Latest news with #WalthamPetcareScienceInstitute
New York Post
16-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Most people prefer to spend time and de-stress with pets over partners, new research finds
A majority of pet owners would prefer to spend time with their fluffy friends when they are stressed rather than with their partners, according to new research. A global survey of 30,000 pet owners found that 65 percent of people would prefer to de-stress in the company of their dog, cat or other household pet – significantly more than those who said their partners (37 percent), family (24 percent), children (22 percent) or friends (21 percent). More than half of pet owners – 59 percent – said their pets provided company without the need to talk during stressful times, while nearly a quarter said their pet provided a space for them to express worries or concerns without expecting a response. But for most pet owners – 90 percent of them – the simple presence of their pet is relaxing, offering a sense of calm that doesn't require words or actions. The findings, commissioned by pet care business Mars and mental health company Calm, also revealed how pets can reinforce other good mental health habits, such as encouraging us to step away from screens, spend more time outdoors and take a break from work and chores. Almost eight in 10 said their pet reminds them to pause and take a break from work, chores or tasks, while 77 percent said their pet encourages them to take a break away from screens. The heartwarming results make it no surprise that nine in 10 Aussies surveyed said their pet had positively impacted their mental wellbeing. 'While we love our pets, we often don't realise how much they give back,' Dr Tammie King, a specialist in human-animal interaction and senior research manager at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute said. New research reveals that a majority of pet owners prefer to spend time with their pets over their life partners when they are stressed out. yurakrasil – 'Reframing your pet's daily 'interruptions' as loving reminders to pause, breathe and be present can be a powerful wellness tool.' 'Research shows that touch-based pet interactions can boost oxytocin levels in humans.' 'The findings of this survey will help more people reflect on and acknowledge the little wellbeing moments pets nudge us towards on a daily basis.' The survey marks the launch of a partnership between Mars – which produces pet care brands including Pedigree, Royal Canin and Whiskas – and meditation app Calm. The survey conducted by Mars and mental health company Calm, reveals that 65% of 30,000 pet owners would rather de-stress in the company of their household pet over their partner, family, children, or friends. tonefotografia – The businesses have joined forces to shine a light on how our furry friends can boost our mental health through a pet-inspired content series. The content is designed to help users relax, reflect and recharge. In addition to the content series, Mars and Calm have launched a social media campaign to find stories from pet owners of their pets, to explore how they help our mental health. The stories will become inspiration for Calm content later in the year. 'We know that small, intentional moments of calm can have a big impact on our overall wellbeing, and our pets have an incredible way of guiding us there,' Dr Chris Mosunic, chief clinical officer at Calm said. 'A quick dog walk or cat cuddle at our desk when they stroll in front of the screen, can provide a simple moment to reset and recharge.' 'We're proud to partner with Mars and bring this data to the forefront to highlight the potential of our bond with pets and help more people discover the wonderful wellbeing benefits our relationship with pets can bring.' For more information on the Mars x Calm partnership, visit:
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Most people prefer to de-stress with pets over partners, new research finds
A majority of pet owners would prefer to spend time with their fluffy friends when they are stressed rather than with their partners, according to new research. A global survey of 30,000 pet owners found that 65 per cent of people would prefer to de-stress in the company of their dog, cat or other household pet – significantly more than those who said their partners (37 per cent), family (24 per cent), children (22 per cent) or friends (21 per cent). More than half of pet owners – 59 per cent – said their pets provided company without the need to talk during stressful times, while nearly a quarter said their pet provided a space for them to express worries or concerns without expecting a response. But for most pet owners – 90 per cent of them – the simple presence of their pet is relaxing, offering a sense of calm that doesn't require words or actions. The findings, commissioned by pet care business Mars and mental health company Calm, also revealed how pets can reinforce other good mental health habits, such as encouraging us to step away from screens, spend more time outdoors and take a break from work and chores. Almost eight in 10 said their pet reminds them to pause and take a break from work, chores or tasks, while 77 per cent said their pet encourages them to take a break away from screens. The heartwarming results make it no surprise that nine in 10 Aussies surveyed said their pet had positively impacted their mental wellbeing. 'While we love our pets, we often don't realise how much they give back,' Dr Tammie King, a specialist in human-animal interaction and senior research manager at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute said. 'Reframing your pet's daily 'interruptions' as loving reminders to pause, breathe and be present can be a powerful wellness tool. 'Research shows that touch-based pet interactions can boost oxytocin levels in humans. 'The findings of this survey will help more people reflect on and acknowledge the little wellbeing moments pets nudge us towards on a daily basis.' The survey marks the launch of a partnership between Mars – which produces pet care brands including Pedigree, Royal Canin and Whiskas – and meditation app Calm. The businesses have joined forces to shine a light on how our furry friends can boost our mental health through a pet-inspired content series. The content is designed to help users relax, reflect and recharge. In addition to the content series, Mars and Calm have launched a social media campaign to find stories from pet owners of their pets, to explore how they help our mental health. The stories will become inspiration for Calm content later in the year. 'We know that small, intentional moments of calm can have a big impact on our overall wellbeing, and our pets have an incredible way of guiding us there,' Dr Chris Mosunic, chief clinical officer at Calm said. 'A quick dog walk or cat cuddle at our desk when they stroll in front of the screen, can provide a simple moment to reset and recharge. 'We're proud to partner with Mars and bring this data to the forefront to highlight the potential of our bond with pets and help more people discover the wonderful wellbeing benefits our relationship with pets can bring.' For more information on the Mars x Calm partnership, visit:
Cision Canada
30-04-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
WHISKAS® Brand Reveals Canadian Cities with The Happiest Cats
TORONTO, April 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Today the WHISKAS® Brand, proudly part of the Mars family of brands, released the findings of the WHISKAS® brand Cat Happiness Scale. The WHISKAS® brand partnered with experts from Waltham Petcare Science Institute to identify the top behaviours associated with cat happiness and then uncovered cities where they are most frequently displayed by Canadian cats on social media. While this research identified the cities that are home to Canada's happiest cats, many felines in shelters may need a little more happiness. That is why today the WHISKAS® brand is also supporting select animal shelters across the country by fulfilling items from their Wish Lists, ranging from cat food, toys and products to general supplies the shelter needs. Canadian Cities with the Happiest Cats From displaying behaviours related to relaxation and affection such as purring and slow blinking, the playful and insightful Cat Happiness Scale rates Canadian cities based on a set of "happy cat behaviours," revealing what makes Canadian cats purr with contentment and educating Canadian pet parents to help them better understand their cats. Leading the list of cities that are home to Canada's happiest cats is Hamilton, Canada's new happy cat capital. The full list of top 10 cities for happiest cats are: Hamilton (ON), Laval (QC), Ottawa (ON), Vancouver (BC), Quebec City (QC), Markham (ON), Winnipeg (MB), Montreal (QC), Kitchener (ON) and Gatineau (QC). "Cats have a reputation for being aloof and difficult to understand. However, they are excellent pets with unique personalities," said Dr. Tammie King, Senior Research Manager, Waltham Petcare Science Institute. "For all cat parents who wonder about how to read their cats, you're not alone. Overall, people tend to find it difficult to interpret their cat's body language and emotional state. With the Cat Happiness Scale, derived from the scientific understanding of cat behaviour, we love the opportunity to help Canadian cat parents better understand their pets, and ultimately strengthen the human-cat bond." Helping Even More Cats in Need The WHISKAS® brand knows that not all cats have the same opportunities to experience happiness. That's why the brand is launching the Wish Lists initiative to spread happiness to cats by fulfilling items including food, toys and supplies from the wish lists of the following shelters: "This wish list fulfillment effort by the WHISKAS® brand will help us greatly in terms of our ability to keep the cats in our care as happy as possible while they wait for their forever homes," said Robyn Roy, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Cochrane and Area Humane Society. "Flirt, a cherished resident cat at CAHS since 2023, loves to get rubs and snuggles from our volunteers while playing with the new toys donated from our wish list, fulfilled by the WHISKAS® brand. Flirt brings cozy companionship and a daily dose of affection and happiness to everyone she meets. At 15.5 years young, she continues to thrive with WHISKAS® as a part of her daily routine." Additionally, the WHISKAS® brand team is encouraging cat parents and cat lovers to get involved and help spread happiness to all shelter cats across the country. They can donate wish list items to their local shelter and claim a free WHISKAS Pouch product.* "This isn't just about celebrating Canada's happiest cats, it's about spreading that joy to even more cats across Canada," says Animesh Kumar, Marketing Director, Mars Pet Nutrition Canada. "We're giving cat owners a fun way to identify markers of happiness, both physically and emotionally, while inspiring people to support shelter cats who deserve the same love and happiness. Through this initiative, we're furthering the WHISKAS® brand's mission to create one purr at a time, while aspiring to achieve the Mars Petcare Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS." WHISKAS ® Wet Cat Food Pouch: A New Format for Mealtimes The new WHISKAS® pouch format is designed to make mealtimes more enjoyable for cats and their parents. With a quick three-step "Shake, Tear, Pour" process, the packaging is convenient and mess-free for easy meals every time. The new pouches are available across Canada wherever cat food is sold. Customers can receive a FREE pouch here: ENG OR FR WHISKAS® Cat Happiness Study Methodology This study used social listening to determine which cities in Canada have the happiest cats, analyzing thousands of user-generated images of cats posted on Instagram and TikTok by owners in major Canadian cities. Only non-commercial, non-AI, and naturally captured content was included. This social media content was coded using a custom scorecard informed by the Waltham Pet Science Institute's SHINE ™ framework, focusing on key cat happiness indicators. The results provide a ranking of 10 Canadian cities based on highest percentage of positive happy cat behaviours. For more information about WHISKAS® products, visit ABOUT THE WHISKAS® BRAND: WHISKAS® has been lovingly making food for cats since 1958, that's over 60 years of experience that we use to make our feline friends purr more. Not only are we committed to developing delicious products, we're devoted to helping all cats live healthier and happier lives. At WHISKAS® we know and understand how much people love their cats – we feel the same. We love them for who they really are – they are independent spirits but still need nurturing, love and care. We believe the best way to help owners provide that care is through understanding their cat and providing them with tasty food to satisfy them, bringing out that glorious purr of approval, strengthening the bond between owner and cat. As the makers of WHISKAS®, we pride ourselves on producing recipes that reassure cat owners they are filling their cats' bellies with a healthy and tasty diet. We work with the Waltham Petcare Science Institute for Pet Nutrition to develop products that constantly improve nutrition, taste and care. We ensure that all of our meals are filled with the natural goodness your cat deserves while always 100% nutritionally complete and balanced. It's part of our mission to create a world where all cats purr more. ABOUT WALTHAM PETCARE SCIENCE INSTITUTE Waltham Petcare Science Institute has been advancing pet health and nutrition for more than 60 years. Today, we research new ways to predict, manage and prevent disease, discovering insights and advances that proactively help pets live happier, healthier lives. Waltham collaborates with leading external scientific experts and partners to drive innovation based on scientific evidence to achieve our Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS." Building on a strong legacy of human-animal interaction research, we continue to advance scientific understanding of the relationships between pets and people. For more information, visit: Join us on LinkedIn ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED: Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $50bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M'S®, SNICKERS® and BEN'S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles — Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom — inspire our 150,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet. For more information about Mars, please visit Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. *Free Samples Terms & Conditions
