What does plastic in the ocean have to do with companion animals?

Bosca models the AniPal collar, made from recycled plastics (NB harness is not related).

What does plastic in the ocean have to do with companion animals? Quite a bit, actually. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish (although there are a coupleof key steps we can take to slow this down) That will destroy the ocean we enjoy, impacting aquatic and terrestrial environments. It will also remove one of the world’s major food sources. 

Microplastics ingested by fish have already made their way into the food chain, the consequences of which we don’t fully understand.

Veterinarian Stephanie Stubbe was horrified by these figures, and spent over twelve months setting up her own company to repurpose plastic ocean waste, converting this into dog collars and leads which are now available in Australia.

I learned about Dr Stubbe when colleagues began sharing an ABC news article about a young vet who had decided to tackle something many of us think is too hard. We later spoke when I was writing an article about the animal welfare impacts of plastic in the ocean.

Bosca models his recycled plastic collar (harness not related).

We tend to think about companion animals as living in homes, protected from the wider environment. But as we deplete and damage our environments, we need to appreciate that they, like us, are part of a bigger picture and animal welfare, human wellbeing and environmental sustainability are interdependent. 

And thinking about reducing the “plastic footprint” of pets might challenge some of us to think about our own plastic footprint. We can also reduce that of others by participating in initiatives like Take 3 (a campaign that encourages people to take home at least three bits of litter every time they hit the beach).

Initiatives like this are based on the premise that small choices we make in our everyday lives have the power, collectively, to make a difference. It will be interesting to see what other initiatives animal health professionals develop to tackle these wicked problems.

You can follow Dr Stubbe on Instagram or facebook. 

Declaration: The collar modeled was purchased from AniPal and this is not a paid post, not has it been reviewed or endorsed by AniPal.

Can a sleepover reduce stress in shelter dogs?

Do shelter dogs need more high quality sleep? And other fascinating questions raised in Lisa Gunter's research.

How can we reduce stress in shelter dogs? We know that shelters can be stressful environments. There are huge efforts being made by shelters all over the world to reduce stress, both to improve animal welfare but also to prevent otherwise healthy animals from emerging from shelters with behaviour problems.

Lisa Gunter is a PhD candidate in behavioural neuroscience at the Canine Science Collaboratory in Arizona State University’s Department of Psychology. I read about her research at Best Friend’s Animal Sanctuary looking at the effect of temporary foster programs in Science Daily, notably a night out of the shelter. What do dogs do when taken out of the shelter? Does their behaviour predict how they would behave in adopted homes? Are there other benefits?

Think about it: animal shelters aren’t exactly the optimal environment for a solid night’s sleep. But when animals are stressed, uninterrupted sleep may be the best medicine. Lisa answered our questions below about work she has been undertaking with collaborator Erica Feuerbacher at Carroll College.

What is your project about? 

We've evaluating the effects of temporary fostering programs on shelter dog welfare and their ability to help predict future behavior in adoptive homes. 

You looked at whether the behaviour of dogs on a sleepover is predictive of behaviour in a home. What did you find in this regard?

We're too early in to be able to report findings in this regard, since we're focusing on the shelter dogs' behavior after six months in their adoptive homes and many are just being adopted or still waiting for their new homes in the animal shelter.

Do you know what period of time the cortisol is reduced for after a sleepover? (ie how long do the positive effects last)

Dogs have stayed overnight in homes for one and two nights. Typically, reductions in cortisol occur during their stay; and when the dogs return to the shelter, the dogs' cortisol levels increase - but not above pre-sleepover levels. So overall, we see significant reductions during their time away and a return to baseline when they come back to the shelter.

Are there any potential downsides to a sleepover program, eg being brought back into the kennel?

Thus far, we've had fosters report that during their sleepovers, dogs are able to get long bouts of uninterrupted rest, which may be one of the ways by which their cortisol levels are decreasing. Shelter staff report that the dogs seem more calm and relaxed after sleepovers which may help them demonstrate more appropriate behaviors in the kennel. It's certainly possible that sleepovers may not be beneficial for all dogs, so that's a question we definitely want to dig into when we analyze all of our data from the five shelter sites.

You found anecdotally that once dogs settled down at the hotel, they would have a big sleep, and mention that perhaps this is one thing they don’t get in shelters. As a veterinarian in practice I see a lot of dogs and cats with poor sleep due to flea infestation – they wake up throughout the night to scratch. When we treat them for fleas, often they have reduced anxiety. How important do you think uninterrupted sleep is for animal welfare?

From what we've observed with the shelter dogs so far, I think it could be playing a bigger role than we've previously anticipated - and could be involved in processes like immune function and overall welfare in the shelter. Certainly, shelter dogs get sleep, but I think it's those bouts of uninterrupted sleep that need to be examined. Hopefully, the data collected from the health monitors that the dogs are wearing throughout the study will shed some light on this topic!

You found that there are two behaviours that potential adopters respond to positively: when a dog lies down next to a person, and whether they respond to an invitation to play. Why do you think these make a dog more appealing? Are these behaviours more likely to happen to dogs with low stress?

The research you mention is from our former labmate, Alexandra Protopopova, who's now at Texas Tech University in the Human-Animal Interaction Lab. I think the sociability of dogs and their connection with us cannot be overstated. Whether its behavior related to their proximity and willingness to interact with us or how spending time with us influences their stress levels, I think people can have a positive effect on shelter dog adoptions and welfare.

Do you think there is a way for shelters to “scale up” the sleepover model?

Certainly! One of my favorite quotes is from a foster at Arizona Humane Society about how doable sleepovers are. In her words, she "can do anything for a day and a half." I think 1 and 2 night sleepovers are an easy way for the community to be involved with the shelter and positively impact the lives of shelter dogs. From there, who knows? Through sleepovers, perhaps fosters will tell friends and family about their sleepover dog which helps the dog get adopted or even decide to look into longer term fostering with shelter. 

Are there any key messages you’d like to share with veterinarians, vet students or the potential pet-owning public?

So far, we're seeing temporary fostering programs can provide a nice opportunity for dogs to leave the shelter, allows the staff to learn more about them in a home environment and reduce the dogs' stress while they're away. For shelters that are want to develop their foster program or increase the number of foster homes they have, temporary fostering or sleepovers may be helpful way to meet to support those goals!

Thank you Lisa for your time. We look forward to hearing more about this fascinating work!

Help Border Collies beat cancer

The late and gorgeous Mac and Jetty, who have a research project named in their honour, thanks to very devoted owners.

When Mac and Jetty (two beautiful border collies) passed away from lymphoma and anal sac cancer, their owner Anne Evans wanted to leave a gift to honour both of them - The Mac and JettyLymphoma Research Project was born.

And they need your help! Do you know a Border Collie? Have you lived with one? You may be able to help out in some important studies.

Sydney University PhD candidate Pamela Soh and oncology resident Dr Katrina Cheng are working on two important studies as part of the research project.

The first looks at the general health status and prevalence of diseases in the Border Collie population. You can complete the survey here. 

The second part of the study is looking at lymphoma in Border Collies. If you own or know any Border collies with lymphoma, or their relatives, Pamela Soh and Dr Katrina Cheng are seeking blood samples to investigate predisposing risk factors in the breed and potential new treatment targets.

The ultimate aim is to reduce the incidence of lymphoma in Border collies, and other dogs.

And if you don’t know any Border collies? You can help spread the word by visiting and sharing the facebookpage. 

For more information you can email Katrina or Pamela at katrina.cheng@sydney.edu.au

Pamela.soh@sydney.edu.au

Surviving summer with pets

A dog catches a frisbee in the water.

The festive season provides opportunities to spend time with friends, family and loved ones – including our non-human companions. But holidays can be hazardous, so we need to take precautions to keep companion animals healthy and happy.

HEAT

Summer temperatures can make our lives uncomfortable. While we have the freedom to move into air conditioned comfort or relocate to the shade, some animals do not. Ensuring that all pets have access to a cool, comfortable area to rest is vital to prevent heat stroke. All animals should have access to fresh, cool water. Dogs should never be left in cars as the inside temperature can increase to potentially fatal levels in minutes on a hot day. Walk dogs early in the morning or late in the afternoon/early evening to avoid over-heating.

TICKS

Paralysis ticks are responsible for the deaths of many dogs and cats on the East coast of Australia every year. There are a range of tick preventatives available which are very effective. Ensure your pet’s tick prevention is up-to-date. Daily tick-checking is recommended. This is much easier in pets with a shorter coat, so a summer crew cut can be helpful.

FESTIVE SNACKS

Dogs, in particular, are prone to overindulging during the festive season. Overfeeding leads to obesity, while eating the wrong foods can lead to severe illness. For example, fatty foods like sausages or the leftovers of the lamb roast are associated with pancreatitis in dogs. Chocolate is potentially fatal to pets. Artificial sweeteners in baked goods can cause hypoglycaemia and liver failure in dogs. Some dogs will eat sausages directly off the BBQ which can burn them; onions can cause toxicity when eaten in large amounts eg a plate of onions off the barbie, an onion bhaji. Even part of a corn cob thrown on the compost can cause a gastrointestinal obstruction. Ensure food and rubbish are kept well out of reach of pets and instruct guests not to feed pets.

DECORATIONS AND GIFTS

Consider what festive decorations may look like from an animal’s point of view. If a tree covered in dangling items suddenly appears in the living room, its really asking for exploration. Fragile glass baubles may smash, causing lacerations or becoming embedded in pets’ feet. Ribbons, string and tinsel are readily swallowed by cats, and can become lodged in the gut, cutting through intestines. And food items should never be left under the tree. Animals can smell them through the gift wrap and won’t hesitate in opening these and ingesting the contents.

FIREWORKS

When you expect them, fireworks can be a visual delight. For pets who have no idea they’re coming, fireworks can be terrifying. Many pets injure themselves trying to escape. If your pet has a known noise phobia, talk to your veterinarian in advance. Medication may help. I’ve stitched up dogs that have run through solid fences and glass to escape the noise of fireworks – it’s best not to leave these animals alone on occasions like New Year’s Eve.

CAR TRAVEL

Many companion animals suffer from car-sickness. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication to reduce car sickness. If you are travelling with your pet, avoiding breakfast is recommended. Remember that when you stop for a nature break, your pet is in an unfamiliar environment. Ensure they are kept on a lead and avoid areas with dense foliage as these may contain snakes. Before you travel, ensure that your pet’s microchip details are up to date.

HOME ALONE

The festive season always seems to get busier than we anticipate. There are relatives and friends to catch up with, people visiting from interstate or abroad and parties to attend. Remember that in all of this companion animals may receive less, not more, of our attention. Their routines can be significantly disrupted. If you’re unable to get home to feed or walk pets, and you cannot take them with you, ask a neighbour to check on them – and offer to do this for your neighbours. Pets left alone for long periods of time may experience separation-associated distress or boredom. 

Dog art, finding your calling and other news

Phil, as designed by the talented Yellow Wellies. 

Sydney-based artist “YellowWellies” created an awesome image of Phil. I’m not biased or anything, and I don’t know much about art, but I do know I like art featuring Phil!!!

Check out this stunning design here, and if you like it you can order a Phil-printed t-shirt, smartphone case, tote bag, diary, hoodie, cushion, coffee mug or, you know, all of the above.

Speaking of small dogs, check out the decorating job inhonour of this Chihuahua. There must be some miniature furniture shops around…

Is veterinary science your calling? A colleague shared this post about the idea of: “finding your calling”. The Venn Diagram is excellent, although working within that triangle of venn-overlappage is not guaranteed and doesn’t occur on a daily basis (but life is golden when you’re there).

And for those keen to be part of the first Vet Cook Book, we’ve set up a facebook page that you can follow.  https://www.facebook.com/vetcookbook/

What's so great about old dogs? We talk to Nancy LeVine, photographer and author of Senior Dogs Across America

Do you live with a senior dog? If so you will be familiar with changes – in their appearance, behaviour, energy levels and ailments. They’re also incredibly loyal, loving and much more settled than their younger counterparts. They know our routines and develop their own (Phil doesn’t get out of bed before 8am these days, no matter what excitement is going on), and while they might not be entitled to the label “cute” (see previous debate about this) they exude a unique beauty.

Nancy LeVine is an award-winning US-based assignment photographer whose project documenting SeniorDogs Across America has collected a truckload of accolades. It began as an exhibition at the Houston Centre for Photography in 2012 and, thanks to popular demand, is now a book.

But it’s about more than dogs. In the artist statement on her blog, Nancy says that the aging of her own two dogs sparked the idea of this project.

She writes

This was at a time when I had lived enough years to start imagining my own mortality. I entered a world of grace where bodies had once expressed their vibrancy were now on a more fragile path…I saw how the dog does it, without the human’s painful ability to project ahead and fear the inevitable, the dog simply wakes up each day as a new step in the journey.

At the time Nancy was working on her book, the US media was full of stories about political battles around topics like access to medical care for vulnerable people. Yet all she saw was people caring deeply for vulnerable dogs without any qualms.

Listening to the current fevered debate over Social Security and Medicare, I am left with a fearful pit in my stomach when I imagine a country that might abandon the fundamental promise to care for those who have gone the distance and need at least a minimum of support to help them ease out of life. Politics of the moment may dictate such a course, but, in our true American hearts, we are better than that. I have seen all along my journey as I photographed senior dogs surrounded by so much love, devotion and respect for a life lived long and well.

Nancy took some time out to answer our questions.

What are some of the changes you see in senior dogs?

Like humans, each dog ages differently.  Some very senior dogs are still in good shape.  Others are arthritic and have different health issues.

What is the nature of the beauty you see in senior dogs?

So much grace and gentleness.

How can we make the world a better place for senior dogs?

A deep attention to their comfort as they age.  When dogs age, they can have different degrees of pain from arthritis and other illnesses and sometimes people do not realize there are ways of helping with their dogs pain.  And it does not have to be expensive.  If you notice a slowing down or some other physical changes, it is important to see a vet so one can understand what the issues are and how to help with discomfort.  Just like with people, sometimes ailments do not have a cure but there is always pain management.  Dogs do not complain so it becomes even more important that we take all the changes our dogs exhibit seriously.  Make them comfortable!  A comfortable bed, area rugs or yoga mats on the floor if they tend to slip on wood floors.  Put yourself in their body and think what would make you feel more comfortable.  Ramps and not steps…

Any advice for vets or up and coming veterinary students?

YES!  Pain management.  When a young dog acts differently we think he/she must not be feeling well and we take them to the vet to see what the problem is. For older dogs, people will say ‘Oh, my dog is old’ and not imagine that there might be an infection that needs treatment or other ailments.  One should never subscribe to simply ‘My dog is old'. Always  investigate and be sure the dog is healthy but old. Some solutions/ treatments are simple and can vastly improve the quality of the senior dogs life.  Look deeply.

Thank you Nancy.

Senior Dogs Across America is published by Schiffer Publishing and is available here. 

You can also check out the book and read more about it on the facebook page. 

What is storm phobia in dogs and how is it treated?

Bosca loves lots of things, but one thing he really loathes is storms. He's not alone - many dogs suffer from storm phobia.

Do you live with a companion animal that suffers from a phobia? Storm phobias, especially in dogs, are not uncommon. Affected animals may display mild signs or suffer from extreme panic reactions and destructive

behaviour. Our family dog Bosca panics during storms and can become inconsolable, even trying to escape.

Later this year, the Australian VeterinaryAssociation Behaviour Interest Group (AVBIG) will host a webinar on storm phobias, discussing symptoms, comorbidities and management.

Elle Parker from AVBIG took some time out to give us the low-down.

What are the signs of storm phobia?

Signs of anxiety / stress / panic that occur temporally associated with storms or other phenomena that have become associated with storms (wind, rain, darkening sky etc). Most commonly dogs will vocalise, pant, pace, become clingy and attention-seeking. They may hide, cower, tremble, salivate, defecate or urinate. They may become unresponsive to commands and stop eating. Some will seek certain places in the home such as bathroom or bathtub. 

Is it usually accompanied by other fears and phobias, such as noise phobia, or is it more often very specific to storms?

Can be either.

It is VERY commonly part of a more complex or general anxiety disorder or co-morbid with noise sensitivity or separation distress. 

Some dogs seem to only have focal storm phobia with no other observed problems. 

Some dogs may develop storm phobia secondary to a trauma or fearful event - being outside when lightning strikes. 

Some are genetically predisposed and in some dogs it manifests in social maturity. 

How common is storm phobia?

I don't have an exact percentage figure for you but it is super common! Anecdotally it appears to effect almost a third to a half of the dogs I see in referral behaviour practice and certainly a few in every 10 I see in general practice.

What is the biggest misconception about treating storm phobias?

THAT ACP [acepromazine] SHOULD BE USED! 

Acepromazine is contraindicated in storm or noise phobia (or any other stressful event) because:

• it increases noise sensitivity
• it is sedative but NOT anxiolytic ie it blunts motor responses and perceptual appraisal but doesn't make the animal feel better - they are still just as afraid and stressed but less able to accurately perceive information or employ behavioural coping strategies. 

That owners should ignore the dog or refuse to comfort it. This is false.

The dog is behaving due to the underlying emotional response and the owner should do everything possible to improve the emotional state and make the dog feel better i.e. try to calm it down by reassuring it or giving it attention, soothing, words, praise or petting / massage. [Ed. This is really interesting as when I studied we were taught that comforting frightened dogs during storms “rewarded” bad behaviour and should be discouraged. I think this remains a common misconception.]

There is misleading information re if people comfort animals showing distressed behaviour they will reinforce the fear but fear is an emotion not a behaviour and thus cannot be reinforced. The only thing that makes an anxious animal feel better is the abating of that fear.

What are the key strategies veterinarians can employ to help clients with animals with storm phobias? (A lot of clients use thunder jackets- do these work?)

Thunder shirts are hit and miss, they seem to work really well for some dogs but make others more stressed. The dogs may need to be desensitised or counter-conditioned to them. Some dogs who do not tolerate tactile stuff may hate it. I also think that sometimes people misinterpret dogs being inhibited with them being calm (ie they freeze and reduce their motion and outward signs but are actually more stressed by the shirt).

Other strategies should include a multi-modal approach:

• Adaptil
• Psychotropic medication (Benzodiazipines's, Trazodone, Clonidine or a combination of these). Perhaps on top of a long-term baseline SSRI if the dog has more generalised anxiety issues [Ed. you will need to consult with a veterinarian before your dog commences any medication].
• Behaviour modification: desensisation and counter-conditioning to low levels of noise on youtube or CDs
• Management: trying to prevent or dampen auditory and visual stimuli that predict a storm (play background music, close curtains etc)
• Create a Safe Spot or Zen Den [Ed. I think I need a zen den for me!]

How can vets find out more?

• Contact a vet with an interest in behaviour or a member of the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS).
• Email AVBIG!
• Jump on to one of the Facebook discussion groups (AVBIG or behaviour vet discussion group) and ask questions.
• The BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine has a great section on noise/ storm phobia!

Thank you Elle for your time. Members of AVBIG can attend the webinar in September at no cost.

The Dog, Ray: Interview with author Linda Coggin

I love the cover of this book.

Linda Coggin is an actress, poet, author and animal lover. Her latest book, “The Dog, Ray” is a novel about a twelve-year-old girl killed in a car accident. She briefly visits “heaven” – a Government-run job centre – only to find herself returning to earthly existence in the body of a dog. I thought I could predict exactly how the plot would turn out, but it surprised me. And the book provides some interesting insights into the human-animal bond. Linda was happy to chat with us.

Linda Coggin with one of her muses.

What is your day job?

I don’t really have a day job. I write! But sometimes I make gardens for people. I have had lots of day jobs in my time though. I’ve been a mime, tv presenter, actor, stylist, gardener and cleaner. But I have always written.

Can you give us a short synopsis of your book The Dog, Ray?

The Dog, Ray is about a twelve year old girl called Daisy, who dies in a car crash and comes back to earth as a dog. But she retains the memory of being her twelve year old self so has opinions and attitudes and ideas that no one can understand. She meets a boy who is living rough called Pip, who gives her the name of Ray, and together they go on a journey to find his father.

You wrote that your dog Beezle was the inspiration. How did you meet Beezle and what about him inspired you?

Beezle is nearly thirteen, about the same age as the girl, Daisy, in the story. We have had him since he was a puppy. His mother was a lurcher and his father a very handsome whippet.

Beezle, as drawn by Linda's daughter Chloe.

Beezle let me into the world of dogs. He is always busy just being a dog. He likes chasing things, burying things, chewing things, having his head stroked and lying around a lot. He is a very gentle, loyal dog and because I’ve spent so much time with him I’ve been able to observe the important bits which I hope make Ray in the story believable. Like how his ears move. Beezle’s ears are very expressive.

Beezle with his expressive ears.

Your book highlights the ways (good and bad) that different people treat dogs. How do you think we should treat dogs?

I think we should treat dogs in the same way we should treat any sentient being. With love, kindness and respect. Never to punish but to show them what you think is right and to praise them when they do well. I think dogs can easily behave in the same way as their owners. I’ve seen nervous, neurotic dogs with nervous and neurotic owners. If something goes wrong with a dog’s behaviour it usually comes from the owner.

What other non-humans do you share your life with and how did you meet?

As well as Beezle, we have an Irish wolfhound called Pixie, who does not behave like a dog and was no good at inspiring dog like things for the book. Although she is very large, in her mind she is a lap dog. We also have two cats, Pocket (quarter Bengal) who features a lot in my blog as he’s always bringing some dead animal home. Well it’s usually alive when he enters the threshold through the cat flap. Also a black cat Nancy who we rescued. Then there are two horses, Harry a gypsy cob and Trude a rather aloof Friesian and seven Indian Running ducks. Last year we had a pet rook too who had fallen out of a nest.

Any advice you’d like to share with veterinarians and future veterinarians?

Advice – oh!  Only that I’ve learnt to try and be calm around animals. To be patient and non-threatening and not to force anything. We all have to gain their trust.

Thank you Linda. The Dog, Ray is published by Hotkey Books and available for $16.99. You can read more about Linda on her blog lindacogsblog.blogspot.co.uk, Facebook pages (The Dog, Ray; The Boy with the Tiger’s Heart; Linda Coggin), and follow her on twitter @LindaCoggin.

What's on your dog's bucket list?

Phil doesn't mind the beach, but the car ride there and home is the highlight for him. Life really is about the journey, not the destination. Even if that destination is off leash.

Last week we learned that Buddy, a seven-year-old cattle dog, died after ticking “all but one” of the things off his bucket list (and that – helping other animals – was achieved one hundred times over thanks to the funds raised by publicity about Buddy’s story). May the beautiful Buddy rest in peace.

Of course, living with a senior dog, learning of Buddy’s death made me wonder about Phil’s bucket list, and what might be on it if he entertained such a list. We’ve read about a few dogs here and overseas having bucket lists, but what do dogs feel about these?

And what about bucket lists in general? It seems that, at least when it comes to humans, bucket lists are full of grand-scale, once-in-a-lifetime, fleeting moments which are more about the build-up and being able to say “I did that” (to a bunch of other people who hopefully get FOMO) than the doing itself. Your typical bucket list contains activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, meeting Lady Gaga, seeing the Northern Lights, kissing a sloth etc etc. 

But does that equal happiness? Take meeting a celebrity in person. In real life it is really awkward. I can say this with authority of the N=1 kind. Phil and I happened to meet an incredible musician I’ve admired since my teens. I went bright red like a tomato, Phil didn’t care, and all I could think of saying to said musician was “You’re amazing”. Which sounded, on retrospective analysis, either totally vacuous or creepy. Sure, I can tick meeting Mr X off my bucket list, but it was more an experience that was good to have had than to be having.

Buddy met some celebrities and rode in a police car, but I suspect some of the less headline-worthy items on the list – like playing in mud, eating a pie, running on the beach – were those he enjoyed the most. These “moments of pleasure”, if I may borrow the title of the Kate Bush song, are what dog’s lives are about. 

Human bucket lists are all about novel experiences (such as participating in the Kate Bush flash mob), but animals aren’t as obsessed with novelty and in fact some get very anxious about it. And some humans, irritated by the viral explosion of bucket listing, have written anti-bucketlists (incidentally, these are much easier to write, for example, I am pretty sure “not hanging out with puppies or kittens, or anyone that playful” would be on Phil’s anti-bucket list). 

My hope is that people moved to create bucket lists for companion animals think about those lists from the animal’s point of view.  

So what would be on Phil’s list? It would probably be something like this, played on repeat.

• Walking out the front door
• Taking a road trip to somewhere we’ve already been
• Sniffing the nature strip immediately outside of our house for about four hours
• Sniffing Hank from down the street’s rear end (Hank is a Bichon)
• Binge-sleeping and snoring
• Serial lap-sitting
• Running on really fluffy carpet, brand new and peeing on same
• Exclusive, uninhibited access to the cat food
• Someone leaving a Margherita pizza, a crepe and/or a cheese platter unattended on a very low table at Phil height (don’t ask me how I know this would be on his list).

Does your pet have a bucket list? An anti-bucket list? What’s on it?

Who loves you more: your dog or your cat?

Do cats really love us less than dogs do? I am not convinced. 

Recent reports in the media suggest that science has proved that dogs love humans more than cats do.

The finding comes from an experiment performed by neuroscientist Paul Zak by a BBC documentary, Cat v Dog. Zak is known for his research on oxytocin, what he calls the attachment neurochemical or “the moral molecule” because it motivates us to nurture offspring, and treat others with care and compassion.

When humans engage with each other socially, our bloodoxytocin levels may increase by 10 to 100 percent – with greater increase correlated with greater amounts of attachment or pleasure involved in the interaction. For example, our oxytocin levels may increase by 5-10 per cent when a new acquaintance shakes our hand, but they shoot up by up to 100 per cent if your own child hugs you.

According to reports, for this experiment Zak took saliva samples from 10 cats and 10 dogs at T=0 (ie before they interacted with their owners). They then engaged with their owners for a short period of time and he repeated the tests (T=1), in both cases measuring oxytocin.

After the experiment, dogs had an average increase in oxytocin of 57.2 per cent while for cats it was around 12 per cent – and some had no oxytocin at all.

What is fascinating is how this study – for which I cannot locate a peer-reviewed journal article – is being reported. In The Times of India, the headline reads “YourDog Loves You 5 Times More Than Your Cat: Study”.

In the Daily Mail, its "Proof Your Cat Loves You FIVETimes Less Than Your Dog”

Some reports, such as this one, suggest that the results are based on blood and not saliva tests. But the word "proof" is being thrown around as if the result of a single experiment is the definitive last word on a matter which may impact the way humans interact with animals and therefore impact their welfare. 

Before you give your cat the cold shoulder, remember there are limitations to every study. This one involved a small sample size, measured a single parameter, didn’t provide details about selection criteria (were there key differences in cats selected as opposed to dogs?) and didn’t measure cats in their own environment. 

As noted by Dr Zak, cats are territorial and may be secure in their own territory, but are often terrified when removed from their homes (the saying goes, “dogs love people, cats love places”) – which may have impacted the results. 

Methods can also impact results, particularly when different species are involved in a study. Measuring parameters in feline saliva is challenging for a number of reasons, not least of all because it can be difficult to collect an appropriate volume of saliva. False negative results may occur because of this methodology and there is still significant work to do to refine this modality.

On the other hand, blood tests (if they were performed) are stressful. In my experience, cats are generally more stressed than dogs about having blood drawn, although there is major individual variation (some cats don’t show any overt signs of stress, some dogs get very stressed). This might also impact results.

Is it fair to compare cats and dogs in a context that favours the dog in the first place? Is it fair to compare cats and dogs at all? What are we seeking to achieve here? And is the question who loves us best a tad anthropocentric? What does it say about us? As someone who works and lives with dogs and cats, reports about experiments like these don’t change the way I view my relationships with animals. And when it comes to cats, I think as a species we often read (and study) them wrong.

How did you react to the findings? 

More on the dog cafe - and a talk on Cats 101

A beagle enjoying a treat at dedicated dog cafe, the Dog Barkery.

I had some great feedback about a photo from this week’s post on dogs and love with quite a few people asking for the details. It was taken at the Dog Barkery in Belmont, New South Wales – around two hours North of Sydney if you are driving. Alas I was dogless at the time – we happened to drive past when I saw the words “Dog Barkery” and caught site of a huge, wagging Golden retriever tail under a sign which read “Dogs allowed” I knew we had to stop.

You wouldn't want to accidentally lock your dog in this shop overnight.

It’s an interesting concept for a business. They sell gourmet dog treats, as well as dog “coffee” (Liver Lattes, Puppaccinos etc) that can be consumed on site. They have the service down pat – the waiter or waitress brings a bowl of dog coffee (doffee?) and puts it on a placemat and they go for it. Its not a place you would necessarily take a dog suffering from dietary intolerance, pancreatitis or obesity. But it might be fun for an occasional treat. Apparently many dogs celebrate their birthdays here.

For obvious reasons, dogs must be kept on lead in the store. It would be far too easy to be tempted otherwise!

The window.

Check out their website here. 

On a feline note, if you are located in Queensland or will be travelling through next week, behaviourist Dr Janice Lloyd will be giving a presentation on Cats 101. The talk is on Tuesday, October 6 at the Riverside Gardens Community Centre in Townsville. Janice is a fabulous speaker, so it promises to be an informative and entertaining session.