Tips on How to Pick Furniture Your Cat Won’t Scratch

by Kate Barrington

Published: December 16th, 2021

tips on how to pick furniture your cat wont scratch

Your couch isn’t an oversized cat scratcher for your kitty! Here are some tips on picking furniture your cat won’t be tempted to scratch.

The only thing worse than a couch covered in cat hair is a couch covered in scratch marks. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and it is something they have a physical need to do, but that doesn’t mean you have to let them do it on your furniture.

One thing to keep in mind is that your cat might be tempted to scratch your furniture based on how it feels, so there are steps you can take to ensure you buy furniture that won’t tempt your kitty into using it as a scratching post. It might even take a bit of trial and error to figure out what your cat won’t scratch–every cat is a unique individual, after all. But once you get the hang of things, you will be able to have fabulous furniture in a home with one or more cats, so everyone can be happy, including your furkids.

In addition to providing your cat with a scratching post, choose carefully when furniture shopping to reduce the risk of having your new furniture scratched to pieces. Below are some recommendations and tips that you can put to use right away.

Why Do Cats Scratch So Much?

Not only is scratching a normal part of cat behavior, but it actually serves several important functions. For one thing, scratching helps to condition the claws by removing worn and frayed outer claws, making room for new growth. Your cat also has scent glands between his toes that produce an odor that is unique to him – by scratching things with his claws he is spreading that scent and effectively marking his territory. Scratching also simply feels good for cats because it helps them to stretch out their bodies while also flexing their feet and claws.

For all of these reasons, and more, there is no reason to stop your cat from scratching. Instead, as a cat owner, you need to accept that this is totally normal and necessary feline behavior. But, again, this does not mean that you have to sacrifice your beautiful and comfortable furniture to have a happy kitty in your home.

Declawing Is Not the Solution!

If your cat has a tendency to scratch your furniture, don’t turn to declawing as the solution. Declawing a cat isn’t a harmless procedure similar to trimming your fingernails. In reality, the surgical procedure used for declawing actually removes the last bone on each of the cat’s toes, not just the claw.

This procedure can lead to lasting physical problems for cats and it may also contribute to problem behaviors like aggression and failure to use the litter box. It is no surprise, then, that so many animal advocates, experts, and vets have been speaking out against declawing cats. And many pet owners are choosing to avoid this procedure. Not only is it cruel, it’s also unnecessary because there are many different solutions and strategies that you can implement if your cat is scratching your furniture.

Keep Your Kitty’s Claws Trimmed

Before we dive into the types of furniture that can work well in homes with frisky felines, let’s cover a basic step you can take to help prevent your kitty from damaging your furniture and other belongings: keep his claws trimmed.

There are scissors specifically designed for trimming a cat’s claws, so purchase a pair and keep them on hand. Then, simply trim your pet’s claws at home on a regular basis. Not only will this help prevent damage to your furniture, but it can also help you avoid getting scratched up by accident when playing with or holding your cat.

Training your cat to tolerate having his claws trimmed might be more challenging when she’s older, so starting young is a great idea. But don’t lose hope even if your kitty is an adult and isn’t used to this. Just take your time and ask an expert, such as your vet, for help if you need it.

Try Deterrents

The best way to ensure that your cat doesn’t scratch your furniture is to provide him with plenty of alternative options that blend in with the surroundings. If you’re worried about matching your trending decor, spend a little extra on a deluxe or modular style – there are plenty available, online or in store. A rope-covered scratching post or a scratch pad made from cardboard are great options that your cat will like to scratch – you can rub them with catnip to make them more appealing to your cat.

Another option would be to implement strategies for deterring your cat from going on your furniture or using it as a scratcher. Sometimes, covering an area with sandpaper, foil, or double-sided tape will make it unappealing to your cat. And you can try spraying your furniture with citrus or menthol – two scents that cats can’t stand. But if you are going to use any products with fragrances, even if they consist of essential oils, just be sure that they will be safe for your pets.

Best Furniture Options for Homes with Cats

If you are going to buy new furniture, you should also be mindful about the style and the materials you choose because this will affect how likely your cat is to find the furniture appealing for scratching.

The best material to choose in a house with cats is microfiber. Microfiber is a smooth, soft fabric and those qualities are the opposite of what cats like in terms of texture. Cats like to scratch things that will help wear down their nails and this won’t happen with microfiber – microfiber also doesn’t tend to snag or run like other upholstery materials. For the most part, microfiber simply doesn’t collect signs of scratching like claw marks, holes, pulls, or tears. It also doesn’t hurt that microfiber is easy to clean and it doesn’t tend to collect dust and dander like other materials.

Replacing your existing furniture with microfiber may be the most effective solution to cat-scratched furniture, though don’t forget to provide your cat with a scratching post or two as well.

Don’t Punish Your Cat for Scratching

Whatever you do, do not try to discourage your cat from scratching by punishing him. For one thing, he will not understand why he is being punished and he might start forming a negative association with you. It is also possible that you could hurt your cat by accident. Most problem behaviors can be solved simply by providing your cat with an alternative means for expressing the undesired behavior – a method that does not have a negative effect on you, your furniture, or your home.

Simple Solutions Can Achieve Great Results

By understanding your cat’s natural behaviors and needs, you can begin to take the right approach when it comes to giving him the perfect home. Keep the tips above in mind as you enrich his environment and design your space to suit both of you.

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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10 Tips On How To Stop Your Cat From Scratching Furniture

Cats have an itch they just have to scratch – here’s what you can do to keep them from scratching furniture Cats make awesome pets. But there are some habits we wish they just give up. Like bringing us a dead bird. Jumping up on the keyboard when we’re typing. And one of the worst things has to be when your cat scratches the furniture. Don’t you wish that cats could understand how much it cost and how bad it looks? Since cats aren’t going to start speaking human anytime soon, there are some things that will stop your cat from scratching furniture. We’ve got the top 10 here: Give your cat lots of places where they can scratch. A scratching post is a good investment and will let your cat not only scratch, but exercise and stretch as well. Place it near food and water or a bed, as cats tend to scratch after eating and sleeping.By clipping your cat’s nails, you can reduce the damage done by scratching. But you cat isn’t going to be onboard with a mani/pedi, so be sure to start young and offer lots of praise and treats.You can cover the furniture with something your cat doesn’t like. Just a few of the things cats tend to stay away from include double sided tape, plastic and aluminium foil.Tape a balloon to the areas your cat scratches. When your cat pops the balloon, you can be sure that it won’t go there again. Only do this when you are around, as you don’t want your cat to eat the broken balloon pieces.If your cat loves to scratch up the curtains, use a doorknob alarm. Pin them to your drapes and the alarm will sound when your cat climbs them.A bored kitty is a kitty that likes to scratch. Be sure to play with your cat and give it enough attention. That way, it will have less opportunity to be destructive. As well, offer your cat toys that motivate – toys that stimulate with smell, sound, texture and movement.Cats hate the smell and taste of bitter apple and orange peels, so spray them on the area your cat likes to scratch.Squirt, squirt! If you catch your cat scratching furniture, squirt it with a squirt bottle of water, followed by a firm “no.”Pet stores offer a variety of training devices made to keep cats from scratching furniture. You can research them online or in person.Who needs furniture? Trade that sofa in for a couple of cushions and settle in for a comfy night (just kidding!)

How to Choose the Right Scratching Post for Your Cat

A scratching post is an essential piece of feline furniture. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which one your cat will use? Cats come with claws, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your nice furniture. Rather than declawing your kitty (which is really cruel and unnecessary), keep her claws trimmed with a pair of feline claw clippers, and keep your furniture looking like new by encouraging her to use a scratching post. With so many different types of scratching posts, shopping for one can get somewhat confusing. How do you know that you’re buying your kitty the scratching post that she will love and actually use? The tips below should help. The Right Size and Sturdiness Cats want to use a scratching post that is sturdy, so avoid purchasing anything that’s already unstable or wobbly or made of cheap materials that will guarantee it won’t remain strong for long. Put simply, your kitty should be able to lean all of her weight into the post without it falling over, so make sure it is made of durable materials. Related: Works of Art You Want Your Cat to Shred The scratching post should also be high enough that your cat can fully stretch her body and the muscles of her legs and paws. So if you’ve adopted a kitten, you may need to upgrade to a taller scratching post as your fur baby grows. The Right Texture Kitties typically prefer to find something with a rough texture to scratch on, and something they can really sink their claws into. The best material is one that your cat will be attracted to and will be able to use without getting her claws stuck. A great example is sisal, which is really popular amongst felines and their owners because it is durable and has a rough texture that cats like. Related: Tips on How to Pick Furniture Your Cat Won’t Scratch If your cat doesn’t like sisal, you could try other materials, such as wood or corrugated cardboard. And if you find that your kitty likes to scratch on your carpeted floors or your rugs, a scratching post with a carpeted base might satisfy that need without having to go after your flooring. Horizontal or Vertical Speaking of cats who like to scratch at carpets and rugs, you can also offer your kitty a mix of different types of scratching posts, not only in terms of the materials that they’re made of, but also in terms of whether they’re meant to be used vertically or horizontally. A horizontal scratching post is a great option for kitties who like to claw at flooring. Even though they may also use vertical posts, the addition of horizontal options could be helpful. Location, Location, Location Once you have a few scratching posts, place them throughout your home in strategic areas where your cat tends to scratch. Hiding the scratching posts in a corner might not be such a good idea because your cat may not even bother using them. If your cat has started scratching your furniture, for example, placing a scratching post there could help deter her from using the furniture because the post is a more attractive option. Also, simply paying attention to your kitty’s habits will help you figure out the best places to put your scratching posts. If your pet sleeps with you at night and likes to scratch after waking up, put one in the bedroom. Other cats may like to scratch before or after they play, after a nap, or after they have a yummy meal. With so many different styles from innovative manufacturers now available, including those that don’t even really look like traditional scratching posts, you can place these in view as part of your décor without worrying that your home looks like that of a crazy cat person. Offer Plenty of Options in a Multi-Cat Family Finally, having a variety of scratching posts is very helpful in a multi-cat household where every cat has individual preferences when it comes to where they scratch, the materials they prefer, and whether they like horizontal or vertical options. Avoid attempting to encourage your kitty to use a scratching post by grabbing her paws and placing them on the post. Instead, try sprinkling dried catnip on it. If your kitty still shows no interest, it could be the wrong type of scratching post for her, so you may need to experiment a bit until you find the right fit.

IKEA Introduces New Pet Line To The United States And We Are “Lurvig

No-frills, simply fabulous furniture store IKEA has taken its furniture line offerings to the next level–introducing to the The Lurvig pet product line. Pet lovers will no longer go to Ikea for the affordable (and very hackable!) furniture or Swedish meatballs. Well, they will, but that won’t be all they go for. Related: 2 Humans + 8 Dogs = 1 Big Custom Bed IKEA has now shown the United States another line they’ll have to know the name of by heart, and this line is just for four-legged, furry friends.

The Cone May Be the Most Beautiful Scratching Post You’ve Seen

The Cone lets your cat scratch beautifully — it’s a new modern scratching post and nap space that you’ll love as much as your cat does. While many of us suffer through awkwardly shaped and heavily carpeted tubes and tunnels that rise upward and outward into our living spaces and provide a mock-habitat and tacky scratching post for our feline friends, the folks who designed The Cone chose differently. Oh, they still appreciate the need for kitty to have her own safe space and understand she will turn any vertical surface into her very own emery board, but they came up with a streamlined design that looks like something Dyson would propose if they weren’t in the business of vacuums. Related: 6 Valuable Tips for New Cat Owners The Cone is tall – 31.5 inches tall, it’s sturdy and it delivers a surface that cats of any size can use to scratch, stretch, climb or play. The natural, 100% sisal cover is ideal for kitty to sink her claws into and it’s neutral tones and A-line shape means it fits into any décor and surely beats out what’s already on the market from an aesthetics standpoint. The Cone offers fussy felines an elevated nap space with plush, reversible and washable cushion that’s sure to make her feel like she’s queen of the world – if she doesn’t already – and an easy carry handle in case she needs you to move it around the house during the day to catch the sun. Related: Tips on How to Pick Furniture Your Cat Won’t Scratch And you just know it was designed by a cat person because WISKI gets that felines need height to extend their entire reach and that sisal is a super attractive fabrication for them to sink their claws into. Better still, The Cone’s neutral sisal wrap simply zips off for easy replacement. Soft vinyl feet make it perfect for hardwood floors and also non-skid for when kitty takes a running start. WISKI founder Evan Ryan, says The Cone is his answer to the bulky, ugly cat tree-scratching post combos currently available and he needs to move it from the prototype stage to actual production. That’s where his Kickstarter campaign comes in. For a pledge of just $1 you are kept up-to-date on the progress of The Cone as it moves towards production (hey, every little bit helps) but for those who want to see the look of elation as their puss curls up on The Cone’s elevated nap space, just $165 gets you your very own unit (a $300 retail value). The Cone can be shipped anywhere in the United States, once production begins (estimated May 2018). Do you want a Cone for your own? Head to the WISKI campaign page on Kickstarter.

Expats May Need to Leave their Pets Behind as Travel Costs Skyrocket

Animal travel has always been expensive, but it’s about to become unaffordable for many pet lovers. Pet owners moving abroad may be forced to leave their pets behind after animal travel costs have gone up by as much as 400 percent!IAG Cargo, a sister company to British Airways, Vueling, and Aer Lingus, has recently announced that it was raising travel prices along some routes beginning March 1. This unexpected move shocked pet owners with relocation plans, particularly those moving to and from Britain and the United States. “To reflect the complexities of this bespoke service and the cost of providing the very best care for pets traveling as cargo, we have made some amendments to our prices,” a spokesperson for IAG Cargo said in a statement. This shipping company is mostly used by military personnel to move their pets abroad while deployed. After three years at their duty station in the UK, Sara and her family are moving back to the U.S. The family’s two dogs, Bentley and Ghost, are booked on a British Airways flight on 1 March.Under the current policy, IAG Cargo only accepts a booking for a pet transfer up to six weeks before the flight. The company then confirms the space has been requested. Two weeks before the flight, once the planes have been scheduled on that route, the IAG Cargo confirms the booking, locking in the price.Initially, Sara’s family was quoted $1,450 for a flight from London to Baltimore for both dogs. However, due to the recent price hike, the travel price for the dogs has jumped to $6,500! And that’s without the administration fees and the cost of the agency the family is using to arrange the cargo shipment. “We are paying out of our own pocket for this, and we just bought a house in our new location,” said Sara to BBC. “Our dogs are like our children, we would do anything for them but that doesn’t mean it’s not devastating for our finances.”The family’s shipping agent found another airline that could ship their dogs at a lower price. The catch - they would have to make a seven-hour round trip to collect the dogs from another airport. Sara explained that her dogs are small in size and that she believes people shipping large-size dogs could face shipping costs over $10,000.“I already know a number of people who did not bring their pets [to the UK] because of the costs to bring them one way… People are going to be shocked,” she added.Details about the new pricing and affected routes are still unclear, but some companies that work with IAG Cargo are already seeing the effects. Kimberly Cirone, a director at Pets Abroad UK, a pet relocation company that assists pet owners with travel arrangements and works with airlines, said that the costs of pet transport between Britain and the United States have increased by 400 percent without warning, consideration, or explanation.The unexpected price hike has left many military families in turmoil as they are unable to gather the necessary funds in time to have their pets shipped back home. “It’s a huge amount to organize, and within days or weeks of arriving one of those family members may be sent on to areas of conflict. The dog or cat is hugely important, it is the family’s companion when one partner is away fighting and this will be hugely distressing for them.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

What Shapes Your Dog’s Personality? Harvard Neuroscientists Reveal

No two dogs are the same – each pooch has a personality of their own, complete with unique quirks and traits. But why is your dog the way they are? What shapes their personality and character? Why do they behave in a unique way, even when they belong to a certain breed with a distinct set of traits?This is the question that Erin Hecht, assistant professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard, is trying to answer. She is doing this through  The Canine Brains Project and recently held a  talk - centered on canine neuroscience - that was organized by Harvard’s Brain Science Initiative.According to Hecht, dogs have the potential to teach us so much about brain development, especially considering the fact that they were domesticated about 20,000 to 40,000 years before the present – which, on the evolutionary timeline, is quite recent. “Darwin saw dogs as a window on mechanisms of evolution,” Hecht said. “When we’re looking at dogs, as a natural experiment and brain behavior evolution all we have to do is look at their brains and see what evolution did in order to satisfy those selection requirements.”Hecht’s efforts were benefited by her lab, which performs MRI scans of dog brains – roughly 100 per year. They also conduct owner surveys that examine dogs’ work skills, especially those “ancient” ones, like hunting, guarding, herding, fetching, and so on. All this is then compared to breed parameters, like body size, skill size, and overall shape. “About 80 percent of the dogs living on the planet today are what’s known as village dogs. These are free-ranging animals that live as human commensals. So they’re living within human society, but they’re not pets,” Hecht said.Through such research, Hecht is hoping to determine what exactly shapes a dog’s personality. Through her lab work, she connects personality and skill differences in dogs to six special regions of their brains:-the regions controlling drive and reward -olfaction and taste-spatial navigation-social communication and coordination-fight or flight -and olfaction and vision“There has been very strong recent specific selection in individual breeds rather than founding effects in ancestral founding populations,” Hecht said. “So then we can look at behavior and ask whether the types of behaviors that different lineages have been selected for historically … [explain] each dog’s anatomy and these six brain networks. And it seems like there are some interesting relationships here.”But most importantly, it is concluded that these neural pathways are greatly impacted by the shape and size of a dog’s skull. “It stands to reason that if you’re manipulating the shape of a skull, you’re going to be manipulating the shape of the brain,” Hecht said. “But this confirms that dogs with these extreme skull morphotypes have impacts on their brain anatomy that likely affects behavior.”She also adds that even though some dogs have a brain “makeup” that suggests a unique disposition, it doesn’t “lock” them into a set behavior pattern. This is especially true for working skills. “Training is almost always necessary. I have yet to hear of any particular breed of working dog, where it’s just born knowing how to do its job,” Hecht said.So, a look “inside” your doggo’s brain might reveal why they are just the way they are. Would you be curious enough to let scientists take a peek?

An AI App Helps Vets Diagnose Cats By Detecting Their Pain Levels

Every cat owner has wondered what their cat is thinking about - at least once in a while. You see your feline friend just standing there in the corner, its gaze fixed on something and its expression a true enigma. Sadly, it’s not that easy to read a cat’s emotions, so most of it just remains a mystery. Until now, that is. An Alberta-based company is developing an app that could change the way we see cats and their emotions. The innovative AI app is named Tably, and it aims to help vet clinics assess a cat’s pain more easily. Susan Groenveld, one of the developers of Tably, said that felines visit the vet far less than dogs. "And when you really unpack that, it's because they hide their pain. When a cat is in pain, they go and hide under the bed, versus a dog that'll present to the owner, like kids do," said Groeneveld, the founder at Sylvester.ai, the company developing the  Tably app. "I thought, wouldn't it be cool if everyday people that love their pets would know if their animal may be demonstrating pain."An earlier version of the app already showed remarkable success, with tens of thousands of downloads around the world. Susan Groeneveld said that those early stages of the app acquired around 54,000 downloads in just a week, showing that there is a big need for something like this. "This told us that people were really, really interested in it," she said. "But we really wanted to make sure that it was validated and veterinarians actually supported it because it was a really easy opportunity for us to become a novelty."As the work progressed, the app had been clinically tested by both veterinarians and pet owners in the United States, Canada, as well as in Europe. It is expected that the app will arrive in the digital market in the U.S., Singapore, and France in January. And for Canada, the app should see a release this fall. How does Tably work? The app uses special algorithms that apply standards and facial pain scores that vets previously created. With that, the vets can review the results and better assess the cat’s state. "We believe our technology will make it more accurate because there's less human bias in the subjectivity of the assessment," Groeneveld said.Positive reviews have been overwhelming so far, many of them coming from respected vets. Dr. Liz Ruelle, a vet at the Wild Rose Cat Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, is on the advisory board for the Tably app. Her involvement is very important for the developers, and Dr. Ruelle used the app in her practice. In fact, Dr. Ruelle states that she definitely plans on using the app in her future work and said for  Yahoo: “When a cat experiences pain, its eyes and eyelid positions change and they shift their ear positions. Like if we're in a good mood and we smile, we could think of how our cheeks are uplifted. We see the apples of our cheeks. If I had whiskers on my cheeks, then I would have that same uplifted, happy whiskers," she said. "But when I'm feeling sad, or headache, or painful, then those facial muscles start to sag down … instead of being upright and perky whiskers, they would be kind of dropping down the face."The best thing of all - the app won’t be exclusive to vets. Groeneveld and Ruell stated that a special lite version is planned, which will be aimed at pet owners to use at home. No exact dates have been provided, however. 

How Do I Train My Dog to Wear a Muzzle?

Introducing a new tool to your dog can feel like uncharted territory. While some dogs will readily accept whatever is thrown their way, others will become stressed or anxious when presented with something new. Unfortunately, if you are in a position where a muzzle is necessary for the safety of your dog or others around you, forgoing a tool because your dog appears to be uninterested in it isn’t an option. So, what do you do? How do you train your dog to wear a muzzle? This guide will dig into the importance of conditioning when planning to muzzle your dog. This includes explaining what conditioning is, walking you through the process step-by-step, and sharing some helpful tips to set you up for success. What is Muzzle Conditioning? Before expecting your dog to wear their muzzle, it is recommended that you take the time to focus on muzzle training, also referred to as muzzle conditioning. This is the process of introducing the muzzle alongside positive rewards. If each time your dog sees or interacts with the muzzle, they get “good things,” it will create a positive association. Over time, they will not only tolerate the muzzle but happily accept it. Why? They recognize that wearing their muzzle means they will receive good things like verbal praise, pets, and their favorite treats. How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Get Used to a Muzzle? There is no one guaranteed timeline when working on muzzle conditioning. While some dogs will quickly take to the muzzle, adjusting in just a few days, others will take longer. Some factors that can impact this include your dog’s personality, trainability, previous experience (positive or negative) with a muzzle, and their trust/bond with you as the person introducing this tool to them. It’s important to keep in mind that the time it takes does NOT mean you are doing better or failing at your training efforts. We have three dogs, all of which have been muzzle-trained. While two of our dogs took to the muzzle relatively quickly, Lucifer’s nerves and anxiety made the process more challenging. This doesn’t mean it was impossible. With time, patience, and consistency, he is now the dog that is most comfortable in a muzzle out of the three. We just had to move at his pace.

Is A Wet Dog's Nose Good or Bad?

A dog’s nose is their tool for discovering the world around them through scent, but dog noses are important for much more than sniffing – the state of your pet’s nose can sometimes be indicative of their health. It can be dry and flaky or wet and soft, so what is better? Is a dry nose a bad sign? Or a wet one? Or are they both normal? These are the questions that are often proving to be troubling for dog owners. So let’s try and answer them once and for all!Is A Wet Dog's Nose Good or Bad?A wet dog's nose is usually a sign of good health. Most often, the nose is wet because the doggo is licking it! They do this frequently in order to keep them clean and to enhance their sense of smell. In fact, a moist nose helps them trap scent particles more effectively. The moisture on their nose captures scent molecules from the air, allowing them to better identify and track smells. This ability is crucial for tasks such as hunting, tracking, and even detecting certain medical conditions in humans. 

Animal Shelter Has Clever Way to Fundraise for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is for celebrating love, but for some, it can be a reminder of failed relationships. If you’re still feeling bitter towards an ex, you can now take that resentment and transform it into something positive, thanks to a clever fundraiser being run by an animal shelter in New Jersey.“Neuter Your Ex” and Help Stray Cats This Valentine’s Day Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood, NJ has come up with a funny way to raise much-needed funds for stray cats this Valentine’s Day. The campaign is called Neuter Your Ex for Valentine’s Day, and its slogan is “Because some things shouldn’t breed.”It’s simple: when you donate $50 to Homeward Bound, they’ll name a feral cat after your ex and then neuter or spay the kitty before releasing them back to their outdoor colony. If you’re familiar with trap-neuter-return, also known as TNR, then you already know how this works—cats who aren’t adoptable are allowed to live out their lives outdoors, but because they’ve been neutered or spayed, they can’t reproduce and, therefore, won’t contribute to the overpopulation problem.A Big Success So FarThis campaign is already a hit. Multiple news outlets have reported on it, so word has spread far and wide. The shelter states that they’ve received a lot of names (they’ve gotten so many that it will take months to use all of them). And donations have come from around the United States and other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. Want to Help? Here’s HowIf you want to make a donation towards this worthy cause, you can fill out the form here, provide your ex’s first name or a nickname, and make a one-time or monthly payment to support the shelter’s TNR efforts. If you have questions, you can reach out to Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center. Their recent Instagram post provides answers to some frequently asked questions about the campaign, so you can check that out as well.  Keep an eye on Homeward Bound’s Instagram to see photos of the cats that end up benefiting from this Valentine’s Day fundraiser.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

A Xmas Miracle: Shelter Empty for the First Time in Nearly 50 Years

It was a very merry Christmas for a Pennsylvania shelter whose kennels were empty for the first time in nearly 50 years. Just two weeks ago, the shelter was packed with cats and dogs. However, the staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to make sure the animals in their care got adopted into loving homes. The Adams County SPCA is overjoyed that the shelter is empty, especially during the holidays.“This is the first time in 47 years that the Adams County SPCA is empty let alone on Christmas time, it is a true miracle!” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked very hard to take care of the animals in our care and to make sure they got adopted into the right home.”The organization had a busy year, taking care of 598 animals before adopting them into furever homes. The hardworking staff and volunteers also reunited 125 stay animals with their owners this year alone.Adams County SPCA kennel technician Tanya Hays said that in the last two weeks, the shelter found homes for 20 animals, either as adoptions or strays returned to their owners.“We had to get them all spayed and neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworms and thick-born illnesses while also processing a lot of (adoption) applications, so the staff worked really hard,” said Hays to TODAY.“It was pretty cool. It was quite a feat,” she added.The organization took to Facebook to thank their community. “Our community stepped up once again! We thank everyone for their continued support and look forward to new adventures in 2024!”Although it may seem like people are more motivated to adopt animals during the holidays, the shelter actually discourages people from giving pets as gifts because these animals are more likely to be returned to the shelter weeks later. While the staff and volunteers celebrated everything they achieved this year, they are already ready to get back to work. “We will be pulling animals from other shelters in Pennsylvania next week in hopes of relieving some of their stress,” the shelter shared. “Right now we are going to enjoy this accomplishment!”In a follow-up post, the organization shared that it has “received an overwhelming response” from different shelters across the country and also from Canada and Mexico. Members of the public have also reached out asking them to take in abandoned animals. “Even though our hearts break for them and the situation they are in we need to help the members of our community first,” the organization said. The Adams County SPCA is only taking animals from overwhelmed shelters in Pennsylvania and animals surrendered by residents within the county as well as those living in surrounding counties. “We are going to do the best we can to help as many animals and people we can.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

What Do I Do if My Dog Has a Chipped Tooth?

Discovering that your dog is hurt or in pain is a concerning moment for any pet parent, regardless of the injury. But dental injuries can be particularly stressful. If you have ever experienced a toothache, you understand!Whether your pup chipped a tooth during a rough play session with their best furry friend or while gnawing on a hard chew like a bone or antler, any dental damage must be addressed promptly.Read on to learn how to prioritize your dog’s dental health, including identifying if they may be suffering from a broken or chipped tooth, how to address dental damage and tips for preventing a broken tooth before it happens. Your pup will thank you!Common Signs of a Broken or Chipped ToothThe first step to caring for dental problems is to identify that your dog is experiencing an issue. The signs of dental problems vary considerably. While some dogs won’t show any discomfort, others may demonstrate considerable pain. This is due not only to the difference in a dog’s personality and pain threshold but also the spectrum of injuries that fall under the heading of “dental problems.”Broken teeth can be categorized into three groups:Enamel Fractures: Damage only to the enamel of the tooth.Crown Fractures: Damage extends deeper into the tooth, breaking the crown and exposing the pulp.Root Fractures: The root of the tooth has been broken.Unless you inspect your dog’s teeth regularly and spot a problem, we often have to rely on body language and behavioral changes to know there’s a problem. Unfortunately, dogs are very good at hiding pain, so they may be suffering from a problem for a while before we’re aware that there is an issue.Some of the more common signs of a broken or chipped tooth include:Excessive droolingBloody salivaPawing at their muzzleChewing on one side of the mouthReluctancy to eat and kibble or harder-to-chew itemsRefusal to eat at allAvoiding drinking cold waterGrinding teethSwelling in the faceDiscomfort or reluctance to have muzzle touchedWhining or whimpering Not playing as they would normally Sudden or out-of-character aggressive or anxious behaviorTrembling or shaking

Taters the Cat Streams From Deep Space for NASA

Cat playing with laser pointer is used by NASA to measure band-with between deep space and Earth.

Scientists Uncover Secrets of Extinct "Wooly Dog" Breed

Throughout history, dogs have played several key roles in the lives of people globally. They have hunted, worked, and provided for us, forever weaving them into the fabric of human existence. We often use this knowledge to better understand our modern dogs by reflecting on their original purpose as a breed. Unfortunately, not every breed continues to thrive among us today.The Coast Salish wooly dog was a unique breed, kept by the First Nations people throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver Island, for its fleece-like coat. A new study reveals insights into the history of the now-extinct breed.Unlike most animals at that time in history, the dog was kept in pens and longhouses. This was done to prevent the dogs from mixing with village and hunting dogs, preserving the breed and the fleece it provided.“They were sheared like sheep, and the wool was woven into blankets,” recounted Eliot White-Hill of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. “Blankets were like currency in our economy prior to contact and some of the most important things you could own and give away as gifts.”The dogs were fed a diet of fish and elk and were seen as beloved family members.“It’s not just a dog – it’s a relative. It has enormous spiritual power, conveyed in its wool,” explained Michael Pavel, an elder of the Skokomish-Twana tribe and one of the study's authors. “Imagine being able to receive the gift of wool fiber, being able to learn to weave that into yarn, into an entity, or a blanket or robe that you could wrap yourself in the coldest of winter and feel the warmth of those prayers. That’s how we look at it, and we can now enjoy a scientific view, as well.”Unfortunately, the breed did not survive colonization. It’s not clear exactly what caused the demise of the Coast Salish wooly dog – the introduction of European dog breeds, rules enforced on First Nations people during assimilation and displacement, or smallpox epidemics being a few of the hypothesized factors.But thanks to the preserved pelt of a wooly dog named Mutton, who died in 1859, researchers can now learn a little more about the unique DNA of the dog, its lineage, and insight into the breeding practices of local Indigenous communities.Researchers compared DNA from Mutton’s pelt to that of a separate non-wooly village dog that lived and died in the same region at approximately the same time.While the information gathered from the study did not offer any conclusive answers about the disappearance of the breed, it did hypothesize that the Indian Act of 1876 played a critical role as it would have directly impacted the ability of Indigenous women to pass on valuable knowledge about caring for the dogs and weaving necessary to its survival.On a positive note, the study did support historical facts shared by First Nations people in that area – a valuable piece of the puzzle as many work to reclaim the traditions of their ancestors.“It brought a large group of people together that reaffirmed for us the history we know,” stated Violet Elliott, also of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. “It was a gift of collaboration with other nations.”

Study Finds Pet Parents Care More About Their Dogs Than Their Cats

Pet parents tend to place themselves into one of two categories. You can either be a dog person or a cat person - there’s nothing in between. This may come as a shock to all cat lovers, but scientists have found that dog owners care more for their dogs than cat owners care for their cats. At least that’s the case with pet owners across Denmark, Austria, and the United Kingdom.Although these findings have been observed in older studies, veterinary scientists from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, wanted to find out whether cultural factors had any effect on the results. Their results were first published in the Journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. “We and others have found that people are willing to spend much less on their cats than on their dogs,” said Peter Sandøe, professor at the University of Copenhagen and the study’s lead author. “We wanted to find out whether cats could eventually end up having the same high status as dogs do today.”The scientists surveyed 2,117 pet owners, including 844 dog owners, 872 cat owners, and 401 owners who owned both cats and dogs. Participants were asked questions about their pets’ health insurance, their willingness to pay for life-saving medical treatment, and other questions designed to determine how much owners care for their pets. Pet owners from all three countries had a higher attachment score for dogs than for cats. Dog owners were more likely to buy insurance for their dogs, and said they were willing to spend more for life-saving treatment for their dogs. However, the results of the study varied greatly across the countries. The differences were most noticeable in Denmark, where 41% of dog owners said they were willing to pay a high cost of life-saving medical treatment for their dogs compared to 26% of cat owners. On the other hand, the United Kingdom’s results were in favor of dogs, but only slightly. Around 34% of dog owners in the UK said they would pay more for their dogs’ medical treatment compared to 28% of cat owners. According to scientists, such a slight difference isn’t statistically significant. ‘While people care more about their dogs than their cats in all countries, the degree of difference varied dramatically between countries,” said Sandøe. The researchers originally hypothesized that people in Denmark might be more unaccustomed with cats living indoors than people living in Austria and the United Kingdom since Denmark became urbanized much later than these two countries. Thanks to a much more recent rural history, cats in Denmark might be seen as just another farm animal.According to researchers, several studies hypothesize that when cats are more likely to spend time indoors, they tend to become much closer to their owners, who consequently care more about them. This was confirmed by studies in the U.S. and Mexico, where many cats are indoors-only felines.So it comes as no surprise that in Denmark, where just one out of five cats is kept strictly indoors and many have outdoor access, most pet owners care less about cats. Researchers think that pet owners’ level of care for their pets may depend on the level of interaction and dependence, as well as other factors. "There seems to be no natural limit to how much people will end up caring about their cats compared to their dogs,” said Sandøe. “The British are often portrayed as a nation of cat lovers, which is certainly confirmed by our study. The Danes have a long way to go, but they may eventually get there.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Do Dogs Experience Grief?

Anyone who has ever shared their heart and home with a dog can attest to how deep the emotional connection we form with our best friends is. It is this bond that makes saying goodbye so difficult. But are we the only ones experiencing this pain?If you have recently experienced the passing of a pet or family member and noticed your dog acting a little differently, you may be wondering – Do dogs experience grief, too?In this article, we will dig into the truth about canine emotions and canine grief. This includes understanding what grief means to your dog, learning to recognize the signs that they may be mourning and tips for helping your best friend navigate this difficult time.Do Dogs Experience Grief or Mourning?The short answer is yes, dogs do grieve the loss of a person or animal in their lives. In a 2022 study led by Dr. Federica Pirrone, a veterinary physiologist at the University of Milan, 86% of dog owners reported that they saw a change in behavior in their surviving dog after losing a companion.Our dogs form close bonds with one another and with us. This can be seen both in wild dogs, with the relationships that exist between pack members, as well as the domesticated dogs of today.While they can’t tell us how they are feeling (although we wish they could), dog parents often witness physical and behavioral changes that indicate something is “off” for their dog following a loss. This occurs when a family member (human or pet) passes or even if a family member moves away like a child moving out of the family home.Recognizing that our dogs also go through a grieving process allows us to take steps to help our beloved furry friends deal with this difficult time.

Never Scoop Again With Litter-Robot, The Purrfect Gift For Cat Lovers

Cats like a clean litter box just as much as cat owners do, but scooping clumps can be a hassle. Whisker’s Litter-Robot, the highest-rated, self-cleaning litter box for cats, eliminates the need to scoop the litter box. The newest model, Litter-Robot 4, provides a clean bed of litter for your cats after every use. It features patented sifting technology that sifts out waste after every use and deposits it into a tightly-sealed waste drawer, helping to keep odor under control. For Black Friday, you can scoop one up for less, with $75 off bundles with the Purrfect Litter-Robot accessories you will want.What Sets the Litter-Robot Apart? Litter-Robot 4 features an advanced, patented, sifting technology with QuietSift™ for nearly-silent sifting. That’s right, you don’t have to scoop and you don’t hear the litter being sifted. What could be better?

New Study Reveals Dogs Can Sniff Out Neurodegenerative Diseases

We all know that doggos have incredible noses and a superb sense of smell. It is tens of thousands of times stronger than our own. This makes us wonder – what secrets can such a sense of smell unveil? Many scientists consider the canine sense of smell a great potential to enhance human lives thanks to its accuracy. And that is exactly what was unveiled in a recent study published in “bioRxiv”, by researchers Samuel V. Johnston and Lisa Holt from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Thanks to their efforts, and the incredible abilities of doggos, it was revealed that our four-legged friends have the potential to detect neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s disease is a terrible condition, affecting primarily seniors. What is even worse is that this disease has many difficulties in diagnosis, which prevents doctors from accurately identifying the disease in the early stages. But the breakthrough study could change all that! Thanks to doggos and their powerful noses, we could be on the brink of completely changing the way Parkinson’s is diagnosed. “Dogs have an extraordinary olfactory capability, which far exceeds that of humans. Dogs’ sense of smell seems to be the main sense, allowing them to not only gather both current and historical information about their surrounding environment, but also to find the source of the smell, which is crucial for locating food, danger, or partners for reproduction.”  writes Agata Kusiak, from the Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University. “Dogs can be trained by humans to use their olfactory abilities in a variety of fields, with a detection limit often much lower than that of sophisticated laboratory instruments.”Utilizing this remarkable sense of smell, scientists trained 23 dogs of different breeds and backgrounds, to successfully differentiate between samples of both Parkinson’s-positive individuals and Parkinson’s-negative individuals. The results were more than successful, with the dogs showcasing 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity in distinguishing the samples. In many ways, this is a revolutionary study and opens new doors and new possibilities in medical diagnostics. What is even better, it offers new hope for the timely detection of Parkinson’s disease. However, it is important to note that the study is still in relative infancy, and is still awaiting peer review. But the potential here is incredible. If validated, the study could help improve patient outcomes, and help with early diagnosis of this troubling disease.

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