Ear Mites in Cats
Mites are microscopic white insects found inside cats ears and they are quite common.
The mites themselves are invisible to the naked eye. Mites should only be treated after a veterinarian has made an expert diagnosis. If there are no mites, using anti-mite preparations may aggravate an infection in the ear.
Ear mites not only cause irritation and scratching, but also increase the secretion of earwax. Stray cats and kittens are especially susceptible to ear mites. Ear mites are very infectious between cats and dogs. Many cats in pet shops are infected with the parasite.
Ear mites are treated with special eardrops. Before the drops are administered, you should clean the outer part of the ear, using a piece of cotton wool dampened with a special solution for cleaning cats' ears. The folds of the outer ear can be cleaned using Q-tips, soaked in the same solution.
In order to keep the drops from being expelled, hold the cat firmly. The ear should be held closed and gently massaged for several seconds, so that as much of the medication as possible gets deep down inside.
Why do dogs circle before lying down?
For a dog owner, watching your dog chose a spot to lie down is often amusing. For some reason, your dog will circle an area before lying down.
This behavior appears to be instinctive to all canines. Their wild ancestors had certain behaviors carried down to the domestic dog, as a practical or ritualistic activity. The ritual of lying down on a carpet is similar to that of a wild dog lying down on the grass of the prairie: first, the dog will sniff at his chosen spot, and then perhaps dig with front paws, his toenails extended. After some digging the dog will turn several times, lowering his body into a semi-crouch, then "nest" into his imagined hole.
When you see your dog circles before lying down, you are watching a remnant of wild dog behavior in your dog.