wide variety of different plants. Unlike horses & sheep, goats do not only graze on grass, but browse on just about any plant. This means that their diet contains grass, shrubs, leaves, bushes, & virtually any edible plant matter.

Fainting Goat and Human Interaction

Like any domestic breed, this goat would not exist without human interaction. Farmers have used this breed historically to protect more expensive livestock. When the Fainting Goat falls over, the predator attacks them & leaves the more valuable livestock. Now people also keep them as pets, breed them, & use their meat.

Domestication

The original ancestors of this breed came from other domestic goats. A farmer in Tennessee had a herd of goats with this genetic deformity. From this herd, people continued to breed the goats to expand the genetics. Breeders select goats with the strongest 'fainting' behavior to reproduce.

Does the Fainting Goat Make a Good Pet

Yes, this breed of goat can make a wonderful pet, but they are not house pets. Properly socialized individuals have a friendly demeanor. If you keep this breed, you must provide ample space & pasture for them to graze & exercise, medical care, & shelter from the elements. You should do your research before purchasing any pet.

Fainting Goat Care

All goat breeds have social behavior, & you must house them in groups. They need plenty of space to exercise & forage for food, & you should provide them with additional hay or grain to supplement their diet. Additionally, this breed in particular can fall prey to predators quite easily, & you must have secure fencing to keep them safe.

Behavior of the Fainting Goat

The most notable feature of this breed’s behavior is its propensity to 'faint.' When frightened, be it by a person, dog, loud noise, or unknown object, the goat’s muscles stiffen & some even fall over. Some individuals have a stronger reaction to a frightening stimulus, while others have a less severe reaction.

Reproduction of the Fainting Goat

Though females reach sexual maturity at just a few months old, you should not breed them until they reach about 6 to 9 months of age. Males reproduce with multiple females. After mating, the gestation period lasts about 5 months. The females give birth to 2 or 3 offspring, known as 'kids.' A single female can breed every 6 months."

Animals Network Team

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June 9/2021

 

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Why Do Cats Wag Their Tails?

"Cats wag their tails for many reasons, & deciphering what a wag could mean is going to depend heavily on the individual cat & her personality. Here are just a few of the things it can mean when your cat wags her tail.

She's Happy to See You- If your cat is wagging her tail & showing other positive, friendly body language such as alert, blinking eyes, & ears that are pointed forward, she might just be happy to see you. Look for fanned-out whiskers, a head held upright & meowing or purring sounds.

She's Scared- Cats are known for being stoic, & they might not show fear directly. However, a wagging tail along with flattened ears, dilated pupils, & flattened whiskers could indicate the cat is scared. If it's an unfamiliar cat, it's best to approach slowly or not at all to avoid frightening her more & risking an attack.

She Wants to Play- Cats can also wag their tails when they want to play. Key body language signs to look for here are a tail that is curled & ears that are pointed forward. She may also be showing her belly or rolling around on the ground to indicate that she wants you to interact with her.

She's Relaxed- Relaxed cats often wag their tails just as a natural movement when they are calm & peaceful. A relaxed cat will have a calm facial expression with the whiskers fanned out a bit. A cat that is hiding can also look similar to a relaxed, crouched pose, but the key thing to look for here is tension.

A scared cat will be tense & ready to jump at any moment, whereas a relaxed cat is more fluid.

She Wants to Be Left Alone- A tail wag isn't always a good thing, & sometimes that back & forth could be a warning from your cat to stay away. Other negative body language cues to look for include flattened ears, dilated pupils, the hair on her back being raised & any kind of hissing or growling noises.

Common Cat Tail Movements & What They Mean

...looking for other body language signs to help you interpret what your cat's tail wagging means is helpful, but you can also look at the type of tail movement to get some clues. Here are a few common cat tail movements & what they might mean for your cat.

The Low Flick- If your cat's tail is low & flicking back & forth quickly, this is a sign that she needs some space. Cats usually display this behaviour when they are not happy.

The Low Wag- A low tail that is slowly wagging back & forth is an indication that the cat may be frightened. A low tail in general is a sign that things aren't going well for your cat, & a wag can turn into the flick that is mentioned above if you don't take the cue to back off.

The Slow Swish- If your cat is slowly swishing her tail from side to side, even if it's not in the low position, this could indicate that she is annoyed. You might see this when you're late for feeding time or when you aren't giving her the attention she wants.

The Quick Swish- A tail that is quickly swishing from side to side is indicative of a playful cat. The main difference between this & the low flick above that indicates an angry cat is the position of the tail. The quick swish usually appears with a high tail & is often seen when your cat is playing with you or other cats or getting ready to pounce on a toy.

The Quick Twitch- Another cat tail movement associated with pouncing & hunting behaviours is the quick twitch. This is a short movement that happens right at the end of the cat's tail & is something you would likely see when your cat is looking at birds out the window or stalking a toy.

The Quiver- If your cat comes up to you with her tail held high & the tip quivering like a rattlesnake, good news! Your cat is happy to see you. You may see this kind of tail movement when you come home from work or first thing in the morning when your cat sees you.

The Wrap- Sometimes, you may notice your cat wrapping her tail around your hand or neck. This is a sign of affection & can be a way to ask for physical contact, similar to your cat head-butting you to get you to pet her.

The Fluff- When your cat is scared or anxious, you may see her fluff up her tail. This is a way to make her look bigger to other cats, other animals & possible predators & scare them away from a possible attack.

The Sleep Twitch- When your cat is sleeping, you may notice her twitch her tail if you talk to her or go over to pet her. She twitches her tail to acknowledge your presence & say 'Hi' as she continues sleeping.

The Lying-Down Wave- Sometimes cat tail wagging may indicate that your cat is in pain or feeling unwell. A sign that your cat isn't feeling her best is if you see her lying down & wagging her tail. If there are other signs, such as the cat hiding more than usual or not eating, it may be time for a vet visit."

Purina.ca

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June 2/2021

 

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Wild Tasmanian devils born on mainland Australia for 1st time in 3,000 years

"Tasmanian devil joeys have been born in the wild on mainland Australia for the first time in over 3,000 years, according to Aussie Ark. Conservationists say it is a landmark moment in the effort to reintroduce the marsupials to the mainland.

Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are the world's largest carnivorous marsupials & were once found across mainland Australia. But the introduction of invasive dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) by early human settlers quickly wiped out Tasmanian devils there... As a result, Tasmanian devils are now endemic to Tasmania, an island off the south coast of the mainland...

To save the species from extinction, conservation organization Aussie Ark, in partnership with Re:wild & WildArk, started a rewilding project in 2011 to reintroduce Tasmanian devils to mainland Australia. That year, they transferred 44 Tasmanian devils to a captive breeding site, Devil Ark, in Australia,  where more than 390 joeys have since been born under human supervision, according to Aussie Ark. 

Last year, the team at Devil Ark released 26 of the captive Tasmanian devils, including 7 reproductive-age females, into a 1,000-acre (400 hectares) sanctuary, making them the first wild Tasmanian devils in Australia since they were wiped out... Now, at least 7 joeys have been born among the wild devils, with the actual number likely to be closer to 20, Aussie Ark said.

'We have been working tirelessly for the better part of 10 years to return devils to the wild of mainland Australia, with the hope that they would establish a sustainable population,' Tim Faulkner, president of Aussie Ark, said in a statement. 'Once they were back in the wild, it was up to them.'

 Tiny joeys 

Tasmanian devils reproduce in the same way as kangaroos: Offspring are born prematurely & then continue to develop inside the mother's pouch. Females give birth to between 20 & 30 tiny joeys after just 3 weeks of pregnancy. These hairless, peanut-size babies, which are not much more developed than embryos, then crawl up the mother's fur, toward her pouch, where they attach to the mother's teats & continue to develop for another 3 months, before becoming big enough to leave the pouch. However, the mother has only 4 teats in her pouch, so a maximum of 4 joeys survive... 

Because of the way Tasmanian devils reproduce, conservationists can't determine by observation alone if reproduction has been successful in the wild. Therefore, rangers had to recapture the released female devils to look inside their pouches for developing joeys, according to Aussie Ark.

Australian devils 

Reintroducing Tasmanian devils to mainland Australia will not only safeguard the species... but also benefit the rest of the ecosystem. 

Tasmanian devils are predatory animals but prefer to scavenge on carrion left behind by other predators & from roadkill. They have an excellent sense of smell to detect these leftovers & also powerful jaws that allow them to devour bones. Scavengers like Tasmanian devils are important because they help keep ecosystems clean & free of diseases that sprout up in decaying corpses, according to Aussie Ark. The devils may be able to keep small pests — like mice, feral cats & foxes — under control, according to CNN.

The wild population will continue to develop within the safety of the devils' sanctuary, which protects them from cars, feral pests, noxious weeds, & wildfires, according to Aussie Ark, which also plans to reintroduce 20 additional captive devils to the sanctuary in late 2021 & 2022. 

'The fact that the adults have adapted so quickly is remarkable, & the joeys are one of the most tangible signs that the reintroduction of Tasmanian devils is working,' Don Church, president of Re:wild, said in the statement. 'This doesn't just bode well for this endangered species but also for the many other endangered species that can be saved if we rewild Australia.'

Aussie Ark plans to reintroduce 6 other 'cornerstone species' to the Australian ecosystem in the future: the eastern quoll, brush-tail rock wallaby, rufous bettong, long-nosed potoroo, parma wallaby, & southern brown bandicoot."

Harry Baker 

livescience.com

May 31/2021

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