Cody and I are appalled that we missed World Veterinary Day (which we didn't find out until now, falls on the LAST SATURDAY IN APRIL). While we are grateful for ALL that Veterinarians and their staffs do, this year probably more than ANY YEAR we are extremely grateful for all that our Veterinary practice (DePorre Veterinary Hospital) is doing to help keep our pets safe and healthy while we remain on Corona Virus lockdown. From "virtual text chats", through the Anipanion app("telemedicine"),to curbside appointments, to still handling phone calls and questions with caring, professionalism and love. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL they are doing to keep our pets healthy while utilizing SAFE actions to do so.
FROM AVMA.ORG:The theme of World Veterinary Day 2020, which falls on April 25, is “Environmental protection for improving animal and human health.” The WVA created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, taking place on the last Saturday of April. Starting last year, the WVA has partnered with Health for Animals, the global animal medicines association, on the World Veterinary Day Award, which honors one WVA member’s activities related to the theme. Details about World Veterinary Day and the World Veterinary Day Award are available at the World Veterinary Association website.
This is a sponsored post written by Dr.Ryan Honaker, Director of Microbiology at NomNomNow
In our world, there are life forms so small that we can’t see them with our naked eyes. We need a microscope to see them. These miniscule beings are called microorganisms and include things like bacteria, viruses and fungi. They live everywhere -- from lakes to soil to animals -- in massive communities made up of billions or trillions of individuals.
Though some microbes are best known for their ability to make us sick -- for example, bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia can cause human pneumonia -- most of them are important for survival. The collection of such beneficial microorganisms within a specific habitat, whether that be your pet’s skin or the soil in your garden, is known as the “microbiota.”
Each member of the microbiota has its own instruction manual for making and maintaining life, called genes. Just as in us humans, this manual is comprised of genes that provide the code to dictate how microbes survive. Within the microbiota teeming in a specific environment, these genes are called the microbiome. The assemblage of genes in a microbiome is vast. In our gut, for instance, it outnumbers the number of human genes [1].
Scientists “read” these microbial genes like a book with sequencing techniques to identify the community in a given habitat. This helps us puzzle together what various types of microbes contribute to their environment, such as their roles in keeping us and our pets healthy.
Microbiomes have a wide impact on health
Microbes living in and on our pets can affect health in a variety of ways. In the gut, for example, bacteria assist with digestion [3]. Skin microbes may be important for preventing allergies [4]. Others, however, can make your pet sick or, in the case of bacteria living in their mouths, may affect the development of periodontal disease [5,6].
Although microbes with these extreme effects exist, most microbes are somewhere in between: some of them are slightly beneficial, some of them have no effect at all, and others are partially detrimental but not bad enough to make your pet sick.
This gets even more complicated when we think about how microbes affect each other and how their interactions may change the outcome with respect to health. For example, microbe X may help with food digestion only if microbe Y is absent. If microbe Y colonizes the gut, however, microbe X produces a toxin to kill microbe Y. The toxin may inadvertently cause inflammation of your pet’s intestinal walls -- an unpleasant side-effect of a microbial fight.
The gut microbiome’s relationship to overall health
Animal guts in particular are one place brimming with microorganisms. All animals -- including us, wild animals, domesticated livestock and our pets -- support an incredible number of intestinal microbes. In fact, current estimates suggest that the number of microbial cells in your gut is approximately equal to the number of human cells in your body [2].
Without these digestive tract-inhabiting microbes, our pets would be unable to digest all of their food. Researchers have also uncovered links to the gut microbiome that extend far beyond the gut. Your pet’s ability to fight infections, for instance, likely depends on a healthy microbiota facilitating how their immune system develops. Studies suggest that gut microbes may also send signals to the brain.
Conditions that affect gut health
The types of microbes living in your pet’s microbiota are carefully balanced. Imbalances, called “dysbiosis,” may play a role in the development of several conditions, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)[7–10]), allergies [4,11], obesity [12], periodontal disease [5], and diabetes [13].
Myriad factors can cause these disruptions, including antibiotics, dietary changes, and stress [14–16]. Antibiotics, for example, have been essential for treating bacterial infections. But they also wreak havoc on the microbiota because they impact innocent microbial bystanders in addition to the one causing disease. Thus antibiotics can alter the abundance or presence of particular bacteria in the gut, thereby disrupting the normal function of the gut microbiota.
Other influences work similarly by upsetting the normal balance of microbiota. As more studies are conducted to identify the causes and consequences of disrupting the microbiota, scientists will be able to identify robust associations between changes in the microbiota and disease, and eventually identify effective treatments.
Changing the microbiota is often unavoidable. In order to prevent loss of beneficial gut microbes, scientists need to do all we can to improve our ability to return pets’ guts to a healthy, pre-disruption state.
Microbiome relationship to nutrition
Diet is a major driver of microbiome composition. Microbes in the gut help with digestion [3], which means that they eat what the animal they live in eats. Thus, diet and nutrition have a strong impact on the gut microbiota [17,18]. Can your pet eat specific foods or nutrients in order to maximize the number of beneficial microbes living in their guts? Can specific foods reduce the numbers of detrimental microbes or steer microbial interactions to have outcomes that are favorable for your pet’s health?
We cannot completely answer these questions until we conduct more research. But we do know that certain components of diet affect particular members of the gut microbiota in pets. For example, the amount of protein and carbohydrates that pets eat can steer the gut microbiota towards having more bacteria of the Firmicutes type [19]. Too much protein might negatively alter the gut microbiota and impact pet health [20]. Experiments with potato fiber in pet diets have also shown that this fiber source increased abundances of “good” gut bacteria [21,22].
Examining gut bacteria by “reading” their DNA sequences has now become much more affordable, paving the way for more studies to test particular dietary components for their effects on gut microbiota and overall health. Pet parents can now have their pets’ gut microbiome characterized in order to improve overall health.
Qin J, Li R, Raes J, Arumugam M, Burgdorf KS, Manichanh C, et al. A human gut microbial gene catalogue established by metagenomic sequencing. Nature. 2010;464: 59–65. doi:10.1038/nature08821
Sender R, Fuchs S, Milo R. Are We Really Vastly Outnumbered? Revisiting the Ratio of Bacterial to Host Cells in Humans. Cell. 2016;164: 337–340. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2016.01.013
Flint HJ, Scott KP, Duncan SH, Louis P, Forano E. Microbial degradation of complex carbohydrates in the gut. Gut Microbes. 2012;3: 289–306. doi:10.4161/gmic.19897
Rodrigues Hoffmann A, Patterson AP, Diesel A, Lawhon SD, Ly HJ, Elkins Stephenson C, et al. The skin microbiome in healthy and allergic dogs. PLoS One. 2014;9: e83197. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0083197
Davis EM. Gene Sequence Analyses of the Healthy Oral Microbiome in Humans and Companion Animals. J Vet Dent. 2016;33: 97–107. doi:10.1177/0898756416657239
Adler CJ, Malik R, Browne GV, Norris JM. Diet may influence the oral microbiome composition in cats. Microbiome. 2016;4: 23. doi:10.1186/s40168-016-0169-y
Suchodolski JS, Dowd SE, Wilke V, Steiner JM, Jergens AE. 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing reveals bacterial dysbiosis in the duodenum of dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. PLoS One. 2012;7: e39333. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0039333
Kalenyak K, Isaiah A, Heilmann RM, Suchodolski JS, Burgener IA. Comparison of the intestinal mucosal microbiota in dogs diagnosed with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease and dogs with food-responsive diarrhea before and after treatment. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2018;94. doi:10.1093/femsec/fix173
Vázquez-Baeza Y, Hyde ER, Suchodolski JS, Knight R. Dog and human inflammatory bowel disease rely on overlapping yet distinct dysbiosis networks. Nat Microbiol. 2016;1: 16177. doi:10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.177
Minamoto Y, Otoni CC, Steelman SM, Büyükleblebici O, Steiner JM, Jergens AE, et al. Alteration of the fecal microbiota and serum metabolite profiles in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. Gut Microbes. 2015;6: 33–47. doi:10.1080/19490976.2014.997612
Craig JM. Atopic dermatitis and the intestinal microbiota in humans and dogs. Vet Med Sci. 2016;2: 95–105. doi:10.1002/vms3.24
Handl S, German AJ, Holden SL, Dowd SE, Steiner JM, Heilmann RM, et al. Faecal microbiota in lean and obese dogs. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2013;84: 332–343. doi:10.1111/1574-6941.12067
Bell ET, Suchodolski JS, Isaiah A, Fleeman LM, Cook AK, Steiner JM, et al. Faecal microbiota of cats with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus. PLoS One. 2014;9: e108729. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0108729
Myers SP. The causes of intestinal dysbiosis: a review. Altern Med Rev. 2004;9: 180–197. Available: http://anaturalhealingcenter.com/documents/Thorne/articles/intestinal_dysbiosis9-2.pdf
Estaki M, Quin C, Gibson DL. Diet and dysbiosis. In: Nibali L, Henderson B, editors. The Human Microbiota and Chronic Disease. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2016. pp. 443–465. doi:10.1002/9781118982907.ch29
Curtis M. An introduction to microbial dysbiosis. In: Nibali L, Henderson B, editors. The Human Microbiota and Chronic Disease. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2016. pp. 37–54. doi:10.1002/9781118982907.ch2
Turnbaugh PJ, Ridaura VK, Faith JJ, Rey FE, Knight R, Gordon JI. The effect of diet on the human gut microbiome: a metagenomic analysis in humanized gnotobiotic mice. Sci Transl Med. 2009;1: 6ra14. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3000322
Winglee K, Fodor AA. Intrinsic association between diet and the gut microbiome: current evidence. Nutr Diet Suppl. 2015;7: 69–76. doi:10.2147/NDS.S62362
Li Q, Lauber CL, Czarnecki-Maulden G, Pan Y, Hannah SS. Effects of the Dietary Protein and Carbohydrate Ratio on Gut Microbiomes in Dogs of Different Body Conditions. MBio. 2017;8. doi:10.1128/mBio.01703-16
Pinna C, Vecchiato CG, Zaghini G, Grandi M, Nannoni E, Stefanelli C, et al. In vitro influence of dietary protein and fructooligosaccharides on metabolism of canine fecal microbiota. BMC Vet Res. 2016;12: 53. doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0672-1
Panasevich MR, Kerr KR, Dilger RN, Fahey GC Jr, Guérin-Deremaux L, Lynch GL, et al. Modulation of the faecal microbiome of healthy adult dogs by inclusion of potato fibre in the diet. Br J Nutr. 2015;113: 125–133. doi:10.1017/S0007114514003274
Panasevich MR, Rossoni Serao MC, de Godoy MRC, Swanson KS, Guérin-Deremaux L, Lynch GL, et al. Potato fiber as a dietary fiber source in dog foods. J Anim Sci. 2013;91: 5344–5352. doi:10.2527/jas.2013-6842
Back on April 15th, 2019 we blogged about the new INSIGHTS Microbiome testing kit from NomNomNow. I promised that when we had the results we would feature them. We received the results a week or so ago and here you go! I will say they are beyond detailed, so much so that my feeble mind doesn't understand them. Maybe some of you who are much brighter than me can help me to decipher them? To see Cody's complete results click here.NomNomNow has sponsored this post with product and monetary compensation, but all opinions are my own, read important disclaimers throughout this blog post.
Insights
Microbiome report
Cody
12 years old
11 lbs
The gut microbiome is the genetic material of microbes in your cat’s intestinal tract, and it contains an incredible variety of bacteria. The specific types and amounts that colonize your cat’s gut are affected by many factors, like diet, genetics, and environment. This means every pet has a unique gut microbiome!
Cody's
Composition
15
out of
17
scores are within the average range
Cody's
Diversity
0
out of
3
scores are within the average range
Summary
Diversity and composition
Various factors impact the composition of the microbiome; however, diet is a major component and the most easily controlled1, 2.
A higher diversity of gut microbes has been associated with better health in humans 3. Increasing diversity in a cat’s gut microbiome may be accomplished by feeding your cat a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrate4.
Fiber that acts as a prebiotic (fructo-oligosaccharide) helps increase overall bacterial counts and species of Lactobacillus and Bacteroides while reducing levels of E. coli5.
Be sure to include fiber in your cat’s diet, as current studies indicate it is beneficial6. Small amounts of vegetables like those found in NomNomNow will provide this food for intestinal bacteria.
In studies of human populations, a diet that varies by seasonal availability of foods has been associated with increased diversity of gut microbes7–9, so periodically rotating diets may help increase diversity.
Exercise may also help increase diversity in gut microbes10.
Gut Issues
Gut problems, particularly diarrhea, may be improved by providing a prebiotic, probiotic, or synbiotic (a mix of probiotics and prebiotics) to promote growth of beneficial bacteria5,11,12.
The bacteria listed below are regularly found in feline microbiomes, so we’ve provided some information to help you learn a bit about them. The bacteria are listed by their biological organization, known as their taxonomic grouping (e.g. phylum, family, or, the most specific, genus.) You can find a description of these groupings here.
Understanding of the functions of these groups as well as how to group them is a cutting-edge research field and is rapidly evolving, so we discuss the bacteria to the best-described level of organization available.
Where are these bacteria found? The digestive tract is composed of a variety of distinct regions from the stomach to the colon, each of which contains signature communities of bacteria that perform various tasks. The majority of bacteria in the digestive tract reside in the colon. These bacteria are more heavily represented in feces, although bacteria from other locations are also observed.
There is much more to Cody's report but I couldn't fit it all on the blog. If you want to read it and wish to help me decipher it CLICK HERE )
FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY AND DAKOTA'S DEN: The info in this blog post was sent to me as a press release. The information is timely and important. I agreed to share it with all of you and I am also adding some thoughts and comments of my own. I was not compensated for sharing this information.
Steps to Help Keep Pets Healthy
as Part of a Health Plan
for the New Year
Have you made a plan for your pet's health for 2019? While many people set goals to get healthy in the new year, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Pet Food Institute (PFI) encourage pet owners to proactively review their pet’s health in 2019, as well.
“Just as you should consult your physician before embarking on a new fitness or nutrition regimen, you should consult with your pet’s veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet or starting them on a new exercise program,” said Dr. John de Jong, president of AVMA.
(FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY and DAKOTA'S DEN: consulting with my Vet before changing Cody and Dakota's food in 2018 is something that I didn't do and I learned the hard way. Both of my "boys", (Primarily Dakota), reacted badly to the new food and were promptly pulled off of it. I learned the hard way and before I make any changes to their diet in 2019 I will consult with my Vet first!)
Published studies suggest that up to 59 percent of dogs and cats may be overweight, though there isn’t a single cause or cure. While overfeeding is a common cause of pets gaining weight, other factors such as endocrine disorders may affect your pet’s metabolism, including hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Syndrome).
Your veterinarian can assess your pet’s ideal weight, caloric needs, and any contributing health issues. If your pet does need to lose weight, work with your veterinarian to develop a safe weight reduction plan.
“As we make a commitment to ourselves in the new year, it’s important to also consider ways we can support our four-legged family members,” said Dana Brooks, president and CEO of PFI. “Just a few simple steps can help support a pet’s well-being in 2019, such as keeping them at a healthy weight and providing a complete and balanced diet.”
Specific steps for unique challenges include:
For the treat hound: Treats should be kept to no more than 10 percent of your pet’s daily calories. If your pup is in the habit of getting multiple treats throughout the day, review the amount of food provided at mealtimes with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is receiving the appropriate share of treats. Once the day’s ration of treats is gone, it’s gone.
For the guzzlers: Eating too quickly can cause problems other than obesity. Slow feeder bowls and meal dispensing dog toys or puzzles require dogs to eat more slowly, engage mental effort and increase activity, which in turn burns calories.
What’s yours is mine: In a multi-cat household, it may be necessary to have separate food areas for cats. You may put one cat’s food at a higher level out of reach from a heavier cat that may have difficulty reaching food that is accessible to the cat of appropriate weight. Baby gates, cat doors and cardboard boxes with appropriately sized entrances to admit some and block other cats can also be utilized. Discuss the use of automatic feeders, including those that are microchip or RFID tag scanning, with your veterinarian to ensure that the correct cat has access to the correct food. (FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY and DAKOTA'S DEN-in a "bi-petual" household such as ours it is even more important to have a baby gate to prevent your dog and cat from eating food they should not be eating. Many people aren't aware but dogs that eat cat food and cats that eat dog food can become EXTREMELY ill.)
Balance is key: Ensure your pet is receiving complete and balanced nutrition. Pets need a range of essential nutrients to provide energy, support body functions, such as vision and immunity, and promote healthy growth and bone structure for every life stage. When selecting food for your cat or dog, look for a pet food labeled as “complete and balanced” and for your pet’s life stage.
Exercise and playtime: Pay attention to what activities, environments, or playmates (human or otherwise) engage your pets. Some pets are happy to go on long walks with their owner, while others that thrive in social settings may burn more calories engaging with a group.
To exercise a cat, engage them with a feather, toys, or laser pointer, and try to get them running after a toy as they swat at it.
“Just like humans, overweight dogs and cats are more likely to get diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, skin conditions, liver disease and joint problems,” says Dr. de Jong. “Starting a diet and exercise regimen for both you and your pet in 2019 will result in improved health and perhaps a longer life for both of you.”
The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. With more than 93,000-member veterinarians worldwide, members are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and are dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine. Visitavma.org to learn more.
ABOUT PET FOOD INSTITUTE
Since 1958, the Pet Food Institute has been the voice of the U.S. pet food and treat makers. PFI is the industry’s representative before Congress and state legislatures, as well as state and federal agencies; public education and media relations resource; organizer of seminars and educational programs; and liaison with other organizations. PFI represents the companies that make 98 percent of U.S. dog and cat food and treat products, an industry with more than $27 billion in U.S. retail sales and $1.4 billion in exports in 2017. Visit petfoodinstitute.org to learn more.
No, I am not being paid to share this, and I am hoping I am not going to be in trouble for sharing verbatim what Petco posted on their site. Petco has always been our "go to" Pet store because Cody was adopted at an adoption drive there in 2007, now we have another reason to love them!
November 13, 2018:
Since joining Petco as CEO earlier this year, I've seen first-hand
just how special the bond between people and pets can be.
Here at Petco, pets are unquestionably part of our families. If
you're reading this letter, chances are you agree. My 10-year-old lab, Yummy,
is 75 pounds of pure love and I would do just about anything to keep him
healthy, happy and by my side, tail wagging, for as long as possible.
I'm proud to lead a company that's been putting pets first for
more than 50 years. And when you love pets as much as we do, you always want to
do more. To be better.
That's why we're introducing new standards for
nutrition at Petco.
Today, we're making a commitment to not sell dog or cat food and
treats with artificial colors, flavors or preservatives – making us the first
and only major retailer of pet food to take a stand against such ingredients.
We'll start removing products that don't meet our new standards in January
2019, and complete the process by May.
We're raising the bar and stepping out ahead of the industry. Not
because it's an easy thing to do, but because we believe it's the right thing
to do.
Our goal is better health and wellness for the pets we all love.
And setting new standards for nutrition is just the beginning.
Because at the end of the day, we believe if
it's good for pets, it's good for us.
The ASPCA just released their list of the TOP PET TOXINS OF 2015, which inspired me to share portions of a post that I did on this important topic last year. Mine is based on real-life experience and it is definitely worth repeating. Also on February 29th, 2016 our friends at East Side Cats did a timely post addressing a Medication Error that is worth a look as well! March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month, and throughout this month, you will more than likely see a number of bloggers stressing the importance of knowing what items can be harmful to your pets and humans as well.
Our friends at Cat Wisdom 101 did a marvelous post last year about cleaning products that can be hazardous to your cat, there is also a wonderful infographic that recently appeared on Catster:
Today I want to share my own "real life" story about medicine that happened to me last year.
There are a few times during the year that Cody takes Prednisonol for his allergy flare-ups and I keep his meds in the kitchen cabinet. For a while, I used to keep my blood pressure medication in the same place.
The year before last, at around 11pm I had gone to give Cody his pill, after I gave it to him I had a panic attack that was overwhelming, it suddenly hit me that I didn't know if I had accidentally given him one of MY blood pressure pills instead of HIS meds. The bottles were side-by-side, I had been distracted and was quite tired, and I couldn't remember which bottle I had grabbed.
I went into full blown panic mode. I called my vet screaming into the phone after 11pm that "I had poisoned Cody!!" Being the calm angel that he is, he immediately told me to call the ASPCA Pet Poison line 1-888-426-4435 (there is a $65 fee but it is worth EVERY PENNY!) They also have a Pet Poison phone app that you can download here.
When I called, the person on the other end was calm, she had me tell her exactly what I thought I had given to Cody, the name of the meds, dosage, etc., (if you ever have to call the Poison Hotline (and I pray you don't), here is the info you will need to have on hand:
The species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved.
The animal's symptoms.
Information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure.
Have the product container/packaging available for reference.
Please note: If your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, telephone ahead and bring your pet immediately to your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. If necessary, he or she may call the APCC.
As it turned out, I had NOT given Cody the wrong pill by mistake and thankfully if I had, it would not have killed him. The woman I had spoken to on the Pet Poison Hotline had said the most it would have done was make Cody sleep more than usual, and she told me what other symptoms to watch out for.
I learned a valuable lesson. From that moment on, I moved MY meds into MY medicine cabinet where they belong, and Cody's meds are separate. I had forgotten I had the Pet Poison Hotline number on a magnet on the fridge, in my panic, my mind had gone blank. I don't know what I would have done without that hotline number that awful night, it was an experience I pray I don't have to re-live again. Please keep the number handy so you don't have to panic as I did!
This is a sponsored post, written by me on behalf of Nestle
Purina®I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the 2015 Better With Pets Summit.Cat Chat With Caren and Cody only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.
My challenge when writing this post about the Purina Better With Pets Summit 2015 is to try to convey to you just how incredible it was with about being overly verbose and without giving you photo overload! Warning! I don't think that is possible!
I had the honor of being one of a number of digital influencers(Purina's term for us, which I LOVED!), who were brought together with some of the brightest minds in pet science and culture to share how big, innovative ideas are improving the emotional wellness of pets and the people who love them. This was my second Summit, and I could never have imagined it would surpass my first, but it did! Everything Purina does is done with perfectionism and class, and they exhibit caring and concern for all of us that is unsurpassed. I have been a digital influencer for Purina since 2012, and each event I have had the privilege of attending has outshone the one that came before.
I wanted to include this photo, because I found it fitting that when I arrived at the airport in Detroit, one of the first sights I saw was this:
It was only fitting that I would be greeted by a dog or a cat on my way to an event featuring pets. It was incredibly kind of the police woman to allow me to take this photograph.
I arrived in one of my all-time favorite cities, New York, Monday, November 2nd and entered The W Hotel where the first person I saw was Dr.Jessica Vogelsang, author of All Dogs Go To Kevin, and the blog Pawcurious. After shrieking with glee because I hadn't seen her in forever, the lobby quickly became a "mini-reunion" for my fellow digital influencers, as many arrived the same time as me.
Monday evening we were gifted with time to explore NYC and to reconnect with friends, and I took advantage of that by going to a scrumptious Greek dinner with Layla Morgan Wilde of Cat Wisdom 101. The restaurant was called Avra, and while the hostesses were less than friendly, the food was AMAZING!
After dinner, since we had to be up super early to board the buses that would transport us to the Brooklyn Expo Center where the Summit was being held, after I got my Jimmy Fallon fix, it was "La-La-Land" for me!!
Even in the early morning hours, in spite of not being thoroughly caffeinated, there was electricity and excitement in the air as a bus load of communicators from all different specialties chattered away filling the bus with a jovial hum of conversation!
View from the bus window!!
We waited in line to receive our badges and I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a number of Purina employees whom I hadn't seen in some time! We had time to mill about, grab a shot (or two or three) of espresso, and take some photos with our friends, (and I took one of the photographer who was photographing US!), before the sessions began.
Ingrid King of The Conscious Cat and I with our heads cut off!! Hadn't seen her in forever and it was fantastic to connect again!
This photographer was a super good sport and allowed me to take photos of HIM!!
Then it was time for the summit to begin!
The third annual summit shined a spotlight on the emotional
wellness of pets and the people who love them. How do pets help us be well? How
do we help them in return?
There was a welcome by writer and comedian Josh Gondelman, who recently adopted an adorable senior Pug named Bizzy.
Next up was the Keynote from Dr.Arleigh Reynolds,Purina Senior Research Scientist. This was my third time listening to him speak and it was a complete honor!
Panel 1 was up next and that was "An Evolving Relationship with Cats?" which offered a close look at the dynamic, possibly evolving relationship between people and cats, and what it might suggest for a new generation of pet owners. It was moderated by Hal Herzog, Professor of Psychology at Western Carolina University. His research focuses on the psychology of human-animal interactions, including attitudes toward the use of animals and the impact of pets on human health. Other panelists included Sandra Lyn, a behaviorist at Purina, where she leads the Nestle' Purina Global R&D Feeding Behavior research program, Christina Ha, co-founder, Meow Parlour, NYC's first cat cafe'. Meow Parlour's goal is to create a calm environment for connecting adoptable cats with cat-loving humans. Last but not least, Mikel Maria Delgado, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and co-owner of Feline Minds, offering consulting, training and support related to cat behavior for cat owners, animal shelters, rescue groups and other organizations.
1 out of 3 Americans have cats, there are more cats than dogs in American homes.
Soon millenials will be the largest percentage of cat owners, used to be the "Boomers" but the Millenials will be taking over!
Common stereotype is cat people are more introverted, but social media is changing that due to cat cafes etc. Cat people are becoming much more social!
Older people are more secure and less anxious about whether or not their pets love them, younger people tend to question whether they are loved by their pets much more.
Interaction with cats are better if the CAT initiates the interaction (this was one of my faves)
Cats give back in proportion to what you give them
No two cats are the same
People who love both cats and dogs are more open to new experiences and more out-going
More work needs to be done to educate people about cats.
Panel 2: Stress, Our Pets and Us was the next panel. This panel featured a discussion of the sources and effects of stress on pets, and how to manage stressors to enhance your pet's well-being. The panel was led by moderator Marty Becker, D.V.M, Chief Veterinary Correspondent, American Humane Society, and it featured Ragen McGowan, Senior Scientist, Nestle' Purina, her research incorporates a holistic approach including behavior and physiology to assess emotions in pets. She aims to understand what is positive for pets and quantify the human-animal bond from the pet's perspective. Also included was: Heather Lewis, Principal, Animal Arts an Architectural firm that has exclusively designed veterinary hospitals and animal care facilities since 1979.
Last but not least was Tony Buffington, D.V.M., Professor Ohio State University. His clinical interests include stress effects on disease, obesity, evidence-based medicine and effective medical communications. My "take-aways" from this panel:
Environmental enrichment is main cure for bladder infections in cats.
Stressors in cats can be anything from changes in temp, change in perfume etc!
Did you know that dogs and cats prefer PASTEL colors?
Cats who are kept in cages at the Vet and in Shelters should be HIGH UP.....(horizontal bar vision)...they experience less stress if they are high up.
Good stress for cats and dogs can be found by playing and utilizing treat puzzles.
Cats and dogs prefer WORKING for their food, also known as "contrafreeloading"(the jury is still out with Cody in reference to this one, I don't think so!!)
Whenever cats and dogs live in a mixed environment it is important to have a SAFE HAVEN FOR THE CATS (I did that from day one with Cody, hence baby gates!) The most important enrichment device at home for our pets is to have food puzzles, primarily for cats, but dogs benefit too! Always think about things from the animal's perspective Boredom can be just as bad for a pet's health as stress
The third panel was Raising Pets and Kids, and since I didn't have kids, I really didn't focus on my note-taking during this panel.
New to the Better With Pets Summit this
year were five educational zones which featured interactive exhibits for
attendees to engage, as well as see Purina’s vast expertise in the pet wellness
space and connect with Purina experts. The exhibits featured educational
touchscreen displays, a dedicated room showcasing healthy environments for
cats,
a play lab for agility dogs with wearable technology that monitored their
activity as they played, and an area where attendees can see how nutrition
impacts cognition and emotional wellness in pets.
Due to the length of this post, please join us THIS WEDNESDAY where we will be featuring Part II of this series which will showcase the CATS that were at the Better With Pets Summit (and some humans too!!!), as well as a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Then, please join us on Monday, November 16 when we will feature our Purina "Call to Action" post.
About Nestlé Purina PetCare
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is a global
leader in the pet care industry. NestléPurina PetCare promotes
responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between
people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina
PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader
in nutrition, health and wellness.
