Archive for the ‘raise a paw’ Category

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of omega-3 supplements for humans: they’re good for your brain, they help you achieve a proper balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats in your diet, and they may stave off dry skin in winter. But what about our furry friends? Companies are now marketing fish-oil and algae supplements for cats and dogs — read on to find out why, and if they’re a worthwhile purchase. Read the rest of this entry »

Are any of you familiar with a little something known as, “The Ferret Dance Of Joy?”  Well, hells bells I wasn’t either. Since I do love ferrets and I do love to dance so it only seemed natural that the two come together and launch this week’s Raise A Paw investigation.

Ferrets are generally quiet creatures with the occasional cluck, scream or hiss used to communicate. Otherwise, learning your ferret’s body language is the best indicator if its moods and able to give you some insight as to what’s going on with it. To let you know what’s up they might roll over, lift and wag their tails, tip their food or water, wrestle or nip but when they are feeling great and want you to know it they will choreograph a spectacular number known as The Ferret Dance Of Joy.

Not to be confused with that boogie Ren & Stimpy do, The Ferret Dance Of Joy use these moves to show you how excited and happy they are. Indicators that your ferret just has to dance would be:  hopping on your leg, bouncing off and hopping backwards repeatedly; running up and off the walls, quickly jumping from up, off and over your furniture;  hopping, bopping and getting frisky all around the house.  This is a clear sign that your ferret is so damn happy it just can’t keep it inside anymore.  Even better, your typically quiet ferret will probably accompany this dance with a cluck – a noise that ferrets make that sounds almost like a human laugh.   The very hyper movement is often accompanied by vocalizations that sound a lot like a human laugh.

Essentially, this is the ferret’s version of when a dog gets on the ground, bows down and wants to play.  Sometimes, your ferret is excited to actually tell you something so if The Dance of Joy starts to break out pay attention to your weasel and follow it to see what it might be trying to tell you. Probably not that Timmy is in the well, but maybe a toy is stuck somewhere or one of its buddies needs your help. Otherwise, if you see your ferret putting on its dancing shoes, get down on the floor and play with it! Sometimes there is no better way to have a quality interaction with a pet then when you know for certain its happy. I guarantee it will only serve to inspire your very own Dance Of Joy.

Image: originalpozer

I said to my best friend the other day, “sometimes there’s nothing cuter than when an animal sneezes.”  Honestly at the time, I meant it. I mean, when an animal sneezes, it’s just so dainty and cute I want to watch them do it over and over and over. But when I compose myself and stop to think about it, there’s probably a reason that they are sneezing other than to entertain me.  Add to that thought that as of late my side of the states has become the Frozen Tundra of Hell it occurred to me to investigate can my pet get a cold?  Thank goodness Raise A Paw is at my fingertips to help me find out!

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I’m always on the hunt – no pun intended – for what I deem to be little known factoids about pets that I can share with you. If it passes the  Hmmm Test (a very scientific test in which I make a very specific face and emit the following noise: “Hmmm”) then I democratically vote to myself to share it with you, the Pawesome Reader. I keep a mighty long list of facts that have passed this test and for this week’s Raise A Paw, I’ve gathered a few of them together in my own version of a lightning round. Which means you will find very brief, but interesting, tidbits for you to drop at social gatherings and your most important parties. Enjoy!
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