Cats & Stats

A study has been published by a team from Sydney University on cat ownership in metropolitan Sydney. A random survey of over 2700 homes collected some interesting statistics:

• 33% of households had one or more cats



• of the cat owning households, 76% had only one cat, and 19% had two cats



• there were more female cats (55%) than male cats (45%)



• the avergae age for a cat was 7 years



• 97.3% of cats were desexed (spayed / neutered)



• Crossbred cats (moggies) outnumbered pedigree cats by a ratio of 3.3:1.



• The Burmese was the most common pure-bred breed, followed by the Persian.



• Only 5.8% of cats had never visited a veterinarian.
  

More detailed statistics are available in the article, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2009). Click this link to go to the article: Demographics and husbandry of pet cats living in Sydney, Australia

Is being licked by a dog unhygienic?

New research from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University in the USA found that dogs are likely to get germs from their owners.

The researchers also found that "dog owners are more likely to share germs with pets by not washing hands than by sleeping with their dog, or getting licks on the face."

The researchers did not look at the transmission of all types of bacteria - so sensible hygiene practices are always advisable.

Click HERE to read more.

It’s a dog’s life

Have you ever stopped to think; how good does my dog have it? As I sit here in my lounge room typing on my laptop, my two dogs; Archie a Boxer and Joseph a black Labrador Retriever lie on their beds sleeping, where they have remained for most of the day.

A typical day for my dogs begins with a hearty breakfast followed by a quick game of fetch or tug-o-war in the backyard. When we head off to work, they are kept entertained with the latest chew toys or a puzzle toy filled with treats. In the summer months they even have access to a mini swimming pool so they can cool off on hot days.

Upon our return from a hard days work the dogs are again fed. After dinner it’s time for a training session or another game followed by their evening walk down to the local dog park. Once home, they return to their favourite spot – their beds in the lounge room where they remain until the next morning.

Weekends entail other special things for Archie and Joseph; a trip to the local dog-friendly café, a visit to our family’s house or a treat to chew on.

When I think about it, my dogs don’t have much to worry about. They are given everything their little hearts desire and don’t have to work a day in their lives, except of course to provide unconditional love to us!