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Anxious cats just want real cuddles from their human

<div> <div class="copy"> <p>Anxious cats aren’t comforted by the scent of their absent human alone.  It just reminds them that their human is gone.</p> <p>Most cats that love their human form a strong bond and feel less stressed in their presence. You might often see your kitty snuggling up in your clothes and enjoy being around things that smell like you.</p> <p>However, in a new <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159121002318?via%3Dihub" target="_blank">study</a> published in <em>Applied Animal Behaviours Science, </em>researchers found that the scent alone isn’t enough to keep them happy when they are alone.</p> <p>“Olfaction (smell) is an important sense for cats, and it’s related to their social behaviour.  But in our study, [owner-scented objects] did not have a stress-reducing effect,” says Kristyn Vitale of Unity College, US, who was part of the study. “The smell might even make matters worse for some.”</p> <p>As part of the study, cat owners put an item of clothing with their pets in an unfamiliar testing room.  The owner then sat on the floor for a while before exiting the room and leaving the scented item with the cat.</p> <p>Most of the kitties paid no attention to the scented item and acted just as stressed as when there were no ‘comfort items’ available. In fact, 38% of actually became more vocal when the scented item was in the room.</p> <p>This suggested that the scent reminded them of their absent human and made them sad.</p> <p>But when the owners returned, most of the happy cats rubbed against their owners in a display of bonding. This is a sign of the Secure Base Effect, where the cats felt happy and secure in the presence of their human. In this simulation, the researchers showed that a scented item did not elicit the same secure base effect.</p> <p>The researchers suggest that leaving an item with a cat just isn’t as good and a real cuddle. Instead, they encourage owners to be present with their cat as much as possible to reduce anxiety.</p> <p>If it lets you.</p> <!-- Start of tracking content syndication. Please do not remove this section as it allows us to keep track of republished articles --> <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=166105&amp;title=Anxious+cats+just+want+real+cuddles+from+their+human" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> <!-- End of tracking content syndication --></div> <div id="contributors"> <p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/anxious-cats-just-want-real-cuddles-from-their-human/">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/dr-deborah-devis">Deborah Devis</a>. Deborah Devis is a science journalist at Cosmos. </p> <p><em>Image: VictorHuang/Getty Images</em></p> </div> </div>

Family & Pets

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The 10 cuddliest and most affectionate dog breeds

<p>Like humans, dogs are each individual with distinctive personality traits, but some breeds are notoriously more affectionate and love to cuddle up next to their humans. Many dogs crave connection just as people do, so chances are if they want to sleep next to you at night, they are looking to create that special bond (or maybe they just want an extra treat). These pups will make the perfect snuggle buddies, adventure partner, and overall best friend.</p> <p><strong>1. Great Dane</strong></p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838697/01-great-dane-dog-and-child-shutterstock_230355919-770.jpg" alt="Great Dane" data-udi="umb://media/20b5f08148e34a328e62141007800c91" /></strong></p> <p>“It may seem counterintuitive, but Great Danes love to cuddle,” said editor Bobbie Abdallah. Originally known as the gentle giant, they adore snuggling up to the people that they love and don’t handle being alone very well. As Great Danes tower over other dogs and most humans on their hind legs, just the sight of them may make people cower, but they are one of the most patient and friendly pups around.</p> <p><strong>2. Pug</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838698/02pug-dog-and-woman-shutterstock_1439709107-770.jpg" alt="Pug" data-udi="umb://media/fee38206b6b9436aaf4c561fd18e2678" /></p> <p>“Pugs have earned the nickname ‘velcro pugs’ because they stick to their humans like velcro,” says writer Candy Pilar Godoy. “They follow their owners from room to room and have zero notion of personal space.” Originally bred for Chinese royalty, these tiny pups were intended to be lap dogs making them extremely affectionate towards humans. They love to be the centre of attention, and generally like to stick close to the people they love.</p> <p><strong>3. Golden Retriever</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838699/03golden-retriever-dog-and-girl-shutterstock_1036133830-770.jpg" alt="Golden Retriever" data-udi="umb://media/05923dcf4e78423ab285fc337fec189b" /></p> <p>This one comes as no surprise to most of us. Retrievers, both Golden and Labrador, are known to be one of the most loving dog breeds. They are intelligent, easy to train, and the top dog for families. “I’ve personally seen young children playing with these breeds for long periods of time where other breeds would run off. Retrievers will lie down and soak up the attention and give just as much affection back,” claimed Wesley Oaks, founder of Oddly Cute Pets.</p> <p><strong>4. Dachshund</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838700/04-daschund-dog-and-child-shutterstock_201032174-770.jpg" alt="Dachshund" data-udi="umb://media/97da12ecd1f244db87cd49ec5aa3928b" /></p> <p>Known for their tiny frame and oddly striking features, these small dogs love to snuggle up next to their human. “Dachshunds are known for their loving and tender personality and will happily spoon with you on the floor, burrow under your bed sheets at night, and be rocked like a baby in your arms if it means they get more time with their favourite person,” said Steph Wiggins, founder of dog gear company DJANGO.</p> <p><strong>5. Alaskan Klee Kai</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838701/05alaskan-klee-kai-dog-and-child-shutterstock_39704326-770.jpg" alt="Alaskan Klee Kai" data-udi="umb://media/a42a04989a584252a6d26f12fca9058d" /></p> <p>“I would say Alaskan Klee Kai are among the most affectionate breeds that I’ve encountered,” said Kieran Beckles. According to the Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America, this breed of dog can become very attached to their owners and that’s certainly the case with my dogs, says Beckles. These small dogs have large personalities and love to be around their human at all times.</p> <p><strong>6. Boxer</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838702/06boxer-dog-and-man-shutterstock_159463067-770.jpg" alt="Boxer" data-udi="umb://media/0fc432f30e7b4a439dc79d15e59514e6" /></p> <p>Boxer’s are known to be on the quieter side, but they remain extremely dedicated to their human and love to show them through snuggling. They are often referred to as ‘shadows’ as they will follow you around the house. They mature faster than other dogs, slowing down around the age of three or four. Boxers will happily lay next to you and will fully embrace your cuddles after a long day of exercise which this breed needs a lot of.</p> <p><strong>7. Rottweiler</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838703/07rottweiler-dog-and-child-shutterstock_1303858480-770.jpg" alt="Rottweiler" data-udi="umb://media/884dd714d6e541b788120e7df2d5616b" /></p> <p>“I personally own a Rottweiler and she’s a 50kg lovebug,” explains dog trainer Danielle Mühlenberg. Rottweilers are known to be overly suspicious of strangers and are often touted in the media as dogs that should be feared, but these dogs love cuddling just as much as retrievers.</p> <p><strong>8. Newfoundland</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838704/08newfoundland-dog-and-child-shutterstock_1205526541-770.jpg" alt="Newfoundland" data-udi="umb://media/c9f66e4869b64a56b89c3a13edfb4311" /></p> <p>The Newfoundland is another gentle giant like the Great Dane. They are friendly and very calm, any if trained properly will show affection towards children. “Because they require an active lifestyle and enjoy being outdoors, they’re perfect for dog owners that hike and exercise by day and lounge around by night,” said Mühlenberg. “Newfoundlands are the big teddy bears of dogs, making them the ultimate cuddle partner once it’s time to kick back.” These gentle giants will also not show aggression through biting.</p> <p><strong>9. Bichon Frise</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838705/09bichon-frise-dog-and-woman-shutterstock_579843883-770.jpg" alt="Bichon Frise" data-udi="umb://media/47616fe3dae24352b2cae009f2a55307" /></p> <p>Bichon Frise are miniature bundles of energy and affection. People are drawn to them because of their fluffy, cottonball appearance, and they are just as huggable as they look. They love to cuddle as much as they love to play so after a long day at the park, they will happily snuggle up next to you on the couch. Because the Bichon Frise is so affectionate, they thrive in households where they have company most of the time.</p> <p><strong>10. Staffy</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838706/10banjo-staffy-lily_770.jpg" alt="Staffy" data-udi="umb://media/89b6d244cb3c449c838e4e77f5a5dd54" /></p> <p>Often misunderstood, Staffordshire bull terriers (whether English or American) are extremely loyal, warm and very goofy pups. “Even though they usually get a bad rap, many of these dogs love to cuddle,” says veterinary consultant Sara Ochoa. As with any dog, proper socialisation, training, and some TLC will make staffys the best companions.</p> <p>Images: Shutterstock</p> <p><em>Written by Emma Taubenfeld. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/pets/11-most-affectionate-dog-breeds-that-love-to-cuddle" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="https://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Man makes “cuddle blanket” to hug his gran amid coronavirus pandemic

<p><span>A man in the United Kingdom has shown he will go to great lengths to make sure his loved ones still get their daily dose of happiness despite the strict social distancing measures in place due to coronavirus.</span><br /><br /><span>29-year-old plasterer Antony Cauvin’s came up with an innovative method to maintain social distancing rules by placing a humble shower curtain between him and his granny.</span><br /><br /><span>Antony altered the curtain to have arms so he could still hug his nana without touching her.</span><br /><br /><span>He dubbed his ingenious invention as the “Cuddle Curtain” with his wife posting a video of it in use on Facebook on the weekend.</span><br /><br /><span>Since then the clip has gone viral, with over 68,000 likes.</span><br /><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmiriam.butt.92%2Fvideos%2F10163787073690551%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> <br /><span>Cauvin explained to Sky News that he first tested the idea with his parents.</span><br /><br /><span>“We giggled about it but thought, “this could actually work”,” he said.</span><br /><br /><span>In the touching video, Cauvin gets to hug his gran Lily for the first time in months.</span><br /><br /><span>Cauvin disinfects the sleeves after every hug and requires that he and his grandma wear gloves for hygiene purposes.</span><br /><br /><span>“We never touched any part of Grannan at all – I’m a believer in social distancing and don’t want to put anyone at risk,” he said.</span><br /><br /><span>“When you’ve known someone all your life, to be able to hug that person again… it brought a tear to everybody’s eye.”</span></p>

International Travel

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High school student apologises to Prince Harry for “cuddling” Duchess Meghan

<p>A British high school student made news around the world after he hugged the Duchess of Sussex during the royal’s visit to a school on Friday.</p> <p>Now 16-year-old Aker Okoye has apologised to Prince Harry for embracing his wife.</p> <p>Okoye, head boy at Robert Clack School in east London, came up on stage after Duchess Meghan invited a “brave young man” to volunteer to discuss the importance of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8.</p> <p>Okoye leaned in for a kiss on the cheek before telling his classmates, “She really is beautiful, innit.”</p> <p>The Duchess gave him a hug after he made his comments about the day. “Incredible confidence, don’t you all agree,” she said after Okoye left the stage.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B9eqhs3J2uP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B9eqhs3J2uP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">The Duchess of Sussex visited Robert Clack School, to celebrate the women of the future, and also highlight the important role men and boys play in International Women’s Day. The Duchess asked a young student to come on stage and share his perspective on the importance of the day, and whilst much attention has been focused on his initial comment, what he shared beyond that was compelling and true. Please watch the full video and tag a man in your life, and have him share what #IWD means to him</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/sussexroyal/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> The Duke and Duchess of Sussex</a> (@sussexroyal) on Mar 8, 2020 at 9:23am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In a written letter to the Duke of Sussex published on <em>The Sun</em>, Okoye said he hoped his actions weren’t out of line.</p> <p>“I hope you didn’t mind me cuddling your wife,” he wrote, noting he was “just overwhelmed and shocked to see her arrive at my school”.</p> <p>Okoye said it was “a pleasure to hear [Meghan’s] speech and to speak in front of her as well. She is truly inspirational”.</p> <p>In an interview with <em>Good Morning Britain</em>, the student told host Piers Morgan: “It was one of those moments which I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”</p> <p>The Duchess’ surprise visit to the school was her last solo official engagement as a senior royal before she and Harry step down on March 31.</p>

Beauty & Style

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Meet the 82-year-old grandpa who cuddles sick babies

<p>For the past 12 years, David Deutchman visits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia, to hold and soothe babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.</p> <p>Without fail the 82-year-old will drop by on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week to cuddle babies when their families cannot be by their side.</p> <p>"It is very gratifying, not just because the babies are crying and you help them to stop crying," Deutchman told <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://people.com/human-interest/sweet-icu-grandpa-cuddles-and-soothes-babies-too-sick-to-go-home-at-an-atlanta-hospital/" target="_blank">People</a></strong></span>. "There’s a lot of stress for these parents. Having somebody tell them they can go get breakfast and assure them I’ll be there with their baby, it means something to them. It’s important."</p> <p>"There are a lot of benefits to that warm connection of being held - when a baby puts their face against your heartbeat, there’s a benefit there. I came to love it, but not just because of the connection with the babies, but the whole atmosphere of the hospital."</p> <p>Dubbed the "ICU Grandpa" by the staff and parents, Deutchman laughs that he gets “puked” and “pooped” on a lot. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.</p> <p>"If there’s anything I can do to make sure people are taken care of, that’s what I’m going to do," he said.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZO3hqC6obAs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </p>

Caring

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New study reveals dangerous reason you shouldn’t cuddle kittens

<p>One would think there couldn’t be anything more innocent than a child nuzzling with a kitten, however, a new study has shown that cuddling a household feline could expose you to “cat-scratch disease”, an illness that can cause intense fever, pustules and, if complications occur, death. The disease is caused by bacteria that is transmitted between cats via fleas.</p> <p>The study, conducted by The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, took place over eight years. It surveyed over 13,000 cases of cat-scratch disease, and found that there were four-and-a-half outpatient diagnoses per 100,000 population each year, which is higher than expected.</p> <p>The most at-risk group is children aged between five and nine years old, among whom there were nine-point-four outpatient diagnoses per 100,000 population. Only a small minority of the cases documented resulted in death, though this was a more likely outcome if patients had hesitated to seek medical help.</p> <p>There are a few simple precautions to take to prevent the spread of the disease. Parents have been advised to discourage children from kissing and playing with kittens, and cat owners are advised to protect their feline friends from fleas, avoid any contact between their own animals and stray cats and always wash their hands after stroking their pet.</p> <p>Does this news discourage you from cuddling with cats? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/09/infographic-explains-cat-behaviour/">Infographic explains cat behaviour</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/09/15-pet-faces-too-cute-to-stay-mad-at/">15 pet faces too cute to stay mad at</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/why-you-shouldnt-kiss-your-dog/">Why you shouldn't kiss your dog</a></em></span></strong></p>

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