A DANGEROUS GAME
Why Cats Play With Their Prey Human parents teach their children not to play with their food, but feline mothers give their kittens the exact opposite message. As a result, hunting is the least adorable thing our cat companions do. It’s not only the killing that makes us squeamish but also how much pleasure cats seem to find in torturing their prey first. Rather than putting a mouse or bird out of its misery, cats appear to want to make it suffer.
behaviorists believe cats attempt to weaken their prey so they can’t fight back. Cats kill by biting their prey’s spinal cord; at this moment, they’re most at risk of a biting counterattack. A drained and injured animal is less likely to harm the cat. The same playing activity also helps felines ensure their food is healthy and unpoisoned.
Cats also don’t engage in extended torture during every hunting session; hungry cats kill and eat their prey faster. Cat owners observe the playing behavior more frequently because their cats are well-fed.
Let your furry friend celebrate the fall season with these simple pumpkin dog treats! PDeorgf eTc tr ePautsm p k i n Nevertheless, the behavior can be distressing to humans. If you want to reduce your cat’s hunting, one of the best methods is to keep them stimulated with regular play. Experts also recommend outdoor cat owners place a bell on their collar so they can’t sneak up on their prey or are less successful. You’ll have fewer “presents” to clean up and you’ll protect the local bird population. But why do cats continue to hunt when they’re not hungry? While cats do find stimulation and excitement in hunting, they’re not simply killing for “fun.” Cats are opportunistic hunters and could go long periods without locating prey. When cats leave the dead animal behind — sometimes on our doorsteps — they likely intend to return to it later. Experts used to believe cats were giving a “gift” to their humans but increasingly prefer the theory that cats are storing their food in a safe place. Inspired by LoveFromTheOven.com
While some cat owners worry they’re living with a small, furry psychopath, that’s (probably) not the case. Researchers have set out to discover why cats “play” with their prey for extended periods before finally going in for the kill. They’ve found that the behavior is a natural survival instinct, not meaningless cruelty. The larger the prey is, the longer a cat plays with it. For example, cats generally attack a rat significantly longer than a mouse. Animal S NCVew C Policy At the time of scheduling a dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
INGREDIENTS
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2 tbsp xylitol-free peanut butter
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2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup canned pumpkin purée
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease your baking sheet. 2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients. The mixture will be dry and crumbly, so add 1 tablespoon of water to moisten the mixture and knead the dough. Add a tablespoon of water at a time while kneading until the dough is a thick but dry consistency. 3. On a floured surface, roll the dough out until it’s around 1/2-inch thick. Using cooking cutters, cut out individual shapes and place them on the baking sheet. 4. Bake for about 35 minutes or until hard. Let cool and serve!
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