Companion Animals - Cats & Dogs

stud

intact male dog

dog

intact or castrated male dog

bitch

female dog

tom

intact male cat

queen

female cat

whelping

to give birth for a bitch

queening

to give birth for a queen

neutering

removal of animal’s reproductive organs; most used for male

spay

removal of ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy)

phylum 

chordata/vertebrae - have backbone

class

mammalia - mammary glands, milk production

order

carnivora - meat eating

family (cats)

felidae - flexible, muscular bodies; whiskers

genus (cats)

felis - aka feline

species (cats)

catus

full taxonomy term for cats

Felis Catus

family (dogs)

canidae - long, course fur; relatively long limbs claws, pointed muzzle/jaw

genus (dogs)

canis - aka canine

species (dogs)

lupus

subspecies (dogs)

familiaries

full taxonomy term for dogs

Canis Lupus Familiaries

gestation

63 days - 2 months

estrous cycle (dogs)

monoestrus - 1-2 “heat”/estrus per yr ~ every 7 months or so

estrous cycle (cats)

seasonally polyestrus - spring w/ increasing daylength.

normal body temp

101.5 degrees

age at puberty (dogs)

6-20 months

age at puberty (cats)

6-9 months

respiration rate (dogs)

10-30 breaths/min

respiration rate (cats)

20-30 breaths/min

AKC Sporting

 find/retrieve game

• Ex: labrador retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointer

AKC Hound

track prey; sight/scent

• Ex: Greyhound, Bloodhound

AKC Working

guard; draft; rescue

• Ex: Boxer, Great Pyrenees

AKC Terrier 

dig/hunt in ground

• Ex: Miniature Schnauzer, Russell Terrier

AKC Toy

small; companionship; lap dog

• Ex: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier

AKC Non-Sporting

very diverse characteristics

• Ex: Bulldog, Poodle (standard)

AKC Herding

sheep & cattle

• Ex: Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collie

Top 5 US Cat Breeds

1. Maine Coon Cat (#2 in 2023)

2. Ragdoll (#1 in 2023)

3. Persian

4. Exotic

5. Devon Rex

How many recognized cat breeds are there?

45 breeds

How many American Kennel Club (AKC) Groupings?

7 groups - sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding

Pet Food Label Requirements (8)

Product name & brand name

Species intended for

Quantity statement (ie. net weight)

Guaranteed analysis

Ingredient statement

Nutritional adequacy statement (life stage suited for)

Feeding directions

Name/address of guarantor (manufacturer or distributor)

Guaranteed Analysis

Amount of specific nutrients in product including minimum protein and fat, and maximum fiber and moisture (water).

Reported on “as is” or “as fed” basis - current form of product

Ingredient Statement

all ingredients, descending by weight

Nutritional Adequacy Statement

all pet foods are required to be “complete” and “balanced”. States specific life stage the product is suited for.

“complete” (nutritional adequacy)

contain all nutrients required

“balanced” (nutritional adequacy)

nutrients present in correct ratios

Feeding Directions

Feeding tables; amount per animal weight per unit time

Companion Animal Ownership Trends

Increased ownership of 5% in 2025 from 2024.

44.5% of households had dogs in 2022.

Dog populations and ownership are influenced by the economy

Domestication (cats)

Near eastern wildcat ancestor..

Evidence shows began in Middle East ~10,000 years ago

Farming - storage of grain - rodents…

Domestication (dogs)

Grey wolf is common ancestor

At least 15,000 years ago in Eurasia - likely China

Hunting and retrieving skills

dystocia

complicated or difficult birth