Hello, and thank you for visiting our website. My name’s Mike Gingras, and I’m the practice manager here at Berwick Animal Clinic. For a little more information about myself and the rest of our team, please take a minute to look in the “Our Staff” section of the website. Our team has diverse backgrounds, but we are united in ensuring that you and your furry friends are treated with professionalism and compassion.

This section of our website will be where we’ll periodically post a blog. It will be written either by one of our Veterinarians, or one of our staff. The topics will vary from serious to silly, but (hopefully!) will contain an idea that interests you.

I wanted to start off with an odd (to me) habit that some of my cats have – when I come home from work, a few of them will headbutt me – some gently, some not so gentle! This isn’t something that’s typically talked about in “animal school”, so I did a little research and asking around – it helps that I work in a Vet Clinic!

The theory behind the headbutt – because the cats won’t confirm it – is that, by rubbing their face on me, my cats are “marking” me as theirs. When rubbing, the pheromones that are secreted from the glands in their facial area are used to mark me with their scent. Both domestic and wild cats will do this with others in their pack, as a sign of greeting and affection. So I’m someone special to them, just as you are when your cat headbutts you!