How many times did we witness the funny vision of our four-legged friend dreaming? Whilst he is asleep, he begins to bulge his eyes several times, he waves his paws as if he was running and in some cases even makes strange noises.  Over the years,  several studies have been conducted to try to explain what our animals dream of.

Interviewed by the BBC, Jason G. Goldman, scientist and ethologist of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles has carried out a clear analysis of the most important research advanced up to date, concluding that our animals would dream of the moments lived during the activity hours.

The first investigations dates back to 1965, when French scholars Michel Jouvet and J. F. Delorme analysed the brain activity of animals during sleep, comparing it to ours. The results proved that the animal brain behaves exactly like the human brain. During the investigation a part of the brain was removed, the bridge, which would have the task of preventing the body from mimicking the actions that we imagine in our dreams. By removing this portion, in fact, the deeply sleeping cats began to move and behave as if they were fully awake and active.

Over the years, this theory has led to the conclusion that the REM phase, the one in which we dream, is distinguished by the complete paralysis of the muscles of our body, with the exception of the eyes, which instead move rapidly.

The analysis of the movements made by animals during sleep, together with these discoveries, led the veterinary neurologist Adrian Morrison several decades later, to hypothesize that dogs and cats, in reality, would dream of what they saw and experienced when they were awake. The movement of the eyes, therefore, would not happen by chance, as advanced by some previous theories, but in the precise attempt to follow a visual stimulus. Furthermore, the muscular jerks that animals experience during sleep, in some cases would mimic real hunting trips, which might even lead to aggressiveness.

Further confirmation comes in in 2007 from scientists Kenway Louise and Matthew Wilson of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By analysing the brain activity of mice, they were able to show that neurons behave in the same way both awake and asleep. In particular, the brain waves recorded in the mice which were awake inside the maze would have been the same as those evaluated during sleep time. In all likelihood, therefore, the mice would have dreamed of the race carried out until a few hours earlier, trying to mimic it. 

In conclusion, all our questions about our animal’s dreams may have found an answer. We are always awaiting for further confirmations.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140425-what-do-animals-dream-about

In recent days, news has come from the United States that will undermine the firm beliefs of grandmothers and old aunts: a dog's kiss could have the same benefits as a yogurt. Researchers from the University of Arizona, who are studying in detail the consequences of dog’s kisses, support this theory.

According to the study, the saliva of a healthy dog ​​is absolutely unable to transmit any disease to us. That is not all. It would seem, in fact, that the bacteria present in the mouth and on the tongue of animals could have the same beneficial effects as a jar of yogurt.

These are called "probiotics", and include all live microorganisms naturally contained or added to food. Their function is above all to counteract "bad" bacteria, which very often lurk in our intestines due to the wrong diet and lifestyle. Yogurt, with its huge amount of lactic ferments that are very useful for the intestine and for the whole body.

Researchers were ready to show that the dog's tongue would actually be a great supplier of these helpful probiotics.

The research is still in progress. During the first phase, it will be mainly based on evaluating the results of a dogs kiss on the mouth of volunteers who are over 50 years old and therefore are more sensitive to the lack of "good" bacteria in the intestine. Participants will have to host a dog in their home for a period of about 3 months, accepting the kisses of the new four-legged tenants without resistance.

According to anthropologist Kim Kelly, any behavior that exists in nature does not occur by chance. Our relationship with animals, in particular with dogs, is also based on this principle. “No one has ever been able to really understand what this human-dog relationship consists and what makes us feel so good when dogs are around us. Is it just their tenderness and the fact that we love to pamper them, or is there more? ". These are the words of Kim Kelly, who is ready to show that our need to live with animals is linked above all to the advantages that we can derive from their proximity.

At this point, we just have to wait for the results of this test ... take a hint and kiss your pet!

Source: https://www.vanitypets.it/news/scienza-il-bacio-del-cane-potrebbe-essere-meglio-di-uno-yogurt/

Dogs and cats are known to be a very important part of our life. Many owners live peacefully with both, showing no preference for either. There are, however, many people that take sides either with dogs or with cats. Therefore, this causes great controversy amongst owners to decide which one is the best. There is clearly no answer to this question, considering the large number of positive aspects of each. However, research published by the American journal Psychology Today has shown that the preference between dogs and cats is actually determined by our personality.

Both animals are definitely extremely different in many aspects. Dogs tend to be more sociable, open to contact with humans and sometimes even a little "big-headed". Cats, on the other hand, in many cases are shy, independent and can even cope happily without the owner, except for food and for the rare cuddling moments.

According to the magazine, we can also identify similar characteristics (from dogs and cats) in our personality, so we are able to distinguish between a group of people who are more compatible with dogs or cats.

Dog lovers, in fact, are dynamic, sociable people and open to collaborate with others. Being dynamic and sociable is an essential characteristic for dog owners, considering that the dog has a greater need to leave the house for daily walks. During these moments, it is easy to meet other dog owners with whom you can socialize and chat, as advanced by psychologist Samuel D. Gosling. Being open to collaboration, would be highlighted above all in the workplace. In fact, people who prefer dogs, would be more willing to accept hierarchies and therefore collaborate with colleagues.

On the contrary, cat lovers would be more independent not only in everyday life, but also as their way of thinking, often making them true nonconformists. Clearly, they wouldn't depend on anyone's judgment, just like our feline friends. According to the theory put forward by Psychology Today, cat owners are also less prone to sociability. At a disco party, they would prefer a quiet evening on the sofa at home, with their pet curled up on his legs.

That is not all. Psychologist Denise Guastello proposes a very interesting aspect on this topic. While it is true that dog lovers are more outgoing and lively, people who own a cat would be more sensitive and even more intelligent. Their IQ, as demonstrated during the research, would be higher than that of those who prefer dogs.

There are many reasons to explain why people feel more connected and close to dogs. Those who love dogs, in fact, need company, while those who love cats consider affection essential.

Although these theories are quite detailed, the question is still pending and we are waiting for further answers.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/tech-support/201501/3-things-being-cat-person-or-dog-person-reveals-about-you

 How many of us would like to be able to decipher what our cats constantly say to us through voice, facial expression and body movements? From today we can do it, thanks to Meowlingual, the cat-human electronic translator.

The latest technological innovation comes directly from Japan, which will literally drive cat lovers all over the world crazy. It is called Meowlingual and has nothing to do with the famous Tamagotchi. It is a small device that can improve communication between the cat and its owners.

Meowlingual, in fact, would be able to recognize, interpret and translate the postures and attitudes of cats into our language, converting them into 21 different emotions. Moreover, this device is also designed to decipher the enigmatic facial expressions of our cats, "translating" them into 6 different moods.

That is not all. Meowlingual, in fact, could also help the owner to "speak" the cat's language, translating as many as 200 "human" words into the corresponding meows.

How does it work? Just bring it close to the cat, so that the machine can perfectly capture all of its eye , mouth and tail movement. As well as the whole body. 

Meowlingual is available online for $ 169, but is still sold out for the moment.

Source: http://www.bauboys.tv

All cat owners know this perfectly well - cats love boxes. It doesn't matter what they contain and how big they are. Leave a half-open box near your cat and he will settle comfortably inside. However, what is the reason that drives all felines to love boxes so madly? Finally, we have found some answers.

According to researchers, cats are able to lower their stress levels by hiding in small, tight places, just like boxes. It is not new that felines are very sensitive animals to everything surrounding them. For this reason, a slight variation in the surrounding environment can cause some tension in their body in a very short time

If you notice, most cats tend to hide by the presence of a new event or unknown people. To be able to find your pet you will then need to search around the whole house.

According to the Utrecht university study, cats would feel more at ease and calm in a well-defined and closed space wrapped around their body.

The study was conducted on a group of 19 cats, who had just been moved to a Dutch shelter. The felines were separated into two groups for 14 days, leaving only one of the two groups with several boxes in which to hide. During this period, the stress levels of all animals were assessed.

After only 3-4 days, the hiding-free group showed the highest stress level. The cats of the other group, apparently calmer, at the end of the study had reached approximately the same levels of stress, but much more slowly due to the presence of the boxes.

The explanation for this result could be linked to the typical behavior of felines in nature. Compared to dog, in fact, when faced with the hypothesis of a conflict, cats prefer to flee rather than face the enemy directly. For this reason, a beautiful box is the ideal refuge to hide whilst waiting for the threat to recede.

Furthermore, cardboard, as we all know, is an excellent thermal insulator. This means that the cat chooses to take refuge inside a box just to shelter from the cold, especially in the colder months.

How can we use this interesting discovery to our advantage? For example, if we want to adopt a new cat or we are changing house, we should try to fill a room in our house with several cardboard boxes so your pet will be able to lean there and release stress.

Source :http://www.lastampa.it/2015/02/06/societa/lazampa/gatto-gatti/ecco-perch-i-gatti-amano-le-scatole-f89lzMP4HfKzVuJ9N3XcRJ/pagina.html

A study has shown that cats are able to hear and understand what we say to them. Unfortunately, however they don’t always care about us.

Cats are independent and proud animals. These aspects of their character are particularly appreciated by "cat lovers" and less by dog ​​lovers.

From this point of view, in fact, dogs and cats are very different.

The dog demonstrates every emotion or thought in an obvious way, barking and jumping at the owner when he comes home after a day of work, staying with him when he is at the table, on the sofa, in bed and sometimes even in the bathroom, and running as soon as we say his name.

The cat, on the other hand, tends to be less "helpful" towards the owner. Of course, not all cases are the same, so we can find felines that behave very similarly to dogs, and vice versa. In general, however, cats tend to doze in some hidden corner of the house, without despair if the owner is going out to go to work.

Question for cat owners: How many of us see our cat running towards us energetically when we loudly scream his name across the house?

The cases are definitely a few or none.

This, in fact, is a typical aspect of the cat. Felines seem unable to listen and understand what we say to them, so they always assume their characteristic expression of disinterest.

In fact, according to a study conducted at the University of Tokyo, published in the journal Animal Cognition, cats would be perfectly capable of understanding what we want to communicate, but in most cases, ignore us because they just don't care.

The research was carried out by analysing the reactions and behaviours of 20 cats for 8 minutes a day. During this time, each of them heard an audio recording containing the voices of three unknown people and the owner.

Listening to the recording (of the three unknown people and the owner), the cats reacted by turning their heads, moving their ears and tail, or dilating their pupils. However, only 10% of the felines examined responded with a meow sound when they heard the recordings. These attitudes were much more intense when they heard the call from their owner.

The test results speak for themselves: cats are able to distinguish the owner's voice, but few respond to the call.

According to the researchers, this important aspect could probably be explained through the domestication hypothesis. In fact, since ancient times, dogs lived together with the owner, to be able to follow him during hunting trips or to lead the flock. Therefore, knowing how to respond to the call was a fundamental factor.

Cats, on the other hand, would have domesticated only many years later and practically in complete autonomy, according to their needs and their own personality. Consequently, for felines, the call has never assumed such an important role in the relationship with humans, so they would use it only when they deem it appropriate.

This is why it is so difficult to teach your cat to run towards us when we call him, unless we tempt him with food.

In conclusion, if we want our cat to speak to us, we must try to show ourselves more interesting from their point of view.