You Dog Might Remember More Than You Think!

“I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again”

The words may be from the musical Cats, but with new research about dogs’ memories, someone may want to create a new musical.

A recent article in The Washington Post reports on research findings that dogs may have episodic-like memory similar to humans.  While they can’t actually know what the dogs are thinking (after all, The Secret Life of Pets is only a movie), their research shows that dogs can remember what their humans do even if the dog doesn’t need to know the action.

The study, published by Current Biology, tested the dogs’ memory by first training the dogs to “do what I do” and then, after the dogs performed correctly, increased the time between the action and telling them to do it. Two time intervals were tested: 1 minute and 1 hour.

While the dogs memory was better after only one minute (60% of dogs performed the action) and did decrease after an hour, a number of them (35%) were still able to recall and perform the action they were initially taught to imitate.

The Washington Post article quotes study author Claudia Fugazza as saying that most dog owners probably already realize that their dogs have memories. “What is new and important” she says, “is that dogs can remember events even if those events do not seem to be important.”

Why a Dog's Hair Turns Gray at a Young Age

Many of us have been there--finding that lone gray hair that signals to us a change. While we humans associate graying hair with getting older, in dogs, graying hair can signal loneliness.

Yes, loneliness.

According to a recent article on CNN, the anxiety and stress of being alone can contribute to dogs' fur turning gray prematurely. Dogs who are anxious, according to the research cited, may whine or bark when left alone.

The study that the article reports on even surprised one of the researchers. The Chicago Tribune reports that Northern Illinois University professor Thomas Smith was skeptical at first, but once the data was collected, he saw how stressed dogs were prematurely gray. It was also found that female dogs were more likely to gray than male dogs.

The dogs in the study were from the ages of one to four. Pet owners with dogs in this age range who might be concerned about their dog’s level of anxiety can check with their veterinarian or a dog trainer to help alleviate the anxiety. Other suggestions are to not leave the dog alone for so long each day—Perhaps a dog daycare provider that can provide the dog with care and attention.

Dogs are often not only great companions, but a big part of a family, and need care just like humans do. 

Dog and Cat Holiday Gift Ideas

The holidays are upon us and we all have the spirit of giving; that includes our precious pets as well.

Barkbox- When you subscribe to Barkbox, you are signing your pooch up to receive a monthly gift that includes 4-6 toys, treats, and other goodies. Your furry companion will love receiving gifts each month. Barkbox gifts start at just $20 a month.  https://barkbox.com/

Cat Dancer Wand This simple toy is sure to be a kitty pleaser! The cat dancer wand is a great way to keep your kitty busy and for you to interact with them as well! Simply wave the wand around and watch your kitty chase it. http://www.catdancer.com/cat-dancer-cat-charmer-2/#.WEhcfrIrLcc

Cat GPS tracker- PawTrack- Ever wonder where your outdoor kitty goes when they take a stroll? Now you can follow them, without disrupting their walk. The PawTrack takes positions every six minutes as your cat roams.  This information is stored on the cat tracking collar and uploaded to the server. The information can then be viewed on any internet-enabled device or computer.  This GPS tracker is able to track multiple cats and can give images on google maps including street view.  You can also set boundaries for your cat and will be alerted when your cat wanders outside of these areas.  You will receive alerts when the collar’s battery level has reached critical, so you’ll never have to worry about not being able to track. http://pawtrack.com/

Kitnip box- Just like the Barkbox for your pooch, you can order your kitty a monthly subscription to toys, all natural treats, and healthy cat products. In previous boxes, cats have received handmade catnip bells, caterpillar kicker, play-n-squeak mouse and Zuke’s G –Zees Tender Grain-Free Treats. Multi-cat boxes are also available, so no ones left out! https://www.kitnipbox.com/

Pet Chatz- You can now stay in touch virtually with your furry companion via Pet Chatz. This allows you to call your pet while you are away and video chat with them. Your pet is able to see you, hear you, and receive a treat all through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. You can also use a special accessory that allows your pet to call you. Pet Chatz makes it seem like the time away from your pets is a little shorter.  https://petchatz.com/

What do you plan to give your pet this holiday season?

(Morris Animal Inn is offering these as suggestions of types of products your pets may like.  It's always good to research specific products carefully for appropriateness for your particular pet.)