All about cats: the latest research, misconceptions and more

As the host of two nationally syndicated radio shows and as an acclaimed pet journalist, animal behavioralist Steve Dale, CABC, shares some breakthroughs in feline research and offers a sneak peek at some of his upcoming Fetch talks that he will co-present with WSAVA One Health Committee Chair Michael Lappin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM).

Addressing numerous trends in the feline world, Dale bookmarks the influx of cats in shelters, naming cat allergies as a key contributing factor.

“The no. 1 allergy on the planet isn’t hay fever, it’s not allergies to peanut butter… it’s cat allergies,” he tells Adam Christman, DVM, MBA. “If we can figure out a way that people aren’t allergic to cats, they don’t have that excuse to give up cats.”

Dale highlights Purina’s game-changing Pro Plan LiveClear diet, which he and Dr. Lappin will discuss in more detail at the upcoming virtual Fetch conference. This specially formulated diet is made with a protein sourced from eggs that contains an anti-Fel d 1 antibody. Most people who are allergic to cats, react to Fel d 1, a protein that is transferred to the cat’s hair and skin during grooming and eventually shed into the environment.

‘It’s the biggest scientific research news in the 30 years I’ve been doing this… It could save cats' lives,” Dale says.

He also talks with Dr. Christman about a new treatment for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and shares some other common misconceptions about cat behavior and ownership.

Listen below to learn more about other breakthrough science discoveries and other cat news and views.