California University in Search of Kitten Foster Parents

Researchers at the University of California-Davis are looking for foster parents caring for kittens to participate in a study. The university aims to help lessen the stress during pet grooming. The research will be virtual and guide pet parents in holding felines’ paws and clipping their nails . Moreover, if a kitty isn’t open to allowing their humans to trim their claws, researchers plan to help guide the people through acclimatizing them to the process.

University of California-Davis needs more foster parents with kittens for research

The University of California-Davis recently noted that it is looking for foster parents to sign up for its virtual kitten trimming study. However, foster parents aren’t the only ones who can participate, as researchers are also open to owners, groomers, and vets, per USA Today . They aim to lessen the stress related to pet grooming while helping develop protocols and methods for veterinarians to help with aggressiveness associated with grooming.

Jennifer Link and Carly Moody will be conducting the research. Link got the idea after conducting a previous study on cat behavior . Several participants noted that grooming is the most challenging part of caring for their feline friends. Thus, she decided to work on guidelines for cat owners, with the study taking place over Zoom for the utmost convenience.

The California University doctoral candidate aims to work with foster parents so that they can pass on the information to people who will then adopt the kittens. Moody’s previous research will also immensely help further the study, as she has observed vets and groomers developing ways to handle felines gently.

The lab’s chief investigator and professor stated that several vets and their staff avoid handling cats. However, gentle approaches like wrapping the kitties in towels while grooming them can help with aggressiveness. Moreover, gentle handling would encourage more cat owners to take their furry friends to the vet.

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