Question: My cat, Stanley, was still purring when he fell out of a tree and broke his back leg. I thought cats only purr when they are happy?
Answer: This is an easy assumption to make since our kitties, if well taken care of, will be content and purr happily when curled up in our laps or getting belly rubs. However, cats will also purr when they feel frightened, threatened or are in pain. The frequency of their purring is therapeutic for pain relief, wound healing, bone growth, muscle repair and swelling! Stanley is purring because he is trying to heal himself. Just another reason cats are magnificent!
Question: Can dogs be right-pawed or left-pawed? Do they have a dominant “hand” like people do?
Answer: Yes! Dangle a treat in front of your pooch and see which side he first paws at it with or use the “Kong Test” by placing treats into a Kong toy and watching to see what paw your pup uses to retrieve the cookies! While in humans, 90 percent of the population is right-handed and only 10 percent left-handed; in dogs, handedness is much more evenly distributed. The debate is still out whether a preference correlates with any behaviors or personality traits.
Please send your questions to Dr. Marina Shepelev at OwegoPawPrints@gmail.com.
Dr. Marina Shepelev is an associate veterinarian practicing medicine at the Endless Mountain Owego Vet Center. She welcomes weekly questions concerning your furry friends.
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