Cats will randomly scratch up stuff in your house.
Dadguy’s computer bag is getting shredded.
Is declawing cats a solution?
No. It’s a terrible idea.
Find out more on The Super Pawesome Science Thread! #TSPST
Ginger has a scratching post, but ignores it for two things - dadguy’s computer bag and the back of our new couch.
School teacher Beaker keeps Ginger from messing with the couch too much, but that computer bag is getting mangled.
Luckily, Ginger is an absolute sweetheart. She has never scratched a human out of anger, just by accident in play. Beaker and Bunsen have gotten the claw a few times, with Beaker getting a couple bloody noses.
In Ginger’s defence, Beaker deserved it.
We know not all cats are as gentle as Ginger. We also know that some cats are way more destructive. It makes sense that some families would be exhausted and want their cats’ claws removed.
There are huge problems with it though, and science has the receipts.
First off, declawing a cat is illegal in many countries:
England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Alberta. Even if your country allows it, robust studies found it negatively affects the cat. It can cause lameness, chewing, and infection.
On top of this, in The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, a long term study took a look at the welfare of declawed cats months and years after the procedure.
Did the declawed cats have issues?
Yep.
137 declawed cats were compared against 137 clawed cats in a fairly large study.
Some of the issues where shocking.
Accidents, aggression, and overgrooming occurred way more in the declawed cats than the non-declawed cats (7 to 3 times more depending on the behaviour).
A declawed cat was also almost 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with back pain too. 😭
The main reason is that without their claws, cats have to bear weight on the soft parts of their feet all the time, which their bodies are totally not built for. It makes it hard to stand in kitty litter, permanently changes their gait causing pain while walking.
So, while it seems like a great idea to remove the claws of a cat, the evidence says it’s terrible for the life of your little murder floof.
Play, toys, scratch posts, and a sacrificial computer bag are better options. ❤️
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Also- if you like science and pets - check out @sciencepawdcast for both!
Petting a dog has a PAWSITIVE effect on your brain.
The science is so wholesome and potentially groundbreaking.
🧵
#TSPST
We don’t have to tell animal lovers that petting a dog rules.
If you see a dog and you get to say hi to the dog and then you ask to PET the dog and you are ALLOWED to pet the dog is pretty much the BEST DAY EVER.
Science explains why!
In the journal PLOS ONE a team of scientists decided to put dogs up against adorable stuffies while scanning for specific types of brain activity. journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
Humans got to North America from Africia thousands of years ago.
How?
What path did they take?
A fuzzy companion may tell us how.
Find out more on The Super Pawesome Science Thread.
#TSPST
Dogs and humans have been buddies for over 10,000 years.
There is evidence of this in the dig sites of ancient cities.
We also know dogs traveled with their humans during migrations.
Where humans went, dogs came too.
A dog fossil found in a cave in Alaska gives us a clearer picture of when humans arrived to North America.
Based on carbon dating, the bone is 10,150 years old.
This find is unique as it’s the oldest dog fossil found in North America.
Do you want a wholesome science story?
Oh we got one.
It's about a team of misfit dogs trained by compassionate humans to be freaking super heroes.
🧵
#TSPST
Our story starts with the organization itself.
Rogue Detection Teams.
You can find out more right here:
On Twitter: @roguedetection
Also this video might make you cry:
All photos in this thread are from their very awesome websiteroguedogs.org
@roguedetection The dogs that make up this team are the dogs are ones that society didn’t want.
They are dogs surrendered because of hyperactivity or obsessive behaviours.
These dogs would have had a life of isolation and misery.
This could be a touchy subject for some, but the facts don't lie.
Here are FIVE reasons, based on science, that you should keep your cat inside
---THREAD---
1. Your cat won’t get killed by stuff
Outdoor cats are at risk to be hit by cars, mauled by dogs, eaten by coyotes, and other predators.
Cats could be poisoned by humans OR eat stuff that could kill them.
Or shot.
Outdoor cats die all the time from being outside.
2. Your cat won’t get diseases.
Outdoor cats will come in contact with other cats that are known to carry dangerous diseases.
Even a tiny bit of contact can transmit parasites and diseases like Feline Leukemia and Distemper.
Not great.
The advice in this thread will make you unrecognizable in 30 days.
You owe it to yourself to read it. Trust us.
🧵
Pet One Dog:
Petting a dog will release feel good hormones, decrease your heart rate, and bring a sense of calm into your life.
You will become 10% more efficient.
Pet Two Dogs:
Petting two dogs will release feel good hormones, decrease your heart rate, and bring a sense of calm into your life.
You will be 17.2% more efficient and you will be able to hold your breath for 1 minute.