Feline feeding programs: Addressing behavioural needs to improve feline health and wellbeing

Sadek, Tammy P.; Hamper, Beth; Horwitz, Debra F.; Rodan, Ilona; Rowe, Elizabeth; Sundahl, Eliza

doi:10.1177/1098612x18791877

Cited by 29 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…To complement information available online, veterinary caregivers could be a source of education about food puzzles, 24 including addressing and demonstrating their use during wellness visits, and displaying and selling food puzzles in their reception areas. Pet practitioners could play an important role in guiding cat owners in choosing and using food puzzles to increase the likelihood of their successful implementation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, we had a large number of respondents to our survey and have identified areas for future research, as well as ways that feline practitioners might wish to target educational strategies for clients, should they wish to encourage the use of food puzzles, as has been recommended in a recent consensus statement on feline feeding practices. 24…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Understanding how and what clients feed their cats, as well as which factors create resistance to using food puzzles can help clinicians refine educational strategies to encourage their use. 24…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A survey of feeding practices and use of food puzzles in owners of domestic cats

Delgado

Bain

Buffington

2019

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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Objectives Food puzzles may provide enrichment to domestic cats. The purpose of our survey was to determine: (1) how respondents fed their cat (type[s] of food, amount and mode of delivery); (2) how many people used food puzzles to provide food for their cats; and (3) owner attitudes about food puzzles. Methods We conducted an online survey from January to April of 2018 to ask cat owners (n = 3192) questions related to their cat feeding practices and use of food puzzles. Results Most cat owners fed their cats dry food, with half of those owners offering it ad libitum. Thirty percent of participants offered food puzzles to their cats; another 18% had tried food puzzles but were no longer using them. The remaining participants had never used a food puzzle with their cat. Reasons for not using food puzzles included perceptions about the cat (eg, being too lazy), multiple pets in the home, pets fed different diets, health issues and feeding an exclusively wet food diet. Many participants did not know how to choose or introduce a food puzzle to their cat, and many non-users saw no need or benefit to their cat. Conclusions and relevance This survey provided information about the feeding habits of cat owners and why they do and do not use food puzzles with their cats. Because of the scarcity of empirical evidence about the effects of food puzzles on pet cat welfare, more research is needed to determine the role of food puzzles as part of an overall enrichment plan.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A survey of feeding practices and use of food puzzles in owners of domestic cats

Delgado

Bain

Buffington

2019

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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“…Vignette 5 (anxiety-child-related) was considered likely to support best outcome as the suggested measures would reduce stress/fear by facilitating the cat's avoidance behaviour and giving it a sense of control over its environment. Feeding the cat within the territory would also enhance the desirability of the "escape" area and foster positive emotions [17]. However, in the long term, behavioural counselling would be needed to modify this behaviour.…”

Section: Likelymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Provision of sufficient resources in multicat households was the focus of Vignette 10 (aggression-cat/cat resource-based aggression). The advice was considered likely to result in best outcome because it considered both increasing the number of resources and directing the location of the new resources into the specific territory of the bullied cat in the vignette [13,17]. However, as always, the general rule of thumb when providing resources should be "one for each cat plus one" [13].…”

Section: Likelymentioning

confidence: 99%

Veterinary Professionals’ Understanding of Common Feline Behavioural Problems and the Availability of “Cat Friendly” Practices in Ireland

Goins

Nicholson

Hanlon

2019

Animals

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Veterinary behavioural medicine (VBM) is an integral aspect of veterinary practice. However, Golden and Hanlon (Ir. Vet. J. 71:12, 2018) found that the majority of professionals surveyed felt they had received inadequate VBM education and were commonly asked to give advice on feline behavioural problems. The purpose of this study was to explore understanding of feline VBM and the availability of “cat friendly” provisions in clinical practice in Ireland. An online survey comprised 21 questions on professional role and experience, vignettes of common feline behavioural problems, and “cat friendly” practice management. Using a Likert Scale, participants were requested to score whether the advice depicted in vignettes supported best outcome based on the definition by Shalvey et al. (Ir. Vet. J. 72:1, 2019). The survey was distributed via professional organisations, social media, and at the University College Dublin Hospital Conference. Forty-two veterinary practitioners (VPs) and 53 veterinary nurses (VNs) completed the survey. The majority of veterinary professionals agreed with our classification of best outcome, but some areas of disagreement and uncertainty were identified. In addition, there were significant differences between VPs and VNs regarding spraying (p = 0.033), self-mutilation (p = 0.016), and resource-based aggression (p = 0.013). Relatively few “cat friendly” measures were implemented in respondents’ clinics. Our findings support the need for increased education in feline VBM, in particular, implementation of cat friendly practice initiatives.

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‘Bowls are boring’: Investigating enrichment feeding for pet dogs and the perceived benefits and challenges

Heys,

Lloyd,

Westgarth

2023

Veterinary Record

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BackgroundCanine enrichment feeding (CEF) is recommended by canine professionals, yet research into its use by dog owners is absent. This study is the first to investigate who uses CEF and the perceived benefits and barriers.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey advertised in July and August 2021 received 1750 usable responses about owner and dog demographics, feeding methods used, canine quality of life and behaviour (Mini‐Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire [C‐BARQ]).ResultsKongs, chews and activity toys were the most popular forms of CEF. CEF was most often used for a treat, delivering meals and keeping dogs busy. Owners not using CEF were more likely to be male and older. Dogs not fed using CEF were more likely to be older, of working type and have lower exercise needs. Furthermore, they were less likely to show meal interest, dog‐directed fear or training difficulties. A common perceived benefit was mental stimulation; however, lack of time was commonly perceived to be a barrier. Certain feeding methods were associated with perceptions of reduced hunger and begging.LimitationsThe survey methodology means there is a risk of selection bias and conclusions cannot be drawn about causation.ConclusionCEF was perceived by most owners to benefit behavioural problems and reduce food seeking. Further research using experimental research designs is required to establish causality.

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Feline feeding programs: Addressing behavioural needs to improve feline health and wellbeing

Cited by 29 publications

References 20 publications

A survey of feeding practices and use of food puzzles in owners of domestic cats

A survey of feeding practices and use of food puzzles in owners of domestic cats

Veterinary Professionals’ Understanding of Common Feline Behavioural Problems and the Availability of “Cat Friendly” Practices in Ireland

‘Bowls are boring’: Investigating enrichment feeding for pet dogs and the perceived benefits and challenges

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