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Dieting cats 'more affectionate', owners say
cat with owner
Researchers said cat owners tend to anthropomorphise their pets and, as a result, are sometimes afraid to reduce their cat's food intake in case they become 'vindictive'.
Study dispels fears about being 'snubbed' for cutting food intake

Cat owners who took part in a recent diet study felt their obese felines became more affectionate during an eight-week diet. This is contrary to the fears of some owners that reducing food intake could prompt their cat to 'snub' them.

Scientists from Cornell University put 58 obese cats on one of three equicaloric diets - a high fibre (HiFi) diet, a control diet to maintain weight, or a low carbohydrate, high protein diet.

Owners recorded information about their cats' behavioural changes and their weights were compared to baseline at four and eight weeks.

Most owners reported an increase in begging behaviours, following, vocalising and pacing before feeding, while increased purring, sitting in owner's lap, resting and using the litter box were observed post-meal.

Writing in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, researchers said cat owners tend to anthropomorphise their pets and, as a result, are sometimes afraid to reduce their cat's food intake in case they become 'vindictive'.

But only two out of 41 cats in the study showed increased aggression towards their owners, and none of the cats began to urine mark.

Read the full study here: http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878%2815%2900194-X/pdf

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.