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Animals
Special Issues
Cognition and Behavioral Problems in Companion Animals
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Cognition and Behavioral Problems in Companion Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Companion Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2022) | Viewed by 9446

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ángela González-Martínez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Servicio de Etología y Medicina de Comportamiento Animal, Hospital Veterinario Universitario Rof Codina, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Interests: dogs; cats; behaviour; animal welfare; stress; comparative medicine: diseases in humans and animals; cognitive dysfunction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Belén Rosado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: dogs; cats; behaviour; animal welfare; stress; comparative medicine: diseases in humans and animals; cognitive dysfunction; epilepsy; microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce this Special Issue of Animals, titled ‘Cognition and Behavioral Problems in Companion Animals’.

Behavioral problems are still a prominent reason for young cats and dogs being relinquished or even euthanized. In this sense, most of the behavioral problems in companion animals, such a separation-related disorders, are an animal welfare concern. Additionally, aggression problems are a complex issue for public health with a huge media focus and negative social effects.

On the other hand, the number of studies in animal cognition has increased exponentially in recent years. Advancing in the knowledge of cognitive processes in companion animals would allow us to deepen our understanding of behavioral problems.

We would like to extend an invitation to publish in this Special Issue, which will present the latest research on the topic of cognition and behavioral problems in companion animals, especially dogs and cats. We hope to make a major contribution to the knowledge and practice within this area.

Dr. Ángela González-Martínez
Dr. Belén Rosado
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • behavior
  • behavior problems
  • dogs
  • cats
  • companion animals
  • cognition

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 2992 KiB  
Article
Long-Lasting Chews Elicit Positive Emotional States in Dogs during Short Periods of Social Isolation
by Hannah E. Flint, Megan Atkinson, James Lush, Alysia B. G. Hunt and Tammie King
Animals 2023, 13(4), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040552 - 04 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4542
Abstract
Dogs may experience negative emotional states when isolated from human caregivers and conspecifics. This study aimed to evaluate how dogs interact with different enrichments during a short period of social isolation, as a first step towards identifying methods for improving their emotional wellbeing. [...] Read more.
Dogs may experience negative emotional states when isolated from human caregivers and conspecifics. This study aimed to evaluate how dogs interact with different enrichments during a short period of social isolation, as a first step towards identifying methods for improving their emotional wellbeing. Using a cross-over design, dogs (n = 20) at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute were exposed to four different food-based enrichments while left alone in a familiar room for 20 min: long-lasting chew (Chew), kibble in a treat-dispensing toy (Toy), and kibble dispensed through a smart treat-dispensing device with (Device + Voice) and without (Device) a person talking to the dog. Time spent engaging with each enrichment item and emotional valence and arousal (7-point scale collected every 5-min) were scored from videos. The results of linear mixed models indicated Chew was the most successful enrichment, with dogs having lower arousal scores (p < 0.05 vs. Device and Toy) during the first five minutes of isolation, higher positive valence scores (p < 0.05 vs. all) during the second five minutes of isolation, and spending the most total time engaged (p < 0.01 vs. all). Based on these findings, long-lasting chews should be further explored to assess their impact on dog emotional wellbeing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognition and Behavioral Problems in Companion Animals)
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14 pages, 277 KiB  
Article
Changes to Adult Dog Social Behaviour during and after COVID-19 Lockdowns in England: A Qualitative Analysis of Owner Perception
by Holly Boardman and Mark James Farnworth
Animals 2022, 12(13), 1682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131682 - 29 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4532
Abstract
Reports suggest that dogs have experienced more quality time with their owners and have exhibited less separation-related behaviour during COVID-19. This study aims to define and explore the changes in the social behaviour of adult dogs, identify any perceived short- and long-term effects [...] Read more.
Reports suggest that dogs have experienced more quality time with their owners and have exhibited less separation-related behaviour during COVID-19. This study aims to define and explore the changes in the social behaviour of adult dogs, identify any perceived short- and long-term effects and identify the implications that future events may have due to the implementation and withdrawal of COVID-19 restrictions. Owners of dogs aged between 3 and 6 years living in England were recruited for semi-structured interviews about their dogs’ social behaviours before, during and after lockdown. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Fifteen owners of eighteen dogs were interviewed in December 2021 to January 2022. All owners interviewed noticed a change in behaviour either during or following the COVID-19 lockdowns. Many owners found that fear-related and aggressive behaviours increased, particularly after lockdown restrictions had been lifted. There is a risk to human and animal safety if fear-related behaviours are not properly managed and there is a danger to dog welfare through relinquishment as owners struggle to cope with problematic behaviours. An increase in the duration of walks is comparable to other studies; however, this study found that many owners continued to walk their dogs more than restrictions allowed. Reliable information or behavioural support by qualified professionals may be needed to aid owners in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Behaviour modification plans or information could include positive techniques such as desensitisation and counterconditioning. More widely, owners should be prepared for any future behavioural changes due to unpredictable events which may alter the dog–owner dynamic. Results can be adapted to the increase in at-home working following the pandemic or other novel experiences and changes of routine such as retirement, job change or relocation. More awareness of the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic is needed to prepare dog behaviour professionals for future owner concerns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognition and Behavioral Problems in Companion Animals)
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