How Your Cat Could Make You Mentally Ill

 

New research examines the link between cat-carried parasite and schizophrenia Cats may rule the Internet and make beloved pets, but a recent study has revealed that they may also be linked to mental illness. As cute as they can be, cats can carry a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which can be passed on to humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates more than 60 million people in the U.S. may have it,CBS reports. Though most people will never develop symptoms of a T. gondii infection, those with weakened immune symptoms could develop an illness called toxoplasmosis, which could lead to miscarriages, fetal development disorders, a flu-like illness, blindness and in extreme cases even death. Recently published research now suggests that there could be a link between the cat-carried parasite and mental illness. The researchers, E. Fuller Torrey of the Stanley Medical Research Institute and Dr. Robert H. Yolken of Stanley Laboratory of Developmental Neurovirology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, have been investigating a possible link between the parasite and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The new research, published in Schizophrenia Research, examines whether cat ownership in childhood is significantly more common in families in which the child later becomes seriously mentally ill. “Cat ownership in childhood has now been reported in three studies to be significantly more common in families in which the child is later diagnosed with schizophrenia or another serious mental illness,” the authors of the study said in a statement. Another recent study, published in the journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, looked at dozens of published studies that also found that T. gondii infection is associated with mental disorders. The results of the research showed that a person infected with the parasite was almost twice as likely to develop schizophrenia. So what can cat-loving parents do? Study author Torrey told CBS that, “Children can be protected by keeping their cat exclusively indoors and always covering the sandbox when not in use.” Black Cat Audition, 1961 Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images   http://time.com/3912258/cats-parasite-mental-illness/

Cool friendship between cats and dogs

 

The eyes have it: Cats put sight over smell in finding food

Cats may prefer to use their eyes rather than follow their nose when it comes to finding the location of food, according to new research by leading animal behaviourists. Felines have a tremendous sense of smell and vision, but the new study by researchers at the University of Lincoln, UK, has for the first time investigated which sense they prefer to use under test conditions -- and suggested sight may be more important than smell. A group of six cats were placed in a maze which had 'decision' points -- and the cats had to choose which avenue they took based on their preference for using images or smell. They were simultaneously presented with two squares of paper, each containing a different visual and odour cue. One combination of stimuli indicated they would receive a food reward, whereas the other led to no reward. Once the cats had learned the rules of the game and received food rewards for correctly choosing either the visual stimulus or the olfactory stimulus, the researchers separated the cues (visual versus olfactory) to investigate whether the cats were using their eyes or nose to solve the task. Four out of the six cats picked the visual cue, over the odour cue, to receive their food reward with only one cat preferring to use its nose and the sixth showing no preference. So it seems that when they had the choice, cats simply preferred the visual signals over the olfactory ones. The findings have now been published by the international journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Evy Mayes carried out the research at the University of Lincoln while she was studying for her Masters degree in feline behaviour and welfare. Evy, who is now working at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, explained: "Up until now we really thought that the sense of smell would dominate how cats view their world, but we are now reconsidering this and also the implications of how we manage them. At Battersea Dogs & Cats Home we make sure that our cats are housed in the best possible environment -- one that respects the cat and provides each individual with whatever it needs in order to help it adapt to a rehoming environment. I was also particularly surprised by the speed at which the cats learned how to solve the task, which is very encouraging for future cat behaviour studies." Professor Daniel Mills, who supervised the study and is based in the University of Lincoln's School of Life Sciences, added: "We live in a complex world and use all of our senses to make sense of it. This is the first time we have asked cats how they operate rather than assumed this from what we know about their senses. Another important finding from this work is the individual variability -- different cats had quite fixed preferences, and this may have important implications for their welfare. If there is a cat which has a strong preference for using its nose then simple changes in the smell of the environment might have a big impact on it, whereas, for others it may be insignificant. This work provides a unique insight into the important principles of attending to the needs of the individual rather than the population in general for good welfare."

Essential Nutrients for Dogs and Cats

 

Ellie Shelburne (about.com)

There are five essential nutrients that one can find on the back of a label for dog and cat food, and these are very important for the well-being of your pet. The first essential nutrient is water, one that's important for all of us. While canned foods do have a sizable amount of water in them, it's very important that both cats and dogs have a fresh source of water all of the time.

The second essential nutrient is protein. Protein sources are meat or beans or soy. Dogs are not obligate carnivores, so they don't have to eat meat protein to survive; dogs can be vegetarians very successfully. Cats, however, require very specific fats and proteins, and really, it's very hard to make a cat a vegetarian and it's very important to feed them the meat proteins.

The third essential nutrient are carbohydrates. Corn and wheat serve a purpose in food and can be very helpful. However, each animal is different and your veterinarian can help advise you.

The fourth essential nutrients are fats. Fats are actually a very important part of the diet. Cats have a specific fat they need called linoleic acid to survive. Another aspect of it is if you can add the omega-3 fatty acids in a reasonable amount in their foods, they can act as an anti-inflammatory and reduce inflammation in joints, and kidneys, and some of the prescription diets use those very well to reduce even cancer.

Vitamins and Minerals for Dogs and Cats

The final essential nutrient that you need to look for are really two: vitamins and minerals. Minerals are things like calcium and phosphorous; vitamins are things like vitamin A (another essential ingredient to a cat's diet - they can't make the vitamin A themselves, so they have to have it directly). I highly recommend that people choose a high-quality pet food that has had feeding trials. It's very important to find your veterinarian and talk to them about finding the right balance of all those nutrients.