“Cats rule the world.” – Jim Davis
Happy Wednesday! Here's the scoop:
Do cats get the "zoomies" like dogs do?
We can't stop wondering if our cats are ticklish now
Toxoplasmosis 101: it's not as scary as it sounds
Did you know?
The wealthiest cat in the world was named Blackie, and in 1988 his owner left him ___million pounds.
(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)
Why do Cats get the “Zoomies”?
A recent viral video on reddit showed a cat named Paulie running around the house, exhibiting “zoomies.” Cats or dogs with a case of the zoomies are usually seen abruptly running in random directions, seemingly for no reason.
Why do cats get the zoomies? Cat expert Sarah-Jane White says it goes back to natural instincts; in the wild, a cat needs to be alert at all times, so zoomies are a good way to wake up the body to be fully alert. White says that zoomies are completely normal, and you should only be concerned if they start having zoomies a lot more often than usual, in which case you could contact your vet for advice.
So the next time your cat runs around doing some zoomies, enjoy the show and relax knowing they’re just following their wild instinct!
Are cats ticklish?
To be honest, we hadn’t thought of this question, but once we heard it, we couldn’t stop thinking about it: are cats ticklish?
It’s hard to tell, since your cat can’t exactly giggle to let you know. However, some experts, including a supervisory public health veterinarian with the USDA believes some cats are ticklish, like Dr. Davis’s cat Cleo. When Cleo’s tummy is “tickled,” she rolls around like a kid!
So how do you know when, if your cat is ticklish, that they have had enough? Look at their body language, experts say. Every cat is different, but flicking their tail or pinning their ears back are both common signs that your cat wants to end play (or tickle) time. Of course cat parents should respect the usual signs of unhappiness from their cats: hissing or growling, biting or scratching, and fur being fluffed out.
You know your cat best, so follow their cues and enjoy trying to figure out if your cat is ticklish!
What you really need to know about Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by toxoplasma, a parasite that can sometimes be found in cat litter. But how common is this, and should you be worried? In short, it’s common, but not just in cat litter, and you shouldn’t be worried. In fact, the majority of many populations have already had toxoplasmosis in their lives, either showing up as a cold or without any symptoms at all. It’s a bit of an unsavory subject, but the next bit will tell you exactly how to avoid this parasite.
Toxoplasma is spread to us from cats (the host of the parasite) from a litterbox being left un-scooped for a few days. So if you’re immunocompromised or pregnant, having someone scoop the litter box frequently (washing their hands after) significantly reduces this already small risk. You’re at basically zero risk by petting or snuggling your cat as well, says experts, since their fur and skin do not hold the parasite even if they are infected.
Surprisingly, toxoplasma has been found in many marine life as well, although we doubt you’re spending much time with dolphins. However, if you’re looking to reduce your risk of exposure, you can wear gloves while gardening, keep outdoor sand pits covered, and avoid flushing kitty waste down the toilet. Overall, toxoplasmosis should not be a big fear of cat owners, but proper hygienic practices when dealing with litter boxes is always encouraged.
Did you know?
Answer: 7 million pounds, or about 12.5 million dollars!
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