The 10 Most Popular Cat Breeds

There are about 90 million pet cats in the U.S. according to census data. This means there are many more whose owners do not claim them as pets even though they take care of them. Many of these cats are identified as domestic longhairs or domestic shorthairs and only about 3-5% are purebred. The list of cat breeds is large - most registries recognize around 40 breeds of cats and at least one new breed is added yearly.


Purebred cat lovers generally choose a breed that is similar to their personality. A person who is reserved and introverted might choose a breed such as the somewhat aloof Scottish Fold or the American Curl. A person who is more outgoing and is looking for a dog-like cat might choose the Manx or the Birman. Cat owners are also drawn to cats based on their looks. From the sleek Siamese to the rough and tumble Maine Coon, you'll find that often a cat does look like his person.





1. The Persian: This breed has been number one since the CFA first started keeping records in 1871. Persians are affectionate and loyal but need their long fur groomed every day.

2. The Maine Coon: This breed has been in second place since 1992 and it's no wonder. This is a very gentle, loving creature who is large by cat-size. They weigh between 15 and 25 lbs. and have long fur like the Persian. However, they do not need as much grooming as the Persian.

3. The Exotic: This breed is like a Persian but with short fur. Their nickname is "Persian in Pajamas" because of their coloring. They are sweet like a Persian but only need brushing twice a week.

4. The Siamese: The yowl of a Siamese is very familiar to fanciers of this breed. And it's not just for attention - Siamese like to "chat" with their owners. This is a sleek cat who is very athletic. They usually gravitate to one person and are loyal and loving.

5. The Abyssinian: These cats are considered some of the lookers in the cat world. Thin and elegant with a shiny coat, they are active felines, very playful and friendly.

6. The Ragdoll: This breed gets its name from the way these cats go completely limp in your arms when you pick them up. They are cute and cuddly and large like the Maine Coon, weighing between 10 and 20 lbs. (males tend to be larger). This is a breed that should always be kept inside as they are very docile and would likely not defend themselves outside.

7. The Birman: If you want a cat that is dog-like, the Birman is a good choice. He is friendly, outgoing, even-tempered and flexible, a very rare trait to find in a cat. They are known to come when called and to greet you at the door like a pooch would. They have long silky hair that does not require much grooming.

8. The American Shorthair: This breed originally arrived in America on the Mayflower. They were bred for hunting and thus are excellent hunters, have good health and are a quiet cats. They make great family pets and are especially good with children.

9. The Oriental: This breed looks and behaves like a Siamese but comes in two fur lengths and over 300 color combinations. Their personality is similar to the Siamese but they are quieter.

10. The Sphynx: Known as the "Naked Climber" this breed climbs anything and is lively and athletic. They have an unusual appearance, sans fur, and come in a multitude of different skin colors. They are loyal and loving and demand constant attention.

Source: Catster

Featured Dog Breed of the Week: Dalmatian

I've decided to make things here at Animals Are Everywhere a little more exciting. Every week we will now be profiling a different dog breed. This week it's the Dalmatian!

Height: 19-24 inches

Size: Medium

Weight: 55-70 pounds (male); 40-55 (female)

Description

The familiar dapper black-and-white spotted dog of Disney fame, the Dalmatian is a symmetrical, muscular medium sized dog with superior endurance. He has soft ears and a tail that tapers to the end. Puppies are born completely white, with the spots developing later. Spots should be well defined and should not blend together into large patches. The short coat is sleek and shiny. Dalmatians can also come with liver-colored spots, though that type is not as popular.

History

Though his origins are far from clear, the Dalmatian was first historically placed in Dalmatia, part of the former Yugoslavia. The breed became popular as a carriage dog in the 1800’s, trotting beside (and even among) the horses and then guarding the carriage and horses while the master was occupied elsewhere. The versatile Dalmatian has seen many uses, before and since, as a mascot for firemen, war sentinel, circus performer, vermin hunter, retriever, hound, shepherd and guard dog. Today, this beautiful breed is primarily a companion dog.

Key Facts

The Dalamatian is a hardy, easy to keep breed, though frequent brushing is needed to cope with the constant shedding. Dalmatians are clean, with no doggy odor. They often have large litters, sometimes up to 15 pups. The Dalmatian is a very energetic breed, and needs daily romps to prevent destructiveness. Deafness affects 10–12% of Dalmatian puppies. Every Dalmatian puppy should be BAER-tested for deafness. Because Dalmatians are so popular, and people are breeding indiscriminately, deafness is on the rise. Those people thinking about breeding their Dalmatian must be willing to deal responsibly with any deaf puppies in the litter. Deaf dogs may be difficult to raise, and can become aggressive and snappish from fear. Many are run over by cars if they ever "escape" from home. For these reasons, and to help reduce the incidence of deafness in the Dalmatian gene pool, the Dalmatian Club of America encourages humane euthanisation of all deaf puppies, though this policy is somewhat controversial. Buy only from a reputable breeder to avoid this serious problem and to ensure good temperament. Buy only from OFA stock to avoid hip dysplasia, though hip dysplasia incidence in the breed is quite low. The Dalmation is also prone to kidney problems. Uric acid levels in Dalmatians are higher than in any other breed, sometimes causing urinary blockage. Veterinarians may recommend a low protein diet for this breed to prevent urinary tract problems. Do not keep Dalmatians outside in the cold

Personality

Playful and happy-go-lucky, Dalmatians need human companionship, so they don’t make good yard dogs. The very energetic Dalmatian loves to play with children, but may be too rambunctious for toddlers. Dalmatians tend to get along well with other pets, though they may be aggressive with strange dogs. Males often dislike other males. This breed can be somewhat high-strung and can be timid without enough socialization. Though they are quite intelligent, Dalmatians can be willful. They generally do well with firm, consistent training.

Source: Iams

Top 10 Dogs for Watchdog Barking

Looking for a dog that WILL bark to deter potential burglars? Listed from most alert to least alert, these breeds will bark vigorously at the presence of an intruder or in situations that seem out of the ordinary.

1. Rottweiler

2. German Shepherd

3. Terrier

4. West Highland White Terrier

5. Miniature Schnauzer

6. Yorkshire Terrier

7. Cairn Terrier

8. Chihuahua

9. Airedale Terrier

10. Poodle (standard/miniature)

Source: Petrix

Requests...

If you would like to see an animal featured on Animals Are Everywhere, just leave what animal you'd like to see in the comments!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!!

How Do I Treat My Dog's Cold?

Although it's not something to be alarmed about, dog's can also suffer from colds. Actually it's a pretty common sickness that dogs get. Regardless, colds are not something that you should be complacent about just because it happens a lot. So what are the symptoms that you should look out for?


Possible Symptoms of Colds


Usually the first thing that you have to look out for is when your dog starts to sneeze. That means a lot of sneezing. He will then start to have runny eyes while his nose starts to have a yellowish-green discharge which is also known as mucous. You may then start hearing your dog cough from time to time as well.


So How Do I Treat This?


When you suffer from a cold, you usually take medicines and lots and lots of water. This should also be done for your dog. Try to increase your dog's fluid intake, however, most often than not, dogs who suffer from colds try to avoid water. So try giving him a different remedy, like for example, adding broth to his water.


Just like humans, dogs can benefit from steam treatment. Remember how you would often try to put your face in front of a steamer whenever you have a cold? You can also do this for him. Try putting him in a bathroom and fill the room with steam. Let him stay in there for a couple of minutes, fifteen minutes maximum, three times a day. And you will definitely see an improvement from his colds.


Prevention is Better than Cure


No dog owner likes to see their dog suffer from any kind of sickness, even if it's just a cold. So it's always best to try and prevent your dog from getting sick. You can do this by feeding him healthy foods. There are too many options of dog foods out there, but make sure you get a high quality dog food that can provide your dog all the nutritional value he needs. Most people think that giving your dog any type of food is good enough, which couldn't be farther from the truth. But of course, giving your dog a healthy diet will increase and boost your dog's immune system, and will in return help him fight off any possible sickness. It is also essential for you to provide your dogs vitamins. There are many types of vitamins out there, so make sure you do your research to find the best quality dog vitamin available and your dog will benefit greatly, not only be reduced illnesses but in his quality of life and longevity.




- Article Source

Interesting Animals- Tapirs

Tapirs are herbivorous animals as they feed on plants. They are pig-like in shape, with short and prehensile snouts. They inhibit primarily in jungle and forest regions of South and Central part of America, and Southeast Asia. Tapirs are aggressive animals as they will attack furiously when they are annoyed by their enemies. They have a close relationship to other odd-toed ungulates, including rhinoceros and horses.

All tapirs are characterized with features include oval and white-tipped ears, splayed and hoofed toes, rounded and protruding rumps with stubby tails, with three toes on the hind feet and four on the front feet. These characteristics help them to walk on muddy and soft ground. Female tapirs have a single pair of mammary glands while the baby tapirs have stripped-and-spotted coats for camouflage. Adult tapirs are usually large in size and thus they have very few natural predators. The thick skin coated the back of their necks help them to reduce the threats from crocodiles, anacondas, tigers and jaguars.

-Seen on Science Ray

Robot Fish Has a Future Role in Reducing Water Pollution

I saw this article while looking around online and found it interesting, so I decided to share it.


In the future, robots will not only replace caregivers and make sushi, but they’ll also lend a hand offshore. According to Reuters, a team of European scientists at the University of Essex developed a robo-fish to monitor pollution in waterways. Setting the prototype loose for the first time on Tuesday in Gijón, a northern Spanish port, developers say the “fish” can practically report pollutants in real time.

First showcased at London’s aquarium in 2005, today’s larger version is built to withstand Atlantic currents and high water pressure. Backed by a $3.6 million grant from the E.U., the developers of the 1.5-m-long model hope the robo-fish can offer a more accurate assessment of water conditions. If the prototype proves successful, the roboticists intend to sell the fish, which cost roughly $30,000 each, to port authorities, water companies, aquariums — any organization charged with monitoring water quality.


“The design of fish that nature has produced is a very energy-efficient one,” Rory Doyle, one of the project’s researchers, told CBS. “The fish’s efficiency is created by hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Submarines come nowhere near it.” As the BBC explains, once the robo-fish detects pollution, it uses artificial intelligence to identify the source. When it surfaces, the fish then uses wi-fi to send a report back to port authorities. Like their flesh-and-blood counterparts, the robo-fish can communicate with one another through sensors and a form of sonar.


With oceans still reeling from 2010’s oil spill and shipping traffic expected to double by 2020, the swimming jury could not have come at a better time. One of the world’s most polluting industries, shipping significantly influences the quality of the ocean and air. According to the Guardian, the shipping industry accounts for 18% to 30% of the world’s nitrogen-oxide pollution and 9% of sulfur oxide.

Research shows that just one of the roughly 90,000 cargo ships traveling the world’s oceans pours out the equivalent amount of asthma- and cancer-inducing chemicals as 50 million cars, while the world’s 15 largest ships discharge the same amount of pollution as 760 million cars. “Ship pollution affects the health of communities in coastal and inland regions around the world, yet pollution from ships remains one of the least regulated parts of our global transportation system,” James Corbett, a University of Delaware professor of marine policy and co-author of the report, told the Guardian.

Propelled in part by reports in 2009 that cargo ships led to 60,000 premature deaths annually, and cost a hefty $330 billion in U.S. health care alone, a number of countries — including the U.S., Canada and Singapore — and the E.U. have already imposed relatively stringent regulations, creating low-emission marine zones. However, as China and other emerging Asian nations lacking rigorous safeguards increase their shipping capacities, emissions are expected to increase dramatically over the next decade. If no action to control pollution is taken, the International Maritime Organization estimates that emissions could rise by 72% by 2020. Such increases could have grave implications for seaside dwellers as well as marine creatures.

While the primary purpose for the robo-fish at this point is to monitor water pollution, that’s not all the roboticists have planned. As the technology becomes more refined, they hope to eventually harness schools of robo-fish task forces to aid in oil-spill cleanups, monitor dives or search and rescue at sea.

-Seen on Ecocentric