Toxic kitty? Researchers ponder link between rare venom and cat allergies
2 DAYS AGO - Queensland scientists are asking if cat allergies may be an evolved defence mechanism, but not all Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Queensland scientists are asking if cat allergies may be an evolved defence mechanism, but not all experts are convincedWhat’s not to love about a kitten that makes you giggle at its playful capers, or a cat that cuddles its warm body into yours and purrs blissfully while you stroke its soft fur? While many of us relish the company of our feline friends, for others it’s a miserable experience: sneezing, red eyes, hay fever, itchy rash, breathing difficulties and even asthma are some of the allergic reactions cats can trigger in humans.But is this a defence mechanism that they unwittingly evolved to fend off enemies? That’s what a recent study involving an incredibly cute but atypically venomous primate – the dreamy-eyed slow loris – speculates could be the case. It was a chance discovery by Bryan Fry, associate professor at the University of Queensland, who embraced an opportunity to study the scientifically mysterious venom of the endangered Asian primate in an Indonesian wildlife Collapse
Trust your dog': extraordinary pets help solve crimes by finding bodies
6 DAYS AGO - After grueling training, a rare few civilians and their dogs are allowed to participate in Expand
6 DAYS AGO - After grueling training, a rare few civilians and their dogs are allowed to participate in criminal investigations by searching for cadaversRob Ward keeps baby wipes, canned soup, and bottled water in his truck. “If I need a bath or a meal, there it is,” he explained in a Walker, Louisiana Waffle House. Calls can come at anytime, and his truck remains loaded, his bag packed.Today is a rare day off from both of his jobs: a nine to five at a printing company and volunteer work looking for dead bodies with his Australian shepherd, Niko. Ward and Niko are one of approximately 500 volunteer cadaver dog-handler pairs across the country who assist law enforcement in recovering human remains.You take the emotions, and you set it aside, because you’ve got a job to do. You deal with the grief, or the anger, afterwards'Talk less,' she’ll say. 'Trust your dog.' Continue reading... Collapse
Popularity of pug-like dogs 'could be fuelling rise in canine fertility clinics
07/02/2020 - Investigation links boom in flat-faced canines to rise in clinics, some of which advertise banned Expand
07/02/2020 - Investigation links boom in flat-faced canines to rise in clinics, some of which advertise banned proceduresThe boom in popularity of flat-faced dogs such as pugs and French bulldogs may be fuelling a rise in canine fertility clinics, some of which advertise banned procedures, an investigation has found.Dogs with squashed faces, known as brachycephalic dogs, are often unable to breed or give birth naturally due to their extreme anatomy: the animals’ small hips can make mating difficult, meaning breeders turn to artificial insemination, while they also mean caesarean sections are often necessary since the puppies have disproportionately large heads. Related: Think twice about buying 'squashed-faced' breeds, vets urge dog-lovers Related: 'This is a calamity': the surgeons keeping pugs and bulldogs alive Related: Pugs are anatomical disasters. Vets must speak out – even if it’s bad for business | Anonymous Continue reading... Collapse
World's worst cat' Perdita finds new home after purrfect publicity campaign
01/02/2020 - The grumpy feline, who reportedly loves ‘lurking in dark corners’, became a viral sensation after Expand
01/02/2020 - The grumpy feline, who reportedly loves ‘lurking in dark corners’, became a viral sensation after shelter officials declared her ‘a jerk’Any human branded “a jerk” on social media would rightly take offence. But Perdita, officially the “world’s worst cat” according to animal shelter officials in North Carolina who were trying to re-home the grumpy kitty, wore it as a badge of honour.On Saturday, as a result of one of the greatest cat rescue marketing ploys of all time, Perdita found herself on her way to a “forever home” in Tennessee. She went with a new name, Noel, but also with the same testy demeanour that made her a viral sensation in the first place, with more than 10,000 Facebook likes and her own hashtag of #worldsworstcat. Related: ‘He brought me a tissue when I was ill’: the moment readers realised their cat loves them Continue reading... Collapse
I love my dog. But why must walkies involve horrendous social interactions? | Emma Beddington
29/01/2020 - Dog people report reduced feelings of social isolation, partly because of all the walks with all Expand
29/01/2020 - Dog people report reduced feelings of social isolation, partly because of all the walks with all the other dog owners. But what if you want solitude?Dogs combat human loneliness: German research last year comparing older dog owners, cat owners and people without pets found that only the dog people reported reduced feelings of social isolation. It is partly the dog’s company (our brains release the bonding hormone oxytocin when we’re around them) but it’s also about all those walks, bringing you into contact with cheery, like-minded souls, pockets stuffed with poo bags and fetid liver-based treats. Related: Is owning a dog good for your health? Continue reading... Collapse
Petflix and chill: does your dog need a streaming service?
22/01/2020 - The attention economy has turned its eye to a new audience: household petsHas it ever occurred to Expand
22/01/2020 - The attention economy has turned its eye to a new audience: household petsHas it ever occurred to you that your dog might like to watch television? Or that maybe your cat could be into music?Spotify has just announced that it will design a special playlist specifically for your dog, cat or hamster. You simply log in, answer a few questions about your pet’s personality (whether they’re relaxed or energetic; shy or friendly), upload a picture and wait while the app scans your existing music catalogue to curate a playlist. Related: I don't have a favourite dog or child. Any more | Paul Daley Continue reading... Collapse
Tell us about your cat disputes with your neighbours
17/01/2020 - After one disagreement over a cat resulted in a £20,000 court case, we would like to hear about Expand
17/01/2020 - After one disagreement over a cat resulted in a £20,000 court case, we would like to hear about your experiencesCats: they love us, they hate us - they might even actually be genuinely attached to us.But having a cat can make life difficult – especially when it comes to relationships with our neighbours. One dispute over a Maine Coon in west London resulted in a £20,000 court case this week. Jackie and John Hall were perplexed when their cat Ozzy kept coming home with a new collar – they soon found out that he had been making himself at home with a neighbour, who now has an injunction against her that will ban her interacting with the cat. Continue reading... Collapse
Spotify releases new playlists for your pet
15/01/2020 - Spotify has launched music for iguanas. The streaming service has released playlists that are Expand
15/01/2020 - Spotify has launched music for iguanas. The streaming service has released playlists that are tailored for pets, as well as a podcast for dogs to listen to. Users can get special songs chosen Collapse
A bag for life that’s keeping its promise | Brief letters
08/01/2020 - Patriotism | Geography | Longevity | WordsearchReading Gary Younge (Nationalism needn’t be Expand
08/01/2020 - Patriotism | Geography | Longevity | WordsearchReading Gary Younge (Nationalism needn’t be negative – but it has to be honest, Journal, 3 January), I couldn’t help but view it all through the lens of the comment by Stephen Maturin, in Patrick O’Brian’s novel Master and Commander, that patriotism is a word “that generally comes to mean either my country, right or wrong, which is infamous, or my country is always right, which is imbecile”.Tony RimmerLytham St Anne’s, Lancashire• Hannah Fry (Journal, 6 January) suggests a problem about deciding on the location of decontamination units boils down to maths, needing top minds to solve. The “where” in the problem should have suggested geography, which even 10 years ago would have provided a speedy solution, neatly coloured in as well. Otherwise, I agree with her.Jan RigbyProfessor emerita, department of geography, Maynooth University, Ireland Continue reading... Collapse
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Catman of Wuhan: the man rescuing pets abandoned amid coronavirus outbreak – video
4 DAYS AGO - It is estimated that more than 30,000 pets have been left stranded after the Chinese government Expand
4 DAYS AGO - It is estimated that more than 30,000 pets have been left stranded after the Chinese government sealed off Wuhan following the coronavirus outbreak. In response, people trapped in Wuhan have been volunteering and checking in on the animals whose owners are stuck outside the city. Here's Wu Qian's story of helping those who are currently not allowed to return homeVisual explainer: how the coronavirus spread across China and the worldHow to protect yourself from coronavirus Continue reading... Collapse
The Texas business owner who is literally eating his own dog food
09/02/2020 - Auto dealers tend to drive the cars they sell so what better way to show faith in your own product Expand
09/02/2020 - Auto dealers tend to drive the cars they sell so what better way to show faith in your own product than to consume itOne thing that’s very important in business is demonstrating faith in your own products. That’s why you’ll see auto dealers only driving the cars they sell. Or accountants using their own firm’s specialists to do their taxes. It’s called eating the dog food. But what happens if your company actually sells dog food? Well, I guess you eat that too. That’s what Mitch Felderhoff has been doing. Related: Small US businesses are falling victim to the coronavirus too | Gene Marks Continue reading... Collapse
Scottish animal welfare baffled by mutilated pythons in Aberdeen
06/02/2020 - Two dead 5ft snakes were discovered at a nature reserve within a month of each other A dead python Expand
06/02/2020 - Two dead 5ft snakes were discovered at a nature reserve within a month of each other A dead python has been found slit open along the length of its body and another cut into pieces at a nature reserve, sparking an investigation.The 1.5 metre (5ft) snakes were discovered within a month of each other at Den of Maidencraig in Skene Road, Aberdeen. Related: Python swallows family's pet cat whole in Queensland Continue reading... Collapse
Can my pet travel with me after 31 January? Readers ask about post-Brexit rights
30/01/2020 - Which passport should my children use? Will I pay home or EU student fees? Your questions Expand
30/01/2020 - Which passport should my children use? Will I pay home or EU student fees? Your questions answeredThere is continuing confusion about individuals’ rights after Brexit.So we asked you about your concerns – and many wrote with questions about pension and healthcare rights. Continue reading... Collapse
Reigning cats and dogs: why grumpy animals rule the internet
28/01/2020 - Since the feline known as Grumpy Cat died last year, two furry curmudgeons called Chico and Meow Expand
28/01/2020 - Since the feline known as Grumpy Cat died last year, two furry curmudgeons called Chico and Meow Meow have emerged to fight for her crown – and merchandising possibilitiesName: Grumpy animals.Age: Young-ish. Continue reading... Collapse
Claws out! Why cats are causing chaos and controversy across Britain
22/01/2020 - Whether it is local ‘cat-seducers’, out-and-out thievery or marauding toms, our feline friends are Expand
22/01/2020 - Whether it is local ‘cat-seducers’, out-and-out thievery or marauding toms, our feline friends are prompting furious rows and rivalries between neighboursForget teenagers with asbos or improperly demarcated boundary fences. Cats are the great neighbourhood menace of our age, as likely to rip apart once-harmonious communities as Japanese knotweed. They pad between homes, destroying civic feeling, pitting us against each other in our search for their devotion. Think politics creates division? Cats are worse.Last week, it was reported that a Hammersmith couple, John and Jackie Hall, had waged a legal battle to prevent a nearby resident, Nicola Lesbirel, from stealing their maine coon, Ozzy. The Halls accused Lesbirel of repeatedly feeding Ozzy, taking him into her house and replacing Ozzy’s collar with one that had Lesbirel’s phone number and the words “My home” on it. Related: Are pets really good for us – or just hairy health hazards? Continue reading... Collapse
Crufts – the musical! Cat fan writes tribute to top dog show
16/01/2020 - A Dog’s Tale, written by cat-loving playwright Poppy Hollman, tells the story of a British Expand
16/01/2020 - A Dog’s Tale, written by cat-loving playwright Poppy Hollman, tells the story of a British institution and has a canine/feline rap battleTom Hooper’s extravagant blockbuster may have given cats all the attention but a lovably scruffy new stage musical puts their canine rivals in the spotlight. A Dog’s Tale, written by Poppy Hollman, is a story of terrors and terriers, charting the frayed nerves and fierce competition at Crufts. Hollman’s play, which will tour the UK, explores the famous dog spectacular’s origins in the Victorian era, with the ambitious Charles Cruft – who masterminded the first event in 1891 – emerging as a PT Barnum figure. It is not so much the Greatest Showman, perhaps, as the Best-in-Showman.Hollman says her “guilty secret” about the comedy, which is her first professional commission, is that she shares her family home not with dogs but cats. (Two ginger toms, one fussy and one greedy, who tend to sleep on her laptop.) But she adds that Cruft himself “always Collapse
AOC is setting a terrible example with her adorable new puppy | Arwa Mahdawi
14/01/2020 - The congresswoman’s choice of a French bulldog – a breed prone to serious health problems – is Expand
14/01/2020 - The congresswoman’s choice of a French bulldog – a breed prone to serious health problems – is disappointing. Let’s hope it doesn’t lead others to buy Frenchies they can’t look afterThere’s a new pup in politics. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently introduced the world to her freshly acquired French bulldog via Instagram. He is called Deco, after the art deco movement, and he’s very cute. He has also proved very controversial. The congresswoman’s apparent decision to purchase a purebred puppy instead of adopting a rescue dog has set tongues wagging and prompted a condemnation from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).“AOC had a chance to set a compassionate, responsible example in the face of the homeless-animal crisis, but instead, she apparently inadvertently contributed to the problem,” the animal rights group said in a press release. It further noted that “French bulldogs are inbred in order to produce ‘breed-specific traits’, which cause health problems that many Collapse
AOC finds her perfect puppy – which other politicians have found theirs?
07/01/2020 - The congresswoman says her French bulldog will come with her to the office and to town halls, Expand
07/01/2020 - The congresswoman says her French bulldog will come with her to the office and to town halls, making them an ideal pairToday Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought joy to the world, in the form of a video she made announcing a new addition to her family: a dog.Yes! the goal is to train him to be a community pup. Ideally we want to work to the point where he can enjoy town halls, be an Amtrak pup, come to the office, etc.But first, naps pic.twitter.com/ec8beJTrmZ My goal was for my next post to not be of our dogs. I failed. 4 days to go - let's get Brexit done!#tbt to the little one meeting our newest arrival a few months ago. Say hello to Kenzie. pic.twitter.com/G0wuoP9JCe Someone had a bit too much Christmas dinner! It’s the fourth! Check out my story to get patriotic with some #bundo ! Continue reading... Collapse
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2020 Westminster Kennel Club dog show – in pictures
6 DAYS AGO - The first Westminster show was held on 8 May 1877, making it the second-longest continuously held Expand
6 DAYS AGO - The first Westminster show was held on 8 May 1877, making it the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the US behind only the Kentucky Derby, which was first held in 1875. The annual competition features hundreds of dogs from around the world Continue reading... Collapse
Taking the lead: why a jog with a dog is the latest fitness craze
09/02/2020 - Sales of specialist equipment boom as pet owners combine traditional walkies with their own Expand
09/02/2020 - Sales of specialist equipment boom as pet owners combine traditional walkies with their own exercise routine in ‘canicross’Once it was exercise enough to walk the dog. Now increasing numbers of owners are being taken by their pets for a vigorous run instead. Although canicross – where a human is strapped with a bungee cord to a dog in a harness as it races across fields and woodland trails – has been slowly growing in popularity, there has been a huge jump in participation in the last 12 months. Demand across the UK for equipment has quadrupled, while for training classes it has nearly tripled. Record numbers are also signing up to running events that allow dogs. Continue reading... Collapse
Hollywood hounds: canine film stars – in pictures
02/02/2020 - It was meeting a collie called Hey Hey, a direct descendant of the first dog to play Lassie, that Expand
02/02/2020 - It was meeting a collie called Hey Hey, a direct descendant of the first dog to play Lassie, that gave author and film journalist Wendy Mitchell the idea for her new book, Citizen Canine: Dogs in the Movies. “I would melt into floods of tears when I saw a dog on screen,” she says, and so she created a book celebrating famous dog performances in Hollywood history, from Chaplin’s co-star Scraps in A Dog’s Life to the great Dane in Marmaduke. After spending a year watching dog films, Mitchell believes animals on screen should be recognised more, and calls on Bafta and the Oscars to have a best animal award category. She describes how dogs provoke emotions in humans, but their own feelings are “magic” when captured on film, citing the mutt in the 1974 classic Benji whose “big brown eyes” could show so much. “Even that old curmudgeon Alfred Hitchcock confessed he was a big Benji fan,” she says.Citizen Canine: Dogs in the Movies is out now (£12.99, Laurence King) Continue reading... Collapse
RSPCA urges caution over buying puppies online after spate of deaths
30/01/2020 - Complaints over illegal puppy farms have increased dramatically over the past decade says charity, Expand
30/01/2020 - Complaints over illegal puppy farms have increased dramatically over the past decade says charity, after concerns raised over Brighton breederPuppy Maggie had been with the family for less than 24 hours when she began to show signs of sickness. Grace Piper from Worthing, West Sussex, had picked up the eight-week-old from a breeder in Brighton that advertised its puppies on pets4homes.co.uk for £750 each in cash.“She started being sick, she had diarrhoea, was lethargic, dehydrated and withdrawn,” Piper told the Guardian. “We called the vets [and] were told to feed her chicken and rice and hope for an improvement. All the time we were encouraging her to drink or eat something but all she wanted to do was sleep. We were increasingly worried.” Related: Puppy and kitten farming to be banned under 'Lucy's law' Continue reading... Collapse
My partner wants to get a cat but I’m not convinced
24/01/2020 - After looking after a friend’s cat, I think our flat is too small and I’m concerned about the Expand
24/01/2020 - After looking after a friend’s cat, I think our flat is too small and I’m concerned about the messMy partner is desperate to get a male black cat, but I think our one-bedroom flat is too small. We looked after a friend’s cat for a couple of weeks and, while it was lovely (he was great company, made the place feel more homely and offered us great Instagram content), I did have reservations – mostly that the litter tray took up space, sometimes gave off strong smells and I had to frequently vacuum up his hair. I’m worried that having a cat permanently would leave my clean and tidy flat in chaos. If we lived in a larger place I’d be more inclined to get one, but we’ve only just moved into the flat, which we love and have no desire to move any time soon (we probably couldn’t afford somewhere bigger in the area anyway). Continue reading... Collapse
How the world's funniest-looking dog finally found a home
21/01/2020 - Jubilee the wide-eyed husky lay languishing unwanted in a shelter, until her carers hit on the Expand
21/01/2020 - Jubilee the wide-eyed husky lay languishing unwanted in a shelter, until her carers hit on the idea of sharing her sad saga on Facebook Name: Jubilee the cross-eyed Siberian husky.Age: Four. Continue reading... Collapse
Dog tired: will the new podcast for pooches soothe my surly whippet?
16/01/2020 - It has specially composed music, a background soundscape including a washing machine, and Expand
16/01/2020 - It has specially composed music, a background soundscape including a washing machine, and voiceovers from well-known actors. A brilliant idea – or barking mad?“I wish I could stay here with you,” says actor Jessica Raine. Her voice is Caramel Bunny delicious, low and soft. “But you don’t need to worry about that … take the opportunity to chill out, focus on you.” She is not talking to me, though: she is talking to Oscar, my surly whippet, on Spotify’s newly released My Dog’s Favourite Podcast.There are two episodes, each five hours long, aiming to provide dogs with a relaxing aural comfort blanket when their owners are out. The podcasts combine soothing speech, specially composed ambient music and a background soundscape (birdsong, a washing machine and ironing). Continue reading... Collapse
Forget cat ladies: the real tribes of modern dating, from fantasists to routiners
14/01/2020 - Finding a mate now involves navigating the perils of sword enthusiasts, 9/11 ‘truthers’ and the Expand
14/01/2020 - Finding a mate now involves navigating the perils of sword enthusiasts, 9/11 ‘truthers’ and the risk that it’s your beagle they really want, rather than youTen years ago, in my second year at university, I threw a Lord of the Rings-themed party. I would be embarrassed about committing this to print had it not been in New Zealand, where all parties are Lord of the Rings-themed.I was a Ringwraith, having spent an unfeasible amount of money on eBay for a hobby horse. Some guests on the way to my house in costume, were accosted by strangers of about our age, who asked: were they going to a Lord of the Rings-themed party?At its worst, dating can be thought of as an anthropological survey Related: What is a softboi? You might be dating one – and you don't even know it Continue reading... Collapse
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