Companion Animal Industry Flashcards
Companion animals
one whose owners has emotional connection with the animal
Importance of companion animal
-globally dogs and cats are the most common household animal
-US ranks 5th in pet ownership
-AVMA numbers: 83-88 million dogs and 60-62 million cats
-45% households with dogs, 26% households with cats
History of companion animals
-Domestication: selection by people for desired characteristics
-temperament and appearance
-many traits changed: tamer, fatter, cuter
-Neotony: retention of juvenile traits as an adult
-juvenile features: greater compassion
Why did we start keeping animals?
Biophilia hypothesis: genetic tendency to appreciate natural world, pats are “nature on demand”
Attachment theory: emotional relationship between caregiver and young, mimicked in pets
Social support theory: humans are social creatures and many of these behaviors and emotions also experienced with pets
Benefits of companion animals
reduced stress, focus on nurturing, exercise, decreased loneliness, social interaction, enhancement of self-esteem, lowered blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides
Source of companion animal
-differences between where people obtain pets
-Dogs: breeders, friends, shelters
-Cats: shelters, strays, friends
-Top reasons for rehoming: time, behavior, health, size, housing
Adoptions
-shelter animals: serval million dogs and cats enter shelters each year
-About 20-25% are euthanized, 50% adopted
-30-40 million feral/stray cats
What are the top three most expensive animals annual?
Horses, large dog, medium dog/cat
What are the three most expensive things dog owners spend their money on?
Dog walking/daycare, veterinary care, food and treats
Female cat
Queen
Male cat
Tom
group of cats
bevy
whelping
act of giving birth (dog)
Sporting dogs
-Active and alert
-Hunting, or “gun” dogs
-Pointers, retrievers, setters, spaniels
-Activity level: moderate to high
-water replicant coats
Hound Dogs
-used for hunting
-scenting powers
-often independent with high prey drive
-sound known as baying
-activity level: moderate
-scenting powers
Toy dogs
-small size
-ideal for cities or small homes
-require less exercise
-less shedding, costs of care
-activity level: low to moderate
Terrier dogs
-feisty and energetic
smaller in size
-bred to hunt and kill vermin
-often have wiry coats
-activity level: high
Working dogs
-bred to perform jobs: guarding property, pulling sleds, water rescues.
-quick to learn, intelligent
-large and strong
-require good training
-activity level: moderate to high
Herding dog
-newest classification
-control movement of other animals
-natural herding instincts
-intelligent, biddable
-activity level: high
-Corgi and German Shepherds
Non-Sporting dogs
Variable: size, appearance, personality, activity level
Shelters
-care for unwanted pets
-Kill: kills animals once full or after certain time
-No-Kill: Doesn’t kill healthy animals, only for terminally ill or dangerous
Pet Stores
-Animals and supplies
-Huge online market for supplies
-6% of sales are actually animals
-state laws regulate sales of animals at pet stores
Breeder - Commerical
-USDA
-Environment different that homes they end up in
Breeder - Puppy/kitten mills
unregulated commercial breeder
Breeder - Backyard
-Accident
-Want dog to have a litter
Breeder - Reputable
-screen buyers
-breed for health and behavior
-should allow you to view puppy’s environment, parents, shares records
-AKC website has a list of certified breeders
Owners
-You and I
-67% of households
-Dogs and cats pretty equal
Owners - animal jobs
-service animals: dogs, miniature horses, protected by ADA, public access
-Emotional Support: no public access, housing rights
-Therapy
-Police/Military
-Search and rescue
-Farm
Dog Life Style
-Born at 1lb and into a litter with 6 pups
-Weaned at 63 days
-Puberty at 15 months, variable
-Gestation variable size and life span, <20 lbs-11yrs, >90lbs-8yrs
Cate Life Cycle
-born at 0.2lbs, 4 kitten per litters, typically spring
-Weaned at 4 weeks
-Puberty at 11 months
-Gestation for 63 days
-Mature weight at 8lbs
-Lifespan, outdoor 7 years, indoor 14 years
Pet Nutrition
-Dogs and cats are carnivore
-chew enough to swallow
-saliva has large amounts of lysozyme (disinfectant)
-short large intestine and nonfunctional cecum
-Cats are obligate carnivores, must include taurine and arachidonic acid in diet, eat prey whole
-many describe pet dogs as omnivores due to the diets we feed them
Undertstading pet food labels
-Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guideline
-canned food 75-82% water
-Semi-moist food 25% water
-Dry food 10% water
100% rule
products made entirely of meat may only contain meat, water, and preservatives.
95% rule
if product is labeled as beef, it must contain at least 95% beef by weight (not accounting for added water) or 70% beef when including water weight
25% rule
labels with an ingredient followed by a descriptive label must have at least 25% of that ingredient by weight or 10% when including added water
“With” Rule
A product with an ingredient must have at least 3% of that ingredient by weight
Flavor rule
No minimum percentage, there must be detectable flavor in the product
complete and balanced
has been confirmed by feeding studies to meet minimum requirements for nutrient content
For all life stages
meets most stringent nutrient requirements across the life expectancy of that species
Maintenance ratio
adequate for adult, non-reproducing cat or dog
Senior or puppy
used only for that age group, specific for their nutritional needs
Intended for intermittent feeding
not a primary food for animals, essentially a treat
Pet food labeling trends
“Premium,” “gourmet,” “choice,” and “human-grade” have no legal meaning or regulation
“all-natural” and “100% natural”
-must come from animal, plant or mined sources
-no synthetic ingredients
-ingredients can be processed
-can add synthetic vitamins and mineral with disclaimer
Organic products regulated
-no genetically modified organisms, synthetic fertilizers
-ingredients must be 95% organic
Pet food labeling trends “proven” and “new”
“Proven” products-scientific evidence supporting claims made
“New” or “improved” labels-limited to 6 months from the time of development or modification
Raw pet food
-risks for contamination (Salmonella, E Coli)
-No guarantee of balanced diet
-feeding only raw food could result in deficiency
Grain free
-must contain no wheat, corn, barley, oats, rye, rice, or soy
-These are important energy sources
-can use potato or pea flour
How to pick a pet food
-Talk to a veterinarian (Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist ideal) or PhD nutritionist
-Manufactures should employ/consult with a qualified nutritionist
-Nutrients over ingredients
-make sure it agrees with your pet
-Do not feed dog food to cats
How to not pick pet food
Do not pick
-based on the packaging
-based on what you would like to eat
-the most expensive food with no other considerations
-a diet incompatible with your pet’s life stage
Manufacturer Pet Food
-much of this information compiled by Pet Nutrition Alliance
-World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Health Concerns - obesity
-over 50% of dogs and cats in US overweight or obese
-“fat pet gap”
-linked to arthritis, kidney disease, urinary tract disease, liver disease, diabetes, blood pressure, cancer
-monitor pet weight frequency
-amount and type of food, exercise
Heartworm disease
-infection caused by Dirofilaria immitis
-Larvae transmitted through mosquitos
-grow into worms in host, blood vessels around heart and lungs, can enter heart
-inflammation of blood vessels and heart
-serve problems when numbers high or worms die
Feline leukemia virus
-number 1 infectious cause of death-prevalence has decreased
-primarily spread via saliva
-cat may show no signs, or may succumb to secondary disorders (cancer, other infections) depending on infection severity
-virus attacks the immune system
