Creature Companions – July 2018

ISSN 0976 - 4801

Edited, Printed, Published & Owned by Linda Brady Hawke Published from L.B. Associates (Pvt) Ltd H-108, Sector 63, Noida - 201301 Dist. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. Delhi NCR, India Tel: +91-120-4727108 Fax: +91-120-2427108 Email: info@creature-companions.com Websites: www.creature-companions.in www.lbassociates.com Printed at JJ Imprints Pvt. Ltd. A-24, Sector-68, Noida 201301 GB Nagar UP, India Contributors Dr. Anton C. Sandeep Jakhar Anna Tully Paramjeet Singh Dhesi Gayatri Singh Priyamvada Shukla Arzoo Raj Lamat R. Hasan Gautam Kari Rajiv Sharma Deepika Vishal Kucheriya Associate Editor Vardaan Tripathi Marketing and Advertising Binoy Sahee info@iiptf.com Yash Malhotra yash@lbassociates.com Mobile: +91 9911787926 subscription@lbassociates.com Tel:+91-120-4727108 Design Atul Puri Anil kumar Webmaster: Uday N Jha DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in Creature Companion are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or publisher. Although all efforts have been made to ensure the complete accuracy of text, neither the editors nor publisher can accept responsibility for consequences arising from errors or omissions or any opinions or advice given.

also find us on www.facebook.com/Creature.Companion

Publisher’s Note Dear Readers, Welcome to the July edition of Creature Companion!

In this issue, we proudly present to you the ‘Indian Native Breeds’. Stories on adoption, the different Indian breeds, personal stories of people on rescuing animals and a special feature about our office pet, Jakoi!

With the increased number of Labradors, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers, big name breeds are a common sight in households. But the most common sight outside of houses are usually the ones not commonly sought after - the Indian Native Breeds.

The ‘Natives’ are found almost everywhere we go; you may see them loitering near your market or move about in packs briskly through your lanes, analysing your scent, calmly seated under the shade of trees or next to your house patiently waiting for your company, or even chasing cars just for a thrill! The natives in different regions of India tend to be attentive, and seek shelter and companionship with humans and cattle alike. reeds are the dogs of our land, The Pariah, Native Indian Breeds Rajapalayam, Pashmi, Mudhol Hound, to name a few, have bred here and have grown in all corners of India, well accustomed to this place - be itt any weather or day, or people. You can easily spot them, thanks to their distinct looks. While we may spend days or months trying too get our pet dogs to learn a few tricks, or even learn how to actt properly, it seems that the natives naturally its. They adapt easily to new environments inherit these traits. es presented to them. They even make or circumstances wonderful watchh dogs due to their territorial instincts, and ndly to other beings. still remain friendly Apart from our feature on Native Indian Breeds, this tures a story on the long standing edition also features ween pets and sports. With the FIFA relationship between World Cup 20188 in progress this summer, football fever is rising. Inn lieu of the same, we go back in history to find out how pets have been involved in the game. njoy this edition We hope you enjoy and, as always, our we welcome your feedback and suggestions.

Happy Reading!!

Linda Brady y Hawke

IIPTF & Creature Companion www.facebook.com/IIPTF

Contents

ISSN 0976 - 4801

July 2018

10 Pet of the Month 10/ Pepper

Season Special 16/ Dogs Who Love Football

12/ Pet Product

Cover Story 18/ Jokai 2

14/ Highlights

Indie Tales 20/ The Indian Street Dog

16 6

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

24/

The Indian NaƟve breeds

Feline 28/ Cats Adopt Us? 32/ Clowder Therapy for that purrfect life

20

Contents July 2018

28

32 34/ Animal Behaviourist

Aqua 38/ Growing AquaƟc Plants Part-5-Diagnosing Problems of Planted Aquariums

37/ Industry Speak

40/ Pet NutriƟon

38

34 8

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

Pet of the Month

About

PEPPER

Name: Pepper Breed: Indie (I don't like the word Pariah used to describe the strays/desis) Birth date : 5 Sept. 2016 Colour : Black & Brown Pet parent : Sandeep Jakhar One liner about how you feel – – Blessed to have Pepper by my side :) • Adorable Habits – She likes to sit in my lap even now when she's fully grown.

• Achievements – Being the boss lady around every other dog :p – Co Founder of Tail Club, Gurgaon. (Dog Cafe & Park) – Most obedient dog award in Pet Fed 2016 – Has travelled to an altitude of 15,000 ft. with a drive of 13 hours • Favourite pastime – Chasing birds and play fetch • Fears – Blower (You can't blow dry her after a shower)

• Daily Schedule – Gets up around 5:30 and starts with a morning walk. Have her breakfast around 8 am and then starts the whole day of running up and down the house. Until lunch couple of toys are dead and she is on the kitchen mat right on time around 1:30.

We go for a brisk walk in the noon after lunch and then she takes a nice nap for a couple of hours. Evening games start with some tricks & treats if I have time or she begs my help for some free treats. She eats her dinner around 8:30 followed by a walk.

After that there's no fix time to go to the bed, she'll be fooling around until I sleep. Sometimes (more than often :p) we go for night drives and late night coffee and she's always in the car with me.

• Feeding Habits – Breakfast: Poridge/Oats with boiled or scrambled eggs, Lunch: Rice with boiled veggies + paneer and curd, Dinner: Kibble. Some treats in the evening between lunch & dinner.

• Advice to our readers – Spend as much time as possible with your pets and do travel with them as they can be amazing travel companions. Always try to adopt and not shop for the pets as there are enough kids out there looking for forever homes :)

Pet Products Super Dog Multi Colour Soft Ball with Bell Dog Toy

Sri Aquarium Decorative Ornaments for Fish Tank, Multicolour

Extremely strong in nature, mixes play time with fun time for all pet dogs. The unique textures on the toy are also great, like a chew toy with an attractive bell sound. It is made of a twistable, multicolour soft plastic cord with a small jingle bell inside in the ball centre. It is also available in different sizes.

beautiful decorative A be item for fish aquariums.

Materials used are resin M at and an nd of high quality.

It can ca add beauty andd delight to your aquarium, while being aqu u ideal ide ea for background landscaping; it will not lan nd move mo ov once in place.

Sri Breathable Mesh Front Bag For Puppy & Cat This bag comes in beautiful prints and is suitable for small pets/ puppy/kittens. puppy/kitten Made of high quali quality, adjustable buckle aand pad on strap make it more convenient to carry and lighten the t weight on the should shoulder.

The inside hook desi design connects to the pe pet's collar to prevent the ppet from getting oout.

Pets Empire Catch The Mouse Motion Cat Toy

12

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

A toy for cats to exercise and satisfy their natural instincts. With the fun ball inside, it spins away from your cats grasp - 360° both clockwise and counter-clockwise. The happy circle design allows cats to see, chase and swat the ball.

The special colour combination is specifically designed to attract the cat's attention.

Petsplanet Fish Aquarium Tank Rubber Plant - Blue Colour Want to add a simple ornament to your fish tank that will bring about a burst of fresh colour while also providing adequate coverage wherein fish can hide when feeling vulnerable? We recommend the Petsplanet Fish Aquarium Tank Toy - Environment Friendly Coral In Blue! A beautiful aquarium décor piece, it is also functional. It not only enhances visual appeal but also provides much-needed shelter for the fish. This tank decor piece doesn’t contain any harmful or toxic elements that could later change the chemical parameters of the water in your fish tank. Its small size makes it easy to install and equally easy to remove when you want to clean your fish tank to cleanse it off accumulated algae. So create an aquarium full of style and personality with this one!

KONG Puppy Chew Toy Made from natural rubber, the Kong Puppy toy has been designed specifically to suit teething pups. You can stuff this toy with your pup’s favourite treats and let them puzzle over how to get them out. This will keep their minds active and, if you want to extend playtime, just fill it with a yummy treat and freeze. Its unpredictable bounce adds to the fun.

Trixie Inca Scratching Wave on Post The centre of the wave is made of durable sisal; even the post is wrapped in sisal.

You can protect your furniture if you introduce this wave scratching post to your cat. It also makes for a healthy method to check your pet's scratching abilities. The perfect place for your cat to let out his inner tiger! Suitable for cats of all ages.

July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

13

| Creature Companion

Highlights

1 mon The most com er yday, ev e animal you se , doesn’t nt A the tiny little nother sleep at all! A – they ct interesting fa s either. ng don’t have lu

2

The ph ra and do se “raining c ats gs” orig in in seve nteenth ated -centu Englan ry d. rainsto During heavy rms, m any ho animals me w float do ould drown less or wn the s giving the app treets, earanc it had a e that c and do tually rained c gs. ats

3

of est type g r la e While th an grow to 13 rc hamste e smallest is th , inches inches.

4 just 2-

14

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

4

You probably know a doe as a female deer, but it’s also tr ue — albeit a lit tle less lyrica l— that a doe is a rabbit, a fem ale rabbit. And, ju st like deer, a male rabbit is called a buck.

5 out 1700 Dogs have ab wonder o taste buds! N ready s they’re alway d. for more foo

6

Though p some t arrots do ha ve aste gla n backs of their ds at the throats most o , ft taste b heir 300 or s uds are o lo the roo fs of th cated on eir mo uths.

7

Male dogs w ill raise their legs while ur inating to aim higher on a tr ee or lamppo st because they want to leave a message th at they are ta ll and intimidat ing. Some wild dogs in Afric a are known to climb up tree tr un they are urinat ks while ing.

8

ee al you s im n a e h T go irefox lo on the F ot a fox, tn is in fac Panda. d e R but a

9

t 450 re abou e a e r e h T th goats in million ina has the h world. C ts; they have a o g most million.

0 7 1 over

Season Special Since Paul the Octopus won the hearts of soccer fans around the globe eight years ago, fortunetelling animals have been tasked with witth predicting World Cup Cup winners.

Thiss year's furry y favourite is Achilles the deaf cat. catt. Let's Let's see a few w others and oth hers a nd how w they they fare. fare.

NELLY THE ELEPHANT - Nelly made predictions about the 2006 Women's World Cup, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008. Her method: kicking soccer balls into nets marked by country flags. She got 30 of 33 correct!

ACHILLES THE CAT - Achilles appears to be 2018 2018's World Cup animal oracle. He presides at the Hermitage Mu Museum in Rus St. Petersburg, Russia, and chooses between bbowls of cat co food marked with countries.

Although he is deaf, museum hea officials feel his hearing loss is an advantage that aallows him to con practice intense concentration picks in making his picks.

PAUL THE OCTOPUS - Can an Octopus predict the fate of football games ? When it comes to animal prognosticators, Paul is truly the greatest of all time.

In 2010, the cephalopod made eight correct predictions during the World Cup and nailed the finals with a prophetic victory pick for Spain.

Shaheen the Camel - Discovered by the newspaper Gulf News, Shaheen enjoyed a respectable streak in 2014, when he picked 19 out of 29 World Cup matches correctly. The camel made his picks by chewing on signs portraying each country's flag.

Though his success rate isn't spectacular, Shaheen's accuracy increased as the competition went on. Perhaps the pressure of the game inspired this camel.

July 2018 20 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

15

| Creature Companion

Season Special

F WHO LOVE O O T B A L L

DOGS

T

he world’s most popular game and one of the most beloved symbols of domesticity would seem to be an ideal combination. Football and dogs can both create idyllic moments. The emotion that comes from watching a dog freed from his tether bound across a field parallels that of seeing some of the football players demonstrate their gifts in the 2018 World Cup. Study the history of a sport that has enchanted people of all social stripes and you’ll see that dogs have had their place in it, nowhere more so than in the modern game’s country of origin—England—where the phrase “two men and a dog” long ago became the sportswriter’s cliché for the sparse but dutiful attendance at lowerdivision matches.

One of the indicators of increasing corporate influence and enhanced regulation over English soccer (football), in fact, has been the decline over the past two decades in the number of dogs trying to join the play. The so-called “pitch intrusions” were features of the game in its earlier days; when they occurred, the referee was required to stop the game, and players kneeled in frustrated attempts to coax the canine visitors into their arms.

How did dogs get on the field in the first place? Some reporters suspected that men sometimes said they were taking the dog

16

AND TRY TO JOIN THE GAME By: Paramjeet Singh Dhesi

out for a walk as an excuse, when in fact they were off to the match. This was much easier in the days of walking to a nearby ground and standing on half-empty terraces than it is nowadays. Eventually, the dog got bored or startled by the noise or something, and escaped through a pitch side gate or by leaping a low wall and ran for freedom

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

all over the pitch, usually round in circles until rounded up by the referee or, for some reason, the goalie.

Dogs are loveable animals, but they're especially adorable when they interrupt important human things. Like this football match between Blooming and National

on it, along with a blank shield. As I kept tearing, I saw the lady. I had seen so many photos of the World Cup that I immediately recognised it. My heart started pounding," recounted Dave Corbett, owner of Pickles.

Potosí last year , which found itself interrupted by the appearance of a very, very eager Bolivian police dog . The German shepherd was tired of watching a football game from the sidelines and became a SPORTS DOG in one valiant moment.

After a series of investigations by the local police and Scotland Yard, Corbett was free to go. He was welcomed home by a swarm of presspersons, and just like that, Corbett and Pickles became overnight sensations.

Pickles’ achievements did not just end there.

He has won several awards, including Dog of the Year, and has acted in a few films too.

He sprinted onto the pitch, chased the ball around for a while and even showed off some impressive skills, juking players and running the length of the pitch with a look of pure joy. While players on the field did their best to try and usher the dog off the field, it was only interested in one thing: the ball.

Finally, the police broke up the dog’s fun, leashing him and removing him from the field. Break time was over for this glorious pupper who just wanted to play too. The dog had to return to its job of being a police dog, but for a few glorious moments, he was able to chase his dream and make football players chase after him.

It's time for dogs to show some soccer/ football skills. They are so good with the ball that they really need their own World Cup. Elite Squad’s Xena (Gull-Terr – Native Punjab Breed) loves to watch me play soccer. She will run around me and chase the ball around the yard. It is interesting and entertaining to watch as shedribbles the soccer ball with her feet, not her nose.

When Pickles, The Dog, Saved The 1966 FIFA World Cup: A dog saving one of the grandest sports tournaments of all time – the FIFA World Cup – may sound unbelievable and ridiculous, but the story is true. England had put up a brilliant performance in the 1966 World Cup and etched their name in history by lifting the trophy that year. But they might not have been able to lift the trophy if it were not for ‘Pickles’.

The World Cup trophy was stolen on 20 March, 1966 – the second day of the

A dog saving one of the grandest sports tournaments of all time – the FIFA World Cup – may sound unbelievable and ridiculous, but the story is true trophy’s public display – in England. In spite of concerted efforts and investigation, the trophy could not be found. The incident was kept confidential and the talks of a replica trophy were already underway. But on 27 March that year, the police received a call from Dave Corbett, a resident of Norwood, South London, claiming that he had recovered the trophy.

"Pickles was constantly going around my neighbour’s car. Then I saw a tightly bundled package wrapped in a newspaper. I tore a bit of the package and I could see words like Brazil, West Germany, etc, engraved

Doggie Football/Soccer: Although football is better played outside, it can be played inside to protect kids and dogs from extremely hot weather, but only if your dog and kids control the ball well and you have a room that's safe for play.

Use a small soccer ball and set up a small pop-up net or a laundry basket on its side to serve as a goal. Kids can practice their foot skills while their pal tries to steal the ball. For young dog "siblings" looking for a challenge, shoot the ball and train your dog to fetch it for you. Just make sure you supervise to help keep both kids and the pup safe.

Don't have a goal or a makeshift net? Dogs still love to chase a soccer ball with kids!

Be safe, though - dogs should never be the goalie because you wouldn't want to step on them, kick them or hit them with the ball.

Kids’ playing with dogs offers multiple benefits including exercise, teaching responsibility, and forging a strong bond between kids and their furry best friend. By encouraging playtime every day right after school, a new, healthy, and fun routine will blossom!

Paramjeet Singh Dhesi runs ELITE SQUAD KENNEL (www.EliteSquadKennel.com) in Ludhiana – Punjab. He is an avid dog lover who imports rare breeds to India. Follow @ EliteSquadKennel on Instagram

July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

17

| Creature Companion

Cover Story “I am I because my dog knows me”

Jokai 2 By: Anna Tully

M

y mother had a dog named Jokai before my two brothers and I were born. To say we grew up with him wouldn’t be accurate. He was there in the same way as my father was there, the tree in the garden was there, school was there and Sundays were there; I liked some of these but not others. I spent my time with horses and did not give enough time to Jokai. I vividly remember the day he died and I knew it was a terrible day for my mother. He was a cocker spaniel and I can remember his silky soft long copper ears and his kind, intelligent face.

Many years later, I began working and was living in Delhi in a very comfortable ground floor apartment surrounding a small green garden. There, residents would take their dogs and themselves for exercise and join the local population of Delhi dogs who hang out at certain times during the day. I noticed that they all get on well; the pedigree American Great Dane and the long term habitué of the street with the chewed ear both chase the same ball, competitively and yet without anger.

One day, there was a new dog; not a puppy but a young dog. He was very playful and

also respectful of the older dogs; there was something about him that drew me.

Perhaps it was his independence. He asked for nothing. Time passed and it seemed that he and I like each other’s company.

Neither of us rushed into a relationship. He definitely did not want to move in with me.

He was invited; he came in, walked around every room sniffing, checking it all again and then sauntered out.

We took him to the vet so that he could get all the necessary health certificates. He learned to open the gate and come in if he chose to. He has enormous grace and kindness and gave me an affection I delighted in.

He could also open the fridge, but not take anything from it. When I offered him a little treat, his mouth would open in a way that is as delicate as the spinning of jalebi.

However, while he was there being the most perfect dog in the world and giving me a companionship I never knew, if he happened to hear one of his mates barking somewhere outside, he would be gone like a shot. Of course, he used to check that all is fine before he raced out the door.

What name does he have? Jokai, of course.

That’s his official name on his certificates.

I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.

–Doris Day (actress)

18

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

When we walked together, I used to tell him that his name is Jokai 2, because my Mum had a dog called Jokai and he is Jokai 2. He understood.

Later, I had to leave Delhi. I could not take Jokai to my new home - an apartment in the middle of a city on the 3rd floor; there was no garden, no people, no space. Before then, he had never spent a day on his own.

It has been three years and ten months since I left. Today, Jokai is living a marvellous life with wonderful people.

I miss him every day.

When I go to Delhi, which is once every 5 months, we see each other. He recognises me and we do a delighted dance which makes me so happy. We make a big fuss, then, at a certain point, I leave. He comes to the gate, we look at each other and I can see that he is fine- in his heart he is fine. I can see that he cares about me, but he is not going to be unhappy when I leave; he will get on with his life.

I so miss him.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

– Josh Billings (humourist)

Dogs are our link to paradise.

They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring — it was peace.

– Milan Kundera (author, The Unbearable Lightness of Being)

A lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me.

– Barack Obama (former President of the United States)

July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

19

| Creature Companion

Indie Tales

THE INDIAN

STREET DOG By: Gayatri Singh

T

he life of the average street dog in India is a grueling uphill climb on a mountain that never seems to end. A normal day includes hiding from the harsh sun or bitter cold, foraging through rubbish, avoiding human cruelty, battling illness, navigating traffic, and looking for any possible way to quench their thirst. The situation is especially difficult for puppies, pregnant or nursing mothers, and elderly dogs.

Fortunately, an increasing number of people have begun to open their hearts and homes to Indian street dogs. If you walked into a veterinary clinic a mere 5 years ago,

20

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

you would have been lucky to see a single “desi” dog or cat coming in for a vet checkup, even if you were sitting there for hours.

This has changed dramatically since and, for desi-animal lovers like me, nothing is more heartwarming! I often end up chatting with those who bring in these animals and, in turn, I end up expanding my network in a very organic way by exchanging numbers with real, hands-on desi animal lovers.

My earliest and most vivid childhood memories involve rescuing and rehabilitating injured animals. Obviously I couldn’t do the rehabilitation work myself, but each time I brought any injured animal home, whether it was a bat, rat, monkey, kitten, puppy, etc., my family always helped me by providing the animal with first aid, driving us to the vet, and providing the animal a place to stay while it recovered. Of course, when I was younger and unaware of zoonotic diseases and the fact that injured animals could bite, I was chided by my parents. The moment they realised that I was mature enough to understand how

Indie Tales to handle animals, understand their body language, and create a barrier between myself and harm’s way, they wholeheartedly encouraged my rescue operations!

I grew up around animals, and dogs were considered family members. Since we didn’t know any better at the time, we only kept pedigreed Labradors at the time. I remember when an aunt came over once, complimenting our one-year-old lab’s handsomeness, and my parents promptly

brought out the breeder certificate to show off his incredible lineage. Today, my parents couldn’t imagine buying a dog from a breeder. So much so that my father, who lives in Rwanda, has adopted a lovely female rescue from a local animal shelter.

Sometimes, it feels like our ‘predigreed labrador days” occurred in a different lifetime! It’s incredible how just a little insight into the cruelty of the breeding industry created a paradigm shift in our home!

My first desi doggy, Champa, was a free-roaming spirit who only showed up at our doorstep once dusk fell, demanding her chicken rice My first desi doggy, Champa, was a freeroaming spirit who only showed up at our doorstep once dusk fell, demanding her chicken rice. She slept on a cushion outside our door, alerting us of anyone who entered the stairwell, and she never, ever made a mess! It truly was like being a dog-parent without any of the hassle. The icing on the cake is that she was incredibly affectionate, too, constantly asking for belly rubs by lying on her back. We have since moved house but Mademoiselle Champa still rules the neighborhood, sporting the potbelly she grew under our care, and she is now looked after by another neighbour whose heart was melted by her.

Since Champa, I began walking around our neighbourhood more, interacting with all the colony dogs and discovering their unique personalities. Some of them loved chasing Royal Enfield bikes while others ran for cover when they heard one in the distance; some of them would do anything for a bite of a stale roti while others were least interested, and some were very comfortable with human touch but others, terrified!

22

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

In the winter, I stumbled upon litters and litters of puppies and clever mothers who had dug holes to keep them warm. I began taking an interest in them, gaining the trust of the mother by feeding her, and she slowly granted me access to her puppies. Of course, it was incredible to be sitting with a litter in my lap, having them gnaw gently on my fingers but this breakthrough was important because it meant that I could call the paraveterinarian to have the puppies vaccinated and dewormed. As they got older and I got more dog-savvy, I discovered NGOs which would sterilise dogs for free or at nominal fees, and even help with the vaccinations and first-aid. Today, both neighbourhoods that I have lived in are puppy-free, and all the grown-up puppies are now thriving, as are their parents, since they have been sterilised and vaccinated. The amazing

unintended outcome of this is the fact that fewer neighbours complain about the socalled “nuisance� and more neighbours now keep a watchful eye on the dogs, even having created Whatsapp groups for this specific purpose!

In closing, I would like to say that interacting with our fellow street animals is the most rewarding part of my life and that we are all fortunate to be surrounded by such kind, intelligent and loyal beings. The amount of help I provide them is greatly outdone by the outpouring of love showered on me every single day of my life.

I always encourage my friends and family to look after the dogs that live closest to their homes. They all start by leaving water bowls and some leftover food. I have seen

that evolve into fresh food, cuddles with the dogs, and genuine concern and medical care when needed. After all, when someone feeds a dog every single day, it is impossible to not worry if he/she stops eating/ disappears. Thus, in opening up their hearts and homes a little, people who were only slightly tolerant of dogs have become fullfledged dog parents!

Again, if you asked me 5 years ago if this is something I foresaw in the near future, I would have thought you were joking. Sitting here today, I am utterly delighted to have been proven absolutely wrong!

Indie Tales

THE INDIAN NATIVE

By Priyamvada Shukla India is a diverse country, from a varied culture to religions to our dogs. Our native dogs are found in all the nooks and corners of the country. From the Himalayan sheepdog found most commonly in the Northwestern region of India, to the Rajpalayam of Tamil Nadu.

Our Desi Indian breeds have their own special characteristics, giving them a genotype to survive and thrive in tropical weather. Most of the Indian breeds are quite historic, and were bred and trained to hunt, protect and for games. Breeds like Rampur hounds found in regions near to Delhi were bred by the royalty for hunting games and outdoor sports. Almost all the Indian native breeds have a rich history and date back to early 19th century.

India is known for its diversified culture, religion, weather and also our dogs. Indian dogs are found everywhere, from the busy city streets to sleepy Indian villages. The most commonly found dog, known as the Indian Pariah or the INdog is most commonly found on the streets. Some other popular Indian native breeds are Rampur hounds, Rajpalayam, Mudhol hounds, Chippiparai and Kanni.

soft undercoa undercoat. The most common colours are brown to t reddish brown, with or Solid blacks are rare; without markings. ma some are p pied. The tail is usually curled up when re relaxed and erect when the dog is aroused, ccurious or alert.

1

THE INDIAN PARIAH OR THE INDOG - They are naturally selected dogs of the Indian climate. The place of origin within the country has not been determined. They mostly have high levels of intelligence and are easy to train and keep as a companion or a working dog. They are naturally alert and can be great for guarding property.

Appearance - This medium sized dog of square to rectangular build has a double coat mostly, with a coarse upper coat to a

24

Behaviour - These dogs are mostly ownerless aand scavenge. Many nomad tribes and people in the villages keep them as pets, however, it is becoming popular in the cities to adopt them from tthe streets or a local animal welfare organisation. They are w territorial to a certain extent, are alert and almost all like to be around humans. This is an active breed and will thrive well when given proper physical and mental stimulation.

Health Issues - Being a naturally selected breed, they have very few health concerns and do well in the Indian tropical weather.

Their skin and hair needs little grooming and do not tend to have fungal infections during summers. Their average life span is 15 to 18 years.

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

2

MUDHOL HOUND OR THE CARAVAN HOUND - This breed of dog falls under the “Sight hound category” of dogs [members of this group are slender, elongated, fast running athletes that track their prey by sight more than scent]. They also have a feathered variety, which is called “Pashmi”. The KCI registers this breed as “Caravan hound", while the INKC uses the name “Mudhol hound”.

Appearance - This breed has well defined characteristics. Broad, long and narrow head, between long sedulous ears, hung close to the skull. The jaws are long and powerful, with an ability to launch a sharp bite. Their eyes are large and oval shaped; the colour varies from hazel to dark. They

BREEDS have a piercing gaze. Their body is long, slender, with a defined rib cage and a tucked in abdomen. The hinds are well built and muscular, with the tail set on low, strong at the base and tapering. Most commonly found coat colours are - fawn, red, cream, black and mouse grey.

Behaviour and Temperament - This working breed is capable of providing an excellent performance consistently, under gruelling conditions. This fast, agile and athletic breed is fast and quick when on hunting games. They generally need a lot of space and can become restless and destructive if denied that. If trained and treated with love and respect, they can be exceptionally loyal. They make reasonable watchdogs since they do not like strangers.

They like their space, and are not ones who like being touched, especially by strangers.

Health Issues - The Mudhol hound is one of the healthiest breed of dogs, and they are not prone to any specific ailment. Their long lineage and the ability to face the harsh Indian weather has made them not only versatile but have also helped them to successfully avoid ailments as well.

3

RAJPALAYAM - Another Sight hound, they are also known as the Poligar hound. They were companions to the royalty and aristocracy in southern India, particularly in towns like Rajpalayam, Tamil Nadu.

Appearance - A large body, the breed is heavier than most of the members of the sight hound group. They have a long snout and a slightly curled tail. With a short and fine coat, the breed is most commonly found in white with a pink nose.

Behaviour and Temperament Rajpalayams were used for hunting boars and also as guard dogs but if trained, they can also hunt as a Scent hound. Known as a one person dog, they do not like being touched by strangers. They can attack strangers or intruders, and can be affectionate towards their masters but might not demonstrate it.

Due to their hunting instincts, they do not do well around other pets or animals.

Health Issues - The most common health issue found with this breed is deafness, which is largely due to their white coat.

Melanocytes are pigment producing cells which are instrumental in deciding the colour of the eye and coat. The hearing cells also originate from the same stem cells as pigment producing cells. Therefore if an animal has no pigment in its body, it generally leads to deafness.

leopards, and panthers. It was considered a test of courage for a single hound to take down a golden jackal.

Appearance - With a broad and substantial head and ears set to hang as a pendant, this breed is larger than the English greyhounds.

It has a flat skull and a pointed nose. Most commonly found colours include mouse grey, grizzle, brindle or rarely black.

Behaviour and Temperament - They love human companionship, and are usually lazy but will be active if needed. Generally gentle and sensitive with their pack/family.

Health Issues - They are generally healthy and live long lives, with an average life span of 15 years; hereditary illness among this breed is rare.

4

RAMPUR GREYHOUNDS - This breed is a native of Rampur, a place between Delhi and Bareilly. A large built member of the sight hound family, this dog is often described as a smooth haired sight hound, that is substantially built. The breed was used by the kings back in the early 19th century to hunt for lions, tigers, July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

25

| Creature Companion

Indie Tales

7

HIMALAYAN SHEEP DOG - Found in the foothills of the Himalayas over a wide range from eastern Nepal to Kashmir in north west India. They are also called the Bhutia Sheepdog.

Appearance - A large built dog, this dog looks like a large Labrador with double coat and a bushy twirled tail.

Behaviour and Temperament - Having the reputation of a wanderer and a scavenger, this breed can also be trained to become a civilised dog when trained. Known to be ferocious and savage by nature when not controlled or trained well.

5

CHIPPIPARAI - The roots of this breed are from the Egyptian breed of dogs known as Saluki, also known as the Royal dog of Egypt. The Chippiparai are found locally in Tamil Nadu in Southern India. They are also used in the Chennai Police force as police dogs in an attempt to save costs over using imported police dogs.

Appearance - Have a short coat with no undercoat which if groomed well has a shine on it, something which is desired for the breed. However, this breed is prone to ticks and fleas due to the short coat.

Behaviour and Temperament - A oneman dog, they do not like being touched by strangers. They do not require a lot of exercise and were bred mostly to hunt. They have a good guarding and hunting instinct and thrive in the Indian summer heat.

6

KANNI - A rare indigenous sight hound breed of dog from Tamil Nadu. They were mainly used for coursing game - a hunting game where members of the group would catch their prey using speed, running by sight but not by scent. They are closely related to the Chippiparai and are believed to be the descendants of the Salukis - the royal dog of Egypt.

Behaviour and Temperament - They were bred to hunt deer and are very agile and light on their feet. They bark rarely but are excellent guards of their owners and can be easily trained.

Health Issues - They are generally healthy dogs but like most of the dogs, are prone to genetic and generic ailments. Hip Dysplasia is a common condition among Chippiparai.

26

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

Health Issues - The average life expectancy of this breed of dog is 10 years. They usually do not have any health issues if made to lead an active lifestyle, but can be prone hip and elbow dysplasia. Our native Indian dogs thrive in the tropical weather, with an average lifespan of 12-18 years.

They stay healthy, have fewer health complications and grooming requirements.

They are naturally selected and, hence, are active, agile and alert and, if trained well, can also be a loyal companion.

Priyamvada is a canine behaviourist and an aggression consultant based out of Mumbai. She works with dogs with aggression or behaviour issues like fussy eating or leash pulling.

ISSN 0976 - 4801 ISSN 0976 - 4801 ISSN 0976 - 4801 ISSN 0976 - 4801

s

For further details contact: +91-120-4727108/4727134 subscription@lbassociates.com

Feline

CATS ADOPT US?

By Arzoo Raj

CAT

behaviour, was, is, and will always be an enigma.

Cats are not indifferent, mean or unkind like people think. It’s just that cats have a different interpretation of love and they tend to receive and shower love in their own way, which is different than dogs or majority of the other domesticated animals.

For instance, stray dogs are easy to communicate with; they will wag their tails and follow you. However, the same is not true for feral cats. They tend to judge a person first before simply following them or showing love. In other words, one has to earn their love. Coming from a predatory background, they tend to be more vigilant and prefer their own space, so becoming friendly immediately is out of question.

Food is one of the fastest ways of making cats believe that you are not a threat, provided you don’t feel entitled to touching or petting them immediately thereafter. Establishing a relationship with a feral is a slow process.

A feline’s tail tells you a lot about their mood, so one has to pay a lot of attention

For instance, if you want to become friends with a feral feline, you cannot just go and pet them; they might feel threatened, because you are invading their personal space and they become prone to fleeing. Instead, you have to put forward one finger and let them come to you; if they do, they will sniff your scent, if they like it, they might sit beside you.

Even that does not give you the pass to touch them and/or cuddle, like one does with dogs. Instead, wait till the feline gets comfortable enough to sit close to you without getting scared. Once that

28

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

happens, you can slowly touch the cat’s head with a finger or two, then start petting it with 2 fingers and if the cat doesn’t flinch, then you can use your entire palm to pet her/him. It is important to pay attention to a cat’s tail, before making any sudden passes. A feline’s tail tells you a lot about their mood, so one has to pay a lot of attention. For example, if the tail is completely upright and high, it depicts that the cat is content and happy with her territory and current situation.

If the tail is hanging low and becomes frizzy or bushy, it refers to a signal of aggression and depicts a serious/agitated mood. If the tail is tugged between the

Feline

cat’s hind legs, it depicts signals of fear or submission. If the tail is swishing back and forth or from side to side, it means the cat is concentrated on some particular object, mostly with the intention to catch it, or play with it. One becomes really good at reading the tail language, once you start residing with them. This helps a lot in understanding their mood and acting accordingly.

Sure it sounds like a lot of work, however, one must know that cats like their own space and if you want to get close to them, you have to respect their space and love and accept them for it. I have 5 cats, all feral felines, inclusive of 2 calico queens, all rescued. It was difficult for me too, to get used to the cat behavioural patterns. But the wait and patience was totally rewarding.

I cannot even begin to explain the amount of love, respect and care we have for each other and it’s nothing short of having a

30

People say that cats are highmaintenance, this is a total myth

scent is rubbed off of them. It’s probably because some cats are too vulnerable at that time and might abandon their kittens due to the threat they sense. We took in the four kittens and started by feeding them milk.

However, cow’s milk was not working and they needed liquid or semi-solid foods, as

dog or any other animal as a pet. People say that cats are high-maintenance - this is a total myth. In fact, cats are absolutely self-sustaining and all they require is the usual amount of love, care, respect. The things I have learnt from my cats cannot be expressed via words. I am extremely grateful for these munchkins to have entered my life. I adopted the first four cats, when they were kittens, from the streets, soon after some young children touched the kittens and their mother abandoned them. Yes, just like birds, some cats also abandon their young kittens, if a human

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

they were too young to chew other solids.

So, we started feeding them Cerelac and realised how similar it was to that of taking care of an infant. Kittens of that age sleep for almost the entire day. Litter training for kittens is actually quite simple as well, you just have to teach them for the first time by only showing them the place where they have to do their business and they will not budge thereafter. Usually, people keep kittylitter in several corners of the house and once they’re done making their business, you just have to scoop it out and cats will be ready to use it again.

The one thing that has to be kept in mind while dealing with cats is that all the cats are perpetually neatniks. They prefer clean litter and clean living areas; if you are raising them in dirty/untied conditions, it becomes extremely hard for them to differentiate between their litter place and random places in your house. Cats have a peculiar sense of smell and they recognise majority of the things by their scent, inclusive of human beings. So, if the surrounding smells just like their litter, they might take their business elsewhere in the house.

From my experience of living with 5 cats and feeding almost 6-7 cats every day, I

am pretty much down with their grooming patterns as well. Cats usually spend a lot of time grooming themselves and the other cats they live with. They usually spend 50 percent or more of their awake time on it.

They don’t do this with the sole purpose of cleaning themselves; they do this to maintain their healthy skin and remove all the other unnecessary things from their fur.

It sort of works like a lubricant on their fur, which helps their fur look shiny as well.

Since feral cats usually aren’t that furry, it’s hard to see the shine and the smoothness of their fur, but their grooming behaviour is not entirely different from that of the other breeds.

In fact, kittens learn to groom themselves from their mothers at a very young age, watching them groom themselves and the young kittens.

his growth is steady but gradual. He is extremely close to my family and likes to cuddle a lot. My second youngest cat, Brownie, behaves exactly like a dog; if I may, he likes to get belly rubs, he eats with me, sleeps with me, waits for me at the door till I come back from office and basically just rolls around like a dog and even meows till he gets my attention, in addition to being extremely friendly with everyone, even strangers. On the contrary, my calico queen, Cleo, prefers minimal human touch and would not even allow strangers to look at her, let alone hold her. Whereas, my eldest cats, Hazel & Zoey, love the attention, but have their fair share of moments as well.

So the point is, all cats, especially feral felines, have different kinds of behaviour towards both human beings and the other cats they reside with.

Sometimes, cats can get attached to an individual in particular, despite living with many people. Well, ignoring everyone is kind of their thing.

This is usually because of the aura they sense from that one individual. Cats, especially feral cats, are not too trusting, so if they do trust, they’ll be extremely close to that individual and the level of their affection will increase tremendously as a result. Some say that cats cannot be too attached, but keeping the above-said in mind, cats can become extremely clingy as well, depending on the level of affection they have for their human.

Cats, usually, spend a lot of time grooming themselves and the other cats they live with

Another fact about cats is that just like human beings, cats also have different kinds of behaviour towards the human beings/ other cats they live with. All my 5 cats have completely different ways of expressing their love. Let me give an example, my youngest cat is about 1.5 years old and is still getting used to the presence of the other 4 cats. He is the smallest out of all the others, as they all are around 3.5 years old and pretty big comparatively. His name is Pepper and we took him in for his treatment, as he had a broken spine when we met him, therefore,

Living with cats full time is not a task, it’s a privilege, which has to be earned and if earned, is absolutely fulfilling and rewarding. Cats have the habit of imprinting on their human, to put it in simpler words it’s the cat that adopts you and not the other way around, which is pretty much awesome.

July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

31

| Creature Companion

Feline

CLOWDER THERAPY FOR THAT PURRFECT LIFE

By Lamat R. Hasan

I

have little memory of my first cat. All I remember is that she was white, and when my little sister was born, I had decided to leave home with it. I don't remember my cat's name, but I do remember the day she died – she was frothing from the mouth and my father was trying to revive her.

Over two decades later, I can't imagine a life without cats. I live with almost 20, and have had up to 30 at one time. No, I do not live in a huge bungalow as I am often asked, but the felines seem to fit in. Under the furniture, over (and inside) the almirahs, atop the refrigerator, inside the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and wherenot. Often visitors decide to do a headcount to make sure I am not making up that grand number. None have succeeded, so far. The feline specie is far too smart for a random in-house census by humans. Never mind the subsets – their breed, their gender, their evolution.

With little or no data available on Indian cat breeds or various cat breeds inhabiting our pedigree-conscious subcontinent the only feature that binds mine - they are all rescues. All off the streets, of various cities, across two countries. Call them what you will – feral, stray or 'junglee' – but a life without them could not be half as fulfilling.

32

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

My first set – a litter of three – arrived in a shoebox when they were barely three weeks old. The lady double checked before dropping them off at our door - “They are ordinary cats – are you sure you want all three?”

“Yes, of course!”

“I mean they are not Persian or Siamese...”

Motu, Chutku and Mohtarma were home in the September of 2007. Motu was the healthiest, Mohtarma the naughtiest, and Chutku – the weakest.

Over 30-40 cats and almost 12 years down, Chutku is still my favourite. His health improved gradually and he is the guy who taught me all-things cat. Often I messed up with him, feeding him the wrong diet or taking him to the wrong vet, yet he has not held that against me.

Within no time of his arrival, Chutku became a neighbourhood star when he prevented a burglary attempt in our house.

He heard an extra sound and alerted us by running to and fro on the staircase in the dead of the night till he caught our attention and then lead us to the sound. When we reached the door of our backyard, we saw a couple of men making good their escape leaving behind a saw and sticks and assorted stuff to break our heads.

Chutku, and not your dogs?” they asked.

The dogs didn't make a sound, but who would believe that.

Cats are, unfortunately, grossly misunderstood as I think most are not expressive like dogs. The fact that many see their existence as superstitious complicates their nine lives further. I have friends who change their route if a cat has crossed it. I have friends who refuse to come home as I live with cats. Not that I am complaining – give me fours over twos anytime.

It's another matter when a plumber before coming in to fix a leaking tap asks if the cats will “eat him up”, but I can almost hear my cats chuckle when a techie-type from the neighbourhood thinks the same. Of course, my favourite line – only humans bite, animals don't – is delivered with flourish on all such occasions.

While cats are popular in the UK and the US and almost all Muslim-dominated countries, in India they have had a raw deal.

They have come a long way from being worshipped – at least in Bengal when a cat's killing, even accidental, had to be replaced with a statue in gold of the same weight. Black cats suffer the worst form of discrimination in our country.

The fact that many see their existence as superstitious complicates their nine lives further

However, Chutku's feat didn't change the impression of cats being self-obsessed amongst my friends. “Are you sure it was

The good thing is that I see a silver lining in the clouds. There are several groups on Facebook that are now dedicated to cats. There are several fans of cats that are walking the extra mile to kill stereotypes

about cats, encouraging their adoption.

Over the years, I have tried to take in cats with disabilities. Cocoa's motor coordination is messed up – he can barely walk, but you should see him break into a gallop each time I get home. Beta, the blind cat, beats me to the door every single time I am trying to go out. Ballerina, the once blind cat with meningitis, loves meeting people and if ever I own a cat cafe – she will be the star there.

Cats are not emotionless or insensitive or aloof as they are made out to be as their affections are often not in-your-face.

Parents need time to establish a connection with them to interpret that wag of the tail, or the rolling on the ground, the demand for chin rubs or sometimes the need to be held. I have a cat called Tiger, named so as he is a survivor. Tiger is nearly seven years

old and he needs to be held every single day.

He knocks on the door when he is dealing with this urge, and won't go away till he is cuddled.

For someone who keeps both cats and dogs, I can vouch for the fact that cats are, in fact, easier to keep than dogs. They don't need to be walked, can be easily litter box trained, love to groom or be groomed and can fend for themselves quite well in the absence of their parents – even though they miss them just as much as dogs.

Chutku goes off food when he doesn't see me. Cocoa stops hopping around the house, and Ballerina stops being her chirpy self.

About time we Indians got over our dog complex and opened our homes to the beautiful felines.

July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

33

| Creature Companion

Animal Behaviourist

I have two dogs, Simba and Luke - a German Shepherd 3 year old and a Cocker Spaniel 1 year old. They get along most of the time but Luke always bullies the GSD and always demands attention when I am with him. They sometimes break out into big fights while playing. How can I maintain peace in the house?

–Aakriti

Hi Aakriti, I am glad that the two of them get along most of the time. The reason why Luke, the Spaniel, is the fire starter in the sibling rivalry is because he is your second dog.

The first dog normally gets more training and more attention. This also happens in our human world many times. We are generally very careful with our first child and take extra preventive measures, and then we take that success for granted and become pretty loose with the second. This may not always be the case but here are a few tips to follow when getting your second member.

Firstly, teach them that when you’re talking, treating or pampering Simba, it’s your time with Simba and Luke should not intervene. The same goes for Luke. That is, Simba should find something else to do during your time with Luke. The best way I’ve seen to do this is to go down on your knees and pet one dog’s face while putting your elbow out to the second dog. You should not push the second dog away with your hands as this will not really work. The elbow concept very easily and clearly shows a dog that this is not his time and that he should respect your space. Your hands are the most familiar to a dog and they represent feeding, playtime, petting time and interactive time, whereas your elbows represent “back off, it’s not your time”. Your dogs will very quickly associate this gesture with the concept of respecting space with humans as well as other pack members.

34

Going back to my 11 leader-relationship exercises with your dog – “do not let your dog invade your personal space”, is one of the keys for a dog to understand space and this helps you with nuisance behaviours like jumping, demanding, mounting, nipping and rough play.

Rough play? Once you have established space with your dog, avoiding rough play will solve your problem once and for all. Something that slips our mind in this peaceful household is that you may be sensitive towards solving mouthing, jumping, etc., from dog to human but forget to implement this with dog to dog, and by allowing dogs to engage in rough play, you are sending them a confused message to

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

respect humans but not other dogs. This leads to harsh mouthing and then even bites. If left alone, two doggie buddies could start off as great friends and could end up hurting each other and even disliking each other permanently if rough play isn’t kept in check. All you actually have to do is make a loud sound like clapping, shaking a box of marbles or even whistling and say the words, “Hey! No rough play, easy!” This will reinforce to a dog that teeth are not allowed on human skin or animal skin.

I hope this answers your question and if you follow these rules, you should have a peaceful household in the next two or three days. Good luck and let us know how this goes!.

Gautam Kari, COO & Animal Behaviourist, Topdog Luxury Pet Resorts

TWEEN CAT

Illustration by : Cathy Wu Freelance Designer & Illustrator IG : itscathywu July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

35

| Creature Companion

PET BUSINESS IN INDIA INDUSTRY SPEAK

37 AQUA

38 PET NUTRITION

40

Industry Speak In Conversation with Deepika Vishal Kucheriya, Founder

BITSY’S KITCHEN

1

How long have you been in the pet industry? What type of products do you manufacture and market? Would you like to say something about your product diversifications ?

Bitsy’s Kitchen in association with Marsha & Buddy started off on 1st February 2018.

It is a gourmet service of fresh home-cooked balanced food delivered across Mumbai.

The business is run jointly by Mrs. Deepika Vishal Kucheriya & Mrs. Marsha Sequeira Sabhnani.

Every lunch box is different. Their Chef Marsha does not believe in bulk cooking, as we strongly believe that every dog/cat is different and so has different needs.

Each box is planned keeping in mind the dietary needs and lifestyle of the respective dog/cat.

2

How do you plan on expanding your company’s portfolio across India? In how many cities and towns are you available?

What are your targets in terms of presence in stores?

Since we believe in delivering fresh & preservative/artificial colours free homecooked food, our services are only available in Mumbai at the moment.

We are working on finding a robust solution for packaging & delivery outside Mumbai while retain-ing the concept of fresh food to serve as many furry babies as possible.

3

Do you have a pet(s) that inspires you in the way that you run your business?

Bitsy Kucheriya, the furry baby of Deepika, is the reason behind this start-up. Bitsy has always been very choosy when it comes to food and, at the same tim,e there had always been worry of providing balanced food to her. That was the time when Marsha (who has been offering organic stuffs for pets like home-baked treats & natural soaps) joined in to kick-start this business.

4

Based on your experience, can you elaborate on the gaps that exist between producers and consumers (pet parents in this case)?

All research these days points to the fact that natural foods help our pets have a healthier life. Cur-rently, there are very less options of balanced, preservative/artificial colours free and, most importantly, fresh food for pets. This concept of offering fresh home-cooked balanced food would help the pets gain

the required nourishment but in a natural/ organic way!

5

A word of advice to our readers on how to build a successful

pet business in India?

Before stepping into business in the pet industry, it is very important to know the current chal-lenges being faced by pets and their owners. Also, it is very crucial to understand that extensive research is mandatory to explore different possibilities in the same breed itself. Hence, a holistic approach is required, in order to provide a 360 degree solution to the respective segment.

THANK YOU!

July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

37

| Creature Companion

Aqua

Growing Aquatic Plants Part-5 - Diagnosing Problems of Planted Aquariums

By Rajiv Sharma *

A

lush green planted aquarium shows the dedication and hard work of an aquarist. Healthy green plants and crystal clear water are the rewards of hard work. It is also pleasurable for animals in the aquariums. Plants consume the wastes of animals and provide hiding places and food to many animals. All the aquatic plants have some basic requirements which need to be fulfilled to get the desired result. Plants are also the source of some unwanted animals, algae and diseases. So, always introduce plants with caution.

Problem: Algae Algae is the most common problem for a planted aquarium keeper. Low amount of carbon, and high amounts of nitrates, phosphates and silicates are the common factors responsible for algae growth.

Imbalance of nutrients and light is another reason. Sometimes, algae come into the aquarium through new plants. You must always soak plants in bleach for 3-5 minutes before introducing them in the aquarium.

Some precautions are required to get rid of algae.

All the problems associated with planted aquariums can be eliminated easily. First of all, however, we have to know the cause behind the problem. Let us identify some common problems and the most effective solutions to address the same.

Solutions a. Remove any leftover food, dead animals, decaying plant remains from the aquariums. b. Keep algae eating fish, shrimps, etc. in the planted aquarium.

A lush green planted aquarium is pleasant for eyes.

38

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

Algae can be cover whole the aquarium in a few days

c. Algaecides can be used to kill the algae.

However, they are also harmful for the biological processes in the aquarium. d. Remove algae manually. e. Check water parameters regularly. Water change helps in eliminating algae. f. Hydrogen peroxide can be used for spot treatment of the algae. It should be used carefully as it can be harmful for the animals in the aquarium.

Problem: Unwanted Animals Every aquarist wants a clean and pest free aquarium. But snails, planaria, etc., break the dream of a pest free aquarium. Snails and planaria infestation is a common problem in planted aquariums. These species multiply very fast and, soon, appear everywhere in the aquarium. So, try to remove them as soon as possible.

Solution a. Most of the snails, planaria or other unwanted animals come into the aquarium through new plants. So always

Plants are the main source of algae and snails.

Snails multiplies very fast

check the plants carefully for the presence of unwanted animals, eggs, etc. If there is a symptom of snail eggs, remove manually or chemically. In order to do the latter, make a solution of aluminium sulphate and dip the plants in the same for 24 hours to kill the snail eggs. To make the solution, mix one and a half spoons of aluminium sulphate in one litre of water.

While live snails and other unwanted creatures will die within a few minutes once exposed to the solution, it takes at least 24 hours to kill snail eggs. b. Copper sulphate is another chemical that instantly kills snails. However, it is also harmful for other animals, especially invertebrates. It also kills the eggs of snails, planaria, etc. c. Instead of killing unwanted animals, try to control their population. To control their birth rate, remove any leftover food, decaying leaves and dead animals.

Less availability of food decreases their population. d. Some fish like puffers are known to eat snails. Introduce snail eating fish into the aquarium. e. Assassin snails are predators. They eat other snails and help in controlling their population. f. Dipping plants in marine aquarium solution also helps in getting rid of snails.

In saltwater, snails will get dehydrated within a minute.

Problem: Cloudy/dirty water Sometimes aquarium water can become

cloudy, dirty yellow or brown. There may be many reasons for the cloudy or dirty appearance of water, and this is a common problem faced by new comers trying their hand at building and maintaining aquariums.

Solution a. Dissolved organic compounds like uneaten food, decaying leaves and dead animals may be the main source of the floating debris or particles. They should be removed as soon as possible. Presence of these things spoil the water quality and are also responsible for the growth of algae. Availability of excess food also promotes the growth of unwanted animals. b. Mulm or dirt builds up over time on the substrate of the aquarium. It looks unattractive and settles downs on the substrate and decorations. It should be siphoned regularly at the time of water change. Some fish or invertebrates have the habit to disturb the substrate. As they disturb it, the mulm starts to float in the water. c. Cloudy water is due to the overgrowth of bacteria. It appears in a newly setup aquarium. Partial water change can be an instant remedy. But the problem of cloudy water fixes itself after the proper establishment of bacterial colonies in the aquarium. Uneaten fish food or physical debris may also make water appear cloudy. d. Yellow or brown water may be due to the presence of tannins in the water.

When driftwoods release the tannins in the water, it may turn yellow or brown.

Presence of tannins also lowers the pH value of water. Although it is not harmful to most of the animals, some fish like to

live in water with a high pH. So, before using driftwoods in the aquarium, check the pH requirements of the particular fish living in the aquarium.

Problem: Green water Green water is another common problem which comes in the way of establishing a beautifully planted aquarium. This is caused due to the presence of unicellular algae.

The main reason for green water is excess lighting. There may, however, also be some other reasons.

Solution a. Green water may result from keeping the aquarium in direct sunlight or exposing it to too much light. Reducing the light may eliminate the problem of green water. b. Excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphates may be another reason behind the presence of green water.

Maintaining water quality will, thus, reduce the chances of development of algae responsible for green water.

Problem: Stinky water Stinky aquarium water is very unpleasant for aquarium keepers. There may be several reasons behind the water becoming stinky.

Solution a. Decaying critters may be the reason behind the stinky water. If any unpleasant smell is observed, check if there is a dead fish or plant in the aquarium. b. Uneaten food over substrate may bloom bacterial growth. This often releases an unpleasant odour. So, always remove the uneaten food. c. Insufficient filtration may be another reason behind the stinky water. Check and clean the filter regularly.

Planted aquariums look very attractive but unawareness can invite problems. Every problem has a solution. We just need to be able to diagnose the problem and administer the appropriate treatment.

To be continued in next part…

Cloudy water

The Author Rajiv Sharma is founder of online aquarium forum www.aquapetz.com, an aquarium hobbyist and planted aquarium designer. email id: rsrajivji@gmail.com, Ph. 9958075234

July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

39

| Creature Companion

Pet Nutrition

Anti-hairball cat food

Dr A C Beynen was professor of veterinary nutrition at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands in the period of 1993-2007.

40

Vomiting of hairballs is common in cats. The regurgitated hair was ingested earlier during grooming, which makes up significant part of feline behavioral activity. The barbs on the cat’s tongue encourage ingestion of loose hairs. Fur is indigestible so that swallowed hairs are eliminated with feces.

Almost two-thirds of the hairs discharged by cats pass in feces (1). Shedding the winter coat raises total hair loss. Cats with longer coat have more hair mixed in with the stools (2).

Once in a while, a hair clump blocks the intestine and poses a deadly threat. Hairs clotted together in the stomach may be ejected by vomiting. Despite their name, hairballs are somewhat cigar-shaped. About 10% of short-haired and 20% of long-haired cats periodically bring up hairballs (3). Many owners dislike the signs of vomiting, retching and coughing.

Thus, petfood manufacturers brought anti-hairball cat foods to the market.

Anti-hairball foods are commonly purported to move hair through the digestive tract for fecal voiding. This assertion is theoretically defensible. When more ingested hair is expelled in the stools, less is available for regurgitation. Research data indicate that cat food with cellulose fiber may increase the amount of hair in feces and diminish the manifestation of hairballs. One study showed that a kibbled cat food with 4% added cellulose reduced the average, weekly number of total signs from 2.5 to 0.5 per cat.

Cellulose is an indigestible and insoluble substance that is derived from plant cell walls. A detailed ingredient list on the petfood label mentions cellulose when included in the food.

Current data suggest that cellulose in dry and wet cat food has anti-hairball activity at contents of about 4 and 0.8%, respectively. The percentage is mostly not declared on the label, but can be obtained from the manufacturer.

Creature Companion | July 2018 • Vol. XI • Issue 7 • Noida

Pet Nutrition Fibers tested Petfood labels declare the food’s content of crude fiber, which mainly comprises cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Research on diet and feline hairballs has concerned three fiber sources, purified cellulose, dried sugar-beet pulp and psyllium husk. These ingredients contain about 65, 19 and 3% crude fiber, respectively.

Gastric hairballs In a double-blinded, cross-over study, a chew containing psyllium husk and slippery elm bark reduced vomiting, retching and coughing (4). Total symptoms fell from 2.3 to 1.7 times/ week/cat. The 16 long- and 8 shorthaired cats affected with hairballs were fed the 2-g placebo or test chew twice daily in addition to their normal diet for two weeks.

Cats (n = 102, 47 households) were fed a dry maintenance diet or a similar diet with added fiber in a cross-over study udy with periods of 60 days (5). Details on coat length distribution and diets are not given. The number of hairballs and vomiting frequency reported per household were each reduced by 22% while cats were on the fiber-enriched diet.

In a double-blind, parallel study lasting 28 days, cats consumed a dry food with 4% powdered cellulose or the control diet (1.8% crude fiber) containing corn in place of cellulose (6). Cats (n = 12/group) were stratified according to hairball episodes and hair length. Owners recorded vomiting, retching and coughing.

Dietary cellulose decreased group-mean total signs from 2.5 to 0.5 times/week/cat.

Fecal hair excretion Cats excrete trichobezoars, compact masses of hairs (7). Hairs can be separated from feces by sieving and washing steps. Compared with 2.0% crude fiber in dry food, levels of 4.5 and 7.8% raised fecal hair loss by 26 and 72% (8). Diet compositions are undisclosed.

Adding 0.5% psyllium husk and 5.2 or 9.7% cellulose to a dry diet (1.2% crude fiber) induced a 1.8- and 2.2-fold increase in fecal hair excretion by long-haired cats, but was effectless in shorthairs (2).

Replacing wheat meal (1.75%) or beet pulp (2%) in dry food by cellulose increased group-mean fecal hair by 62 (9) and 15% (10).

Cats on a dry diet containing 13% cellulose excreted 2.7 times more hair than did cats fed a diet with 12% beet pulp (11). Replacing 10% corn in dry food by sugar-cane fiber lowered group-mean

fecal hair excretion by 9%, whereas cellulose as substitute raised it by 29% (7). Beet pulp (8 or 16% in dry ffood) versus corn reduced fecal hair eexcretion by 18% in short-haired cats (12). Dietary Miscanthus grass did not aaffect fecal hair loss (13).

M Mechanism The data indicate that dietary cellulose st stimulates fecal hair excretion and reduc reduces hairball symptoms in cats. At unchanged fur ingestion, increased fecal hair loss infers decreased formation and vomiting of gastric hairballs. Thus, cellulose would push or pull gastric hair into the duodenum. There is no convincing evidence that dietary crude fiber accelerates gastric emptying in cats (14-16).

Cellulose fibers might prevent agglomeration of single hairs in the stomach, thereby propelling loose hairs into the duodenum (17). Untangled and lengthy cellulose fibers would then be most effective. Cellulose is neither digested (18, 19) nor fermented (20, 21) in the feline digestive tract. The fiber may increase bulk and passage rate of digesta, thereby lowering the risk of clinical intestinal hairballs.

Commercial diets Dry anti-hairball foods of 12 different brands declare crude fiber levels of 3 to 11%. The ingredient statements of five foods list cellulose. Six wet, cellulose-containing foods have 6 to 14% crude fiber in the dry matter.

List of references is available on request from the author (beynen@freeler.nl)

* Dr Anton C Beynen writes this exclusive column on dog and cat nutrition every month.

He is affiliated with Vobra Special Petfoods.

RNI NO. UPENG/2008/26403