Hope your dog’s Easter egg hunt wasn't "egg-spensive" this year...

Good morning. Hope your dog’s Easter egg hunt wasn't "egg-spensive" this year... especially if they found the chocolate ones before you did...

Speaking of seasonal fun (and potential vet visits), getting creative with pet-safe treats is always a good idea.

The folks at VCA Hospitals put together some great tips on how to build a safe and fun Easter basket for your furry friend, full of goodies they can enjoy.

The Big Picture:

(Sources: American Veterinary Dental College¹ , Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)², Banfield Pet Hospital³)

Why these numbers matter: These aren't just statistics; they represent the most common, often preventable, health challenges impacting our pets' quality of life and leading to significant vet bills. Understanding them is the first step to proactive care.

Pet Tech & Innovation

Your Dog's Fitness Tracker Just Got a Financial Leash Extension

An Irish startup wants to track your dog's zoomies, and investors are lining up. Our friends at The Times are reporting that Waggi, a company developing wearable collars to monitor your pup's activity and health, just secured a fresh round of funding from a heavy hitter: the founder of global tech giant LotusWorks.

Looks like the "quantified self" trend officially includes our four-legged friends.

So, what exactly does a doggie Fitbit do? The Waggi collar aims to give proactive pet parents data on their dog's daily life beyond just how many squirrels he barked at. Specifically, it's designed to track:

• Activity levels: Counting those important steps and bursts of energy.

• Sleep patterns: Understanding if your pup is getting enough quality shut-eye.

• Behavioral changes: Aiming to detect shifts that might signal underlying health issues.

Why should you care? This investment signals growing confidence in the pet tech market, specifically tools that give you actionable data on your pet's well-being. For you, it means more sophisticated gadgets are coming that promise deeper insights into your dog's health and activity levels.

Get ready to add "Check dog's step count" to your daily routine.

Animal Industry

Putting the Cluck Down on Bird Flu

Bird flu isn't just for the birds – it's a serious industry issue, and Poland is flapping back. According to our sources at Reuters, with 79 cases in poultry already this year (a jump from 50 in all of 2024), the country is implementing tougher containment measures against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), and the European Commission just gave them the green light.

What's on the menu? The approved plan includes expanding the 'at-risk' zone around outbreaks, reducing chicken density in hen houses (give those birds some space!), and boosting disinfection protocols. These stricter rules are being applied in the three regions hit hardest by the virus.

The European Commission has actually been on the ground this week assessing how effective these new steps are. They've called talks with Poland "constructive," so hopefully, these tougher measures put a real dent in the spread and help the industry breathe a little easier.

Why should consumers care? Beyond the health of the birds, outbreaks like this in major poultry-producing regions can impact supply chains and potentially trickle down to your grocery bill – particularly when it comes to those morning egg prices.

Pet Stat-Of-The-Day

🐱 Your cat's purr isn't just cute white noise. Research suggests that low rumble vibrates between 25 and 150 Hertz – a frequency range researchers say can actually promote bone density and healing. Basically, your feline friend might be giving you a mini therapy session just by chilling on your lap.

🐶 Ever wonder why your dog takes forever sniffing one random spot on a walk? They're processing a world of information you can't even imagine. With up to 300 million scent receptors in their nose (compared to our measly 6 million), their sense of smell is anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than yours. That's a lot to sniff about.

👂 Think you have good hearing? Your cat puts you to shame. Each of their adorable, twitchy ears contains 32 muscles, allowing them to rotate independently up to a full 180 degrees. That's how they can nap facing one way and still instantly zero in on the sound of a treat bag opening across the house. Stealth and snack-detection, perfected.

Veterinarian’s Daily Pick

Fighting Fluff: Big Names Team Up Against Pet Obesity

Pet obesity is a heavyweight problem, literally. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. dogs and cats are carrying extra pounds, putting them at increased risk for serious stuff like diabetes, heart disease, and joint issues. To tackle this crisis, pet food giant Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) are joining forces.

One big hurdle? Pet parents often don't realize their furry friend is overweight (APOP data shows less than 30% of owners recognize it!). This partnership aims to bridge that gap by supporting research into parent perceptions and creating better tools for vets to have those "sensitive but crucial" weight conversations with you.

So, what does this industry tag-team mean for you and your lovable couch potato? It means the fight against pet obesity is getting more serious, and there's more support coming for you and your vet to help your pet reach a healthy weight. But here are some simple, vet-approved actionable steps you can take today!

• Assess Their Shape: Look up a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart online (like the one from APOP or Hills!) and see where your pet falls. You should be able to easily feel their ribs, spine, and hip bones without pressing hard, and they should have a visible waist from above.

• Measure Precisely: Stop scooping and guessing! Use a standard measuring cup or, better yet, a kitchen scale to ensure you're feeding the exact recommended amount for their ideal weight, not their current weight. Overfeeding by even a little adds up!

• Talk to Your Vet: They are your go-to expert! They can accurately assess your pet's weight, recommend specific food types or amounts, and help you build a safe exercise plan tailored to your pet. Don't hesitate to bring up weight at your next appointment – they want to help!

Combating pet obesity takes a team effort – vets, nutritionists, and you!

Tails End: Two Truths & a Myth

Welcome to the part of the newsletter where we test your animal anatomy... I mean, breed knowledge! We've dug up three facts about different animal breeds. Two are absolutely true, verified bits of trivia. One is a myth. Can you sniff out the lie?

Here are your three statements:

1. Basenji dogs are often called the "barkless dog" because they make a unique yodel-like sound instead of a typical bark.

2. Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany specifically to hunt badgers, burrowing into their underground dens.

3. The standard Poodle was originally developed in France to herd sheep in alpine pastures.

Which one of these is the ? Take a guess!

[Scroll down for the answer!]

Answer: The false statement was number 3