🐾 Pet Heatstrokes, Indoor Enrichment & Summer Safety Tips

Good morning, fellow pet lovers! Happy Sunday and Mother's Day to all the pet mamas out there! Whether you're mothering fur babies, feathered friends, or scaled companions, today's newsletter celebrates your dedication.

Today's fun question to ponder:

If your pet could plan the perfect day with you, what would be on their itinerary? 🗓️

Hit reply and share your pet's dream day! We'd love to hear what special activities our community's furry friends would choose if they were in charge for 24 hours.

The Big Picture:

(Sources: dogstodaymagazine.co.uk¹ , PetBusinessProfessor.com², BusinessWire.com³)

Why these numbers matter: These stats show a new era of pet parenting — one shaped by rising costs, tech-savvy solutions, and a deeper emotional connection than ever before.

Veterinary inflation is squeezing wallets, while tele-health is stepping in as a lifeline for convenience and cost savings — especially for millennial owners. At the same time, the surge in pet therapy programs signals society’s growing recognition of animals as essential to human health, not just companions.

Smart pet parents aren’t just reacting — they’re adapting.

Pet Tech & Innovation

PetLibro: Smart Feeding for Modern Pet Parents

PetLibro is redefining pet care with a suite of smart, design-forward products that blend seamlessly into daily life. From app-controlled feeders to ultra-filtered fountains, their tech is built to support both pets and their people.

According to pet technology adoption studies, automated feeders are now among the fastest-growing pet tech categories, with ownership increasing by 36% since 2023. This surge reflects pet parents' growing desire for products that provide peace of mind while maintaining their pets' routines.

Some of Their Innovations Include:

• Polar Wet Food Feeder: Uses thermoelectric cooling to keep wet food fresh for up to 3 days—ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs or picky palates.
  

• One RFID Feeder: Recognizes individual pets by collar tag, ensuring the right pet gets the right meal—no more food stealing in multi-pet homes.
  

• Granary Smart Feeder: WiFi-enabled with portion control, scheduling, and even camera monitoring to keep tabs on feeding from anywhere.
  

• Dockstream Water Fountain: Cordless, filtered, and whisper-quiet—designed to encourage hydration without cluttering your space.

Beyond convenience, veterinary nutritionists point to consistent feeding schedules as a key factor in preventing digestive issues and maintaining healthy weight in pets. The precision offered by automated systems helps eliminate the guesswork of manual feeding.

With a mission to “magnify the bond between pets and their people,” PetLibro is creating tools that make pet care smarter, simpler, and more connected.

Explore’s PetLibro’s website here!

Animal Industry

From Hiss to Bliss: Bonqat Eases Feline Vet Fears

Getting a cat into a carrier and to the vet can feel like attempting a wrestling match with a tiny, furry octopus. Cat stress and anxiety during transportation and veterinary visits is a huge and common problem, often making it difficult for them to get the care they need.  

Good news for cat parents (and vets)! The FDA has approved a new tool specifically to help with this: Bonqat. It's an oral medication designed to alleviate acute anxiety and fear related to these stressful trips.  

How well does it work?

In studies, over half of cats given Bonqat had a good to excellent response during both transportation and the vet visit compared to a placebo. Even better, 77% showed improvement in fear and anxiety levels over two physical exams!

Bottom line: This new option provides veterinarians with a powerful tool to make necessary visits less traumatic for your cat (and less stressful for you!). Easier, less fearful vet visits mean cats are more likely to get the ongoing care they need to stay healthier, longer. Source: AVMA News

Pet Stat-Of-The-Day

🐾 97% of U.S. pet owners say their pet is family — and over half say just as much as any human member. That’s not just love... that’s full-blown “my dog gets a Christmas stocking” energy. Source: Pew Research

📅 Skipped brunch for your Beagle? You’re not alone. 48% of pet parents have canceled plans just to stay home with their furry BFF — because honestly, pets > people (sometimes). Source: NY Post

⚖️ Weight check: 12% of dog owners report their pup as obese — and the number’s rising. Extra treats may mean extra love... but also extra pounds. Source: American Pet Products Association

Veterinarian’s Daily Pick

Hot Pavement, Hidden Danger

As the weather heats up, the pavement can become scorching hot – much hotter than the air temperature! Walking on hot surfaces can cause painful burns and blisters on your dog's sensitive paw pads, leading to limping, infection, and a very unhappy pup.

This is a common and preventable issue vets see every summer. Here are some vet-approved quick tips to protect those paws:

• Walk early AM or after 8 PM when surfaces have cooled down. ☀️🌙

• Stick to grass, dirt trails, or shaded areas whenever possible. 🌳🐾

• Booties may look silly, but they offer real protection from burns on hot surface! 🥾

• Watch for signs like licking paws, limping, or red/darkened pads after a walk. 👀 If you suspect a burn, contact your vet immediately.

As our vet says, “If you can’t hold your hand on the sidewalk for 7 seconds, it’s too hot for your dogs paws!” Let's avoid those painful emergency visits and keep tails wagging safely this season!

The Scottish Fold

Tails End: Breed of The Week

This week's featured breed is the ever-charming, uniquely-eared Scottish Fold! 🐱👂

Here are three interesting facts!:

🧬 The Fold Factor. That adorable ear fold is caused by a spontaneous genetic mutation! This mutation affects cartilage development throughout their body, not just the ears.

🦴 Beyond the Bend. Because the gene affects cartilage, Scottish Folds can be predisposed to painful arthritis, especially in their joints and tail. Responsible breeding practices are crucial!

🧘 Yoga Masters. Scottish Folds are known for sitting in some seriously quirky positions – often with their legs stretched out in front of them! Owners affectionately call this the "Buddha sit.” (See above)

Paws and reflect: Got a Scottish Fold question – or any pet puzzler – you want our vets to tackle? Smash reply. Until then, keep the treats crunchy and the curiosity... uniquely folded! See you Wednesday!

— The Knowledge Kennel Team 🐾