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. ❤️
If you liked this thread give us a follow: @bunsenbernerbmd and retweet the first post of the thread!
Also- if you like science and pets - check out @sciencepawdcast for both!
What makes a dog so friendly?
Is it training?
Is it the breed?
One theory is....love.
Find out why on The Super Pawesome Science Thread!
#TSPST
This story and theory are from the book Dog is Love by Dr. Clive Wynne (@caninecognition) and research by Bridgett vonHoldt.
Shoutout to the scientists that made this wholesome thread pawsible!
Let’s get into it! clivewynne.com/book-1
@caninecognition Science is pretty unanimous when it comes to dogs.
They are unique in how they interact with humans.
A good many scientists feel dogs can understand us in ways other animals can’t.
They can follow a point and hold our gaze.
This is coded in their DNA.
The dog's nose is thousands of time more sensitive than the human nose.
New data shows it is EVEN more remarkable.
This news is HOT HOT HOT!
#TSPST
The dog nose, in a current study, shows the ability to detect thermal radiation.
That’s fancy words for heat.
The conclusion is dogs can "SENSE" warm objects!
Wait!
How many animals can detect weak, radiating heat?
Few.
We are talking some types of snakes, vampire bats and weird beetles called black fire beetles (which we should do a thread on later)
9 Secret Exercises The Fitness Industry Doesn't Want To Tell You.
Burn Calories and Build Lean Muscle.
All you need is a dog.
🧵
1. Give Me Back The Sock
This exercise works out your core as you wrestle a sock away before it's mangled. The back and forth motion blasts your abs, and the franticness of not wanting to lose another piece of clothing gives you the urgency to power through the burn.
2. OMG COME BACK HERE
This is pure cardio. You’ve left the door ajar and your dog is gone. This exercise is running to retrieve the dog before it gets a chicken or is hit by a car. Increase the difficulty by doing this in your bathrobe and crocs.
Here are SEVEN fun facts about dogs that will blow your mind!
#TSPST
1. Each dog nose print is unique!
Human may have fingerprints, but the dog nose is unique.
This isn’t just wishful fun thinking, it is a fact!
No matter the sample size, dog nose prints never repeat.
Just like the personality of dogs. ❤️
2. Your dog’s paws smell like corn chips
Dogs don't wear shoes so microorganisms get into their feet.
Dogs sweat from the pads of their feet and this sweat is the perfect place for bacteria to grow.
Pseudomonas and Proteus are the microbe team responsible.
As a team, my wife and I grew our Instagram account by 765% and our Facebook account by 6200% in one year.
Ok. Click bait title over, but let's talk social media.
Yes, it isn't our usual science or dog post, but I think many of you will find this interesting.
Our account here on "X" has plateaued over the last two years, and despite working on amazing content which usually does really well with thousands of likes, we haven't been pulling in new followers.
Initially this stung, but I then realized it was totally ok.
We have a huge community here that we are so grateful for, and I love posting and making content of our dogs and science stuff. We did well.
BUT- we have hit the max amount of people on this platform that connect with our content.