Why Is My Bird Biting Me?

by Britt

Published: February 7th, 2024

Photo credit: New Africa / Shutterstock.com

If you’re a bird parent, you love and cherish your feathered friend – but what do you do when your bird nips or bites? This is a behavior that can be both surprising and concerning, especially for first-time bird parents. But know, you’re not alone!

If you’re wondering, “Why is my bird biting me?” This article is for you!

We will explore the different factors and explanations for your pet bird’s newly developed biting tendencies, helping you understand the motivations, identify when there is a deeper problem requiring your attention, and learn how to address the behavior appropriately.

Let’s look at how to set you and your bird up for a long, happy relationship by addressing problem biting today.

Do Bird Bites Hurt?

The short answer to this is – Maybe? Whether or not your bird’s bite will hurt depends on a few factors, including how the bird bites, their overall intention, your bird’s size, and your level of pain tolerance.

Bird bites can range from a light little nibble that merely tickles to bites that have the capability of causing serious damage, especially to vulnerable areas like the eyes, ears, nose, lips, fingers, and toes.

The potential for a bird bite to cause severe or lasting injuries highlights the importance of understanding your bird, why they may bite, and how to prevent this situation from happening. It’s also one of the most important reasons to consider when deciding if a bird is right for your child, elderly, or special needs family member.

Even smaller birds can cause a surprising amount of pain. Often, it’s not the initial bite that causes the most pain. Instead, it’s the way that they will dig in or even grind their beaks that will lead to discomfort, stinging, and soreness.

Reasons A Bird May Bite You

Now that we have determined that a bird bite can cause anything from mild discomfort to severe and lasting injuries, it’s time to dig into these occurrences a little further. The only way to stop biting is to understand why your bird engages in this behavior. This will allow you to address the root cause.

Climbing

Was your bird trying to climb and explore at the time of the bite? If so, this may not be an intentional attack on you at all. Birds use their beaks much like a third hand, grabbing onto surfaces to help them climb or to help them stabilize themselves. If that surface happened to be your finger or even your nose, the intent may not have been to cause any harm. Rather than biting, this is referred to as “beaking.”

Exploring Their World

Here is an example of another innocent use of beaking. Birds often rely on their tongues to feel out and explore their surroundings. If they are being introduced to something new or different, like a new texture in your clothing or a new ring on your finger, they may appear to be biting while just trying to collect more information.

Pay attention to whether the beak closes during the “bite” or is simply placed around your finger or other item/body part to give their tongue access to the surface.

Fear

One of the most common reasons for a legitimate bite is fear or anxiety. If your bird is put into a situation where it feels trapped or frightened, a natural response is to bite in an effort to defend themselves.

Some situations that could make a bird fearful include backing your bird into a corner or area where they feel trapped, handling them roughly or aggressively, raising your voice around your bird, or putting them into a situation where the environment triggers fear due to loud noises or too much activity.

Learn to recognize the warning signs that a bird is becoming stressed or anxious. If you know your bird is triggered or fearful, immediately move them into a safe and comforting environment. This often means placing them back safely inside their cage and, in many cases, covering the cage for added security.

Aggression/Anger

Just like any animal, each bird has its own unique personality. Some birds will respond to situations more aggressively than others. If your bird is upset or angry, regardless of the reason, they may lash out – especially if they are being forced into a situation where they are being handled when they want to be left alone. Some birds will become more emotional and experience anger or frustration more frequently as they age.

Bites out of anger can easily be avoided by learning to read your bird’s body language and giving them space when it’s clear they want to be left alone.

Pain or Discomfort

If your bird is sick or injured, they may be overly sensitive. This includes not necessarily wanting to be touched and being overly defensive over threats that may not have otherwise made them fearful.

Pay careful attention to your bird’s behavior for signs that they may be acting “off” or different than usual. You can also watch for signs of trouble relating to their food and water consumption or through their waste when cleaning their cage. If you notice any red flags, contact your veterinarian to discuss your concerns and rule out any medical causes.

How Can I Tell if My Bird is Scared or Stressed?

As mentioned, the best way to prevent bites out of fear is by recognizing when your bird is anxious or afraid and taking steps to make them feel more comfortable. Of course, our feathered friends aren’t going to tap us on the shoulder and kindly inform us that they are scared. Instead, we must learn how to read their body language and what warning signs we should look out for.

In addition to biting/aggression, the most common signs of stress or anxiety in a bird include:

Excessive vocalizing
Hissing
Freezing up or suddenly getting quiet
Feather picking/self-mutilation
Abnormal repetitive behaviors (pacing, head swinging, foot tapping)
Panting

However, it’s important to note that each bird species and each individual bird may respond differently. The closer your bond with your bird and the better you get to know them, the more likely you are to notice that something is “off.” Trust your gut. If you notice your bird’s behavior is abnormal or suddenly changes, it is better to err on the side of caution.

Many of these signs of stress and anxiety are also warning signs of a medical problem. If you ensure your bird is calm and stress-free and the symptoms continue, contact your veterinarian.

Photo credit: TANYARICO / Shutterstock.com

How Can I Tell if My Bird is Mad at Me?

Another critical emotion to be aware of in your bird is anger (or frustration). These are big feelings and ignoring them can have significant consequences. They don’t necessarily have to be angry with you to lash out unexpectedly!

An angry bird may show any of these signs:

Pacing
Flying erratically around their cage
Bobbing their head
Shaking their feathers
Loud vocalizing
Attacking or beaking items in their cage

If you notice any of these signs, it is safe to assume that your bird is not interested in being held or handled right now. Just as we deserve to have our boundaries respected by other people, we should also acknowledge our birds' boundaries. When they appear angry or upset, give them space and try to interact again later.

How Should I React When My Bird Bites Me?

Even if you take all possible precautions, you must remember that accidents happen. There is still a chance that you may be bit at some point.

The first thing to remember is that most bites result from big emotions – be those emotions fear-based or out of anger. If you get overly worked out or snap at your bird vocally, you are simply escalating the situation. Instead, speak in a low, calm voice and move in slower yet confident movements.

Immediately following a bite, a “time out” is necessary. Place your bird back in their cage and either leave the room entirely or avoid eye contact. This is a good time to take a few deep breaths as you and your bird are calming down.

Return to your bird after approximately 5-10 minutes and show them positive attention. This could include talking to them in a positive, upbeat tone, offering a treat, or petting them if they are a fan of that type of physical affection.

Take some time following any incident to reflect on the situation. Ask yourself whether a trigger or a threat could have been avoided. This will allow you to approach similar situations in the future with a better idea of how to make it safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for all involved.

Of course, if the bite did break the skin, you should address the injury accordingly. Clean and disinfect the wound to prevent infection. If the wound is deep or bleeding significantly, seek medical care.

How Do You Stop a Bird from Biting You (or Others)?

The best approach as a bird parent is to prevent these situations from ever happening. Luckily, there are many ways you can set your bird up for success. Here are a few changes you can incorporate into your daily routine to create a safe, happy, and loving home for your bird:

Prevent Cage Boredom

One cause of frustration in birds is feeling bored when spending time in their cage. This can become pent up over time, leading to them eventually acting out and engaging in unwanted behaviors, including aggression.

To prevent boredom, consider ways to offer entertainment and mental enrichment. Ensure their habitat is large enough to allow them to roam and be active. Add bird-friendly chew toys and other engaging forms of entertainment, such as foraging toys and things they can climb on.

Of course, the best way to prevent boredom is to give them plenty of time outside the cage, engaging with you (or others in the family) when possible.

Regular Veterinary Visits

Have you found a local avian vet you can trust? If not, this is your sign to start looking! One of the best things we can do for any pet is to create an ongoing working relationship with a vet. This includes annual checkups. Your vet may be able to identify signs that something is wrong long before the symptoms are apparent, allowing you to address the problems early and prevent further pain or discomfort.

Advice Guests in Advance

If you have guests visiting, ensure they know that your bird is present and how to approach your home environment best. Explain that loud or overly excited behavior, especially from a stranger, could be startling and recommend they try to stay calm when in your bird’s presence.

For guests interested in engaging with your bird, explain beaking and the usual bird behaviors. Warn that they may use their beak to climb or explore this person, their clothes, or other aspects of their surroundings. This will set both your bird and your guest up for success in their interactions.

Always Supervise Children

Do you have children in your home? Are there kids coming to visit? Never leave a child in the room with your bird without supervision. It only takes a second for a curious child to stick their finger into the cage and be bit. Children are loud, excitable, and unpredictable, which can be a lot for a bird.

If you have a child who is interested in handling your bird, make sure that you carefully explain all expectations and never leave their side. Be realistic regarding a child’s age and whether they can handle your bird safely on their own. For curious younger children, it may be better to have you hold the bird and teach them to pet it safely, allowing you to manage the interaction better.

Track Bites for Better Understanding

In the event that your bird does bite, write down any key details about the situation. What was happening when they bit? Were there any triggers that could have scared them or triggered them? Was their food or treats involved? Were they being handled? If so, who by?

Keep all of this information together in a notebook. By comparing the details from each incident, you may be able to spot patterns or triggers you weren’t previously aware of that can help you prevent future problems.

Final Thoughts – Why is My Bird Biting Me?

The secret to effectively preventing a bird bite is understanding the emotions and boundaries of your feathered friend. Often, they will try to communicate through body language that they are uncomfortable long before they feel it is necessary to lash out defensively or aggressively. It is our responsibility to learn and be on the lookout for these warning signs.

Learn how to read a bird’s body language. If you notice something is “off,” look into it and address the problem. This often means contacting your veterinarian to rule out a potential medical cause.

Create a calm, safe space for your bird whenever possible. Not only does this mean setting up a cage with everything they need to feel secure, but also paying attention to the environment. Always supervise children around your bird and warn guests about getting too animated or excited if that stresses them out.

Your feathered friend can’t speak up and make demands (at least, not all birds and not necessarily in English) – it’s your job to advocate for them!

Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Britt

Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Indiana and Lucifer – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.

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Cancer doesn’t discriminate – it affects all creatures around the world, including our cherished pets. Learning that your  dog has cancer can be such a devastating thing, but sadly, it is so common nowadays. John Robertson, research professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech says in his interview for  WTOP News  that “one in four dogs will be diagnosed with cancer,” and that “by the time they’re middle-aged, 50% of dogs will die of cancer after the age of 10 years.”Professor Robertson is part of a vast research team that has developed an innovative new noninvasive rapid test that utilizes a dog’s urine and allows potential early detection of cancer. “Usually, when a dog gets diagnosed with cancer, it’s usually quite advanced, with visible signs — we’re trying to detect cancer before these physical symptoms appear,” said fellow researcher Ryan Senger, associate professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. “Cancer is going to change overall metabolism inside the body, and it’s going to change the way the kidneys function, which can be observed in the urine screening process,” Senger added.Through samples of dog urine, the research team discovered that cancerous subjects amongst the observed molecules had a unique “fingerprint” that could be used to indicate the presence of cancer. “We would like to be able to have dogs screened earlier, before cancer develops, throughout their lifetime, perhaps a once-a-year urine specimen,” said Robertson. “That tells us what the molecular fingerprint of the urine is, so if it changes and falls into that realm of fingerprints that define cancer, we’d be able to pay more attention to figure out what’s going on with the dog.”Robertson also added that there are 12 breeds of purebred dogs that have a much higher incidence of cancer. “We’re going to focus on being able to institute early, regular screening that’s going to help pick up earlier when they’re developing cancer, in the hopes that we can get better outcomes.”However, veterinary care is typically subsidized by the owner, Robertson emphasized, which is opposite to medical care, which is often paid for by insurance. “So, we intend to make our tests readily available at a price point that everyone can afford to regularly have their dog examined and screened.”, the professor added. Robertson said that urine screening is currently being researched, to determine whether it could be applied to humans as well, potentially bringing great changes to the discovery of cancer cells. The team’s findings were published in  Frontiers in Veterinary Science and make us very optimistic for the future of preventive veterinary medicine – an inexpensive, accurate way to screen for a potentially fatal illness could be life-changing for so many pets and their owners. Not to mention the implications if such a test could be adapted to be used on humans, as well! 

More Dogs Than Ever Euthanized as Shelters Hit Capacity

Each year millions of cats and dogs enter shelters and rescues nationwide. Almost a million more animals have entered and lingered in the nation’s shelters in the last three years, resulting in an ongoing capacity crisis. Last year, 3.2 million dogs entered shelters and rescue organizations nationwide. More than 359,000 dogs were euthanized in 2023, compared to 330,000 cats that were euthanized last year. This marks a four-year peak in non-live outcomes for dogs and the first time the number of dogs euthanized has surpassed the number of euthanized cats.  These heartbreaking findings were published in an annual report of shelter populations compiled by Shelter Animals Count, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization founded in 2012. “Everywhere you turn, the shelters are in crisis,” said the organization’s executive director Stephanie Filer. “It’s truly about an imbalance of animals coming in at faster rates than they’re leaving.”According to Filer, for years cats were considered most at risk because they entered shelters at high rates, but faced low adoption rates. However, focused efforts to reverse these trends are giving results, and the newest data shows a positive shift.“We have seen major positive change,” said Filer. “Adoption rates are high and intakes have decreased, and there are efforts to keep cats at home or in their communities.”Unfortunately, dog programs are suffering, with adoption rates significantly lower than in recent years. “Too many dogs are entering shelters and being left behind,” added Filer, according to USA Today. “Unlike cat adoptions, which continue to increase, dog adoptions have essentially flatlined.”When people think of animal shelters, most imagine scores of large-sized mixed breeds and pit bulls. But in reality, there are purebreds like huskies, French bulldogs, Labradors, and even designer dogs.The one thing no animal advocate thought possible happened - the rates of dog euthanasia surpassed the rates of cat euthanasia for the first time in a long time. “The real reason we’re saying, ‘Wow,’ is that it wasn’t that way for a lot of years. And now it is,” said Filer.More than 6.5 million cats and dogs ended up in U.S. shelters and rescues in 2023. While the number of intakes remained relatively steady, this was the fourth consecutive year of overpopulation. While more dogs were adopted in 2023 than in 2022, the adoption rates were insufficient to meet the demand.The high cost of living, job loss, and housing cost challenges are the main reasons adoption rates aren’t keeping up with animal intake. At the end of 2023, an additional 70,000 cats and 107,000 dogs are waiting for a forever home in one of the many shelters and rescues nationwide. “With more animals entering shelters than leaving, animal welfare organizations and their communities need to continue working together to keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters, including finding ways to increase access to veterinary care and advocating for pet-friendly housing policies,” said Matt Bershadker, president and the CEO of ASPCA.Experts agree that the promotion of shelter adoptions is the best way to solve the ongoing capacity crisis. Adopting an animal from a shelter saves a life, but it also supports the struggling shelters and their staff. Although adopting a cat or a dog from a shelter isn’t possible for everyone, there are other things you can do to help. Volunteering in your local shelter, fostering a pet, or donating are great ways to get involved and help alleviate the shelter crisis.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Great Dane Sets the Largest Litter Record at North Carolina Rescue

A North Carolina dog gave birth to a litter of puppies and has set a record in the process. Earlier this month, Perfectly Imperfect Pups, a North Carolina foster-based rescue took in a pregnant Great Dane, named Meadow. Two days later, Meadow gave birth to 15 puppies. “It’s the largest litter we have ever seen,” said Nicole Kincaid, the rescue’s founder and director. “We could not believe it when we heard she had 15 puppies, and most of them male! We are so excited for their bright future!”Meadows litter is the largest the rescue has seen since it was founded three years ago. The PIP’s founder and director, Nicole Kincaid, shared that this is also the largest litter she has seen in her 13-year-long rescue career. According to Kincaid, Meadow’s litter is unique for another reason - most of the puppies in the litter are male. “Shockingly enough, we have 12 boys, which is a huge number of boys out of a litter.”PIPs share the news of the record-breaking litter in a Facebook post, writing, “Puppies, puppies, and more puppies! Mamma Meadow and her crew are doing great.”“We are shocked to find out how many puppies she actually had and that all have survived and are doing well,” said Kincaid, according to PEOPLE. “Before being taken in by the Perfectly Imperfect Pups, Meadow had an unsteady past. “She has been passed around to five homes, since giving birth to another litter in February. She was being given away on social media and we reached out, but unfortunately, they gave her away pregnant to someone else.”“Within two days they contacted us and asked if we could still take [Meadow], and of course, we were delighted to take her in,” Kincaid shared. “We got her to our vet the next day, and the day after, she started going into labor.”Meadow is just one of many dogs who had the misfortune of being bounced around from one home to the next. Kincaid shared that this wasn’t Meadow’s fault, saying, “People get a large breed dog, and they don’t realize what they are getting themselves into.”“We are delighted that this will be her final [litter], and her next home will be her forever home,” said Kincaid. “We will also make sure that all 15 puppies go to homes that are experienced with large breed dogs.”For now, Shari Willson, one of the Perfectly Imperfect Pups’ fosters is taking care of Meadow and her pups. The foster mom is supplement feeding the pups in between feedings to make sure all puppies are getting enough food. “Everyone’s gaining weight, everyone’s eating, they are all doing really well,” said Willson.Kincaid praised Meadow’s foster home, saying that her organization “is so proud of our foster parents. They take in dogs without knowing what the next few days or months could bring.”“Taking in a pregnant dog is even more of a challenge because you don’t always know when mom will give birth, how many puppies will be born, or what complications may come along,” she said.The rescue has already received applications and hundreds of messages about adopting Meadow or her puppies when they are old enough to go to their forever homes. All of PIP’s adopters sign a contract in which they commit to taking care of the dog for its entire life and promise to contact the rescue if they can no longer care for them. The rescue’s post-adoption team follows up with the adopters and is available to answer any medical or training-related questions. Mamma Meadow and her pups are going to make wonderful companions and loving dogs to their new families! Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Is Melatonin Safe For Dogs?

Melatonin is an important hormone, which is naturally produced in the pineal gland of the brain. It has numerous beneficial aspects, such as it can help regulate mood, sleep cycles, and reproduction. However, its production is directly stimulated by darkness, while it is inhibited by light. What does this mean? It means that both dogs and humans will produce melatonin only when it is dark outside. As soon as the dawn arrives with the light of day, melatonin production ceases. This means that many people will supplement melatonin, or use it throughout the day for various reasons. Which brings up the question - is melatonin safe for dogs? Let’s find out. Is Melatonin Safe For Dogs? Melatonin is generally considered extremely safe for dogs, and it is almost always safe to give it to them - when it is used appropriately and under the guidance of a veterinarian. While melatonin is used in humans for the above-mentioned reasons, for dogs it is usually used for treating various skin conditions, anxiety, or sleep disorders. But even with all the positive aspects, it is necessary to first heed the advice of your veterinarian, before giving melatonin to your pet. This is because the proper dosage is important. The dose of melatonin administered depends on your pet’s size, weight, and overall health condition. Generally, veterinarians recommend starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it if necessary. Dosages typically range from 0.5 to 3 milligrams per dog, but this can vary. Mistake the dosage, and you risk a lot of side effects, like digestive upset, lethargy, and changes in mood or behavior.What is more, melatonin might not be suitable for dogs with certain health conditions or those taking other medications. Because of this, it is always crucial to seek professional advice before administering any supplements or medications to your pet. Ignoring this can cause a lot of harm.

Are Collagen Chews Good for Dogs?

Are you searching for a tasty treat to keep your pup occupied? Have you heard the warnings made by experts about the potential dangers of rawhide chews and are struggling to find a healthy alternative for your dog? A newer type of dog chew is gaining popularity in the pet world, beloved both by pets and their parents alike. Let’s discuss the benefits of collagen chews and why this would be a great option for your dog. What Are Collagen Chews? Before we get into the benefits, we’ll start with the basics. What exactly is a collagen chew? Like rawhide, a collagen chew is a dried animal product. However, it is made from the inner layer of a cow's skin instead of the hide. This may seem like a minor difference, but it makes the product much easier to digest, making it safer for pet parents concerned about the risk of obstructions associated with rawhide. Collagen chew products are available in various forms, including flat chews, sticks, traditional bone shapes, and rings. Each variation of the chew ranges in size, thickness, and, therefore, chew difficulty level. Do Vets Recommend Collagen Sticks? Yes! Many veterinarians recommend collagen chews as a healthy alternative to rawhide. This healthy and natural chew option offers many health benefits, including joint issues and dry skin. Most collagen chews are made from all-natural ingredients and are free from fillers, artificial colors, and artificial flavors, making them a healthy replacement for your dog’s favorite rawhide bones.Is Collagen Better Than Rawhide? While both collagen chews and rawhides are long-lasting chew options, collagen chews address many of the health concerns related to rawhide. If your dog loves rawhide chews, this is a great alternative. Like rawhides, collagen chews are long-lasting. However, if your dog swallows a portion of the chew, its digestibility makes it less likely that you will find yourself at an emergency vet paying for surgery to remove an obstruction.

Working Dog Gets Stolen and Dropped in a Shelter 700 Miles From Home

We all love our pooches, don’t we? It’s impossible to imagine that someone would be capable of stealing your four-legged companion. But, sadly many dogs get stolen every day. That’s exactly what happened to Hank, a 12-year-old McNab mix, who was working on a ranch in Oregon.The woman who brought Hank to the St. George Animal Shelter told the staff that she had found the dog locally. However, Hank was more than 700 miles away from home!“He was a working dog,” said Animal Service Officer Supervisor Cathy Freitas to St. George News. The pooch was found on a ranch in Oregon and driven to St. George by a woman who lied to the shelter staff and said that she found the dog in the local area. “The dog was absolutely well cared for and happy,” Freitas added. “And the person who saw it assumed otherwise and thought rather than going to the authorities and saying ‘I found a dog,’ she intentionally drove the dog from that area because she didn’t want it to go back to the owner thinking that it wasn’t well taken care of because it was outside… Not every dog is going to be happy lying on your couch and eating snacks.”The shelter posted a photo of Hank on social media, hoping someone would recognize him. Luckily, the post reached the right people, and a person in Idaho recognized the pooch. Soon, everything became much clearer.As it happens, Hanks was with his family for a long time, and they missed him terribly. Unfortunately, Hank’s owners didn’t know where to start looking for him because the people who took him had driven so far away. When the shelter got ahold of the owners, they immediately got into their vehicle and drove 700 miles to get their dog. That’s 1,400 miles round trip - a sure proof of the love and dedication that they have for their pooch.The owners explained that Hank is in the fifth generation of McNab dogs bred to work on the family’s ranch. People should know that there are working dogs, Freitas explained. These dogs are bred and trained to work and that’s where they feel the most comfortable and happy. If you happen to find a dog near livestock, there’s a good chance that it’s a working dog, and it’s best not to approach it. If the dog seems neglected or injured, contact Animal Services or nonemergency dispatch. This way the local authorities can check on the dog and get a hold of its owner. When it comes to Hank, the St. George Animal Shelter wouldn’t be able to hold his owners accountable if he had been neglected or abused because they are outside of the St. George Police Department’s jurisdiction.  The police from the dog’s hometown wouldn’t have been notified, giving the family a chance to adopt another dog.Taking a dog like this is extremely stressful for them and their family, but it can also put their herd at risk, as they would be without a guardian and more likely to become prey. Luckily, this story has a happy ending and Hank is back on the ranch, helping his owners with livestock. His family could press charges against the woman who took him, even though she might have had the dog’s best interest at heart. At the end of the day, she stole Hank and transported him across state lines. If you come across a dog herding livestock, stay a safe distance away and don’t offer any treats or food. According to Freitas, most working dogs aren’t aggressive towards people, but they can be if they sense their herd is at risk. Let’s not forget that working dogs aren’t house pets. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

New Study Searches for the Secret Connection Between ‘Gifted’ Dogs

As dog parents, we all want to believe that our dog is the smartest, most incredible, most amazing dog out there. Right? But there is a select group of dogs whose talent and intelligence stand out above the rest. What makes these dogs so bright? That’s what a new study hopes to understand… Known as “Gifted Word Learner” (GWL) Dogs, these dogs display an impressive vocabulary by learning the names of dozens of their toys, with some learning as many as 125 toys by name! Interested in better understanding this phenomenon and what makes these dogs so naturally gifted, researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary set out to identify any commonalities between these pups. Their recent study, published in Scientific Reports on December 14, included 41 GWL dogs from nine countries: the US, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Hungary. They put out a call for ‘gifted’ dogs, asking owners to complete and submit a self-assessment following their detailed instructions and send the results in a video. Dogs that passed that phase were then given an online vocabulary assessment test to better assess their language skills. The owners were also given a questionnaire to provide a better understanding of each dog’s life experience. “In the questionnaire, we asked the owners about their dog’s life experience, their own experience in raising and training dogs, and about the process by which the dog came to learn the names of his/her toys,” explained Dr. Andrea Sommese, study co-author. Researchers discovered some interesting connections between the GWL dogs using all this information.

Why Does My Cat Have a Bald Spot?

Discovering a bald spot or missing fur on your cat can be both perplexing and concerning for any cat parent. A change in your cat’s coat could be nothing, but it could also be a red flag of behavioral issues or medical problems. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step to addressing the problem.In this post, we explore the mystery of cat alopecia, including possible explanations for cat hair loss, what you should do if you notice your cat has a bald spot, and how to prevent this problem from happening.Let’s get started…6 Reasons Your Cat May Have a Bald SpotThe first step to addressing your cat’s hair loss is to identify why it occurred. This will mean paying careful attention to other signs and symptoms, both physical and behavioral. Here are a few of the most common causes of significant hair loss in cats:Allergies and IrritationDoes your cat suffer from food allergies or environmental allergies? While most allergies won’t directly cause your cat’s hair to fall out, they trigger dry, itchy skin. As your cat scratches the area, trying to soothe the itch, they may damage the skin or hair follicles.Identifying the allergens can be difficult. You may wish to do allergy testing or try an elimination diet. But the good news is that once you know the trigger, eliminating it will solve the problem.OvergroomingCats are well-known for their careful attention to their grooming needs, licking themselves to keep their fur clean and shiny. However, there are some behavioral situations when a cat may start grooming excessively, causing damage to their coat or their skin, resulting in bald patches.The most common causes of overgrooming are stress and anxiety. Take a moment to reconsider your household and any recent changes that may have occurred. Did you move? Are you renovating your home? Did you add a new pet or family member to the household?Another potential behavioral explanation for overgrooming is obsessive-compulsive disorder. This may have started as stress or anxiety, or it may be genetic. OCD in cats could result from neurological conditions or other medical problems.

How Can I Reduce My Dog's Environmental Pawprint?

In today’s day and age, with the climate and environment at great risk, we want to do anything we can to minimize our own carbon footprint and the damage we do to Mother Nature. Of course, our pets also have an environmental impact – and eco-conscious pet parents are always on the lookout for simple ways to reduce their pet’s carbon footprint (or pawprint if we’re being precise). Luckily, there are a lot of small but important steps that you can take in order to make your pet’s lifestyle and care much more eco-friendly without compromising the quality of life they are used to. Here's where to start if you want to become a more eco-friendly, sustainable dog owner!5 Ways You Can Reduce Your Dog's Environmental PawprintCaring for your pet can be challenging, and that’s no secret. However, the things that make it easier are not often very good for the environment, and can make your pet’s environmental pawprint significant. Luckily, it does not take too much of a change to turn that completely around and start improving that environmental impact, day by day. What follows are just a few of the basic steps you can take as a caring and responsible owner.#1 Be Responsible About Your Pet’s Waste Disposal:

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.

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