I came across CatVersusHuman.com a couple of months back and since then it's been one of my favorite sites. Today I felt like sharing a few of my very favorite cat comics. Mind you, these are very relatable too ;)
The other day a guy told me that it is criminal to spay or neuter animals because, according to him, when we do this we are "depriving a creature of its rights of pleasure and reproduction". Honestly, sometimes I don't know what to say to such people. I can give him a million reasons for why neutering is a better option but doing so is usually futile, especially in such cases, when the other party just doesn't want to understand. They would rather lecture you on the religious, moral and ethical implications of neutering. Blah blah...
So for all those who think neutering is cruel, I ask you this...
Isn't it cruel to throw animals out on the streets, leaving them to fend for themselves, because you cannot take care of them? Isn't it cruel to breed when you are unable to find good homes for the litter and then leaving them at shelters or depriving them of a home? Would you rather have an animal homeless and subjected to cruelty or would you neuter it so it can live a healthy life without breeding more strays?
There are hundreds of cases every week in our country where animals are run over by cars, or hit by bikes or pelted with stones by kids. If we would neuter strays, instead of letting them breed we would save their lives and their future generations from curelty. Neutering an animal means that you will not have a litter to provide to. Unless you are capable of taking care of the whole litter of your pet or a stray (for their entire lives, mind you) DON'T BREED. Spay or neuter your pets, especially strays.
Neutering strays is a lot better than letting them be poisoned at the hands of DHA or KMC authorities who would want to clean up the nuisance created by overpopulation of strays.
Pets are a wonderful source of happiness. The love they exude for you helps release stress and makes you feel good. It is a known fact that petting a dog or a cat lowers high blood pressure. Only a pet owner can tell you the joys of coming back home to a pet. Whether you come back from a long holiday or just a stressful day at work - one look at your pet can take all that stress away.
James Ray - Philosopher, Lecturer, Author and Creator of Prosperity and Human Potential Programs explains in Rhonda Byrne'sbook The Secret: "The principle of feeling good applies to your family pet... Animals are wonderful, because they put you in a great emotional state. When you feel love for your pet, that great state of love will bring goodness into your life. And what a gift that is."
I agree whole heartedly. Won't you?
Spaying and neutering helps fight animal overpopulation. Every year thousands of stray cats and dogs are killed or die of hunger. This can be prevented with spaying and neutering.
There are several benefits of spaying or neutering cats and dogs. Here are ten top reasons for why you should get your pets and stray animals neutered:
It eliminates the frustration caused by heat in female animals as they will no longer feel the need to mate or attract other animals.
It decreases the chances of the animal aggression in male animals as they will not get into fights over mates.
It reduces the chances of prostate problems in male animals while saves the females from uterine infections.
It stops animals from spraying to mark territory, wailing or making inappropriate sexual advances on other animals or people.
It is cost effective as it costs a lot less than what it would cost you to take care of a litter (not to mention the amount you will have to spend on vaccinations of the litter).
There is no stress on your mind of having to find good homes for the unwanted/accidental litter that might arrive in a few months.
It eliminates the chances of neglecting animals or abandoning them.
Best of all neutering/spaying your pet will make them lead a healthy and long life. Not to mention, neutered animals are well behaved as they will not have heat or mating related aggression issues.
Our homes are full of things that can become hazardous for pets. Several everyday household products and common substances are hazards waiting to happen. But with precaution we can make our homes a safe place for our pets.
Here are a few common everyday items that you should keep out of reach of your cats and dogs:
1. People Food like chocolates, raisins, garlic, onions, oil, butter and several dairy products can cause serious digestive issues in cats and dogs, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, hyperactivity and in some cases, cause seizures and even death. Avoid feeding your pet table scrapes and make sure you have a good understanding of what foods are good and bad for your pets.
2. Human Medicines can be lethal for pets. Over-the-counter drugs, medications, pain killers and supplements are the most common hazards in our homes. Don't ever give your pet ANY medicines without your vet's prescription. Pets can easily lick or eat medicines lying around the house. Which is why it is essential that you immediately clean any medicines that might have accidently dropped on the floor and avoid leaving them in easy to reach places around the house.
3. House Plants carry a variety of bacteria and toxins that are harmful for pets. Mushrooms, morning glory, aloe, cactus, iris, ivy, fern, holly, fruit salad plant and various species of lily are a few toxic household plants. Most of these plants are specially toxic and life-threatening for cats. View the complete list of dangerous plants for cats and dogs at ASPCA website.
4. Insecticides & Pesticides might get rid of pests in your home but they are generally unwelcoming for your pets. One common insecticide is flea and tick powder which can be easily misused if used without veterinarian consultation. Do not use any flea powder on your cat or dog without consulting your vet first. Also avoid spraying pesticides while your pet is in the same room. Certain chemicals in insecticides can be life-threatening if ingested by cats or dogs.
5. Garden Products like fertilizers and other plant foods can cause gastric issues and even cause poisoning if consumed in large amounts. Keep your dogs and cats away from such products.
6. Household Cleaners like drain cleaners, paint thinners and floor cleaners can easily cause health issues like gastric upset, respiratory difficulties, poisoning and chemical burns in cats and dogs. A pet that walks on the floors that have just been treated with floor cleaners is venerable to poisoning as it can lick its paw and ingest the chemicals.
7. Paints & Heavy Metals such as mercury, lead and zinc can be lethal for pets if they are exposed to it. Lead can be found in paints and other consumer products. Pets can be easily exposed to lead in an environment where scraped or sanded paint is found.
8. Strings, Threads, Wool, cords and other similar strings that your cat loves to play with can cause severe intestinal damage if ingested. Never leave these things lying around with an unattended pet.
9. Plastic bags should be kept out of reach and not left around the house when you are not around. Cats love to play with and sleep inside plastic and grocery bags. This might look cute to you but cats can easily suffocate in them if left with a plastic bag at their own devices. So please keep them out of reach.
10. Small Toys & Rubber Bands should be kept out of reach of pets. Cats especially love to play with these and they can easily ingest them, leading to life-threatening consequences.
By being a little cautious we can make our homes a safe place for our pets. After all, no one wants to put their pet in a life threatening position on purpose.
Did I miss out on mentioning any common household item that can be dangerous for pets? Please do leave a comment and add to this list. Your feedback is appreciated.
Not many people know that leaving a pet alone in a car is a bad idea. Even on a cool day leaving your pet in the car for a few minutes can be dangerous.
We live in a region where temperatures remain hot and humid for most part of the year. Cars, even with air conditioning on, can heat up real fast on a typical summer day. Come back to a parked car just after a few minutes and you will feel like you’re sitting inside an oven, especially when you have to sit on hot leather/vinyl covered seats. When you know how hot the inside of your car can get, it is mere common sense to not leave your pet unattended in it.
In summers, the inside of a car can heat up really fast. Even cars parked in shady areas with windows cracked open are not safe for animals. Within 5 - 10 minutes the temperature inside your car can rise up really high. Did you know that your pet can suffer from heatstroke and even die if you leave it unattended in the car? Sadly many people don’t realize this.
Your Car is an Oven for an Unattended Pet
Your dog or cat cannot sweat like you, which is why they are unable to release the heat in their body as fast as perhaps a human can. Leaving your pet in the car “for just a few minutes” can be fatal. Hot weather and humidity can combine to become lethal for an animal left in a closed vehicle or areas of high humidity. Your pets can only withstand the high temperatures for a short while, after which they will start panting, their body temperatures will rise up quickly and if you do not take immediate steps to get them out of the heat, they can also suffer from severe illness and even death.
Just remember NEVER EVER Leave your Pet Unattended in a Car! It’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you absolutely must keep your pet in the car and have no other choice, then make sure that all windows and vents of the car are opened as wide as possible. Check your pet every 5 minutes to ensure that your pet is not panting excessively or showing any signs of sickness. Keep fresh water at hand for your pet.
What to Do If Your Pet has Heatstroke?
Heatstroke can be fatal. If your pet is suffering from a heatstroke, take it to a vet immediately. Meanwhile apply towels soaked in cool (not very cold or icy) water to the hairless part of the animal’s body to lower its body temperature.
Symptoms of Heatstroke:
Excessive Panting
Excessive Drooling
Rapid Heartbeat
Vomiting
Anxious
Reddened Tongue
Blank Stare
Dry Skin
High Fever
Sudden Collapse
Cars are not the only death traps in hot weather. Leaving your pet outside on a hot day without any shelter or shade is also just as bad. Don’t leave your pet in a cage outside or chain them in areas where they will be directly in the sun.
How you can Help?
Educate – Make flyers for distributing in your neighborhood. Create posters and email them to friends and family or spread the word around, online and offline. Let people know the dangers of leaving pets in a car. You can find a few great posters here.
Speak Up – If you see an animal sitting unattended in a parked car outside a building or supermarket, try and locate the owner. Keep an eye out for the animal and if you see it panting badly or looking sick, raise an alarm, if possible.
Proper Shelter – If you keep your pet outside, ensure that there is adequate shelter, the area is shaded and well ventilated. Keep plenty of fresh water for your pet and avoid excessive outdoor activity.
We love our pets. We love to spoil them and pamper them and feed them. But did you know that some human foods can be fatal for your pet's health? There are some food items that your dog should not eat, no matter how tasty they might seem to you.
Here are 10 foods your dog should not eat:
1. Dairy Products, Milk & Ice Cream
Milk or ice cream might seem potentially harmless for your pet, but the case is quite the opposite. Dogs cannot digest lactose well. This is why giving your dog any milk based product can lead to digestive issues and diarrhea. It is always better to ask your vet for a healthy milk substitute or giving them processed milk created especially for dogs.
2. Raw & Uncooked Eggs
Eating raw eggs can contain bacteria like Salmonella. Eating raw eggs frequently can cause skin and hair problem in dogs. Although the reaction might not be as strong for a dog as it is for a cat, it is better to avoid giving uncooked eggs to your pet. Always cook the eggs properly before giving and also try not to give it to your dog too often.
3. Raw Meat, Poultry, Fish & Bones
The image of a dog chewing away at a raw piece of meat and bone is cliched. Bones, especially cooked bones can cause serious health hazards, leading to choking, digestive blockage and even dental issues. Raw meat and fish can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E coli that can harm your pet's digestive system. Always purchase raw meat from a reliable meat vendor and consult a vet or animal nutritionist before feeding your dog raw meat. Read more about the pros and cons of a raw meat diet for dogs.
4. All Chocolates & Coca Items
Chocolate is poison for your dog. It contains toxic elements like methylxanthine and theobromine, which can be lethal. White, dark or brown, all kinds of chocolates contain this chemical in varying amounts. Reactions like vomiting, muscle spasm, restlessness can occur which can eventually lead to death.
5. Garlic, Onion & Chives
These cause gastric tract problems, serious red blood cell damage, liver damage and even asthma attacks in dogs. Severe reactions like diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy can occur. Although dogs will naturally avoid such vegetables, however they cannot tell the different in cooked food, so please don't feed your dog anything that will have onions, garlic, chives and the likes of it as these can easily kill your pet.
6. Coffee, Tea & Caffeinated Beverages
Caffeine might help keep you awake but it will not do the same for your dog. It contains methylxanthine which is harmful for your dog. It will cause indigestion, lead to vomiting, diarrhea, panting, increased thirst, hyperactivity, excessive urination, tremors, abnormal heart beat and even death. So do not give your dog any kind of coffee, tea, energy drink, colas or other caffeinated beverages.
7. Baking Powder, Soda & Yeast
If you love to bake then make sure your baking ingredients are kept well away from your pet. Don't even let any of these products on your pet's paws as they can lick it. Uncooked yeast dough can expand in your pet's stomach, causing gastric issues, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, bloating and can most likely rupture your dog's stomach and intestines. Although cooked bread is not as harmful as uncooked yeast, however it is better to avoid giving bread to your pet, instead feed it healthy dog-treats and processed dog food.
8. Nuts, Raisins & Grapes
These are highly toxic for your pet which is why it is essential that you keep any product that contain these foods out of their reach. Products like cereals, raisin bars, cookies and fruits salads tend to contain these, to name just a few. Raisins, nuts (raw & roasted both), currents and grapes can cause vomiting, lethargy, tremors, weakness, kidney failure and also death. Symptoms generally start showing with 12 to 48 hours. Reactions of these food can worsen as time passes, leading to paralysis. Therefore it is imperative that you carefully check all ingredients of any product before you feed it to your dog. If your pet eats any such food, please contact a vet immediately.
9. Artificial Sweeteners, Candies & Sugar-free Cookies
These contain a element called 'Xylitol' which can trigger a fatal reaction in your pet immediately. Eating any such food can cause lowered blood sugar level which will lead to liver failure within a few days. Initial symptoms can include vomiting, coordination issues, weakness and seizures. Avoid feeding your pet any candy, gums or cookies that you eat. Intake of any kinds of sugar in your pet's daily diet is not good.
10. Butter, Ghee, Margarine & Oil
Avoid giving all kinds of fats to your pet. Whether it's ghee, butter, margarine, lard, oil or any fat trimmings. Given in large amounts these can cause liver damage. A few oils like coconut oil and those containing omega fatty acids can be given in small amounts only, however it is best to consult with your vet before feeding any such thing to your pet.
Other products and foods that can be toxic for your dog and must be avoided include: Avocado, Alcohol & Beer, Gums, Toothpaste, Food Coloring, Mushrooms, Beans, Mutard Seeds, Raw & Green Potatoes, Potato leaves and stems, Salt and seeds of all kinds of fruits. Also please don't give your pet any medicine without consulting with your vet as most human medicines are deadly for animals.
To read more about dangerous food for dogs, please visit PetsWebMd.com
Comic credits: CatVersueHuman.com
