cats

The “my cat is fat” problem is so common that the industry has come up with an idea: “Ozempic for cats”

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In just a few years, drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro have gone from being discreet treatments for diabetes to become a great social phenomenon. His promise—lose weight through a simple weekly injection—has opened a new chapter in human medicine. Now, this pharmacological revolution is beginning to expand beyond people: cats could be the next to receive an adapted version of these treatments. Goodbye fat cats. Okava Pharmaceuticals, a San Francisco company dedicated to chronic diseases in companion animals, has started a pioneering clinical trial called MEOW-1whose objective is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of OKV-119, a subdermal implant capable of releasing exenatide—a GLP-1 agonist—sustained for months in overweight or obese cats. The intervention aims to simplify a treatment that, in humans, usually requires weekly injections. Here, everything comes down to a single gesture. “You insert the capsule under the skin, and six months later you come back, and the cat has lost weight. It’s like magic,” says Chen Gilor, the veterinarian responsible for the study. speaking to the New York Times. A pioneering study. Okava’s interests did not arise out of nowhere. Prior to MEOW-1, the company evaluated prototypes of the implant in two preliminary studies. A work published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science demonstrated that the OKV-119 implant could be easily implanted and removed, that it was well tolerated, and that its plasma levels of exenatide correlated with weight reduction in healthy cats for more than one month. Subsequently, research published in BMC Veterinary Research delved into this line: they implanted five cats with the designed prototype for 84 days, what they observed is that during that period stable levels of exenatide were maintained and four of them reduced at least 5% of their body weight, along with a lower caloric intake. These results motivated the move to a trial in real obese cats, which Okava plans to run this summer. According to the companyMEOW-1 will be the first formal feline weight loss study based on GLP-1 agonists. How does the implant work? OKV-119 uses the NanoPortal platformdeveloped by Vivani Medical. According to scientific studiesthis technology uses: a titanium reservoir, a membrane with nanotubes that regulate the passage of the drug, and a system designed to ensure a constant and prolonged release without pronounced peaks. Furthermore, this type of administration allows us to overcome the main difficulty associated with GLP-1 in veterinary medicine: lack of adherence. Studies indicate that giving repeated injections to a cat is complex, stressful and can drastically reduce the continuity of treatment, ithe same as what happens in people with injectable drugs. The implant seeks to solve that problem with an approach one-and-done: a subdermal insertion in a veterinary office, without daily intervention by the caregiver. According to The New York Timesthere are veterinarians who already use human GLP-1 agonists off-label in diabetic cats, but its cost and need for frequent administration limit its use. Hence the relevance of a device that could keep the medication active for half a year. But only in cats? Although MEOW-1 focuses exclusively on felines, Okava and Vivani have confirmed an expansion of the project to dogs, another species with obesity rates greater than 50% in the United States. The company states that its goal is to reproduce in dogs the metabolic effects observed in cats: improved insulin sensitivity, reduction in fat mass and greater energy efficiency. With the expectation that these changes may even promote healthier aging. With both markets, the commercial potential is evident. According to estimates collected in Xatakathe global human obesity drug sector could exceed $100 billion by 2030. Veterinary medicine would be a new frontier. Feline obesity is a global epidemic. The interest in an “Ozempic for cats” is not a whim. It is an answer to a growing problem. A review published in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery places the prevalence of feline overweight between 40% and 63%, although it continues to increase. When you ask veterinariansthe same patterns almost always appear: cats that live exclusively indoors, very little movement, food available all day, too many treats, sterilization and a very common problem: many owners are not aware that their cat is gaining weight. The consequences are not minor: insulin resistance, diabetes, joint problems, urinary diseases, anesthetic complications and liver disorders, in addition to a reduction in life expectancy. And the latest evidence goes even further. A proteomic analysis that evaluated 288 proteins in cats with obesity found important changes in inflammatory processes, in the complement system, in coagulation pathways and in lipid metabolism. In other words, feline obesity affects the entire organism, it is not just a “fat cat.” Many open questions. Although MEOW-1 is moving forward with positive expectations, mass adoption of an “Ozempic for cats” is far from a fact. The first unknown is the price. In humans, GLP-1 cost several hundred euros a month, and it is not clear whether a semi-annual release veterinary implant will really be affordable for the majority of caregivers. Cost could become the main barrier to entry, especially considering that feline obesity is a common problem, but not always perceived as a health priority. The second uncertainty has to do with the available scientific evidence. So far, studies on OKV-119 have been preliminary and with extremely small samples (between 5 and 15 cats). They work, yes, but we still don’t know what will happen on a large scale, or how animals with diseases or in varied home environments will respond. Finally, there is the question of scientific independence. For now, all published studies on OKV-119 come from teams linked to Okava or Vivani, the companies developing the implant. There is no independent, large-scale evidence, and this matches a pattern already observed in human GLP-1where much of the initial research is driven by the industry itself. A new era in feline medicine? The questions surrounding this new milestone in the treatment of feline obesity are piling up: will these preliminary results be enough to justify regulatory approval? Will caregivers change … Read more

Europe has signed the first agreement to protect dogs and cats. Breeders won’t like it

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The Animal Welfare Law It came into force in Spain two years ago. Among its measures, the law prohibits individuals from breeding and selling pets, allowing only registered breeders. Now, it is the European Union that wants to put an end to abusive breeding. what has happened. On November 25, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement provisional agreement which establishes a series of stricter rules for the dog and cat trade. It will affect both breeders, pet stores and shelters. The agreement still has to be endorsed, but a date has already been set for the standards to be met: 2028. Why it is important. It is the first agreement on animal welfare at community level. Until now, the only European regulation that affected pet animals was the one that regulated movements between member countries, but the fact that the fight against abusive breeding is being prioritized is further proof that animal welfare is at the center of public debate. Starting point. It is estimated that the cat and dog purchasing market moves 1,300 million euros a year and 60% of purchases are made online. In Spain, the Animal Welfare Law expressly prohibits direct sales over the internet and requires breeders who advertise in magazines or other media to include their registration number, but in many other EU countries there is no regulation in this regard. animal welfare. Establishments must meet a series of requirements to provide well-being to the animals they house and which will be aimed at covering the diet, physical environment, health, behavior and mental state of the animals. Some of these requirements are: The environment will have good quality, which means that it is comfortable, that they have enough space and a good temperature. The animals will be safe, clean and healthy. Disease or injury prevention measures must be applied. It is prohibited to have dogs or cats in spaces (cages, showcases…), except for transport. It is prohibited to keep dogs tied for long periods. Dogs and cats must have access to the outdoors to exercise and socialize. They must receive water and food in sufficient quantity and quality. Establishments must have sufficient competence to care for dogs and cats, including an understanding of their biological behavior and ethological needs. At least one caregiver per establishment will have to receive official training in animal care. They must ensure veterinary visits at least once a year and record the results. When selling or adopting an animal, the recipient must be made aware of responsible ownership. Breeders. The regulations focus especially on the breeding and reproduction of animals, with a series of requirements that aim to end harmful practices such as mutilations or inbreeding. They are the following: Age limits will be established for the dogs and cats used for breeding, as well as a frequency between litters. Consanguinity will be prohibited, that is, breeding between parents, descendants, siblings or grandparents will not be permitted. If a female dog or cat has undergone two cesarean sections, she should be removed from breeding to protect her health. The creation of hybrids through crossing with wild species, for example dogs and wolves, is prohibited. Mutilations such as cutting ears, tails or removing nails cannot be carried out. It cannot be used to breed dogs or cats with extreme traits. For example, very short noses or “flat faces” typical of breeds such as the French bulldog or the pug. Mandatory identification. All dogs and cats sold or given up for adoption must be microchipped and registered in the national database. Starting in 2028, breeders and shelters will be obligated, but within ten years it will be mandatory for all dog or cat guardians. In Spain, microchipping is already mandatory for both species. The novelty introduced by this regulation is that the databases will be interoperable at the European level. Who it doesn’t affect. There are exceptions and againthe regulations will not affect hunting dogs, guard dogs or cats that live freely in rural areas. The FAADA Foundation regrets this decision and states that “it will leave some 18 million cats and 2 million dogs in the EU without adequate protection.” There is also an exception regarding the prohibition of consanguinity. It will be allowed when it is to “preserve local breeds with a limited genetic pool.” Small establishments will also not have to comply with the rules except for the identification of animals with a microchip. To be considered a small establishment, they must meet these requirements: Breeders who have a maximum of three dogs or cats and produce a maximum of two litters per year. Pet stores that have a maximum of three dogs or six cats. Animal shelters that have a maximum of ten dogs or twenty cats. Images | Pexels In Xataka | Yes, the neighbors on the tenth floor can have chickens at home even if they don’t want to. The Animal Welfare Law says so

Walking cats with belt is in fashion. We have asked an expert in feline behavior and is clear about what he thinks

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If you have Instagram or Tiktok and you like cats, I bet an arm to which videos have come out of Cats that leave the house tied with strap and harness. Some even go on a trip around the world, explore forests, jump, run and They even swimas if they were dogs. How is it possible? Is it advisable to walk the cat? To solve these and other doubts we have spoken with Paula VanascoFeline therapist and president of the association Rescues Borges Blanques. The phenomenon of adventurous cats It began to popularize in the 2010 on Instagram. One of the first was Vladimirthat traveled with its owners in a motorhome Throughout the United States. Also Skattya Maine Coon who was traveling on a sailboat with its owner, who was completely deaf and leaned on the cat to know when ships approached or sent him messages. A search on Tiktok returns to hundreds of results. “Cat harness”, “Adventure Cat”, “Cat Leash Training” … Today, any of these searches in Tiktok or Instagram returns us hundreds of results. Walking to the cat is fashionablebut it is not easy. If not, many of the reels that appear to us would not be tutorials and advice to accustom the cat. And if there is something that has tried to know is that, unlike dogs, cats They don’t like anything to atten. Understanding the nature of cats Paula is part of the team of Feline therapy And in your day to day Treat cats with behavioral problemssome of them caused precisely by these walks. Its positioning is clear: it is not a good idea to put a belt to a cat. “Cats are hypersensitive animals. For them a harness is stressful, so when you put it on the first time, many are thrown to the ground.” In addition, he adds that “to make it safe, it has to go very tight, which still makes it more annoying for the animal.” You have to understand that the nature of cats differs a lot from the dog. They are territorial animals and They feel safe within their territoryit doesn’t matter if that territory is the countryside or a flat in the city. When they leave their comfort zone, they always do it very little by little: “The cat needs to explore the territory at its rhythm, not that you take it wherever you want.” Instead, walking to a dog is more natural because its nature is to move in herd. They are social animals And security is provided by your pack, so when we walk them they feel safe. Image: Amparo Babyloni, Xataka Surely you have seen cats rubbing against the corners of furniture or other objects. It is the way they have of Create a safe space. When they explore, cats are rubbing at different points where They leave pheromones that serve as olfactory references. “This is how they explore the territory feeling safe. If there is any scare they go back, then they leave again … and so on until they have it controlled.” “When we get the cat out of its territory, it adopts a prey behavior. If there is a strong noise you will try to run and if you are tied, you can’t do it.” Nor should we forget that, although cats are predators of small animals, they are also prey to other larger ones. “When we get the cat out of its territory, it adopts a prey behavior. If there is a strong noise you will try to run and if you are tied, you can’t do it,” says Paula. It is not that the cats we see in the Instagram videos are all stressed, Some enjoy those outings, But according to Paula “they are the exception. They are cats that have learned that their environment is that and also have a very balanced character.” Using them since childhood is key because “cats do not develop fear until they have 5 or 6 months,” but insists that this is not a guarantee that it will enjoy it and should never be forced. What we don’t see on Instagram If it is outside its territory and scares, The cat instinct is running and getting safebut what happens if we have it tied? Two things can happen: “Let the harness escape or attack you.” In This video You can see perfectly how the cat tries to flee and when not getting it, he ends up biting its owner. Is what is known as redirected aggressivenessan episode in which the cat has a very violent response, in this case for a clear cause: try to flee and not be able to. If the cat tries to flee being tied, two things can happen: “That the harness escapes or that attacks you” The other scenario is to get rid of the harness and run away (the most common, because we already know that Cats are liquid). Being in a environment“It has no visual or olfactory references and there are not a few cases of cats that end up being lost.” If it is also in the city, the risk that a car is hit or attack a dog is very high. There are people who opt for Take the cat inside a backpack type carrier and walk it in this way. Here it is much more difficult for the cat to flee, but Paula does not recommend it either: “I had a case of a cat that took him inside a backpack. The cat did not show the stress at the time, but when he got home he became aggressive. They were very frustrated to be locked up.” Another problem is that many people who get their cats abroad do not know how to understand The language of cats. “That a cat is still does not mean that it is calm.” In other words, it is not necessary to go crazy like that of the video so that it is assuming stress. Cats … Read more

Millions of people are hooked right now to an Olympic Games where cats compete. Cats made with ia

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What happens if together Internet obsession with cats With? Well, well mixed, they can be the ingredients of the next viral success in networks such as the one we have seen this weekend. If you have Instagram or Tiktok, there are many chances that you have seen (or have shared) a video of cats making springboard jump with pirouettes worthy of gold medal. This has cooked this viral liver that has already become a whole Trend 300 million visualizations and upload. The creator of these ‘Kitty Olympics’ has been @PabloPROMPTa Canarian psychologist amateur to create videos with AI. In its networks it has an important sum of followers, but the figures that you have achieved with this video are demential. In the first hours already He was surprised Growth: 1.5 million in just 5 hours. It was just the beginning. Right now it has almost 70 million in Tiktok and 237 million on Instagram. The thing was not there. As we said at the beginning, the video unleashed a whole wave of similar videos, what in the jargon of the networks we would call Trend. In Tiktok, the search ‘Olympics Animals’ returns results where the protagonists are giraffe dogs, capibaras, camels or lions, some of them with several million visualizations. How he has done it. Videos created with AI There are many, but not everyone gets so much impact. The realism of the video and the naturalness of the jumps that cats give is what attracts the most attention. For its creation, the new model of Hailuo aihe Hailuo 2 that was released a few days ago and promised notable improvements in the realism of physicists. While I wrote these lines I have tried the free version of this tool to create these gymnasts and, although it is not as striking as the ‘Michi Olympics’, the result is not bad. Creation yes, but halfway. From the first generative AI tools, the controversies with artists They have been to the agenda, even Some have come to sue To these tools for intellectual property. With the social networks filling with videos made with iaanother problem arises, that of effort and originality; While there are creators dedicating hours to videos of a few seconds, others such as Daniel Bitton They presume “generate 8 or 10 videos in less than 30 minutes” and also the algorithms are favoring them. In the case of the video that this Olympic trend originated, although it has been this user who has published the video on networks, he did so from a Prompt of another user (@fofrai), so it was not an original idea of ​​his. The other face. Although we can discuss the originality or effort it has taken, the video of the Olympic cats has triumphed because it is fun and is very achieved. However, the content created with the networks is increasing and does not always have this sympathetic appearance. A few months ago we talked about ‘AI Slop’ or The garbage that began to flood social networks. The phenomenon consists of videos made with AI (quite disturbingby the way) that he had managed to break the algorithms of recommendation of Tiktok and Instagram. Based on saturating them, they ended up showing these videos to a larger audience. On the other hand, there is the problem of content created with ia that is presented as realas happened a few days ago with the Conflict between Iran and Israel. In response, the platforms like Tiktok are starting to label it. In Xataka | The Ghibli paradox: the most viral success of AI is at the same time a symptom of its problems as a daily product

Genetics offers some clue to answer the eternal question: What the hell goes through my cat’s head?

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Who has lived with a cat has probably intrigued more than once by the sometimes incomprehensible Gatuna Psychology. Now, a project seeks to respond to some of the mysteries that surround the behavior of these felines in the hope that their psychology is not, after all, completely impossible to understand. Cats are sought. And the first step to achieve this is in Create a database with information about numerous cats of various races and contexts. It is precisely what the Darwin cat initiative team is doing, or Darwin’s Cats. Plans. He objective of this project It is to collect 100,000 cats enrolled in June 2026, although they have not yet reached the 10,000 mark. The team seeks to gather information on the behavior of felines through a questionnaire and information about the genetics of each individual. For the latter, participants will have to send a hair sample from the animal next to the questionnaire. Combining these data, the team hopes to obtain the highest database of its kind to investigate not only in the behavior of these domesticated animals, but also expand our knowledge about their health. Who wants to register your pet, yes, you must pay a donation of about $ 150, in order to finance the investigation. In Xataka Communicating with our cats has always been a complex task. A study has discovered the key: flashing Darwin’s ark. This project is not the first in its style for the team that undertakes it. The initiative is part of the work of the Darwin Ark Association (Darwin’s Ark), which a few years ago made Similar work With dogs. Behind the project There is a team of researchers linked to the Chan School of Medicine of the University of Massachusetts and Broad Institute. Inquiring in feline psychology. Perhaps because of the contrast between dogs and cats or perhaps because their behavior really is strange to us, the psychology of cats has intrigued many throughout the long history of coexistence between felines and humans. So strange is sometimes the behavior of these animals that we have come to apply evidence aimed at detecting psychopathy trends in these animals. In recent years, this field of study has put some emphasis In the genetics of cats when confirming some ideas about the existence of hereditary features in the personality of these animals. A quite widespread notion but that we are still understanding. {“Videid”: “x95dxwi”, “Autoplay”: fals, “Title”: “The strongest animal measures 1mm so are the most fearsome animals”, “Tag”: “Webedia-prod”, “Duration”: “343”} Health issue Understanding the genetics of these mammals goes beyond finding patterns in their behavior. It can also help us when detecting genetic components of some of the diseases that affect cats and thus be able to find ways to improve veterinary attention to these animals. Perhaps they can even help us prevent or cure some of the diseases and disorders that affect very present animals in our environment. In Xataka | The ‘Maullido Division’, when Russia released 5,000 cats to help in World War II Image | Vitolic Mana (Function () {Window._js_modules = Window._js_modules || {}; var headelement = document.getelegsbytagname (‘head’) (0); if (_js_modules.instagram) {var instagramscript = Document.Createlement (‘script’); }}) (); – The news Genetics offers some clue to answer the eternal question: What the hell goes through my cat’s head? It was originally posted in Xataka by Pablo Martínez-Juarez .

thousands of robots with a cat’s face

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Japan is turning its services with thousands of cat -looking robots that transport dishes and glasses in more than 2,000 restaurants. It is not something that we have not seen in certain Spanish restaurants, but In Japan it is being much more accentuated in capillarity and capabilities of these robots. It is a country’s response to a perfect demographic storm: its population is aged and is getting more and more, and has a serious shortage of labor. Why is it important. These robots do not replace humans completely, but work together with them, allowing older or foreign people – immigration is key to covering work scarcity – can do work that would otherwise be too demanding at physical or linguistic level. Skylark Holdings, the largest restaurant chain with Japan table service, has deployed about 3,000 robots-gate Equipped with 3D sensors, dozens of facial expressions and ability to transport heavy dishes. In figures. The service robot market in Japan will triple its value in the next five yearsreaching 400,000 million yen (2.7 billion dollars) in 2030. worldwide, the sector already moves 17.2 billion dollars annually. Japan has the lowest unemployment rate among OECD countries, 2.4%. By 2040 it will have a deficit of eleven million workers. Almost 40% of the Japanese population will be 65 years or older in 2065. In the hospitality sector, there are three vacancies for each job applicant. Between the lines. The robotic solution responds to a government strategy. The Japanese government is actively promoting the hiring of foreign workers and encouraging companies to retain employees over 65 years of age through subsidies. Skylark This transformation illustrates well: it uses more than 4,000 workers over 65 years (almost double that in 2020) and has increased its percentage of part -time part -time personnel up to 3.3% (compared to 2.6% in 2020). Yasuko Tagawa, 71, works twenty hours a week at a taste in Tokyo. “My work is no problem when I work with robots,” he explains while cleaning tables. Approximately half of their tasks are now performed with machine assistance. “At my age it becomes more difficult to move,” he acknowledges Bloomberg. Beyond the hospitality. The robotic revolution is not limited to restaurants. The careful care sector, which provides for a deficit of 570,000 caregivers by 2040, is quickly adopting these technologies. In the residence Flos Higashi-Kojiya de Tokyo, caregivers have been using automated devices for years To lift residents, monitor the behavior of people with dementia and facilitate communication. Sensors under mattresses record sleep, heart rate and breathing, showing real -time data that allow staff to supervise forty residents of a look. Yes, but. Despite their potential, service robots have limitations and initial investment can be prohibitive for some companies. They cannot completely replace human judgment or essential interpersonal skills in many works in the services sector. However, for Yasuko Tagawa, the future with his companions Robot-Gato is promising: “Perhaps they can also help in the kitchen,” he says while caressing one of the robots. “Thank you for your work. I will tell you.” In Xataka | Amira is the most disturbing MWC: an ultra -rear robot with synthetic skin that reacts to us Outstanding image | Gankilyuu

Communicating with our cats has always been a complex task. A study has discovered the key: flashing

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The Human-Perro communicationand vice versa, it’s really simple. After thousands of years of domestication and coexistence, dogs and humans understand each other almost effortlessly. In fact, they have even Evolved your facial muscles and eyesTo be more expressive and communicate better with us. With cats, the thing changes. We continue unraveling cat domestication And, although they are fully integrated into our homes, it is evident that there are still some Understanding problems. If you have a cat, you will know ‘talk’ with him and read his intentions, but that penetrating look is sometimes a mystery. And that is when we blink slowly. And the cat imitates us. And the magic is done. The reason is that it is the equivalent of the human smile, at least that indicated in a study. The cat smile In 2020, a study called ‘The role of blinking of cats in communication between cats and humans’ explored how this usual gesture in felines is an interspecies communication method. If you have a cat, you will know what we are talking about: that moment in which the cat stares at you and, suddenly, flashes very slowly, as almost falling asleep to, then, to open your eyes fully. He is not sleeping (well, sometimes yes), but trying to communicate with you. Karen McComb is a psychologist at Sussex University and commented that “it is something that many cat owners already They suspectedso it is exciting to have found evidence of it. ” To have that evidence, the team of psychologists did two experiments. The first experiment included 21 cats (11 females and 10 males, aged between four months to 16 years) of 14 different homes. Its owners – 14 humans participated and the instruction was clear: when the cat had eaten in their family environment, the owners had to sit a meter away and slowly blink when the cat stared at them. In the second, another 24 cats of eight different homes were included and there were two differences. The first and most obvious is that the owners were not on this occasion those who performed the flicker: it was the researchers. In addition, after blinking, they extended their hand towards the cats. The tests were recorded, analyzed and the researchers They concluded that cats slowly blin into the initial flickering of humans and, in the case of flickers by the researchers, after the same, they used to approach them to interact with their hand. If they did not blink first, they were less likely to approach in a friendly way. In addition, in the analysis of the recordings, they realized that the cats did not blink in the same way when they were alone or between them and when they were with a human who has slowly blink first. McComb’s conclusion is that it is something we can try with our cats at home, since “it is a great way to improve the link you have with it.” But … why? Three reasons are considered. The first is pure and hard survival: a fixed look is a symptom that it is alert. The cat can also consider that you are, or you can be a threat, if you stare at it, without blinking or flickering quickly, so a slow blink interprets it as you are relaxed and, at the same time, he also lowers his guard. It’s like a friendly smile. On the other hand, the researchers considered that it could be a form of imitation. It is not a secret that cats often imitate their owners and have actions that we consider funny, but that it is simply an attempt to copy human movements and actions. There are always doubts when it comes to animals such as cats and, above all, domesticatedbecause it is always possible that cats have developed that expression because humans respond emotionally when they do. The third reason is that it may have been a technique that cats themselves have perfected to cut an intense, penetrating and potentially threatening look. If they blink slowly and returned the gesture, they interrupted an awkward situation. Whatever, the researchers affirm that, whether it works as if not, it is interesting game hours or petting. And, evidently, it also has practical implications. If we know that cats feel more comfortable in environments in which they feel that the human is not a threat, it is easier to work with them in shelters or veterinary centers. Although, of course, this depends a lot on the character of each feline. As a contribution: I’ve been trying with my three cats for years. None have even paid me. Of course, as soon as I open a little latically, they magically communicate perfectly Images | Nature, Sabri Tuzcu In Xataka | Cats are not as apathetic as we thought. This is what demonstrates its wide repertoire of facial expressions

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