Animal Cancer Center seeks overweight dogs for pet food study

Colorado State University researchers are seeking overweight dogs to participate in a new weight-loss study, conducted by the Animal Cancer Center, to determine if a new petfood can be digested more easily and is effective in reducing hunger.
During the study, dogs will be given three regular blood tests for signs that the food also helps prevent cancer and is suitable for dogs with allergies. The dogs will also receive the specially formulated diet for one month. Participating dogs will be required to visit the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA for the blood tests and physical exams. Pet owners will be required to measure their pet's food intake and collect fecal samples.
To participate, dogs must be otherwise in good health, be between 2 and 7 years old, weigh more than 22 pounds, and have a body-condition score between six and nine. Participating owners will get a US$50 credit toward any services or product offered at the teaching hospital. For more information on the trial, call +1.970.297.4144  or email cadie.ollila@colostate.edu.

Natural Pet Marketplace opens new pet food warehouse

Natural Pet Marketplace, an online store that delivers health-conscious pet food, recently opened its new 20,000-square-foot warehouse in Greeley, Colorado, USA.
The online pet retailer, founded in 2011, says its new warehouse location was developed to keep up with the consistent and expected future growth in the pet food industry.  “Our extremely low cost of shipping and wide breadth of health-specific pet foods has driven exponential growth within the company,” said Petersen. “Our newest location ensures that our customers will receive the level of service they have come to expect from Natural Pet Marketplace by receiving the healthiest petfood fresh and on time.” 

Greenies dental treats conducts pet oral health study

Pet specialty dental chew and treat maker, the Greenies Brand, recently conducted a new study on pet oral health to uncover common myths about pet owners' beliefs.
Among pet owners' most commonly held beliefs, the study found that almost half of pet owners believe that dogs’ mouths are cleaner than a human’s and that any type of chewing is good for a dog’s teeth. The study also found that about 40 percent think it is normal for their pets to have stinky breath. About one-third of pet owners believe that a dog’s saliva can help cure human wounds. “There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding a pet’s oral health,” said Dr. Jan Bellows, incoming president of the American Veterinary Dental College. “Dogs’ mouths are certainly not cleaner than a human’s. Dogs often carry a variety of germs and bacteria in their mouths that stem from buildup of plaque and tartar that can potentially make humans sick through contact with saliva. Many pet owners also believe that any type of chewing is good for their dogs, but tooth fractures are a common occurrence in pets because teeth can only withstand a certain amount of pressure from hard objects before they break. Pets chewing on inflexible items like bones, ice cubes or nylon toys are often in danger of tooth breakage. And while smelly breath in pets is common, pet owners who believe this is normal may be missing the signs of poor oral health or potential dental disease.” 

Dogs can carry human norovirus strains, researchers find

A new study conducted by researchers in Finland found that pet dogs are able to carry human strains of norovirus, a leading cause of stomach flu symptoms in people, and pass the strains on to other household members, according to a report.
The University of Helinski's Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health researchers looked at 92 fecal samples from dogs living in households in which the dog or human family members had recently experienced vomiting or diarrhea, the most common norovirus infection symptoms. In these 92 fecal samples, researches found four of the samples to contain the human strain of norovirus, HuNov.  Because "generally species barriers seem to be rather strong for viruses," it was previously thought that animals did not carry human noroviruses, according to Carl-Henrick von Bonsdorff, co-author of the study and member of the faculty of veterinary medicine.  Von Bonsdorff says the most likely source of the disease is family members who have the disease, specifically small children, as norovirus is most commonly transmitted in feces, though can also be spread through saliva and vomit.  "Viruses are in general rather species specific. It seems very unlikely that the transmission would be as easy between man and dog," von Bonsdorff said. He says the next step in studying human norovirus in animals is to look at whether the virus can multiply within a dog's intestines, or whether it only passes through the animal.

Vet cautions pet owners about feeding petvfoods with novel ingredients

A recent blog from a veterinarian on PetMD, a pet health website, cautions pet owners about following a new pet food trend of feeding pet foods that contain "novel" ingredients.
Dr. Jennifer Coates says pet food manufacturers have started to include "whacky ingredients" in their over-the-counter petfoods, such as buffalo or kangaroo. These novel ingredients in petfood may be helpful to pet owners looking to switch their pet's diet to address a special condition such as allergies. Previously, she says, a lamb and rice formula was popular for managing these special conditions, but became a less-effective treatment option after becoming widely available. Pet food companies saw the opportunity in this to bring petfoods with new ingredients to the market, making these novel ingredients available over the counter for the first time, Coates says.   However, she cautions pet owners that feeding a limited or novel ingredient food for no reason may lead to problems in the future for pets that would develop a tolerance to these ingredients. She also says that pet owners should realize that if they try a novel ingredient food at home, but do not eliminate other potential causes for the pet's symptoms, the condition still may not improve and the will not know what ingredients to blame.  "Don’t feed a novel ingredient food to your pet without a very good reason to do so," Coates says. "You should think of these products almost like you would an antibiotic. If we misuse them now, they may not be effective in the future."  

Pet food brand Eukanuba, American Kennel Club host World Challenge

Pet food brand Eukanuba's fifth Eukanuba World Challenge took place in Orlando, Florida, USA, in mid-December 2011, hosted by the 11th American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championships.
In the competition, 41 dogs represent countries around the world, competing in four geographically independent categories for the title of "Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2011" and a US$10,000 prize. “AKC Grand Champion & Italian Champion Propwash Reckon,” a three-and-a-half year old Australian Shepherd representing the USA, won the “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2011” title. Second place went to the Toy Poodle “MultiCH. Smash JP Moon Walk” from Japan and the "Best in Show" winner in the FCI Section Asia. Third place and a prize of more than US$2,000 went to a Lhasa Apso named “CH. Zentarr Elizabeth,” representing the UK. 

Jill Rappaport of ‘Today’ show awarded for pet industry contributions

The American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association named “Today" show correspondent and animal advocate, Jill Rappaport, as the 2012 recipient of Global Pet Expo’s annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award.”
Rappaport will personally accept the award on Thursday, March 1, at Global Pet Expo, in Orlando, Florida, USA, during a reception sponsored by Nestle Purina. The award recognizes individuals in the media who have the power to influence millions of people and use this to positively promote the joys and benefits of responsible pet ownership. Rappaport has been on “Today” for 20 years. She served as the entertainment correspondent for the first 17 years, but when her dog Jack got bone cancer, she began chronicling Jack's illness on the show, and she says she realized that animal welfare issues were her calling. In her "Bow To Wow" series, shelter dogs get a makeover and a second chance at life, and she also informs “Today” viewers informed about the latest health trends for pets. “We truly believe that this award was crafted especially for someone just like Ms. Rappaport and that her promotion of responsible pet ownership is directly inline with APPA’s mission,” said Bob Vetere, president of APPA. “Her dedication to improving the lives of pets and helping resolve animal welfare issues is evident and we could not be more thrilled to honor her with this year’s award.”