A study, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has found that the production of meat-based pet foods has a much greater impact on the environment in comparison to plant-based alternatives.

The study, led by Rebecca Brociek from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, and published in Frontiers in Nutrition – Nutrition and Sustainable Diets, showed that plant-based diets for pets had the lowest impact across all measures of environmental impact. This included the land needed to produce them, greenhouse gas emissions, the polluting effects of production on soil and water reservoirs, and freshwater withdrawal.

Pet food production contributes substantially to global environmental issues, driven largely by animal-derived ingredients.

In this study, experts quantified the environmental impact of 31 commercially available dry dog foods purchased in the UK, categorised as plant-based, red-meat based and veterinary-renal diets.

The environmental metrics were estimated using life cycle assessment datasets and adjusted for ingredient makeup, energy density and differences in moisture content, which were mostly taken from the dog food packaging.

The results showed that plant-based diets had the lowest impact across all measures of environmental impact. Poultry-based and veterinary diets were intermediate, while beef and lamb-based foods had substantially higher impact compared to all other foods.

For example, over nine years of adult life, a 20kg dog fed a beef-based diet was estimated to require 57 football fields worth of land to grow their food (versus 1.4 fields for plant-based).

This latest study comes after a previous study where the team showed that plant-based pet food sold in the UK provided similar nutrition to meat-based food.

“Our findings show that there is a much greater environmental impact when producing meat-based pet food.

 “We have already show in our previous work that plant-based diets at the point of purchase are roughly equivalent to others. This next paper is a case study of 31 supermarket-available dog foods, giving dog owners who factor sustainability into their purchases, guidance on how to also reduce their environmental pawprint,” says Rebecca, the lead author on the study.

After a summer of lazy mornings, long walks, and extra attention from the kids at home, the sudden shift to hectic mornings, rushed drop-offs, and quiet households during the day can be confusing and stressful for our furry companions. The “back-to-school blues” can affect dogs and cats alike, but there are things you can do to help ease their transition.

Pets Feel the Change

Dogs and cats thrive on routine and companionship. When their human family suddenly disappears during the day, they may experience boredom and separation anxiety, or changes in appetite and behavior. 

Easing the Transition

1. Gradual Changes

If your kids haven’t started school yet, start adjusting your pet’s routine one to two weeks before school starts. Slowly shift feeding, walking, and play times to match the upcoming schedule. Making incremental changes will make the adjustment feel less abrupt for our pets.

2. Spend Quality Time in the Morning and Evenings

Spend a few minutes each morning playing with or walking your dog. This gives pets a positive start to the day and reinforces their bond with the family. Exercising your dog in the morning also helps them burn off nervous energy so they can nap during the day. After school and work, be sure to give pets plenty of love, attention, and exercise. A walk, cuddle session, or playtime helps them feel valued and part of the family again.

3. Keep Them Busy and Distracted

Turn on the TV or radio to help make the house less quiet. Give your pet a puzzle toy and a new chew toy to keep them busy when they are home alone. Besides making a variety of chews to match your dog’s needs and preferences, Nylabone makes innovative treat toys designed to keep your dog entertained longer. Their Stuffable Cone Dog Treat Toy and Fillable Peanut Dog Chew Toy allow you to put treats in the toy so your dog can stay preoccupied for hours trying to get the treats out. And as a bonus, in celebration of their 70^th birthday, Nylabone is donating a chew toy to Best Friends Animal Society for every purchased Nylabone. In addition to helping your dog stay busy, you’re helping enrich a shelter pet’s life. For more information or to upload your receipt go to: NylaboneCares.com

4. Give Them a Cozy New Bed

Buy your dog or a cat a new bed to encourage naps and relaxation while everyone is away. P.L.A.Y has a large selection of cozy, comfortable, and easy to maintain beds. Their California Dreaming Memory Foam Bed has plush bolster sides and a memory foam center cushion to provide extra comfort and support for your pup.

5. Watch for Signs of Stress

Excessive barking, chewing, bathroom accidents, or changes in behavior might be signs of separation anxiety. Consider trying calming products to help decrease your pet’s anxiety. There are all kinds of calming products available nowadays designed to decrease stress and anxiety in dogs and cats. Also consider doggy day care or setting up afternoon dog walks to get some of your pet’s energy out and break up their day. And remember if none of this helps, be sure to contact your veterinarian for help.

Pets Are Part of the Family Too

Back-to-school season is a time of growth and change, not just for children but for the whole household. With a little empathy and effort, your pets can adjust to the new routine and continue to thrive. There is no better way to end the school day, then coming home and being greeted by your four-legged friend waiting at the door.

For more about pet health or some pet-friendly ideas go to https://drruthpetvet.com/.
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Losing pets is real. It’s estimated that approximately 10 million get lost each year, with 1 in 3 pets expected to go missing during their lifetimes. Unfortunately, many of these pets never find their way home.

That’s why PetPlace is supporting the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Check the Chip Day, a national awareness event that encourages pet parents to microchip their pets and register their microchips.

“A lost microchipped pet is much more likely to be reunited with their owners than a pet who isn’t microchipped,” says Dr. Rhiannon Koehler, a PetPlace veterinary expert who works as a medical provider in animal shelters. “Lost dogs are over twice as likely to be returned to their owners if they’re microchipped. Over a third of lost microchipped cats are returned to their owners, compared with under 2 percent of lost cats who are not microchipped.”

The Importance of Microchip Registration

Microchips only work if they are properly registered. That’s why PetPlace launched its Paws for Safety Awareness campaign earlier this summer.

“We refer to pets who are microchipped but not registered as digital strays,” says Sam Watson, president of PetPlace. “While they might have a physical microchip, that chip is useless if it’s not registered with a pet owner’s contact information. Registering your dog or cat’s chip is the first step in protecting them if they go missing.”

Essential Microchip Tips for Keeping Pets Safe

Dr. Koehler recommends the following microchip tips:

• Get your microchip from a licensed veterinarian or reputable microchip service provider. These providers ensure proper chip placement and a sterile environment for the procedure. If cost is a concern, contact nonprofit clinics, animal shelters, and animal control organizations to see if they offer discounted or free microchipping services.
  
• Ensure the chip is ISO-compliant and can be read by universal scanners. Your microchip provider should be able to tell you if this is the case.
  
• Keep a record of your microchip number in a safe place so that it is easily accessible. Write down the number and store it with other important documents and save a copy digitally on your phone or computer.
  
• Register your chip with a reliable registry partner. A microchip registry links your information to your pet’s chip. Reputable registries make it easy to enter and update your pet’s microchip, ensure secure data storage, and offer around-the-clock lost pet services.
  
• Include multiple contacts in your microchip information in case you are unreachable. Including the contact number of another family member or friend can be helpful if your pet goes missing and you lose cell phone service or your battery dies.
  
• Regularly update your microchip information. This is especially important if you get a new phone number or move. Consider setting an annual reminder to check your chip information.
  
• Ask your veterinarian to scan your pet’s microchip at annual appointments so you know it’s working properly. Although it’s rare, microchips can move or stop working. Your veterinarian can confirm that your pet’s microchip is working properly.
  
• Consider adding an additional ID tag to your pet’s collar as a backup. Physical ID tags provide an extra layer of security if your pet’s microchip does stop working.
  
• If your pet gets lost, report it immediately. Notify your microchip registry and local shelters.

“Losing a pet is one of the most scary and stressful things a pet parent can go through, but the relief that comes with reunification is real and palpable,” says Watson. “Microchipping your pet and registering that microchip provides peace of mind and ensures that you have all safeguards in place should the unthinkable happen.”