Ever wonder how animals decide what they like to eat? And why a furry friend that wants to eat beef or salmon off your plate turns their nose up at pet foods with these flavours?   Dogs and cats choose their food differently than humans. Humans have about 9,000 taste buds, making taste a primary driver in choosing what we like to eat. But dogs have less than 20% of the taste buds we do, and cats only have about 5%, so flavour is much less important to them.   If dogs and cats don’t primarily select the food they like based on taste, how do they choose? And how can we use th ..read more

While some people identify themselves as a cat or dog person – many of us can be both! Still, some of us may be delaying a multi-species family, concerned by the familiar phrase “fighting like cats and dogs.” The good news is that with sensible adoption decisions, positive and rewarding introductions, good management and a little training, many cats and dogs can live together peacefully.  Playing matchmaker: Key ingredients to a successful relationship  If you have a cat and are planning to adopt a dog, try to find an animal with a known history of being accepting of other small anim ..read more

The right environment is important to help us thrive, but what about our furry friends? Read on to learn what considerations you should make to ensure your cat is flourishing at home. Toys for mental enrichment Be sure to have plenty of toys around to provide mental enrichment for your cat indoors. Figure out what your cat likes, which could be mouse toys, balls, wand toys, or automatic toys that can entertain your cat when you aren’t around. It can be helpful to keep half of your cat toys in a box that’s put away and regularly switch some out for others, so your cat always feels like there ar ..read more

Puppies and kittens receive immune protection (maternally derived antibodies – MDAs) by drinking their mom’s first milk called colostrum. While human babies receive immune protection from their mother before birth, puppies and kittens ONLY have these MDAs to protect them.  Why we have to be very careful between 4-12 weeks of age Puppy and kitten immune systems are both fragile and very susceptible to infectious disease. Especially between 4-12 weeks old.  This is also when puppies and kittens may be changing homes, which can be an added potential stressor.  The Critical Period ..read more

You’ve decided the old, worn-down cardboard box your cat adores is ready for an upgrade. After a bit of research, you’ve selected what you think is the purr-fect bed for your favourite feline. So why does she turn up her nose, flip her tail and snuggle somewhere else? Keep reading to learn how to get your cat to love their new sleeping accommodations and see how the Ontario SPCA and Pet Valu are working together to give cats their very own “cabins.”   Location is important  Consider carefully where you place the new kitty bed. Location is crucial. The best recommendation is to ..read more

Cats typically don’t smell because they are focused on staying clean, so if your nose turns up as you pass the litter box it may be an indication that you need to ramp up your cleaning routine. As a cat parent, you should monitor the litter box. Doing so allows you to not only stay on top of cleaning, but also monitor your cat’s health.  Here’s the Ontario SPCA’s top 5 tips for combatting smelly kitty litter  In order to avoid cat odor, make sure you’re scooping out any litter box solids at least once daily (twice a day if possible) and disposing of it outside the home. If the litte ..read more

Though some cats are more vocal than others, most cat parents will have experience conversing with their feline friends. But why do they do it? The ASPCA has a very helpful tip sheet that covers some of the common reasons cats meow or yowl.  Read the full post for information on how to teach your cats to be less vocal, and what not to do in the training process.  Common reasons why cats meow  To greet people. Your cat may greet you when you come home, when you speak to them, or when they meet you somewhere in the house.  To solicit attention. The ASPCA says cats enjoy soci ..read more

Cats are some of the most remarkable athletes on the planet, with their fast reflexes, flexible spine, and powerful muscles. What’s more, they have highly coordinated paws, equipped with retractable claws for enhanced traction and grip, and footpads that extend into their palms and fingers that mold to nearly any surface. Unlike their canine rivals, they can rotate their palms to the sky. They can reach for objects and even grasp at them. These physical attributes make them gifted climbers and expert hunters. It is no wonder why cats strut about with pride. But as they age, their movement star ..read more

Finding the purrfect friend to share a life with is an exciting feeling, especially when you get to take your newly adopted cat home for the first time. You’ve purchased all the supplies needed in preparation for their adoption but what comes next?  Your new cat or kitten is likely experiencing an abundance of emotions and it’s important to make the transition to their new home as smooth as possible. Luckily, when you adopt from one of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centres, we get you started on the right track.  Cute cat cabins that are as fun as they are functional&nbs ..read more

Guest blog By Dr. Linda Jacobson, President, Ontario Shelter Medicine Association  FIV stands for “feline immunodeficiency virus.” This is a virus in the same group as HIV, but it is specific to the cat family and can’t cross over into people or other animals.   There are many misconceptions about FIV, the most extreme one being that every cat with FIV is sick and/or highly contagious and should be euthanized. This is not supported by the facts, and fortunately this kind of thinking is rarely encountered these days.  Let’s start with what an initial positive FIV test means ..read more