Turkey, the homeland of angoras and Turkish Vans is almost cats’ paradise. Even though veterinary care is quite expensive here, also cats living outside are taken care of well. Even in large cities like Istanbul and Ankara you can encounter a lot of well-fed and happy cats basking on car bonnets or resting in the shadows of side alleys.
Turkey, the homeland of angoras and Turkish Vans is almost cats’ paradise. Even though veterinary care is quite expensive here, also cats living outside are taken care of well. Even in large cities like Istanbul and Ankara you can encounter a lot of well-fed and happy cats basking on car bonnets or resting in the shadows of side alleys.
Turks love cats and take care of them, are attentive and nice to them. Their positive relationship with cats can be traced well back to history. Cats have been worshipped and appreciated for their cleanliness since ancient times in near East. Cats even appear in stories about Mohammed quite frequently. One of the stories says that a cat saved his life from a poisonous snake, another one that Mohammed heard the call to prayer and rather cut his sleeve than wake up a cat that rested on it.
Istanbul is often called the city of cats. As I already mentioned, there are many street cats and they have become an inseparable part of the city. Shop owners usually know cats from vicinity by name, locals buy them insulated jackets for winter or even take them home. And it is no exception that Turks take a wounded or sick cat to a vet and take care of the animal until it recovers.
Noone is surprised when he/she meets a little beast in the hall of an office building or sleeping on a chair in a bar. And Turks will rather stand than to throw it out. Cats are not ashamed to jump to the laps of regular customers to rest there or have a little snack. In summer, some villages even encourage people to put vessels with water outside using posters and billboards.
When Turks take care of something, they do it properly. If they have a cat at home as their pet, they sometimes overdo it with care. For example, they give it only bottled water, provide their cat with several types of dry food or its own room.
Have you ever been in Turkey? And did you notice the cat population there? Do you have similar experience?
Allegedly, fast is instinctively practised by both wolfs and wild dogs. This has led many people to that assumption, that our dog on the couch should, once in a while, be fasting as well. A wild animal surely knows what it is doing, nature is wise, you...
In this cycle, we will get to know interesting dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let us take a look what they have already achieved during our life together. We should find Hachiko in the dictionary next to the phrase...
Markéta is my long-time friend. We got to know each other through a shelter, from which I took my first dog and where I then started to help out. Under this association, Markéta runs a depository for cats in Prague, where I like to go when I have a bit...
Have you ever wondered how much movement is healthy for your dog and when it can be harmful? Or that not every movement is beneficial? Most dog owners never think about this. It’s said that the more you move, the better. But this is not always true.
As I mentioned in previous articles, I occasionally help out my friend Markéta, who runs a cat shelter. I had the opportunity to take part in several humane trappings for stray cats and would like to share the experience with you today.
Did you know that even your pet dog can suffer from depression? As with people, we shouldn’t underestimate the mental state of our dogs. How to recognize it and what to do about it?
In this cycle, we shall take a look at how cats and dogs are getting along in the world. Where people nurture and spoil them, or on the contrary they suffer and their situation is critical. Today I would like to introduce you to the cats of Greece,...
The approach of warm sunny days will surely entice many people to go for long walks. Many of us take our four-legged companions on vacation. It’s during these times that we should be careful about sunstroke, both for us and our dogs. How can we prevent...
Just like with people, being overweight can have a negative impact on a dog’s health. Preparing the right diet and amount of food to give them can sometimes be, however, like pure alchemy, and so your dog can start to become obese. If this is the case...
There seems to be more and more ticks year after year. Fortunately, the ways to protect our furry friends, whether dogs or cats, against these parasites are growing. Everyone can choose what product fits best for them and their four-legged companions.
Until recently skinny guinea pigs were relatively rare in our country. Word about them is quickly spreading, however, and they have become a sudden hit among breeders. What’s it like having these guinea pigs and what do they like to eat?
The kidneys perform one of the most important functions in the body - cleaning the blood. Due to their small intake of water, cats are more burdened than other animals and therefore suffer quite often from kidney problems the older they get.
