What do a little penguin, a baby rabbit, a black rat, and a Krefft’s glider have in common? They were all introduced to me (when dead) by my animal companions. Most likely, if you live with a cat or dog, something similar was also brought to you.
So is it a gift, are they showing off, or is there something else going on?
Is it meant for you?
The first thing to consider is whether your canine or feline companion is actually bringing you the dead animal, or are you just in the space that they have also arrived at?
As people, we tend to put ourselves in the middle of every story (the fancy term to describe this mindset is anthropocentric). But sometimes it’s not about us. Perhaps your dog was planning to chew on that half-rotten creature in his comfortable bed in a known safe place, which just happens to be close to where you are.
Read more: Genetic research confirms that your dog’s breed influences his personality, but so do you
Perhaps your cat has entered the room, actually showing you the find in its mouth. This could include loudly exclaiming that they have won their version of the jackpot with a direct approach: walking towards you, maintaining eye contact with you, and making a distinctive yell (most cat meows are designed to call your attention). attention).
If this is the case, then yes, they are probably intentionally sharing this dead animal with you. But why?
Understanding the motivations of animals
Did they kill this animal themselves?
Globally, we know that people value wildlife in both urban and rural areas. However, our pet cats and dogs kill large numbers of wild animals. In Australia, cats in particular have attracted attention and management policies to reduce their impact on local wildlife.
They may be very cute, but cats are also highly effective killers of native wildlife. Fatih Turan/Pexels, CC BY
Read more: Australia must get its killer cat problem under control. A major new report explains how, but doesn’t go far enough
Do they bring you something that was already dead?
In some situations, our animals may be opportunistic and have found something that was already dead. Perhaps an owl dropped it in a pasture, or washed up on the beach, or was hit by a vehicle and found on the side of a road. What are we going to do with these offerings?
In 2015, Queensland biologists described a number of individual wild bottlenose dolphins apparently “giving away” wild-caught fish (usually already dead) or cephalopods (such as squid and octopus) to people who fed them fish as part of their diet. of a regulated diet. program in Tangalooma in Australia.
The researchers thought the treat was consistent with play, prey trading, and teaching behaviors seen in dolphins, whales, and many other mammals historically considered great thinkers.
Ultimately, with these dolphins and with our own animal companions, we can think of this sharing as an expression of the particular relationship between animal and human. In some cases, where the behavior is regular (even if infrequent), we can describe it as part of the animals’ culture, as the dolphin biologists did in their scientific paper.
Read more: Whales and dolphins have rich cultures and could provide clues to what makes humans so advanced
Dolphins used to being fed by people in Tangalooma, Queensland have been known to present fish in return. S. Newrick/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
What should you do?
If you ever find yourself in the position where your animal companions bring you a dead animal, there are a couple of things to remember.
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Regular parasite control it will make sure that not everyone shares more than intended. The mites responsible for scabies, lice, and maggots can easily spread among dead wildlife, companion animals, and people. Talk to your vet if you’re not sure what parasite control your four-legged friend should have on a routine basis.
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Prevent cats and dogs from preying on wildlife It is a very important part of ensuring the well-being of all. If you know that your animal companion is killing wild animals, you should take steps to prevent it.
Effective measures can include safely limiting when and where they go outdoors, a bell around their neck, keeping them on a leash when outside, and redirecting their energy through regular walks, games, and fun training activities. Keeping cats indoors can also limit the spread of disease to humans and other animals.
Read more: Cats allowed to roam can transmit diseases to humans and wildlife
So when your cat or dog presents you with a dead animal, it is normal behavior and may indicate their attachment to you. However, it is also a reminder of how much damage they can cause to wildlife and of our responsibility to limit that damage.
Mia Cobb does not work for, consult with, own shares in, or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond her academic position.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
5 common myths about dogs and the facts behind them
sniffing out the truth
Updated
There are countless myths about our pets, some so old that they have become facts in the eyes of many people. While some of these myths are harmless, many are filled with misinformation about a dog’s care, temperament, behavior, and intelligence. Pet owners who act on this misinformation may not meet their dog’s needs.
To separate fact from fiction, the American Kennel Club clears up some known myths about dogs.
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Myth No. 1: A wagging tail means a happy dog.
Updated
The truth: A wagging tail doesn’t always mean the dog is happy. While a medium level natural tail wagging indicates the dog is happy, most other wagging indicates the opposite.
A high, stiff tail wagging can be a sign of agitation in the dog, suggesting that it is ready to protect something, while a low, fast wagging can indicate that the dog is scared and submissive.
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Myth No. 2: Dogs age seven years for every human year
Updated
The truth: This myth has been around for so long that most people see it as fact. Although dogs age faster than humans, the 7:1 ratio is not perfectly accurate.
Dogs age faster when they are younger and then the aging process slows down as they get older.
The size of the dog also plays a role in the aging process: larger dogs age faster than small dogs.
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Myth No. 3: A hot nose indicates illness
Updated
The truth: The idea that a dog in good health should have a cold, wet nose is just another myth. A dog’s nose temperature does not represent health or disease. Using a thermometer is the only way to accurately measure your dog’s temperature.
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Myth No. 4: Old dogs can’t learn new tricks
Updated
The truth: You can absolutely teach an older dog new tricks, like how to shake hands, talk, or roll over. Keeping training sessions short and fun while using plenty of positive reinforcement like treats and praise can help make the training process easier.
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Myth No. 5: Dogs can’t see in color
Updated
The truth: At one time, it was believed that dogs could only see in black, white, and shades of gray. This myth is still believed by many people today. Dogs have fewer color sensitive cones in their eyes than humans. However, it has been discovered that although it is not in the same way as humans, dogs can see color. They can see blue, yellow-green, and yellow along with various shades of gray.
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COPYRIGHT 2023 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, TRANSMITTED, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.