Waltham Petcare Science Institute

We're delighted to share our recent research into cats’ wellbeing with the wider pet community as Dr. Tammie King joins KJ McGlinn on Pet Pals TV, a leading pet-focused programme reaching millions of households. Developed in collaboration with Mars Veterinary Health, Royal Canin, and the University of Bristol, the innovative tool - Feline Quality of Life (FelQoL) - provides a consistent way to assess and understand feline wellbeing, helping owners and veterinarians better monitor cats' quality of life. 🎥Watch the full interview to hear Tammie discuss the science behind FelQoL, why measuring quality of life matters, and how this work could help improve outcomes for cats around the world: https://lnkd.in/ePMc5zzF #PetcareScience #FelineHealth #FelineWellbeing #CatResearch

How does the relationship between pets and people extend beyond pet ownership? In a recent conversation with dvm360®, Vanessa Ashall, PHD, human-animal interaction technical leader at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, shared perspectives on the uniqueness of human-animal relationships. As the Waltham Petcare Science Institute continues to explore the impact of the human-animal bond on mental health and wellbeing through the Pets and Wellbeing Study (PAWS) program, Vanessa discusses why connection can matter beyond companionship. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eCwy83ip

How can relationships between pets and people impact mental health and wellbeing? Our researchers at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, led by Dr. Vanessa Ashall, are exploring this through the Pets and Wellbeing Study (PAWS) program across multiple geographies and life stages. This #WorldMentalHealthDay, find out more about insights we have uncovered around everyday interactions that can impact emotional and psychological wellbeing. #PetsAndWellbeing #ABetterWorldForPets #WorldMentalHealthDay

The bond between people and their pets is built through many everyday moments. But how can we interpret these interactions into scientific insights? Two recent publications from the Pets and Wellbeing Study (PAWS) program supported by Waltham Petcare Science Institute describe how they are using real-world approaches to better understand human-animal relationships. 🐶Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University share how they are exploring the impact pet dogs may have on teenagers with social anxiety, using stress-tracking wristbands and real-time emotion monitoring. Read the summary > https://lnkd.in/gyxZcrV5 🎙️University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine introduces AURAL-Pet, a novel system for coding passive audio recordings to objectively capture the quality and depth of human-pet interactions. Read the summary > https://lnkd.in/gmPkQh6t #PetsandWellbeing #ABetterWorldForPets #PAWS

From umami receptors in cats to bitter taste sensitivity in dogs, we’re unravelling the sensory drivers behind pet food preference and intake. Taste, smell and texture all influence food preferences in pets. Understanding these sensory factors is key to helping create nutritious products that pets enjoy eating, supporting healthy weight maintenance and long-term health. Hear from Dr. Scott McGrane about the goals of the research programme and the fascinating insights it has uncovered so far: https://lnkd.in/e_NKH-Na #palatability #petnutrition #walthampetcarescienceinstitute

🐶 This International Dog Day, we're celebrating over 65 years of research that’s continuing to shape canine health and wellbeing 🐾 This decade alone, the Waltham Petcare Science Institute has completed an impressive 120+ canine studies. Our science spans every stage of a dog's life - from puppy growth and nutrition to behaviour and wellbeing, the canine microbiome, human-animal interaction, and the discoveries that continue to transform our understanding of canine health. Every study brings us closer to understanding what dogs need to thrive. Explore how 65 years of canine science is helping build a Better World for Pets, find out more here - https://lnkd.in/ewXibXds We’d love to meet the dogs behind our mission, so why not share a photo of the dog (or dogs) that brings joy to your life, in the comments below?👇 #InternationalDogDay #DogHealth #CanineScience #ABetterWorldForPets

The flavours, aromas and textures of pet food may sound like nice-to-haves. But making nutritious food that pets want to eat is vital to their health, and there’s complex science behind it. Dr Scott McGrane, Senior Research Manager at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, is helping to advance this field as an editor of a new book published as part of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Symposium Series. This comprehensive, multi-disciplinary perspective, which includes contributions from a number of leading Mars Petcare scientists, explores the biological and chemical drivers of food preference and feeding behavior in cats and dogs. From the fundamentals of sensory science, to practical applications for R&D formulation, this is a must-have resource for researchers and product developers working to create foods that meet pets’ nutritional needs and support their long-term wellbeing. Discover the book here: https://lnkd.in/eq-stFdK Scott McGrane Laura Carvell-Miller Dr Annabelle GOYON Mélanie BAUDIN TREHIOU Emily Marshall Charlotte Appleton David Allaway James Marshall Nadine Schütz Christoph Beckmann

🐱 Cats are among our most-loved pets…but they are still relatively understudied. Ahead of International Cat Day, we're celebrating the science that's helping to prioritise feline health. Through more than 30 peer-reviewed published studies this decade (and counting) we’re advancing feline research to help cats live healthier, happier lives. Why don’t you help put cats into the spotlight on this special day, by sharing a photo of your feline friend in the comments below? #InternationalCatDay #FelineHealth #ABetterWorldForPets

🦠 Could the microbiome transform the future of veterinary medicine? From personalised nutrition and earlier diagnostics, to a deeper understanding of pet health, microbiome science is opening new possibilities. In the latest podcast by vet times, Senior Research Manager at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Dr. Phil Watson, discusses how our microbiome research is helping advance companion animal science, including: 🧬 Our landmark canine gut microbiome catalogue, built from more than 500 healthy dogs, and revealing over 1,000 microbial strains, many previously unknown 🧬 How research into the gut, oral and skin microbiomes is expanding our understanding of health, disease and wellbeing 🧬 What these discoveries could mean for the future of preventative care, diagnostics and personalised interventions for pets 🎧 Listen to the full conversation on the Vet Times podcast: https://lnkd.in/da5at9JX #VeterinaryMedicine #VeterinaryScience #CanineMicrobiome #PetHealth #CanineHealth