Ratese

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: December 5th, 2018

About Ratese

Height

8-13 inches

Weight

15-25 lbs

Lifespan

14-17 years

Group

Not applicable

Best Suited For

Families with older or no children, active families, singles, people who live in an apartment

Temperament

Playful, energetic, affectionate, sweet, bossy, loyal

Comparable Breeds

Maltese, Rat Terrier

Ratese Basics

Small, spunky, and sweet, the adorable Ratese will charm your pants off. This recent designer dog breed was developed by crossing the Maltese with a Rat Terrier. Their mixed breed baby is a small dog with medium to long hair and a personality that leaves no one indifferent. The Ratese might be petite, but he sure does think he’s a big, scary pooch! These dogs often have a spirit that goes past their tiny frame, and they make great pets for people who want a lively, playful pooch with a friendly attitude.

The Ratese is fairly active, but due to its size, this hybrid breed is suitable for apartment living and seniors who are up for a few daily walks. This Maltese and Rat Terrier mix is adaptable, so they’ll fit in with families of all shapes and sizes. However, owing to its nippy parents, the Ratese is not a good fit for households with young children, as they won’t hesitate to react if (unknowingly) bothered by a toddler.

This Maltese and Rat Terrier mix is adaptable, so they’ll fit in with families of all shapes and sizes.

Origin

Until recently, what we now call designer breeds were categorized as mutts or simply mixed breed dogs. Any crossbreeding between purebred dogs was purely accidental ( like the Queen Elizabeth’s Dorgis) and intentionally mixing was unheard of. In the last two decades, however, more and more breeders are getting enthusiastic about hybrid dogs, as there is an ever-growing desire to create new breeds with enhanced or improved traits. Naturally, it’s hard to determine when the intentional breeding of designer dogs started and if every dog with mixed lineage is considered a designer breed. For the overwhelming majority of hybrid dogs, their origin is usually somewhere in the United States and the date they were first created is placed in the last 10 to 20 years.

For the Ratese, nothing is different. Your new hybrid puppy might come from a breeder or a shelter, but it won’t change a bit about their true origin- a Maltese and Rat Terrier mom and dad.

Pedigree

When talking about pedigree for designer dogs, most people think about official papers or certifications. However, as none of the hybrid breeds is officially recognized by the American Kennel Club or its counterparts, there is no possible way for these unique canines to obtain pedigree papers. But, even though your Ratese puppy might not have papers that document its lineage, it doesn’t mean that their ancestry is mysterious. Every Ratese is the offspring of Maltese and Rat Terrier parents. Both of the parental breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club and can have pedigree papers. In case you are getting a Ratese puppy from a breeder, they’ll be able to give you more insight into your pet’s family tree.

Even without a pedigree, the parentage of the Ratese tells us more than enough about this breed. The Maltese and Rat Terrier are small dogs with impressive intelligence and lively personality. Both are suited to companionship roles and do well as family pets- it’s only natural that the same goes for their offspring.

Food/Diet

The dietary needs of a Ratese dog are not much different than those of any other small breed pooch. Their nutritive needs can be met with a high-quality dry food for dogs that is made especially for canines of their size. Furthermore, you should pick out a kibble blend that suits their age (puppy, adult, senior) and their activity level (moderate to active).

In case your Ratese puppy favors the Maltese parent more, he or she might have a sensitive digestive system. Not unlike most white coat breeds, the Maltese is prone to food allergies, and this trait is sometimes passed along to its puppies. In case this is true, opt for grain-free foods or kibble based on alternative protein sources, such as lamb, venison, or buffalo.

Even though you might need to have slightly more patience with a Ratese puppy, it’s crucial to train and socialize them on time.

Training

Owing to its parents, the Ratese is a highly intelligent pooch that loves to please its owner. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that these designer dogs are easy to train. This particular mix of breeds can often have a strong-willed personality and can be a bit difficult to teach. On the other hand, using a positive reinforcement method of training is certain to coax them into becoming a model student. After all, who wouldn’t get on their best behavior for some treats and praise?

Even though you might need to have slightly more patience with a Ratese puppy, it’s crucial to train and socialize them on time. In particular, teaching this designer dog that it’s not OK to nip at people and not to boss around other animals are a great place to start. The Ratese can be impatient with children and quick to nip if provoked, so it’s essential to work with them if you have young children in the environment.

Weight

One of the rare certainties with designer dog breeds is that you can never be certain how these pooches will look like when fully grown. For the Ratese, though, there’s not much mystery surrounding their size in maturity. Both the Maltese and the Rat terrier are petite pooches, and their offspring can’t stray much from that. Depending on your Ratese puppy’s sex and individual traits, they can weigh anywhere between 15 to 25 pounds in their adulthood.

Temperament/Behavior

The Ratese is one of those dogs that have a personality that’s much bigger than their petite frame. Friendly, energetic and with a happy-go-lucky attitude, these hybrids are natural charmers. Their playful behavior and intelligence make them great playmates to other four-legged family members, too, as long as they get along with them. The Ratese is curious and needs to be engaged and stimulated with games, puzzle toys, and interaction with his owner. Otherwise, the might get bored, and quickly after that, destructive.

In most cases, these mixed breed dogs are real cuddle bugs. They’re affectionate and fiercely loyal to their owner, and won’t be shy about showing off that devotion. If allowed, the Ratese will become a velcro pooch, always near you and looking for your attention. It’s best to not let them get overly attached though, as this can lead to separation anxiety.

Like so many small breed dogs, these hybrids also seem to be completely unaware of their size. More often than not, this means they’ll get in trouble at the dog park or imagine their duty is to ward off any danger to their territory or family. While it can be cute at times, this “ small dog syndrome” can lead your brave pooch into trouble with other canines so make sure not to let them get too cocky.

Common Health Problems

One of the terms that are often mentioned when you research designer dog breeds is hybrid vigor. This relates to the belief that hybrids, or mixed breed dogs, are more resilient, healthier and have improved physical traits when compared to their purebred fellows. Of course, there’s no tangible proof for this. There have been some instances where introducing a new breed into the gene pool led to fewer health issues, but it’s in no way a guarantee for good health by default.

For the Ratese, there are not that many breed-specific illnesses to worry about. Owing to its parents, this designer dog can be predisposed to patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation), hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as congenital heart issues such as PDA. Additionally, they can be affected by food allergies and early tooth loss (like all dogs of this size).

Life Expectancy

When it comes to designer dogs, it’s not easy to accurately guess their lifespan. In all fairness, most of these dogs haven’t been alive long enough for us to do so. However, based on the lifespan of its parental breeds, the Maltese and the Rat Terrier, we can guesstimate the life expectancy of the hybrid offspring. With proper care and good living conditions, a Ratese puppy can grow up to be 14 to 17 years old.

Exercise Requirements

If you thought that a cute, small pooch like the Ratese doesn’t need much exercise, think again! These tiny furballs are full of energy and need to burn it off on a daily basis, lest they become mischievous and turn on your furniture instead. Fortunately, they are not as difficult to tire out as some of their larger cousins, but they do still need a fair amount of activity to stay content and healthy.

As a rule of thumb, a Ratese will need an hour to 90 minutes of daily exercise. This can be divided into a couple of brisk walks around the block, coupled with a visit to the dog park or a game of fetch in the backyard. Additionally, due to their bright minds, they’ll also need to be mentally stimulated- get your pooch some interactive dog toys to keep them entertained and out of trouble.

These tiny furballs are full of energy and need to burn it off on a daily basis.

Recognized Clubs

As we’ve already mentioned, the AKC and its international counterparts do not recognize designer dogs as actual breeds. There are many reasons why these canine organizations can’t give recognition to dogs of mixed lineage, but that doesn’t mean that no clubs recognize the Ratese. There are a number of canine organizations that are focused on hybrid dogs, and those of them that recognize the Ratese are American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry.

Coat

The Maltese and Rat Terrier are worlds apart when it comes to their hair. The first parent boasts long, non-shedding white coat, where its terrier partner is known for the close-cropped hair in two or three colors. Naturally, their offspring can take up after one or the other more; or end up being a perfect blend of both. Sometimes, there are dramatic differences in appearance of the Ratese puppies even across one litter!

However, in most of the cases, these hybrids have a medium to long hair, soft to touch and moderate to low shedding. In certain instances, the puppy can inherit the Maltese’s hypoallergenic fur, but it’s not a common thing. As for the color of the Ratese coat, there are many possible combinations: from cream, tan, or pied to bi-colored coat in a brown-white or black-white blend.

Puppies

Ratese puppies are tiny, lovely and absolutely heart-meltingly cute! However, setting boundaries from the start is important. The Ratese can be difficult to housebreak due to its stubbornness, so it’s recommended you teach them basic manners early on. Similarly, these designer dogs have a tendency to get along poorly with strangers or young children, and it wouldn’t hurt if you make sure that they’re socialized on time.

These lovable hybrids have a fun, playful and affectionate personality that makes them a great pet for families with older children or active singles. They do need a bit more exercise than your average small breed dog, so they might not be the ideal match for owners looking for a low-maintenance pet.

Photo credit: LagunaticPhoto/Shutterstock; Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Sometimes, dogs can behave straight out quirky. The range of their weird behaviors varies from chasing their tail and scooting on their but, to “pawing” or “digging” food, which sort of looks like they’re burying their kibble but they’re not really doing anything. Have you ever seen your pooch trying to fake bury his food by pawing at it? Don’t worry, the behavior might look odd at the very least, but it’s not a reason for concern. Here’s what dogs that dig, bury, or paw their food are trying to tell you with this behavior.Why Does My Dog Paw or "Dig" His Food Bowl?Dogs may exhibit pawing or digging behavior around their food bowl for various reasons, and the interpretation can depend on the individual dog. By closely observing your dog's specific actions and considering these factors, you may gain a better understanding of why they engage in pawing behavior. Keep in mind that individual differences among dogs can lead to variations in behavior, and what holds true for one dog may not necessarily apply to another. Still, there are some common explanations that hold true for most situations when “pawing” is in question.Too Much Food Served:In the wild, dogs might use their paws to cover or bury their food to protect it from other animals or to save it for later. This behavior could be a residual instinct from their ancestors – if they eat a bit and then paw at their bowl before leaving the meal, it means that they are trying to stash the surplus away for later. Try downsizing their portions to see if the behavior goes away. Scent Marking: Dogs have scent glands in their paws, and pawing at the food bowl might be a way for them to mark the area with their scent. This could be a territorial behavior and might be seen in households where there are several dogs present. Excitement or Anticipation: Dogs might get excited about mealtime, and pawing at the bowl could be a way of expressing anticipation or eagerness for their food. This is especially true if they are eagerly pawing the ground even before the food has been served. These dogs can often be voracious eaters as well, so to prevent them from snarfing up their food in seconds, try utilizing a  slow feeder for dogs to promote a more appropriate pace of eating and prevent bloat and other digestive issues due to lack of chewing and fast eating.

Is Aquarium Salt Safe for Plants?

All those in love with the fascinating world of aquatics know how sensitive and (sometimes) demanding pet fish and  aquarium plants are. The aquarium plant life in particular can be very vulnerable, reacting to the smallest changes in the tank’s environment. Naturally, this begs the question: could adding salt to your tank potentially kill its plant life? Or is salt beneficial for your aquarium’s flora? These are the questions that need to be answered carefully, as there are different types of salt used, and not all have the same effects on the many different aquarium plants. Let’s dive deeper into the topic!Is Aquarium Salt Safe for Plants? Aquarium salt, when used properly, has many uses in an aquarium setting. It can help with certain issues like treating fish diseases and promoting electrolyte balance in fish. But what about plants? The key to using salt with aquarium plants is moderation and research. There are different types of salt on the market, so you should inquire about their properties and possible effects on fish and plants. Secondly, always use it in moderation. When used in the right amounts, salt can be beneficial. However, the excessive use of salt can be harmful to plants, as it can disrupt their osmotic balance and lead to dehydration or nutrient imbalances. In fact, put too much of it, and you can kill all the plants AND the fish in the tank!But what is the osmotic balance? Like all living organisms, plants maintain a delicate balance of water and salts within their cells. When exposed to high concentrations of salt, such as those found in aquarium salt products, plants can experience “osmotic stress”. This stress occurs because the salt outside the plant's roots creates a higher concentration of solutes in the soil than inside the plant cells. As a result, water is drawn out of the plant, leading to dehydration and potential damage – and even death.Excessive salt in the aquarium soil can also interfere with a plant's ability to absorb essential nutrients. Sodium ions, which are a component of salt, can compete with other positively charged ions like potassium, calcium, and magnesium that plants need for healthy growth. This competition can disrupt nutrient uptake and lead to deficiencies, even if those nutrients are present in the soil.Another confusing factor is that some aquarium plants are much more tolerant than others. Halophytes, for example, are plants that have evolved to thrive in saline environments and can withstand higher levels of salt in the soil and water. However, most freshwater aquarium plants are not adapted to high-salt conditions and can suffer greatly when aquarium salt is introduced to the tank. You should also consider the types of salt available. Sea salt, for example, is much different and more complex than ordinary table salt. It contains sodium chloride, and minerals like potassium, zinc, and calcium. As such, it is only suitable for use in aquariums that have marine fish and  invertebrates, and plants naturally occurring in salt waters. 

How to Exercise Your Dog Indoors

Your dog needs daily exercise, but when it’s too cold, snowing, or raining, you shouldn’t let them spend too much time outside; instead, it’s best to bring the fun indoors. Whether you live in an apartment or a large house, there are simple and creative ways to help your canine companion get the physical exercise and mental stimulation they want and need.If you’re stumped when it comes to how to exercise your dog indoors, here are a few ideas to help you get started, along with some product recommendations that are worth considering.Indoor FetchWho says you can’t play fetch with your dog indoors? As long as you have a decent amount of space, you can toss a ball or toy for your pet to chase, grab, and bring back to you. Some people will use a hallway to give their dog enough room to run and grab their toy, but it really depends on your home and its layout. If you don’t have a large room with enough open space, you might need to move some furniture around temporarily, but it will be worth it.A good toy to consider for this is the Chuckit! Indoor Ball. It’s designed specifically for indoor use, and features textured chenille that’s soft and lightweight so you can toss it and let it bounce softly to entice your dog to grab it. Puppies and adult dogs of all sizes are sure to love it, and the multi-layered construction helps it withstand your pet’s teeth so this toy can last.

Scientists Found a New Type of Training that Makes Dogs Better Behaved

Training a dog can seem intimidating, and doesn’t always yield the expected results. Luckily for all dog owners out there, a new study has found another way to train your four-legged companion. Scientists at Aberystwyth University, located in Wales, United Kingdom, have discovered that scent training could improve pet dogs' behavior. The study shows that pet dogs trained to detect scents have a better mental ability and capacity to carry out certain tasks.Previous research only compared highly trained working dogs, like assistance dogs or search and rescue dogs, with untrained pet dogs. Now, for the first time, the researchers have tested the effects of scent training on two groups of untrained dogs. A research team from Aberystwyth University led the study in collaboration with Emma Stoker, owner of Puppy Plus, a dog training company based in Newton, Wales.The study involved 40 dogs of varying degrees of training, whose owners were asked to fill out a questionnaire with basic information about their pet. Researchers gave the dogs two tasks, both requiring impulse control. In the first test, called the “detour task”, the dogs needed to navigate a transparent barrier to get food. The second “A not B task”, tested the dogs’ ability to switch their choice from one pot to another, depending on where food was placed. Researchers separated the dogs into two groups to see whether their ability to detect scents would improve their cognitive ability. The dogs in the first group were given the “detour task” and had to navigate around a transparent barrier to get a treat. In the second group, the researchers said “Look” to the dog to get its attention and then showed it a treat before hiding it under a pot. Dogs in the second group underwent scent training, separated into three phases - familiarization, training, and test phase. In the first phase, only one pot was used. In the training phase, two pots were used, and in the final, test phase, three pots were used.Pate scent was rubbed on all pots to make it harder for the dogs to sniff out where the treat was hidden. If the dog didn’t respond within 20 seconds of being released to find the treat, or if it picked the wrong pot, the dog was shown the treat but wasn’t rewarded. Researchers discovered that dogs who received scent training performed the tasks more efficiently than those who weren’t trained. The study also showed that scent training improved dogs’ inhibitory control and helped them focus on completing a specific task. What’s important for dog owners to know is that poor impulse control is believed to be the main cause of a lot of unwanted behaviors in dogs, such as house soiling and destructive behavior. This new study suggests that scent training could help owners improve their dogs’ behavior. Dr. Sarah Dalesman, the co-author of the study, said: “This research shows that dogs that train primarily in scent work have stronger inhibitory control, suggesting that this training can have a positive effect on their behavior.”“Scent training is offered by a lot of dog trainers, and easy to practice at home. It might offer a great way for owners to improve their pets’ behavior, and we’re aiming to test this theory in future studies.”If scent training isn’t compatible with the way your pup learns, you can try agility or puzzle training. Puzzle training provides mental and physical stimulation and can come in handy when a dog needs to stay home alone or confined. Agility training is another option. Agility is a sport in which you direct your dog through a pre-set obstacle course allowing them to gain problem-solving skills. Try different training activities with your dog to find out what you and your pooch enjoy doing together the most.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Can I Use Human Hair Shampoo to Wash My Dog?

Making sure your pet’s hygiene is up to standards is an important thing, but you have to be careful about how you go about it. There aren’t a lot of important rules to consider when doggo baths are considered, but you should pay special attention to the type of shampoo that you use. If you are all out of pet shampoo, and you are thinking that a little bit of human shampoo won’t make a difference – think again. Using human hair shampoo on your dog is not recommended, and the reasons for this are many, including negative effects on your pet’s overall health and the quality of their skin and coat. Here’s what you should know before you reach for your shampoo when bathing your pooch.Why You Shouldn’t Use Human Shampoo On DogsThe first and foremost thing you have to consider is pH balance. Human shampoos are formulated to match the pH level of human skin. However, that level is totally different for dogs. Because of this, human shampoo can greatly disrupt the natural pH levels of a dog’s skin, ultimately leading to rashes, irritation, and skin diseases. And the same goes for the ingredients in that shampoo.  Dog shampoos have totally different ingredients compared to human shampoos. The latter has many chemicals that are considered too harsh for dogs. Dogs are prone to skin allergies and sensitivities, and some of the ingredients in human shampoos could make these issues much worse. The allergies can also be triggered by the strong fragrances of human-grade shampoos, which dogs can’t really stand. You should also take into account that a dog’s coat and human hair are totally different. While human shampoos are meant to lather well on hair, they’ll be too soapy for dogs. Rinsing out human shampoo from a dog can be a challenge, and a lot of chemicals can stay trapped in the coat and absorbed through the skin. Ultimately, all of this can leave your dog’s coat damaged, their skin irritated, and their health vulnerable to viruses and skin-borne infections. 

Dog Facial Recognition App Helps Scientists Fight Against Rabies

In countries where dogs aren’t microchipped, don’t wear tags, and usually run free, it’s challenging for authorities to determine which dog has already been vaccinated for rabies. A new mobile phone app could help improve rabies vaccination by identifying dogs using facial recognition technology.A team of researchers from Washington State University tested the app’s effectiveness in a rabies vaccination clinic in Tanzania, where they microchipped, vaccinated, and registered dogs. The idea behind this project is to take a picture of a dog’s face during initial vaccination. Then the picture needs to be entered into the database via the app, along with other important information, such as the dog’s age, sex, and coat color. When veterinarians return to the same area, they will take a facial photo of each dog they come across. If the app finds a close match in the database, it will notify the vet, who can then decide whether the vaccinated dog in the database is indeed the same dog they are currently examining. A vaccination team testing the app visited nine villages in Tanzania, where they photographed and vaccinated 1,420 dogs. After the initial check, 20 images were deemed unusable, leaving exactly 1,400 to work with. All of these photographs were added to the app’s database.Later, a different validation team visited the same villages, assessing 720 dogs via the app, not knowing which dogs were already vaccinated, and entered into the app’s database. Once again, some photos were deemed unusable for the study - 161 were rejected.Using those images, the app helped the team to correctly identify 76.2% of vaccinated dogs and 98.9% of unvaccinated dogs. These findings were confirmed using microchips that were implanted under the dogs’ skin when they were vaccinated, as part of the study.“Because domestic dogs are the main reservoir for human rabies, controlling human rabies globally requires the mass vaccination of dogs,” said Felix Lankester, WSU Associate Professor and the lead investigator of the study. Scientists are working to optimize the app’s registration process to minimize the number of rejected photos. “When carrying out mass vaccination, one of the major problems that we face is trying to identify which dogs have and haven’t been vaccinated. For example, microchips are too expensive to use at the scale needed to eliminate rabies, and collars can be removed by owners. We developed this app to see if facial recognition might work, and it’s showing great promise in helping us achieve that goal,” Professor Lankester added. The facial recognition algorithm used by the app is developed in collaboration with Canadian company PiP My Pet. It identifies a dog by looking at key features of its face and comparing it to previously stored photos of the faces of other dogs. Photos with the highest number of similar features are shown as possible matches, leaving it to the user to pick the right one.The app’s success depends on the image quality and information about each dog being properly recorded. Before unusable images and incorrect information about dogs were removed from the database, users were only able to match around 65% of the vaccinated dogs.For the time being, users must be online to use the app’s facial matching feature, but Lankester and his team are working to make the app operational even offline. “We’re not quite there yet, but I think with the investment, the technology can get there. I am excited by its potential,” Lankester said.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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.

Meet Maverick, the Winner of the 2023 American Humane Hero Dog Award

A six-year-old European Blue Great Dane was singled out from hundreds of other dogs and crowned the 2023 American Humane Hero Dog. Maverick’s job as a therapy dog is to support military members and their families from across the country.Maverick has an extraordinary ability to provide comfort to those who need it with a simple touch of his paw. “A sign of a good therapy dog is a dog that always wants to touch you,” explained Marverick’s owner, Kelly Brownfield, from Saint Robert, Missouri. “He just has a sense of knowing what people need.”Brownfield, who works as a manager at the Fort Leonard Wood United Service Organization, told Fox News that Maverick was born for a purpose. “Maverick’s superpower is his ability to calm people with a touch of his paw, giving them strength to move forward,” she said.This gentle giant supports service members after unexpected deaths in their units, escorts children to military funerals of their parents, and helps service men and women cope with trauma. Each week, Maveric spends time with students at school, offering support to children who practice their reading skills.Tipping the scales at 150 pounds, Maverick can initially seem intimidating, but “he is literally a gentle giant,” said Brownfield. “His whole aura about him is calming.”“He is the perfect size for everything that we do. He is literally their rock; they can lean on him, and he is there for them,” his owner added. “The one thing about this breed is that they have a heart to match.”Each year, people around the country nominate hundreds of dogs in five categories - law enforcement and first responder dogs; service and guide or hearing dogs; therapy dogs; military dogs; and emerging hero and shelter dogs - for American Humane’s Hero Dog Award.Five semi-finalists, in each of the five categories, were chosen from hundreds of dogs. A competitive public vote has cut the list to only five four-legged finalists - one presenting each category. Maverick, who was competing against service dog Moxie, Coast Guard K-9 Buda, police dog Poppy, and emerging hero Raina, was crowned by the panel of judges as the winner. “We are so excited to name Maverick as the American Humane’s 2023 Hero Dog, a distinction that is well deserved for him and his owner Kelly,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane. “The duo has worked tirelessly to bring comfort and solace to our nation’s military heroes through the United Service Organization (USO), all while they both were facing their internal beatles against cancer. It’s these types of incredible stories about sacrifice, perseverance, and compassion that this award aims to spotlight.”Maverick has also offered emotional support to his owner Kelly, who has been battling cancer for the past six years. “I truly believe he knew before anyone else knew,” said Brownfield, adding that Maverick was particularly clingy, touchy, and protective in the months leading up to her diagnosis. “To have him there, especially on hard days has been just an amazing support.”The six-year-old gentle giant also faced a cancer diagnosis last year but is now cancer-free thanks to a successful surgical procedure. Although Maverick spends most of his time in Missouri, he and his owner sometimes travel around the country for work. Together, he and Brownfield have completed hundreds of special mission requests over the years.Having a therapy dog around “can help change lives,” said Brownfield. “He senses the needs of every person.”Maverick and the four other finalists will be honored at the 13th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards in Palm Beach, Florida. The award show will air on Thanksgiving Day and November 26 on A&E.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Scientists Finally Know Why Cats Love Tuna So Much

No food is more synonymous with cats than tuna. Even the pickiest of cats can’t resist the tuna’s fishy flavor. Finally, scientists have learned why cats love tuna so much. In the study published in the journal Chemical Sense, scientists report that cats, like humans, have receptors needed to detect umami flavor. Along with sweet, sour, bitter, and salty, umami is one of the five basic tastes.Umami seems to be the cats’ favorite flavor. Considering that umami gives food a deep and savory meaty aroma, it’s no surprise that an obligate carnivore like a cat would prefer it over all other flavors.The research team also found that cats’ taste receptors bind to two chemicals found in high concentrations in tuna. These chemicals boost the umami flavor, making cats obsessed with tuna. “This is an important study that will help us better understand the preferences of our familiar pers,” says Yasuka Toda, a molecular biologist at Meiji University. According to Toda, this study could help cat food manufacturers create healthier food and more palatable medication for cats. Previous studies showed that cats have a unique palate. Cats can’t taste sugar, because their sweet receptor gene is dysfunctional. Scientists believe that felines lose the ability to taste sweeteners and carbs because they don’t need these macronutrients to survive. Cats also have fewer bitter flavor receptors than humans. This trait is commonly seen in obligated carnivores. “Since discovering that cats don’t have a functional sweet taste receptor, we did wonder what they would respond to instead,” study lead author Scott McGrane, a sensory science expert at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, told Live Science. Humans and other animals possess two genes - Tas1r1 and Tas1r3 that work together to detect umami flavor. Previous research has shown that cats express the umami-related Tas1r3 gene in their taste buds, but it was unclear whether they possess both genes needed to detect umami flavor. The research team led by McGrane discovered that cats expressed both Tas1r1 and Tas1r3 genes in their taste buds. To learn this, the scientist biopsied the tongue of a six-year-old male cat that had been euthanized for health reasons unrelated to this study. However, a closer look at the protein sequences encoded by these genes showed that they are very different from human genes. As it turned out, the main amino acids that activate umami flavor in people - glutamic and aspartic acid - were mutated in cats. “So I began thinking, maybe cats can’t taste umami,” said McGrane. But, as it turned out, amino acids don’t bind to the cat umami receptor alone. Nucleotides, which are common in meat and yeast, bind to the cat receptor and glutamic and aspartic acid then have an enhancing effect. “That’s the exact opposite of what we see in people,” explained McGrane. Cats love tuna because it contains the nucleotide inosine monophosphate. Tuna also contains large quantities of L-histidine, an essential amino acid for cats, that enhances umami flavor. “The L-histidine content of tuna is much higher than of other fish species and meat sources.”These new findings could be used for the development of tastier cat food and pharmaceuticals. Although cat food manufacturers already knew that cats prefer meaty flavors, they now have much more details about the compounds they can start working with. It’s essential for manufacturers to ensure that animals want to eat the food they formulate and find it appealing. “I think umami is as important for cats as sweet is for humans,” said Toda. Dogs, she explained, can taste both sweet and umami, which may explain why they’re not such fussy eaters. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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