Tag Archives: Cats and Dogs
Monday Mischief: Understanding a Cat’s Sense of Touch
Mini Cooper is one of those cats that has a need for touch. Charles, the dog, on the other hand, likes to be near humans and other animals but does not like to be on your lap or cuddled too close. That is what makes this picture so interesting. Lately, Mini has started reaching out and laying a paw on him when she can. Is this a sign of her primal need to keep track of a predator? I wanted to know more about a cat’s sense of touch so I did a little research and thought I would share it with you.
Cats have whiskers on their upper lip, on their cheeks, and above their eyes, but did you know that they also have whiskers behind their front wrists? These are called carpal hairs. The whiskers on a cat touch like fingers do.
According to Michael Broad in a post in POC (Pictures Of Cats.org), “A cat’s sense of touch includes sensing pressure, warmth, cold and pain. Touch is the first sense that is utilized in the newborn cat as it is the earliest developed sense.”
The cat’s paw has a large number of receptors that respond to pressure and the highest density of those receptors are found ‘between the foot and the toe pads.” (The Cat, Its Behavior, Nutrition & Health published by Blackwell Publishing – IBSN 978-0-8138-0031-9 — page 46 and 47)
But does Mini really have a need for touch? Experts say that cats enjoy and need contact, just like humans do. Most of that they get in the form of petting or grooming. In Mini’s case, however, she seems to have more of a need than other cats. Maybe it comes from the fact that we held her all the time when she was a kitten (and too young to be away from her mother).
The one thing I do know is that Mini loves to have her paw on Charles, or Mom, or any warm body. I want to believe that gives her comfort.
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Wordless Wednesday: Watching & Waiting for Spring
Charles and Sofie – 2018
Spring is almost here – Nine and Sofie 2015
Spring has arrived 2011 – Louise and puppy Sofie
Louise and Sofie – waiting on March 21, 2018
Charles and Sofie waiting in April 2019
April 2020 – The cat crew just wants it all to go away!
Sofie yesterday (April 2020) enjoying the first iris of spring
Has spring come your way yet?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Caturday: Getting Along
At least some beings at the DogDaz Zoo are getting along during lockdown. I wish that I was as chill as Mini Copper and Charles, the Mugwump.
Wash your paws and stay well.
I cannot imagine a life without cats!
Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Monday Mischief: Everybody’s Home
This is just a normal day at the DogDaz Zoo: 3 dogs out for a walk and the 3 cats waiting for their return.
Yes, that really is our doormat, long before COVID-19.
I did not realize that Charles’ lead got caught in the garden timbers and he could not get up the stairs. You can see it at the very beginning of the video. I had to go and release him to shoot the second half of the video. He is such a silly little man!’
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Stay well and remember we will get through this #separatelytogether
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Wonderful Wednesday: Sharing A Nap
I am used to Nine stealing Louise’s bed. He does it often. And Lulu usually doesn’t mind. She sleeps on the carpet instead.
But for some reason, Lulu decided she wanted to be in her bed even if Nine was there. This is something I have never seen before at the DogDaz Zoo. Especially because there is another dog bed right next to that one that Louise could have settled into. They never cease to amaze me.
Do you cuddle in bed with other animals?
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Monday Mischief: October Review
October was a wild weather month; we went from hot summer-like days to a Halloween freeze. The animals like the cooler weather but not the rainy days. I think they have gotten very used to it being dry day after day.
Special appearance by my new grandcat, Hazel. See if you can spot her?
The cats are playing with the cave/spider crickets (we call them sprikets) that appear out of nowhere as soon as the temperature drops. They are rather mean to them (like pulling off their legs) so I didn’t want to include in the video, but you get the idea.
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Monday Mischief: PomChi Takes Control
This is Charles. I want to let you know that none of these cats understand that everything is mine. The people are mine. The bed is mine. Every chair and every pillow is mine. I don’t understand why the humans get mad at me when I growl and let those cats know that they need to back off and stay away from my things. What is wrong with these silly cats? When you are a PomChi the whole family needs to understand that you are in control! So back off and listen to me, already. Why doesn’t anyone listen to me? Grrrrr.
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Caturday: Play With Me
If you can’t see well enough, Louise is the black lump on the floor that Noel is trying to get to play with her. You can see her white toes in the background.
I cannot imagine a life without cats!
Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
