In "Dog Food Logic" and "Only Have Eyes for You", I have emphasized (okay, some might say "harped upon") the need for pet food companies to provide digestibility information to consumers. It is not a difficult value to determine and most pet food companies already conduct feeding trials that measure this (yet keep the results to themselves). As … Continue reading Digestibility Matters
canine health
Consider the (Caregiver) Placebo Effect
Most people are familiar with the concept of a “placebo effect”, the perception of improved health while unknowingly receiving a sham (placebo) treatment that in reality should have no benefit at all. Growing up, my mother referred to this as “giving someone a sugar pill”. The assumption is that because we believe that we are … Continue reading Consider the (Caregiver) Placebo Effect
“Only Have Eyes for You: Exploring Canine Research with The Science Dog” – Kindle Edition Now Available!
The Kindle edition of "Only Have Eyes for You: Exploring Canine Research with The Science Dog" is now available! Click on the image below for more information and to order. Book description: In her second Science Dog book, Linda Case tackles commonly held beliefs about canine nutrition, pet foods, behavior, social cognition and training. Each of the book’s 32 … Continue reading “Only Have Eyes for You: Exploring Canine Research with The Science Dog” – Kindle Edition Now Available!
Want Flies with that Shake?
Well, not actually you, but rather your dog. Before food purists get up in arms over this topic, consider that numerous human cultures have historically viewed insects as acceptable and even highly desirable food items. And today, our ever-expanding human population and the increasing need for sustainable sources of food have led to increased consideration of insects as food in almost all human cultures. … Continue reading Want Flies with that Shake?
How Reactive is Your…….Lysine?
I imagine that the word "reactive" caused most readers to think of this: However, what we will actually be talking about is this: Yeah, not quite so dramatic, I admit. However, the reality is that the amount of reactive lysine present in your dog's food is much more likely to have an impact on his health … Continue reading How Reactive is Your…….Lysine?
Dog Food Marketing – Science Weighs In
Marketing researchers know a lot about advertising strategies that successfully increase sales. This is no less true for pet foods than it is for any other consumer goods. Some of the more obvious approaches to attracting dog owners to a particular brand are advertisements that appeal to our emotional attachment to dogs, capitalize on our desire for expert … Continue reading Dog Food Marketing – Science Weighs In
Got Gullet?
Innovative dog chews and treats are all the rage these days. Despite the claims of their sellers, most of these products are new twists on an old theme - taking the parts of food animals that we typically discard as inedible waste and turning them into expensive and often highly sought after dog treats. A few examples are bully sticks, … Continue reading Got Gullet?
Weigh In On This
It is a fact that many pet dogs (more than 50 percent by several accounts) are overweight. I reviewed the current statistics regarding canine waistlines in an earlier blog, "Do you think I look fat in this collar". In that essay, we learned that owners of overweight dogs have a tendency to incorrectly assess their dog's body condition, almost … Continue reading Weigh In On This
Air, It’s What’s for Dinner
Every once in a while, I read a paper that makes me scratch my head. Last week was just such a moment. The paper really needs no introduction. The title says it all: "Increasing volume of food by incorporating air reduces energy intake" [in dogs]. Let's talk about obesity (again): If you read "Do you think I look … Continue reading Air, It’s What’s for Dinner
Scoopin’ for Science
I was at the gym recently, swimming laps. After my work-out, I was sitting by the side of the pool and a fellow swimmer and friend stopped to chat about dogs. He has never owned a dog, but his daughter has been pressuring him and he thinks she is finally old enough to take on the … Continue reading Scoopin’ for Science
Talking Turkey
I grew up with a story-book grandmother. She was my mother’s mom, “Nana” to my sister and me. As required of all perfect grandmothers, Nana was a great cook and regularly expressed her love through sumptuous meals and comfort foods. Although she did not actually reside “over the valley and through the woods”, her home … Continue reading Talking Turkey
Mr. Licks-A-Lot
Do you live with a Mr. Licks-A-Lot? You know what I mean - a dog who, for reasons that he is not readily sharing, will suddenly and obsessively begin to lick the floor, the couch, the wall? Note that I am not referring to the dog who licks you, a behavior that usually communicates appeasement, affection, or in some cases, … Continue reading Mr. Licks-A-Lot
What’s Your Dinner Ritual?
The Case dogs have an evening dinner ritual. This ritual has not changed much in the last few years and deviates very little in its nightly performance. It begins, like clockwork, at 8:15 pm and is currently directed by Cadie, our senior Golden girl. Mike (my husband) typically feeds the dogs their evening meal, so … Continue reading What’s Your Dinner Ritual?
Thyroid on Trial
Every day, we are bombarded with new information about dogs that arises from a variety of sources - via the internet, through our smart (or not so smart) phones, from our colleagues, friends and family, and of course from our neighbor Joe next door (who happens to know a lot about dogs). In this day and age of information overload, it should … Continue reading Thyroid on Trial
Why Dogs Need Science
Hello and Welcome to The Science Dog! This blog provides a short introduction of me (Linda Case), and my reasons for writing a blog entitled "The Science Dog". I am a science writer, canine nutritionist and dog trainer. I earned a B.S. in Animal Sciences at Cornell University and an M.S. in Canine/Feline Nutrition at … Continue reading Why Dogs Need Science
The Science Dog 