Promoting Canine Consent and Feline Health: A Deep Dive with Pet Expert Steve Dale

Renowned animal behavior consultant, radio host, and author, Steve Dale, recently highlighted critical advancements in pet welfare, emphasizing the importance of understanding canine consent to prevent bites and celebrating significant breakthroughs in feline health research. In a recent discussion on "The Pawsitive Post in Conversation" with hosts Zazie Todd, PhD, and Kristi Benson, Dale unveiled his new children’s book, Ask the Dog, and elaborated on the life-saving work of the Every Cat Health Foundation, where he serves on the board. The conversation underscored the interconnectedness of animal and human well-being, advocating for a more informed and respectful approach to our companion animals.

The "Ask the Dog" Imperative: Fostering Canine Consent

At the heart of Dale’s new children’s book, Ask the Dog, illustrated by Shelby Koehler, is a groundbreaking message: beyond asking a dog’s owner for permission to pet, it is equally vital to ascertain if the dog itself wants to be petted. This concept of canine consent, often overlooked, is presented through the engaging story of a young character named Morgan, who learns to interpret various dog behaviors with her mother’s guidance. The book aims to equip children with the skills to "speak dog," recognizing subtle cues that indicate a dog’s comfort or discomfort with interaction.

Dale’s inspiration for the book stemmed from a personal encounter where a dog’s clear, non-verbal communication of disinterest in being petted was missed by its owner. He observed a dog standing stiffly, looking away, with its tail held straight back—all indicators of reluctance. This experience crystallized his belief that dogs, as sentient beings, possess the right to express "no" without needing a human to interpret the why. This principle is especially critical for children, who, due to their size and often impulsive nature, are disproportionately affected by dog bites.

According to data from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and insurance claims, dog bites in the United States are reportedly at a record high, with fatalities also increasing. Many of these incidents occur within homes and involve children, with bites often targeting the face simply because children are at a convenient height. Dale argues that a greater understanding of canine body language could significantly reduce these alarming statistics. The book directly challenges conventional wisdom, such as extending a hand for a dog to sniff or immediately hugging an unfamiliar dog. Dale advocates for letting the dog initiate interaction, allowing it to approach if interested, and respecting its space if it chooses not to. This shift from human-centric interaction to dog-centric respect is a cornerstone of preventing potentially dangerous encounters.

Evolution of Dog Bite Prevention Strategies

Historically, dog bite prevention efforts have largely focused on two key areas: early socialization and public awareness campaigns. Pioneering research by John Scott and John Fuller in the 1950s and 60s revealed the critical period of primary socialization in puppies, fundamentally changing our understanding of canine development. This knowledge was later popularized by experts like Dr. Ian Dunbar, leading to the widespread adoption of puppy classes. Additionally, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) launched "Dog Bite Prevention Week" decades ago to raise public awareness.

While these initiatives have been vital, Dale contends they are no longer sufficient. Despite increased pet ownership in North America and Europe, the rise in dog bite incidents has outpaced the increase in pet populations, suggesting a gap in current prevention strategies. This has broader societal implications, including escalating insurance costs for pet owners, businesses, and homeowners. Increased bite incidents can also lead to restrictions on pet-friendly establishments and, as Dale experienced firsthand, a resurgence of breed-specific legislation, which he has actively fought against. Furthermore, the American Psychological Association reports a rise in cynophobia (fear of dogs), directly linked to the increase in bite incidents.

Dale stresses that dogs do not inherently wish to harm; rather, bites are often a desperate response to fear, anxiety, or pain, particularly as dogs age and experience conditions like arthritis, ear infections, or dental issues. He advocates for fostering "enthusiastic consent" from dogs, particularly concerning invasive handling such as hugging, which many dogs find uncomfortable due to their non-primate nature. Promoting respect for a dog’s boundaries is not only a matter of safety but also of humane treatment.

Advancing Feline Health: The Every Cat Health Foundation’s Impact

Beyond canine welfare, Steve Dale is a passionate advocate for feline health, serving on the board of the Every Cat Health Foundation for over two decades. This non-profit organization is unique globally in its dedicated funding of cat health studies, which have been instrumental in shaping virtually everything known about feline medicine, from vaccines and diagnostics to treatments for various illnesses. Dale’s involvement highlights a less visible but equally profound contribution to animal well-being.

• Taurine and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): A Historical Triumph
  In the 1960s, a devastating heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) was a significant cause of illness and death in cats. Veterinary cardiologists initially sought pharmaceutical solutions. However, Dr. Paul Pion, then a veterinary student specializing in cardiology, theorized a nutritional deficiency: insufficient taurine in commercial cat food. Cats, unlike dogs or humans, cannot produce this essential amino acid on their own. The Every Cat Health Foundation funded Dr. Pion’s research, which conclusively proved his hypothesis. This led to a global reformulation of cat food to include adequate taurine, virtually eradicating diet-induced DCM. The only instances of this condition today are typically seen in cats fed homemade diets lacking proper taurine supplementation.

• Conquering Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): From Fatal to Treatable
  For decades, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) was considered an invariably fatal disease, particularly tragic as it primarily afflicted kittens. Diagnosing FIP was challenging, and a diagnosis meant delivering devastating news to pet owners. The Every Cat Health Foundation consistently funded Dr. Niels Peterson, a professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, and other researchers worldwide, to better understand and ultimately find a solution for FIP. In 2017, a landmark meeting organized by Dale at UC Davis brought together leading FIP researchers globally. The consensus emerging from this gathering was historic: FIP was now considered treatable.

  

  A remarkable twist in this story connects FIP research to human health. FIP is caused by a mutation of a common, usually benign feline coronavirus. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, governments frantically sought effective antivirals. Research papers by Dr. Peterson and his team on a drug effective against FIP in cats caught the attention of human health authorities. The antiviral drug Remdesivir, developed for FIP, was found to have efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Dale had the privilege of discussing this connection with Dr. Anthony Fauci, then director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Remdesivir, and subsequent, more accessible derivatives, are now used to treat both FIP in cats and severe COVID-19 in humans, a testament to the unforeseen benefits of veterinary research.

• Addressing Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): The Ricky Fund’s Legacy
  Dale also shared a personal story illustrating the Foundation’s impact on another prevalent feline heart condition: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). His beloved cat, Ricky, an exceptionally talented piano-playing feline, suddenly succumbed to HCM. This prompted Dale to establish "The Ricky Fund" through the Every Cat Health Foundation to fund research into understanding and treating the disease. Years later, at a veterinary conference, he was approached by representatives of an Irish company that had developed Felisin 1, a treatment for preclinical HCM, directly based on the research funded by The Ricky Fund. This drug, conditionally approved by the Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration (in the U.S.), offers hope for cats diagnosed before symptoms manifest, saving countless lives from what is often considered the leading cause of death in adult indoor cats before they reach their senior years.

• The O’Malley Fund and Chronic Feline Illnesses
  The Every Cat Health Foundation continues its proactive approach to feline health with new initiatives like "The O’Malley Fund," launched by Kara Burns, the incoming chair of the board. This fund is dedicated to tackling chronic conditions such as feline diabetes and hyperthyroidism. While treatments exist for these widespread ailments, many cats develop insulin resistance in diabetes, and long-term management can be costly. The O’Malley Fund seeks not only to improve treatment protocols but also to explore prevention strategies, particularly emphasizing the critical role of weight management in mitigating the "epidemic proportions" of feline obesity, a significant contributing factor to diabetes. For hyperthyroidism, a common ailment in aging cats, the fund aims to shift focus from treatment to early prevention, enhancing the quality of life for an increasingly long-lived feline population.

The "One Health" Connection

The extensive work of the Every Cat Health Foundation, particularly the FIP-Remdesivir connection, powerfully illustrates the "One Health" concept—the understanding that human, animal, and environmental health are inextricably linked. Advances in veterinary medicine not only enhance animal welfare but also frequently yield insights and treatments with direct applications to human health, underscoring the profound benefits of investing in animal research. Dale’s efforts, spanning both public education on animal behavior and fundraising for cutting-edge medical research, exemplify a holistic approach to promoting a harmonious coexistence with our animal companions.

Steve Dale’s Ask the Dog is available wherever books are sold, and readers are encouraged to visit stevedale.tv for more information on his work and to sign up for his newsletter. To learn more about the vital research and initiatives of the Every Cat Health Foundation, including The Ricky Fund and The O’Malley Fund, visit everycat.org. The organization’s website provides detailed information on their numerous funded studies, which have significantly improved the daily lives of countless cats worldwide.