Animal Science - Pets

56% of U.S. households own at least one pet.
36.5% of U.S. households have a dog.
30.4% of U.S. households have at least one cat.
44% of cat-owning households also own a dog.
Families with children are most likely to have a pet.
People 65+ who live alone are the least likely to have a pet.
The greater the household income, the more likely a pet will be found in the home.
Homeowners are more likely to have a pet than those who rent their homes.
The larger the number of people in a household, the more likely it is to have a pet.
Generates $60 billion/year in the US: food, supplies, veterinary care, live animal purchases, grooming, boarding and pet sitting.
Annual rate of growth: 5.0%
Trends:
- Humanizing pets.
- Pets assuming a protector role.
- Registered pet numbers are declining.
- Concerns about nutrition, preferences, and obesity in pets.
- Growth in veterinary services.
- Expansion of pet services.

The human–companion animal bond is recognized as a contributing factor in the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of the owner.
Ornamental Pets:
- Serve the same purpose as plants.
- Rarely named or handled.
Status Symbols:
- Connected to the origin of wolf domestication.
- Purebred animals generally convey more status than mixed breed animals.
- Unusual, rare, and expensive animals can be status symbols.
Playthings
Hobby Animals
Work, Helper, or Service Animals
Companion Animals:
- Include dogs, cats, small mammals, and birds.
- Easily restrained or not required to be.
- Easily house trained or not required to be.
- Large enough to be treated as an individual but small enough to be nonthreatening.

Dogs:
- Evolved from the gray wolf, Canis lupus.
- Domestication occurred approximately 135,000 years ago (based on DNA evidence).
Cats:
- Descended from the Near Eastern Wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica).
- Evidence suggests their presence in Cyprus at least by 7500 B.C.
During the Middle Ages, cats were sometimes associated with Satan worship and its practitioners (witches and warlocks).

Breeds of Dogs:
- There are approximately 400-450 dog breeds.
- The primary dog registry in the United States is the American Kennel Club (AKC).
- The AKC recognizes over 170 breeds in the USA.
- AKC dog categories include: sporting dogs, hounds, working dogs, terriers, toy breeds, nonsporting dogs, herding dogs, and a miscellaneous group.
Reproduction:
- Puberty occurs on average at 6 to 9 months of age.
- Dogs are monoestrous (have one estrous cycle per year).
- The time between cycles ranges from 4 to 13 months, with an average of 7 months.
Hormonal Patterns of the Bitch during Estrous Cycle:
- Estrogen level varies during the estrous cycle.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) peaks during the cycle.
- Progesterone levels increase after the LH peak.

Breeds of Cats:
- There are fewer recognized cat breeds compared to dogs.
- Many cats were initially kept for vermin control and as pets.
- Natural breeds: selected by human preference or regional diversity and have existed for hundreds of years; examples include Abyssinian, Birman, Burmese, Chartreux, Maine Coon, and Egyptian Mau.
- Human-developed breeds: examples include Bombay and Himalayan.
- Mutational breeds: developed from spontaneous mutations; examples include American Curl, American Bobtail, Cornish Rex, Munchkin, and Scottish Fold.
Reproduction:
- Average puberty: 10 months; range: 4 to 18 months.
- Cats are seasonally polyestrous, with breeding controlled by photoperiod (light exposure).
- Breeding season typically occurs from March to September.
- Cats are induced ovulators (ovulation occurs after mating).
- Estrous cycle length: 14 to 21 days.
- Estrus duration: 7 days.
Hormonal Changes during the Estrous Cycle in the Queen:
- Estradiol levels vary during the cycle.
- Progesterone levels change after copulation.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increase after copulation, leading to ovulation.

Mixing rations at home is impractical for most pet owners due to the limited number of animals and lack of nutritional knowledge.
Most people purchase premixed feeds for their pets.
Regulation:
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
AAFCO has four rules for pet foods:
- the “95%” rule,
- the “25%” or “dinner” rule,
- the “with” or “3%” rule,
- and the “flavor” rule.
Labeling Information (Example: Sparkle 'N Shine Brand Beef Dog Food):
- Ingredients listed in order of predominance by weight (e.g., Beef, Poultry Byproduct Meal, Corn).
- Guaranteed Analysis: Minimums and maximums for crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture, as well as calcium and phosphorus content.
- Nutritional Adequacy Statement: Indicates life stages for which the food is appropriate and how the formulation was determined (AAFCO Nutrient Profiles or AAFCO feed trial).
- Feeding Directions: Provide a rough guide to feeding.
- "Manufactured by…" statement: Identifies the party responsible for quality and safety and their location.
- Net quantity statement: Specifies the amount of product in the container.