If you’ve ever lived with a cat, you know they’re often an enigma. That said, scientists may have solved an enduring mystery about these lovable felines—with answers that could narrow down when cats first hopped onto humanity’s lap. A large team of researchers examined the DNA of well-preserved cats located near human sites stretching back […]
Most Cats Sleep on Their Left Side, and Scientists Think They Know Why
If you’re a cat owner, chances are you spend an unhealthy amount of time scrolling through your photo gallery, reviewing adorable photos of your cats for the thousandth time. While doing so, perhaps you’ve noticed that your cats appear to favor a certain side while sleeping. And if that happens to be the left side, […]
Florida Cat Named Pepper Brings Home Never-Before-Seen Virus—for the Second Time
Last year, Pepper, a pet cat who roams the backyards of Gainesville, Florida, helped a scientist discover a new viral strain. Now, the furry feline is back at it again. In a new study, scientists have once again discovered an exotic virus infecting a dead rodent that had been caught by Pepper. This time around, […]
Kidney Transplant Patient Got Incredibly Rare Infection from Her Cat
An immunocompromised woman’s cat stirred up a lot more trouble than usual (for a cat). In a recent case report, doctors detail how the feline likely spread a seldom-seen bacterial infection that landed its owner in the hospital. Doctors in Slovenia wrote the report, published in the June issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases. The 56-year-old […]
Oregon Man Sues Pet Food Company for Allegedly Killing His Cats With Bird Flu
A man in Oregon filed a lawsuit against Wild Coast Pet Food this week after his cat died from bird flu. The suit alleges the company misled consumers when it sold raw chicken cat food as healthy, failing to acknowledge potential risks, such as potential death from the consumption of H5N1-infected food. The lawsuit, filed […]
Wild Pharmacists: The Surprising Ways Animals Self-Medicate
Going to the doctor or reaching for an over-the-counter drug when you’re feeling sick may seem like uniquely human activities. After all, when’s the last time you saw a pigeon with a bum wing sporting a cast? But as scientists are steadily learning, the basis of medicine—the act of doing something to relieve or prevent […]