Purina ONE to host Cat Camp pop-up event

Purina ONE has found the way to improve the active, energetic fun of summer camp: add cats. The first-ever Cat Camp will include camp-themed activities designed to bring cat lovers together to experience what whole body health means for cats.
While cat health is revealed from the inside out, Purina ONE is bringing the outside in with this indoor Cat Camp in the heart of New York City. Through Cat Camp, Purina ONE hopes campers leave feeling empowered that they know how to help support their cats' health and happiness every day and for a lifetime.
The Openhouse event space at 201 Mulberry in New York's SoHo neighborhood will undergo a cat-approved transformation for Cat Camp, July 31-August 1, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the pop-up event, Cat Camp counselors will guide members of the public through a series of activities that reflect a healthy cat's routine:
Campfire – Just as a campfire is the heart of any campground, nutrition is at the heart of whole body health. At the center of Cat Camp, a campfire made of Purina ONE kibble will be a gathering place for campers and cats while a Purina Veterinarian (Deborah S. Greco, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM) shows how to check your cat for signs of whole body health.

• Climbing – Campers can traverse an indoor climbing wall and learn why cats seek high places.
• Stretching – Cat Camp counselors will demonstrate stretches inspired by cats, which is part of their whole body health you can see every day.
• Purposeful Play – Campers can play with cats while a Purina Behaviorist (Sandra Lyn, PhD) educates about the importance of physical activity and mental stimulation in a cat's routine.
• Arts & Crafts – Campers can make DIY puzzle feeders to take home to their cats.

"Purina ONE's Cat Camp is a fun way for cat lovers to experience all the things that feed into whole body health for cats," said Brian Williams, brand manager for Purina ONE. "We had such a great response to last year's Cat Cafe, so this year we wanted to provide activities that would help educate people on whole body health, and there isn't a better way to do that this summer than a camp-like experience."
Adoptable cats from a Petfinder partner shelter will roam the "campgrounds" to interact with campers and show how Purina ONE provides all the nutrition your cat needs for each life stage.

RECALL: Ainsworth recalls Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food

Ainsworth Pet Nutrition of Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA, is voluntarily recalling five varieties of Rachael Ray Nutrish wet cat food, including Ocean Fish-a-licious, Lip Smackin’ Sardine & Mackerel, Ocean Fish & Chicken Catch-iatore, Tuna Purrfection, and certain lot codes of Paw Lickin’ Chicken & Liver due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.
Symptoms of excessive vitamin D consumption usually develop within 12-36 hours after ingestion and may include vomiting or diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and muscle tremors or seizures. Any cat experiencing these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
Two variety packs that contain some of these recalled products (the Chicken Lovers Variety Pack, and the Ocean Lovers Variety Pack) will also be recalled. The recalled products are distributed nationwide. No other Rachael Ray Nutrish products are affected by this recall.
The affected products are:
Single Pack

• Paw Lickin Chicken and Liver (2.8 oz), Unit UPC Code 071190007032, Best By Dates Thru Aug 17 2015
• Ocean Fish And Chicken Catch-iatorie (2.8 oz), Unit UPC Code 071190007049, Best By Dates Thru Dec 1 2016
• Ocean Fish A Licious (2.8 oz), Unit UPC Code 071190007056, Best By Dates Thru Dec 1 2016
• Tuna Purrfection (2.8 oz), Unit UPC Code 071190007063, Best By Dates Thru Dec 1 2016
• Lip Smackin Sardine And Mackerel (2.8 oz), Unit UPC Code 071190007070, Best By Dates Thru Dec 1 2016

Multi Packs - 12 Count

• Chicken Lovers Variety Pack (12 count pack of 2.8 oz cups), Unit UPC Code 071190007773, Best By Dates Thru Dec 1 2016
• Ocean Lovers Variety Pack (12 count pack of 2.8 oz cups), Unit UPC Code 071190007780, Best By Dates Thru Dec 1 2016  

The UPC code can be found on the bottom of the cup. The Best By code can be found on the side of the cup.
To date, there have been 11 reports of illness associated with these products.
After conducting a number of product tests, Ainsworth confirmed that the affected products have elevated levels of vitamin D. The high levels result from the natural levels of vitamin D that are found in some of the fish ingredients that were used in these specific formulas.
"At Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and Rachael Ray Nutrish, the safety and quality of our products is our top priority," says Jeff Watters, CEO. "For the time being, we recommend disposing of any of the affected wet cat varieties. Rest assured we have implemented additional operating procedures to prevent an issue like this from occurring in the future. We sincerely apologize to our loyal consumers everywhere."
Ainsworth is working to ensure the removal of all affected products from store shelves. Retailers with affected products are asked to contact +1.888.943.4218 for additional information.
Consumers with questions about the recall are encouraged to contact Ainsworth’s Consumer Care Team at +1.877.650.3486 or visit www.nutrishforpets.com/news.
Representatives will be available from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Vitamin D is important in regulating calcium and phosphorus in a cat’s body. But when ingested at very high levels, it can lead to serious health issues.
Production of the affected varieties has been suspended and will resume after reformulation.

SlimKitty.com launched to help combat cat obesity

Kate and Steve O'Brien have launched SlimKitty.com, a site that focuses on the health of cats. The site is sister to SlimDoggy.com, which highlights canine health.

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The sites aim to raise pet owners' awareness to the issue of pet obesity and educate owners about food, nutrition and the importance of exercise for the health and longevity of their pets. "We want [pet owners] to know what's in the food they are feeding, recognize how much they are feeding and understand how both factors impact their pets' health and longevity," said Kate O'Brien. "Just as with dogs, overweight cats are more susceptible to obesity-related diseases, particularly diabetes, as well as osteoarthritis and liver and kidney problems."
SlimKitty has a database with more than 1,000 cat foods so far that tracks ingredients, nutrients and calories. The SlimDoggy database is at 3,000 dog foods. "SlimKitty is just starting out, but our hope is to gain a following of caring, concerned cat owners who want to feed their cats the best they can feed them while also making sure their cats stay fit through activity and exercise," said Kate O'Brien. "We all love our pets and want what’s best for them. What could be better than a long happy, healthy and fit life?"

Small meals, greater frequency may curb cat obesity

Researchers from the University of Illinois interested in finding a method to maintain healthy body weight in cats have looked at a previously suggested claim that increased meal frequency could help to increase overall physical activity. The idea is to feed cats the appropriate amount of food needed to maintain a healthy body weight, but to offer it in more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day.

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Animal sciences researcher Kelly Swanson and his lab at U of I determined that both increasing the frequency of meals fed per day, as well as offering meals that contained added dietary water-neither method involved decreasing the overall amount of daily food intake-did promote more physical activity among the cats in the study. "It all comes down to energy in and energy out," said Swanson. "It's very simple on paper, but it's not that easy in real life, especially in a household where there is more than one pet. That can be difficult, but I think these two strategies are very practical ideas that people can use."
During the two-part study, researchers evaluated the activity of the cats between meals using activity collar monitors. In the first experiment, the cats were divided among four rooms and were given dry kibble meals four times per day, two times per day, one time per day, and in the fourth room, were fed a random number of meals per day. The overall amount of food fed to each cat in each room per day was the same; feeding frequency varied.
In the second experiment, the cats were divided among two rooms and were fed twice per day with a 70% hydrated diet, using similar amounts of dry kibble used in the first experiment to maintain body weight. Water was added to the kibble an hour before each meal time, according to Swanson.
The cats were placed in their individual cages only during mealtimes so that the researchers could accurately monitor their food intake. During the activity monitoring times, the cats had limited interaction with people. The researchers evaluated the cats' food anticipatory activity (FAA), which included the activity of each cat two hours before meals were given. During the dry kibble experiment, they noticed that the cats were much more active during those anticipatory times, especially those fed four meals per day and those given meals at random times.
"If they know they are going to get fed, that's when they are really active, if they can anticipate it," said Swanson. The cats showed an even greater spike in physical activity in the second experiment when they were fed meals with the added water. However, Swanson said the biggest difference in peak activity times with this group occurred in the periods after they had eaten. He added that the researchers had not determined why this was, though factors such as increased use of the litter box, for example, could have come into play.
"I think veterinarians will be interested in this information because it gives them evidence to be able to recommend something to pet owners that could help with feline obesity and diabetes," said Swanson. "When cats are allowed to feed ad libitum, it's difficult to prevent obesity. It is important to identify the right diet. Many owners are accustomed to dumping a pile of food out for multiple cats, just once per day. The owner does have an active role in helping with weight management."
The key is figuring out how much food is needed to maintain your cat's healthy body weight. "It is tricky because labels on petfood provide ranges for how much should be fed," said Swanson. "If you're feeding a cat, that food is supplied to thousands of cats with different metabolism. Some are spayed or neutered, and ages are different."
Adding water to dry food, or using wet canned food, may provide a greater gut fill to pets. Swanson also said once the dry kibble absorbs the water, it does look like "more" to the owner, perhaps alleviating the fear that the pet is not eating enough. He also said that rotating between dry kibble meals and wet or canned food could also help in maintaining body weight. Recognizing that the lifestyle of pet owners may not allow for regulating multiple feedings per day, Swanson said if a pet owner could even go from offering only one meal per day to two, it could possibly promote more physical activity.

Royal Canin survey finds pet owners lack knowledge on cat health

Royal Canin recently released the results of its nationwide US survey of cat owners to dispel myths and better understand the relationship between cats and their owners. The survey found that many pet owners lack knowledge on their cat's health, as nearly 50 percent said they think about their cat's health daily.
In fact, nearly three-quarters of cat owners (72 percent) don't consider their cat's health when selecting food for their pet. The survey also found others don't factor their cat's breed (93 percent), weight (65 percent) or age (52 percent) into their petfood decision-making process.
"Many cat owners don't consider about key health factors when selecting their cat's food, because they aren't sure which factors they should be considering," said Dr. Brent Mayabb, veterinarian and director of corporate affairs at Royal Canin. "Feeding cats a food suited to their age, lifestyle, specific sensitivities and breed contributes to the overall health and well-being of the cat."
Tastes were found to play a big role in cat food selection. Nearly two in five cat owners believe that cats have a strong sense of taste (38 percent). Royal Canin says this is likely why so many consider flavor (42 percent) when choosing a cat food, and 15 percent of owners admit to taste testing their cat's food.
"In truth, a cat's ability to taste isn't nearly as powerful as a human's ability, and aroma and texture play a much bigger role in how cats choose their food," said Dr. Mayabb. "It's important to consider the kibble texture, shape and size and especially food aromas when trying to pick a food your cat will like."
Although nearly all cat owners (95 percent) said they are confident that they are doing the best they can for their pet, nearly half (49 percent) did not gather any information or research before they brought their cat home.
"We understand the strong bond pet owners have with their cats, and one of the best ways to enhance that relationship is to learn more about them," said Dr. Mayabb. "Understanding a cat's physical and physiological traits is critical to not only finding the right fit for your family, but also in doing what's best for the cat's well-being once they are brought home."
Nearly 61 percent of cat owners selected a cat because it easily adapts to the owner's lifestyle, 60 percent chose a cat because they don't have to be walked or taken outside to go the bathroom, and 55 percent because cats can be left alone for longer periods of time.
However, the survey found many cat owners are uninformed of the typical cat lifestyle. A majority of cat owners were unaware that cats spend time each day marking their territory (73 percent), hunting (68 percent) and hiding (62 percent).
"By understanding how cats spend their day, we can enrich our cat's environment," said Steve Dale, certified animal behavior consultant and host of Steve Dale's Pet World radio show. "Simple things like creating lots of places for your cat to climb and scratch, or hiding food in toys throughout the house, allow your cat to 'hunt'-all improving the overall health and happiness of your pet."

Zuke's donates more than US$175,000 to fight canine cancer to date

Zuke's announced that as of September 27, the pet treat maker has donated more than US$175,000 to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund (DCCFund), a nonprofit organization dedicated to understanding, treating and preventing canine and feline cancer.
The DCCFund was created by Zuke's founder, Patrick Meiering, and his brother, Chris, in 2007 after their childhood dog and, more recently, Zuke, the company's namesake, died of canine cancer. 
Since the inception of the DCCFund, Zuke's has contributed a portion of all sales to the organization. With Zuke's support, the DCCFund has increased the annual grant amount per pet from US$700 in 2007, to  US$1200 in 2011, and most recently to US$1500 in 2013. The DCCFund estimates it will be able to help a record 100 pets in 2013, up from 42 in 2011 and 69 in 2012.
"Zuke's donates a portion of all product sales to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund," said Chris Meiering, Zuke's director of marketing and co-founder of the DCCFund. "We invest in this organization because we passionately believe that the ability to pay one's vet bills shouldn't be a factor in giving pets a fighting chance against this terrible disease."

Kemin to launch three feline health supplements under RESOURCES brand

Kemin will introduce three feline health supplements under the RESOURCES brand at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's annual conference on August 24-27 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
These products, which include Feline Urinary Tract Support, Feline Immune System Support and Protegrity GI, will now be available as highly palatable chews.
"Our team has observed, both in trials and feeding at home, that the pill or capsule delivery form for feline supplements just isn't well accepted by the animal," said Dr. Andrew Yersin, president of the companion animal health division at Kemin. "Our goal in reformulating these products was twofold - provide the same proven actives that promote feline health and to improve acceptability by the pet, which then provides added convenience for the pet parent."
In addition, Kemin will sponsor a breakfast lecture on August 26 at the conference at 7 a.m. The presentation will feature Dr. Basko presenting, "A Complementary Approach to Feline Health and Wellbeing." Dr. Basko will discuss natural herbs and ingredients that can assist in managing common immune system and urinary tract challenges in felines.

Cats fed dry diets may be less willing to eat other food types, study shows

Research published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggests that feedings cats exclusively a dry petfood diet may make them less willing to eat other types of foods. 
The study involving 18 cats examined how cats develop dietary preferences. Researchers looked at whether kittens first fed moist diets, then switched to kibble, would make an easier transition back to moist foods than kittens that were fed dry food from the beginning.
From ages 9-20 weeks, 13 cats were fed either commercial canned food, commercial raw food or homemade raw diets. Another five cats were fed only dry diets during the same age period. At the end of the post-weaning period, all 18 cats were fed a commercial dry diet from 7-23 months. As adults, the 18 cats were offered one of three moist foods: commercial canned, commercial raw or homemade raw. 
According to the study:
• Kittens fed exclusively kibble for more than a 7-month period after weaning were not interested in the moist diets, including cats fed a moist diet during the post-weaning period.
• Cats fed one of the moist diets during the post-weaning period maintained their weight better when the moist food was reintroduced if they spent less time on the dry food diet. Four of five cats (80 percent) that were fed dry food for 7 months maintained their weight once reintroduced to the moist foods, compared with two of five cats (40 percent) that maintained their weight after 17 months of eating dry food.
• Kittens fed canned foods were more accepting of both raw and canned diets than kittens fed exclusively raw diets during the post-weaning period.
The study's authors point out that this is a preliminary study and that a larger sample of cats is required to verify these findings, but believe the research supports the benefit of offering dietary variety to cats throughout their life. 

Merrick introduces 21 new cat food recipes as part of ‘Real Food Revolution’

Merrick Pet Care is continuing its “Real Food Revolution” with the introduction of its new Purrfect Bistro menu of 21 recipes offering a variety of high-protein, canned and dry cat foods.
Purrfect Bistro recipes are formulated to nourish kittens, adult and senior cats, featuring deboned meat as the number one ingredient, in flavors such as chicken, salmon, tuna, duck, turkey and beef. The recipes contain no poultry byproducts or ingredients from China, and they are grain free with essential fatty acids, like omega 6s and omega 3s. Recipes are available in paté, shredded and sliced varieties.
“We know our cats need a high-protein, moisture-rich diet and that’s why our Purrfect Bistro menu is expansive in the number of high-quality options across both dry and canned recipes,” said Greg Shearson, Merrick Pet Care’s chief executive officer. 
Merrick’s new recipes will be available in summer at independent pet specialty stores, Petco and select online retailers.

Royal Canin survey looks at factors influencing petfood, pet choice

In a recent survey, petfood manufacturer Royal Canin set out to determine America's favorite breeds, uncover how "dog people" differ from "cat people," factors that come into play when choosing a pet and what influences pet owners' petfood choices. 
The survey found that more than 55 percent of cat owners rank appearance as the most important factor when choosing a feline friend, while nearly 62 percent of dog owners look at size when choosing a dog. The survey found that cat and dog owners are similar in that nearly half (40 percent) of cat owners and a third (28 percent) of dog owners say a "mixed-breed" pet is their favorite type of cat or dog. 
“It’s interesting to learn how different cat and dog owners can be when choosing, and making decisions for, their pets,” said Dr. Brent Mayabb, veterinarian and manager of education and development at Royal Canin. “Whatever factors come into play, understanding an animal’s physical and physiological traits is critical to providing the best care.” 
When asked how they select a petfood, more than half of dog owners (56 percent) and cat owners (53 percent) said nutritional factors were most important. 
“This is encouraging, as it shows that owners understand the importance of feeding pets according to their unique nutritional needs,” said Mayabb. “Whether they own a pure breed or a mixed-breed, owners should always aim to provide the most precise care and nutrition for their four-legged friends.”

RECALL: Diamond Pet Foods recalls select dry cat food brands due to low levels of thiamine

Diamond Pet Foods is recalling select production codes of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat, Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management, Premium Edge Kitten, Diamond Naturals Kitten and 4health All Life Stages Cat dry cat food formulas. Tests conducted by the company indicated the products might have a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1).
Recalled products, including size, product name, production code, best-by date and USA states the products were distributed to, include:

• 18 lb. bags; Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula; NGF0703; 10-Jul-2013; Massachusetts
• 6 lb. bags; Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula; NGF0802; 15-Aug-2013, 16-Aug-2013; Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia
• 6 lb., 18 lb. bags; Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula; NGS0101; 03-Jan-2014, 04-Jan-2014; Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma
• 6 lb., 18 lb. bags; Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula; NGS0702; 10-Jul-2013; Florida, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia
• 6 oz. samples, 6 lb., 18 lb. bags; Premium Edge Kitten Formula; MKT0901; 10-Jul-2013;
• 6 oz. samples, 6 lb. bags; Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula; MKT0901; 26-Sept-2013, 29-Sept-2013, 30-Sept-2013, 02-Oct-2013; Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina
• 5 lb., 18 lb. bags; 4health All Life Stages Cat Formula; NGF0802; 14-Aug-2013, 18-Aug-2013; Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia

The company says no complaints regarding the recalled cat food products have been received to date.
Consumers with questions should contact Diamond Pet Foods +1.888.965.6131, Sunday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. 

Value of nutrients from raw meat cat diets analyzed in new study

In a new paper published in the Journal of Animal Science, researchers analyzed the value of nutrients from raw meat diets for cats and exotic felids.
The researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Omaha, Nebraska, USA’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium analyzed the value of nutrients from bison, cattle, horses and elk meats to test how the different diets affected cats. Researchers collected blood serum and fecal samples from domestic cats and captive African wildcats, jaguars and Malayan tigers, in addition to using cecetomized roosters to analyze amino acid digestibility in the different diets.
Findings indicated that although raw meat diets met many of the nutrient requirements for cats, none of the diets contained the recommended levels of linoleic acid, and horse meat did not provide recommended levels of arachidonic acid for kittens, as well as gestating and lactating females.
"With the closing of horse abattoirs in 2007, the availability of quality grade horsemeat in the United States has decreased, increasing the need for research on the digestibility and composition of possible alternatives," according to researchers.
Kelly Swanson, associate professor of animal science at the University of Illinois and co-author of the study, said the researchers are "a bit wary" of pet owners feeding homemade raw diets because of the risk of exposing cats to increased pathogens and nutrient imbalances. Additionally, a high-protein diet can chance the types of microbes in the cat’s gut. This, researchers say, can lead to more “odiferous” feces, depending on the digestibility of the protein source. 

FDA, Merrick Pet Care investigate moldy cat food cans

The US Food and Drug Administration and Merrick Pet Care announced they are investigating a California, USA, pet owner's complaint that mold was found in Merrick cat food cans.
The moldy cat food cans were first reported on TruthAboutPetFood.com, which said the cans came from two cases and did not appear to be sealed properly because they did not make a vacuum-seal noise when they were opened. The cat food associated with the complaint is Merrick BG Chicken Grain Free Cat Food, sold in 5.5-ounce cans, with a "best by" date of March 14 and lot number 12074 CL2 20473 1203.
“We take pet health very seriously, and our number one priority is to ensure that we are doing everything we can to help in the care and well-being of pet family members,” a Merrick spokesman said. “We are aware of this report regarding the cat cans and have been in touch with this customer, with the common goal of obtaining the necessary information to investigate this matter more fully as well as ensure their pet’s continued good health. As you may know, there are a number of ways cans can be compromised and we are working diligently to understand more about this particular situation.”

'Catkins' wet cat food diet recommended for obese cats

A growing number of American Veterinary Medical Association members are recommending a "Catkins" diet for pet owners to help their overweight cats lose weight.
According to one veterinarian's website, the Catkins diet involves providing a wet diet for cats, rather than feeding dry kibble. “(Cats) have a better chance at optimal health if they are fed a wet food diet instead of dry kibble,” says the veterinarian, Lisa Pierson.
The Catkins diet may help obese cats not only lose weight, but also may aid with a variety of health problems that cats may develop from not having enough moisture in the diet. Pierson says that in the wild, a cat's typical prey contains 70 percent to 75 percent water, which is similar to the moisture content of many wet cat foods; however, she says dry cat foods typically contain only 10 percent moisture.
Another veterinarian, Dr. Travis Einertson, also recommends the Catkins diet and wet foods for obese cats. He says that while these wet cat foods can cost more than a dry petfood, lower-cost brands with a label that says the food is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials are just as good. Einertson also says that some pet owners do not feed wet food because of the belief that dry food is better for the cat's teeth or because wet food is messier than a dry food. But, he says that research has shown the belief to be a myth, and that the tradeoff for the cat's health is worth it.

Researchers examine health of cats fed high-protein diets

Researchers at the University of Illinois looked into the common belief that cats, carnivorous by nature, are healthiest when fed high-protein diets.
A team of researchers examined the effect of dietary protein-to-carbohydrate ratio on the gut microbiomes of growing kittens. “There are a lot of diets now, all natural, that have high protein and fat and not much dietary fiber or carbohydrates,” said animal sciences researcher, Kelly Swanson.
One month before mating, eight domestic shorthair female cats were randomly assigned to one of two dry diets: high-protein, low-carbohydrate (HPLC) or moderate-protein, moderate-carbohydrate (MPMC). When the kittens were born, they were housed with their mothers until they were 8 weeks old, weaned and then fed the same diets as their mothers.
After weaning, the more than 30 kittens were twin- and triple-housed within the dietary-group cages. Twelve of the kittens became part of the study, from which researchers took fecal samples at weaning and four and eight weeks after weaning. They extracted bacterial DNA and used bioinformatics techniques to estimate total bacterial diversity.
The researchers found important differences between the two groups in microbiome composition. As they had expected, levels of proteolytic bacteria that break down protein were higher for kittens on the HPLC diet and levels of saccharolytic bacteria that break down carbohydrates were higher for kittens on the MPMC diet.
In addition, researchers looked at relationships between the diets and physiology. The kittens fed the MPMC diet had high levels of bifidobacteria, which was linked to higher blood ghrelin levels. Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates appetite and thus, may be linked to weight gain, according to researchers. Meanwhile, the bifidobacteria may promote better gastrointestinal health, as low levels in humans have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease.
Other bacteria found at higher levels in the MPMC kittens, including lactobacilli, are also linked to gut health. The researchers found a positive relationship between lactobacilli, blood cholesterol, and blood leptin levels. Leptin is the signal that tells the body to stop eating. Hence, lactobacilli may be linked to cholesterol metabolism, appetite and body weight regulation.
Although kittens fed the HPLC diet had lower levels of some health-promoting bacteria, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Megasphaera, all the animals were healthy throughout the study.
“The cat is fairly unique metabolically,” Swanson said. “But when it comes to gut microbes, there are a lot of similarities to other species. If you feed the bacteria in a cat, dog or human colon the same substrate, there are probably going to be similar outcomes.”
The complete research has been published online in British Journal of Nutrition.

'Cat Allergy' report now available from Research and Markets

Research and Markets has added Global Markets Direct's new report, "Cat Allergy - Pipeline Review, H2 2012," to its offerings.
The report provides an overview of the indication's therapeutic pipeline, with information on therapeutic developments for cat allergies, updates on late-stage and discontinued projects, and a review of key market players. The full report may be purchased online.

State of Pet Health Report available online to pet owners, industry

Banfield Pet Hospital, a chain of veterinary practices throughout the US, has made The State of Pet Health Report available for the first time to consumers, retailers and pet industry members on a new website, www.stateofpethealth.com.
Visitors to the new site can not only access a full PDF version of the report, but also news, veterinarian insights, and tips on diseases affecting pets, including overweight and obesity, kidney disease, heart disease and thyroid disease.
Pet owners can also check their pet's Body Condition Score on the website, look up their pet's daily caloric needs, look into geographic trends and more to help pets live a longer, healthier life.

Petfood nutrition research leads to new pet feeding recommendations

At the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, northeast of London, 150 dogs and 300 cats participate in scientific research aimed at better understanding the nutritional and behavioral needs of pets.
The facility, owned by pet food manufacturer Mars, currently employs 200 veterinarians, nutrition experts and animal keepers. Since its opening in 1965, scientists here have helped to produce more than 1,700 scientific publications and made important contributions to what is currently known about pet nutrition, including the amount of taurine that is considered healthy in a cat's diet.
"We share all our results with the scientific community worldwide," said Jo Gale, a veterinarian at Waltham. "That taurine study has become the basis for all industrially-made cat food worldwide."
For the past two years, researchers have been looking into a new feeding approach for companion animals. Researchers found that dogs should be fed an average of 15 percent less than previously recommended, while cats should be fed 5 percent less.
Gale said that Mars' facility also shows the company's concern for the well-being of the pets there.
"Animal experiments are important but they often have negative connotations," Gale said. "I have dogs of my own – two Labradors – and I couldn’t work anywhere where they torture animals."
At Waltham, cats and dogs live in 24 houses, each with its own garden, with 30 to 40 animals per house. The houses are set up to resemble the homes in which companion animals would normally live. Each animal keeper looks after no more than five pets, each of which gets at least an hour of individual playtime per day. The facility is also surrounded by forests and fields the dogs get to run in. "City dogs can only dream of something like that," Gale said.  

Preventative pet care encouraged during National Pet Wellness Month

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association and The Humane Society of the United States are reminding pet owners that preventative care can help pets live longer and healthier lives as they celebrate October as National Pet Wellness Month.
National Pet Wellness Month is a nationwide educational campaign sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and Fort Dodge Animal Health.
“Yearly visits to your veterinarian are an essential part of keeping your pet healthy,” says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, senior veterinary advisor for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. “Preventative care allows for early detection of problems and often saves money on overall veterinary costs by treating problems before they become serious.”
Dr. Kellogg offers pet owners the following tips to properly care for their pets throughout the year:


• A Balanced Diet: Commercial dog and cat foods make it easy to provide a nutritionally balanced and complete diet. Dog and cat foods contain all of the different nutrients your animal needs in the appropriate quantities, whereas it can be very difficult to create a balanced and complete diet from “people” foods.
• Weight Management: According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats were classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarians. Prevention is much easier to accomplish than treatment, so consult your veterinarian about the right diet and exercise regimen for your pet.
• Annual Exams: Pets should visit their veterinarian at least once a year to check their overall health and well-being, which also allows pet owners to make any necessary changes in their pet’s daily routine and care. A review of the vaccination status and program most appropriate for your pet should also be completed at this time.
• Spay/Neuter: Not only do the spay/neuter procedures prevent individual medical problems, but spaying or neutering also helps curb pet overpopulation and reduces the number of unwanted pets who are euthanized every day. Spay and neuter surgeries can be safely performed as early as 8-12 weeks of age.
• Dental Care: Teeth and oral health should be evaluated annually.
• Senior Pets: As animals age, their dietary requirements and their ability to digest certain foods changes. When pets grow older, they lose some ability to concentrate urine so they need to produce more, and therefore need more water intake. You can help by feeding your pets better quality proteins and avoiding red meats like beef and beef by-products. 

Chicken jerky treats linked to deaths of 360 dogs, 1 cat

FDA recommends owners eliminate feeding jerky treat products from China with more than 2,200 claims of illnesses or deaths

Over the past 18 months, federal health officials have said claims of illnesses linked to chicken jerky treats imported from China have now reached more than 2,200, including reports that at least 360 dogs and one cat have reportedly died after eating the treats.
The Food and Drug Administration recommended pet owners avoid the jerky products entirely. “FDA is reminding pet owners that jerky pet treats are not necessary for pets to have a fully balanced diet, so eliminating them will not harm pets,” agency officials said in an online report.
FDA also said it will begin testing the treats to see whether irradiation of the products may have contributed to the reported treat-related symptoms, ranging from diarrhea and vomiting to kidney failure, Fanconi syndrome and death. US regulations allow petfood, including pet treats, to be irradiated up to a maximum of 50 kiloGrays to provide microbial disinfection or elimination of other pathogens.
However, repeated tests conducted at FDA laboratories, at the agency's Veterinary Response Laboratory Network and by other labs have failed to detect any microbiological, chemical or other contaminants in high enough levels to cause the symptoms in the pets. “To date, none of the testing results have revealed an association between a causative agent and the reported illnesses,” FDA said.