😌 Just content

Learn the best way to introduce dogs and cats, how dogs can display contentment, and how a wrongly sent email uncovered unnecessary euthanizations.

👋 Hi and welcome back to my free newsletter where I share hand-selected dog research, news, and tips every week.

In this week's edition, you will learn the best way to introduce dogs and cats, how dogs can display contentment, and how a wrongly sent email uncovered unnecessary euthanizations.

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📑 STUDY

Dogs and cats

Cats and dogs aren’t always the best of friends, but that doesn’t mean they’ll automatically clash every time they meet.

While the saying “fight like cats and dogs” suggests they’re natural enemies, it’s possible for them to get along - or at least coexist peacefully.

However, successful cohabitation often depends on how they’re introduced to each other.

According to the Dogs Trust, a leading UK dog welfare charity, the age at which a puppy meets a cat and the manner of the introduction can significantly impact how the two animals interact.

Their Generation Pup study found that many pet owners rush the introduction process.

In fact, 20.1% of dog owners introduce their new puppy to the family cat immediately, while another 18.9% do so within two hours.

However, research shows that taking a more gradual approach increases the likelihood of harmony between pets.

The study revealed that puppies introduced to cats over the course of several days are more likely to be calm and friendly, creating a more peaceful household.

Dr. Rachel Casey, director of strategy and transformation at Dogs Trust, shared advice on how to handle these introductions.

“The key is to do it slowly,” she explained in an interview with Sky News.

“Ideally, you want to give the cat an escape route, maybe a high place it can retreat to if it feels threatened by the puppy. You also need to teach the puppy to stay calm around the cat, so having the puppy on a leash and using distractions can help make the introduction smoother.”

A common question for pet owners is whether they should allow their dog and cat to play together.

Dr. Casey noted that many puppies display undesirable behavior when first meeting a cat, such as chasing, trying to play when the cat isn’t interested, or even being aggressive.

Only about 10% of puppies were relaxed during their first encounters with a cat, which isn’t surprising given how energetic puppies can be.

This further emphasizes the importance of a gradual introduction process.

The Generation Pup study, which is the largest of its kind in the UK, has over 9,500 puppies participating, with nearly half (4,500) having interactions with cats.

As a long-term cohort study, it will follow these dogs throughout their lives, allowing researchers to explore how early experiences and genetics influence behavior and health as the dogs grow older.

You can read more about successfully introducing a dog to a cat here.

Photo by Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash

 🧠 BEHAVIOR

Contentment ceremony

A viral video of a dachshund gleefully rolling on a blanket after a meal has ignited a conversation among veterinarians, who are offering their insights on the behavior.

The video, shared by user @digitdax, shows the dog engaging in what the post calls a "contentment ceremony," an adorable routine performed after eating.

In the clip, a message reads: "Did you know...some dogs take part in something called a contentment ceremony when they've REALLY enjoyed their food? They basically roll around to show how much they enjoyed it."

The dachshund enthusiastically rubs its body on a blanket, clearly enjoying the moment.

The caption on the post states, "Nothing warms my heart quite like a content dog."

It’s not surprising that this behavior followed the dog's meal, as some dogs are more driven by food than others, which might be influenced by genetics.

A study by Cambridge University published in Cell Metabolism in May 2016 found that certain breeds are particularly motivated by food.

Eleanor Raffan, a co-author of the study, explained: "There is some hardwired biology behind that persistent food-seeking behavior."

According to the research, Labrador retrievers were found to be the most food-motivated breed, with the highest obesity rates.

This was linked to a "deletion in the pro-opiomelanocortin gene," which was associated with increased appetite and body fat in these dogs and closely related breeds like flat-coated retrievers.

'Expression of Joy' or Something Else?

While many viewers see the dachshund’s behavior as a joyful post-meal routine, veterinarians suggest there could be multiple explanations.

Dr. Joshua Smith, a small animal veterinarian in Meridian, Idaho, confirmed that the dachshund’s rolling is a common display of joy and comfort in dogs.

"The behavior seen in the video is a typical expression of joy and contentment," he said.

"The term 'contentment ceremony' may sound whimsical, but it does reflect what many dogs do when they feel safe and happy, often after eating or during play."

Smith added that rolling can be a way for dogs to express excitement, bond with their owners, and show that they feel secure in their environment.

"It’s always heartwarming to see pets express their happiness," he said.

However, not all experts agree that this behavior is directly tied to food enjoyment.

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, a veterinarian from the British Channel Islands said that while the dog appears relaxed and happy with wagging tail and loose body language, calling it a "ceremony" linked to food might be overstating the case.

"It suggests too much planning and self-awareness for a dog," she said, noting that some dogs engage in similar behaviors at other times, unrelated to food.

Woodnutt also mentioned that rolling could be related to grooming or play, adding that some dogs display this behavior when they’re excited or experiencing “zoomies,” a burst of energy that’s not always tied to happiness.

Veterinarian Dr. Julie Hunt, a consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance, took a cautious view, noting that while the dachshund in the video seems happy and playful, there’s no clear link between this behavior and the meal itself.

"Even if the dog had just eaten, it’s difficult to say if this reaction was because of its food, or if it was simply enjoying the couch, the smell of the blanket, or another aspect of its environment."

Dr. Nell Ostermeier, an adviser for OnePack Plan by PetPartners, also weighed in, noting that dogs often create routines to express happiness, but these routines aren’t always tied to eating.

She explained, "Dogs can develop a set of behaviors when they are particularly happy or content with life."

Ostermeier also pointed out that rolling motions can have practical purposes, such as cleaning their faces after eating or alleviating discomfort from allergies.

"If your dog rubs their face after every meal, it’s more likely they are cleaning themselves or experiencing some irritation," she said, adding that similar behaviors could indicate issues like food or environmental allergies, flea irritation, or even dental problems.

In conclusion, while the dachshund’s post-meal routine may appear to be a celebration of its food, veterinarians suggest the behavior could be rooted in a variety of factors, from joy and comfort to grooming or even itchiness.

 📰 NEWS

Unnecessary euthanasia

An accidental email has confirmed what many animal activists suspect is a widespread issue in Victoria's greyhound racing industry: young, healthy dogs are being euthanized.

In July, clinic notes from a veterinarian intended for a greyhound trainer were mistakenly sent to a rehoming group after both parties visited the same vet.

"They’re not our usual vet," said Elle Fisk from Greyt Greys Rescue.

"We had requested a vaccination record, so it was a real shock when 'euthanasia' appeared on the screen."

The notes reveal that a trainer found their 12-month-old greyhound with a suspected leg fracture.

However, the owner refused X-rays or treatment and requested euthanasia instead.

"What shocked us most wasn't just the dog’s age, but that the owner showed no interest in treatment," Fisk said.

"Once these dogs stop making money, they’re treated like rubbish and discarded."

This isn’t an isolated incident. In September, the Victorian Racing Tribunal found that a registered trainer and breeder had discredited the industry by unnecessarily euthanizing a greyhound in 2022.

The tribunal heard that the trainer repeatedly urged a vet to "just euthanize the dog" due to lameness concerns.

However, the greyhound was not medically examined, and the vet testified that the dog didn’t seem injured, stood on all four legs, and showed no signs of a fracture.

The tribunal concluded that the trainer made "no effort at all" to rehome the greyhound, calling the euthanasia "unnecessary."

Penalties for the case are still pending, partly due to the trainer's "aggressive outbursts" during the hearing.

In another case from 2022, a different trainer was found to have euthanized nine dogs between 2016 and 2019 without any attempt to rehome them.

The trainer also failed to notify Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV), the industry regulator, and instead falsely reported the dogs as "retired pets."

In New South Wales, similar concerns have arisen. A report by the greyhound racing body’s former chief vet, Dr. Alex Brittan, alleged that some industry vets willingly euthanize large numbers of greyhounds.

The report, which sparked an independent inquiry, identified two vets responsible for half of the euthanasia cases in the state.

Victorian Animal Justice party MP Georgie Purcell plans to introduce a motion in parliament compelling GRV to report how many greyhounds are killed off-track and the reasons why.

Purcell noted that GRV currently does not publish a detailed breakdown of euthanasia cases, leaving the public in the dark about how many healthy dogs are being put down.

GRV’s annual report typically includes an overall euthanasia figure and a separate tally for “racing fatalities,” which refer to dogs that die instantly during races.

In the 2022-23 period, GRV recorded 382 euthanasia deaths and 40 racing fatalities.

"It’s misleading because 'euthanasia' makes it sound like it’s in the dog’s best interest," Purcell said.

"But we know dogs with treatable injuries are being euthanized just because they’re no longer profitable."

On Wednesday, Purcell will present a motion that, if passed, would require GRV to disclose the specific reasons for off-track deaths and reclassify any deaths occurring within 10 days of a race as racing fatalities.

In response, GRV said its figures show a 47% decrease in racing fatalities over the past five years.

"Instances of euthanasia have also declined by nearly 40%, thanks to GRV’s commitment to rehoming healthy retired greyhounds," a GRV representative said.

GRV’s upcoming annual report will include a breakdown of euthanasia cases by reason, along with non-euthanasia deaths.

Although there are no current plans to reclassify racing fatalities, GRV is considering introducing a new category, "track-related mortality not as part of race meeting," similar to a system used in NSW.