Maggie is a happy 3-year-old mixed breed dog who loves people. She is full of energy, enjoys water, playing fetch and can sit. She is looking for an active home with no cats or chickens as she doesn’t like either.
Provided to the LVN
Dear Readers, Pet food has become big business and I was amazed to find out that people are getting paid big to test cat and dog food. OK, that sounds gross considering how many wet food options there are, but salaries for pet food testers range from $34,000 to $100,000; no small feat.
There are two basic types of food tasters. The first group consists of professionally educated and trained individuals who evaluate the nutritional value of the animal feed, write reports and find ways to improve the taste and develop new animal feeds. The second group consists of part-time employees who evaluate and taste the feed. Yes, tasting the actual feed is the criteria for the job.
The first step is to assess the smell of the food. If you watch your pet gobbling up food that it likes, you might assume that it doesn’t pay attention to the smell or taste. However, it is the smell that attracts the food. In fact, pet owners are also picky about the smell of pet food, especially if the food has a strong smell. Have you ever thrown away food because it smelled too fishy or foul? Your pet definitely notices the smell.
After the taster evaluates the smell, they then evaluate the taste, texture and consistency. Tasting pet food is similar to wine tasting. The taster enjoys the aroma, then takes a sample to distinguish the individual flavors and spits it out. Of course, they can rinse their mouth and gargle if necessary. If they find it unpleasant, chances are the pets will feel the same.
Because cats have a more sensitive sense of smell than humans, some researchers have used cat taste testers to develop flavored sprays for cat food. The flavors pique their interest in the food on offer. When the cat is extremely interested and gobbles up the food, the scientists know they’ve hit the jackpot and use the spray on dry food, wet food, and treats.
Cats do not need carbohydrates in their diet, so they do not need to perceive sweet tastes. They also have fewer taste buds than other animals, but can taste sour, bitter, salty and umami tastes (broth or meat). This taste ability is probably due to their very keen sense of smell.
Why isn’t there mouse flavored cat food? That’s gross! I know cats are picky eaters and it looks like the future of pet food will forever be high tech.
ATTENTION
• Please donate money so that our animal shelter can continue to operate. Every amount helps!
• You can donate to the Churchill Animal Protection Society through our Venmo.
• You can donate through our website at http://capsnevada.org.
NEEDED
• Board Members. We are looking for community-minded people to serve on the CAPS Board. We meet once a month. For more information, call 775-423-7500.
• Bleach and cleaning products for our kennels.
• Leashes, harnesses for large dogs, Big Kongs and treats for our guests.
• Dog Handlers: We need volunteers to walk our dogs and groom animals. For more information, call 775-423-7500.
• Aluminum cans. Please drop these off at CAPS. We are temporarily unable to collect cans.
WRITE TO
The volunteers who represented CAPS at the Cantaloupe Festival. You are the heart and soul of CAPS!
To everyone who donated money. A puppy dog smooch for you!
VISIT US
CAPS is open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 2pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. We recommend appointments for adoptions and food distribution.
DON’T FORGET
• August Holiday: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is on August 29th.
• If you would like a newsletter, call 775-423-7500 or email [email protected].
• CAPS’ mailing address is PO Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is [email protected]. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook, we are friendly.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email: [email protected].
