Gary Landsberg, BSc, DVM, DACVB

Veterinary BehavioristDoncaster Animal ClinicThornhill, Ontario, Canada

DEVELOPMENT OF PLAY IN CATS

Feline play behavior can be dividedinto to three types: social, locomotory,and object play. Defining the exactfunction of play is difficult because itis a component of many other behaviorpatterns in cats (e.g., predation, mating,social communication). However, thereis little doubt that it is an important partof learning and refining intraspecificcommunication and motor andpredatory skills, defining social andsexual partners, and learning about one’senvironment.

Social play behavior begins aroundthe fourth week of life, peaks at about 6to 9 weeks of age, and begins to declinetoward 12 to 14 weeks of age. This typeof play can be with one other individualor a group of playmates and may bedirected toward humans or other species,especially if there is no other cat

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

The Role of Toys in Canine Behavior ..................................... 4

Ask the Vet ................................ 7

Hartz Glamour-Puss Award Recipient Announced ..... 7

Veterinarian of the Year .............. 8

variety of aspects of the predatorysequence. This type of play involvesstalking, chasing, pawing, and biting the object (Figure 1). Object andlocomotory play arise from 6 to 8 weeksof age and peak around 18 weeks of age;they are generally the most dominanttypes of play in adult cats. Object play isalso the most practical way for ownersto play with their cats.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 6 V O L U M E 4 , N U M B E R 1

available. Social play involves rolling,biting, chasing, wrestling, and playfighting. There appears to be nosignificant differences in affiliative oraggressive behavior based on gender,although it has been shown thatlittermates spend more time in physicalcontact, groom each other more, and aremore likely to feed close to each otherthan are unrelated cats.1,2 Social play inolder kittens (≥14 weeks of age) andadult cats can develop into moreaggressive behavior.

Locomotory play can be solitary orwith playmates and includes patternssuch as jumping, rolling, climbing, andrunning. This type of play develops at 5to 6 weeks of age as the neuromuscularsystem develops and the kitten’scoordination improves.

Object play can also be solitary orwith playmates. It involves an object as the target of play and stimulates a

Feline Play Behavior and theUse and Selection of Toys

Sagi Denenberg, DVMRidge Veterinary HospitalMedicine Hat, Alberta,Canada

A NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONALSA NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS

2 HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • FEBRUARY 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 1

Consulting EditorsAlbert Ahn, DVM

Vice President of CorporateCommunications and ConsumerRelationsThe Hartz Mountain Corporation

Bruce TrumanSenior DirectorAnimal Health and NutritionThe Hartz Mountain Corporation

Associate EditorsJill A. Richardson, DVM

Director—Consumer RelationsThe Hartz Mountain Corporation

David LevyAssistant ManagerAnimal Health and NutritionThe Hartz Mountain Corporation

HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM

is produced for The Hartz Mountain Corporation by Veterinary Learning Systems, 780 Township Line Rd.,Yardley, PA 19067.

Copyright © 2006 The Hartz Mountain Corporation. All rights reserved.

Hartz® and other marks are owned byThe Hartz Mountain Corporation.

Printed in U.S.A. No part of thispublication may be reproduced in anyform without the express writtenpermission of the publisher.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 6 V O L U M E 4 , N U M B E R 1

A NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS

STUDIES ON CAT PLAYIt has been demonstrated that object

play may be motivationally identical topredatory behavior and that it can becontrolled or altered by the size and typeof toy (mouse size versus rat size) anddegree of hunger. Mouse-sized toys in ahungry cat were more likely to elicit closecontact play and killing bites.3 A morerecent study compared the effects ofdifferent types of toys on play behavior incats. A used hair band seemed to interestmost cats, although the author needed tostimulate this toy by pulling it along witha string. A food toy (i.e., a toy in whichone can place food or treats) seemed tobe the next most favored; most catswould play with this toy with a minimumof external stimulation by the owners.4

Studies have also found that catsrapidly habituate to the sensorycharacteristics of an object but that playitself may be heightened or intensified,especially within the first 5 minutes;thus, alternating toys throughout theplay session is advisable. Only after aninterval of 25 to 45 minutes betweensessions does play interest become lessintense. Therefore, play is motivated bytwo mechanisms: an initial interest ifthe toy possesses appropriate stimuluscharacteristics (texture, small size) and rapid habituation unless thecharacteristics change.5

One common question or concern isthat of early weaning and hand rearing.Kittens weaned early (4 weeks of age)develop predatory behavior earlier andshow an earlier increase in object play,while normally weaned kittens are lesslikely to become predators and have alater onset of object play. Previousstudies have indicated that kittensseparated from their mother earlier thannormal develop a variety of emotionaland behavioral abnormalities, includingexcessive fear and aggression towardother cats and people, slower learning,and hypergregarious social behaviors,and cats that are deprived of interactionswith littermates may be slower todevelop social skills and may behyperreactive to play objects and in social play.6,7 However, a more recentstudy found that hand-reared kittenswere no more likely to develop behaviorproblems than queen-reared kittens ifraised by experienced personnel in thepresence of a second cat and if wand-type toys (e.g., a catnip mouse on theend of a fishing rod) were used todecrease the propensity toward human-directed aggression. In addition, theredid not appear to be any effect ofweaning history on frequency of suchbehavior problems as pica, self-licking,and inappropriate elimination.8

TEACHING OWNERS ABOUTPLAYING WITH THEIR CATS

Cats that are housed indoors or thatspend a majority of their time indoorsinteract more with their owners than dooutdoor cats. These interactions shouldtherefore be designed to help preventbehavior problems that may arise fromthe restrictions associated with livingindoors. The environment and dailyroutine should be designed to providefor all of a cat’s “needs,” including socialand object play to simulate predatoryplay and predation, perching and restingsites, scratching posts, and opportunitiesto climb and explore. Alternatively, theconsequences may be that the cat directsits playing, climbing, perching, and

scratching toward household items,family members, or other pets. Inaddition, cats that are deprived ofsufficient stimulation may developredirected aggression, vacuum behaviors(i.e., activities performed instinctively orunconsciously with no useful purpose inthe absence of the stimulus that wouldnormally cause the response), ordisplacement and compulsive behaviors,

Figure 1. A kitten’s play behavioroften simulates aspects of the predatorysequence. (Courtesy of The HartzMountain Corporation)

HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • FEBRUARY 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 1 3

which might include chasing imaginaryobjects, chewing, sucking, self-mutilation, and tail chasing.

Toys can be an invaluable tool indirecting social, object, and predatorytypes of play toward objects that are safeand appropriate. Toys might be defined asself-play toys (i.e., either play itself isreinforcing or playing with the toydelivers food, treats, or catnip duringplay) or owner-initiated toys, whichstimulate the chase and predationsequence. In addition, a cat’s interest inclimbing, jumping, perching, scratching,exploring new objects (e.g., boxes, paperbags), and experiencing the sounds orsights of new stimuli (such as whenperching on windowsills, watching kittyvideos, or observing the family aquarium)allows owners many opportunities toprovide a wide variety of new andstimulating routines.

Many cats enjoy exploring novel itemsand areas; thus, providing the cat withsome empty boxes, paper bags, or a felineactivity center (Figure 2) and new places to climb and perch can be useful.Inappropriate exploration, on the otherhand, can lead to destruction of householdobjects and ingestion of items that mightprove toxic or dangerous, as well asincreased levels of anxiety and arousal,which can lead to redirected aggression insome cats. Owners can also use food,treats, catnip, or additional play to reinforcedesirable play and exploratory behavior.

Self-play toys, such as small fuzzymice, balls, or toys with feathers or fur,simulate prey that cats can swat, pounceon, or carry in their mouths. Other playtoys, such as a closed track with a ballinside, “cat towers,” toys on springs,dangling toys, and battery-operated toysprovide opportunities for cats to climb,jump, bat, chase, and otherwise “expendenergy.” More static “self-play” toys areless appealing to cats, and some catscompletely ignore these toys if they donot stimulate predation or feeding.

Rewarding toys include food-stuffeditems that immediately reinforce playbehavior. For the most part, these toysshould be small and light so cats can carrythem in their mouths and easily andsimply remove the food inside. Playingwith these toys occupies the cat forextended periods without the need forowner attention, except perhaps initiallyto gain a cat’s interest. Owners should beadvised to estimate the calories the catconsumes while playing with these toys sothat the amount of other food providedcan be adjusted accordingly to maintainan appropriate body weight. Some ofthese toys can be filled with canned oreven frozen cat food; that way, the task ofgetting the food takes longer so that thecat is occupied for longer time.

Perhaps the most useful and practicalform of interactive play is to stimulatechasing and pouncing on toys that theowner moves and drags in a manner that

simulates the chase-and-capture activity.Preferences of play (and prey) type varyamong cats, and a variety of toys mightneed to be tested. This play providesalternative outlets for predation as wellas improving owner–cat bonding.Owners can use many different toys,including wands with feathers, mouse-like toys on ropes, dangling toys, orbattery-operated toys. Owners should bereminded of the research that indicatesthe preference for small and novelobjects and individual preferences sothat they choose toys that interest theircat. In addition, since play can heightenthe desire for additional play, the ownershould rotate through a few novelobjects during each session.

Cats tend to be most active in the earlyevening or early morning (crepuscular),although some are fairly active throughoutthe night and spend much of their daysleeping and grooming. Kittens tend to be active for short periods frequentlythroughout the day. Owners should keep adiary of their cat’s schedule and implementplay sessions during the cat’s active periods.Most cats can adapt to their owners’schedule if provided with sufficientstimulation during the daytime andevening hours. When one considers that anaverage outdoor cat would eat about eightto 10 mice a day and make many otherunsuccessful attempts at predation, aminimum of three or four play sessions aday is advisable. Ideal times for initiatingplay with cats are when they are in themood to play, before meals (hunger mayincrease the desire to play), and well aftermeals (cats may be less interested inplaying on a full stomach).

WHEN PLAY GOES AWRYKittens and adult cats that lack

appropriate opportunities for play andinvestigation can develop play aggression,destructiveness, exploratory behavior, orexcessive nocturnal activity. Owners whoattempt to inhibit these behaviors withpunishment may inadvertently reinforcethe undesired behavior or, alternatively,cause fear and defensive responses so that

Figure 2. Cats’ natural curiosity regarding their environment can make an activitycenter the focus of much play behavior. (Courtesy of The Hartz Mountain Corporation)

(continues on page 7)

4 HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • FEBRUARY 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 1

are an artificial substrate for caninegnawing, which might otherwise bedirected to the owner’s shoes, table legs,or other undesirable objects. The wolfgnawing on the leg of its prey has itscounterpart in the beagle gnawing on asterilized bone purchased by its ownerfrom a pet store or even an untreatedbone from the butcher shop. Bones may

One of the most endearing traits ofdogs is their playfulness, which oftenextends beyond puppyhood to the dog’slife span. Play behavior begins during the critical or sensitive periods ofdevelopment, when puppies are about 3weeks old.1 At that age, they mouth; by 4to 5 weeks, they scruff hold and can“worry” (shake) one another. By 6 weeks,they can signal play with the play bow.Humans can use a bow-and-lungemovement to initiate play in dogs.2

Social play decreases with age inpuppies, but exploratory play increases.Although play may be directed towardother dogs or humans, it is also directedtoward inanimate objects—toys. Ownersare often discouraged from wresting withtheir dogs because of the possibility ofencouraging dog-to-human aggression.This leaves toys as a primary way inwhich owners can interact with theirdogs.

TOY TYPESToys can be classified into three main

types: retrieving toys, usually balls butalso simple objects such as sticks; chewtoys, which are less interactive; and puzzletoys that reward the dogs with food.Chew toys are attractive either becausethey have interesting textures or becauseof their resiliency, which stimulates thedog orally (Figures 1 and 2). Chew toys

be dangerous as toys—especially small,cooked bones that are friable. This hasled some veterinarians to advise againstproviding bones to dogs. The recent fadof feeding bones and raw food (BARFdiet) may help determine whether thesewarnings are justified.

Bones are the most defended of toys.3

Dogs are most likely to be aggressive—

The Role of Toys in Canine BehaviorKatherine Albro Houpt, VMD, PhD, DACVBJames Law Professor of Animal BehaviorDepartment of Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineCornell University

Figure 1. The texture of toys made of resilient rubber is often attractive to dogs.(Courtesy of Dr. Tom Houpt)

HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • FEBRUARY 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 1 5

rubber toys is a hollow portion that canbe filled with food or a treat, which canencourage the dog to chew on it. Itemssuch as peanut butter or liverwurst aregood choices; cheese can be meltedinside some such toys (by placing it in amicrowave), or biscuits or other treatscan be wedged inside. Another option isto first freeze the food or treat in wateror broth. Popcorn can be used for dogsprone to obesity. The principle is that thedog will spend a long time extracting thecontents from the toy. Dogs often holdthe toys between their front paws whilethey chew the outside or lick the inside.For this reason, these types of toys aresuggested as part of the treatment ofseparation anxiety.5

Dog toys are sold in a dazzling arrayof colors, but because dogs aredichromatic—they perceive fewer huesthan humans—the reds and greens aremore apparent and, presumably, morepleasing to the owner than to the dog.Dogs see the world in shades of yellow,blue, and purple.6 Toys in those colorswould be more distinguishable to the dogbut may not be any more attractive.

A NOTE ABOUT PUPPIESPuppies can be very destructive. They

probably do not aim to destroy things butrather are exploring their environment.Lacking fingers, they explore with their

growl, snap, or bite—when a humanattempts to take a bone from them. Thisproblem is so common, even among dogsthat otherwise do not defend food, thatmany owners do not classify it asaggression or even a problem. Manyveterinary behaviorists classify it as“possessive” aggression.4

The next chew toy most likely to beguarded is a rawhide. These are large orsmall pieces of dried animal hide or otherbody parts, such as hooves or penises.These, too, may cause choking if a piece of rawhide is aspirated orgastrointestinal obstruction if a dogswallows a large piece of rawhide.Despite these possible consequences,bones or rawhides enrich the lives ofmany dogs, helping them endure theabsence of their owner or serving as anevening treat, almost like a cocktail, tohelp the dog relax. Artificial bones maynot be as attractive to dogs.

Some dogs favor fabric or fleece toys.These do not provide the same dentalstimulus but are more flesh-like, whichmay be why such toys often releasepredatory behavior; the dog may shake orworry it and then carry the toy. Somedogs destroy fabric toys within minutesor hours, in which case a tougher chewtoy is needed. Chew toys made of rubberare usually strong enough to withstandcanine teeth. A popular feature of many

mouths, feeling and tasting their world.This is why it is so important to providepuppies many types of toys.

An important warning to owners ofpuppies is that discarded human clothing,especially shoes, should not be used astoys. Any money saved on puppy toys issoon surpassed by the replacement costsof good shoes, which the puppy believesare just another chew toy. The pup mayeven associate the smell of human feet,common to discarded and in-use shoes,with desirable chewing surfaces.

“TUG OF WAR” GAMESThe importance of chew toys for some

adult dogs is exemplified by dogsemployed in sniffing out ammunition ornarcotics. The reward for many of thesedogs is not food but the opportunity toplay with, tug, and worry a rolled-uptowel. Owners are often counseled not toplay tug of war with their dogs, especiallyif the dog is aggressive. The onlypublished experiment along these linesinvolved golden retrievers; theexperimenter played tug of war with thedogs in forty-eight 3-minute sessions,half of which the dog won.7 These dogsdid not become aggressive, but differentresults might be obtained if a guard-type(i.e., aggressive) dog played tug of warwith its owner for the first 2 years of life.If the owner always wins, it is probablysafe to play this game enjoyed by so manydogs and their owners. Alternatively, tugtoys can be suspended from a tree branchfor the dog to use alone. Dogs are morerewarded if they win, so dogs beingrewarded for detecting drugs or explosivesshould be allowed to win.

RETRIEVING Retrieving is a form of play that has

been selected not only in retrievers butalso in herding dogs. It appears to beinnate in many breeds but may need to beencouraged during puppyhood for thisparticularly rewarding form of play topersist into adulthood.8 There are threestages of retrieving—chase, bring back,and release—and not all dogs will do all

Figure 2. One goal of a chew toy is to redirect the natural chewing instinct to a moreacceptable object. (Courtesy of The Hartz Mountain Corporation)

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playing,9 owners should be encouraged touse toys to strengthen the human–dogbond with their pets.

REFERENCES1. Freedman DG, King JA, Elliot D: Critical period

in the social development of dogs. Science133:1016–1017, 1961.

2. Rooney NJ, Bradshaw JWS, Robinson IH: Do dogsrespond to play signals given by humans? AnimBehav 61:715–722, 2001.

3. Houpt KA, Zicker S: Dietary effects on canine andfeline behavior. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract33:405–416, 2003.

4. Overall KL: Clinical Behavioral Medicine for SmallAnimals. St. Louis, Mosby, 1997.

5. Houpt KA: Domestic Animal Behavior, ed 4. Ames,IA, Blackwell Publishing, 2005.

6. Neitz J, Geist T, Jacobs GH: Color vision in thedog. Vis Neurosci 3:119–125, 1989.

7. Rooney NJ, Bradshaw JWS: An experimental studyof the effects of play upon the dog–humanrelationship. Appl Anim Behav Sci 75:161–176,2002.

8. Scott JP: Critical periods in behavioraldevelopment. Science 138:949–958, 1962.

9. Hubrecht RC: A comparison of social andenvironmental enrichment methods forlaboratory housed dogs. Appl Anim Behav Sci37:345–361, 1993.

three. Some dogs chase and grab a ball orstick and then either do not return it totheir owner or will return it but notrelinquish it. Some owners use two ballsso that the dog must release or spit outone to pick up the other. Flying disks areanother popular retrieving toy andprovide even better exercise because dogsmust jump to catch them.

WHEN PLAY ISN’T A GAME ANYMORE

There are large differences in theplayfulness and types of play preferred by dogs. At times, play can becomealmost pathologic. Some dogs may even display play-related obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). It can bedifficult to know if a dog is obsessing,but a dog that lies in front of the cabinetin which the tennis ball is stored andthat plays fetch with the ball to thepoint of exhaustion can safely be

diagnosed with an OCD. Dogs such asborder collies, which have been selectedfor long attention spans and intenseconcentration, may be predisposed.Retrievers may also be compulsive. Caremust be taken that such dogs do notinjure themselves or become exhausted or overheated when they play for toolong a period. Observation of fly ballcompetitions suggests that participatingdogs are compulsive. OCD may betreated with tricyclic antidepressants, orthe object with which the dog isobsessed can be removed from theenvironment.4

CONCLUSIONToys are a form of environmental

enrichment for clients’ dogs, which mayotherwise lead unstimulating liveswithout performing the tasks for whichthey were bred. Because dogs may spendas much as a quarter of their time

the cat becomes increasingly uncertainwhen and how to safely approach theowner. The keys to managing theseproblems are to prevent inappropriatebehavior (through confinement oravoidance), to stop using punishment as ameans of inhibiting undesirable behavior,to increase play using appropriate toysand stimuli, and to avoid reinforcingundesirable forms of play (e.g., wrongtype, wrong time). Placing a bell on a cathelps owners to stay aware of their cat’swhereabouts. Another valuable tool is touse a command or a “shake can” to teachthe cat to come for a treat or catnip toys;not only does this preempt inappropriatebehavior, it also provides an opportunityfor desirable forms of play to beinstituted.

REFERENCES 1. Barry KJ, Crowell-Davis SL: Gender differences in

the social behavior of the neutered indoor-onlydomestic cat. Appl Anim Behav Sci 64:193–211, 1999.

2. Bradshaw JWS, Hall SL: Affiliative behaviour ofrelated and unrelated pairs of cats in catteries: Apreliminary report. Appl Anim Behav Sci 63:251–255,1999.

3. Bradshaw JWS, Hall S, Robinson I: Behaviouralenrichment for indoor cats: A role for object play.Proc 1st Int Conf Vet Behav Med:216, 1997.

4. Denenberg S: Cat toy play trial: A comparison ofdifferent toys. Proc Annu Sci Symp Anim Behav:25–33, 2003

5. Hall SL, Bradshaw JWS, Robinson IH: Object playin adult domestic cats: The roles of habituation anddisinhibition. Appl Anim Behav Sci 79(3):263–271,2002.

6. Turner D, Bateson P (eds): The Domestic Cat: TheBiology of Its Behavior, ed 2. New York, CambridgeUniversity Press, 2000, p 14.

7. Beaver BV: Feline Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians.Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1992, p 128.

8. Chon E: The effects of queen (Felis sylvestris)-rearing versus hand-rearing on feline aggression and other problematic behaviors, in Mills D, LevineE, Landsberg G, et al (eds): Current Issues and Research in Veterinary Behavioral Medicine. WestLafayette, IN, Purdue University Press, 2005, pp201–202.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCESIndoor Cat Initiative: Available at www.indoorcat.org/

index.php; accessed December 2005.

AAFP Behavior Guidelines: Available at http://aafponline.org/resources/guidelines/Feline_Behavior_Guidelines.pdf; accessed December 2005.

Feline Play Behavior and the Use and Selection of Toys(continued from page 3)

QAQA

I picked up a Hartz brochure about dental care for pets at arecent veterinary show. How can I obtain more of these formy practice?

The Hartz dental brochure is a great tool for educating your clients about theimportance of dental health. The brochure highlights the advantages of veterinarydental examinations and the basics of home dental care. The brochures are free andcan be ordered in quantity by calling 800-275-1414 or emailing dental@hartz.com.

I heard that you are collaborating with a veterinary group tohelp raise funds for animals involved in disasters. Could youshed some more light on this for me?

The Hartz Mountain Corporation has created “Hartz® VetPals™” plush dog toys to raisefunds for the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), which has helped savethousands of animals from hurricanes, fires, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters. Aportion of the proceeds from each Hartz® VetPal™ sold will be donated to the AVMF. TheHartz® VetPals™ represent six animal species—parrot, cat, dog, gerbil, rabbit, and horse—and wear green scrub shirts with the American Veterinary Medical Association logo. Eachtoy comes with a descriptive tag that tells a dramatic animal rescue story and explains theAVMF’s mission. To order, visit www.vetpals.org or call 888-281-6400.

Additional newsletters may be obtained by contacting us at feedback@hartz.com or by phone at 800-275-1414.

Albert Ahn, DVM, is Vice President of Communications andConsumer Relations at The Hartz Mountain Corporation.

ASK THE VET

NOTEWORTHYVeterinarian Arnold Plotnick Wins theHartz Glamour-Puss Award at the 2005Cat Writers’ Association Conference

Continuing its dedication to the human–animalbond, Hartz is proud to announce that the winner ofthe 2005 Hartz Glamour-Puss Award is veterinarianArnold Plotnick. The Cat Writers’ Association, anorganization dedicated to professionals writing aboutcats, teamed up with Hartz for this award that honorsthe best entry on the topic of feline skin and coat care.

Dr. Plotnick’s winning article, “Brush Up on HairLoss,” gives important information to pet ownersabout caring for the feline skin and coat and discussescommon reasons for hair loss in cats. The Hartz Glamour-Puss judge, Carol Harvey, said, “I foundit to be very informative, educating, and interesting.”

Dr. Plotnick is a veterinarian and owner of Manhattan Cat Specialists, a feline-exclusiveveterinary facility located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. He is board certified in felinemedicine and is a frequent contributor to both Cat Fancy and Catnip magazines. He is also theMedical Editor for Catnip magazine.

According to Dr. Albert Ahn, Vice President of Corporate Communications and ConsumerRelations with The Hartz Mountain Corporation, “Hartz appreciates the opportunity toacknowledge great cat writers like Dr. Plotnick who help enhance the treasured relationshipbetween pets and their caring owners.”

As an award recipient, Dr. Plotnick received a cash prize, as well as a custom-designed awardby renowned Texan artist, Peggy Dee. FEBRUARY 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 1 7

Dr. Arnold Plotnick, left, receives the 2005 HartzGlamour-Puss award from Dr. Albert Ahn, VicePresident of Corporate Communications andConsumer Relations with The Hartz MountainCorporation, at the 2005 Cat Writer’sAssociation Conference.

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Hartz Names Hurricane ReliefVolunteer “Veterinarian of the Year”

Dr. Michael Reinhart, a passionate hurricane relief volunteer,has been named Veterinarian of the Year for 2006 by The HartzMountain Corporation.

A graduate of the University of Florida College of VeterinaryMedicine, Dr. Reinhart is heavily involved in youth andeducational programs in his area, routinely speaking at localschools about the veterinary profession and animal care andencouraging students to shadow him in his clinic, the JacarandaAnimal Hospital in Venice, Florida.

Dr. Reinhart’s relief efforts began during Hurricane Charley.He and his staff mobilized immediately after the storm. Drivinginto total devastation, they began to rescue people and theiranimals trapped in their homes. Within 24 hours, he helped setup a mobile, round-the-clock clinic to treat animals that hadbeen lost or injured during the storm.

After Charley, Dr. Reinhart spent 3 weeks in the hurricane-damaged area providing veterinary services and working withvolunteers from the ManaTEEN Club, a local organization thatengages teenagers in community service. He also contactedmajor corporations and solicited donations of cameras to takepictures of the destruction for insurance payments, paint cansfor makeshift mailboxes, cell phone service, and animal food andmedical supplies.

“Dr. Reinhart’s dedication to his profession and hiscommunity has touched the lives of many in their hour ofneed,” said Dr. Albert Ahn, Vice President of CorporateCommunications and Consumer Relations at Hartz. “He is an

example to us all of how we should react in times of crisis—tohelp those in need get back on their feet in any way we can.”

Dr. Reinhart was nominated for this award by DeborahWhitman, a longtime client who praised not only his diagnosticand surgical abilities but also his dedication to his patients andcommunity. Ms. Whitman wrote, “He left his own family, twotowns away, on Christmas Eve, to hurry down the interstate andmet my son and his critically ill dog at the office. Dr. Reinhartimmediately performed emergency surgery, saving the dog’slife.” Dr. Reinhart has a reputation of putting his patients aheadof himself, often staying overnight at the hospital if an animal isin critical condition.

The runners up were Dr. James Zgoda of the Otterkill AnimalHospital in Campbell Hall, New York, and Dr. Ava Frick of theAnimal Fitness Center in Union, Missouri. Dr. Zgoda, a graduateof Cornell University, volunteers at a no-kill sanctuary that houseshomeless, retired, and special needs animals. His mission is notjust to save the lives of companion animals but also to ensure thebest possible quality of life for them. Dr. Frick, a graduate of theUniversity of Missouri, is the only veterinarian in the state ofMissouri who is certified in animal chiropractics practicing totallyin the specialty of animal rehabilitation. Her innovative facilityprovides a variety of treatments including nutritional support,massage, hydrotherapy, and ultrasound to help heal animalsfollowing illness, injury, or surgery.

Dr. Michael Reinhart, right, receives the 2006Veterinarian of the Year award from Dr. AlbertAhn, Vice President of Corporate Communicationsand Consumer Relations at Hartz.