Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Cat Food

My gang of five can sure be finicky when it comes to their cat food and water! This month chewy.com sent me Science Diet Cat Food, Adult Savory Variety Pack with chicken, liver and turkey pate to try and we just couldn't wait.  I find that from time to time my cats get tired of eating the same food so I am always on the lookout for a variety pack of several different types of high-quality food that has balanced nutrition that goes into every serving. Best of all chewy has discounted this food 13%!

Benefits of Science Diet Variety Pack

• This wet food smells good and each recipe loaded with hearty vegetables.
• The variety pack comes in three flavors, turkey, chicken and liver so your cat will never get bored!
• The tender pate is made with real turkey and is in a savory sauce that will tempt the most finicky cat.
• This balanced adult cat food is recommended for cats one - six or older. It is made to promote kidney health and has to ensure easy digestion.
• This food also contains taurine to help maintain vision and heart function and it is free of artificial flavor and preservatives.
• This food is made in the United States and every ingredient meets strict requirements for purity and nutrient standards that exceed industry standards.

The Star System @ chewy.com

I always read what other "pet" parents have to say about items offered by chewy.com.  The Savory Turkey Entree by Science Diet got a 4.3-star rating out of 5 stars and 67 reviews.  Several reviews noted this food was a nice soft pate and that Science Diet's quality is always consistent. A negative was that some people did not like the consistency of the pate, but my cats loved its pudding-like consistency.

Things to Keep In Mind When Choosing Pet Food

• The age of your cat dictates the type of food they should be eating.  Generally speaking, you should feed your cat kitten food for the first year and adult cat food up to 7 and older cats should have senior food to reduce the risk of kidney issues, mobility problems and other health issues associated with age.
• It is also good to consult with your vet for your cat's nutritional needs. Some cats like my Himalayans need food to keep their coats healthy and to help with hairball control. Some cats prefer a pate (like Max) because it is a softer food that helps with dental issues and other cats need a food with fewer calories for weight control. 
• Always start to serve a new cat food in small quantities in a clean dish to get your cat use to this change in diet.

A real perk of being a chewy customer is that items qualify for free shipping with orders of $49 or more and are delivered to your doorstep within two days.  If you subscribe to automatic shipment you save an additional 5%!

Going Back to School is for the Dogs

By Nancy Frensley, CPDT-KA, CAP2, CGC Evaluator, and AKC Scent Work JudgeBerkeley Humane’s Manager of Behavior and Training

This is the time of year when families all across the Bay Area embrace going back to school, and it’s a good time to remember your canine companions as well. Berkeley Humane’s professional trainers would like to remind the Bay Area community that your four-legged friends, young and old, can equally benefit from going back to school! Puppies ready to start training school for the first time or senior dogs looking to learn new tricks – we have engaging canine courses designed to fit you and your pet.

That’s why Berkeley Humane is so excited to announce our new Train the Bay website at: www.trainthebay.org.

Train the Bay is the pet behavior and training program of Berkeley Humane. It offers appropriate socialization and training, which helps you and your dog understand how to behave in each situation you encounter.

Benefits of Continued Training

Keeping dogs in school has several benefits. It can help resolve behavior challenges as well as educate you about dog behavior. It will also help steer you toward your goals. Training provides both mental and physical exercise for your dog. 

Training is all about you and your dog moving together as a team. It is a time to bond and engage with one another, making your dog part of your team.

Going to school with your dog has many social benefits, too. Some students even pair up with compatible classmates for play or training sessions outside of class.

Times Have Changed

We no longer look upon training as simply teaching a dog to produce a behavior on cue. We now do it in a way that creates enjoyable and productive interactions between humans and canines. Train the Bay is based on scientifically-proven positive reinforcement — using food, toys, and fun.

What’s Best for Your Dog?

For the dog that is already trained for everyday activities, we recommend enrolling in one of our tricks or canine good citizen classes. In the event your honor student has already passed the canine good citizen (CGC), we offer both of the advanced CGC certifications.

Interested in exploring dog sports? We offer both rally and scent work classes. Your dog will love coming to scent work classes, because sniffing is what they do naturally -- in a less formal way.

In the event you are beginning with a new dog in your life or want to refresh previous training, Train the Bay offers a variety of classes that teach the basic skills, including special sessions for small dogs and young puppies.

We also offer seminars and workshops on pertinent topics. This October, we are offering pet first aid and CPR. Seminars on dog behavior problems, such as reactivity and aggression, are offered regularly.

Find Out More

Now has never been a better time to go back to school…with your dog!

All of our services and classes are located at www.trainthebay.org. If you have questions or need help determining the right class for you and your dog, please email us at trainthebay@berkeleyhumane.org.

New stuff!!

Hello! Does anyone remember me? Sorry I have been absent from this blogging kitty world for a while, but I think my mom might now be ready to kind of come back :-)

Anyhow, we have transferred our blogging stuff to wordpress, so in the future you can find me ( + someone new...) in another address: https://carlosthedailycat.wordpress.com/

I hope you'll find your way to the new blog, I made a new post there already. I'll be visiting your blogs also as soon as my mom gets some free time on her schedule.

I hope you all are well!

Carlos

The importance of studying free-ranging dogs, and what we learned about Bali dogs

Marco and Shogun. Credit Marco Adda

Today we are joined by Marco Adda as he describes his recent publication exploring Bali dogs — those living in a free-ranging state and those living in human homes as pets. 

Do you know that free-ranging dogs are one of the most widely distributed carnivore in the world? Or, perhaps I should begin by asking: have you considered, or even ever heard about, free-ranging dogs? In case yes, I can imagine what you are (maybe) thinking: feral dogs. Am I right? Are you picturing dogs living wild and uncontrolled in a “developing country”? Dogs carrying diseases and people avoiding them at all cost?

In some cases, this may be the case, but framing free-ranging dogs this way is not actually correct. In fact, free-ranging dogs, also called Village Dogs (rather than “feral dogs”) do not always carry diseases, they often interact with humans, and they may be wonderful companions too! They also represent an excellent opportunity to study and understand dog-human interactions and dog behaviour.

Most people in places like Europe, North America, and Australia think about dogs as companion animals living with a human family. Thus, when those people happen to spend time in places where free-ranging dogs are present, they often want to adopt dogs and restrict them to their homes. This is what I witnessed in places such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and Mexico, among others. And this is what we have been observing in Bali, Indonesia. Bali dogs are shifting from a free-ranging lifestyle to a Westernised style of restricted pet companionship.

Bali dogs are a unique canine population. They have been free-ranging for thousands of years. And you know what? They are not as wild as you may think. While it is true that they often show a high level of independence, they are also recognised as excellent animal companions. In fact, expatriates populating the island of Bali over the last few decades occasionally adopt these village dogs, and then keep them restricted to their houses and backyards as is typical in their home countries and cultures. This new trend has provided us with the unique opportunity to compare the personality traits of dogs according to their lifestyle: either living as human companions, or living as free-ranging dogs. In addition, we have explored the impact of age, sex, and neuter status (demographic variables) on these dogs’ personality traits.

I have been observing Bali dogs since 2012. Bali is not a huge island (5,780 km²), and in 2012 about 300,000 free-ranging dogs were estimated to roam around. When preliminary observations proved novel and exciting, a study was developed in collaboration with the Family Dog Project in 2014. Further observations and questionnaire-collection were planned and carried out over the next few years. Dog “carers/owners” filled out a validated dog behavior and personality questionnaire for their pet companion Bali dog. Caretakers completed the same questionnaire for the free-ranging Bali dogs. In total, we had 75 adult dogs in the study. The questionnaire included many questions about how the dog behaves under different circumstances.

Dogs in the study. Credit: Marco Adda

What we found
Observations and analyses revealed that Bali dogs living as human companions in a typical domestic setting (house, fenced backyard, etc.) are more active, excitable, and aggressive towards animals, and are also more inclined to chase animals or humans than Bali dogs that live free-ranging. Looking closer, females were found to be more excitable and fearful of people. In other words, being restricted within a household could potentially make free-ranging Bali dogs more reactive than those dogs living free-ranging.

These results raise some important considerations. One may assume that a free-ranging dog lives unhappily without a human family. In some instances, this may be the case. But we need to also remember that free-ranging dogs have a lot of freedom that dogs living as pets or companions do not necessarily have. Consider the privilege of deciding daily actions and habits. Free-ranging dogs can display behaviour according to their personality. Their sociality, and in some cases sexual conduct, are not, or are minimally, conditioned by humans.


While we love our pets and we include them as part of our families, we need to remember that, to some degree, we are limiting their freedom and this may impact their behaviour. This study on Bali dogs, then, shows how some dogs, shifting from a free-roaming to a pet/home context, may become more reactive to some solicitations. Does that mean we shouldn't have dogs in our houses? I don't think so. However, we need to remind that when dogs live as restrained "pets", the lack of some freedoms may affect dogs' behavior and even prompt some behavioural issues. Therefore, we may need to adjust something in our human behavior or habits to provide an adequate environment for our dogs.

We know that this study is just preliminary, but we consider these results relevant. They suggest that a change in lifestyle, i.e. being adopted and living in a confined environment, may have negative consequences on some canine personality traits in this population of dogs.

Bali dogs matter
A notable aspect of this study is that our dog population is really unique. Most well-known dog breeds (such as Golden Retrievers or German Shephards) are the result of relatively recent and deliberate human selection. The Bali dogs have not been deliberately selected by humans in this way. Instead, they have roamed the island for at least 3,300 years.

To better grasp the history of Bali dogs, we need to look at the main religion of Bali. The Hindu Bali religion traditionally respects the street dog. Dogs can be seen as sacred creatures or manifestations of spirits. Bali dogs have been allowed to behave as dogs would and roam and reproduce freely on the island. In my ethnographic research around Bali, I gathered stories from the 1970s-1980s describing how large packs of free-ranging dogs (10-25 individuals) would roam the streets. Some dogs were referred to as aggressive and the packs described as scary, and yet dogs were left to roam, consistent with religious traditions. This suggests that Bali dogs have potentially had little behavioural selection, at least until the 1970s-1980s, when the scene dramatically changed due to major economic, environmental, and cultural shifts.

We cannot entirely exclude the possibility that particular dogs may have been eliminated due to their behaviour, or that humans preferred — and therefore selected — some dogs over others. However, Bali dogs have not experienced artificial selection for morphology or behaviour as seen in Western dog breeds. This is something that makes the Bali dog population unique. It is also one of those cases where we can see the flaw in calling a 100-year-old artificially selected breed "pure," while a 3,300-year-old canine population is considered a "non-breed."

And Bali dogs deserve particular attention. Their numbers have declined from some 800,000 individuals in 2008 to no more than 150,000 individuals in 2018. This is a dramatic drop of 81% of the entire population in just the last ten years. The main reasons are the massive culling plans, the dog meat trade, as well as other causes like disease or car accidents. While neutering programs are in place for the welfare of dogs, they also contribute to the decline in numbers. Furthermore, the interbreeding of Bali dogs with international dog breed is also impacting the historical Bali dog population. Finally, studies on the personality of free-ranging dogs are rare, which adds to the value of this research.

Bali dogs and Marco

Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all the dog “owners” and the caretakers who participated in our study by completing the questionnaires and providing relevant information about companion and free-ranging Bali dogs.

Marco Adda
MarcoAdda.com and on Facebook
Family Dog Project and on Facebook

Reference

Corrieri L, Adda M, Miklósi Á, Kubinyi E (2018) Companion and free-ranging Bali dogs: Environmental links with personality traits in an endemic dog population of South East Asia. PLOS ONE 13(6): e0197354.

The Importance of Vet Visits @ a "new" Chewy.com Goody Box

Ok let's face it, who likes to go to the doctor, I think most of us dread the annual visit, especially when you are feeling ok.  At least we understand the importance of an annual check-up, unfortunately, our feline friends don't understand how important their vet visit is to their overall health.

The first step is tricking my cats into the cat carrier with treats.  I always try to bring the two Tonkinese together and the three Himalayans together for "cat moral support" and fewer trips to the vet for me! There are many reasons why it is important to visit the vet once a year, here are three of the most important reasons.

1. Puts your mind at ease
 We all know cats are stoic and it is not easy to detect a medical problem.  Cats age more rapidly than people, so a once a year annual visit to a vet is like seeing your doctor every four years.  Cats over ten sometimes see the vet twice a year because things can develop rather quickly.  It helps to see the vet once a year so you don't have to worry about your cat's health and if there is a problem, hopefully, you have caught it in time and with the help of your vet, a plan can be put in place.

2. Importance of Vet Records
Taking your cat to the vet once a year allows your vet to compare the vital signs of your cat - such as his or her weight, vital signs, and blood work in order to determine what if anything is changing. This is really important in determining developing conditions and possible future treatments.  If your vet sees your cat is gaining weight, for example, a food plan can be put together to deal with obesity and prevent diabetes.

3. Relationships and Prevention
If you bring your cats to your vet annually, you will inevitably develop a relationship with your vet, who will see you as a trustworthy animal guardian.  An annual visit may stave off a serious illness. In the long run, annual visits are much less expensive than treatment for a cat that rarely went to the vet.  If something goes wrong with your cat, you have a relationship with your vet and plenty of backup records that will see you and your cat through any difficult times or serious illnesses.

I believe in rewarding good behavior and was really excited when www.chewy.com sent me their "new" Grain Free Goody Box that was the perfect treat for the gang of five stoically letting the vet poke and prod them!  Thankfully are all in purrfect health, even Max who will be eleven this month!

Contents of the Grain Free Goody Box

The gang of five are excited about this Grain-Free Goody Box that was chock full of food, treats, toppers, and toys.  This box is the perfect option to try the food, treats, and toys that you have always wondered about.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken and Duck Recipe Treats.  These soft, moist meat rich treats are perfect on their own or to add as a fancy topper to wet or dry food. They are loaded with real chicken and duck meat and have no by-product meals. I like the fact that the duck makes these treats a little different giving my cat's refined diet with some variety.

Purina Muse Natural Tuna and Tilapia Recipe in Broth.  They gobbled up this tasty food that is made with large chunks of hand filleted fish that is topped with baby clams - it looked and smelled so good and disappeared in an instant!  I guess this food is on my must-have list.

Vital Essentials Salmon Freeze Dried Treats.  Freeze drying in the pet industry is all the rage because it locks in all those vital nutrients.  These treats are made from one single food source, Wild Alaskan Salmon.  These are perfect toppers for wet food to add a little variety to their diet and to stimulate their senses.

Solid Gold- Tropical Blendz Salmon Pate.  This is one that I would not have thought to try, but I am really glad that I did because this super soft holistic grain and gluten free pate was a real hit.  The salmon and coconut oil are loaded with healthy fatty acids that are good for their coats.

Caru Beef Bone Broth.  The Tonks, especially Sabu loves all wet food that has a broth, the more broth the faster he licks it up. Cats need hydration and broth added to wet food is a win-win in this case and I can't wait to try it plain as well as added to Sabu's favorite wet food for an extra special treat.  The broth is made with 100% human grade ingredients and is grain and gluten free.

Toys.  I suppose it wouldn't be a "goody" box if there weren't any toys included in the mix!  There are two toys the 24 "Karat" toy that is in the shape of a carrot replete with a feathered top and, of course, filled with catnip.  They loved it!  The other toy (already missing probably under a piece of furniture) is the Fat Cat EEKS! Catnip Toy.  This cute little mouse is stuffed with organic catnip and is the perfect size to bat around...which all of them did endlessly...now, all I have to do is find it!

The Grain-free Goody Box is available at chewy.com and is $19.95.