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Dieting cats 'more affectionate', owners say
cat with owner
Researchers said cat owners tend to anthropomorphise their pets and, as a result, are sometimes afraid to reduce their cat's food intake in case they become 'vindictive'.
Study dispels fears about being 'snubbed' for cutting food intake

Cat owners who took part in a recent diet study felt their obese felines became more affectionate during an eight-week diet. This is contrary to the fears of some owners that reducing food intake could prompt their cat to 'snub' them.

Scientists from Cornell University put 58 obese cats on one of three equicaloric diets - a high fibre (HiFi) diet, a control diet to maintain weight, or a low carbohydrate, high protein diet.

Owners recorded information about their cats' behavioural changes and their weights were compared to baseline at four and eight weeks.

Most owners reported an increase in begging behaviours, following, vocalising and pacing before feeding, while increased purring, sitting in owner's lap, resting and using the litter box were observed post-meal.

Writing in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, researchers said cat owners tend to anthropomorphise their pets and, as a result, are sometimes afraid to reduce their cat's food intake in case they become 'vindictive'.

But only two out of 41 cats in the study showed increased aggression towards their owners, and none of the cats began to urine mark.

Read the full study here: http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878%2815%2900194-X/pdf

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.