Two mysteries we answer about puppies and kittens
What causes puppy breath?
If you’ve ever held a squirming bundle of fur and leaned in for a nuzzle or kiss, you know puppy breath has a very specific aroma. Some folks love it; others loathe it. And it’s not easy to describe.
Many vets say puppy breath is caused by an early diet of mother’s milk and puppy food, along with digestive enzymes that break down food in the pup’s stomach. It’s natural and healthy for a dog to have puppy breath. And the aroma doesn’t last long -- a few months, at most.
For some pet lovers, though, puppy breath is more like a small miracle. Take a whiff, they say, and you’re flooded with feelings of tenderness and happiness. Such folks associate puppy breath -- rich, pungent and fleeting -- with innocence, optimism and other good things. Some vets believe sweet-smelling puppy breath is “the result of gas leaking into the puppy’s stomach from his developing esophagus.” Before puppies start to teethe, their mouths are clean and healthy. Once they are teething, their gums bleed and the pooled blood can start to cause unpleasant smells,” Dr. Jeff Werber, a veterinarian in California, says, “Once dogs reach the age of three and older, they start to develop plaque and bacteria, possibly creating even more bad odors.” A high percentage of dogs (and cats) develop some type of periodontal disease after the age of three,” says Dr. Werber. “This is the ideal time for pet owners to take their puppies to a vet for a professional examination and teeth cleaning.” Oh sweet puppy breath! Enjoy it while you can because that distinctive odor will disappear by the time your roly-poly pet is four to six months old. Just what is that smell and why can’t it stick around a little longer? Turns out there’s more involved than mother’s milk and clean teeth.
Why do kittens and cats hop sideways?
Cats and kittens may hop sideways as a way of scaring off bigger cats or dogs. This is usually the case when it is accompanied by puffed out fur which happens when a cat hops sideways as the fur tends to stand up. It makes themselves appear bigger and scarier as a means of defense. Cats have a natural instinct to hunt and catch prey. The University of California, Santa Cruz reports that research on mountain lions shows that these large wild cats do not have much endurance and instead store up energy and exert just the right amount depending on the size of their prey. Domesticated cats are very similar. They will sit and stare or slowly move to a better position to stalk their prey. Cats usually aren't looking to chase prey for long periods of time. Instead, they want to position themselves in a good spot and exert energy on a solid pounce.
Even when cats know the prey is not real or alive, they still go through the predatory dance sequence, and they love every part of it. That is why cats will enjoy a fake mouse toy set in a spot rather than a throw-and-chase game like you might have a with a dog and his ball. The mouse toy can sit still and your cat will begin with the stalk and then prepare for the pounce. Each movement of is crucial for a successful capture.
Kittens can master the pounce as early as nine weeks old. Even older cats still enjoy a stalk and pounce every once in a while. Whether the cat is young or old, the predatory dance sequence is pretty consistent and cats rarely pounce without first settling into a spot and preparing their back legs. After stalking and finding prey, a cat may focus her stare and start wiggling her butt before the big leap occurs. Although this butt wiggle can seem really funny, it is actually a crucial step. Wiggling and adjusting their back end helps ground them to get a good leap. Cats will size up their target and adjust the force needed to have a solid pounce and take down the prey. Since cat pouncing is a natural instinct, finding toys and playing games that encourage pouncing helps your cat hone her technique. So the next time you and your cat play together, be sure to watch for the different steps and be amazed at the process she goes through to catch her prey. Not to mention this is great exercise for your indoor cat, as well as a bonding experience for you both.
