Should You Change Your Cat’s Food?

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: August 25th, 2016

Your cat seems to be ignoring his regular meal – is it a sign that you should change his food? Here’s what you need to know before making the switch.

Cats are known for being picky eaters, and switching foods too abruptly may lead to digestive upset, so pet parents sometimes find it easier to feed their kitties the same food, perhaps even for the pet’s entire life.

Even though picking a high quality pet food can be a tedious process, there are times in your cat’s life when switching his food would be advised. A feline’s nutritional needs could change over time as activity levels decrease, overall health changes, and your pet enters a new life stage.

Here are a few signs that indicate a change of food is in order. If you have any questions regarding your cat’s nutritional needs or what the best food is for your particular kitty, especially if he has a health condition, consult with your vet.

Carrying Too Much Weight

Your vet will help you determine if your cat needs to lose some weight. If that’s the case, s/he may recommend switching your kitty’s food to one that’s designed specifically for weight loss and management. This type of food will give your kitty all of the nutrients he needs to thrive, but will come with fewer calories.

Poor Quality Coat and/or Itchiness

Your cat’s fur should be soft, shiny, and clean, and his skin shouldn’t be itchy or irritated. If you notice that your kitty’s coat is becoming dull and flaky, look for a food that’s rich in fatty acids. These nutrients could keep the skin and coat healthy, so read labels to look for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the formulation.

If your cat is itchy, consult your vet to determine the cause. One culprit may be allergies, including food allergies. No matter what the cause is, you can search for a low-allergen food that will reduce the level of potential allergens that your kitty’s body will be exposed to. For example, there are sensitive skin diets available, as well as prescription diets that your vet can recommend.

Related: How Much Should I Feed My Cat?

Tummy Troubles

Have you been noticing that your cat has flatulence, loose stool, or even a rumbling tummy on a chronic basis? These symptoms could be the result of low quality food or food intolerance. Talk to your vet to rule out other causes and to be certain that a diet change is in order. Premium diets and those designed for sensitive stomachs might be what your cat needs to feel better.

A Lack of Energy

If your cat is showing signs of weakness or lethargy, a trip to the vet is necessary to determine the cause and make sure your kitty is healthy. Illness, surgery, and stress can also make your cat tired. Your vet may recommend switching to a diet that has higher levels of antioxidants, which can assist in boosting your pet’s immune system.

Your Cat Is a Senior

If your kitty is a senior, his nutrient requirements will be different than when he was younger, so your vet may recommend a food that’s formulated specifically for older cats. These foods typically have fewer calories, higher levels of fiber, and ingredients that support the health of a senior kitty, such as antioxidants and joint support supplements.

The Three Life Stages

If you have a kitten, a food designed for the kitten life stage will promote healthy growth. These foods contain higher levels of protein and calories to meet the nutritional requirements of your growing pet.

Adult cat food will be formulated to benefit fully grown kitties who no longer need all of the extra nutrition found in kitten formulas. The balance of calories and nutrients in these foods will help prevent an adult cat from becoming overweight or obese, especially if he isn’t very active. A food that’s labeled “all life stage” may end up giving your pet excessive amounts of nutrients and fat because it’s also formulated for kittens, so stick with labels that state “adult maintenance.”

A senior kitty with or without medical issues may benefit from foods designed for older cats. Talk to your vet about the best food to feed your kitty, especially if he has mobility issues or chronic conditions, such as those affecting the heart or kidneys.

Even though switching your cat’s food might be a hassle, remember that nutrition plays a big role in overall health, not only for people, but also for pets, so it will be worth the effort. Talk to your vet to be sure you’re making the best choices for your unique kitty.

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Discussing The Truth About Cat Food

Do you really know what goes into your cat’s food? We chatted with the folks at TruthAboutPetFood.com to learn more about what our cats are eating.How much do you know about your cat’s food, and the pet food industry in general? Susan Thixton, who runs TruthAboutPetFood.com, has done her research on this important topic, and she’s become active in educating the public. We asked her a few questions to get information that could help pet parents make wiser choices regarding their furry friend’s nutrition.For those who aren’t familiar with who you are and what your website, TruthAboutPetFood.com, is all about, can you give me a bit of your background and what inspired you to create your site? What can people find on your site, and how can they use it to improve the way they feed their cats?Susan: Friends encouraged me to start TruthaboutPetFood.com. I was constantly sharing information about pet food I had learned, and they either wanted me to share this information with other consumers or wanted me to have an outlet to bug other people about pet food.The website started off with just sharing information about the industry, and then consumers/readers urged me to attend pet food regulatory meetings (representing the consumer voice). As I learned more about regulations and the lack of enforcement of those regulations in pet food, the focus of the website became advocacy.Related: Should You Change Your Cat’s Food?On the website, consumers can learn about pet food ingredients, legal definitions of ingredients (which aren’t accessible to the public), tricks to understanding the label, and just about every topic possible related to pet food.What should all cat owners know when it comes to how nutrition affects their pets’ health and longevity? What information are most people unaware of, even though they should know it?Susan: We are what we eat. This long-known saying applies just as much to our pets as it does to us. What most consumers aren’t aware of is that most pet foods are feed, and most are poor quality. I can’t blame consumers for not knowing this information, as it’s intentionally kept from consumers.In human food, all regulations are public information. In pet food, all ingredient definitions and most regulations are corporately owned by AAFCO and copyright protected. The system of pet food is set up to keep consumers unaware of what they’re actually providing their pet.When cat parents search for the highest quality food possible for their kitties, what ingredients should they look for, and which ingredients should they avoid?Susan: For me, particular ingredients aren’t as important as quality of ingredients.Most pet foods aren’t food; they’re feed. Feed is different than food. As an example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the main regulatory agency over pet food) openly allows feed grade pet food to utilize inferior quality ingredients, and some ingredients actually violate law.Related: How to Transition Your Cat to New FoodUsing the example of chicken in pet food, consumers will notice many pet food labels tout the claim “Made with Real Chicken.” This doesn’t necessarily mean made with the same type of “real” chicken you’re familiar with in human food. “Real” pet food chicken is allowed, by the FDA, to be sourced from USDA inspected and passed chicken meat (same as human food), or USDA inspected and failed (condemned) chicken meat, or passed and/or condemned chicken skin and bones. With feed grade pet foods, consumers have no assurance as to what they’re actually feeding their pets.Opposite of feed grade pet foods are human grade pet foods. Human grade pet foods are made with 100% human edible ingredients, including supplements, and are manufactured according to human food safety standards (feed grade pet foods are held to much lesser manufacturing standards). So, for me, the highest quality pet food for cats or dogs is human grade. Highest plus pet food would be human grade pet food with meats sourced from certified humanely raised animals with non-GMO remaining ingredients. For me, I avoid all feed grade pet foods.One note of warning: regulatory authorities in the U.S. don’t scrutinize pet food websites for accurate/honest claims. Some manufacturers attempt to mislead consumers into believing their pet food is human grade on their website when it actually isn’t. Consumers can trust the human grade claim when it’s displayed on a pet food label.Aside from searching for the words “human grade” on a label, how else can cat owners be sure they’re purchasing a food that is, indeed, a high quality option? For example, does the price of a food necessarily correlate with quality? Susan: The only assurance consumers have is with a human grade pet food. I don’t believe all feed grade pet foods utilize risky ingredients (though I believe many do), but with a feed grade pet food, the consumer has to trust the manufacturer.With human grade pet food, regulation is exactly the same as with human food. Through regulation, consumers are assured human edible ingredients are used, and they’re assured manufacturing safety standards are met.There are a lot of food options for cats these days: dry, canned, freeze-dried, raw, and homemade. Which one(s) do you recommend most, and why? Susan: My least favorite style of pet food for cats or dogs is dry. Dry pet food can be compared to fast food; it’s highly processed. Also, most dry pet foods are high in sugar (starch). High starch level is required to maintain the kibble shape.For my cats (and dogs), I provide a combination of raw and home prepared cooked. Quality of ingredients and minimal processing is my focus.Based on everything you’ve learned through your work, what do you recommend cat parents feed their kitties to help maintain optimal health?Susan: In my opinion, the best pet food is human grade with meats sourced from certified humanely raised animals, and all remaining ingredients are non-GMO.Do you have any advice for cat parents who want to avoid pet food recalls? Are there any steps that they can take? Or is it just a matter of using a website like yours to keep abreast of news when recalls occur?Susan: Recalls happen. For me, how a company handles a recall is significant. Did they alert the public promptly? Did the pet food company explain the issue and resolve to fix the issue?Did the pet food company’s marketing previously lie to consumers (claiming to use high quality ingredients when a recall proved a much lesser quality of ingredient was used)? Mistakes happen to everyone, but if the recall discloses a lie, that’s a pet food to avoid.Consumers should be on some type of recall email list, just in case. And keep the pet food packaging to compare lot numbers to recall notices.You’ve written about a lot of recalls. In your experience/observation, what are the most common causes of recalls in the pet food market?Susan: Over the last several years, the most common pet food recall we see is for pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella. It appears that this is the most common thing that regulatory authorities are looking for/testing for.Does where a food is manufactured make a difference? What about where the ingredients are sourced from? Susan: With manufacturer, it depends on their reputation. Some manufacturers have utilized misleading marketing, trying to make consumers believe their pet food is higher quality than it truly is. This tactic is an immediate “no” for me.With country of origin of ingredients, this remains a concern for me. The 2007 pet food recall is still a vivid memory and was due to unscrupulous ingredient suppliers in China. Jerky treats from China have been linked to pet death and illness for more than 10 years. Personally, I avoid all pet foods/treats that include ingredients from China or that were manufactured in China.Are there certain questions that pet owners should be asking before choosing a cat food? Should they be getting in touch with a manufacturer to get answers, or should they stick to what’s on the label of a food? Susan: I think consumers can benefit from getting to know their pet food manufacturer. My two starter questions to a manufacturer are: Are ingredients human edible? What is the country of origin of all ingredients?Consumers can learn a lot from just these two questions. Many manufacturers will avoid a direct answer, such as “our ingredients are of the highest quality” and “we source from world suppliers.” These common responses don’t answer your questions; they’re avoiding being transparent. If a company doesn’t respond fully to simple questions, I don’t become their customer.Have you received any pushback from the pet food industry for the information shared on your website?Susan: I’d call it a bit more than pushback. I’ve received threats via text, mail, and phone from industry. Not kidding.The organization that writes pet food regulations, AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), allows advisor members to participate on various committees. AAFCO took years to permit me an advisor position on pet food related committees (when others were immediately accepted). Then, they kicked me out as advisor when I published a story about the current president of AAFCO’s affiliation with lack of enforcement of law (the story was 100% factual, based on Freedom of Information Act documents received from Missouri Department of Agriculture). Needless to say, regulatory authorities and most from industry don’t like me one bit.Is there anything else you’d like to add that we haven’t covered?Susan: I encourage pet owners to keep learning. It isn’t always easy, and it’s hard to know what information you can trust, but the more you learn, the better choices for your pet you can make. Also, don’t be discouraged if your budget doesn’t allow for all human grade pet food. If you can only afford to provide real food once or twice a week, some is better than none.A Few Tips to Help You Choose the Right Food for Your Cat After reading the interview above, you might be interested in learning more about pet food and the various options that are out there for cats of all ages. After all, stepping into any pet supply store will immediately show you the wide variety of foods you can choose from, such as dry food, wet food, freeze-dried food, and raw food. It can definitely be overwhelming and confusing simply because there are so many products and you might not be sure which ones are best for your kitty.  One thing to keep in mind is that different cats may have different needs. So, while you can certainly check out what experts recommend, and you can learn about the general guidelines for feeding cats a high quality diet, it is still important to figure out what your unique pet needs. You can do this with the help of your veterinarian, especially if your cat has been diagnosed with a medical condition that you need to control.  In addition to your cat’s needs, you should consider her preferences when deciding which food to give her. You can figure out what will work for your pet by offering her various foods and seeing which ones she prefers most. If you have more than one cat, you might even discover that one likes a certain type of food that another doesn’t eat at all, further proving that, when it comes to feeding your pets, a one-size-fits-all approach likely won’t work. And you might even find that, even though you think a particular food would be perfect for your feline companion, she doesn’t like it and won’t touch it, so you’ll need to continue searching for a food that will work.  As you consider the myriad options in the cat food market, you can search for articles and customer reviews to gather more information about them. This is a simple strategy that can help you gain insight into the pros and cons of different products. But, in addition to getting information from a host of sources that are trustworthy and reputable, you can also go directly to pet food manufacturers.  Let’s say that you’re thinking about feeding your cat a brand of food that you don’t know much about. Heading to the company’s website and finding their contact information can be the first step towards getting the answers you need, right from the source. Whether you call, email, or chat with them, don’t hesitate to ask whatever questions you might have about the quality of their pet food and its ingredients, how and where the food is manufactured, if the company has been involved in recalls, etc. And if you have any concerns, voice them so that, again, you can get the answers you seek. From there, you may find it easier to make a more informed decision about whether or not the food would be right for your companion. Remember, feeding your pet well is ultra-important. Doing some research and learning more about your cat’s nutritional needs is going to benefit both you and your furry friend. 

Why You Should Consider Feeding Your Cat Homemade Food

Have you thought about giving your cat a homemade diet? We talk to a vet/cat food nutritionist and what he says will give you some food for thought! When it comes to what you can feed your feline friend, you have quite a few choices, such as dry food, canned food, and raw food. Many pet parents even choose to feed their kitties a homemade diet that they prepare with fresh ingredients right in their own kitchen. But, for those who are too busy to cook for their pets, and those who aren’t sure how to formulate a complete and balanced list of recipes for their cats, a brand called NomNomNow, which delivers freshly prepared pet food to your door, might be able to help. To learn more about the benefits of feeding your cat a fresh, whole foods diet that doesn’t come in the form of kibble or in a can, we had a short chat with Dr. Shmalberg, the brand’s veterinary nutritionist. Check out what he had to share below. 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We recognize that the best food for each cat is influenced by a number of factors, and there certainly are a number of diets that can be fed to promote health. We, however, have formulated NomNomNow for Cats in a manner we feel promotes health, is biologically and species-appropriate, and is supported by careful food safety protocols. Related: Should You Change Your Cat’s Food? What are the biggest misconceptions that cat owners have regarding nutrition for their animals? Dr. Shmalberg: I frequently encounter two big misconceptions: The first is the idea that cats cannot process or digest carbohydrates. Even wild cats consume some carbohydrates, found in their prey, and the preferred and evolutionary diet of the cat contains a low, but not trivial amount, of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, in small amounts, are very well digested and absorbed by cats. And owners often forget or are unaware that cats, like dogs, use glucose (a sugar) for energy in their cells. The second misconception is that a cat being overweight isn’t a huge issue if it’s being fed a healthy diet. The best diet in the world won’t reverse diabetes, for example, in a severely overweight cat unless calories are controlled. Diets that pre-measure portions for owners can be very helpful in getting this under control. A majority of the cats I see in my practice are overweight, and keeping a cat lean is one of the most fundamental things you can do to keep your cat healthy and extend its lifespan. How much of an impact does nutrition, and how food is prepared, have on a cat’s health and longevity? Dr. Shmalberg: Unfortunately, lifetime nutritional studies of cats, and other pet animals, aren’t something that we’ve seen from the scientific community, mainly because they are hard to perform and very expensive. We certainly know that weight management is critically important for cats, which is why we have a proprietary algorithm, based on the weight and condition of each cat, to ensure that we keep them, or get them, lean. Lean cats are far less likely to have diabetes, which can be a significant illness in felines. Research supports that giving cats more water in food can increase activity, reduce weight gain, and help to prevent certain urinary conditions. In addition, preparation of pet food, especially how it is cooked, affects both digestibility and safety. NomNomNow has created formulas that we feel are safe, highly digestible, and complete with the critical nutrients that allow cats to thrive. What inspired you to work with NomNomNow? Dr. Shmalberg: One of the most common requests I encountered as a veterinary nutritionist was the creation of a home-prepared diet for a pet. As a result, I knew that there was a huge demand for a high quality, fresh meal service for dogs and cats. The founders of NomNomNow brought not only a vision for this to become a reality but also an ability to keep science and pet wellbeing at the center of their business decisions. This was refreshing in my role as an animal advocate, and I’ve been involved from the formulation of the very first recipes to the present. How is your food better than a pet owner cooking their own cat food at home? Is it nutritionally better or is it just more convenient? Dr. Shmalberg: Committed pet owners certainly can prepare food at home, and I have a small group of clients in my clinical practice that do this well. However, cooking at home, especially for a cat, requires diligence in following recommendations to ensure that your cat consumes all of their essential nutrients. Cooking at home also doesn’t offer the advantages that NomNomNow does. We check to make sure nutrient levels are adequate, and we use a safe food preparation environment that minimizes the chance of contaminants. The individualized portions we provide certainly help to manage calories, and there are a lot of overweight cats out there that could benefit. Most of my clients, when they find a fresh product that they’re comfortable with, find the savings in time to be extremely valuable. How do you come up with your recipes for cats? Dr. Shmalberg: We currently offer two recipes for cats: Chicken Chow-Meow and Flavorful Fish Feast. Both recipes were deliberately formulated to match the diet that most cats, as obligate carnivores, were built to eat. These diets are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and include adequate moisture within the food. This is also based on cat preferences, as shown in scientific study. In one of the videos on your website, you discuss the potential adverse effects of using organ meats like liver. But I also noted that chicken liver is part of the Chicken Chow-Meow recipe. Can you explain why? Dr. Shmalberg: The chicken liver we included in the chicken recipe is used to enhance the flavor profile of the diet and complement the vitamins and minerals in our NomNomNutrient mix. It’s correct that some organ meats, depending on the animals from which they are derived, can contain heavy concentrations of contaminants and metals. Organ meats can be problematic if they’re being used as the sole source of essential nutrients because they have a lot of naturally occurring nutrient variability. Our recipe only includes small amounts of chicken liver, on which we performed thorough testing. We also used extreme diligence in finding the right supplier. It’s this very thorough testing that allowed us to feel comfortable including it in the chicken recipe. Are you or your staff available to consult with pet parents one-on-one if they have questions or require a customized diet for their cat? Dr. Shmalberg: While I don’t consult with our customers one-on-one, I’m actively involved in making sure that each pet is getting the best diet [through NomNomNow]. As appropriate, I make recommendations to our account managers about what’s best for each pet. Sometimes, a pet needs fewer calories, or needs to switch to a different protein by trying one of our other recipes. In rare cases, a pet might not be a good candidate for NomNomNow, and a referral to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (acvn.org) may be in the customer’s best interest. We see ourselves as partners with our customers, working together to maintain excellent health for their pets, using nutrition as preventative medicine. How does a cat owner go about choosing the recipes that are best for their pet? Dr. Shmalberg: NomNomNow is an easy-to-use subscription. Our dedicated and knowledgeable customer experience team and our unique algorithm do all of the calorie calculations for our customers. Just like our dog owners, cat owners can go to NomNomNow.com, enter some details about their cat, such as weight, age, and activity level, and our system calculates the precise caloric needs of that cat. We find that most other pet foods over-calculate caloric needs, which certainly doesn’t help the huge number of overweight cats out there. Both of our recipes can be fed to cats of all life stages. When customers are choosing between our two recipes, we often advise them to select the recipe with the most similar protein to the cat’s current diet. How are the recipes prepared? Is it the same as a pet owner cooking these meals in their own kitchen, or is there more of an industrial manufacturing process involved? Dr. Shmalberg: All of our meals are handmade by the dedicated and highly skilled staff in our kitchen. We use unique preparation processes to gently cook the ingredients, individually package meals, and pack boxes to be promptly shipped to our customers all over the country, all with an extremely high level of efficiency and safety. We only prepare the exact amount of food ordered by our customers, which is why our kitchen produces zero food waste. From where do you source the ingredients that you use? Do you use organic ingredients and/or non-GMO ingredients? Dr. Shmalberg: All of our ingredients are human-grade and sourced from the same suppliers that are used by restaurants, and they aren’t subjected to long periods of storage. The NomNomNutrient mix contains vitamins and minerals that are complementary to our food, and it’s perfectly balanced with nutrients for all life stages. It includes vitamins B1, B2, B12, and D, just to name a few. Finally, with all of the scary recalls that occur so often in the pet food market, what steps are you taking to ensure your cat food isn’t contaminated or harmful in any way? Dr. Shmalberg: One of the things that really sets us apart is that we track each ingredient with the highest level of attention, from the moment it arrives in our kitchen, to the moment it leaves our facility en route to a customer’s doorstep. We have very robust internal and external laboratory testing of the foods for pathogenic bacteria, which complements our extensive food safety protocol. So there you have it: if you’re considering another convenient option for giving your kitty the highest quality nutrition possible, fresh food that’s cooked and delivered might be a good choice. If you have questions regarding what diet would be best for your particular pet, though, consult with your veterinarian first.

Mice Have Passed the Mirror Test: What It Means

The “mirror test” is used by scientists to help them determine if an animal is self-aware—if an animal looks in the mirror and recognizes themselves in it, rather than thinking that there’s another animal looking back at them, they pass the test and are considered self-aware.Several animals have passed this test, such as primates, Asian elephants, and bottlenose dolphins, among others. More recently, a study has shown that mice can also recognize themselves when they look in the mirror.The Experiment That Proved Mice Can Pass the Mirror TestTo figure out if mice can pass the mirror test, scientists put some white ink on the foreheads of black mice. Then, they let the mice look into a mirror. What they discovered was fascinating: the mice recognized themselves in the reflection and started grooming themselves once they realized that there was something on their head that shouldn’t be there.Also, if the mice didn’t realize that something was on their forehead (when black ink was used so it would match the color of their fur or when the spot of ink wasn’t large enough), they didn’t start grooming themselves. This shows that there was a reason the mice groomed their heads after looking in the mirror, and it was an attempt to clean themselves of the ink stain.In addition to looking at their behavior, the scientists also used gene expression mapping to see which neurons in the brain became activated when the animals saw themselves in the mirror.  Findings Shed Light on Self-Recognition in MiceThis research shows that mice may be self-aware, but there are some things to consider. For example, the mice who groomed themselves to remove the ink were already used to mirrors, while mice who weren’t familiar with mirrors didn’t groom themselves. Also, mice who were socially isolated didn’t groom themselves during the experiment with the mirror, unlike mice who lived with other mice that looked like them.There’s still more to discover and learn about these animals, so scientists are planning on doing more research in this area.  Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Homeless Man Rescues a Litter of Orphaned Puppies During a Storm

An anonymous homeless man has become an internet sensation after rescuing a litter of puppies and taking them to the shelter during a storm. In the wake of a recent storm, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society in North Carolina discovered that a nameless man had dropped off a litter of five puppies at the shelter’s door. The puppies, estimated to be less than two months old, were left with a touching note. “The note was from a kind soul, a homeless man who, despite his own hardships, took it upon himself to rescue these innocent lives after their mother, a local stray he cared for, tragically passed away,” share the shelter in a Facebook post. The shelter also posted pictures of the note left by the homeless man, who apologized for not being able to care for the puppies himself. “Please help,” he wrote. “I found these puppies sadly after noticing a local stray dog that I would often feed when I could, dead by the road. She had been hit by a car.” The man added that he knew she had a litter of puppies nearby and that he searched the area for them, so they wouldn’t starve and freeze to death waiting for their mom to return. “I’m sorry for leaving them like this, but I myself am homeless and cannot afford to care for them,” the man explained. “My heart shatters for them and their mother. I just want them to be given the chance their mother, like myself, was never given.”“Please do not think poorly of me, but it felt wrong leaving them alone in the cold waiting on a mother that would not be coming home. Sincerely, the nameless man.” Touched by this selfless act of kindness, the shelter thanked the nameless man, saying that his good deed hadn’t gone unnoticed. The shelter promised to honor this selfless gesture by ensuring these puppies get all the love and care they deserve. “Your empathy in the face of adversity gives us hope and inspiration,” the shelter wrote. The staff invited the man to come by the shelter to visit the puppies and get a proper thank you. So far, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society has not heard from the man but noted that many people have offered to help him get back on his feet if he comes forward. To acknowledge the lucky circumstances of their rescue, the shelter named the puppies Chance, Kismet, Serendipity, Fortun, and Fate. The puppies were extremely malnourished and small when they were rescued, so the shelter couldn’t yet determine their breed.“We are guessing they are lab mixes and will grow to be about 30 to 40 pounds, but again that’s a guess,” said the shelter. According to the shelter, the applications to adopt these cute puppies will open on February 1. The organization explained that they will only consider applicants from Cumberland County, North Carolina because the puppies are going home on a foster-to-adopt basis until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered. In the meantime, the organization is accepting donations and has a wish list available for anyone willing to assist in caring for these puppies. “Unfortunately, we still don’t have any updates about the kind man who brought these puppies to us. While the puppies have names now, their rescuer remains unknown. We continue to hope he’ll come forward,” the shelter wrote. “Thank you for your continued support and love for these animals. Together we’re making a difference in their lives one puppy at a time.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

What to Know About Osteoarthritis in Cats

Osteoarthritis, also referred to as OA, is a condition that’s common in cats – experts have found that 90% of kitties over the age of 12 have it. And because cats may hide the signs, it can be overlooked, so it’s a good idea to learn about the symptoms and keep an eye out for them, especially as your pet gets older. The good news is, if your feline friend is diagnosed with this condition, there are things you can do to help her experience less pain.

Are Hamsters Good Pets for Kids?

Final Thoughts: Hamsters and ChildrenAre hamsters good pets for kids? The short answer is, “maybe.” There are several key factors to consider when deciding if a hamster will be an excellent addition to your family, including the space needed for their habitat, their independent personalities, your child’s interest in a bet, the work (and finances) required to care for your new hamster, and the availability of a veterinarian that will accept small animals.If your child is ready for a pet, but a hamster doesn’t quite check all the boxes on your new pet wishlist, there are many other options, including guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and some species of birds. Don’t rush this decision. Take time to research and find the best fit for your family before committing to your future furry (or feathered) family member.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Study Shows Shape of a Dog’s Head Can Actually Affect Their Sleep

If you have noticed that your dog’s sleep quality is reduced, or that they have begun to snore heavily, there might be an unusual reason behind it – the shape of your pet’s head! Snoring problems can be quite common for many dogs, but they are most often seen in brachycephalic dogs – basically, dogs with flat faces. For example, this is the key characteristic of the  French Bulldog, one of the world’s most popular breeds. In the USA, and in Hungary where the research for these claims was conducted, the goofy little French Bulldog holds the place of the number one most common pet dog breed. And that means that some health-related issues, stemming from their flat-face appearance, are coming into the foreground. Their shortened skulls and brachycephalic morphology result in sleep problems, snoring, difficulties with breathing, and deteriorative brain morphology changes. According to the latest  study by a Hungarian research team, flat-faced dogs tend to sleep more because their breed suffers from sleep apnea and thus their daytime sleepiness is increased. Thus, their REM (deep) sleep phase is much longer than their non-REM sleep, while the EEG patterns in their sleep indicate signs of white matter loss. And while some owners across the world see these Bulldogs and their extremely flat skulls as an attractive or unique feature, it is, nonetheless, a major health hazard. These breeds, for example, the French Bulldog, the Pug, and the English Bulldog tend to live around 3 to 4 years less than other dogs, and in many cases, they don’t even live to adulthood.Some will even have to undergo surgery to correct their musculoskeletal, respiratory, and eye problems, which can cause them a lot of problems throughout their lives. To make matters worse, the rounded and short skull of these dogs results in a distorted and rounded brain, which could affect neural functioning.All this resulted in the Hungarian team’s extensive research into the sleep of these breeds. They studied the sleep of 92 dogs, using EEG. "In the sleep lab, dogs spend about three hours with their owners. As nothing exciting happens, the dogs fall asleep quickly. Meanwhile, we conduct the electrical potential generated by the brain activity with electrodes glued to their scalps," says Anna Kis, who is considered a pioneer in the study of sleeping dogs and a researcher at the HUN-REN Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology. "We wanted to investigate whether flat-faced dogs sleep differently from other dogs, as they are known to suffer from oxygen deprivation due to respiratory problems and therefore have poorer quality sleep. We found that the flat-faced dogs slept more in the three hours given to them during the study. More daytime sleep is probably compensation for insufficient sleep at night.”Ivaylo Iotchev, the first author of a study of dog sleep patterns that was published in the Journal of Brain Structure and Function, adds "In the present study, we found that brachycephalic dogs had decreased beta waves and increased delta compared to dogs with longer noses. The frequency of sleep spindles increased. This pattern has previously been associated with poorer learning in dogs and loss of white matter in humans."He also adds "There may be several reasons for our results. The most interesting of these is that it seems as if the flat-faced dogs have retained the sleep pattern of puppyhood, similarly to newborns who spend more time in REM sleep.”If you own a brachycephalic dog and have been seeing a lack of quality in their sleep, these studies might provide the answers you are looking for – your pooch’s genetics might be to blame for their poor sleep.

Research Suggests Longer Nosed Dogs Live Longer

Yes, the flat-faced pooches we know and love have not only myriad health issues but also shorter lives.

Researchers Find Genetic Links Between Human and Canine Brain Tumors

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered striking similarities between the most common type of brain tumor in dogs and humans - meningioma. These findings were published in the scientific journal Acta Neuropathologica. Until now, scientists struggled to find reliable experimental models to understand the biology of and develop effective treatments for these tumors. But thanks to these newly discovered similarities, doctors will be able to use a classification system that identifies these aggressive tumors in humans and pooches.“The discovery that naturally occurring canine tumors closely resemble their human counterparts opens numerous avenues of exploring the biology of these challenging tumors,” said Dr. Akash Patel, an associate professor of neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine and principal investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital. “It also provides opportunities for developing and studying novel treatments applicable to both humans and dogs,” he added.During the study, researchers analyzed 62 dog meningiomas from 27 breeds and found that the tumors were remarkably similar to the same kinds of tumors in humans. To this date, this is the largest study of the gene expression profiles of the canine meningioma. Others, including Dr. Jonathan Levine, a VMBS professor and the head of the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (VSCS), and Dr. Tiemo Klisch, assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Principal Investigator at Duncan NRI, were involved in the study along Dr. Patel. Meanwhile, assistant professor Dr. Beth Boudreau was a key collaborator. Previous work done by Levine, Boudreau, and others at VMBS, which found similarities between gliomas - the second most common type of brain tumors - in humans and dogs, was instrumental for Patel’s study. “We ended up agreeing to provide Patel with canine tumor samples we had worked years and years to achieve, to see if he could isolate the RNA, which is not always easy to do,” said Levine, in a statement. “He was able to produce this very robust data set that showed a similar pattern structure to human tumors. Our team also provided Dr. Patel with key clinical outcome data, including responses to certain treatments.”Now that the researchers have found a link between brain tumors in humans and dogs they hope to establish clinical trials to continue their research. Setting up this type of clinical trial can take several years of planning and requires funding.“We are really interested in creating wins for both human and animal medicine,” said Levine. “For example, we hope to give dog owners access to therapy that’s not available anywhere else in the world through clinical trials. At the same time, that information will also inform the next step of human trials.”As it happens, another group of researchers from the University of California, Davis, conducted a similar study with matching results about meningioma in humans and dogs. This study was also published in the scientific journal Acta Neuropathologica.Now, the two research groups plan to collaborate in the future and share their findings to develop treatment options for both human and canine brain tumors. “If we do one trial, we’d be able to enroll patients a lot more quickly, which would make it easier to get larger data sets resulting in stronger findings. So we have a lot of interest in doing a collaborative trial,” added Levine. “We really see the team out in California as potential partners.” Thanks to this groundbreaking research, scientists now have a better understanding of brain tumors and are one step closer to developing life-saving treatments for both humans and dogs. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Auf Wiedersehen Wiener Dog - Will Germany Ban Dachshunds?

Germany’s beloved dog breed, the dachshund, could soon be banned under a new law that prohibits the breeding of dogs with “skeletal anomalies”.The draft of the bill, published in February, is currently being reviewed by the authorities and was introduced as a part of the Animal Protection Act. The new bill aims to strengthen existing laws on “torture breeding” and to regulate the online animal trade. The draft of the protection law said it could ban the reproduction of breeds prone to particular health problems, such as spinal problems linked with short legs and long back which are characteristic of the dachshund breed.According to the German Kennel Club (VDH), the bill could be interpreted as a ban on breeding dogs with any major size deviation from the original wolf type. In addition to dachshunds, other dog breeds like the German shepherd, miniature schnauzer, beagle, and Jack Russell terrier could be affected by the bill. The breeding restrictions could also be applied to flat-faced breeds like the English bulldog, pug, and French bulldog.“Some of the disease characteristics listed in the draft law are too vague and undefined,” said Leif Kopernik, the chief executive of the VDH. “Whether too small or too large, if the Animal Welfare Act were to be implemented in its current form, many popular and healthy breeds could be banned from breeding,” he said, according to the New York Times. The VDH has launched a petition to save “our favorite dogs” saying the proposed bill would leave too much room for interpretation in deciding what can be considered a genetic defect. The German Kennel Club agrees that many of the proposed changes, such as stricter regulations for online animal trade and taking action against illegal puppy trade are good measures that make sense. “However, the animal protection law contains requirements that could mean the end of many healthy dog breeds in Germany,” said VDH on its website.Although the proposed changes could affect several dog breeds, the dachshund is at the center of the discussion. Often called dackel by Germans, the dachshund has been the country’s national symbol for many years. The breed has been around for several centuries and was bred specifically for digging and clawing into underground dens to hunt for badgers. These sausage-shaped dogs have strong claws and sharp teeth which proved extremely useful when hunting. According to Sandra Karthauser, a breeder of rough-haired dachshunds from Munster, there is no evidence that dachshunds are sick due to their appearance. However, she admits that certain breed lines might be predisposed to herniated discs and other health issues.“But to ban the whole breed because of this, that doesn’t make sense to me. Then you can also ban Labradors because some suffer from hip dysplasia along with other breeds that might suffer from debilitating diseases and ailments,”  she added.Germany’s agricultural ministry refuted that the new bill would ban particular dog breeds, including the dachshund. “We aren’t seeking to ban the dachshund. What we are aiming at with this reform is a ban on torture breeding.”The goal of this new regulation is to forbid breeding practices that cause long-term suffering to the dogs. “We want to consistently protect animals from pain, suffering, and damage,” said the ministry adding that the new bill is still being reviewed. Germany’s dachshund lovers and breeders hope the breeding ban won’t happen now or in the future. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

AI Could Match You with a New Furry Friend Based on Personality

In a cutting-edge study, scientists specializing in canine behavior have used artificial intelligence to predict dog personality types. A multi-disciplinary research team has developed an AI algorithm that simplifies the painstaking process of evaluating canine personalities.Understanding a dog’s temperament is key not only for pet owners but also for training agencies and professionals working with working dogs. The study, which introduces a brand-new method of predicting and categorizing dog personalities, is published in the eminent journal Scientific Reports. The team that developed the algorithm hopes that it will more quickly and accurately evaluate which dogs are better suited for long-term careers, such as assisting people with disabilities and helping law enforcement. This new approach to predicting dog personalities could also be used to match owners with a new furry best friend. The new AI algorithm can help shelters place dogs in the right homes, thus reducing the number of dogs returned for not being the right fit for their adoptive families.Before this algorithm, canine behavioral experts used questionnaires and statistical analysis to determine a dog’s personality.  The AI algorithm uses data from almost 8,000 responses to the commonly used Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). The C-BARQ questionnaire has been the top resource for evaluating working dogs in the past two decades. “C-BARQ is highly effective, but many of its questions are also subjective,” said James Serpell, a professor of ethics and animal welfare emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. “By clustering data from thousands of surveys, we can adjust for outlying responses inherent to subjective survey questions in categories such as dog rivalry and stranger-related fear.”The team’s new AI algorithm gathers the responses to C-BARQ questions into five main categories that essentially form the digital personality of a dog. The results showed five distinctive personality types among domestic dogs, including excitable/attached, anxious/fearful, reactive/assertive, aloof/predatory, and calm/agreeable.The study was conducted over two years by a multi-disciplinary research team consisting of Dr Mohammad Amirhosseini of the University of East London and Professor James Serpell of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The research was sponsored by Dogvatar, a Miami, Florida-based canine technology startup.“This innovative AI-based methodology holds promise for revolutionizing the selection and training of dogs for specific roles, both for working and non-working,” said Dr Amirhosseini. Almost 50 percent of people who surrender their dogs to animal shelters in the USA say that behavioral problems are a contributing factor, and nearly a quarter say that those problems are the main reason for giving up their dog. More research is needed to understand the nuances of canine personalities. However, researchers hope to promote strong bonds between people and their dogs by designing effective training programs and customized dog-owner interactions. According to researchers, these findings could serve as a foundation to explore personality matching between dogs and their owners and how that might improve the quality of their relationship.Dogvatar and the research team plan to conduct further research into potential uses for their dog personality testing algorithm.“This has been a really exciting breakthrough for us,” said Dogvatar CEO Piya Pettigrew. “This algorithm could greatly improve efficiency in working dog training and placement process and could help reduce the number of companion dogs brought back to shelters for not being compatible. It’s a win for both dogs and the people they serve.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Never Scoop Again With Litter-Robot, The Purrfect Gift For Cat Lovers

Cats like a clean litter box just as much as cat owners do, but scooping clumps can be a hassle. Whisker’s Litter-Robot, the highest-rated, self-cleaning litter box for cats, eliminates the need to scoop the litter box. The newest model, Litter-Robot 4, provides a clean bed of litter for your cats after every use. It features patented sifting technology that sifts out waste after every use and deposits it into a tightly-sealed waste drawer, helping to keep odor under control. For Black Friday, you can scoop one up for less, with $75 off bundles with the Purrfect Litter-Robot accessories you will want.What Sets the Litter-Robot Apart? Litter-Robot 4 features an advanced, patented, sifting technology with QuietSift™ for nearly-silent sifting. That’s right, you don’t have to scoop and you don’t hear the litter being sifted. What could be better?

Here Are the 10 Rarest Dog Breeds in America

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What Are the Symptoms of Dementia in Dogs?

As the years go by, health issues tend to pile up, even in canines. Old age can bring a range of problems – some doggos have troubles with arthritis and limited mobility, while others suffer from cognitive decline and experience issues such as dementia. That’s right, even dogs can suffer from dementia, which is also known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). This illness can bring about some troubling changes in your pet’s behavior, and it would be wise to be familiar with all the symptoms of dementia, especially if you are a senior dog owner. Let’s go over them and get familiar with the challenges of canine dementia.Doggy Dementia: Symptoms and What To ExpectAs your pet reaches their golden years, some issues are bound to pop up, including dementia. Known as canine cognitive dysfunction, it has similar symptoms to Alzheimer's disease in humans. The main cause is the aging of the dog’s brain, which results in many troubling issues. Of course, CCD doesn’t happen to all old dogs. Latest studies revealed that it only happens to roughly 50% of dogs that are over 11 years old. Of course, if you own a senior doggo, it is wise to get to know the symptoms of dog dementia. Here are some of the most common ones:Confusion and Disorientation:As dementia sets in, your pet might seem suddenly disoriented and awfully confused. They could get lost in spaces that should be all too familiar to them (the house for example), or could just stand and stare blankly into space. Major Sleep Pattern Changes:Dogs tend to have a solid sleep routine. But with dementia, this can suddenly change. They could experience alterations in their sleep-wake cycle, sleep a lot during the day, and become restless and sleepless throughout the entire night.Loss of Interest:Your dog, with dementia, could suddenly become a totally different pet. They could lose all interest in common interactions. They could have zero interest in playing with you or interacting with the family members. The same goes for interacting with other pets, or playing with toys - even if they were their favorites. Forgetting Housetraining:

What Happens if Dogs Eat Cat Food?

A multi-pet household is always full of adventures, and even more so when you have both cats and dogs. While there are many fun aspects to sharing your life and your home with multiple pets, there are quite a few challenges, as well – such as making sure everybody’s keeping their nose in their own food bowl. We all know that dogs tend to have healthy appetites and are not picky, which means they’ll often try (and succeed) in eating cat food when given the chance.While not the  worst thing a dog can eat when sharing a home with a cat (litter and its contents seem to be irresistible to some canines), kitty kibble certainly isn’t the best type of food for your dog, either. But what happens if dogs eat cat food? Can it be harmful to them? And are cat and dog foods really that different? Here’s what you need to know.What Happens if a Dog Eats Cat Food?Let’s face it: if a dog eats cat food occasionally, it's usually not a cause for concern. The worst that can happen is an upset stomach or a bit of diarrhea. The main cause is the fact that cat food is formulated differently from dog food, containing higher levels of protein and fat, which can be harder for dogs to digest. If a dog eats cat food regularly, however, it can lead to digestive issues such as upset stomach, diarrhea, or even  pancreatitis due to the higher fat content. In other words, sneaking food from the cat’s bowl once or twice won’t be an issue – but repeated consumption most definitely will. What is more, cat food lacks certain nutrients that dogs need in their diet, such as adequate levels of vitamin E and taurine. So, while an occasional nibble might not harm your dog, it's best to prevent regular access to cat food to avoid potentially considerable health problems.Another reason why doggos should steer clear of cat food on a regular basis is weight gain. Cat food has a quite higher fat content, which can lead to weight gain in dogs. All the excess weight (which can pile up quite quickly) will lead to a lot of health issues, like diabetes or joint issues. If your pooch likes to sample cat food, they might also experience an upset stomach, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. This is because cat food contains much more protein than the usual dog food. Higher levels of protein are harder to digest for dogs, and this results in gastrointestinal discomfort. A home remedy for an upset tummy in dogs – if it’s due to eating a bit of kitty food – could be providing  dog probiotics in combination with a bland diet for a day or two, until they’re feeling better. 

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