No offense to any only children out there, but you can kind of be the worst. Human kids are just like puppies and kittens– our littermates teach us important lessons, like sharing, boundaries, and compassion. Of course, people face the same risks of “littermate syndrome” and resource guarding too, and that’s usually where parents come in.

Before any singletons click away or turn the page, don’t worry– we’re not here to bag on you. Today, we’re actually celebrating the only children of the animal world!

It seems like the world has stereotyped behaviors for cats and dogs. When a dog is aloof or independent, they might be called “cat-like”. Whereas a cat who fetches toys will be labeled “like a dog.” When it comes to cat and dog behavior, it can get tough to differentiate myth from reality. 

It might be time to adopt a new cat into your family! The transition from newcomer to treasured family member can take some time. Here are some tips to help you read the signals your cat is giving to make the transition smoother.

Outdoor time is important for a cat’s well-being and mental health, which is why a catio is a great idea for cat families. A “catio” or “cat patio” is an outdoor enclosure designed to give cats a safe environment to enjoy the outdoors. These structures range from simple window boxes to elaborate multi-level enclosures that attach to a home or free-standing alone in the yard. Catios allow cats to experience fresh air, sunshine, and natural sights and sounds while protecting them from outdoor dangers such as traffic, predators, and diseases. At Second Chance, we have catios outside several of our cat rooms and our residents enjoy them every day.

The holiday season can be lonely for shelter pets. Everyone is busy shopping, decorating, baking, and getting ready for Santa. In the winter months, we don’t have as many visitors to the shelter. 

Cats are usually comfortable, secure, and happy in their familiar spaces. Some cats are up for an adventure and travel well, but most cats do not. A cat who doesn’t travel well will likely become stressed out which means fear, digestive issues, and even attempts to escape from the car, the hotel, or grandma’s house.

Stripes, Spots & Swirls - Tabby is the most common pattern for cats' coats. The gene for the tabby pattern can be found in all domestic cats (look at a black cat in the sun, and you may see hidden tabby markings). A tabby cat refers to a cat who has a pattern of stripes, swirls, spots, or blotches of colors.

Why do dogs chase and bite their tail? It’s funny, puzzling, and sometimes frustrating when your dog catches sight of his tail and spins in circles trying to catch it. Or she bites and chews her tail for no apparent reason.

Sibling relationships can be complicated, both for humans and dogs. When adopting a new pet, people often think it’s better to get two from the same litter. With cats, that is a good strategy. Most veterinarians recommend adopting cats in pairs.

You’ve heard it: “It’s okay, my dog is friendly.” To be perfectly honest, you should not believe it. Most dogs are not always okay and not always friendly.

Cats are very colorful creatures, inside and out. Thus, it may seem hard to believe, but genetically, there are only 2 colors of cats: black and red with many combinations, dilutions, or mixtures of these.