The special counsel declined to pursue criminal charges

'America doesn’t do coronations'

SALT belongs in our cupboards‚ not our tax code

Our Top 10 Halestorm songs list presents ten of the best songs from a rock and roll band that has delivered some of the best rock music of the past 20 years. The group hails from the city of Red Lion in the great State of Pennsylvania. The group was initially formed by sister and brother combo Lzzy Hale and Arejay Hale when they were both young teenagers. Eventually‚ the group would add musicians Joe Hottinger on guitar and Josh Smith on bass. The group would take the name Halestorm and become one of the hardest-working bands in the music The post Top 10 Halestorm Songs appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

The post Do Neutered Cats Still Mate? Vet-Approved Facts by Sarah Psaradelis appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Neutering a cat involves surgically removing a cat’s reproductive organs to prevent them from reproducing. It is done by a veterinarian by the time most cats are around 4 months of age or sexually mature. Owners may choose to get their cats neutered for various reasons‚ but usually to avoid unwanted pregnancies‚ decrease the risk of certain cancers‚ and to reduce hormonal behaviors. However‚ it can leave you wondering whether they can still mate or even have the urge to. Although neutering can reduce a male cat’s urge to mate‚ they can still technically mate with female cats without resulting in pregnancy. What Is Neutering in Cats? Neutering refers to the castration of male cats when their testes are surgically removed. The term “neutering” is generally used for male cats‚ whereas “spaying” is used for female cats. If you do not want to be specific about the terms‚ it is simply called sterilization. In scientific terms‚ neutering is an orchidectomy. Feline neutering is considered a routine procedure done by veterinarians around the world. Many disruptive behaviors in male cats are fueled by high testosterone levels. This includes increased roaming behavior‚ urine spraying‚ and persistent yowling. Unneutered male cats can get unspayed female cats pregnant‚ so sterilization is a common method used to prevent it. The neutering process doesn’t take very long‚ and cats can go back to their old routine after a few days of recovery. Image Credit: GaiBru Photo‚ Shutterstock Can Cats Still Mate After Being Neutered? Yes‚ male cats can technically mate with female cats after they have been neutered. Neutering only removes a male cat’s testes and not their penis which is needed for penetration. Their testicles contain sperm and their primary source of testosterone which is responsible for sexual behavior and reproductive organ development. Without testes and sperm‚ neutered cats can no longer get female cats pregnant. However‚ he may still try to mate with her. Do Neutered Cats Want to Mate? Many neutered cats will still have the urge to mate after their procedure‚ as the testosterone hasn’t completely left their bodies yet. It can take several weeks before you notice a difference in your neutered cats’ sexual behaviors. Once they are no longer driven by testosterone‚ their urge to mate usually decreases. Your neutered male cat may spend less time urine spraying or desperately attempting to escape in search of a female cat. Many cat owners see this as a win‚ as a hormonal male cat can be destructive in the home‚ neighborhood‚ and to other cats. Image Credit: shymar27‚ Shutterstock Do Spayed Female Cats Still Have the Urge to Mate? Since female cats lack testes‚ their reproductive organs like ovaries and uterus are removed instead. This eliminates the risk of unwanted litter since a spayed cat can no longer become pregnant. This is true even if she mates with an unneutered male cat. Spaying does not prevent a female cat from being able to physically mate with a male but typically reduces the urge to. The urge for unspayed female cats to mate isn’t as disruptive as it is in males aside from when they are in heat (estrus cycle). Female cats go into estrus once or twice a month and willingly seek out male cats to mate with. Once a female cat is spayed‚ she no longer goes into heat and doesn’t have a strong desire to mate anymore. In rare cases‚ leftover ovarian tissue can cause something known as Ovarian Remnant Syndrome‚ where a spayed cat continues to act as if she is in heat. Final Thoughts Both neutered and spayed cats can still technically mate‚ but the hormonal urges to do so will be reduced. This is because their reproductive organs have been removed. A neutered cat will not be able to get a female cat pregnant and usually experiences fewer urges to mate in the first place. Sources “Neutering Cats 101” “The Gonads and Genital Tract of Cats” “Neutering in Cats” “Spaying in Cats” Featured Image Credit: Ninz Embalsado‚ Pexels.com The post Do Neutered Cats Still Mate? Vet-Approved Facts by Sarah Psaradelis appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Are Cats Cleaner Than Dogs? The Surprising Details by Rachel Giordano appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Cats are constantly grooming themselves; it’s as if it’s a favorite pastime for felines. Also‚ cats do not need bathing as often as dogs because house cats tend to stay indoors. In contrast‚ dogs constantly get into mischief when they go outside‚ such as rolling in something stinky or playing in a mud puddle (playing in a mud puddle would be beneath a cat!). So‚ are cats cleaner than dogs? Since cats have entirely different grooming habits‚ cats have the edge in terms of cleanliness. In this post‚ we’ll dive deeper into a cat’s grooming habits and discuss why cats have the edge when it comes to cleanliness. How Are Cats Cleaner Than Dogs? We know that cats are extensive groomers‚ but dogs groom themselves too; however‚ dogs typically do not spend near the time cats do grooming. Dogs and cats also have different bathroom habits‚ and cat fur tends not to smell like dog fur. With all these differences‚ let’s explore even further. Image Credit: Ilona Koeleman‚ Shutterstock Cats vs. Dogs – Grooming As we know‚ cats spend countless hours grooming themselves. In fact‚ according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine‚ cats spend roughly 30% to 50% of their daily time grooming themselves1. In contrast‚ dogs do not really “groom” themselves‚ per se. Sure‚ dogs may lick themselves‚ but it’s generally not for the same reasons. When dogs lick themselves‚ it could be due to an itch‚ or maybe they have some type of skin allergy. Dogs may lick their paws to remove dirt‚ and they typically clean their genital areas‚ but that’s about it in terms of grooming. In short‚ when a dog stinks or gets dirty‚ they rely on their humans for their hygienic needs. A cat’s tongue is also much different from a dog’s. A cat’s tongue is equipped with hundreds of barbed-like papillae that feel like sandpaper. These white‚ keratin protein spines aid in lifting dirt‚ debris‚ dry skin‚ and loose hair from the fur‚ whereas a dog does not have this natural ability. This is another reason why dogs may smell as opposed to cats because cats are able to remove these particles that can cause odor. Cats vs. Dogs – Bathroom Habits Of course‚ dogs do not use litter boxes to relieve themselves. They prefer a nice patch of grass for the duty or even concrete if grass isn’t available. However‚ dogs can be trained to potty outside‚ but sometimes‚ accidents may still occur inside. House cats are different in that they prefer to use the bathroom in private in a litter box. They also prefer the litter box to be clean and in low-traffic areas. Cats may even relieve themselves outside the litter box if the box is not sanitary enough‚ which shows how picky they really are when it comes to their litter boxes. But what about standing in the litter? Cats do prefer not to step in their own waste‚ which is one reason why they cover up the evidence with sand and litter. And you can bet that they will groom themselves after going potty to keep themselves clean after doing the deed. However‚ a dog may have a slight upper hand regarding bathroom habits because they relieve themselves outdoors and typically do not bring any evidence back inside. You also must contend with litter box smells‚ but hey‚ that’s not the cat’s fault. As we mentioned‚ a cat will not use the litter box if it seems unsanitary‚ and it’s up to you to keep the litter box clean and odor-free. Image Credit: Tiplyashina Evgeniya‚ Shutterstock Cats vs. Dogs – Natural Odors To better understand the difference between a cat’s natural odor and a dog’s‚ let us refer back to the cat’s amazing‚ barbed-like tongue. Cats can remove dirt‚ debris‚ hair‚ and dead skin from their bodies with the use of their brush-like tongue‚ whereas a dog needs regular brushing and the occasional bath to remove such things‚ which‚ if left unattended‚ odor will set in. In short‚ cats have the upper hand with natural odors. Cats vs. Dogs – Shedding Both cats and dogs shed‚ but some cats and dogs may shed more than others‚ depending on the breed. Shedding is a natural and necessary process for both animals‚ and you can’t really use this aspect to determine who is cleaner here. However‚ the upper hand goes to cats because they keep their fur clean and shiny. Image Credit: Alexander Grey‚ Pexels Cats vs. Dogs – Dental Hygiene Good dental hygiene is a detrimental part of both cats’ and dogs’ overall well-being‚ and they both should be addressed. Since cats constantly groom themselves‚ do they have good hygiene? How clean is a cat’s mouth? The truth is that cats have bacteria in their mouths just as much as dogs and humans. To put this in perspective‚ think about a cat’s litter box. Even though cats prefer a clean litter box‚ they still may step in feces or urine that will quickly be licked off during one of their many grooming sessions‚ which will end up in their mouths. In short‚ it’s a draw between cats and dogs in terms of dental hygiene and cleanliness. Final Thoughts When determining if cats are cleaner than dogs‚ the winner goes to cats simply because they spend more time grooming and cleaning themselves as opposed to dogs. However‚ both require assistance occasionally to keep them at their best‚ such as keeping up with dental hygiene and brushing the coat as needed. An important note we want to make is if you notice an odor coming from your cat‚ a trip to the vet is necessary to rule out a possible medical condition‚ such as an infection. Sources https://pethelpful.com/pet-ownership/are-cats-cleaner-than-dogs https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/cats-lick-too-much#:~:text=Cats%20typically%20spend%20between%2030‚their%20day%2C%22%20she%20says. https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/five-facts-about-cat-tongues https://www.vetdermclinic.com/ask-expert-dog-grooming-like-cat/#:~:text=A%3A%20Dogs%20don’t%20groom‚a%20few%20minutes%20a%20day. https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/five-facts-about-cat-tongues Featured Image Credit: GoodFocused‚ Shutterstock The post Are Cats Cleaner Than Dogs? The Surprising Details by Rachel Giordano appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Why Do Cats Bite Each Other’s Necks? The Interesting Reasons by Brooke Billingsley appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. If you have more than one cat‚ you may have noticed that cats have a tendency to bite each other on the neck. Sometimes these bites are on the scruff of the neck‚ while other times they happen in the throat area. There are actually a few reasons that your cats might be biting each other on the neck‚ so let’s jump into a few of the reasons for this feline behavior. 5 Reasons Why Cats Bite Each Other’s Necks 1. Dominance In nature‚ cats are usually solitary animals‚ but domestic cats living in households often seek to develop a hierarchical structure within the home if there are multiple cats. In order to prove themselves at the top of the hierarchy‚ a cat has to prove its dominance. Biting other cats‚ particularly on the back of the neck‚ is part of this dominance assertion. This type of biting typically doesn’t break the skin. Image Credit: Magui RF‚ Shutterstock 2. Mating If you’ve ever seen cats mating‚ then you know that it’s not something that appears gentle. Part of the mating ritual involves the male cat biting the female cat on the back of the neck. It’s likely that this is done to show dominance and to help keep the female in place. This biting is usually not done aggressively enough to break the skin. 3. Play Some cats love to roughhouse‚ and biting and scratching are simply part of the game. You may see one of your cats pounce on the other’s back and bite them on the back of the neck‚ but during play‚ cats are more likely to bite the front part of the neck. For cats‚ playing is a form of practicing their hunting skills‚ and cats may bite their prey on the throat to kill them. If done during play‚ this biting should not hurt the cat that is being bitten and shouldn’t break the skin‚ although an over-exuberant cat may unintentionally bite the other cat too hard. Image Credit: Isabel Eve‚ Shutterstock 4. Aggression Biting the neck as a form of aggression is a step above using biting to assert dominance. If a cat is showing aggression‚ they are unlikely to only bite the neck‚ and there is a good chance that they’ll break the skin with both teeth and claws. If your cats are being rough with each other and either of them is hissing‚ yowling‚ or showing signs of fear‚ then it’s time to break things up so everyone can cool off. 5. Grooming Mother cats bite the backs of their kittens’ necks to carry them‚ and you may also spot a queen biting the back of the neck of a kitten that isn’t cooperating for a grooming session. This is partly an assertion of dominance—almost an‚ “I’m your mother and you’ll listen to me‚” kind of behavior. It also serves as a reminder like‚ “I’m trying to groom you‚ hold still!”  This behavior is not specific to mother cats‚ so you may spot two adult cats doing it to each other. This type of biting is typically very gentle. In Conclusion Cats naturally bite each other on the neck for multiple reasons‚ and most of them are benign. It’s important for you to keep an eye on your cats if you see biting occurring‚ though. Sometimes‚ games can get out of hand and turn aggressive. In some cases‚ you may need to help your cats as they establish a hierarchy if there’s a new cat in the home. This establishment of dominance can take time and should be monitored closely to make sure your cats aren’t hurting each other. Featured Image Credit: Katho Menden‚ Shutterstock The post Why Do Cats Bite Each Other’s Necks? The Interesting Reasons by Brooke Billingsley appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Vet Nurse Day 2024: Everything You Need to Know by Brooke Billingsley appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead When Is Vet Nurse Day What Is It’s Purpose Ways to Celebrate  If your pet has ever been sick or injured and you were able to get them to a veterinarian’s office‚ then you likely already know the importance of veterinary nurses. Like with humans‚ veterinary nurses are specially trained individuals who have the knowledge and skills to perform a wide variety of tasks that allow them to support the health and well-being of pets‚ as well as to help save their lives in emergency situations. That’s why we celebrate Vet Nurse Day on the second Friday of October! However‚ the day can change from year to year. When Is Vet Nurse Day in 2024? This special day is celebrated on the second Friday in October every year. In 2024‚ this event will occur on Friday‚ October 11th. Although this day is beginning to be celebrated in the United States‚ this day was established in Australia by the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA). Image Credit: Andy Gin‚ Shutterstock What’s the Purpose of Vet Nurse Day? The purpose of this special day is to celebrate veterinary nurses and technicians. These people are essential staff when it comes to keeping your vet’s clinic up and running. They are skilled people with lots of knowledge and training that allow them to provide care for animals. Vet nurses are often responsible for things like preparing procedures for the veterinarian‚ performing wound care and dressing changes‚ filling and administering medications‚ running tests‚ and assisting the vet during examinations. Without vet nurses and techs‚ vet clinics simply wouldn’t have the staff needed to keep them running successfully while still caring for a large number of animals. They can be trained to care for many different types of pets‚ from cats and dogs to reptiles‚ birds‚ amphibians‚ fish‚ horses‚ and more. How to Celebrate Vet Nurse Day The best way to celebrate Vet Nurse Day is to simply thank the vet nurses and techs at your vet’s office. You can also provide them with a token of your gratitude‚ like a coffee gift card or buying lunch for the clinic staff. Even when it isn’t Vet Nurse Day‚ make sure to treat your veterinary nurses and techs with kindness and respect. You can also raise awareness of Vet Nurse Day on your social media channels. Help others understand all of the tasks that vet nurses perform and all of the reasons that they’re essential employees at vet clinics. Image Credit: Monkey Business Images‚ Shutterstock In Conclusion Vet Nurse Day may not be a widely known day‚ but it’s certainly one that should be growing in popularity. Veterinary nurses are incredible people who are full of empathy and knowledge. They spend time away from their own loved ones to provide care for your pets. Make sure to always show them gratitude and thankfulness. Being a veterinary nurse is a high-stress job that can be draining over time. There is a lot of negativity that is projected onto veterinary staff‚ and vet nurses are often the ones directly receiving the negativity. Gratitude and small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the day of a vet nurse who may be struggling. Sources https://nationaltoday.com/vet-nurse-day/ Featured Image Credit: Prostock-studio‚ Shutterstock The post Vet Nurse Day 2024: Everything You Need to Know by Brooke Billingsley appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Do Cats Like When You Sing to Them? Fun Facts by Oliver Jones appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Do They Like Being Sung To? What Music Do They Like? What Is Cat Music? Songs You Can Sing Even the shyest among us can feel confident belting out our favorite tunes in the comfort of home‚ and it’s even better when our cats are there to listen. As a perfect audience for our shameless rehearsals‚ cats listen on with judgment-free joy. But do cats genuinely enjoy our singing‚ or are they just being polite? We’ll explore the science and signs of whether cats like our singing and the kinds of music they’re more likely to prefer. Do Cats Like When You Sing to Them? Although there’s no scientific study on whether cats enjoy our singing‚ several owners swear their cats perk up when they start crooning. Many find their cats become more affectionate‚ seeking them out for cuddles and kisses. Some even feel their pets have favorite songs and often go to great lengths to write original tunes for them! Image Credit: PakulinSergei‚ Shutterstock Is It Our Singing? Despite the anecdotal evidence‚ we still can’t be sure cats act this way because they like our singing. Are they reacting to the sound of our voice‚ or is something else happening while we sing? Cats use every environmental element alongside previous experience to motivate them. Maybe you give your cat treats‚ play time‚ or extra affection when you sing to them. Your singing may not make them come running but rather their knowledge that something good is coming their way. Cats also understand human emotion. Due to adaptations from domestication‚ cats can react according to the emotional signals owners give off. They’ll search for escape when their owner acts fearful and seek closeness and attention when they’re happy. And who isn’t upbeat when they’re singing? Rather than responding to your music‚ your cat might react to your good mood. Then there’s the question of whether cats even like music. We assume they enjoy the sound based on their actions‚ but they don’t provide any definitive feedback. Fortunately‚ scientists have answered some of these questions‚ and as it turns out‚ cats like music quite a bit! It’s just not what any of us might expect. What Music Do Cats Like? Multiple studies have fine-tuned our understanding of feline preferences and music’s emotional and physiological effects. Researchers investigated how different music genres affected a cat’s autonomic nervous system under anesthesia1. Comparing pop‚ heavy metal‚ and classical music‚ they found cats differentiate rhythms and that the sounds affected ANS controls like respiration and pupil dilation. Classical music was associated with lower stress and more relaxation‚ and heavy metal to higher stress and anxiety. An earlier study from 2015 looked at the effects of cat-specific music to see if cats would respond more to it than to music made for humans. The theory was that‚ like humans and many other animals‚ cats would prefer music that mirrored their species-specific frequency range‚ tempo‚ and other communication elements2. As expected‚ cats were significantly more interested in their style‚ with older and younger cats showing the highest response. Another 2019 study looked at cat-specific music’s effects in stressful clinical settings3. Cats listened to 10-minute samples of either classical music‚ cat music‚ or silence before an exam at the vet. Although classical music and silence had little effect‚ the cat-specific music led to reduced stress and more openness to handling. Image Credit: TalyaPhoto‚ Shutterstock What Is Cat Music? With cat-specific music significantly impacting pets‚ you’re likely wondering what it sounds like. The music focuses on tones familiar to cats‚ using tempos and higher octaves that fit their natural communication patterns. In the 2015 study on cat-specific music‚ researchers hypothesized that certain musical qualities that affect humans can affect other animals. They added elements like longer notes to be more calming and regular rhythms to induce positive states. The researchers also layered in purring‚ suckling‚ and other rewarding sounds in feline vocalizations. Such noises are typical during nursing‚ which is a crucial period of emotional development for cats. The expectation was that the familiar sounds would evoke comforting feelings and a positive response from the cats. The result is a collection of soothing‚ drawn-out‚ and often high-pitched tones. Violins‚ xylophones‚ pianos‚ and other classical instruments fill most of the ambient music while the low rumbling of a purring or suckling cat plays continuously in the background. What Should You Sing to Your Cat? Considering their general tastes‚ you can experiment with these affiliative vocalizations in your singing. It might take practice‚ but you can try integrating the low rumbling sounds of purring or the calming legato tones typical of cat music. Test different combinations to see if any have a better effect than others. You can also cheat a little by singing your cat’s name. It might be easier (and more fun) to find creative ways to combine their name into top 40 hits than to belt out original cat music‚ and their reaction to it may be the same. Cats can discriminate their name among others. If they associate hearing their name with a reward like treats or playtime‚ they could come running when you sing a tribute to them. Image Credit: HarryKiiM Stock‚ Shutterstock Final Thoughts Maybe your cat loves your singing‚ or perhaps they’re showing interest because they know you’re happy. They won’t tell us for sure‚ but in the end‚ does it even matter? Your tunes have a positive meaning for your pets and make you happy in the meantime. Whatever your cat’s motivation‚ there’s no reason to hold back when you’re feeling a song in your heart. Sources Animals Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Applied Animal Behaviour Science Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Scientific Reports National Library of Medicine Nature.com Featured Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana‚ Shutterstock The post Do Cats Like When You Sing to Them? Fun Facts by Oliver Jones appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The long-awaited sequel Helldivers 2 has launched on PC to some…less than stellar impressions. Overall the game is getting praise for its gameplay‚ while some question the game’s microtransaction practices. However‚ PC players have run into an issue on launch that renders the game unplayable. We’re going to fight off the hordes and figure out how to fix Helldivers 2 not launching on Steam. How to fix Helldivers 2 not launching on Steam Image: Arrowhead Game Studios Players who purchased and installed Helldivers 2 on Steam were ready and raring to dive into the game. Sadly‚ when players attempt to start the game‚ they’re met with a black screen shortly before the game decides to close completely. This has frustrated fans and even forced some of them to refund the game or leave a negative review‚ bringing the game’s overall reviews down to mixed. Related: Does Helldivers 2 have a campaign? Fixing Helldivers 2 not launching on Steam is a bit of...