• About
  • Articles
    • Animals
      • Bees
        • Bees Used for Landmine Detection
        • Honeybee Facts
        • How to Help Endangered Bees
        • Loss of Bees Threatens Global Food System
        • Plants That Attract Bees
      • Birds
        • Bird Expressions Gallery
        • How to Attract Birds to Your Garden
        • Hummingbird Feeders
        • Hummingbird Gardening
        • Plants That Attract Birds
          • Plants That Attract Bluebirds
          • Plants That Attract Buntings
          • Plants That Attract Bush Tits
          • Plants That Attract Cardinals
          • Plants That Attract Catbirds
          • Plants That Attract Chickadees
          • Plants That Attract Doves
          • Plants That Attract European Robins
          • Plants That Attract Finches
          • Plants That Attract Grosbeaks
          • Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
          • Plants That Attract Jays
          • Plants That Attract Juncos
          • Plants That Attract Mockingbirds
          • Plants That Attract North American Robins
          • Plants That Attract Nuthatches
          • Plants That Attract Orioles
          • Plants That Attract Pine Siskins
          • Plants That Attract Sparrows
          • Plants That Attract Tanagers
          • Plants That Attract Thrashers
          • Plants That Attract Thrushes
          • Plants That Attract Titmice
          • Plants That Attract Towhees
          • Plants That Attract Warblers
          • Plants That Attract Waxwings
          • Plants That Attract Woodpeckers
          • Plants That Attract Wrens
        • What to Put in Bird Feeders
      • Butterflies
        • Butterfly Gardening
        • Butterfly Plants
        • How to Make a Butterfly Feeder
      • Cats
        • Big Cats and Small Wild Cats
          • Chinese Public Supports Tiger Trade Ban: 2008 Poll Shows Majority in China Against Legalizing Tiger Products
          • How to Help Endangered Wild Cats
          • How to Reduce the Risk of Cougar Attacks
          • Rare White Lion Cubs Born
          • Social Structure of Feral Cat Colonies
          • The African Black-Footed Cat: Felis Nigripes, One of the Smallest Wild Felines in the World
          • The Endangered Florida Panther
          • The Endangered Scottish Wildcat: Efforts to Save the Tiger of the Highlands
          • The Rarest Wild Cats in the World
          • White Tiger Facts
          • Why Lions Have Manes
          • Why Tigers Are Endangered
          • Wild Cats of Canada: the Bobcat, the Lynx, and the Cougar
        • Cat Breeds
          • 10 Unusual Cat Breeds
          • Abyssinian Cat Breed Profile
          • American Bobtail Cat Breed Profile
          • American Curl Cat Breed Profile
          • American Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • American Wirehair Cat Breed Profile
          • Balinese Cat Breed Profile
          • Bengal Cat Breed Profile
          • Birman Cat Breed Profile
          • Bombay Cat Breed Profile
          • British Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Burmese Cat Breed Profile
          • California Spangled Cat Breed Profile
          • Cat Breeds That Get Along Well with Dogs
          • Chartreux Cat Breed Profile
          • Chausie Cat Breed Profile
          • Colourpoint Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Cornish Rex Cat Breed Profile
          • Donskoy Cat Breed Profile
          • Egyptian Mau Breed Profile
          • Exotic Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Guide to Cat Breed Personality Traits
          • Guide to Cat Breeder Terminology
          • Guide to Cat Coat Colours, Patterns, and Markings
          • Guide to Cat Fur, Face, and Body Types
          • Himalayan Cat Breed Profile
          • How Many Cat Breeds Are There?
          • Javanese Cat Breed Profile
          • Korat Cat Breed Profile
          • Kurilian Bobtail Breed Profile
          • LaPerm Cat Breed Profile
          • Maine Coon Cat Breed
          • Manx Cat Breed Profile
          • Mythical Cat Breeds, Frauds, and Hoaxes
          • Nebelung Cat Breed Profile
          • Norwegian Forest Cat Breed Profile
          • Ocicat Breed Profile
          • Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Persian Cats: What Prospective Adopters Need to Know
          • Peterbald Cat Breed Profile
          • Pixie-Bob Cat Breed Profile
          • Ragamuffin Cat Breed Profile
          • Ragdoll Cat Breed
          • Russian Blue Cat Breed Profile
          • Savannah Cat Breed Profile
          • Scottish Fold Cat Breed Profile
          • Siamese Cat Breed
          • Siberian Cat Breed Profile
          • Singapura Cat Breed Profile
          • Snowshoe Cat Breed Profile
          • Sphynx Cat Breed Profile
          • Tonkinese Cat Breed Profile
          • Toyger Cat Breed Profile
          • Turkish Angora Cat Breed Profile
          • Turkish Van Cat Breed Profile
        • Cat Care
          • Adopting a Cat
          • Alternatives to Declawing
          • Are Poinsettias Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
          • Bad Breath in Cats and Dogs
          • Best Cat Toys
          • Can I Give My Cat or Dog Aspirin or Tylenol?
          • Cat Aggression Treatments
          • Cat Boarding Kennels: How to Choose the Best
          • Cat Fences and Enclosures
          • Cat or Dog Sprayed by a Skunk: How to Remove Skunk Odour
          • Cat Urine: How to Clean It and Get Rid of the Odour
          • Children and Cats
          • Clingy Cats: How to Reduce Separation Anxiety
          • Common Cat Allergies: Substances That Cause Allergic Reactions in Cats
          • Disaster Preparedness for Cats and Dogs
          • Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?
          • Feliway for Cats
          • Foods That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Free and Low-Cost Spay-Neuter Clinics
          • Halloween Cat Sacrifices: Real Danger or Urban Legend?
          • How to Brush a Cat’s Teeth
          • How to Cat-Proof a Home
          • How to Encourage a Cat to Be More Affectionate
          • How to Give a Cat a Bath
          • How to Groom a Cat
          • How to Help Fat Cats Lose Weight
          • How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat
          • How to Introduce a New Cat to a Resident Cat
          • How to Keep Cats and Dogs Safe During Winter
          • How to Play with a Cat
          • How to Prevent Cat Conflicts in Multicat Households
          • How to Prevent Hairballs in Cats
          • How to Protect Your Pets from Pet Thieves
          • How to Remove Glue, Paint, Oil, Varnish, Gasoline, Tar, or Grease from Cat Fur
          • How to Start an Animal Shelter
          • How to Stop a Dog from Attacking a Cat
          • How to Stop Cats from Catching Birds
          • Hypoallergenic Diets for Cats and Dogs
          • Indoor Cats: Can They Be Happy?
          • Living with Cat Allergies
          • Microchipping, Tattooing, GPS, and Collar ID for Cats and Dogs
          • Moving with Cats
          • Myths About Spaying and Neutering
          • Natural Anxiety Remedies for Cats and Dogs
          • Natural Flea Control for Cats and Dogs
          • Onions Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Pet-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
          • Pet-Safe Plants
          • Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Propylene Glycol Antifreeze Safer for Pets
          • Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors
          • Retirement Homes for Cats and Dogs
          • Spaying and Neutering Facts: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
          • The Benefits of Play Therapy for Cats
          • The Declawing Information Page
          • Tips for Finding Lost Pets
          • Travelling with a Cat
          • Your Life Can Improve With the Right Pet
        • Cat Charities
        • Cat Expressions Gallery 2
        • Cat Facts
          • Ailurophobia: Fear of Cats
          • Are All White Cats with Blue Eyes Deaf?
          • Are Cats and Dogs Colour-Blind?
          • Black and White Cat Facts and Photos
          • Black Cat Facts and Photos
          • Black Cats Less Likely to Be Adopted
          • Calico and Tortoiseshell Cat Facts and Photos
          • Can Cats See in the Dark?
          • Careers with Dogs and Cats
          • Cat and Dog Adoption and Euthanasia Statistics
          • Cat Coat Colour Linked to Temperament
          • Cat Colour Gallery
          • Cat Myths Debunked
          • Cat Statistics
          • Cat Statistics: How Many Cats Are There?
          • Cat Years and People Years
          • Cats and Dogs Hurt by Recession
          • Debunking Anti-Cat Arguments
          • Declawed Cats More Likely to Be Surrendered to Shelters
          • Descriptive Terms for Cats
          • Do Cat People and Dog People Have Different Personalities?
          • Do Cats Dream?
          • Glossary of Cat Words
          • Health Benefits of Cat Ownership
          • How Do a Cat’s Senses of Smell and Taste Compare to Those of a Human?
          • How Fast Can a Cat Run?
          • How Long Cats Live
          • How Many Hours Do Cats Sleep Each Day?
          • How Powerful Is a Cat’s Hearing?
          • Hypoallergenic Cats
          • Impacts of Cats and Dogs on the Environment and Wildlife
          • Naturally Occurring Cat Breeds, Cross-Breeds, and Recent Mutations
          • Negative Cat Stereotypes Debunked
          • Neoteny – Why Adult Cats Retain Kitten Qualities
          • Polls Show Large Majority Against Declawing Cats; Majority Also Favours Anti-Declaw Laws
          • Reasons to Adopt an Adult Cat
          • Reasons Why Cats and Dogs Are Surrendered to Shelters
          • Study: Owning a Cat Cuts Heart Attack Risk by 30%
          • Tabby Cat Facts and Photos
          • The Social World of Feral Cats
          • Tortoiseshell Cats Are Nearly Always Female
          • Which Animals Hunt Cats?
          • Which Are More Intelligent – Cats or Dogs?
          • Which Are More Popular, Cats or Dogs?
          • Which Cat Breeds Are the Most Intelligent?
          • Which Make Better Pets – Cats or Dogs?
          • White Cat Facts and Photos
          • Why Are Female Cats Called Queens?
          • Why Are Male Cats Called Toms?
          • Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
          • Why Do Cats’ Eyes Glow in the Dark?
        • Cat Food and Nutrition
          • Can You Feed a Cat Dog Food? Can You Feed a Dog Cat Food?
          • Can You Feed Cats Tuna Made for Humans?
          • Cat Food Overview: Wet Food, Semi-Moist Food, Dry Food, and Raw Diets
          • Health Risks Associated with Vegan Diets for Cats
          • High-Carbohydrate Diets Are Bad for Cats
          • Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
          • How Much Food Does a Cat Need? How Much Should You Feed a Kitten?
          • How Often Should You Feed Kittens and Adult Cats?
          • Is It Safe to Feed Cats Milk?
          • Is It Safe to Feed Cats Raw Eggs?
          • Natural Diets for Cats, Home-Made Cat Food
          • Should You Feed a Cat Wet Food or Dry Food?
          • Vegan and Vegetarian Dogs and Cats
          • Veterinarian Statements on Vegan and Vegetarian Diets for Cats
          • What to Feed a Kitten
          • What to Feed a Pregnant Cat
          • Why Cats Are Natural Carnivores
          • Why Cats Need a High-Protein Cat Food
          • Why Won’t My Cat Eat?
        • Cat Health
          • Abdominal Swelling/Bulging Stomach in Cats
          • Aggression as a Sign of Illness in Cats
          • Arthritis in Cats
          • Bobcat Fever (Cytauxzoonosis)
          • Can I Get Toxoplasmosis From My Cat? Do I Need to Give up My Cat if I Get Pregnant? Do Cat Parasites Really Affect Personality?
          • Cat and Dog Symptoms: Third Eyelid Showing
          • Cat Coughing, Dog Coughing: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat Drooling: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat Having Accidents Outside the Litter Box: Medical Causes
          • Cat Howling: Why Do Some Cats Howl, Especially at Night?
          • Cat Limping, Dog Limping
          • Cat Not Grooming/Dull Coat/Dry Skin in Cats
          • Cat Symptoms Overview
          • Cat with Blood in Stool: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat with Blood in the Urine: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat with Red Eye or Eyes
          • Cat with Sores and Bald Patches/Hair Loss in Cats, Dog with Sores and Bald Patches/Hair Loss in Dogs
          • Cat-Related Health and Safety Myths
          • Cats Reduce Risk of Kids Developing Asthma
          • Causes of Breathing Problems in Cats
          • Causes of Increased Appetite in Cats
          • Causes of Itching in Cats and Dogs
          • Causes of Weight Loss in Cats
          • Charities That Help with Vet Bills
          • Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) – Kidney Disease in Cats
          • Constipation in Cats
          • Dental Diets for Cats
          • Depression in Cats
          • Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs
          • Endocrine Diseases in Cats: Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, and Others
          • Essential Fatty Acid Supplements for Dogs and Cats
          • Eye Discharge/Runny Eyes in Cats and Dogs
          • Feline Calicivirus (FCV) in Cats
          • Feline Epilepsy: Cat Seizures/Convulsions
          • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
          • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Cat Herpes or Cat Flu)
          • Fever in Cats and Dogs: Causes and Treatments
          • FLUTD in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
          • Fundraising Ideas to Pay Large Vet Bills
          • Glucosamine-Chondroitin Supplements for Dogs and Cats with Arthritis
          • Heart Disease in Cats: Cardiomyopathy, Endocarditis, Myocarditis
          • Heartworm Infection in Cats and Dogs
          • Holistic Cat and Dog Care
          • Hookworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Human Pregnancy and Toxoplasmosis
          • Illnesses That People Can Catch from Cats
          • Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats
          • Intestinal Worms in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
          • Is Catnip Addictive or Dangerous?
          • Loss of Appetite in Cats
          • Lungworm Infection in Cats and Dogs
          • Poisoned Cat: Symptoms and Treatment
          • Required Vaccinations for Cats and Kittens
          • Ringworm in Dogs and Cats
          • Roundworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Signs of Pain in Cats
          • Skin Lumps and Bumps in Cats and Dogs
          • Sneezing and Nasal Discharge in Cats and Dogs
          • Tapeworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Using Pumpkin to Treat Constipation and Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs
          • Whipworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Why Cats Pull Out Their Fur: Psychogenic Alopecia in Cats
          • Why Cats Vomit
          • Why Does My Cat Drink So Much and Pee So Often? Causes of Increased Thirst and Urination in Cats
        • Cat History
          • Cat History: Cats in Ancient Egypt
          • Cat History: Cats in Warfare
          • Cat History: Famous Ship Cats
          • Cat History: From Wild Cats to Domestic Pets
          • Cat History: The Black Plague
          • Cat Superstitions, Myths, and Proverbs
          • Famous Cat Lovers
        • Cat Psychology, Behaviour, and Communication
          • Can Cats and Dogs Be Friends?
          • Do Cats Feel Love and Other “Human” Emotions?
          • Do Cats Have Psychic Abilities?
          • Do Cats Like Music?
          • Guide to Cat Communication: Vocalizations and Body Language
          • How Smart Are Cats?
          • The Flehmen Response: Why Cats “Grimace” with Their Mouths Open
          • What Causes Cats or Kittens to Eat Dirt, Kitty Litter, or Plastic, or Lick Photographs?
          • Why are cats afraid of cucumbers?
          • Why Cats Fight
          • Why Cats Purr: How Purring Speeds the Healing Process
          • Why Do Cats “Sulk”?
          • Why Do Cats and Dogs Eat Grass or Houseplants?
          • Why Do Cats Go Crazy for Catnip, Valerian, and Mint?
          • Why Do Cats Gravitate to People Who Fear or Dislike Them?
          • Why Do Cats Have Accidents Outside the Litter Box?
          • Why Do Cats Hiss?
          • Why Do Cats Knead or Paddle with Their Paws?
          • Why do cats love boxes?
          • Why Do Cats Make Chattering Sounds When They See Birds Through a Window?
          • Why Do Cats Play with Their Prey?
          • Why Do Cats Play with Water?
          • Why Do Cats Roll on Their Backs to Greet People?
          • Why Do Cats Rub Against Things?
          • Why Do Cats Scratch Things?
          • Why Do Cats Suddenly Make Mad Dashes Around the House?
          • Why Do Some Cats and Dogs Eat Soap?
          • Why Do Some Cats Attack When Being Petted?
          • Why Do Some Cats Become Anxious or Phobic?
          • Why Do Some Cats Like Shoes, Socks, Feet, Bleach, or Chlorine?
          • Why Do Some Cats Prefer Dirty Water to Fresh Tap Water?
          • Why Does My Cat Pee on the Bed or My Clothing?
          • Why Some Cats Suck on Fabric, Wool, or Hair
        • Cat Training
          • Can You Train a Cat Not to Hunt?
          • How to Encourage a Cat to Use a Scratch Post
          • How to Keep Cats off Counters and Furniture
          • How to Keep Cats out of Plants
          • How to Leash-Train a Cat
          • How to Litter Train a Kitten
          • How to Stop a Cat from Attacking a Dog
          • How to Stop Cats from Fighting
          • How to Train a Cat or Kitten
        • Famous Cats
          • Cat Called to Jury Duty
          • Cat Placed Under House Arrest
          • Cat Record Breakers
          • Cats That Have Adopted Animals of Other Species
          • Christopher the Guardian Angel Cat
          • Cloned Cats
          • Colby Nolan – The Cat with an MBA Degree
          • Famous Cats: Cats with Jobs
          • Famous Cats: Feline Entertainers
          • Famous Cats: Great Feline Achievements
          • Giant Cat Prince Chunk Finds Loving Home
          • Hero Cats
        • Foster Kitten Photo Diary
          • Adult Cats Acting as Foster Parents
          • Bif and Buddies
          • Casper and Cadence
          • Chilly and Lilly
          • Five New Furballs: Serenity, Quest, Sherpa, Coda, and Cayoosh
          • Foster Kittens: Farley and Friends
          • Foster Kittens: Jenga, Eclipse, Valhalla, and Callahan
          • Foster Kittens: Max, Zack, and Roxie
          • Foster Kittens: Sage Bounces Back
          • Foster Kittens: The Dynamic Duo
          • Foster Kittens: The Fab Five
          • Foster Kittens: The Fantastic Five
          • Foster Kittens: The Fluffasaurus Rex and Friends
          • Foster Kittens: The Great Kitten Storm of 2012
          • Foster Kittens: The Saga of the Little Savages
          • Foster Kittens: The Space Crew
          • Foster Kittens: The Tumultous Triad
          • Gizmo’s Gang
          • Sir Shady, the Earl of Grey, Princess Fluffington and the Countess Hissyfit
          • Tesla and Tyax
          • The Checkerboard Kittens: Picatso, Pablo, Catisse, and Catson
          • The Comeback Kittens
          • The Foster Fosters
          • The Friendly Five
          • The Greatcoat Kittens
          • The Hoarder House Kittens: Rowdy, Scrappy, Ally, and Cory
          • The Lake Kittens: Duffey, Alta, and Skaha
          • The Mini-Me Kittens
          • The Star Wars Kittens
          • The Sunshine Kittens
          • The Sunshine Kittens: Golden, Raya, and Sola
        • Kitten Fight Club Gallery
        • Pet Product Reviews
          • 10 Pet Insurance Providers Ranked: Complete 2018 Comparison Guide
          • Reviews of Corn-Based Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Paper-Based Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Pine-Based Cat Litter
          • Reviews of Silica Crystal Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Wheat-Based Swheat Scoop Cat Litter
          • Save Money on Pet Supplies with Groupon Coupons
        • Pet Therapy
          • Animal-Assisted Therapy Providers
          • Pet Therapy Resources
          • Prison Cats
        • Pregnant Cats and Kittens
          • Answers to Frequently Asked Kitten Questions
          • At What Age Can Cats Start Having Kittens?
          • Can a Litter of Kittens Have More Than One Father?
          • How Can You Tell if a Cat Is in Heat?
          • How Long Does a Cat’s Pregnancy Last?
          • How Many Kittens Can Cats Have?
          • How Old Should Kittens Be When They’re Adopted Out?
          • How to Care for Cats During Pregnancy, Labour, and Birth
          • How to Care for Orphaned Kittens
          • How to Safely Remove Fleas from Kittens
          • How to Socialize a Kitten
          • Kitten Development and Care: Birth to 2 Weeks
          • Kitten Development and Care: Week 13 and Up
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 3 and 4
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 5 and 6
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 7-12
          • What Are the Signs of Pregnancy in Cats?
          • When Do Kittens’ Eyes Change Colour?
          • When Do Kittens’ Eyes Open?
          • Where to Adopt Kittens
          • Why Are Kittens Born with Blue Eyes?
          • Why Do Mother Cats Move Kittens?
          • Why Does a Male Cat Bite a Female’s Neck While Mating?
          • Will Handling Newborn Kittens Cause the Mother to Reject Them?
          • Will Tom Cats Kill Kittens?
        • The Cat Expressions Gallery
      • Dogs
        • 7 Great Ways to Care for Your Pet Dog
        • Amazing Dogs
          • Dogs Detect Cancer in People
          • Ginny – the Dog Who Rescued Cats
          • Seizure-Alert Dogs
          • Specially Trained Dogs Assist People with Parkinson’s Disease
        • Dog Care Articles
        • Dog Facts
          • Are Pit Bulls More Likely to Attack Than Dogs of Other Breeds?
          • Canine Aggression: What Causes Dogs to Attack?
          • Dog Breeds That Get Along with Cats
          • How Long Do Dogs Live?
          • How Old Is My Dog in Human Years?
          • The Effects of Pit Bull Bans: Does Breed-Specific Legislation Reduce Dog Attacks?
          • Which Dog Breeds Are Most Likely to Attack?
        • Dog Health Articles
        • Dogs and Cats
        • Miscellaneous Dog Articles
      • Nutritional Health for Your Rabbit Friends
      • Predators of the Heart
      • Sharks
        • How to Reduce the Risk of Shark Attacks
        • Shark Finning Endangers Marine Ecosystems
        • Sharks Rarely Attack
    • Fitness
      • Can I do cardio and strength training on the same day? Should I do cardio or weights first?
      • Exercise Enhances Learning Ability
      • Fitness Resources
      • How Much Exercise Do People Need?
      • How Often Should I Change My Workout Routine?
      • How to Get Motivated to Start Running
      • Strength Training
        • Does Strength Training Cause Women to Bulk Up?
        • How Do I Get an Abdominal ‘Six-Pack’?
        • How Long Should a Strength Training Workout Be? And How Can You Tell if You’re Overtraining?
        • How to Start Strength Training
        • Sports and Bodybuilding Supplements
        • Strength Training for Weight Loss
        • Strength Training Health Benefits
        • Strength Training: Can I train successfully on a vegetarian or vegan diet?
        • Strength Training: Do I need to go to the gym, or can I get good results working out at home?
        • Strength Training: How can I get really big (without steroids)?
        • Strength Training: How Long Should I Rest Between Sets?
        • Strength Training: How Many Days a Week?
        • Strength Training: How Many Repetitions?
        • Strength Training: How Many Sets?
        • Strength Training: How should I warm up and cool down? And should I stretch before and after workouts?
        • Strength Training: Should I Do a Full-Body Workout or a Split Routine?
        • Strength Training: Should I Use Free Weights or Machines?
        • Strength Training: What should I eat before and after my workout?
      • Stretching Techniques
        • Basic Stretching Techniques
        • PNF Stretching
        • Risky Stretches That May Cause Injuries
        • Stretching for Sports and Flexibility
      • Weight Loss
        • How to Reduce Fat in Your Diet
        • Probiotics for Weight Loss
        • Why Most Dieters Fail
    • Food and Nutrition
      • Antibiotics in Food and Farming
      • Coffee
        • Is Coffee Harmful to Your Health?
        • The Health Benefits of Coffee
      • Cooking Tips
        • 10 Tips for Healthier Baking with Whole Foods
        • Cooking and Baking Ingredient Substitutions
          • Baking Substitutes: Dairy Products
          • Baking Substitutes: Eggs and Mayonnaise
          • Broths, Juices, Alcoholic Beverages, Sauces, and Condiments
          • Cooking and Baking Substitutions: Herbs and Spices (Including Onion and Garlic)
          • Fat Substitutions: Low-Fat and Vegan Options
          • Raising Agent Substitutions
          • Substitutes for Flours, Other Grains, and Bread Products (Including Gluten-Free Options)
          • Substitutions for Chocolate, Raisins, and Peanut Butter
          • Types of Sugar, Liquid Sweeteners, Natural Sugar Substitutes, and Low-Calorie Sugar Alternatives
            • Liquid Sweeteners / Sugar Substitutes
            • Low-Calorie and Calorie-Free Sugar Substitutes
            • Types of Sugar and Sugar Substitutions
        • How to Choose, Store, and Prepare Garlic
        • How to Choose, Store, and Prepare Onions
        • Low-Fat and Fat-Free Baking Substitutes
        • Meat Safety
        • Slow Cooker Cooking Tips
        • Slow Cooker Safety Tips
        • Tips for Baking Bread with Whole Wheat Flour and Other Whole Grains
      • Food Facts
        • An Apple a Day: The Health Benefits of Apples
        • Anti-inflammatory Foods
        • Aphrodisiac Foods
        • Artificial Sweeteners Cause Weight Gain and Health Problems
        • Battery Cage Chickens
        • Best Natural Sources of Calcium
        • Chocolate’s Health Benefits
        • Egg Labels: Free-Range, Organic, and Omega-3
        • Food and Beverage Caffeine Contents
        • Health Benefits of Tomatoes and Other Lycopene-Rich Foods
        • How Long Baked Goods, Dry Ingredients, Canned Goods, Condiments, Fruits, Vegetables, Meats, Eggs, and Dairy Products Keep
        • How much protein do I need? Will eating too much protein make me fat?
        • How to Store Fruits and Vegetables
        • How to Tell if an Egg Is Bad (Do Bad Eggs Really Float?)
        • Leafy Green Vegetables Protect Against Osteoporosis
        • Natural Food Sources of Probiotics
        • Nutrition Guidelines for Fitness: Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats
        • Nutrition: Free Range vs. Battery Cage Eggs
        • The Best Antioxidant Foods
        • Whole Grains for Health
      • Herbs and Spices
        • Basil Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Black Pepper Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cardamom Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Chili Pepper Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cinnamon Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cloves: Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cumin Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Dill Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Fenugreek Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Ginger Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Mustard Seed Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Nutmeg Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Oregano Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Parsley Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Peppermint Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Rosemary Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Sage Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Tarragon Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Thyme Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Turmeric Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
      • Recipes
        • Cheddar and Chive Cornbread
        • Fast, Easy, Delicious Custard Pie
        • Free Gingerbread House Templates and Recipes
        • Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
        • Herb Bread (Bread Maker Recipe)
        • Honey-Sweetened Berry Pie Recipe
        • Honey-Sweetened Challah Bread (Bread Maker Recipe)
        • Pumpkin Muffin Recipes
        • Slow Cooker Swiss Steak
      • Supplements
        • How Much Vitamin C Should You Take?
        • Should You Take a Probiotic Supplement? Probiotic Health Benefits
        • Vitamin D Facts and Natural Sources
        • Vitamin E Facts
        • Zinc Facts
      • Tea and Health
        • Green Tea Aids Weight Loss
        • Health Benefits of Caffeinated Tea
        • How to Increase Tea’s Health Benefits
    • Gardening
      • 10 Ways to Create a More Environmentally Friendly Garden
      • All About Basil: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking with Basil
      • All About Chives: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Chives, Storing Chives, and Cooking with Chives
      • All About Mint: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking with Mint
      • All About Sage: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Sage, Storing Sage, and Cooking with Sage
      • Beets: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Beets, Storing Beets, and Cooking with Beets
      • Carrots: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking
      • Causes of Cracking in Tomatoes
      • Choosing Containers for Container Gardening
      • Composting FAQ
        • Are black walnut leaves and hulls toxic in compost?
        • How can I keep pests away from my compost pile?
        • How do I add compost to my garden?
        • How do I create compost?
        • How long does composting take?
        • Is it safe to compost pet waste?
        • What are the benefits of composting?
        • What can I put in my compost pile (and what items should not be included)?
        • Why does my compost stink?
        • Why is my compost dry and cold (or soggy and muddy)?
      • French Tarragon: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking Tarragon
      • Gardening with Children
      • Growing Food in Containers
      • Heirloom, F1, and F2 Tomato Plants: A Quick Guide
      • How to Create a School Garden
      • How to Extend the Growing Season
      • How to Fix Brown Tips on House Plants
      • How to Get Rid of Garden Slugs: Natural, Non-Toxic Solutions
      • How to Grow Broccoli: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Broccoli, Storing Broccoli, and Cooking Broccoli
      • How to Grow Potatoes: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Potatoes, Storing Home-Grown Potatoes, and Cooking Potatoes
      • How to Grow Tulips
      • How to Keep Cats Out of Gardens
      • Ladybugs
      • Leafy Green Vegetables That Grow in Winter
      • Lettuce: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Lettuce, Storing Lettuce, and Preparing Lettuce
      • Natural Garden Pest Control
      • Onions: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking
      • Peas: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking with Peas
      • Radishes: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking
      • Root Vegetables That Grow in Fall and Winter
      • The Benefits of School Gardens
      • Vegetables That Grow During Fall and Winter
      • What Fruits and Vegetables Can I Grow in the Shade?
      • Why Are My Tomato Leaves Turning Purple?
      • Wildlife Gardening
      • Worm Composting: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
    • Mind/Body Health
      • ADHD
        • ADHD Diagnosis
        • ADHD Resources
        • ADHD Symptoms in Adults
        • ADHD Symptoms in Children
        • ADHD Treatments and Coping Strategies
        • Causes of ADHD
        • Health Problems Linked to Artificial Colours: Hyperactivity, Cancer, and Allergic Reactions
      • Anxiety and Panic Disorder
        • Anti-Anxiety Supplements
          • Chamomile for Anxiety
          • Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) for Anxiety
          • GABA for Anxiety
          • Gotu Kola for Anxiety
          • Inositol for Anxiety
          • Kava for Anxiety
          • L-Tryptophan for Anxiety
          • Lemon Balm for Anxiety
          • Lysine and Arginine for Anxiety
          • Magnesium and Calcium for Anxiety
          • Passionflower for Anxiety
          • Probiotics for Anxiety and Depression
          • SAMe for Anxiety
          • Valerian for Anxiety
          • Vitamin B for Anxiety
          • Vitamin C for Anxiety
          • Vitamin D for Anxiety
        • Anxiety Helplines and Forums
        • Anxiety Resources
        • Conditions That Often Occur with Anxiety
          • Asthma and Anxiety
          • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Anxiety
          • Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Anxiety
          • Chronic Pain and Anxiety
          • Eating Disorders and Anxiety
          • Fibromyalgia and Anxiety
          • Hyperthyroidism and Anxiety
          • Hypoglycemia and Anxiety
          • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Anxiety, and Depression
          • Migraine Headaches and Anxiety
          • Nutritional Deficiency and Anxiety
          • Substance Abuse and Anxiety
        • Natural Therapies to Reduce Anxiety
          • Acupuncture for Anxiety
          • Anxiety Reduction Techniques: Turning Your Focus Outward and Cultivating Mindfulness
          • Breathing Techniques for Anxiety
          • Cardio Exercise for Anxiety Reduction
          • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety
          • Dietary Changes That Reduce Anxiety
          • Expand Your Comfort Zone to Reduce Anxiety
          • How to Become More Assertive to Reduce Anxiety
          • How to Get Better Sleep
          • How to Reduce Stress
          • How to Worry Less
          • Increase Negative Ions to Reduce Anxiety, Enhance Mood
          • Learning About Panic Disorder and Anxiety
          • Lifestyle Changes That Reduce Anxiety
          • Massage for Anxiety
          • Meditation for Anxiety
          • Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Anxiety and Stress
          • Realistic Thinking for Anxiety Reduction
          • Social Contact and Support to Reduce Anxiety
          • Systematic Desensitization for Anxiety
          • Visualization Techniques to Reduce Anxiety
          • Yoga for Anxiety
        • Panic Attack Symptoms
        • Panic Attack Treatments
        • Playing Tetris May Reduce PTSD Flashbacks
        • Quick Help for Panic Attacks
        • What Causes Panic Attacks?
        • What Is Panic Disorder?
      • Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
        • Asperger’s Syndrome and Anorexia
        • Asperger’s Syndrome and Face Recognition
        • Asperger’s Syndrome and Wayfinding
        • Athletes with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
        • Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome Resources
        • Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Sports
        • Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Crime, and Violence
        • Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Empathy
        • Conditions That Often Accompany Asperger’s Syndrome
        • Do Vaccines Cause Autism?
        • Girls with Asperger’s Syndrome
        • Music Therapy for Autism
        • Myths About Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
        • Positive Traits of Asperger’s Syndrome
        • Sensory Issues with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
        • Treating Autism with Vitamins and Supplements
          • Amino Acids for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Calcium for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Carnitine for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Dimethylglycine (DMG) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Ginkgo Biloba for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Glutathione (GSH) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Inositol for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Iron for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Melatonin (the Sleep Hormone) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EFAs) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Oxytocin (the Love Hormone) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Piracetam for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Probiotics for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Secretin for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Selenium for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • St. John’s Wort for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Vitamin A/Fish Oil for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Vitamin B12 (Methyl B12) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Vitamin B3 (Niacin/ Nicotinic Acid/Niacinamide) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid/Calcium Pantothenate) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and Magnesium for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Vitamin B9 (Folate/Folic Acid) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Vitamin D for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
          • Zinc for Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
      • Depression
        • Depression, Anxiety, and Panic Disorder
        • Light Therapy for Non-Seasonal Depression
        • Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)
      • General Health Topics
        • Active, Overweight People Are Healthier Than Thin, Sedentary People
        • Can You Catch Diseases from Toilet Seats?
        • Do You Need Special Soaps to Kill Germs?
        • Does Vitamin C Cure Colds?
        • Education Linked to Longevity
        • How to Reduce the Risk of Catching a Cold
        • Laughter and Health
        • Light Therapy for PMS and PMDD
        • Music and Epilepsy: Seizure Reduction Through Music Therapy
        • Music for Healing
        • Shinrin-Yoku: The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Forest Bathing
        • Should You Really Feed a Cold and Starve a Fever?
        • Why Women Live Longer Than Men
      • How to Reduce or Stop Drinking
      • The Joy of Decluttering: Increasing Well-Being by Making More of Less
      • The RICE Protocol: Should You Rest and Apply Ice to an Injury, or Use the MCE, MEAT, or METH Strategies?
    • Psychology
      • Animal Hoarding
      • Colour Psychology
      • Cyberchondria
      • Depression Caused by Fear of Crime
      • Dream Psychology
      • Music Psychology
        • Does Listening to Country Music Really Increase the Risk of Suicide?
        • Music and Personality: Traits Associated with Musical Preferences
        • Music Psychology and Consumer Behaviour
        • Music Psychology FAQ: Answers to Common Questions About Music’s Effects
        • Music Psychology: Classical Music
        • Music Psychology: Heavy Metal Music
        • Music Psychology: Jazz Music
        • Music Psychology: Rap Music
      • Psychology of Attraction
        • Danger and Adversity Alter What Men Find Attractive in Women
        • Do Opposites Attract?
        • Hungry Men Find Heavier Women More Attractive
        • Men and Women Want the Same Things in a Romantic Partner
        • Men Are Attracted to Smiles, Women to Expressions of Pride and Shame
        • Men Like Smart Women
        • People Wearing Red Are More Attractive to the Opposite Sex
        • Personality Traits Really Do Affect Perception of Appearance
        • The Smell of Pumpkin Pie Is an Aphrodisiac
        • What Women Find Attractive in Men
      • Psychopathy/Sociopathy
        • Animal Cruelty Linked to Violence Against People
        • How to Protect Yourself from Psychopaths
        • Media Glamorization of the Psychopath
        • Psychopathy, Sociopathy, and Antisocial Personality Disorder: Quick Facts
        • What Causes Psychopathy?
        • What Is a Psychopath?
      • Research Links Car Colour and Personality
      • The Benefits of Environmental Education
      • The Social Psychology of War and Genocide
  • Contact
  • Fun Stuff
    • Astrology
      • Astrological Signs of Famous People
        • Famous Aquarians
        • Famous Aries
        • Famous Cancers
        • Famous Capricorns
        • Famous Geminis
        • Famous Leos
        • Famous Libras
        • Famous Pisces
        • Famous Sagittarians
        • Famous Scorpios
        • Famous Tauruses
        • Famous Virgos
      • Astrology Careers by Sun Sign
        • Aquarius Careers
        • Aries Careers
        • Cancer Careers
        • Capricorn Careers
        • Gemini Careers
        • Leo Careers
        • Libra Careers
        • Pisces Careers
        • Sagittarius Careers
        • Scorpio Careers
        • Taurus Careers
        • Virgo Careers
      • Astrology Elements & Qualities
      • Astrology Love and Friendship
        • Aquarius Love and Friendship
        • Aries Love and Friendship
        • Cancer Love and Friendship
        • Capricorn Love and Friendship
        • Gemini Love and Friendship
        • Leo Love and Friendship
        • Libra Love and Friendship
        • Pisces Love and Friendship
        • Sagittarius Love and Friendship
        • Scorpio Love and Friendship
        • Taurus Love and Friendship
        • Virgo Love and Friendship
      • Astrology Love and Marriage
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Aquarius
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Aries
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Cancer
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Capricorn
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Gemini
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Leo
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Libra
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Pisces
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Sagittarius
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Scorpio
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Taurus
        • Love, Marriage, and Compatibility for Virgo
      • Astrology Moon Signs
        • Moon in Aquarius
        • Moon in Aries
        • Moon in Cancer
        • Moon in Capricorn
        • Moon in Gemini
        • Moon in Leo
        • Moon in Libra
        • Moon in Pisces
        • Moon in Sagittarius
        • Moon in Scorpio
        • Moon in Taurus
        • Moon in Virgo
      • Astrology Sun Sign Compatibility
        • Astrology: Aquarius Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Aquarius Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Aries
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Cancer
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Gemini
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Leo
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Libra
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Scorpio
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Taurus
        • Astrology: Aries Compatibility with Virgo
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Cancer
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Leo
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Libra
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Scorpio
        • Astrology: Cancer Compatibility with Virgo
        • Astrology: Capricorn Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Capricorn Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Capricorn Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Cancer
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Gemini
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Leo
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Libra
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Scorpio
        • Astrology: Gemini Compatibility with Virgo
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Leo
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Libra
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Scorpio
        • Astrology: Leo Compatibility with Virgo
        • Astrology: Libra Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Libra Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Libra Compatibility with Libra
        • Astrology: Libra Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Libra Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Libra Compatibility with Scorpio
        • Astrology: Pisces Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Sagittarius Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Sagittarius Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Sagittarius Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Sagittarius Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Scorpio Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Scorpio Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Scorpio Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Scorpio Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Scorpio Compatibility with Scorpio
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Cancer
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Gemini
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Leo
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Libra
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Scorpio
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Taurus
        • Astrology: Taurus Compatibility with Virgo
        • Astrology: Virgo Compatibility with Aquarius
        • Astrology: Virgo Compatibility with Capricorn
        • Astrology: Virgo Compatibility with Libra
        • Astrology: Virgo Compatibility with Pisces
        • Astrology: Virgo Compatibility with Sagittarius
        • Astrology: Virgo Compatibility with Scorpio
        • Astrology: Virgo Compatibility with Virgo
      • Astrology Sun, Moon, and Ascendant
      • Astrology: The Aspects
      • Astrology: The Houses
      • Astrology: The Planets
      • Astrology: What Are Angular Planets?
      • Sun Sign Personalities
        • Aquarius Personality Profile
        • Aries Personality Profile
        • Cancer Personality Profile
        • Capricorn Personality Profile
        • Gemini Personality Profile
        • Leo Personality Profile
        • Libra Personality Profile
        • Pisces Personality Profile
        • Sagittarius Personality Profile
        • Scorpio Personality Profile
        • Taurus Personality Profile
        • Virgo Personality Profile
      • The Moon’s Influence on Personality
      • What is Mercury Retrograde?
    • Christmas
      • 10 Reasons to Buy a Real Christmas Tree Instead of a Plastic Tree
      • 10 Tips for a More Environmentally Friendly Christmas
      • 12 Environmentally Friendly Gift Ideas
      • Are People More Likely to Commit Suicide During the Christmas Holiday?
      • Christmas Cat Craft Ideas and Free Cat Photos and Other Graphics
      • Christmas Crafts and Freebies
      • Gifts for Cats and Cat Lovers
      • Gifts That Help Animals
      • Gingerbread House Photo Galleries
      • How to Make Mulled Wine
      • The History of Santa Claus and His Reindeer
      • Why Are Holly and Ivy Associated with Christmas?
      • Why Are Poinsettias Associated with Christmas?
      • Why Are the Christmas Colours Green, Red, and Gold?
      • Why Do We Celebrate Christmas?
      • Why Do We Decorate Christmas Trees?
      • Why Do We Fill Stockings at Christmas?
      • Why Do We Give Gifts at Christmastime?
      • Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe at Christmastime?
    • Fun Animal Stuff
      • Cat Agility Contests
      • Cat Quotations
      • Dancing with Cats/Painting Cats
      • Dog Quotations
      • Free Cat Knitting Patterns
      • Free Cat Lesson Plans
      • Free Cat Quilting and Sewing Patterns
      • Free Doghouse Plans, Free Cat Tree Plans, and Free Cat Enclosure Plans
      • Hilarious Gifts for Cat Lovers
      • How to Build a Dog House
      • How to Make Cat Toys
      • How to Make Cat Trees, Beds, and Scratch Posts
      • Most Popular Cat and Dog Names and Weirdest Pet Names in 2010
      • Names for Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets
      • Names for Groups of Animals
      • Pet-Related Holidays
      • Weird Science with Animals
    • Halloween
      • 10 Halloween Party Ideas for Adults and Teens
      • Free Halloween Clip Art, Photos, Fonts, Animated Graphics, and More
      • Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns
      • Halloween Costumes for Cats and Dogs
      • Halloween Food
      • Halloween Pictures
      • Halloween Symbols – Frequently Asked Questions
      • How Did Black Cats Become Associated with Halloween?
      • Poisoned Halloween Candy and Razor Blades in Halloween Candy – Real Threat or Urban Legend?
      • Quick, Easy, Inexpensive Halloween Costumes
      • The History of Halloween
      • Traditional Halloween Party Games and Activities
      • Why Do We Carve Pumpkins for Halloween?
      • Why Do We Trick or Treat?
      • Why Do We Wear Costumes on Halloween?
    • Online vs. Live Casinos: What’s the Difference?
  • Home
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Writer Resources
    • Beautiful Words
    • Frequently Confused Words
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with A
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with B
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with C
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with D
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with E
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with F
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with G, H, and I
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with L
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with M, N, and O
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with P
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with Q and R
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with S
      • Frequently Confused Words: Words Beginning with T-Z
    • Funny Words
    • Grammar and Usage Guide
      • Grammar, Usage, and Spelling FAQ
      • Me vs. I vs. Myself
      • One Word or Two?
      • Should I Add s, es, or ies to Make a Word Plural?
      • Should I Use Amid, Among, Between, Amidst, or Amongst?
      • Should I Use Hang, Hung, or Hanged?
      • Should I Use He and She or They? Subject-Verb Agreement
      • Should I Use Lie, Lay, Lain, Lied, Lying, or Laying?
      • Should I Use Rise, Risen, Rose, Rising, Raise, Raised, Raising, Arise, Arising, or Arose?
      • Should I Use Sit or Set?
      • Should I Use Wake, Woke, Awake, or Awakened?
      • Should I Use Which or That?
      • Should I Use Who or That?
      • Should I Use Who or Whom?
      • Should I Use Will or Would?
      • Subject-Verb Agreement Issues
    • How to Write Web Content That Brings Traffic: 12 Simple, Effective SEO Tips
    • Intelligent Words
    • Punctuation Guide
      • Punctuation Guide: Apostrophe (‘)
      • Punctuation: Colon (:)
      • Punctuation: Comma (,)
      • Punctuation: Exclamation Mark (!)
      • Punctuation: Hyphens and Dashes (-) (–)
      • Punctuation: Parentheses ()
      • Punctuation: Period (.)
      • Punctuation: Question Mark (?)
      • Punctuation: Quotation Marks (“)
      • Punctuation: Semicolon (;)
    • Style Guides with Examples
Metaphorical Platypus

What Is a Psychopath?

Mask

Mask, Taylor Liberato, Flickr

The psychopath is a social predator. He is ruthless, manipulative and often charming. Once referred to as “moral imbeciles,” psychopaths exhibit a marked lack of conscience. They are callous, remorseless and spectacularly self-centered, willing to use and abuse others to achieve their ends, and they are inclined to blame others, including their victims, for their problems and bad behaviour.

Is Psychotic the Same as Psychopathic?

Many people confuse the terms “psychotic” and “psychopathic,” but unlike psychotics, psychopaths are not crazy. They are fully aware of what they’re doing and the potential consequences. They make their decisions rationally, and exercise free choice. They don’t suffer from delusions or hallucinations, and they are not afflicted with the anxiety or anguish that the mentally ill usually suffer.

Is There a Difference Between Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder are similar but not identical. Antisocial personality disorder manifests as a constellation of antisocial and criminal behaviours that may arise in response to environmental stressors. Psychopathy, by contrast, refers to a cluster of innate deviant personality traits and behaviours that do not necessarily include criminal activity. Also, a psychopath may be raised in a loving, stable environment and still manifest these characteristics.

Psychopaths, while often dabbling on the border of criminality, may never actually commit crimes for which they could be arrested, and many people who commit crimes are not psychopaths (although the majority of extremely violent criminals are).

What’s the Difference Between a Psychopath and a Sociopath?

You’ll receive a different answer to this question depending on which expert you ask, and some experts assert that there is really no meaningful difference between the two terms. Both describe the same set of traits and behaviours, though they suggest different origins.

Those who favour the term sociopath tend to look for environmental or sociological causes to explain the phenomenon. The term psychopath, by contrast, is more often used by experts with an interest in the physiological (brain-based) and psychological differences that give rise to the disorder. Overall, psychopathy can be thought of as an innate, biologically-based personality disorder, whereas sociopathy is considered by many to be a product of environmental influences.

What Are the Traits of a Psychopath?

Superficial, Glib, Shallow Emotions

Psychopaths tend to be articulate, amusing and witty. Although they may tell stories that should be unbelievable, they have a knack for doing so in a way that causes intelligent people to believe them. However, some may peg them as overly slick or insincere, alerted by the psychopath’s use of excessive flattery to manipulate people.

The shallow emotions of the psychopath are evident in the fact that many claim to love the people they have abused or even murdered. Most abandon their spouses and children, or mistreat them if they stick around. Those that do stay part of a family unit tend to view their families as possessions, existing to create a favourable impression of the psychopath to the world, and to serve his or her needs.

The emotional capacity of the psychopath is extremely primitive, comprising “proto-emotions,” or reactions to immediate needs rather than the depth of feeling that others experience. When trying to manipulate others into feeling sympathy for them or guilt for questioning their motives, psychopaths can be quite dramatic and forceful, but this is a smoke-and-mirrors display, designed to obscure the lack of emotional depth the psychopath possesses.

Grandiose, Egocentric

Arrogant and shameless, psychopaths tend to brag. They are very self-assured, cocky and often domineering. They push their opinions onto others and can’t understand why anyone would disagree with them. Most have big plans for making money but these plans tend to be unrealistic and vague. Often they do not match the qualifications and experience the psychopath possesses. However, psychopaths are adept at encouraging others to give them money to support these plans.

The psychopath never feels that there is anything wrong with him or with his behaviour. It is everyone else who is in the wrong. He likes himself, and would not enter therapy voluntarily for any reason other than to impress a parole board or keep a human meal ticket from leaving.

Lack of Empathy, Remorse or Guilt

Psychopaths are incapable of feeling guilt or remorse for anything they’ve done because they can’t empathize with others. They tend to view guilt as a liability or weakness in other people, and feel that they are superior because they don’t experience it and can therefore be as ruthless as they like.

Interviewed after committing horrible crimes, many psychopaths insist that their victims deserved it or even that they did their victims a favour. They rationalize, justify or deny any wrongdoing, while perceiving themselves as victims of an unfair society.

Exaggerated Need for Excitement

Psychopaths often break laws and take serious risks because they have a greater need for excitement than most people. Driven by intense feelings of boredom and a craving for ever-increasing thrills, such risks may include abusing substances, driving dangerously, playing extreme sports and engaging in violent activities. Of course the majority of substance abusers and extreme athletes are not psychopaths, but the psychopathic personality is drawn to such activities.

The psychopath is a social predator. He is ruthless, manipulative and often charming. Once referred to as “moral imbeciles,” psychopaths exhibit a marked lack of conscience. They are callous, remorseless and spectacularly self-centered, willing to use and abuse others to achieve their ends, and they are inclined to blame others, including their victims, for their problems and bad behaviour.

Manipulative and Deceitful

Psychopaths lie easily and because they don’t feel anxious when doing so, many can pass lie detector tests. They manipulate those around them to get money, free places to stay, sexual favours and sympathy. Those who are jailed for crimes continue the pattern of manipulation and deceitfulness. Psychopaths often claim to have suffered from amnesia, temporary insanity, multiple personality disorder or blackouts to justify their crimes.

In addition to lying outright, psychopaths are inclined to evade, providing responses that do not answer the questions put to them. This is done as a smokescreen, an attempt to trick people into thinking they’ve received an answer. Most psychopaths are very proud of their ability to lie convincingly, and in addition to lying to evade consequences, they lie to get sympathy. When caught in a lie, they simply move on, leaving shattered lives in their wake. Or they promise to change, and in some cases do change for long enough to worm their way back into the lives of their targets, after which they inevitably revert to their old ways.

While psychopaths tend to engage in fewer criminal activities once they pass the age of 40, most continue to manipulate and deceive those around them. A common deception is obtaining phony credentials to pose as doctors, psychiatrists, real estate agents, lawyers or teachers. One psychopath posed as a doctor and performed surgeries, severely botching operations and leaving his patients emotionally and physically damaged. He disappeared when his credentials were questioned, and was found later in England posing as a psychiatrist.

Impulsive, Lacking Self-Restraint

Inability to delay gratification combined with a lack of fear and other constraints on behaviour leads to impulsivity. This, along with a lack of empathy, causes psychopaths to be selfish and irresponsible. They are like infants in adult bodies, demanding that others gratify their immediate needs while not understanding that they should offer anything in return. They take what they want when they want it through manipulation, threats or force.

Because they lack inhibition, psychopaths tend to be short-tempered, becoming emotionally abusive or even violent in response to minor frustrations, criticism and failure. Quick to take offense, they are inclined to blow up at people, but because their emotions are shallow, such outbursts are usually short-lived. Afterward, the psychopath will behave as though nothing has happened, leaving the victims of his tirade feeling hurt and bewildered.

Because they are impulsive and irresponsible, many psychopaths jump from job to job and relationship to relationship. They break their promises, fail to fulfill their financial obligations, leave their families behind without a backward glance and pursue their own interests at everyone else’s expense. The rules of society are considered inconvenient and unreasonable. A chilling example of this cold-hearted irresponsibility was the case of Diane Downs, who murdered her own children, whom she claimed to love, so that she could pursue a relationship with a man who didn’t want kids.

Risk Taking

Psychopaths take extreme physical and psychological risks due to their exaggerated need for excitement. These can range from driving too fast to substance abuse to crime. Of course there are many naturally brave or sensation seeking individuals who are not psychopaths. However, these can be distinguished by their ability to feel guilt, remorse, empathy and shame. A surplus of physical courage is only a marker of a personality disorder when there are many adverse symptoms present.

Bragging

Because psychopaths think very highly of themselves, most are prone to bragging. Many psychopaths talk obsessively in an attempt to convey their toughness and importance to others. Of course there are people who like themselves who are not psychopaths, and many others who brag because they actually have low self-esteem and are attempting to bolster themselves. However, bragging in conjunction with extreme risk taking, irresponsibility, lying, manipulation, impulsiveness and a lack of self-restraint indicate that there is something seriously wrong.

Childhood Behaviour Problems

Even if he comes from a good, nurturing family, the psychopathic child will usually steal, cut school, have sex, take drugs, start fires, vandalize and be cruel to animals and other children by the time he is just 12 years old. The psychopathic child is indifferent to the feelings of other people and animals. He lies continuously and appears unfazed when caught in a lie. Threats of punishment (and even actual punishment) don’t usually deter him from doing what he wants.

However, it’s not a good idea to assume that a child with behavioural problems is a psychopath. Some children have conduct disorder, which is characterized by many of the same behaviours, but does not include the egocentricity, inability to experience guilt and remorse, and the complete lack of empathy that characterizes the psychopath.

Ten Psychopathic Subtypes

There is not a single, simple formula for identifying psychopaths, though there are certainly ways to spot high-risk individuals. Theodore Millon, a personality theorist, has identified ten psychopathy subtypes: abrasive, covetous, disingenuous, explosive, malevolent, malignant, risk-taking, spineless, tyrannical and unprincipled. Each of these types will manifest a different set of traits. However, what they all have in common is the inability to feel guilt or empathy.

A Note of Caution

When reading about psychopathy, it’s tempting to diagnose difficult friends, family members, acquaintances and coworkers with the disorder, but only a trained professional can make an accurate diagnosis. Many people have one or two psychopathic traits without being psychopathic, and those under extreme stress, suffering from mental illness or abusing substances may manifest many of the symptoms without being psychopathic by nature.

 How Do Psychopathic Criminals Differ from Other Criminals?

While most people think of cold-blooded serial killers when they contemplate the psychopathic personality, not all psychopaths are motivated by bloodlust. Most psychopaths are uncaring users, clever scam artists, ruthless manipulators, or petty criminals. They live off the labour of others and play cruel games to satisfy a variety of desires for objects and power. You are far more likely to lose your money or have a disastrous relationship with a psychopath than to lose your life to one. Only 20-25% of those in prison are psychopaths.

Causes of Criminal Behaviour

There are many reasons why people become criminals, and psychopathic personality disorder is just one of them. Many non-psychopaths turn to crime because:

  • They have been raised in social environments where crime is the way in which most people make their living
  • They were severely abused or deprived in childhood
  • They have drug habits that make them desperate
  • They have responded rashly to traumatic events
  • They live in extreme poverty and have no skills with which to obtain gainful employment

Psychopaths, by contrast, usually commit crimes because they like to dominate or hurt people, they enjoy the thrill of getting away with things, and they prefer to live off the labour of others. Unlike regular criminals who almost invariably have suffered abuse or deprivation in childhood, psychopathic criminals are just as likely to have come from loving, supportive homes as abusive ones.

Guilt, Empathy, and Remorse

The primary difference between psychopaths and other criminals is that the psychopath is incapable of experiencing guilt, empathy, or remorse (though psychopaths may fake these feelings to look good to their parole boards). As a result, psychopaths commit far more acts of violence than other criminals.

Non-psychopathic criminals, when they commit violent acts, often do it in times of extreme emotional stress, whereas psychopaths usually do it as revenge, while drinking, or during the commission of other crimes. In contrast to regular criminals who do terrible things in the heat of the moment, psychopaths commit violent crimes in a callous and businesslike manner, and these actions are unaccompanied by psychological distress. They are also more inclined than other criminals to target strangers.

Because they feel no guilt about their crimes and have difficulty controlling their impulses, psychopaths have higher recidivism rates than regular criminals. Although psychopaths make up only 4% of the total population, they represent about 50% of serial rapists, as well as a significant proportion of persistent wife batterers. Overall, psychopaths are twice as likely to reoffend as other criminals, and three times as likely to commit violent acts again after being convicted. As such, they are bad parole risks.

Fear, Anxiety, and Low Self-Esteem

Many psychopaths claim that they turned to crime because of traumatic childhoods. However, these claims are often unsubstantiated, and even when proved true, it is notable that just as many psychopaths come from loving, supportive homes as abusive ones. Early experiences can worsen the expression of the disorder, but they don’t cause it.

Psychopaths differ from non-psychopathic criminals in both psychological distress and self-perception. Those who have become cold and violent due to severe childhood deprivation or abuse tend to suffer from intense emotional distress and low self-esteem. By contrast, psychopaths are free from anxiety, and think very highly of themselves.

A Code of Ethics

There is a code of ethics that the majority of prisoners adhere to. While it may not match the moral codes of non-criminal society, there is some overlap. For example, many prisoners will take revenge on those who have harmed children, whereas a true psychopath is unlikely to care either way, though he might participate in retaliatory actions due to an enjoyment of violence. Also, unlike psychopathic criminals, regular criminals usually have strong feelings of loyalty to their friends and families, and are capable of keeping their promises to them.

Another major difference between psychopaths and regular criminals is that most prisoners will not “snitch” on one another to obtain special privileges or escape punishment at someone else’s expense. Law enforcement authorities can make use of psychopaths because they lack the normal human loyalties that keep other prisoners silent. They are quick to betray their “friends” in order to secure better conditions for themselves.

More Extreme Criminal Activity

Psychopaths tend to commit a broader variety of crimes than most criminals, and their crimes tend to be more extreme and violent on average. Unlike regular criminals, psychopaths don’t necessarily have a specialty. They commit crimes either to fulfill various desires or for the thrill, whereas regular criminals tend to make a living out of a particular type of crime such as theft, forgery, or racketeering. Psychopaths are also more inclined to engage in shady behaviours that don’t quite put them into the running for a criminal conviction.

Age of Criminal Onset

Psychopaths, if they are going to become criminals, tend to get an early start regardless of family background. While regular criminals usually first appear in court at around the age of 24 (unless they have been raised in abusive or disadvantaged homes, in which case the average age is 15), psychopathic criminals begin making their rounds through the court system around the age of 14, regardless of family background. In contrast to regular criminals, a loving, supportive family does not usually decrease the likelihood of engaging in criminal activity, though it may decrease the likelihood that crimes will be violent.

For more psychopathy articles, see the main Psychopathy page. For a full list of psychology articles, see the main Psychology page.

References:

  • Barber, N. (2004). Kindness in a Cruel World: The Evolution of Altruism. Prometheus Books.
  • Hare, R.D. (1999). Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. The Guilford Press.
  • Lilienfeld, S.O., & Arkowitz, H. (28 November 2007). “What ‘Psychopath’ Means.” Scientific American online.
  • Millon, T., & Davis, R. (2002). Psychopathy: Antisocial, Criminal, and Violent Behaviour. The Guilford Press.
  • Stout, M., PhD. (2005). The Sociopath Next Door. Crown Archetype.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

© Copyright 2021 - Metaphorical Platypus
Infinity Theme by DesignCoral / WordPress