Feline employees still keep barns rodent-free, but they’ve expanded their workplaces to warehouses, wineries and more

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

One of the lovely legends surrounding Christmas is that of the tabby cat who jumped into the manger and began purring to soothe a crying baby Jesus. A grateful Mary placed her hand on the cat’s head in blessing, and ever since, tabbies have carried the M for Mary on their forehead.

Cats have been denizens of barns since the dawn of agriculture, some 7,000 to 10,000 years ago. Once people began storing grain in buildings, small wild cats discovered that grain storage areas teemed with mice. Without necessarily entering into a contract with humans, the cats began providing rodent control to early farmers. It didn’t lead immediately to domestication -- some argue that to this day, cats aren’t fully domesticated -- but felines and humans developed a commensal relationship, one in which each derived a benefit.

Even after domestication, cats retained their association with barns. Nowadays, though, they have extended their workplaces to breweries, warehouses, citrus orchards, junkyards, police mounted-patrol stables, wineries, bodegas, hotels, spas, garden centers, marinas, manufacturing plants, zoos, prisons and even suburban backyards.

“Options are truly limitless for working cat placements,” says Monica Frenden, director of feline lifesaving at American Pets Alive! in Austin, Texas. “Think of any location that has mouse, mole, snake or vermin concerns, and that is a possible placement location.”

It’s the rare shelter that doesn’t have a barn or working cat program. While plenty of cats adore living indoors, gracing our laps with their presence, others hearken back to their ancestral work, preferring to live outside, set their own hours and earn their kibble the old-fashioned way: by providing natural pest control programs.

Shelters that wouldn’t be able to place feral, fractious or other temperamentally unsuited cats in indoor homes work to save those cats from euthanasia by finding them jobs.

“Working cats typically are felines that have had limited interactions with humans or have never been socialized with humans,” says Joan Thielen, public relations manager at Denver Dumb Friends League. “These working cats thrive when they have a job in a barn, stable or other outdoor setting.”

Other cats who benefit from an outdoor job are those with too much energy, a history of biting people or an unmanageable habit of house soiling. Some are simply unhappy living in homes.

Before placement, cats being considered for working positions are evaluated by a veterinarian to ensure that they are healthy and suited to living outdoors. They are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Barn cat “salaries” must include daily food and water, regular veterinary care and a safe living area that’s sheltered from the elements.

Frenden says one of her favorite barn cat placements was with the Austin Police Mounted Patrol Unit.

“They were seeking two new deputies to keep their stable rodent-free after their last Rodent Officer was retired into a loving home when he aged out of productivity at 18,” she says. “Officers Lily and Mama were adopted from Austin Pets Alive! and became official police animals who continue to patrol the grounds and keep the streets safe from mice, rats and snakes.”

And just because the cats live outdoors doesn’t mean they aren’t loved and appreciated. It’s not unusual, Thielen says, for the cats to slowly adapt to their human companions and begin seeking attention from them or even choosing to spend time indoors with them.

“As anyone who has ever had a horse, pet pig or beloved farm critter can tell you, just because an animal does not live inside the house with us does not mean they must be any less loved,” Frenden says. “The enjoyment of seeing your barn cat playing in the grass, the way they come running at dinnertime and the value of their presence endears them to most adopters, even if we can never touch them. Barn cat programs are a win-win for both the cats and the adopters who love them.”

Q&A

Pets not poisoned

by poinsettias

Q: My sister has poinsettias all over her house, and she’s not worried about her pets eating them. I thought they were toxic to animals. Shouldn’t she get rid of them?

A: That’s one thing pet owners don’t have to stress about during the holiday season. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) have an undeserved reputation for toxicity.

At most, the popular Christmas plants can be mildly irritating to pets who nibble on them. “The sticky white sap in poinsettias usually causes only mild mouth or stomach irritation if ingested,” says veterinary toxicologist Justine Lee, DVM, with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Depending on the amount, pets who ingest poinsettias may lick their lips, drool or experience mild vomiting and, rarely, diarrhea. Sap on skin can cause redness, swelling and itchiness. Unless these signs are persistent or severe, there’s no need to rush pets to the veterinary ER.

“My advice is that they are perfectly fine to have during the holidays, even in households with dogs or cats,” says veterinary toxicologist John Tegzes, VMD, professor of toxicology at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. “But do place them in areas where pets might not have easy access, or if they do, watch to make sure they don’t eat significant amounts of the plants, like the whole plant.”

The bottom line? If you enjoy the beauty of poinsettias, it’s OK to have them in your home during the holidays.

Now, if your sister has lilies in her home, along with cats, tell her to give them to you or throw them out. Cats can die quickly from eating any part of lily plants -- leaves, stems, petals even pollen -- or from drinking water from the vase they’re in. Dogs are less at risk, prone primarily to mild stomach upset from eating them. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Pet scams rising,

says BBB

-- Pet buyers, beware! The Better Business Bureau announced a dramatic spike in pet fraud reports, nearly 4,000 in 2020 from the United States and Canada. After finding puppies or kittens online, would-be owners shell out hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for the animals, only to discover that they’ve been scammed when the promised pet never arrives. Often, scammers lift photos of puppies from the websites of reputable breeders or ask for additional money to cover upgraded shipping crates or pet health insurance. Scammers may request payment through apps such as Zelle or CashApp.

-- Dog lovers, especially those of the Labrador persuasion, will surely enjoy “Olive, Mabel & Me,” a book about the adventures of two Labs and their wryly humorous and just-a-little-bit besotted owner, Scottish sports commentator Andrew Cotter. Olive and Mabel landed in the spotlight when Cotter, out of work because of the pandemic, began narrating their lives on YouTube as they sped through breakfast, waited each other out over a chew toy, went on walks or simply stood in a pond. In between their “sports” activities, Cotter and the dogs bag munros hikes (hike Scotland’s peaks of up to 3,000 feet) and, well, just hang out together. It’s a charming, funny and tender memoir.

-- You may know that everyone’s favorite day of the week -- Friday, of course -- is named after Norse goddess Freyja, but did you know that Freyja’s transport was a chariot pulled by two giant cats, given to her by thunder god Thor? Norse legends do not share the names of the cats, but in her 1984 novel “Brisingamen,” modern-day author Diana Paxson christened them Bygul (bee-gold, aka honey) and Tregul (tree-gold, aka amber). The Old Norse language had several words for cats, including “kottr,” “kausi,” “kisa” (kitty), “kis-kis”(kitty kitty), “ketlingr” (a kitten), “ketta” (female cat) and “fress” (tomcat). -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Veterinary specialists can work with your veterinarian to provide the latest in care

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

I was talking to one of my stepmother’s friends recently, and she mentioned that her dog had been diagnosed with a heart murmur.

“You should take him to a veterinary cardiologist,” I said.

“I didn’t know they had cardiologists for dogs,” she replied.

“They have every kind of specialist for pets that they do for people,” I told her.

I should know. Over the years, my seven dogs, past and present, have been to a number of them.

Veterinarians with a string of letters behind their name and DVM or VMD title are board-certified. They’ve put in long hours and years of study to earn the designation of diplomate and membership in the specialty organization, after passing tough certification exams (boards). For instance, an internal medicine specialist’s designation is DACVIM, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. If you were to see the letters DECVIM, it means the veterinarian was certified through a European internal medicine organization.

Besides an assortment of veterinary cardiologists, one or another of my dogs have been treated by a veterinary dentist, an ophthalmologist, internal medicine specialists, a neurologist, oncologists, radiologists (who specialize in imaging techniques) and a dermatologist. And although we didn’t see this particular specialist in person, we’ve also had the services of a pathologist, who identified Harper’s tonsillar mass as cancerous. My bird Larry went to an avian specialist.

Beyond the specialists I’ve mentioned, pets and their people can benefit from veterinarians with advanced education in anesthesiology, behavior, emergency and critical care, nutrition, preventive medicine, sports medicine and rehabilitation, surgery and theriogenology (reproductive medicine).

People with working and sports animals are likely to take their pets to orthopedic or rehab specialists. They may also see veterinarians trained in acupuncture, chiropractic and massage, although these are not recognized specialties.

Breeders consult theriogenologists when they have questions about genetic disorders or if their animals have issues with low sperm production or require insemination or a cesarean section.

Surgical specialists may focus on soft tissue traumas or orthopedic problems, minimally invasive techniques, or neurologic, oncologic or cardiovascular procedures. Anesthesiology specialists assess and reduce anesthetic risks, especially for special-needs pets, and provide good pain management before, during and after surgery.

Some veterinarians specialize in particular species. They are certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, which recognizes specialties in avian, beef or dairy cattle, canine and feline, equine, exotic companion mammal, feline only, food animal, reptile and amphibian, shelter medicine, and swine health practices. For avian veterinarian Brian Speer, there’s so much to know about birds -- he has treated approximately 350 species during his career -- that he limits his practice to them. Other veterinarians care for his own dogs and cats.

Veterinarians who specialize in microbiology study organisms that cause infectious disease. Pharmacologists help to develop new medications for animals or ensure safe use of medications. Toxicologists may be employed in veterinary emergency rooms or by diagnostic laboratories.

Not every type of veterinary care is recognized as a specialty. Integrative, or complementary, care certainly requires additional study by veterinarians who want to learn techniques such as acupuncture or chiropractic or become experts in herbal medicine, but for now there’s no specialty in holistic medicine.

General practice veterinarians may not have a specialty, but they can acquire special skills or knowledge through courses or programs such as the Cat Friendly Practice, offered by the American Association of Feline Practitioners; Fear Free certification; and Human-Animal Bond certification by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Or they may meet the requirements for their practice to be certified by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Specialists can be rare birds, but with greater use of telemedicine, a joint consultation (your veterinarian, the specialist and yourself) is just a phone call or Zoom meeting away.

Q&A

Tail-chasing not

always normal

Q: Why do dogs chase their tails?

A: A search on YouTube turns up thousands of videos of dogs chasing their tails. Usually we laugh when we see dogs performing this seemingly normal and entertaining behavior. But dogs don’t necessarily perceive their tails as furry prey or chase their tail just for fun.

In fact, science tells us that the behavior may be linked to an actual medical condition. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice found that dogs who are tail chasers had significantly higher cholesterol levels than dogs who didn’t chase their tails.

Turkish researchers looked at 15 dogs with a tail-chasing habit, looking at their behavioral history, clinical signs, and results of lab work measuring total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL, known as “good cholesterol” in humans) and low-density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol). None of the dogs had medical conditions that would account for the tail chasing. Fifteen control dogs had normal physical exam results and lab work. It may be that dogs chase their tails because the high cholesterol levels have blocked the flow of brain hormones controlling mood and behavior.

Other possible reasons include discomfort caused by dermatitis or anal sacculitis; welfare problems such as boredom, insufficient exercise or stress; or canine compulsive disorder, which may have a heritable component. Breeds prone to compulsive tail-chasing include bull terriers, German shepherds and Anatolian shepherds. If genetic factors are involved, it may be that the behavior was accidentally selected by way of being linked with a desirable trait.

Last but not least, some dogs simply enjoy chasing their tails, and there’s nothing at all wrong with them. But if you’re concerned about your dog’s tail-chasing -- because it’s excessive or he’s injuring himself, for instance -- talk to your veterinarian. There could be a fixable cause. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

The cat’s meow?

There’s an app

-- If you’ve ever wondered what your cat is saying, a new app called MeowTalk may be able to enlighten you. The translation app listens to feline vocalizations and uses data science and machine learning to suggest what cats are demanding -- once you train the app to understand your particular cat, that is. The basic model, on iOS and Android, categorizes cat sounds into 10 universal feline commands such as “feed me” or “open the door.” Users can personalize the translation when they already know what a particular sound means. They can also create profiles for individual cats.

-- In many parts of the country, the weather outside is frightful. Make sure pets who spend time outdoors have everything they need to stay safe and comfortable. For starters, they need protection from the elements. Be sure they have a well-insulated structure just large enough so they can curl up inside to maintain body heat. The doorway should have a wind-block to prevent icy blasts from swirling inside. It’s also a good idea to provide an outdoor-rated pet heating pad or other warming device. A heated bowl ensures a supply of fresh, unfrozen water. Indoors, make sure pets with arthritis have soft, heated beds. Indoors or out, animals with short, smooth or thin coats will appreciate a sweater or coat to help keep the chill away.

-- While most of us are aware of the challenges of rehoming cats and dogs, long-lived parrots often need help, too, especially if they have medical and behavioral issues. The nonprofit Gabriel Foundation in Colorado (thegabrielfoundation.org) maintains a model shelter and sanctuary for these birds, with a variety of services, including lifetime care for parrots who cannot be successfully transitioned to new homes. Bird lovers who can’t adopt can help by fostering and by donating. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

We’re here to help you choose fun gifts for pets and people

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Are your pets hard to buy for? We’re lucky all of ours adore treats, which makes shopping for them easy, but some dogs and cats are a little more demanding in the entertainment department. It’s not always easy to know what to get pet lovers, either. But we’ve come up with what we think are some great gift options for all the animals and animal lovers on your list -- whether they’ve been naughty or nice. Look for them on Amazon, Chewy or other pet-tastic websites.

Gifts For Pets

A 12-days-of-Christmas Advent calendar filled with toys is a fun way to kick off the holiday season. Open a door each day to bring out a new plush, rope or squeaky toy for your pooch pal.

Anxious dogs can get their calm on with the Busy Buddy Calming Toy, which releases kibble or treats as it’s rolled, and also emits a soothing chamomile scent.

The Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Dog Toy was a Secret Santa gift for some of our large doggie friends. Any dog with a love-hate relationship with squirrels will find joy in searching out the stuffed squirrels tucked into the soft-sided tree trunk.

Any pet who loves warmth -- and that’s most of them -- will appreciate the Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Bed. And you’ll appreciate the washable cover.

People with puppies who haven’t yet learned to keep teeth off skin will want to get one or more of the colorful (and machine-washable!) braided Polar Fleece Happy Hands Happy Dogs Tug Toys: They’re long enough to keep hands safe from ravening shark puppies, and fun enough to entertain them year-round.

Put your kitty connoisseur’s discerning palate to the test with the Catnip Flight from Litterbox.com, containing buds and blends of organic catnip and silvervine (for cats who don’t respond to a hit of ‘nip).

The monthly subscription box from Litterbox.com includes an assortment of six to eight items such as plush or crinkle cat toys, catnip products, and cat-safe household cleaners or grooming products -- not to mention a delivery box for cats to play in.

Cats who love to knead, scratch and burrow will revel in the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug, with strategically placed holes and a thick covering perfect for cat play.

Not all cats run around like maniacs, especially seniors, but they still need play and mental stimulation. The Tower of Tracks by PetStages has a stable base and three levels with movable balls for cats to bat at.

Gifts For Pet Lovers

Pet lovers overwhelmed by fur will thank you profusely for the gift of a ChomChom. This reusable pet hair remover grabs fur, hair and lint, pulling them into a receptacle that can be emptied when full. And for crafty cat lovers who have given up and just live with the fur, there’s “Crafting With Cat Hair,” a how-to book on making things with fallen cat fur.

Sock aficionados -- yes, we’re out there -- adore foot cozies featuring their breed or even personalized with their own pet. Cat-loving kids and grownups alike will love the soothing glow of the multicolor Kitty Night Light. Other good gift ideas for pet lovers are cat- or dog-of-the-day calendars, a custom pet portrait or a session with a pet photographer.

For the bookworm set, look for “Dog’s Best Friend” by Simon Garfield, a guide to the ancient relationship between dogs and humans; “Hit and Run,” a thriller by Amy Shojai, whose dog and cat characters help solve the mystery; “Dog-eared,” a collection of some of literature’s greatest poems about dogs, edited by Duncan Wu; and “Alfie the Christmas Cat” by Rachel Wells, a lighthearted look at the true spirit of the holiday that will appeal to all ages.

Q&A

Ways to get a

sick pet to eat

Q: My dog is sick, and he has lost his appetite. Do you have any tips on how we can get him to start eating again?

A: It’s distressing when our pets are sick and don’t want to eat, especially since we can’t explain to them that eating is an important part of their return to health. Fortunately, there are a few tricks that can encourage your dog (or cat) to start eating again.

-- Try baby food. Giving your pet the pureed meat in those tiny jars -- on its own, or mixed with some rice or his regular food -- may help to jump-start his appetite. It’s not a long-term solution, but rather a strategy for getting him to eat again until he’s starting to feel better. Then you can slowly transition him back to his regular diet. Before trying this, read the baby food’s label to make sure it doesn’t contain onion powder, which has health risks for dogs and cats.

-- Warm the food. Heating your pet’s food on the stove, or briefly in the microwave, can increase its smell. If your dog can’t smell it, he won’t be inspired to eat it. Serve it just above human body temperature -- about 99 degrees Fahrenheit -- so that it’s warm, but not hot. Stir it first to eliminate any hot spots. It can also help to use a damp washcloth to gently wipe away any mucus accumulation from your dog’s nose so he can better smell what you’re offering.

-- Offer small meals several times a day. Your dog might not feel like eating his normal amount of food all at once.

-- Ask your veterinarian about medication that can help. If your dog has an upset stomach, your veterinarian can prescribe nausea-relief medication or an appetite stimulant. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Heart disease, diet

link still unclear

Veterinary researchers and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration have been investigating causes of nonhereditary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which has been seen increasingly since 2014, with more than 1,100 case reports over a six-year period. The disease of the heart muscle, which results in an enlarged heart, is primarily linked to a genetic predisposition, but it is now occurring more frequently in dogs in which the disease is not commonly seen. Increasingly, the nonhereditary form is thought to be a complex interaction of multiple factors such as genetics, underlying medical conditions, and diet.

Potential dietary links include the use of ingredients such as potatoes (including sweet potatoes and red potatoes), peas and lentils in both grain-free and grain-containing diets. Those types of ingredients aren’t new in pet foods, but their proportions may have changed over the years. Dry, canned, raw and home-cooked formulations have been named in the reports.

The FDA met in September with veterinary, academic and industry experts at Kansas State University, which hosted the scientific forum, to review current research and discuss findings. Veterinary cardiologists reported that veterinary treatment and dietary changes brought some good results in improving heart function when DCM was caught early. Among the areas for further exploration are ingredient levels and sourcing, bioavailability of nutrients, and diet processing, with the goal of finding common factors that may play a role. Pet food manufacturers have been asked to share diet formulation information to aid understanding of diet’s role.

No recalls have been made of pet foods associated with nonhereditary DCM because the FDA does not believe it has substantive evidence that the diets are unsafe. Pet owners and veterinarians can check the FDA’s website (fda.gov) for updates as research continues. Signs of DCM and other heart diseases include decreased energy, coughing, difficulty breathing, rapid respirations and collapse.

-- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.