Mind Matters
Dogs vs. Cats Decoding Your Pets’ Secret Language BY SARAH CORREA-DIBAR
We all have our own unique relationship with our pets. Sometimes we want to grab them and say, “speak already!” But, they have been speaking in their own language this whole time. The out-of-ordinary things we see our pets do that make us laugh are many times their way of showing emotions such as anger, boredom, happiness and love.
DOGS
TALK ANIMAL TO ME
Just like when humans’ voices go to a higher pitch when they see their best friend, a dog's bark reaches a higher pitch when they want to play according to John Wedemeyer, a pet behavior specialist at the North Florida K9 Behavioral Center. To the same token, when you talk to your dog in a high-pitched voice or in baby talk, he or she can take it as a sign of play – which is why they like squeaky toys! In addition, often times when your dog barks in a low pitch it can also be a sign of play.
CATS
These felines may seem antisocial at first glance but have their own ways of showing you their love. According to The Animal Channel, they’ll greet you by giving you a high-pitched and short “meow” to say “hello.” But if your cat lets out a low and slow meow, they may feel threatened and want to stand up for themselves.
LET'S GET PHYSICAL Those silent language-glances that you share with your best friend are also present in your furry friend, adding a whole new definition to ‘A dog’s best friend.’ According to Jenny Higgins, a dog behavior specialist and owner of P.U.P.S Training, a dog looks at you for a prolonged period of time because they know it will elicit a question they love to hear like “Want to go for a walk?” and your dog will remember this is what they have to do to get you to do their favorite thing, which is why they’ll look at you during the walk. Let’s talk about those zoomies! The technical term is Frenetic Random Activity Periods, or frapping. Higgins said that it happens when a dog is over stimulated or excited and needs to release their energy. It could also happen when they’ve been stuck in their kennel or been at home all day because they have so much pent-up energy. It’s completely normal in all dogs –even at a very young age. Puppies, especially those who are less than 12 months old, get two periods of zoomies per day, said Higgins.
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While dogs bring an “offering” to please their owner, cats might bring their prey (like a dead mouse) because they notice that you are providing food for the family and they want to help you out with dinner – showcasing their wild feline ancestry. Another common thing for cats to do is to knead their blankets, laundry pile and pillows. According to The Animal Channel, kittens did this movement on their mother to stimulate milk production. So, in turn, if your cat kneads you, they feel comfortable around you.
Our furry friends have their dialect and body language too, so next time give them a good scratch when they show you their affection in their own ways.
