Are dogs experiencing the world of colour the same way as we do? We’re exploring the fascinating field of dog vision while looking at how it compares to our own. Do our dog companions have the same appreciation as, humans, for the green grass in the park and the bright red toy hiding in it? Do colours look blurred from a canine perspective? And do dogs even see colour? Thanks to recent studies, dog vision, a topic that has long been filled with myths and speculations, is not as mysterious as it used to be. Here is how dogs really see the world. Can dogs see colour? Many people believe that dogs live in a black-and-white world, with their vision unable to distinguish any of the myriad of colours in their environment. Despite the staying power of this belief, scientists have demonstrated that this is not actually true. Dogs can see colours, just not in the same number of shades or at the same intensity we are able to perceive. How does dog vision differ from human vision? Dog vision has taken a different evolutionary path from our own and there is no shortage of amazing ways in which the two differ.

We often marvel at how human our dogs can seem. They appear to mirror our behaviour and exhibit the same facial expressions and emotions that we feel, whether it’s happy or sad. Dogs also seem to have fun and enjoy spending time with us. So, it makes sense that many dog owners ask if dogs can laugh or smile. Read on to find out the answer! Can dogs laugh? There is a lot of debate among animal behaviourists about this but most agree that no, dogs can’t laugh. At least not in the sense that humans can laugh. However, dogs can make a sound that is similar to a laugh, which they typically do when they are playing. It’s caused by a breathy panting that’s forcefully exhaled. It’s considered to be a play-pant rather than a dog laugh and dogs use it to invite humans and other dogs to play. Several animal species have been observed to play-pant, including primates. Dog play-pants are combined with body language that invites you to play such as play bows, a paw reaching out to you or teasing jumps towards you with a relaxed demeanour. Animal behaviourist Patricia Simonet at Sierra Nevada College recorded dogs making this play-pant sound and discovered that it had a broader range of frequencies than typical dog panting. She concluded that this meant it could be considered a type of dog laugh. Simonet then played the dog laugh recordings to puppies and found that they became very active upon hearing the noises. The recordings also seemed to calm dogs in dog shelters. Other animals can seem to laugh For a long time, we thought that only humans could laugh. However, research into non-human primate behaviour has found that chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans use a play-pant laugh when tickled, and other research into chimpanzees found that they can smile in the same way as humans.

Strawberries make a delicious snack for us and not to mention they’re also incredibly healthy! But this has got many of us wondering, do these benefits extend to our four-legged friends too? Read our guide to find out if dogs can eat strawberries and if they’re as good for us as they are for them! The summertime is a wonderful season full of blue skies, green fields and of course it just so happens to be strawberry season too! To us humans, these delicious little berries are a superfood and we often find ourselves munching at them or loading them into a healthy smoothie. However, whilst we’re enjoying these juicy, sweet fruits, we’ll likely be watched by a big, soft pair of eyes pleading to allow them just one bite. The notorious ‘puppy dog eyes’ trick is one we’re all familiar with and one we all fall prey to, but can dogs eat strawberries? Are strawberries good for dogs? Keep reading to find out if you can let your pup join you during your next snack time. Can dogs eat strawberries? Yes, dogs can eat strawberries, but they do contain sugar so they should always be given in moderation. Be sure to only feed a small amount (just like you would with any snack) and follow the guideline that treats should make up no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake. Are strawberries good for dogs? No, fruits are high in sugar and can lead to a range of health problems in dogs including obesity, dental disease and diabetes.

We love the zesty taste of oranges and their unforgettable smell. And if your dog agrees, it’s natural to wonder if the canine friend is safe getting a taste of this fruit. Whether your dog is pleading to let them have some of that juicy orange you’re snacking on or your pet has already helped themselves to an orange bite unbeknownst to you, you’re probably wondering if dogs can have this tasty fruit as a treat without any unfortunate consequences. Here is what you need to know about dogs, oranges and how to react when your pet is begging for a taste. Can dogs eat oranges? Yes, dogs can eat oranges. This citrus fruit is not toxic or dangerous to dogs, and while oranges have no particular nutrients that could have a negative effect on an otherwise healthy dog, moderation is key. On average, you should not feed your dog more than two orange slices, but keep in mind your dog’s size when thinking about portion control. Don’t forget it’s always best to check with your vet before adding human foods to your dog’s diet, even as an occasional treat. And keep an eye out for your dog’s reaction to the new food.

Christmas is an exciting time for all the family, and that includes your dog too! Most owners want their four-legged friends to be involved in all the festivities, but it's important to know which foods are safe for them to eat. Read our guide to find out what can be included in your dog's Christmas dinner and what should be avoided. Christmas is an exciting time for the whole family and that includes your dog too! It’s only natural that you’ll want your dog to be involved in all the festivities – you might buy them presents and wrap them up and you could even be thinking about making their very own Christmas dinner for dogs. If you want to prepare your pup a special Christmas meal, it’s important to know that there are certain foods that should be avoided as they could cause problems that vary in severity from digestive issues, to possible death. You may be wondering whether dogs can eat turkey, gravy or stuffing? Keep reading to find out which foods are safe and which should be avoided at all costs. Common Christmas dinner foods There are many little pieces that make up the perfect Christmas dinner – only some of which are ok for canine consumption. We’ve looked into the most common food items and whether they’re safe to give as a Christmas dog treat: Can dogs eat turkey? Yes, dogs can eat turkey as long as it’s boneless and skinless. The skin is much too fatty for your dog, while the bones can cause internal damage, so ensure that you’ve taken the time to remove these from the meat before adding it to your dog’s Christmas dinner. For more information read our article on 'Can Dogs Eat Bones?'. Can dogs eat gravy? It’s better not to. While your dog may love the taste of the gravy that humans enjoy, it’s far too salty and fatty for them and should be avoided as it could cause stomach upset, and digestive problems like sickness and diarrhoea. You can try giving them a similar experience with gravy dog food as a Christmas dog treat as this is specially designed for canine consumption. Can dogs eat stuffing? No, stuffing contains onions, spices and herbs. Onions can be toxic for your dog, while some spices and herbs can cause stomach upset. How about Christmas pudding and mince pies? Both of these tasty Christmas treats contain lots of currants, sultanas and raisins which are all highly toxic for your dog, and in some cases if digested they can even cause severe kidney failure. Other foods to avoid There are certain ingredients that should never be added to your dog’s Christmas dinner as they could cause serious stomach upset or worse. The following foods should be avoided and placed far out of reach of paws during the festive period: Chocolate Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and even small amounts can be fatal. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine and when small amounts are consumed it can cause serious reactions such as agitation, tremors, convulsions, hyperexcitability and even heart problems. Interestingly, the darker the chocolate, the higher the levels of theobromine.

Many owners know that dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate, but do you know why? An accidental chocolate button dropped on the floor can be gone in an instant - so be sure that you know what to do if your dog eats chocolate. We all like to indulge in a delicious bar of chocolate time after time, and we’re all about sharing the experiences and flavours we love with our canine friends. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, which is particularly true with chocolate. It may surprise you to learn that dogs eating chocolate can be fatal as it’s highly poisonous and if they eat even the smallest amount, you’ll need to seek veterinary help straight away. At Purina, we care about your dog’s health and want to make sure they’re happy and healthy, which is why we’ve created this guide to tell you all you need to know about chocolate poisoning in dogs and what to do if your dog eats chocolate. Can dogs eat chocolate? No, dogs can’t eat chocolate. Although not all canines are as susceptible to becoming ill from eating chocolate, it isn’t good for any dog. Feeding your dog some of your Easter egg as a treat will probably have the opposite effect that you intend, and can result in some hefty vet bills. Why is chocolate bad for dogs? Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine, which human beings can metabolise naturally, but dogs can’t. Due to this, ingesting any foodstuff containing it leads to a build-up of theobromine, which can become toxic. Are there certain types of chocolate which are worse than others? Some chocolate contains higher levels of theobromine than others. Dark and cooking chocolate and cocoa have the highest levels, whereas milk and white chocolate have the lowest. It only takes less than an ounce of dark chocolate to poison a 19kg dog, so if you suspect your dog’s ingested even the smallest amount, seek veterinary help right away. Unfortunately, there’s no way to determine the exact amount of chocolate that a dog has to consume to become at risk of serious illness, as every animal’s metabolic rate is different. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs If you suspect your dog of eating chocolate, keep a close eye on them for the next 24 hours, as this is when symptoms will most likely start to develop. Some of the signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs you can look out for are listed below:

As humans, we love cheese and it’s no secret that our dogs often look at us with their best puppy dog eyes whilst we’re munching on it! But, can dogs eat cheese and is it good for them? Find out more with this article. Cheese is a common staple of the human diet. We often find ourselves reaching for the block to add a grating atop our meals and there are so many varieties available that it pairs well with everything! We’re not the only ones who think that cheese is particularly moreish either – our dogs also think it’s pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. But, where it’s obvious that most dogs think the taste of it is nothing short of divine, are they actually allowed to eat it and is cheese good for dogs? Keep reading to find out whether dogs can eat cheese! Can dogs eat cheese? In most cases yes, dogs can eat cheese. When given in moderation it can make a great high-reward training treat (particularly when there are lots of distractions) and most dogs adore the taste of it too. Can dogs eat cottage cheese? Yes, dogs can eat cottage cheese. This type is actually low in fat and sodium so it is actually one of the better options to give your dog as an occasional treat. Can dogs eat blue cheese? No, never give your dog blue cheese. The fungus involved in making blue cheeses such as Stilton can produce a substance called roquefortine C, which dogs can be very sensitive to. If your dog ingests this, they may develop the following symptoms: • Vomiting. • Diarrhoea. • High temperature. • Seizures. The higher the amount of blue cheese your dog eats, the greater risk of them developing the symptoms above. If you notice your dog displaying any of these signs, contact your vet straight away.

Blueberries are a great, healthy snack for humans, but do they offer the same nutritional benefits for our dogs too? Find out if dogs can have blueberries and if they’re good for them with this article. Blueberries can be especially moreish for us humans. Their small size coupled with their juicy contents means that we often find ourselves reaching for berry after berry. And it makes it even better that they’re packed full of goodness for us to enjoy! Whilst you’re tucking into your delicious snack, you may discover you’re being watched by your four-legged friend, eagerly awaiting with their best puppy dog eyes and might find yourself wondering ‘can dogs eat blueberries?’ We’ve put together this guide to tell you everything you need to know about whether dogs can eat blueberries or not and if blueberries are good for dogs.

Cats are notorious night owls, so we've long thought that they have excellent night vision, but is this actually true? Find out everything you need to know about your cat's night vision with our guide. Cats seem to do all of their best hunting at night. Many cat owners are familiar with being woken up with little gifts – such as a mouse or possibly even a sock – or the hyperactive run around the house many cats have in the middle of the night. These night-time antics pose the question: can cats see in the dark? Many people believe that felines are nocturnal and so can see in the dark perfectly, but it may surprise you to learn that cats are actually crepuscular. This means that generally they’re more active around dawn and dusk. So, if they’re not actually nocturnal, how good is cat’s night vision really? Keep reading to discover the secrets behind your four-legged friend’s intelligent eyes. Can cats see in the dark? The short answer is not exactly. Where it’s been widely thought that cat’s have their own built-in set of night vision goggles, they actually require at least some level of light to see. However, they only need one-sixth of the amount of light that humans do and can see in very low light. Cats won’t be able to see in the dark, in the rare event that absolutely all light is blocked out, but their sight is much more advanced than that of humans for all of their night time adventures. Their eyes are intelligently designed According to Catster, the reason cats’ night vision is so excellent is because of the intelligent design of their eyes. They possess a curved cornea and large lens, and in low light their pupils can dilate to full circles to allow in maximum light.

While the debate is still raging on whether we should feed our feline friends raw chicken or not, we’ve put together a quick guide looking at the benefits and the risks of feeding your cat raw meat. Raw diet for cats is a controversial topic. With benefits and drawbacks on both sides of the argument, there is no wonder specialists are yet to find the definitive answer to the question of whether should cats eat raw chicken or indeed any other raw meat. Here is what you need to know about the pros and cons of this type of diet. Can cats eat raw chicken? Yes, cats can eat raw chicken. Supporters of raw diets for cats usually mention that such meal options allow the cat to consume the food felines are biologically prepared to digest. After all, no one is cooking the rodent a wild cat just caught for dinner. Some people claim that the main draw of feeding raw meat to your cat is that it mimics the meal cats are evolutionarily designed to thrive on. However, there are important differences between wild cats like lions and tigers, and domesticated cat breeds. Perhaps the more important question to answer is ‘should cats eat raw chicken or any other type of raw meat’. For this, we need to look at what the safety risks are for both our pets and ourselves. What are the risks of a raw diet for cats? Although it doesn’t hurt to feed your cat raw meat, there are safety risks to consider as well. Parasites and bacteria Both cats and humans can get sick as a result of contamination from the parasites and bacteria living in raw meat. However, cats have a much shorter digestive tract and higher levels of acidity in their stomach than humans, making it less likely for pathogens or parasites to spend enough time in the cat’s system to make them sick. Decrease the risk of contamination by buying fresh raw meat, disinfecting all the surfaces that have come in contact with the raw meat and thoroughly washing your hands or wearing gloves when handling it.