5 Ways to Help Stray Kittens This Spring

by Diana Faria

Published: April 15th, 2016

5 ways to help stray kittens this spring

Springtime is usually when cats have litters of kittens, and stray animal overpopulation is a very real problem. Should you find a kitten in your neighborhood, here are a few ways you can help them out.

When you come across a kitten on the street, you may instinctively believe that taking it home is the best course of action. If it’s with you at home, it’s safe and won’t get hurt, right? While this is a kind gesture driven by good intentions, you may be doing more harm than good. Alley Cat Allies, a national advocacy organization dedicated to the humane treatment of cats, offers these five easy ways anyone can help should they come across a cat or kitten this spring.

1. If Mom is Around, Leave Kittens Alone

Kittens who are four weeks or younger are called “neonatal kittens” and when they are this young, they rely on their mother for 100 percent of their care. Should you find a kitten that looks four weeks old or younger, don’t pick it up. Alley Cat Allies recommends watching the kitten for 2-4 hours to see if the mother returns to claim it. If it doesn’t, the kitten may be abandoned. If that happens, only then is the best course of action to take the kitten into your own home.

However, should you decide to care for the kitten, understand that neonatal kittens need around the clock care until they are 5-8 weeks old, which is when they begin to eat wet food.

2. Don’t Bring Neonatal Kittens to Shelters

If you’ve found an abandoned neonatal kitten, the worst thing you could possibly do is bring it to an animal shelter, as they are not equipped to provide the kitten with the care it needs in order to survive. If a kitten can’t eat on its own, they will more than likely be destroyed. Over 70 percent of cats who are surrendered to shelters are destroyed, regardless of their age and level of socialization. When it comes to abandoned neonatal kittens, it’s best to bring them into your own home or give them to someone who you know is equipped to take care of them.

3. Volunteer as a Kitten Foster Parent

Kitten foster parent programs exist across the country, and although it involves plenty of time, patience and training, the end result is a kitten who is well-mannered and socialized, meaning they are well on their way to find their forever home!

4. Practice Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

This practice is perhaps one of the most efficient forms of stabilizing and reducing stray cat populations. Cats are humanely trapped, brought to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated before being returned to their outdoor homes. In order to see which cats have been spayed or neutered, they are also ear-tipped – the tip of their ear is nicked off (a painless procedure when they are under anesthesia). This is the universal symbol that a cat has been sterilized so they won’t be re-submitted to have the procedure performed again.

Any kitten who is two months of age and weighs at least two pounds is able to be spayed/neutered. Once they are released back into their outdoor homes, they can no longer produce litters of kittens. This means there will be progressively less and less cats on the streets, therefore reducing the overpopulation problem.

5. Become An Advocate for Cat-Friendly Programs

Contact your local shelter and find out ways to raise awareness about TNR and how you can support other lifesaving policies for cats. The more people are educated about the problem and how they can solve it, the more hands there are on deck who can help solve the overpopulation problem.

Diana Faria

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Turkish Woman Builds Ladder to Window For Cats To Come In From The Col

A Turkish dentist known for her love of cats has opened her home to strays during the cold winter days. She’s built a ladder that leads directly to her window so they can come in and warm up. Sebnem Ilhan is a dentist in Tekirdag, Turkey. She also is a cat fancier, and has been worried about the homeless cats on the street in her hometown as they’ve been under quite the cold spell this winter. Concerned that the weather would leave many frozen (even to death), she opened her home as a winter refuge for street cats. Related: 5 Ways to Help Stray Kittens This Spring Her compassion is admirable, but goes even further when you see what she’s done with her home to ensure the cats have easy access. Calling her house comfortable, she wanted to invite the cats inside… but she lives on the second floor and couldn’t just leave her front door open for them. So, Ilhan designed a cat ladder that leads to her open window. The ladder also doubles as a decorative flower-pot holder.

How to Care for Stray Cats

While we may not be able to adopt stray cats, there are many things we can do to make sure they are taken care of. Stray cats can be found just about anywhere, and they could definitely use some help to survive the elements throughout the changing seasons of the year, as well as get the food and water that they need to survive. If you’ve decided that you want to do your part to help stray kitties survive life outdoors, check out the tips below to get started. Trap, Neuter, Return Some strays can be socialized and adopted out, so if there is a colony of kitties that you want to help, contact local animal shelters, rescue groups, and foster networks. They may have the space and resources available to take some or all of the cats, get them accustomed to life indoors, and find forever homes for all of them. Related: 5 Ways to Help Stray Kittens This Spring Other strays, however, are too feral, so they aren’t good candidates for shelters or life indoors. And there sometimes aren’t enough rescues with enough space to take in all of the strays. Because feral cat populations can grow out of control quickly, one of the first and very best things that you can do for outdoor kitties who can’t be taken in by a shelter or adopted right away is get them spayed and neutered. In order to keep stray populations as low as possible, contact a local TNR (trap-neuter-return) group or animal shelter that offers TNR services. These professionals can have all of the cats fixed and returned to their usual hangouts to live out the rest of their days without reproducing. Every cat that is TNR’ed will have one of his/her ears tipped so you can easily recognize which cats have already been fixed. Leave Food and Water Out When feeding outdoor cats, you can opt to give them wet food or dry food, but don’t feed more than they can eat in a half hour. The cats will likely eat more food in the winter than in the summer, so you may also have to change the amount you feed depending upon the time of year. Related: What is It And How Does It Help Feral Cats? Don’t leave uneaten cat food out, as it will end up attracting wildlife and insects. Also do your best to keep the location where the cats are being fed clean and neat. Outdoor kitties also require clean water every day throughout the year. To prevent the water from freezing, you can use dark bowls and leave them in a sunny spot to absorb the heat by day, as well as bowls that are deeper and wider. You can even buy a solar-powered water bowl or a double-layered bowl. Provide the Strays with Shelter In addition to food and water, stray cats need shelter, and you can build this quite easily using affordable materials. The kitties will be more inclined to use the shelter during the winter, when they need extra protection from cold temperatures and snow. Stick with a cat shelter that is a minimum of 18” tall and a minimum of 2’x3’ long and wide. This will prevent heat from escaping easily, and it will be large enough for a few cats to squeeze in and huddle together to stay warm. The doorway to the shelter should only be around 6”-8” wide to reduce the chances of wildlife getting in, and you can even add a second doorway so the kitties won’t get cornered. Make sure the shelter is camouflaged and in a safe and quiet spot, and use straw as the bedding, as it will help maintain a warm and dry space inside. For added protection from the harsh elements, elevate the shelter from the ground while making certain the shelter is windproof and waterproof. Helping stray kitties doesn’t have to be challenging. Following a few simple rules regarding food, water, and shelter will ensure the cats, wildlife, and people in the neighborhood remain happy and safe.

How to Care for an Orphaned Kitten

When you find a kitten that’s been abandoned, you instinctively want to care for it. Here’s what you should do if you find a stray kitten. Finding an orphaned kitten is definitely heartbreaking, and you’ll instinctively want to do everything you can to help. The younger the kittens, though, the more work they’ll require. While you can try contacting local rescues, shelters, and foster networks to see if they can take the strays and give them the care they need, you can also attempt raising the orphans until suitable homes can be found. Before you dive into caring for kittens who’ve been orphaned, check out the tips below. This will give you a better idea of what you should expect, but it’s best to contact rescuers and a veterinarian for more comprehensive and customized guidance. Related: TNR: What is It And How Does It Help Feral Cats? Wait… is the Kitten Really an Orphan? Not all kittens that appear to be on their own really are. Therefore, the first step involves waiting to see if the mother cat returns. Remember, kittens have the highest chance of survival when under the care of their mothers. Also, mother cats will leave their kittens while they search for food, and they take their time when moving their litter from one location to another. Observe the kittens from a distance of at least 35 feet, as standing too close could cause the mother to stay away. You may even need to leave entirely and come back a few hours later if she’s the type of mother who will wait until she doesn’t sense your presence. Related: 5 Ways to Help Stray Kittens This Spring Make sure the kittens aren’t in danger from snow, rain, wild animals, dogs, people, traffic, etc. If the kittens appear healthy and warm, they can survive until their mom returns, so only remove them if they’re in immediate and serious danger or if the mother doesn’t come back. First Steps After observing the kittens and determining that they’re in need of help, take them to a warm place. If they feel cold, you can wrap a small heating pad on the lowest setting in some towels and place them on this heated bed. Kittens need to be warm in order to digest properly, and if the orphans are under three weeks of age, they won’t be able to regulate their body temperature. If the kittens start sleeping along the edges of the heating pad to avoid it, you can remove it. To shelter the kittens, keep them in a dry carrier or a box where they’ll be warm and won’t be exposed to drafts. You can cover their shelter with a blanket and place a blanket inside for comfort, but be sure to change out the bedding daily to keep their environment sanitary. Once they’re old enough, you can give them more room to explore, such as a spare bathroom. Bring the orphans to a vet as soon as possible so they can be examined, so their age can be determined, and so you can receive expert advice to keep them healthy. Feeding and Pottying Kittens that haven’t been weaned (under four weeks old) will need to be bottle-fed. You can purchase bottles specifically designed for kittens, along with kitten milk replacer, at a pet supply store. Never give a kitten cow’s milk. You’ll need to feed the kittens every 2 to 3 hours when they’re one week old or younger. When they’re two weeks old, feedings can be done every 3 hours, and when they’re four weeks old, you can extend it to the every 4 hours. At four weeks, you can also begin the weaning process by offering some solid foods with the formula. Before feeding the kittens, sterilize the nipple and bottle, warm the formula, and position the kittens appropriately to avoid aspiration. Don’t raise a kitten’s head or place him on his back; instead, keep the head straight and the feet down, just as he would be positioned if he were nursing from his mother. Also, don’t hold a kitten in the air while he eats, and don’t force or squeeze the formula into his mouth. After the kittens have eaten, burp them by holding them in an upright position and very gently rubbing and patting the back. Also, after every feeding, you’ll have to stimulate the kittens to urinate and defecate, as they won’t be able to do so on their own until they’re about three to four weeks old. You can do this by moistening a cotton ball with warm water and rubbing their genitals gently until they defecate and/or urinate. This can also be done before feeding them. It’s a Lot of Work, but Worth It Orphaned kittens require round-the-clock care, but it will all be worth it when you have healthy, happy kittens whose lives you saved. And with the help of a rescue and veterinarian, all of your questions will be answered and your orphans will receive immediate medical attention whenever necessary.

How Much Does It Cost to Feed Your Dog Around the World?

There is no denying the fact that pet ownership can be expensive. From the expected costs of vaccinations and high-quality dog food to the increased fees associated with traveling with your dog by your side, it adds up fast! But exactly how much does it cost to feed your dog? How do these costs stack up compared to dog parents in other areas? If this question has been on your mind, you’re in luck. A recent study by CashNetUSA compares the cost of feeding a dog in 97 countries, and the findings are surprising.Let’s start with the most exciting news for American pet parents. While the cost of feeding a dog in the US didn’t make the list of the least expensive countries, it did rank as one of the most affordable countries when assessing the annual cost versus the national net income per capita. Other countries that made this list include Ireland, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Slovenia, and Denmark. Of course, this value can vary depending on the quality of dog food you are feeding and the size of your dog (therefore, the amount of food they consume daily). The study collected data based on the cost of feeding a medium-sized dog 540 grams of kibble daily using the cheapest dry food available in local supermarkets. If a country didn’t have available comparable food, the price was calculated using an international supermarket that would ship to the country. The least expensive country to feed a dog was Botswana, at a cost of $163.59 USD annually. This was closely followed by Lesotho ($201.29) and Hungary ($246.38). On the other end of the spectrum, the most expensive country was Japan, with dog food costs reaching a staggering $2,056.88 USD annually. The top 3 most costly countries also included Andorra ($1854.71) and Estonia ($1518.98). What causes such a variation in cost? In addition to the living costs and average income for each country, food quality should also be considered. Countries with exceptionally low annual prices often fed dogs a diet that failed to meet their nutritional needs. “Most retail brands in Botswana and around Africa use basic formulae often resulting in dogs suffering from inflamed skin and increased scratching caused by (an) imbalance in levels of Omera 3 and 6 along with insufficient levels of essential fatty acids like DHA and FPA,” a local entrepreneur told the National Post. If you are struggling with pet food's growing cost, you’re not alone. Many pet parents are seeking ways to keep the costs down without sacrificing the quality of their dog’s diet. Here are a few tips to help keep the costs down: Bake Your Own Dog Treats Dog treats are one of the bigger costs that many dog parents spend on. After all, there are so many incredible treat options available on the shelves of our local pet stores. How do you not want to spoil your furry best friend? Making your treats is not only budget-friendly but also a great way to control the quality of what your dog is eating. Buy in Bulk If your budget allows, purchase a larger bag of dog food or buy your dog’s food in bulk. These products are designed to last surprisingly well on the shelf over time. By buying larger quantities at once, you may spend more in the moment, but the cost per meal drops considerably. If your local pet store doesn’t have a bulk discount, consider asking about purchasing a bulk order and how it could impact the price. Join Loyalty Programs or Subscriptions Many pet stores and online pet retailers offer loyalty programs or subscriptions that help reduce your costs if you continue purchasing from one location. This could mean a lower price per bag with a pre-scheduled subscription order or a loyalty points program where you are rewarded with a free bag after buying a certain number of dog food bags. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Frostbite?

Cold weather affects our pets even more than it does us – dogs are much more sensitive to harsh weather elements and can be especially affected by the freezing winter cold. Depending on their size and the thickness of their coat, dogs can be more or less endangered when the scales go way down below zero, and for some dogs, going out in subzero temperatures can be quite risky. So much so, that they can even get frostbite. While frostbite in dogs can range from mild to severe, it’s a condition you can’t ignore – you need to know how to quickly spot signs of frostbite in dogs and make sure to provide first aid ASAP to prevent any permanent damage. How Do I Know If My Dog Has Frostbite?Exposing your dog to extremely cold temperatures is always risky. While there are certain breeds, like  huskies, who are adapted to extreme weather conditions, dogs are generally not ideally suited for freezing temperatures and as such are at risk of getting frostbite. Frostbite is a result of skin and tissues freezing, and it usually affects the most exposed parts of the dog’s body, like the paws, ears, nose, and tail. However, it can’t always be easy to spot frostbite in the earliest stages – usually, pet owners realize they’re dealing with frostbite when the damage is already done. Try and keep an eye out for the following symptoms if your pet has been out in the cold:Swelling:When frostbite sets in, the affected area will often swell. This happens when the top layers of the skin and tissue become gradually frozen. Likewise, the swollen area could feel firm or hard to the touch.Coldness:The areas that are frostbitten will feel much colder to the touch than the rest of the body. This can be the first and the most obvious sign of frostbite.Skin Ulcers and Blisters:These nasty growths can appear when frostbite has really taken hold of an affected part. As the frostbitten flesh begins to thaw, it also blisters. Limping:When your dog limps in cold weather, it can be the first indication that something is wrong. This is usually due to the soft tissue on the paws being exposed to freezing ground. Discolored Skin:Another tell-tale sign of frostbite is the discoloration of the skin on the affected area. The main cause of this is the reduced blood flow to the area. The skin in this case will appear gray, pale, or bluish.  It goes without saying that frostbite is very dangerous. If you suspect it in your dog, please seek the help of a veterinarian at once. It is paramount that you leave professionals to take care of your pet, rather than to attempt to fix the situation on your own. Things like hot water, direct heat, and other attempts to reheat the flesh quickly will only lead to more damage. Also, keep in mind that the signs of frostbite can take several days to appear. This is mostly true for small areas of flesh being affected, such as the tip of the tail, or the ears. 

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Is Dog Food Bad for Cats?

In households where cats and dogs coexist together, you can bet that furballs will “share” everything. Sofas, lounging chairs, cozy spots, beds, toys – you name it. Well, sure, not all of it is sharing in the real sense of the word, as it is more of your cat just claiming all of it for itself. That’s just how cats are. But hey, no harm in your cat and dog sharing a bed or a lounging spot. However, what would happen if your cat happened to “share” your dog’s food? Can dog food be bad for cats? Here’s what you should know if your feline is keen on nibbling your dog’s kibble.Is Dog Food Bad for Cats?Cats and dogs are different – it doesn’t take much thinking to figure that out. Not only in their behavioral traits but in their nutritional needs as well. And since their nutritional requirements differ, dog food will generally not be adequate for cats. While dog food is not toxic to cats, it does not have all the nutrients necessary for cats, and it is not formulated in the same way. Cats need specific nutrients like taurine, arachidonic acid, and certain vitamins that are not present in sufficient amounts in dog food. For example, dogs can survive with lower levels of Vitamin A and proteins, while cats cannot. And even if your cat somehow enjoys dog food and prefers to munch on it at feeding time, it is ultimately not good for her. In fact, feeding cats dog food over a long period can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health problems. It's essential to feed cats a balanced diet formulated specifically for their needs to ensure they stay healthy. This includes plenty of protein (more than doggos), and amino acids like taurine and arginine. In fact, these amino acids are essential for cat health. Taurine is especially important for cats. Unlike dogs, cats cannot synthesize enough taurine in their bodies, so they must get it from their diet. Taurine deficiency can lead to serious health issues in cats, including heart problems and vision issues.Cats also require arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in animal tissues. Arachidonic acid is necessary for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and reproductive function. While dogs can synthesize arachidonic acid from other fats, cats cannot produce enough on their own and must obtain it from their diet. The same goes for Vitamins A and D. They are essential components of a cat diet, and cannot be found in dog food in adequate measures. 

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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.

The US National Park Service is Being Sued Over Stray Cats

The US National Park Service was sued by a non-profit organization due to its controversial plan to remove the famous stray cats of Puerto Rico, a historic district in the US territory. The lawsuit was filed by  Alley Cat Allies, a non-profit based in Maryland, and it comes four months after the radical announcement that left many in shock. The Federal agency revealed that it would contract an animal welfare organization to remove around 200 stray cats that live in Puerto Rico’s historic seaside fortress in Old San Juan. What the organization still hasn’t decided upon is whether the captured stray cats would be placed in foster homes, kept in shelters, adopted, or face a different fate. What is more, the federal agency did not reveal if a third-party organization has been hired yet. The National Park Service also added that it would hire a “removal agency” if the organization it contracted ultimately failed to remove the cats within a six-month period. The news caught many by surprise, as many locals – and tourists alike – loved the cats, and many considered them a delight and a local attraction. Alas, many considered the cats a nuisance too, as the National Park Service stated in a report in 2022 that the cat population in the city had grown out of proportions and that the smell of feces and urine in the area was becoming too strong.The announcement of their plan roused many animal rights activists, who say that six months is not enough to remove such a great number of cats. They fear that, as a result, many cats would be killed. Ultimately, the Alley Cat Allies filed its lawsuit in an effort to ensure the best possible outcome for the felines in question. They requested additional environmental statements from the National Park Service, and asked that “a judge find its actions allegedly violate acts including the National Environmental Protection Act.” It remains to be seen what will be the fate of these kitties – but one can only hope they won’t be harmed in the process. 

Is a Cat Tree Necessary for My Cat?

When you first bring home a new cat, it’s an exciting time – especially if you’re a first-time cat parent. However, amidst the excitement, there are many questions that may be holding you back from fully embracing the joy. Are you prepared to meet all your cat’s needs? Are there “must-have” items you have overlooked? The struggle is real! We have good news… Many of the items that are deemed “necessary” are actually optional. One such item is the traditional cat tree or cat scratcher. Do they offer benefits? Yes! Can they help to improve your cat’s mental and physical health? Yes! But is a cat tree necessary for your cat? No, it’s not. There are other ways you can meet your cat’s needs if your budget or space doesn’t allow for a large piece of cat furniture. Let’s dig into the truth about cat trees and your cat. What is the Point of Cat Trees? If you’re currently standing in your local pet store, looking over the wide assortment of cat furniture available, you may wonder – what exactly is the purpose of cat furniture? Is it just a fancy bed solution for your cat, or are there other considerations when these products are developed? It’s an honest question I often hear from first-time cat parents. After all, these large, elaborate structures often come with a hefty price tag. If they do nothing more than provide a place to sleep, wouldn’t a simple cat bed suffice? Cat furniture is designed to meet many of your cat’s instincts, including their need to scratch, hide, climb, and oversee their surroundings. Each type of cat furniture has its benefits to consider.

What is a Hydrolyzed Protein Diet for Dogs?

Protein is a very important part of a dog’s diet. However, some doggos might have a sensitive digestive system or even allergies. In such cases, a hydrolyzed protein diet becomes essential as it provides important nutrients without being heavy on their tummy. But what is hydrolyzed protein exactly? A hydrolyzed protein diet for dogs is a type of food that is formulated specifically for dogs that have allergies or certain food sensitivities. The protein sources in this diet are all broken down into smaller molecules, thanks to a complex process called hydrolysis. What this process does is reduce the size of the protein molecules, making them less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. So, if your doggo is a bit sensitive, this could be what’s needed!Veterinarians often recommend hydrolyzed protein for dogs that are diagnosed with intolerances or  food allergies. Thanks to this, your pet can receive all the essential nutrients without any adverse reactions being triggered. The most common sources of hydrolyzed protein in these diets are beef, chicken, salmon, or soy. So it’s just like most of the common dog foods - but in a different, better form. 

What You Need to Know About XL Bully Ban

American XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year after numerous attacks were reported across the United Kingdom. The term "XL Bully" typically refers to a type of  American Bully breed known for its muscular build and larger size compared to standard American Bullies. These dogs are often selectively bred for their size, strength, and temperament, so while they are not inherently aggressive, they have the means to do some damage if they are reared to be dangerous.The ban has owners of bully breeds across the UK scared and confused, so here’s what you need to know about the details of this edict. Starting from December 31st, all XL Bullies will have to be kept on a lead and have a muzzle while in public. What is more, from this date it will be completely illegal to advertise, breed, sell, exchange, gift, or abandon or let stray any XL Bullies. In short – it is a decisive strike against this breed, as announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, earlier this year.Furthermore, a complete ban on people owning XL Bullies will come into force in the UK from February 1st, 2023. This had owners scared that their pets would have to be put down just because of their breed, but, luckily, that’s not the case. If the owner applies before the end of January, with the wish to keep their pet. With that, the household will receive an exemption certificate, but it will also have to comply with a very strict set of rules related to the breed. UK government department Defra has announced that it received more than 4,000 exemption applications so far and that a “majority” were approved. Their spokesperson said that “ "The majority of applications are successful and the majority of successful applicants are receiving their certificates in less than a week."This only supports the assurances that there will be no “forced” euthanization of these dogs. However, those people that do not apply for an exemption by the end of the deadline, will have to put their XL Bullies down. They will be granted £200 to cover the costs of a vet euthanizing their dog. Rescue and rehoming organizations can claim £100 per animal for the same purpose. The government's website states "the euthanasia must be performed by 31 January 2024" for these financial claims to be successful. Sadly, because of this new law, at least 246 XL Bullies will be put down in the coming period, as their owners did not apply for an exemption, or were not granted one. American XL Bullies are not the first dogs to be banned in the UK. Several breeds were banned in the past, and owning them is now completely illegal. These breeds include the  Pitbull terrier,  Japanese Tosa,  Dogo Argentino, and  Fila Brasileiro. Owning a banned dog breed can get you in plenty of trouble, specifically an unlimited fine and a six-month prison sentence. 

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.

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New palace pooches get the royal treatment they deserve.

Dogs Could Be Wagging Their Tails Because Ancient Humans Loved Rhythm

Doggos love to wag their tails and we love to see it. It is their way of expressing emotions, from unwavering joy and happiness to see you again after a long day at work to a shy greeting to a new face – there are many things a pooch can convey with a simple  tail wag. But have you ever wondered why they do it exactly? Why didn’t dogs evolve to, let’s say, use their ears for nonverbal communication with us? Researchers were wondering the exact same thing, and their latest studies could provide a key insight into why dogs started wagging their tails in the first place.Believe it or not, the origins of this action could potentially be traced to ancient humans who first domesticated dogs. And the study connects the human love of rhythm, with selective breeding and domestication!Dogs were first domesticated by humans sometime between 15,000 and 50,000 years ago. It was a long time ago when dogs first emerged from domesticated wolves and similar canines but some of their ancestral traits, like tail wagging, remain the same. And researchers could finally have an answer for this behavior.“We may not be able to take a time machine back to the beginning of the dog-human relationship, but we can look at dog behavior today in tandem with human behavior to try and understand what that domestication process looked like,” said Dr. Taylor Hersh from Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Netherlands. “Tail wagging is a very apparent and interesting behavior to start with.”Of course, this is not the first such study, and in the past, many have questioned the wagging of tails. Previously, it was found that hand-reared dog pups will wag their tails far more often than hand-reared wolf pups, showing the clear difference between domesticated and wild animals. Likewise, it was discovered that dogs wag their tails to the right mostly in response to positive experiences, usually when seeing their owners. And they’d wag them to the left in potentially aggressive situations. And now, researchers linked this behavior to the ancient process of domestication. This means that dog tail wagging has developed because dogs have an inherent genetic link towards behaviors that humans want - like tameness and docility. “We put forth a new hypothesis that humans consciously or unconsciously selected for tail wagging during the domestication process because we are very attracted to rhythmic stimuli,” said Silvia Leonetti, another member of the team.Ancient humans had a very distinct attraction to rhythm and rhythmic actions, so there could be a very logical link here. Dr. Holly Root-Gutteridge, a dog researcher at the University of Lincoln, also proposed that tail wagging was developed during the long domestication process as an adaptation by the dogs, as humans likely found barking irritating. “We’re a highly visual species and may appreciate the rhythm, it’s an interesting thought that should be explored, though I’m not sure we’re really responding that much to it,” she said. What is more, she added that wolves too wag their tails in certain situations in the wild. “I suspect ancestral humans saw tail wags as a positive, easy to read sign in wolves, and developed it the way we talk with our hands – as a communicative gesture that we can easily understand.”

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.

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