Petnet to acquire SlimDoggy

Petnet has entered into an agreement to acquire SlimDoggy Inc., giving Petnet access to SlimDoggy’s petfood database and patent pending technology, which the company plans to incorporate into its “Smart” line of pet products.

Together, Petnet and SlimDoggy aim to make feeding a pet and selecting appropriate petfood as simple and convenient as possible. The acquisition allows Petnet to leverage the data and methodologies SlimDoggy has developed into an innovative pet feeding system that empowers pet owners to improve the overall health of their pets through proper diet.
In the U.S., pet owners are estimated to have spent nearly $24 billion on petfood in 2014. As the industry continues to grow, data indicates that there are now more pets than children in U.S. households, with 180 million dogs and cats in the U.S. and more households owning a pet than having children. Additionally, consumer spending on smart home systems and products is expected to hit $39 billion by 2019.
Petnet addresses the food-related needs of this growing demographic using a combination of petfood data and sensors to make proper pet feeding simple and convenient. The Petnet SmartFeeder ensures proper servings of the correct food, and alerts the pet owner when the food supply is running low and will automatically have more delivered to the pet owner’s door when it is needed.
"Our acquisition of SlimDoggy helps us to accelerate our vision of using technology to build a better world for pets,” said Carlos Herrera, founder and CEO of Petnet. “We’re deploying a sensor-enabled system powered by SlimDoggy’s data that will guide pet owners to the perfect food recipe for their pet, help them maintain healthy portions, and automatically deliver food to their home when they need it. It's the epitome of the connected home and the future of commerce.”
The majority of pet owners are unaware of the correct portion size and quality of food to feed their pet. In the U.S., more than one-half of the dogs and cats are overweight or obese, which leads to 15 percent shorter lifespans, and increased risk of disease including diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular problems, and even some forms of cancer.
“The amount and type of petfood is the single biggest decision a pet owner can make to impact their pet’s health. With the long and confusing petfood labels, consumers are left to guess when trying to make intelligent, healthy food and portion control decisions,” said Steve Pelletier, founder and CEO of SlimDoggy Inc. “We are excited to work closely with Petnet to improve the way petfood is served, evaluated and purchased, all the while helping to keep pets as healthy as possible.”

Study explores role of gut bacteria in development of obesity in dogs

A new study has found that human and canine obesity share some similarities, according to Science magazine. Obese people have a less diverse array of bacteria living in their guts than do thin people—and the same holds true for dogs.
According to the study abstract, which was published in December 2014 in the "Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine," seven Beagle dogs were fed commercial petfood over a period of six months to increase their weight and seven other Beagle dogs were fed a restricted amount of the same diet to maintain optimal body condition over a period of six months. Researchers found that the seven Beagles in the first group gained an average of 4.93 kilograms—about 67% of their initial average weight.
"When the researchers examined the fecal samples collected from both groups after six months, they found that the guts of obese Beagles contained a smaller diversity of bacteria than those of the other dogs," said Science magazine. "What's more, microbes from the phylum Firmicutes were the predominant group in the lean dogs, whereas gram-negative bacteria called Proteobacteria were prevalent in the obese group."
The study says that decreased serotonin levels in the obese group might increase the risk of obesity because of increased appetite, and that microflora enriched with gram-negative might be related to chronic inflammation status in obese dogs. However, according to the study authors, more research is needed to examine what role gut bacteria may play in the development of obesity.

Petco, Blue Buffalo hold pet weigh-in challenge

Pet supply chain Petco is hosting, and Blue Buffalo pet products is sponsoring, the "Pounds for Pounds" weigh-in challenge through January 26.

test
The goal of the challenge is to educate pet parents on what a healthy weight is for their pets and to raise funds for animal groups across the country, according to Petco. Pet owners can bring their dog or cat to any Unleashed by Petco location across the USA to be weighed using a special in-store pet scale. Store associates will track the number of pounds weighed from January 4 to January 26, 2014, and once a store reaches 5,000 pounds, it will donate $500 to a local animal group of their choice. With 103 stores, that's over $51,000 of potential funds nationwide, according to the company.
Unleashed by Petco's associates will also offer advice on weight management and nutrition to participating pets:

• Before starting a weight-loss program, visit a veterinarian to find out a pet's ideal weight.
• Pet parents are usually unaware that their pets' food portion sizes are too large, so portion control is key.
• Break down meals into two to four small portions throughout the day to trick pets into feeling like they're eating more.
• Serve high-protein and low-fat food to keep pets full, and remember that treats should be no more than 10% of caloric intake.
• Pets should exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
• Keep an eye on pets' behavior when on a weight-loss program.

Morris Animal Inn offering dog weight loss camp January 13-17

Morris Animal Inn
Dogs can start getting in shape at the Canine Cardio and Fitness Camp.
Morris Animal Inn is encouraging pet owners to help their pets get in shape in 2014 by offering a weight loss and fitness camp for dogs. The luxury pet spa and resort is offering Canine Cardio and Fitness Camp from January 13-17.

test
The program is designed to keep dogs active, stimulated and stress-free, with treadmill trots, aerobic swim sessions in the indoor pool, nature hikes, "Doga" (yoga for dogs), massages, nutritious homemade treats and more. Program offerings will be individually tailored to meet the particular needs of each dog, with some sessions overseen by a personal trainer and others offered in a group setting.
"Canine Fitness Camp helps dogs kick off the New Year with a fitness routine that will promote better health with exercise, stimulation and a bit of relaxation," said Joanne Morris, vice president of Morris Animal Inn. "If a dog needs to shed some pounds, this is a great way to get started because the dogs are motivated by the fun activities."
Morris Animal Inn recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and expansion that doubled its size. The facility offers a heated indoor pool, whirlpool, pet suites with soothing music and videos, indoor and outdoor play areas, pampering and activities packages, daily maid and room service, Happy Hour with homemade pet treats and more. Perimeter fencing encloses the facility.
Reservations for the Canine Cardio and Fitness Camp can be made in advance for a day or week by calling +1.973.539.0377. 

New pet nutrition research shows overweight dogs have shorter lives

Being overweight shortens a dog's life expectancy, according to new research by Mars Petcare and Banfield Pet Hospital's Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. The new research shows the consequences for dogs being overweight and highlights the importance of pet owners maintaining their dog at a healthy weight. 
Data on a range of popular dog breeds from across the US showed that dogs that are overweight in middle age have a shorter life expectancy than ideal-weight dogs. Specifically, overweight dogs were found to suffer a reduction in life expectancy of up to 10 months compared to ideal-weight dogs. 
"We examined a broad range of popular breeds of all shapes and sizes and found that overweight dogs tend to have a shorter life expectancy. This was particularly pronounced in five breeds - Labrador, Shih Tzu, American Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever and Beagle," said lead scientist at the Waltham Centre, Carina Salt. "In order to ensure the findings were representative of dogs in the family home, we used data from a large number of pet dogs collected during visits to their veterinarian. The research highlights the very real consequences of being overweight for dogs in the family home. Key tips for combating excess weight and keeping your dog fit and healthy include carefully controlling food portions in line with the pack feeding guidelines, regular exercise appropriate for your dog's needs and regular weighing sessions. Owners concerned about their dog's weight should speak to a veterinarian."
Data were collected on normal and overweight dogs from 10 popular breeds, ranging in age from 6.5 to 8.5 year. The data were collected by veterinarians during consultations across the network of more than 830 Banfield Pet Hospital locations in the US.

Bully sticks dog treats may be high in calories, contain bacteria

Dog treats known as bully or pizzle sticks may actually have more calories than expected and may also be contaminated by bacteria, according to a new study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal.
Researchers from Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine studied 26 bully sticks, dog treats made from the uncooked, dried penis of a bull or steer, which were made by different manufacturers. They found that the dog treats contained 9 to 22 calories per inch, an average of 88 calories in the standard 6-inch bully stick. The amount of calories researchers found to be in the treats makes up 30 percent of a 10-pound dog's daily calorie requirement and 9 percent of a 50-pound dog's daily calorie requirement.
"While calorie information isn't currently required on pet treats or most pet foods, these findings reinforce that veterinarians and pet owners need to be aware of pet treats like these bully sticks as a source of calories in a dog's diet," said the study's author Dr. Lisa Freeman, a professor of nutrition at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. "With obesity in pets on the rise, it is important for pet owners to factor in not only their dog's food, but also treats and table food."
In addition, nearly one-third of the bully stick treats examined by researchers were found to be contaminated with bacteria. The type of bacteria found varied: Clostridium difficile was found in one stick, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was found in one stick, and E. coli was found in seven sticks. 

10 tips for maintaining a pet's healthy body weight

A Florida, USA, veterinarian is offering 10 tips for pet owners on how much pet food should be fed to their dog or cat to maintain a healthy body weight.
The first rule, according to Dr. Patty Khuly, is that regardless of which pet food brand, be sure to invest in a diet that is nutritionally balanced. For cats, Dr. Khuly says to add moisture to the feline food because a 2010 UK study found that at the end, cats fed moistened diets were more active and weighed less. She says pet owners must measure out their pet's food with a proper measuring tool to ensure the right portion. Pet owners should be consistent about the pet food brand and formula they feed or the way home-cooked petfood is prepared. Dr. Khuly also says pet owners should ask their vet to provide their pet's body condition score, which is an indicator of the need to lose weight if it is high. It may also be necessary to increase or decrease the petfood amounts over time, until reaching the perfect portion.  Pet owners should not forget that treats contain calories too, which also affect a pet's weight. Also to ensure a healthy weight, pet owners should consider the amount of exercise their pet receives in determining the proper amount of food to feed. As pets age, their metabolism slows down, so pet owners should watch for these changes, Dr. Khuly says. Finally, she says that pet owners need to remember that all animals are different, and so, will have different nutritional needs.

Greenies pet treats, Dr. Ernie Ward offer tips for pet health

Greenies has partnered with Dr. Ernie Ward, veterinarian and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, to offer pet owner's tips on how to ensure their pets live healthy lives.
The first of Dr. Ward's "Top 5 Healthy Habits" is that pet owners need to provide their pet with healthy petfood and treats. Dr. Ward advises consumers to look for meat as one of the first few ingredients in a petfood, avoiding by-products, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives if possible. Dr. Ward also said to look for treats that are low in calories or may provide other benefits such as Greenies' treats for dental health or treats to maintain healthy joints. He says to use food puzzles for pets, which hide the petfood or treats inside until the pet figures out how to solve the puzzle.
Another tip from Greenies and Dr. Ward is that pet owners should regularly exercise pets, with walks and games, to prevent weight-related diseases such as arthritis and diabetes. Dr. Ward also recommended taking pets to be socialized at a dog park or through training classes. To prevent disease, he says it is important that pet owners take their pet to see a veterinarian at least once a year for a checkup.

FDA finds 'potential correlation' between dog breed, weight loss drug side effects

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested a "potential correlation" between dog breed and side effects from Pfizer's weight loss drug Slentrol, according to a health blog from the Wall Street Journal.
These preliminary findings are part of FDA's study of genetic data on dogs that have taken Slentrol, to determine if certain breeds are more susceptible to problems. The blog says Pfizer disagreed with FDA's results, saying the  dog breeds most often associated with adverse side effects from Sentrol, including Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Golden Retriever, Dachshund, Pug and Chihuahua, are very common and some are predisposed to obesity. The company claims its side effects listed on the label are usually mild and do not seem to disproportionately affect specific breeds.