whisker fatigue in cats: how you can help

Whisker fatigue. It's a thing. It may not seem like your cat's whiskers are doing much, but they are hard at work all the time. Let's take a look at what whiskers are, what they do, what whisker fatigue is, and how you can help your cat.

whisker fatigue in cats: how you can help. Discover the signs of whisker fatigue and learn how you can help your cat.

what are whiskers?

Many people think cat whiskers are cute additions to the face like the whiskers a man grows, or the ones ladies get as they age (not cute), but they aren't. Cat whiskers are actually sensitive touch receptors. They are long and quite stiff and connect to the cat's muscular and nervous systems, more deeply in the cat than their fur. They are more sensitive then fur or human whiskers and provide a cat with information about its surroundings. 

Whiskers are located on either side of the cats nose and upper lip, above each eye (shorter), and also on their jaw line and the backs of their front legs. Aside from being cute, they perform important functions.

what do whiskers do?

A cat's sensitive whiskers help him in many ways, including playing.

Whiskers provide cats with important information about their surroundings. The end of each whisker contains a receptor that sends sensory signals to the nervous system and brain. These receptors are very sensitive to small changes in the environment and help the cat determine if it can fit into a tight space, respond to vibrations (helpful for hunting prey, or more commonly for our indoor domestic cats, in times of play), and measure distance. All of this, together, helps them with balance, which is why cats are so agile and "always land on their feet." 

Some people think that trimming or cutting off their cat's whiskers is a part of grooming. Please don't! Without these important sensory receptors, cats can become disoriented, which can cause them great stress and fear. Whiskers shed and grow back naturally. It's best to let nature take its course. 

what is whisker fatigue?

Since a cat's whiskers are so sensitive, if they are constantly stimulated, the cat may experience whisker fatigue or whisker stress. The most common way this occurs is if the cat is forced to eat out of a straight- and/or high-sided bowl. When the cat puts his face into the bowl to consume his dinner, the whiskers repeatedly touch the sides, which, at the least, can be annoying to the cat, and in extreme cases can be quite painful. 

what are the signs of whisker fatigue?

Some common signs of whisker fatigue are:

• the cat leaves food in the bowl, but is still hungry

• the cat pulls food out of their bowl with their mouth or paw, then places it on the floor and eats it off the floor (this can get messy)

• food aggression toward other animals in the house

• standing by the bowl before eating for a period of time, pacing around the bowl, or being hesitant to eat, though hungry

how can you help?

Even if you don't see signs of whisker fatigue in your cat, it's best to get rid of any straight-sided or high-sided bowls that stimulate the whiskers. The best way to help is to make sure your cat has a shallow bowl. Though a saucer will work, there are some spectacularly-designed cat bowls that are made specifically with sensitive whiskers in mind. 

Could your cat be suffering from whisker fatigue?

I sometimes see signs of whisker fatigue in cats whom I pet sit for, and thought it's always a bit awkward to correct a client when I see that care for their pets could be improved, I try to gently let them know that the bowl they have chosen may be contributing to the undesirable behavior they are seeing. Typically pet parents notice and become frustrated when their cats remove food from bowls and create a mess to clean up. I like to try to suggest specific bowls they might try.

Our friends over at Sweet Purrfections recently reviewed the Whisker Free Stress Dish from Trendy Pet. Their gorgeous Persian cats Brulee and Truffle struggle with whisker fatigue that is compounded by their breed-specific short (flatter) faces. Though there are a variety of well-designed–even quite stylish–options out there, the dish they prefer is an excellent option and well worth checking out. Their review is great, and you'll get to see pictures of her gorgeous cats if you head over there to check it out. 

Have you seen signs of whisker fatigue in your cat? Which cat bowl does your cat like best? 

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how turmeric can benefit your pooch

A holistic approach to health is centered around natural sources of preventative care. By taking care of our bodies and being mindful about what we put into them, we become healthier, avoiding and minimizing ailments. This practice of living a holistic lifestyle can be extended to our pets. One of our family's daily staples is turmeric. It's as good for our dogs as it is for us.

what is turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. It is native to southeast India and is used in powder form as a spice in Indian food and curries. It is a natural dye (you'll find it in mustard), and it's flavor is earthy and bitter. The active agent in turmeric is called "curcumin," and is a natural pain reliever.

what's the big whoop about turmeric?

Turmeric has been used for healing in Indian cultures for centuries but is only relatively recently getting a lot of buzz in western cultures as a preventative and healing substance, mainly when consumed as a supplement. Clinical trials have recently begun, but turmeric is widely thought to have many preventative and natural medicinal properties. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and antiviral, and is even thought to aid in cancer prevention and treatment. Wikipedia states that:

As of December 2013, turmeric is being evaluated for its potential efficacy against several human diseases in clinical trials, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, several types of cancer, and irritable bowel disease. Turmeric is also being investigated for potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and other clinical disorders."

I'm not waiting for the "official" FDA approval. Since there are no negative side effects to supplementing with turmeric (unless you are allergic or have a blood-clotting disorder), it can't do me any harm, so why not? I have been using turmeric powder in my morning drink for nearly two years and have recently started my dog, N.A.S.H.A. on a small amount. As with any preventative treatment, results can't really be pinpointed with regard to what I may have been subjected to had I not been supplementing, but I can attest to it's healing properties. 

I have suffered for years from joint issues in my hand as a result of broken bones that occurred in 2007. My knuckles would be painful and difficult to bend and utilize, especially in the cold winter months. Since supplementing with turmeric, my hand has not been a source of pain. I also feel that as my workout schedule has intensified over the last year, turmeric has helped my body heal and repair itself, which is something that took much longer before I began using it. I prefer using turmeric to synthetic workout supplements. I have also noticed a drastic reduction in my environmental allergies, including hay-fever and non-lethal food allergies.

is turmeric safe for my dog?

Generally speaking, we should avoid giving spices to dogs. Turmeric is one rare exception. If proper dosage is followed, turmeric is safe for dogs.

what can turmeric do for my dog?

We've talked about the main benefits of turmeric that apply to humans and dogs alike. After looking at several sources, including healthydogclub.com and dogsnaturallymagazine.com, I've compiled what I think is a fairly decent list of the benefits turmeric brings to the canine variety (and to us):

• anticarcinogenic

• anti-inflamatory

• antioxidant

• antimicrobial

• antibiotic

• anti-inflamatory

• supports heart health (lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels)

• supports liver health and function

• aids in weight management

• helps with stomach issues and digestion

• prevention and control of ear infections

• prevention and control of sinus infections

• kills parasites

* prevents cararacts

• heals damage from diabetes

• aids in the treatment of epilepsy

• provides allergy relief

• treats depression

• treats diarrhea (is a binding agent)

• excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals

WHEW! That's a whole lotta good, if you ask me!

Turmeric's role in cancer prevention and treatment in humans and animals has been receiving a lot of attention lately. I won't go into detail about my political views regarding medicine, but suffice it to say that I'm anxious and eager to know what the results of recent studies are. Dogsnaturallymagazine.com cites a UCLA study that indicates that "curcumin (active in turmeric) can inhibit tumor growth and may even shrink existing tumors...(and) antioxidant properties are also helpful in reducing the negative side effects of chemotherapy."

It might be a good long wait to hear that turmeric is a preventative therapy or cure for cancer, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a try in the meantime.

Dogsnaturallymagazine.com also reports that "turmeric boosts the liver's ability to metabolize fat and remove waste from the body," so it can aid in weight management. Although I have been working my butt off for the last year by working out intensely and consistently, I'm sure my use of turmeric supported my efforts at the very least. Through hard work and natural, healthy living, I've been able to shed thirty pounds. That's like three N.A.S.H.A.s! If you have an overweight pooch, this might be another benefit to consider.

how much turmeric should I give my dog?

Turmeric is available in pill and powder form, and the root can also be purchased fresh (best used in cooking). I just add it to my morning drink, which also includes apple cider vinegar, and I sprinkle it on my dog's food, so our favored form is powder. Some people and dogs don't like the taste of turmeric, so a capsule (pill) may be a better choice. 

When adding it to your dog's food, it's best to start gradually, mainly so your pooch can get used to the distinct flavor. What you start with and your ideal amount will depend on the size of your dog. The amount you'll want to work up to is approximately a quarter teaspoon for every ten pounds of body weight. Start with one-eighth to one-quarter teaspoon and increase in the same increment each day until the ideal amount is achieved, then maintain that amount daily.

For example, my 11-pound dog's ideal supplement amount would be a one-quarter teaspoon. We started her out on one-eighth teaspoon and it went like this:

day one: 1/8 tsp.

day two: 1/4 tsp. Now we'll maintain that. Our pooch is pretty adaptable to my supplement shenanigans, but if your pooch is more picky, feel free to stay with 1/8 for several days. 

If you have an 80-pound dog, it would go like this:

day one: 1/4 tsp.

day two: 1/2 tsp.

day three: 3/4 tsp.

day four: 1 tsp.

day five: 1 1/4 tsp.

day six: 1 1/2 tsp.

day seven: 1 3/4 tsp.

day eight: 2 tsp. (Provide daily moving forward) 

FINAL DOSE: 1/4 tsp for every ten pounds of body weight.

are there any other considerations?

Eating a quality diet is the key to any holistic health plan. If you are feeding your dog a low-quality kibble, chances are the turmeric won't be able to compensate for the toxins entering the body. If you feed your dog quality kibble, homemade, raw food, or any combination thereof, the turmeric will be much more effective. The same goes for you (though I'm assuming you're not eating kibble)!

It's best to purchase high-quality, organic turmeric in order to avoid pesticides and herbicides and reap the maximum benefit. 

Turmeric can stain. It does stain. Be careful of counters, kitchen towels, and the like. If you notice your white doggy has a yellow mustache, turmeric is probably to blame. I've been told on a couple of occasions to wipe my turmeric mustache (by friends whom I've turned onto the stuff...we look out for each other). 

As with any new endeavor, please consult your veterinarian.

Just get started! You and your dog can do it together. And please come back and let me know your results!

Related:

Apple Cider Vinegar as a Supplement for your Pets

This article, written by me, originally appeared on Hybrid Rasta Mama. 

@somapet offers our readers 20% off during the month of february

N.A.S.H.A. has been taking the all-natural SomaPet supplement for over six months, now, and we are still so impressed with he results. This nine-year-old mixed terrier is pretty close to "senior status," so we want to make sure we're supporting her in every way we can. Just a scoop sprinkled over her dinner each night has made a remarkable difference in her energy level and coat, so I can only imagine all of the invisible benefits going on inside. 

SomaLife describes the supplement:

SomaPet is a specific combination of amino acids formulated to optimize the health of your pet. This specific combination, when taken orally, is designed to support the release of Growth Hormone from the pituitary, which assists in cell repair and regeneration. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and constitute an essential part of an animal's diet. SomaPet's amino acids provide your pet with vital supplementation. This ensures an appropriate balance of amino acids particularly beneficial for animals over three years old exhibiting signs of aging.

The ultimate dietary supplement, SomaPet consists of a synergistic combination of free form L-amino acids designed to assist:

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How SomaPet works.

What I love best about SomaPet is that is does all of this naturally, so it's free of anything artificial. Check out the nutrition facts:

I encourage you to take advantage of this 20% off sale being offered to our readers. Oh–and the discount is site-wide, so if you'd like to pick up a little something for yourself, you and your pet can enjoy improved health and vitality together! 

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Well Minded is an affiliate of SomaLife, which means that if you purchase their amazing product through a link on our site, we receive compensation for helping to spread the word about the product, which helps keep our content free. Well Minded only works with companies we feel honor our commitment to natural wellness.

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SomaPet is a 100% natural supplement for pets that we have been giving N.A.S.H.A. since last summer. She's still thriving on it, so I like to spread the word from time-to-time, especially when there is a killer sale on the stuff.

What is so great about SomaPet?

• strengthens collagen and bones

• improves immune system function

• renews vitality

• helps reduce body fat

• healthier skin and coat

• promotes cellular energy

• increases healing

It comes in powder form that you add directly to your pet's food. My favorite part is that it's 100% natural, so you're not giving your pet any additives or chemicals that could counteract the benefits. 

N.A.S.H.A., our nine-year-old mixed terrier is enjoying a healthier, shinier coat and an abundance of energy. My husband said to me just last week, "that SomaPet really works! Like, really! I can't believe how soft her coat is, now." 

I highly recommend you give SomaPet a shot, and now is an excellent time to do so because they are having a killer sale, today through January 31st. Just click the link, below and enter code NYVIGOR at checkout to receive 20% off your SomaPet order. Pawesome!

Come back and let us know how you like it!

best sale of the season on @SomaPet from @SomaLife

Hopefully all of your holiday shopping is complete and you are curled up by the fire with your furry friends enjoying the season as winter dawns. 

No? Still looking for bargains, eh? Me, too!

SomaPet and SomaLife are offering their best deal of the season starting right now. For this weekend only, ALL products are 30% off with discount code SOMASANTA. 30% off...awesome!

If you haven't heard me go on and on about SomaPet, yet, you have to know that it is the best pet supplement I have come across. We get to try a lot of products, and though we enjoy nearly all of them, we can't possibly purchase them all every month. SomaPet is one product I will never go without. We notice such a positive difference in our nine-year-old mixed terrier, I would feel guilty if I didn't give it to her. To read more about our experience with SomaPet, please click on the links below.

Increasing the Vitality of Your Pet Naturally with SomaPet

The Importance of Growth Hormone to Pets

ell Minded is an affiliate of SomaLife and SomaPet, which simply means that if you purchase products through our links, we earn a small commission, which helps keep the content on this blog free. Prices are not affected, except in the case where we can bring you stellar discounts through our partnership. Like this one. Sweet.