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AVMA & Pet Food Institute Offer Pet Health Tips for 2019

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Pet Food Institute (PFI) have teamed up to bring you tips for maintaining your pets’ health in 2019.

The tips take some of the more recent issues in pet health — such as the pet obesity epidemic — into consideration, as well as some of the latest advancements in pet nutrition and health.

  • Limit treats to no more than 10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake
  • Invest in slow feeder bowls to reduce overall calorie consumption while also providing enrichment
  • Separate eating areas to prevent one dog or cat from consuming food meant for another
  • Seek out complete and balanced sources of nutrition
  • Be mindful of what activities do (and do not) interest your pets and engage them accordingly

“Just like humans, overweight dogs and cats are more likely to get diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, skin conditions, liver disease and joint problems. Starting a diet and exercise regimen for both you and your pet in 2019 will result in improved health and perhaps a longer life for both of you.”

— John de Jong President, AVMA

As with any modification to your pets’ dietary or fitness routines, always consult a veterinarian before adopting any changes.

For more health tips for the new year, check out the full article on Petfood Industry.

Source: How to keep pets healthy in 2019

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Whippet Takes Home Best In Show at AKC National Championship

At this year’s American Kennel Club (AKC) National Championship, the real winner was… Whiskey.

The Whippet, Pinnacle Tennessee Whiskey — or just Whiskey, as he is known to his friends and fans — stood out among 5,000 other entries to earn Best in Show at the 2018 event. Whiskey and his handler, Justin Smithey, share the honor along with a $50,000 cash purse.

Source: Whippet “Whiskey” Wins AKC National Championship

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AVMA Takes Measures to Reduce Suicide Rate Among Veterinary Professionals

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently announced that it would be taking measures to reduce the rate of suicide among veterinary professionals.

The announcement comes after the release of a joint, longitudinal study from the AVMA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that found that veterinary professionals are more than twice as likely to die from suicide than the general population. The results of the study, conducted over a 36-year period between 1979 and 2015, indicate that, when compared to the general population, male veterinarians are 2.1 as likely to die by suicide while female veterinarians are 3.5 times as likely.

Among the steps being taken by the AVMA to reduce the risk of suicide among veterinary practitioners is the development of new resources  to help veterinary professionals identify and support colleagues who may be at risk as well as the promotion of existing resources. One such program, known as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training, is designed to help individuals identify signs that someone may be contemplating suicide and to help them initiate a dialogue that can then be used to refer that person to a qualified mental health professional. The one-hour QPR Training is currently available, free of charge, to all AVMA members.

“Too many of our colleagues have either contemplated, attempted or died by suicide. And one suicide, is clearly too many. Working with our colleagues throughout the veterinary community will help us find solutions more quickly. This issue is affecting not only our profession, but society as a whole, in numbers greater than ever before.”

— John de Jong, President, AVMA

For more information about the steps the AVMA’s is taking to combat suicide among veterinary professionals, read the full story.

Source: AVMA Combating Suicide Amongst Veterinary Professionals

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New Study Suggests Overweight Dogs Live Shorter Lives

A new study suggests that overweight dogs are more likely to live shorter lives than those with body weights closer to ideal.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Liverpool and Mars Petcare’s Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, compared the lifespans of overweight dogs with those of dogs with ideal weights. The researchers found that overweight dogs lived an average of 2.5 years shorter than their lighter counterparts. The effects were seen across a sample of over 50,000 dogs and 12 breeds.

The results of the study come amid a pet obesity epidemic. Within the United States, more than half of domestic cats and dogs are overweight. What’s more, 20% of dogs and 30% of cats are obese.

“Owners are often unaware that their dog is overweight, and many may not realize the impact that it can have on health. What they may not know is that, if their beloved pet is too heavy, they are more likely to suffer from other problems such as joint disease, breathing issues, and certain types of cancer, as well as having a poorer quality of life. These health and wellbeing issues can significantly impact how long they live.”

— Alex German, Professor of Small Animal Medicine, University of Liverpool

The full results of the study can be found in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine.

Source: Overweight dogs may live shorter lives

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AVMA Voices Concerns About Antimicrobial Resistance at Intergovernmental Meeting

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) was recently invited by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to send a representative to the Codex Alimentarius Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance, convened by the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal Health.

The meeting, which took placed last month in Busan, South Korea, was convened to revise the Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance, a document which provides best practices for the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals. The AVMA was invited to provide a voice for veterinary practitioners — including its 91,000 members.

The AVMA has been a strong advocate of policies that promote antimicrobial stewardship and that combat antimicrobial resistance. Last month, it released a joint statement with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) to outline strategies for preserving the effectiveness and availability of antimicrobial drugs. The AVMA also joined the United States Centers for Disease Control‘s (CDC) Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge to fight antimicrobial resistance on a global scale.

Source: AVMA gives practitioners a voice in global meeting on antimicrobial resistance

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Passage of PAWS Act Offers Security for Pets of Domestic Abuse Survivors

Survivors of domestic abuse and their pets have new protections in place thanks to a piece of legislation tucked away in the $867 billion Farm Bill signed into law late last month.

The Pets and Women Safety (PAWS) Act was drafted to protect “victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence from emotional and psychological trauma caused by acts of violence or threats of violence against their pets” by setting aside $3 million in federal funds to cover costs associated with keeping pets at alternative housing for domestic abuse survivors.

Along with the provisioning of funds, the PAWS Act also expands the federal definition of stalking to explicitly include pets. Under the new definition, stalking now includes “conduct that causes a person to experience a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury to his or her pet.”

“Sadly, one in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. Pets often become a member of the family, and the idea of leaving a beloved pet behind in a dangerous situation is unthinkable. By ensuring that people experiencing domestic abuse don’t have to make the decision between finding safety for themselves or staying behind to protect their pet, we can empower survivors to seek help.”

— Katherine Clark, United States Representative (D-MA)

For many domestic abuse survivors, the decision to leave dangerous living situations has been a decision between seeking safety for themselves and condemning their pets to harm or death. Many shelters for survivors of domestic abuse do not accept pets, leaving those staying there to find alternative arrangements for their pets, if any at all. Consequently, one third of domestic abuse survivors report delaying leaving their abusive situations over concerns for the welfare of their pets.

With the PAWS Act now signed into law, survivors of domestic abuse and their pets will have more protections in place and more options available when it comes to finding safe places to stay.

Source: PAWS Act pulls pets of domestic violence victims into the safety net

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Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s Pets and Vets Program Receives Purina Support

Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) announced that it recently received a $25,000 donation from Purina to support its Pets and Vets program.

The Pets and Vets program trains rescue dogs to become service animals that are then provided to qualifying veterans. Rescued dogs who enter the program are provided with training for obedience, public access, and to perform specific tasks. Veterans who are paired with dogs through the program receive the dog at no expense.

Purina’s contribution to the Pets and Vets program was made possible through Purina’s #DogThanking campaign, which ran concurrently with the National Dog Show and Thanksgiving. During the campaign, Purina donated one dollar for every pet owners who posted to social media using the #DogThanking hashtag and who tagged @Purina.

“The #DogThanking campaign was an engaging way for pet lovers to thank the pets that make our lives so special while making a difference in the lives of many veterans and shelter dogs. We are grateful to Purina for selecting us as their partner to raise awareness and funds for this unique program. This donation helps us rescue more dogs and serve more veterans living with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and other challenges – truly saving lives at both ends of the leash.”

— Tony La Russa, Co-founder, Animal Rescue Foundation

Source: Tony La Russa’s ARF Receives Purina Donation to Support Pets and Vets Program

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Petco Partners with Express Scripts to Launch Pet Medicine Delivery Service

Petco and Express Scripts recently announced a new partnership that allows pet owners to order their pets’ medications over the Internet and have them delivered directly to their homes.

Under the new alliance, Petco has launched Petco Pharmacy, a new online service for ordering over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pet medications. Petco Pharmacy has been developed to take advantage of Express Scripts’ fulfillment systems to ensure that pets’ medication orders arrive quickly and accurately.

“Working with Petco is another step forward for Express Scripts in providing better care, cost and convenience to millions of Americans, many of whom are also pet parents. By combining Petco’s history, expertise and extensive reach in pet retail with our innovative home delivery capabilities, we’re transforming the pet medicine industry and making access to critical pet medicines convenient and affordable for more pet parents than ever before.”

— Wendy Barnes, Vice President & General Manager, Consumer Solutions, Express Scripts

Source: Petco and Express Scripts Team Up for Home Delivery of Pet Medicines

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Obesity May be Underreported Among Birds, Reptiles

According to the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention, the obesity epidemic widely reported among cats and dogs may extend to other companions animals as well, including birds and reptiles.

In correspondence with Petfood Industry, Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention founder Ernie Ward stated that veterinarians suggest that instances of obesity among exotic animals may be underreported and underdiagnosed. Part of the problem, according to Ward, is that obesity assessment tools are inadequate for most exotic animals. While veterinarians have standardized tools for assessing obesity among cats and dogs, similar standards have not yet been agreed upon for birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

“We need better assessment tools and treatment regimens for avian, small mammal and reptile obesity. The first step is to standardize terminology and assessment tools, similar to what we’re doing with the Global Pet Obesity Initiative.”

— Ernie Ward, Founder, the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention

Ward’s statements follow increased pressure for veterinarians to develop comprehensive approaches to combat obesity among pets. At a presentation given during the Future of Animal Companionship Conference last month, University of Liverpool Professor of Small Animal Medicine, Alex German, along with ConscienHealth‘s Ted Kyle made a number of recommendations for veterinarians to adopt to better address pet obesity. Among those recommendations were calls to develop better evidence-based strategies for preventing obesity, to reframe conversations between veterinarians and clients about obesity, and to formally define obesity as a disease.

Source: Small pet obesity may be underreported health threat

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ASPCA Chief Calls for Audit of USDA Dog Breeding Inspection Protocols

The president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has called for a thorough audit of the USDA’s dog breeder inspection programs, citing weak enforcement and a lack of transparency.

In an opinion piece published in The Hill, ASPCA CEO Matt Bershadker lauded the USDA’s Office of Inspector General’s recent decision to include an audit of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in its 2019 Annual Plan. According to Bershadker, the decision to conduct an audit is a much needed step following nearly a decade of “major deficiencies” having been observed within APHIS and its enforcement of standards for commercial dog breeders.

Within the United States, animal breeders have been held to standards established by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) since 1966. The USDA’s APHIS is responsible for enforcing the welfare standards set by the AWA. However, a string of recent critical reports and high-profile incidents — including the purging of its breeder inspection database — have cast doubt about the ability of APHIS to carry out its duties. Recently reported drops in the number of disciplinary actions levied against breeders that have violated AWA standards of care have only underscored these doubts.

The ongoing lack of transparency combined with weak enforcement of the minimal standards of care required under the AWA is a tragedy for the long-suffering animals in commercial breeding facilities. A new OIG audit will not only give us more insight into the agency’s shortcomings but will hopefully spur a much-needed elevation of AWA standards of care. Since the law’s enactment over 50 years ago, those standards have too often fallen short of their promise to adequately protect vulnerable animals.

— Matt Bershadker, President & CEO, ASPCA

Source: For suffering animals, a new audit of the USDA can’t happen soon enough

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AAHA Updates Standards of Accreditation for 2019

The American Animal Hospital Association has revised its Standards of Accreditation for 2019 to reflect recent changes in recommended best practices in veterinary medicine.

Among the changes made in this most recent revision include:

  • More detailed protocols for patient assessments made prior to the administration of sedatives and anesthetics
  • More detailed protocols for handling client communication before and after animal euthanization
  • More detailed protocols for the labeling of medication
  • Changes to protocols for presurgical assessment

A detailed list of changes made to the Standards of Accreditation can be found at https://aaha.org/accreditation/whatsnew.

The changes to the AAHA’s Standards of Accreditation will take effect January 1, 2019.

Source: Updates to the AAHA Standards of Accreditation

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APPA Announces Partnership with ARF’s Pets and Vets Program

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) announced a new partnership in support of their Pets and Vets Program.

APPA pledged $1 million over the next four years to support expansion of the program pairing shelter animals with veterans coping with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, and other service-related challenges. ARF then guides the veteran-dog teams through a 10-month psychiatric support dog training program.

Unlike service-dog programs that cost thousands of dollars and involve long waitlists, ARF’s program operates on shorter timelines and with no out-of-pocket expenses to the veteran. Teams complete service-training curriculum together in small, veteran-only classes, which deepens the bond between the veterans and their dogs.

 “ARF’s Pets and Vets program aligns perfectly with APPA’s mission to promote responsible pet ownership, as well as the joys and health benefits associated with owning a pet. We couldn’t think of a better way to give back than to help connect rescued service dogs with men and women who have served our country and can truly benefit from the unconditional love, security, service, and companionship of a dog. The APPA Board and staff are tremendously proud of this new endeavor that will positively impact the lives of countless heroes and their pets for years to come.”

— Bob Vetere, President & CEO, APPA

For more details about the Pets and Vets program, please visit https://arflife.org/pets-and-vets.

Source: APPA Announces Partnership with ARF’s Pets and Vets Program

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Sleeping Alongside a Pet May Improve Sleep Quality

A recent study suggests that sleeping alongside a cat or dog may help you wake up feeling more rested.

The study, conducted by a research team at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, involved a survey of 150 patients of the facility’s Center for Sleep Medicine. Among the questions on the survey included those pertaining to sleeping locations, quality of sleep, and whether or not participants allowed their pets to sleep beside them. Of the respondents, 56% reported that they shared their bed or bedroom with their cat or dog. Of those, 41% reported that they believed their pet helped them to sleep better while only 20 percent reported that their pets disrupted their sleep.

The results of the study are particularly interesting when compared to those of a 2014 Mayo Clinic study that found that over half of its sleep clinic patients reported disturbed sleep because of their pets.

So which is it? Do pets in bed improve (human) sleep quality? If so, why would the 2014 findings differ so much? One of the recent study’s researchers has a theory.

“Respondents described feeling secure, content and relaxed when their pet slept nearby. The value of these experiences, although poorly understood, cannot be dismissed because sleep is dependent on a state of physical and mental relaxation.”

— Lois Krahn, Psychiatrist, the Mayo Clinic

The study’s results have been corroborated by other recent studies, including one published this year by researchers at the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary.

Source: Pets in the bedroom may help you sleep better

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Embrace Pet Insurance Announces Support for HABRI

Embrace Pet Insurance recently announced that it has become an official supporter of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and its research on the human health benefits of companion animals.

“When pet owners become part of the Embrace family, we strive to strengthen the human-animal bond, especially when pet parents need it most. By supporting HABRI, Embrace Pet Insurance is proudly helping to advance human-animal bond research that demonstrates the positive role that healthy pets play in our lives.”

— Ambrish Jaiswal, CEO, Embrace Pet Insurance

Scientific evidence increasingly shows that pets improve heart health, alleviate depression, increase well-being, support child health and development, and contribute to healthy aging. In addition, companion animals can assist in the treatment of a broad range of conditions from post-traumatic stress to Alzheimer’s disease to autism spectrum disorder.

The benefits of the human-animal bond impact more than just human health. Findings from a recent HABRI survey of 2,000 pet owners demonstrate that knowledge of the scientific research on the human-animal bond motivates pet owners to take better care of their pets. From providing pets with higher quality nutrition to purchasing pet health insurance, spreading awareness of the health benefits of pet ownership improves pet health and welfare.

Source: Embrace Pet Insurance Supports HABRI

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$6.77 Billion Spent on Pet Services in United States

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, $6.77 billion was spent on pet services in the United States last year. This represents a 1% decrease from 2016’s $6.84 billion and the first drop in pet services spending since 2010.

While the decrease may not seem significant on the surface, Pet Age’s John Gibbons suggests that the drop may be a sign of a hotter market with more competition and better deals for consumers.

“Lower prices and “deals” can attract new users or encourage existing customers to buy more or more often. Both of these increase revenue. However, it can also result in regular users spending less for the same services.”

— John Gibbons, Pet Age

Even with the drop in overall spend, it seems that more consumers are making more purchases more often. Gibbons also notes that Consumer Price Index for pet services jumped a staggering 2.5% in early 2018, suggesting that 2017’s modest, nominal drop in spending may be a sign of even greater growth to come.

To read the full analysis — and to check Gibbons’ math — read the full article on Pet Age.

Source: U.S. Pet Services Hit $6.77B in 2017

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New Studies Suggest Dogs Grasp Language Like Humans

Sit. Stay. Speak. …Listen?

It’s no secret that dogs are able to recognize words and understand the semantics behind them — to a point, at least. But how do they do it? A pair of studies from research teams based at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia suggest that dogs’ processing of human language isn’t that different from our own.

The Eötvös Loránd University-based team used an MRI scanner to examine brain activity in dogs as handlers spoke a range of phrases to them. Among the phrases spoken were those commonly used for praise toward dogs — such as “good boy!” and “well done!” — as well as arbitrary, neutral phrases that the dogs weren’t likely to understand. Both sets of phrases were spoken in various intonations, including those typically used when rewarding dogs. The researchers found that dogs processed familiar, known words using brain structures in their left hemisphere, regardless of intonation. Tonal information appeared to be processed by structures in the right hemisphere. Combined, structures in both hemispheres were used to determine the semantic nature of the phrases as well as the intent behind them.

The results suggest that dogs process speech in a manner that is not unlike the way humans process speech.

Meanwhile, the Emory-based research team conducted a similar study using dogs in MRI scanners, only instead of arbitrary phrases, the researchers used dogs’ toys and a combination of known names for them and nonsense words. Dogs were shown their toys and researchers said either the correct name for the toy or a nonsense word. When a nonsense word was spoken, dogs tended to show greater activity in structures used for auditory processing than when the correct word was spoken.

The researchers have hypothesized that dogs show greater neurological activity when presented with unfamiliar words because their brains are trying to make sense of the new “word” and understand how it relates to known concepts — in this case, their toys.

“Dogs may have varying capacity and motivation for learning and understanding human words, but they appear to have a neural representation for the meaning of words they have been taught, beyond just a low-level Pavlovian response.”

— Gregory Berns, Director, Center for Neuropolicy, Emory University

Together, the two studies suggest that dogs are not only able to develop a limited understanding of words and phrases, but that they do so in a way that is remarkably similar to the ways humans understand language as well.

Source: Your dog totally gets what you’re saying

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Mislabeled Ingredient Providers Slapped with $7 Million Fine

Two suppliers of pet food ingredients were ordered to pay a combined $7 million after passing off bones, feathers, and feet as high-quality poultry meal.

Wilbur-Ellis Feed and Diversified Ingredients were issued the fine after having been caught selling the mislabeled products to a number of pet food manufacturers across the United States. Both Wilbur-Ellis Feed and Collin McAtee, a co-owner of Diversified Ingredients, plead guilty to adulteration or misbranding of food.

The mislabeled ingredients were traced to one of 32 feed producers owned by Wilbur-Ellis Feed. A spokesperson for Wilbur-Ellis stated that the facility had been managed by a team that had been in place since before Wilbur-Ellis’ ownership of the facility. She added that the company had taken actions to ensure that facility would operate according in alignment with customers’ expectations.

Source: US$7 million fine for mislabeled pet food ingredient providers

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Pet Halloween Costumes Continue to Grow in Popularity

Have you picked out your pet’s Halloween costume yet?

According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, roughly one in five pet owners plan on dressing their pets up for Halloween. The survey, which covers a wide range of topics, indicated that 18% of pet owners had costumes in mind for their pets for Halloween 2018. This is up from 16% in 2017. Among the factors cited for the increase in costumed pets are a stronger economy and increased activity among millennials.

Source: Pet Costume Popularity Increases

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PetSmart Charities Announces Availability of $1 Million in Hurricane Relief Grants

PetSmart Charities has announced that it has committed $1 million to support organizations working to help pets and their owners affected by Hurricane Michael. This $1 million commitment follows PetSmart Charities’ commitment to support Hurricane Florence relief efforts made just last month.

Disaster relief organizations interested in applying for a grant may do so here starting October 12. Grant applications are open to national and local designated response agencies serving pets including nonprofit and municipal animal shelters, rescues, food banks, and veterinary clinics.

“The catastrophic damage in the southeastern U.S. from Hurricane Michael is immense and we know relief agencies on the ground need supplies to feed, house and provide veterinary care to pets. With the support of our generous donors, it’s our hope that this funding from PetSmart Charities will help provide essential care to pet families and displaced pets in the areas impacted by the storm.”

— David Haworth, President, PetSmart Charities

Source: PetSmart Charities® Commits $1 Million to Support Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts

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FEDIAF Publishes Revised Nutritional Guidelines for Cats and Dogs

The European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF) recently announced new nutritional guidelines for cat and dog foods.

The new guidelines were presented at the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition Congress in Munich last month, in front of an audience of scientists and veterinary professionals. The revised guidelines represent the latest in the FEDIAF’s effort to continually update them to reflect the current state of the science.

“One of FEDIAF’s main objectives is to safeguard the wellbeing of pets by providing well balanced and nutritionally sound pet food through its member companies. That is why FEDIAF has taken up the task of regularly adapting the recommendations for nutrient levels in pet food in close cooperation with independent scientists. This enables the pet food industry to adjust the nutritional quality of complete diets for dogs and cats based on state-of-the-art scientific knowledge.”

— Thomas Brenten, Chair, FEDIAF Nutrition and Analytical Science Working Group

A full version of the Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs is available through the FEDIAF website.

Source: FEDIAF presents new nutritional guidelines at Vet Congress

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